Brussels, 25/04/2005 (Agence Europe) - The European Anti-Poverty Network (EAPN) has affirmed that “the [European] Constitution represents an important step forward” from the point of view of social rights and combating poverty and social exclusion. In a press release, the EAPN names the following among the major weaknesses of the Constitution: - the refusal to name poverty in the EU or to make its eradication an objective of the Union; - the absence of a chapter on social inclusion similar to that on employment; - the failure to extend qualified majority voting to social inclusion and anti-discrimination policies; - the specific exclusion of the fight against social exclusion from the areas where “framework laws may establish minimum requirements for gradual implementation”. The EAPN also has doubts as to whether the article on services of general interest will be able to resist the current neo-liberal ideological and economic tide. Among the major strengths of the Constitution, the EAPN mentions: - the commitment to combat social exclusion; - the incorporation of the Charter of Fundamental Rights; - the articles on promoting a high level of employment, guaranteeing an adequate level of social protection, and a high level of education, training and human health; - the protection of services of general economic interest; - progress in the field of gender equality. (See: http://www.eapn.skynet.be )