Brussels, 13/02/2004 (Agence Europe) - UDF member Thierry Cornillet called on the Irish Presidency in a statement also signed by Monica Frassoni, Jo Leinen, Diana Wallis and Mariotto Segni, to report on the state of progress of discussions on the IGC during the plenary to be held from 3 to 6 May. If there is no agreement between governments before 1 May, then MEPs ask that the Parliament should adopt the draft Constitution of the Convention "symbolically" at a solemn sitting. Mr Cornillet said that, "as a constituent assembly, de facto if not by right, the European Parliament has every right (…) to push governments to reach an agreement as soon as possible".
The Union of European Federalists presided by Jo Leinen makes a new appeal: "European Constitution Now! Adoption without veto!". The appeal is addressed to the national parliaments so that they approve the draft Constitution by early May at the latest "in a coordinated action together with the European Parliament". The appeal is made to Heads of State and Government so that they approve the project "without any substantial amendments at an extraordinary summit before the European elections".
In Italy, Valdo Spini and other Italian parliamentarians presented a resolution calling on the Irish Presidency to convene the IGC immediately after Spanish elections (on 14 March).