UNION OF THE EUROPEAN FEDERALISTS (U.E.F.)
YOUNG EUROPEAN FEDERALISTS (JEF)
JOIN THE ACTIONS
FOR THE OPENING OF THE
« CONSTITUTIONAL CONVENTION »
ON WEDNESDAY 27 FEBRUARY (EVENING) - CONFERENCE
ON THURSDAY 28 FEBRUARY (AFTERNOON) PUBLIC ACTION
At the occasion of the inaugural session of the ”Convention on the future of
Europe” the Union of European Federalists (U.E.F.) and the Young European
Federalists (JEF) organise a CONFERENCE and a PUBLIC ACTION to demand that
the
Convention acts as a true Constituent Convention and prepares a bold proposal
for a European Constitution to transform the Union into a Federation, for all
the countries willing to accept it.
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JOIN THE ACTION! COME TO BRUSSELS ON FEBRUARY 27-28!
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HERE ARE THE PROGRAMMES AND THE LEAFLET !
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On Thursday 28 February
13h30 - 15h30
JOINT THE PUBLIC ACTION
FOR THE OPENING OF THE
CONVENTION ON THE FUTURE OF EUROPE
” A CONSTITUTION FOR THE EUROPEAN FEDERATION”
in front of the main entrance of the European Parliament
Rue Wiertz, Brussels
ALL JEF AND UEF SECTIONS
AND ALL SUPPORTERS OF A EUROPEAN FEDERATION
ARE URGED TO PARTICIPATE !
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---On Wednesday 27 February 7.00-8.45 pm European Parliament, Brussels
GREAT DEBATE ON THE FUTURE OF EUROPE
THE ”CONSTITUTIONAL” CONVENTION: What are the prospects for the federation of Europe?
DRAFT PROGRAMME
6.30 pm - Welcome of participants
7.00 pm - Debate, chaired by Jo LEINEN MEP, President of the U.E.F., Vice-President of the EP Committee on Constitutional affairs, with :
Valéry GISCARD d’ESTAING *, President of the Convention
Jean-Luc DEHAENE *, Vice-President of the Convention
Iñigo MENDEZ DE VIGO, MEP, President of the EP delegation to the Convention
Michel BARNIER, Commissioner, representing the European Commission at the Convention
Elio di RUPO *, representing the Belgian Parliament at the Convention
Jan KAVAN *, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Czech Republic
7.45 pm - General debate (with the participation of members of the Convention, MEPs, permanent representatives of the member states to the EU, officials of European institutions, Belgian MPs and leaders of organisations of the civil society)
8.30 pm - Conclusions of the debate
8.45 pm - End of the debate
* to be confirmed
Free entry upon registration
Organised by Union of European Federalists (supranational U.E.F.) and its member organisations in Belgium (U.E.F./ Belgique & U.E.F./ Groupe Europe), in co-operation with the Young European Federalists (JEF).
Simultaneous interpretation available from German, English, French and Dutch into English and French
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For further information, for logistic support, and for registration for the entrance to the conference:
Union of European Federalists (UEF) 214 D, Chaussée de Wavre B-1050 Bruxelles Tel: + 32.2.508.30.30 - Fax: +32.2.626.95.01 <mailto:uef.european.federalists@skynet.be>mailto:uef.european.federalists@ skynet.be
Young European Federalists (JEF) Union of European Federalists (UEF) 214 D, Chaussée de Wavre B-1050 Bruxelles Tel: + 32.2.512.0053 - Fax: +32.2.626.95.01 <mailto:jef.europe@euronet.be>mailto:jef.europe@euronet.be
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DRAFT LEAFLET TO BE DISTRIBUTED DURING THE PUBLIC ACTION ON 28 FEBRUARY
At the occasion of the inaugural session of the ”Convention on the future of Europe” U.E.F. and JEF demand:
A CONSTITUTION FOR THE EUROPEAN FEDERATION
The establishment of the Convention on the future of Europe can open the way for the creation of the European Federation, to guarantee the Europeans a future of peace and prosperity and a voice in the world. Or it can end up in nothing more than warm speeches and fuzzy rhetoric, leaving the Union weak, divided and undemocratic. This is the challenge today.
The Union of European Federalists (U.E.F.) and the Young European Federalists (JEF) demand that the Convention seizes this historic opportunity. The Convention can act as a genuine Constituent Convention and present a bold proposal for a European Constitution to transform the Union into a democratic Federation. The Constitution should contain at least the following points:
1. a democratic supranational Government, expressing the will of the European citizens;
2. the Council of Minister should be transformed into a second chamber, giving up its executive tasks, and exercising all legislative power in co-decision with the European Parliament;
3. majority voting should be extended to all legislative decisions, the budget, the amendments to the new Treaty/Constitution;
4. foreign, security and defence policy should be exclusive competence of the Federation.
If the Convention wants to make a difference and meet the challenges ahead, particularly the imminent enlargement, it must be ambitious. The Convention must avoid being held hostage by those representatives that oppose the concept of federalism. It should therefore proceed to elaborate and approve a draft Constitution, even if supported only by a broad majority of its members.
The Convention should then propose to the Heads of State and Government a democratic procedure for the ratification of such a Constitution: those countries which for the moment are not yet willing to join a federation should not be allowed to prevent the others from doing so.
The Convention faces a choice. If it is courageous, it will command the respect of the European citizens. But if it is weak, it will be remembered - if it is remembered at all - only for abandoning its responsibilities and turning its back on the people of Europe.
UNION OF EUROPEAN FEDERALISTS YOUNG EUROPEAN FEDERALISTS
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