17/07/2007 (Agence Europe) - On Monday 16 July, the Council of ministers gave its formal go-ahead to the convening of an inter-governmental conference (IGC) of the 27 member states charged with formalising the new Treaty of the European Union on the basis of the negotiating mandate adopted by the European Council in June. The IGC will be opened on Monday 23 July, on the sidelines of the General Affairs-External Relations Council. (hb)