By Bruno Waterfield - 15th June 2004
“Very productive” EU constitution talks have set the scene for a Thursday Brussels summit of Europe’s leaders.
The scope of EU decision-making powers topped a Monday meeting of EU foreign ministers in Luxembourg - more vexed questions over voting rights remain to be addressed in Brussels on June 17 and 18.
Proposals to create ‘emergency brakes’ for European law-making in justice and social security policy with room for ‘avant-garde’ groups of capitals to push ahead in areas such as taxation are said to have laid the ground for compromise.
A key move has been to remove national vetoes in criminal law and welfare policy areas but allow governments with a problem to call a temporary halt to the decision.
Irish foreign minister Brian Cowen stressed that the Dublin EU presidency was optimistic after progress on cuts to national vetoes, Europe’s budget powers and trade negotiating mandate.
“We made particularly good headway in a number of areas, including the balance between unanimity and [EU voting], the multi-annual financial framework, and the common commercial policy,” he said.
Draft constitution plans to extend European decision-making and cut ‘unanimity’ – national vetoes and allow EU votes on issues such budget rebates have divided national capitals.
Fears have also been expressed that an EU commercial policy could see privatisation of health and education systems.
Clearing such issues opens the door to tackle the fundamental constitution questions that sank negotiations last year.
Cowen also confirmed “broad agreement on the texts which were circulated [on] some of the more technical issues we have been looking at”.
“We are therefore well-positioned to have a short, focused agenda when the heads of state or government meet on Thursday,” he said.
“We will bring forward amended papers ahead of that meeting, including on the sensitive institutional questions.”
Have your say...
Please enter your comments below.