Brussels, 19/02/2004 (Agence Europe) - - On 29 January in Brussels, the EP adopted a resolution asking for the IGC to finish its work before the 1 May, the date the EU enlarges with a further ten members (the plenary approved an amendment by UDF MEP Thierry Cornillet, although the initial text had indicated 13 June). 20 February is a date on which MEPs could sign the declaration by Thierry Cornillet (EPP-ED), Monica Frassoni (Greens), Jo Leinen (PES), Mariotto Segni (UEN) and Diana Wallis (ELDR) requesting the Council to report to Parliament during the session of 3 - 6 May, on the state of play regarding discussions on the European Constitution. If at least 314 have sign the text, the Irish presidency will have to therefore make a report to Parliament during the last session of the legislature. The declaration proposes that if governments do not agree on the draft before 1 May, the draft adopted by the Convention is put to a vote and adopted "symbolically" by Parliament "in solemn session".
Addressing journalists, Cornillet said that Parliament had to have the courage to become "constituent", and emphasised that "we're doing it to encourage governments to reach an agreement"
Mr Cornillet also created the "13 June Club" with 15 MEPs from 15 countries (including Santer, Watson, Leinen, Deprez) who were in favour of a federal Europe. He indicated that if there were a genuine federalist group at the European Parliament, he would support it.