MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION

10 December 2003

further to the Council and Commission statements
pursuant to Rule 37(2) of the Rules of Procedure
by Jonathan Evans, Sir Robert Atkins, Richard A. Balfe, Christopher J.P. Beazley, John Bowis, Philip Charles Bradbourn, Philip Bushill-Matthews, Martin Callanan, John Alexander Corrie, Nirj Deva, Den Dover, James E.M. Elles, Jacqueline Foster, Robert Goodwill, Daniel J. Hannan, Malcolm Harbour, Christopher Heaton-Harris, Roger Helmer, Caroline F. Jackson, Bashir Khanbhai, Timothy Kirkhope, Edward H.C. McMillan-Scott, James Nicholson, Neil Parish, James L.C. Provan, Struan Stevenson, The Earl of Stockton, Robert William Sturdy, David Sumberg, Charles Tannock, Geoffrey Van Orden and Theresa Villiers
on the meeting of heads of state and/or government on the IGC (Brussels, 12/13 December 2003)

B5‑0535/2003

European Parliament resolution on the meeting of heads of state and/or government on the IGC (Brussels, 12/13 December 2003)

The European Parliament,

–  having regard to the draft Treaty establishing a Constitution for Europe of 18 July 2003,

–  having regard to Rule 37(2) of the Rules of Procedure,

A.  whereas the European Union is a union of Member States in which nation states are sovereign,

B.   whereas the draft Treaty establishing a Constitution for Europe prepared by the Convention on the Future of Europe was simply a draft document,

C.  whereas final decisions will be taken by governments meeting in the IGC,

D.   whereas any Treaty establishing a Constitution for Europe should be put to the people in a referendum,

1.  Welcomes the enlargement of the European Union and looks forward to working in a Union of 25 Member States;

2.  Hopes that the European Union and its institutions, especially the Commission, will be more democratic, efficient and transparent;

3.  Recognises the principle of subsidiarity;

4.  Recognises that this Treaty establishing a Constitution for Europe goes beyond any previous revision of the treaties;

5.  Underlines therefore the importance of this Intergovernmental Conference;

6.  Instructs its President to forward this resolution to the Italian Presidency, the future Irish Presidency, the Council, the Commission, national parliaments and the Intergovernmental Conference.