By Martin Banks - 27th February 2007
EU member states have been urged to revive the stalled constitution in order to help boost Europe’s regions.
Rhodri Morgan, first minister of Wales, said the constitution, which has remained stalled since French and Dutch voters rejected it in referenda, would "considerably" benefit regions and small countries like Wales.
The treaty says the European commission would be compelled to "consult widely" before proposing new laws.
"Such consultations shall, where appropriate, take into account the regional and local dimension of the action envisaged," the text says.
"The treaty, if it enters into force, is innovative because it explicitly introduces the local and regional dimension of consultation in the pre-legislative phase," Morgan argued.
"The fact that it has fallen by the wayside represents something of a roadblock for Europe’s regions and smaller states like Wales," he added.
"This is causing increasing concern to me and many others."
He urged Europe's regions to press the commission to introduce the treaty's so-called "subsidiarity monitoring principle" clause irrespective of whether or not the constitution ever comes into effect.
"We really want to see some rapid progress on this otherwise regions and smaller countries like Wales will continue to miss out on the benefits envisaged by the treaty."
Morgan is outgoing president of Regleg, the body which represents semi-autonomous states and regions with legislative powers, including Wales and the German lander.
He was speaking on 26 February at an event in Brussels to celebrate St David’s Day, the national day of Wales.
Germany has pledged to help revive the treaty during its six-month presidency of the EU.
Have your say...
Please enter your comments below.