Brussels, 06/10/2003 (Agence Europe) -Sports Ministers of the European Union and the ten future Member States, who met up informally in Artimino on 2 and 3 October (near Florence, see EUROPE of 2 October p.15), showed their support for the Convention's proposal to include a reference to sport in the article dedicated to education and young people in the future Constitution. "Despite an attempt by certain Member States to weaken the draft article, the large majority of delegations referred to the Convention's basic text which the Commission had already supported", stated Commissioner Viviane Reding following an informal meeting. "I believe that the Intergovernmental Conference now underrway will adopt the draft article prepared by the Convention", Mrs Reding continued, adding that: "The Artimino meeting clearly showed that the EU of 25, whilst underlining the autonomy of sporting federations, does not allow any dispensation for the fundamental principles of the European Union, such as free movement and non discrimination ".
The ministers and the Commissioner also listened to the president of the International Olympic Committee, Jacques Rogge. Rogge affirmed his support for the social and educational dimension of sport, which will be emphasised during the European year of education through sport.