EUobserver.com:Socialists moot new convention on EU constitution

EUobserver.comSocialists moot new convention on EU constitution

Senior members of the Socialist group in the European Parliament believe that a new convention should be called to once again consider the constitution following its rejection two weeks ago by French and Dutch voters.

According to Richard Corbett, the Socialist's constitution spokesperson, EU leaders meeting at the end of the week are most likely to agree that a period of reflection is needed in the ratification process. But to avoid this becoming an "indefinite postponement" there should be "a public and pluralist forum, possibly a new convention ... for a serious and wide-ranging debate", he says in a paper drawn up after discussions with his group. This convention, which would be similar to the convention convened three years ago with governmental, parliamentary and civil society representation, could give "particular consideration" to part III - the policy part of the document that details areas such as foreign and security policy, justice and home affairs and monetary policy.