Brussels, 03/10/2002 (Agence Europe) - "We want a European constitutions which incorporates the Charter of Fundamental Rights and which gives the European Union a legal personality". These are the words of Italian Socialist, Giuliano Amato when presenting the Europe of tomorrow guidelines to the press, which the European Parliament Socialist group made public on 3 October. More detailed contributions are expected to follow in order to produce a definitive group contribution before the end of the Convention work next June. The Vice President of the Convention also appealed for a Europe that was closer to its citizens, which required a simplification procedure, including the getting rid of the three "pillars of the treaty but which did not call for a "single procedure". Speaking about the theme of the updating and enriching of the aims of the Union, Mr Amato noted that it was necessary to replace references to the objective of economic growth in the current treaties with demands for sustainable development and economic and social cohesion. Mr Amato indicated that they were talking about a social market economy and not a market economy. He explained that the objectives of the EU were also to protect cultural diversity whilst developing shared values and common responsibilities. Referring to the principles on which the EU is founded, Mr Amato re-affirmed the relevance of the principles of subsidiarity and proportionality and his wish for a greater role for national Parliaments (particularly at a supervisory level of their governments at the Council) and civil society in the European integration process. On "power sharing", Giuliano Amato believed that the future European constitution should clearly determine the exclusive competencies of the EU and those shared with Member States. On the delicate issue of the institutional architecture, he proved unafraid in revealing the divergences due to the political diversity that existed within his "political family" - the Socialist Party. This explains why they had used a formulation that was rather vague and which left these subjects open, he explained. The Socialist group is calling on the President of the Commission to have full democratic legitimacy and that the Presidential term is extended in a way that would allow greater continuity in policy commitments.
As well as these points outlined to the press by Mr Amato, the PES contribution at the Convention, only published in English under the title, "Priorities for Europe" and from which EUROPE will present the following guidelines:
Framework for reform. In order to avoid confusion, the treaties should be re-organised. Two texts are necessary: one on the principles of the EU - including its relations with Member States, regional and local authorities and neighbouring third countries - and its constitution; the other on the policies.
EU objectives. The four EU objectives selected by the PES are: the promotion of sustainable development and economic and social cohesion; protection of cultural diversity; protection of rights and freedoms; affirmation of the European identity at a global level, which means the promotion of the European social model and the fight against the "negative" effects of globalisation.
Promoting basic principles: "National Parliaments need to see that they are respected before EU legislation and must therefore play a role in the decision making process of the EU. The group is calling for "participative democracy", which involves a more active participation from civil society in this process.
A better way to share power. In the areas of national competence, the EU should support the co-ordination of national policies. The co-ordination of policies should be part of the treaty. Unanimity should apply to foreign and security policy and the option of constructive abstention should be maintained. The PES supports the development of a common defence and believes that the decision to deploy troops must remain under national control. The Union must also be represented in international organisation in the relevant fields of competence side by side with Member States exercising their competencies.
Making the Union more open. The Socialists urge jargon to be abandoned: and directives and regulations should be replaced by laws and framework laws. The Commission must create a single new Council for Legislative affairs. Budgetary procedures must remove the distinction between compulsory and non-compulsory spending.
Making the institutions more efficient. Unanimity should apply only to legislation that has a constitutional impact or concerns vital questions of national sovereignty. The EU should speak with one voice on the international scene and the current duplication of tasks between the Council's High Representative for foreign and security policy and that of the Commission in the domain of external relations.