Brussels, 28/02/2003 (Agence Europe) - Convention Chairman Valéry Giscard d'Estaing is to propose that the preamble to the Constitution should include a reference to the Union's religious heritage. He announced this on Friday when summarising the last Convention discussions at a press meeting. The reference could either come under the Charter or be placed in the prospect of the identity that Europe draws from its two thousand year history, he said. In his view, the discussion on this subject (see p.4) was useful as the role of the Convention is not to shy away from discussion. He states that two consensus points have emerged. First of all, guarantees on church freedom as defined in the Treaty of Amsterdam should be taken up in the same terms in the second part of the Constitution. Also, religious reference cannot be made in the article of the Constitution on EU values, as these values are so linked to the functioning of the EU that their transgression could lead to sanctions against a Member State.
VGE noted, moreover, the divergence expressed over the term "federalism". He stressed that, in the text proposed by the Praesidium, the reference to federalism does not describe the Union but refers to the exercise of certain competence. "A high number of amendments have been presented in order to do away with this word, but at the end of the day they express a small minority opinion", he said.
Answering questions on the subject of the pressure put on the work of the Convention by European division over Iraq, VGE noted that "this period highlights whether or not governments recognise the primacy of European response. For now, it is not the case". He pointed out that, in May, he will be presenting methods of coordination for defining common positions on common foreign policy, which will mean that decisions adopted by the majority should be imposed on all. This objective can only be achieved one step at a time. "We shall see whether reactions correspond to a collective commitment on the part of all Member States. Otherwise, there will have to be solutions through enhanced cooperation". On defence matters, increased cooperation will probably be proposed to take into account the diversity that exists between Member States. It will not be limited to solidarity against terrorism but will concern solidarity between Member States, he specified.