Brussels, 05/11/2004 (Agence Europe) - In its conclusions, the Council declares that the ratification process of the Constitutional Treaty "offers an opportunity to inform the public about European affairs", and that the Member States may begin exchanges of information and experience about this process, given that ratification campaigns remain under national jurisdiction. On the policy of providing information to the citizens about what the EU is doing, the 25 Member States of the EU urge future Presidencies to look into the possibility of organising public televised debates on European issues, before meetings of the European Council. Furthermore, the Summit welcomes the particular importance of that the Commission continues to attach to communication, and its intentions of presenting a communication strategy before the European Council of June 2005.
Zapatero calls upon political families to unite in defence of the Constitution
Spain, France and Germany are to launch a joint initiative to promote the Constitutional Treaty, according to the Spanish Prime Minister, José Luis Zapatero, speaking at the end of a meeting with Jacques Chirac and Gerhard Schröder on the sidelines of the European Council. The three Heads of State and Government are to hold further meetings in Spain and then in France, he added. José Luis Zapatero vigorously defended the draft Constitution, pleading in favour of "a greater communication effort on this incredibly important European project". He stressed that this new Treaty is "a project which goes beyond governments and political colours", and that in Spain, there has been an alliance between all colours of the political spectrum to prepare for February's referendum, and to ensure that the text is fully compatible with the Spanish Constitution (see yesterday's EUROPE, p.6). We must "overcome all resistance", he said.
Mr Schüssel suggests European referendum to avert long "paralysis" of EU
The Austrian Chancellor, Wolfgang Schüssel, repeated his proposal of holding a single referendum within Europe (for the eleven countries which have chosen this procedure) on the ratification of the European Constitution, "so as not to paralyse European politics for 18 to 20 months". He suggested that this referendum could be held in one day or over a week. "How, for instance, will we manage to adopt the forthcoming financial perspectives if referendums are being held every month in a different Member State?", asked the Austrian Chancellor. The Maltese Prime Minister, Lawrence Gonzi, told the press that the hoped for a ratification by parliamentary vote of the Constitutional Treaty, "at the end of the year". However, he acknowledged that this would require cooperation on the part of the Labour opposition.