On 8 and 9 May the first inter-parliamentary forum takes place in Brussels to discuss on Europe's future and the Period of Reflection. The event, organised by the European and the Austrian Parliament, convenes parliamentarians, both national and European, in order to make comprehensive recommendations to the European Council about how the Union should find a way out of the current crisis.
The session was opened by Josep Borrell Fontelles, President of the European Parliament. Just before his entry into the plenary, the Union of European Federalists (UEF) handed over an appeal to the President of the European Parliament. In its appeal, the UEF urges the European Parliament, the European Council and national parliaments to re-launch the European constitutional process.
The UEF appeal was handed over to Mr. Borrell by a delegation consisting of Jo Leinen, (former President of the UEF, now Honorary Bureau member, and currently Chair of the European Parliament’s Committee on Constitutional Affairs), Philip AGATHONOS (Vice-President of the UEF), Friedhelm FRISCHENSCHLAGER (Secretary-General) and Guido MONTANI (President of the Movimento Federalista Europeo).
In the appeal, which was adopted by the UEF Federal Committee in November 2005, the UEF demands that the constitution should step into force automatically after the ratification of 4/5 of member states representing the majority of the European citizens. The UEF also pleads for Parliamentary Fora in order to re-launch the constitutional process with the contribution of the active forces of the European society. Furthermore, the UEF requests that the European Parliament presents – no later than at the end of 2007 - a proposal of how the European constitution could enter into force. Finally, the European Parliament should propose a European-wide consultative ballot on the improved European Constitution in parallel to the next European Parliament elections in 2009.
Contact: Friedhelm Frischenschlager
friedhelm.frischenschlager(at)chello.at
Note to editors
The UEF, founded in 1946, is an independent and non-governmental European organisation, campaigning for a federal Europe. Since April 2005, it is presided over by Mrs. Mercedes BRESSO, President of the Italian Region of Piedmont, Member of the EU Committee of the Regions.
