| I consulted the website of the European Union (www.europa.eu) and read the speech
dated 22-11 from mrs. M. Wallström about "The consequences of the lack of a European Constitution"
and the Commission staff Working paper "The cost of the non-Constitution".
My follow up contribution on the 'C.T.-need':
Europe needs fundamental principles, laid down in a C.T. (pact, charter, treaty, covenant). Not a C.T. that
pulls power away from national countries and that takes the place of national constitutions, but one
that consolidates and complements. With such a design common policies concerning important
fields as foreign policy (enlargement, immigration), energy (sustainability, climate-control), security
(control of terrorism) and employment can be much more strongly performed.
The uncertainty:
It is still not really sure that the C.T. is or will become populair amoung and will be accepted by
citizens. Very various sounds are present. As you might know, one of the reasons for "the no" in
The Netherlands were the consequences of the implementation of an expensive euro at the time.
Nowadays the subject C.T. is quit out of sight (but the euro is still expensive). Furthermore some
political parties are not supporters. At last there is also still a short in knowledge about (the content of)
the C.T.
Very important and a strong item is that, except other necessary lay downs, valuable values are given
that everyone wants.
The settlement (suggestions):
Put settlement in motion, do not impose but convince the need of the settlement. Accent the
advantages. Do a lot of fieldwork, listen to the feelings, watch the signals and analize, make easy
information, give explanation (mention also obstacles) and choose good moments to inform about
developments. Show and let appear that the EU meet feasible wishes of citizens. In the meanwhile,
keep eyes on possible set-backs. Interesting articles.
This week I did make notice of relevant articles, one from Angela Merkel (1), another from
Andrew Moravcsik (2) and earlier one of Mr. B. Bot (3). I invite you to consult:
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"How Europe should be constituted" (very recently published in The Economist 21e edition) www.Theworldin.com- Europe / An agenda for Europe The German EU presidency (www.eu2007.de) will focus on two main tasks: revitalising Europe's economy and deciding how Europe should be "constituted"-in other words, taking forward the constitutional process;
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"What Can We Learn from the Collapse of the European Constitutional Project?" (also published in Politische Vierteljahresschrift, 47. Jg. (juni 2006), Heft 2, S. 219-241) www.princeton.edu/~amoravcs "Public affairs commentary";
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"Deletion of the symbolics and the Covenant of Constitutional Rights of the Union. Insert Copenhagen-criteria" (NRC-newspaper 10-11).
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