European Constitution to be signed in Rome today

[wordout]

EUOBSERVER / ROME - EU leaders from the 25 member states will arrive in Rome today for the formal signing of the new European Constitution - officially starting the two-year ratification period. Symbolically, the ceremony will take place in the same room as the signing of the original Treaty of Rome by the then six member states - France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Belgium and Luxemburg - in 1957.

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The first part defines the European Union and its values and institutions. The second part incorporates the Charter on fundamental rights. The third part describes the policy and actions of the European Union and the last part contains the final clauses, including the procedures for approval and a possible revision of the Constitution.

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It introduces some big changes. The EU will get a permanent chair of the European Council to drive the EU forward, and a new EU foreign minister.

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And, for the first time, there is an exit clause so that a member state can leave the Union if it wants and a solidarity clause committing member states to help when another in the bloc is under terrorist attack.

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The text cannot come into place until all 25 member states have ratified it by referendum or via their national parliaments.

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In any case, Europe is entering a new two-year phase today of national ratification - the Constitution will enter into force on 1 November 2006, provided it has been ratified in all 25 member states.


http://www.euobserver.com/?sid=9&aid=17657

[Count Popeula]

1. This says one thing to me.

That one thing is that America just lost it's position as BMOC in world politics. I really think this changes the face of global politics, or at least will in 2006.

[Redwraith]

2. Maybe it will ...

But as a European myself i have to say its a long way to that. Cause, it gets signed now, but all 25 national parliaments and administration have to give it green light in their national assemblies

And as far as i know, GB, and some of the new EU member states are not so sure if they want to make it come true.

But if it gets ratified in 2007/8 it might really change something

[cprise]

3. The big question to me

...is whether it will foster a runaway military-industrial complex (as happened here)?

[Mizmoon]

10. I've been reading about the UK's resitance to the Euro

Interestingly, their arguments remind me of many Americans who don't like the UN. "Why should we hand our sovereignty over to France?"

Or my favorite, "We'll accept the Euro as soon as the EU declares English as the official language of Europe."

[impe]

4. I thought the Parliament for the EU

is in Strasbourg? Why go to Rome to sign?

[Nihil]

5. History?

My guess is the historical significance ... the EU was started up after
the war by the Treaty of Rome (6 countries if I recall correctly).

On edit: Duh, it actually said that in the original post ... :-)

[Sara Beverley]

6. Watched this historic event on TV early this morning. Fantastic.

One thing struck me, though, was that the people signing looked so much like people who always lead us into wars, imperialism, invasions, genocide, and corporate crimes. Just a chilling observation.

[Sideways]

8. Yeah A Bunch Of Rich White Old Guys

And one really scary Countess Draculina type wearing a red dragon lady dress. I watched with the mute on and it all looked pretty disgusting. BTW I thought Blair looked like shit.

[papau]

7. Why does the media call it "European Constitution" when it's just a treaty

The "President" is just the chair for meetings with the representatives of the 25 governments.

The Foreign Minister is just the Spokesperson/press relations person who has sole authority to state the position of the 25 governments.

The Treaty itself does combine and supersede 3 dozen prior treaties, putting into 300 pages the rules for trade that have been worked out over the years since 1957 - so that is a good.

But why the big deal?

:-)

[Redwraith]

9. maybe just a stupid question

but what is a constitution else than a treaty ?

[papau]

11. Agreed upon rules for something versus surrender of state sovereignty to a

"superior" central government.

A treaty establishes rules between equals.

A Consitution - if accepted by the state - transfers state powers to a new org called the central gov.

Granted this treaty rewrites the rules for an org and gives that org the right to do certain things that then must be approved by the member states, or accepted - action by action - by the member states.

[Bandit]

12. The rise of the next Super Power

The USA is waning in power and glory. The EU is waxing.