Brussels, 22/06/2004 (Agence Europe) - According to the European Trade Union Confederation (ETUC), the European Constitution falls short of the text proposed by the Convention. In particular, too much attention has been paid to the British "red lines" (ETUC General Secretary John Monks denounced on several occasions the pressure from London aimed at weakening the Charter of Fundamental Rights: EUROPE of 18 June, p.5). At the same time, ETUC notes that the new Constitution is an "enormous step forward compared to the Treaty of Nice". He went on to recall that it recognises the specific role of social partners and the three-way summit, integrates the Charter of Fundamental Rights, includes gender equality as a Union value and comprises a social clause and a legal base for services of general interest as well as new possibilities for economic coordination within the euro zone.
The ETUC steering committee will examine the text on 13 July. The trade union confederation considers the Constitution is a point of departure for a long process and by no means the end of the story. ETUC announces it will ensure that social Europe continues to move forward.