Brussels, 12/06/2003 (Agence Europe) - The International European Movement, presided by MEP, Jose Maria Gil Robles,, is calling on Convention Members, in a resolution to make a "last ambitious and innovative effort thanks to an extension of the deadlines to the end of July". According to the IEM, in order to ensure that the Constitution possesses "strong legitimacy" and support from citizens, it will be necessary to "have the necessary time between adoption of the draft by the Convention and the beginning of the IGC in order to allow for a debate in national parliaments and civil society". In the context of the IGC, it should finish its work in time for the European Council in December, "respecting the results of the Convention's work". The IEM is also convinced that the Constitution "should enter into force in those Member States which have ratified it, even if other Member States have not".
Overall, the IEM is happy that several priorities listed by the Federal Council of Copenhagen in December 2002 were included in the Presidium's draft, requesting: the abandonment of unanimity in taxation and revisions of the treaty; affirmation of equality between men and women in Article 3, among the "fundamental and identifying values" of the EU; the inscription in the Constitution of the non-discriminatory principle in Article 13 of the EC treaty; "own resources replacing national contribution".