Andrew Duff welcomes adoption of rescue plan for EU Constitutional Treaty
January 19, 2006 10:00 AM
Following today's vote in Strasbourg Andrew DUFF (UK Lib Dem), one of the two authors of Parliament's report on the reflection period on the future of the EU constitution said: 'The European Parliament has voted to kick-start a process designed to reach a satisfactory settlement of the constitutional project. European and national parliamentarians should now join forces to intensify the period of reflection on the future of Europe and stimulate real Europe-wide debate on key questions. Towards the end of 2007 a decision will be taken on how to improve the Constitution to meet the legitimate concerns of many people in France, the Netherlands and the United Kingdom about the current state of integration."
'The European Union badly needs its constitution if it is to be able to rise to the challenge of globalisation, to play its part in world affairs and to meet more effectively Europe's social needs. The Parliament has followed our lead in seeking to rescue the Constitution from the dust bin."
'Certainly I regret that we could not more clearly express ourselves on the option of revising Part III of the Constitution. But once the process of Parliamentary and Citizens Forums gets underway we will no doubt see more clearly the need and scope for further improvement."
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