Brussels, 04/10/2004 (Agence Europe) - As we announced, the T.M.C. Asser Instituut is to hold a conference in the Hague from 13 to 16 October, in collaboration with the Dutch Foreign Minister, on the subject "The EU Constitution: the Best Way Forward?". The Asser Institute points out that the first plenary session will focus on a possible "ratification crisis", and on scenarios to envisage if one or another of the Member States fails to ratify the European Constitution.
Some of those taking part, such as Professors Bruno de Witte (Florence) and Jo Shaw (Manchester) have sketched out a few possible solutions: partial entry into force of the Constitution, with a new "reinforced Union" (without all the Member States); refoundation of a new Union: informal implementation of the provisions of the Constitutional Treaty; closer cooperation (between a few Member States); renegotiations of the Constitutional Treaty; individual withdrawal of a Member State; forcible departure of a Member State. For additional information, please see http: //http://www.asser.nl/general/indxcom.htm #13-16%20October%202004