Brussels, 20/06/2007 (Agence Europe) - “No Charter of Fundamental Rights, no treaty”. That was the firm warning from John Monks to José Manuel Barroso at their meeting this Wednesday in Brussels, as part of the trade union gathering ahead of the summit (see EUROPE 9449). If the Charter is not included in the new treaty or if it is not made legally binding, then “We say no, on dit non, wij zeggen neen ,wir sagen, nein, to that treaty,” said Mr Monks in four languages. Moreover, “we will ask the European Parliament, national parliaments, and voters in any referendums, to vote no, non, nein, nee”. He urged support for fundamental rights, that is, “the right to strike, to negotiate, to information and consultation, to protection against unfair dismissal, for social security and for fair working conditions”. In response, Mr Barroso reiterated what he had already said on this issue: that he was going to ask member states “to take a minimalist position on the Charter”. (gb)