Sayhey
Jun 18, 2004, 07:44 PM
The summit of leaders of the EU nations has agreed on a new constitution. This is just the opening of a long fight to get it ratified by each nation. The UK looks to be the hardest sell.
EU agrees historic constitution
A deal has been reached on the first constitution for the European Union after hours of talks at the EU summit.
The final text of the constitution was put to leaders of the 25 EU states, who approved it a short time ago.
The accord concludes two days of intense negotiations in Brussels and four years of argument and preparation.
Reports say the other sticking point - a new European Commission president - has been postponed for later talks after a bitter row over candidates.
But both Germany and France backed a compromise constitutional draft put forward by Ireland - the current holder of EU presidency.
Now every country will have to ratify the treaty, either in national parliaments or through public referendums.
Contentment
European leaders toasted the new agreement with champagne, and gave a standing ovation to Irish Prime Minister Bertie Ahern who brokered the deal.
UK Prime Minister Tony Blair said it paved the way for a flexible Europe of strong nation states co-operating together.
"It's a success for Britain and a success for Europe," he said.
French President Jacques Chirac said the agreement meant "an important day for Europe".
Mr Ahern described it as a "win-win solution" which was advantageous for everyone.
"Nobody was rolled over and we worked hard to achieve that," he said.
The document sets out the powers of the national governments of the member states and the EU's various institutions as well as a charter of fundamental rights and a detailed catalogue of how the union will conduct a wide range of internal and foreign policies.
It includes one of the issues that torpedoed constitutional talks last year - resistance by smaller nations to plans for new voting rules.
The new plan says measures must have the backing of at least 55% of EU states, representing at least 65% of the total population, in order to pass.
Mr Blair said the treaty had satisfied the UK's demands to keep vetoes on issues such as economic policy, defence and foreign affairs.
France had complained that the UK was making too many demands for special treatment.
Commissioner debate
The UK remains at odds with both France and Germany over a successor to Mr Prodi who steps down as head of the commission when his five-year term ends in October.
France and Germany had backed Belgian Prime Minister Guy Verhofstadt, but Britain opposed him on the grounds that he could be too eager to make the EU more federal.
Mr Verhofstadt later said he was "no longer available" for the post.
A UK commissioner, Chris Patten, had been proposed - but President Chirac said he did not think it was a good idea to have a candidate from "a country which doesn't take part in all European policies".
Mr Patten has now also pulled out, according to Mr Ahern.
The Irish pirme minister said he hoped to resolve the issue before his country's presidency ends on 30 June.
BBC (http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/3820607.stm)
EU agrees historic constitution
A deal has been reached on the first constitution for the European Union after hours of talks at the EU summit.
The final text of the constitution was put to leaders of the 25 EU states, who approved it a short time ago.
The accord concludes two days of intense negotiations in Brussels and four years of argument and preparation.
Reports say the other sticking point - a new European Commission president - has been postponed for later talks after a bitter row over candidates.
But both Germany and France backed a compromise constitutional draft put forward by Ireland - the current holder of EU presidency.
Now every country will have to ratify the treaty, either in national parliaments or through public referendums.
Contentment
European leaders toasted the new agreement with champagne, and gave a standing ovation to Irish Prime Minister Bertie Ahern who brokered the deal.
UK Prime Minister Tony Blair said it paved the way for a flexible Europe of strong nation states co-operating together.
"It's a success for Britain and a success for Europe," he said.
French President Jacques Chirac said the agreement meant "an important day for Europe".
Mr Ahern described it as a "win-win solution" which was advantageous for everyone.
"Nobody was rolled over and we worked hard to achieve that," he said.
The document sets out the powers of the national governments of the member states and the EU's various institutions as well as a charter of fundamental rights and a detailed catalogue of how the union will conduct a wide range of internal and foreign policies.
It includes one of the issues that torpedoed constitutional talks last year - resistance by smaller nations to plans for new voting rules.
The new plan says measures must have the backing of at least 55% of EU states, representing at least 65% of the total population, in order to pass.
Mr Blair said the treaty had satisfied the UK's demands to keep vetoes on issues such as economic policy, defence and foreign affairs.
France had complained that the UK was making too many demands for special treatment.
Commissioner debate
The UK remains at odds with both France and Germany over a successor to Mr Prodi who steps down as head of the commission when his five-year term ends in October.
France and Germany had backed Belgian Prime Minister Guy Verhofstadt, but Britain opposed him on the grounds that he could be too eager to make the EU more federal.
Mr Verhofstadt later said he was "no longer available" for the post.
A UK commissioner, Chris Patten, had been proposed - but President Chirac said he did not think it was a good idea to have a candidate from "a country which doesn't take part in all European policies".
Mr Patten has now also pulled out, according to Mr Ahern.
The Irish pirme minister said he hoped to resolve the issue before his country's presidency ends on 30 June.
BBC (http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/3820607.stm)
