02-10-2003: CESI calls for Draft Constitution not to be fundamentally called into question

In the run-up to the opening of the Intergovernmental Conference on 4 October 2003 in Rome, the European Confederation of Independent Trade Unions (CESI) is calling on EU heads of state and government not to fundamentally call the Draft Constitution into question.
 
"What the Convention has achieved is a success for the integration process", says CESI President Valerio Salvatore. "The Draft Constitution reflects the consensus of all groups involved in the work of the Convention. A fundamental alteration of the Draft Constitution would undoubtedly mean a step backwards as far as this consensus is concerned. This is especially true in relation to the future structure of the Institutions."
 
In an Opinion passed on 17 September 2003, CESI welcomed the Draft Constitution presented by the Convention. It said the inclusion of EU values and objectives represented a significant step forward. To the greatest possible extent, equilibrium between the institutions had been established. In this connection, the complete introduction of majority decisions in the Council and the strengthening of the European Parliament through the revaluation of the co-decision procedure needed to be stressed.
 
In spite of fundamental approval of the Draft Constitution, CESI also expressed criticism over matters of detail. "From a trade union point of view, there are some points that we cannot accept in their present form", says CESI General Secretary Helmut Müllers. "Of course independent trade unions welcome the inclusion of the objective of full employment, but CESI rejects the one-sided alignment of Employment and Social Policy with Economic Policy, as laid out in Art.III-98. We would have really welcomed more clearly worded support of the social market economy". Furthermore, he said it was regrettable that the key task of combating discrimination had not been transferred to qualified majority voting. Müllers complained that it would be even harder in the future to make progress.
 
With regard to Services of general interest, CESI recognises that the Draft Constitution - like Art. 16 of the EC Treaty before it - attaches a high value to services of general interest. Nonetheless, CESI expresses clear opposition to defining services of general interest at European level. "Responsibility for this must remain in the hands of the Member States", explains the CESI General Secretary. "The addition to Art. III-6, according to which the principles and conditions for the running of these services are set down by European laws, would gradually take away member State competences. This is why CESI firmly rejects the transfer of competences to the Union".
 
"However, a very positive development can be found in the objective included in Art.III-182, to involve young people more closely in democratic life in Europe”, observes the CESI General Secretary. "CESI sees this is as a very satisfactory and long-overdue signal. Without the participation of young people, the process of constructing Europe would inevitably come to a standstill."