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Unveiled: the blueprint for United States of Europe  

By Stephen Castle in Brussels
29 October 2002

The blueprint for a new constitution for Europe, unveiled yesterday, 
paves the way for sweeping changes to the EU but provoked instant 
British opposition by suggesting the bloc could be renamed "United 
States of Europe".  

Published by Val?ry Giscard d'Estaing, the former French president who 
is chairing an inquiry into the future of Europe, the document raises 
the prospect of a massive overhaul of the EU to accommodate up to 10 
new countries due to join in 2004. It lists three possible titles besides 
the European Union. They are: European Community, the United States of 
Europe, and United Europe.  

The outline document also suggests that all Europeans should be given 
the right to  citizenship of the EU as well as their member states.

(snip)

The blueprint carefully leaves the most sensitive decisions for later. 
It has been billed as a "skeleton" constitution because it only sets 
out a framework, listing 46  articles and going into little detail. 
But changes that could be ushered in include the creation of a powerful 
new president of the EU who would report to national leaders, a congress 
of national and European parliamentarians, and an exit clause to allow 
countries to quit the EU.  

The text outlines plans to give the EU the legal power to sign 
treaties and sit on international bodies but also says any competence 
"not conferred on the Union by the constitution rests with the member 
state". 

There is only one reference to powers being exercised on a "federal 
basis"and that is not seen as a threat by British officials.  

Dual citizenship would  confer rights including free movement, 
residence, voting powers and freedom to stand as a candidate 
in local elections and elections to the European Parliament.  

Mr Giscard's convention of 105 national and European parliamentarians 
is drawing up a draft constitution that is to be recommended to EU 
heads of government next year. They alone can decide  on a new treaty.

Part of the group's job is to simplify Europe's byzantine structures. 
One element of this is the fusion of the two treaties that set in place 
two entities: the European Community and the European Union. That 
process leaves open the possibility of a name change and Mr Giscard 
has made clear his preference for "United Europe".  

(snip)

THE MAIN POINTS

# European Community/ European Union/United States of 
  Europe/United Europe would be created.  

# Its objectives would include economic and social cohesion, protection 
  of common values, high employment, liberty, security and justice, 
  foreign policy.  

# The union would have "legal personality", with the power to sign 
  treaties and take a seat on international bodies such as the United 
  Nations.  

# Union citizenship would be established and defined, giving rights of 
  free movement, residence and voting in the union and diplomatic 
  protection in other countries.  

# An "exit clause" would allow countries to withdraw voluntarily from the 
  union.

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Full story at - "The Independent" - UK
http://news.independent.co.uk/europe/story.jsp?story=346857

Cheers, Steve..

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