XVIth EPP CONGRESS The EPP: Your Majority in Europe 4 - 5 February 2004 European Parliament BRUSSELS

Resolution adopted by the XVIth EPP Congress
Capacity to act - Democracy - Transparency


Decision on the Constitutional Treaty before European elections - Citizens need clarity

Despite the successful work and outcome of the Convention on the Future of Europe, established on a proposal of the EPP party, the Intergovernmental Conference has not managed to come to an agreement on the institutional reform of the European Union at this stage. Postponement is certainly no alternative. The European Union and its Member States must seize the momentum of enlargement and pursue the process to reach an overall agreement.

The European People’s Party welcomes the fact that, following the adhesion of ten new members on 1st May 2004, the European Union will constitute the common institutional framework of 450 millions of people, thereby contributing to definitively suppressing the barriers created by the Cold War.

On 13 June 2004 the EU-citizens are electing a new European Parliament and must be in a position to decide on concrete projects, on a vision for Europe when going to the polls. The EPP cannot and will not accept a stand-still in the process.

Therefore, the European People's Party (EPP) calls for:

the European Union and its Member States to seize the momentum of enlargement and pursue the process to reach an overall agreement. The Intergovernmental Conference must create clarity on the Constitutional Treaty and come to an agreement before the European elections.

the draft Constitution adopted by the Convention to furtheron constitute the basis for the debate in the IGC, since it represents a viable compromise on the crucial issues for the EU: Capacity to act - democracy - transparency

the agreement that was found on a large number of topics not to dissolve into thin air. Although a small number of points still prevent an overall agreement, consensus was already found on number of issues. Among other topics, on common values for the Union, on the establishment of a Constitution for a Union of citizens and Member States, which includes in a legally binding manner the Charter of Fundamental Rights, as well as on giving equal rights to the European Parliament and the Council in most areas of legislation. An accord was also achieved on the establishment of a European Minister of Foreign Affairs and the strengthening of the European foreign, security and defence policy.

the adoption of this Constitution to be the result of a dialogue and consensus among the Member States.

As foreseen in the draft Constitutional Treaty adopted by the Convention, the proposal to be made for the future EU Commission President must take account of the result of the next European elections, i.e. of the citizens' will democratically expressed on 13 June.

An overall agreement is a matter of urgency. In the interest of the entire Union and its citizens, our central aim must be to guarantee the Union's capacity to act and efficiency after enlargement.

Our political family wants to achieve a "constitutionalised Europe of 25"; we stand for upholding the community method and refuse a two-speed, increasingly intergovernmental Europe. The Constitution must respect of the competencies of the EU-institutions and the Member States on the basis of the principle of subsidiarity. This is our vision for the European continent and the aim that, in the interest of its citizens, we are committed to reaching as soon as possible.