Brussels, 27/03/2001 (Agence Europe) - Many research centres and think tanks from several European Union countries that met at Val Duchesse (Brussels) on 21 and 22 March on the initiative of the International European Movement for an initial discussion on Europe's future (see EUROPE of 22 March, p.6) decided to set up an "academic and scientific Agora on Europe's future" in order to ensure and coordinate a contribution by the academic and scientific world in the process. Work on 21 March was chaired by Thomas Jansen, Chef de Cabinet of the President of the Economic and Social Committee, and that of 22 March by Virgilio Dastoli, Secretay General of the International European Movement, who presented a paper.
The Agora will meet regularly, and will have its next meeting in Rome on 23 and 24 May, that will, on a suggestion of Giorgio Napolitano, Chair of the European Parliament's Committee on Constitutional Affairs, be devoted to the "constituent power" in the EU and the method of the "Convention" used to draw up the European Charter of Fundamental Rights. At a meeting to be held before the Summit of Ghent on 19 October, the European Movement and research centres intend jointly discussing the Laeken Declaration, expected a the December Summit.