Parliament and Commission sound the alarm

(B2 archives) The European Commission, the German presidency of the Union and the European Parliament sounded the alarm on Thursday in Brussels.

No question of unraveling the whole Constitution as required by some countries (United Kingdom, Poland or Czech Republic). In a resolution approved by a large majority (469 votes for, 141 against) on June 7, Parliament showed itself determined to " to oppose any project for a new treaty which would lead to a reduction in the protection of citizens' rights, unless there is democracy and efficiency in the functioning of the European Union ". The Charter of Fundamental Rights must keep " a binding character He insists.

A few nice changes won't be enough

Margot Wallström, European Commissioner for Institutional Affairs, is not to be outdone. " A solution of the lowest common denominator might seem soothing in the short term, but it will surely be insufficient, even dangerous, for the future. A few changes to the Treaty of Nice will not be enough"

No to a simplified Treaty

In other words, there is no question of a simplified Treaty reduced to two or three institutional modifications – as Nicolas Sarkozy mentioned on several occasions. The only concession: the abandonment of the word "Constitution" and symbols (motto, flag, etc.). A position which does not really have the official consent of the European executive even if it recognizes that certain provisions such as the word Constitution or "the symbols" (flag, motto, etc.) will have to be abandoned

Limit veto possibilities

The important thing is to limit  veto options said German Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier. " Not everyone is yet convinced by our solutions added the one who handles the negotiations with the other European Sherpas. We defend the solution found in the Constitutional Treaty.

A compromise seems to be on the way

« We are working on it he added without wanting to reveal anything. Caution! " Never in my life have I had so many bilateral contacts as in recent weeks ". Because the June summit, “ this is our last chance to reach an agreement! he warned. The “Merkel” method: discretion, negotiation… efficiency?

(Nicolas Gros-Verheyde)
article published in Ouest-France in a first shorter version