Brussels, 11/06/2003 (Agence Europe) - The diffusion of the preliminary draft of the constitutional treaty has provoked a number of reactions from sector organisation. Here are some of their comments:
EAPN- the European Anti poverty Network is serious worried about the draft in the constitutional text that does not take into account the progress achieved in the fight against poverty and non-discrimination. It is requesting explicit references to social justice in the Article on Union values and the eradication of poverty in the Article on objectives. The EAPN is demanding that social inclusion is mentioned in the complementary competencies. The network is also demanding the addition of an Article guaranteeing the application of the open method of coordination in areas linked to social protection: social inclusion, pensions and access to health care.
Watchdog Committee for Cultural Diversity: this grouping of 45 French professional organisations working in the domain of culture is calling on the Convention to inscribe the promotion of cultural diversity in the Union's objectives and maintain culture among the complementary competencies. It also wants public aid to the cultural sector to be recognised, in principle, as being compatible with the common market. The Convention is also called on to maintain unanimity for cultural and audio-visual services in the framework of trade policy.
Green 8: this grouping of eight of the largest environmental protection organisations considers that the Presidium has not afforded sufficient room for protecting and improving the environment. These organisation are also insisting that the Convention does not miss the opportunity offered to it for opening the doors of the Court of Justice to citizens and their organisation to protest against decisions made by the European institutions. It regard the Euratom Treaty being included in the form of a protocol in the future constitutional treaty as unacceptable.
Voice-Solidar-Fédération internationale Terre des Hommes-Euostep: the organisations active in the humanitarian aid and cooperation development sector are calling on the Convention to mention a certain number of essential principles that the Union should respect. Notably, they are insisting that cooperation for development is not used as a tool in foreign and common security policy. They are also insisting that the Union's trade policy is made more coherent compatible with development objectives.