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Dangers and demands of preparing for the IGC that will focus on European Constitution -Valery Giscard d'Estaing's views and the responsibility of the Italian Presidency

It is almost a commonplace to note that in September, EU priorities will focus on preparing for the Intergovernmental Conference (IGC) that will be approving the Constitutional Treaty drawn up by the Convention. Barely four or five weeks remain for this since the IGC will open on 4 October, and any postponement would augur very ill indeed. The success of the IGC hangs on two closely linked criteria - respecting deadlines and accepting the outcome of the Convention. If negotiations re-open on...