Brussels, 17/12/2002 (Agence Europe) - The European trade union movement is in favour of a constitutional Treaty as a step towards a real Constitution, that will comprise the Charter of Fundamental Rights and the objectives of full employment, social dialogue, transnational trade union rights, the role of the social partners, a system of European industrial relations, and a social market economy with effective general interest services. Such is the conclusion reached by the General Secretary of the European Trade Union Confederation (ETUC), Emilio Gabaglio, after the conference on the Future of Europe on a "constitutional Treaty for a Social Europe", held from 9 to 11 December in Copenhagen with the participation of Commissioner Antonio Vitorino and the Chairman of the European Convention Working Group on a social Europe, Giorgios Katiforis, as well as representatives of the political sphere and of civil society.
Emilio Gabaglio states that, what is lacking in the process leading to a new Treaty is the organisation of a broad debate with citizens throughout Europe. The General Secretary appealed to affiliated organisations to become more actively involved in a debate aimed at achieving a strengthened and more visible European social model, and at having the voice of the trade unions heard.