Czechs will have right for their say on new EU constitution

This autumn will see the dramatic finale in formulating the final text of the new EU constitution, which, once complete, will provide a charter guaranteeing all EU citizens their basic rights. It's the first time such a charter will unite all EU legislation though several key points of contention remain. The Czechs for instance would like to see the continuation of the current system of a rotating EU presidency by country - to ensure fair representation across the board. The Czechs, set to join the European Union in May 2004, will also have as much right as their future EU counter-parts to influence the final wording of the new EU constitution. Right down to calling a public referendum if points of contention remain.

Czechs will have right for their say on new EU constitution

Participants of the EU Summit in in Greece, photo: CTK

Much of course remains to be hammered out long before the ink will ever begin to set on the European Union's first ever constitution. As yet it remains a proposal and a draft with full endorsement so far coming only from Italy, France, and Germany, though each EU member or future member set to have its say come fall. As noted in the days preceding the EU summit in Greece, smaller countries such as the Czech Republic fear being swamped by larger states such as Germany and France, pushing for a new EU presidential system - one reason Czech politicians at the summit expressed satisfaction the wording so far, was far from set in stone. Czech Foreign Minister Cyril Svoboda then commented on the possibilities negotiators had discussed, including the Irish proposal to extend negotiations to give member states more time to propose changes and eventually confirm their commitments to the new constitution.

"We debated the question raised by the Irish Prime Minister, when the inter-governmental negotiations would begin and when they would conclude. It will begin this October. There was pressure for the negotiations to be concluded in Rome at the end of the year, producing what was labelled as a special "Christmas present". But, the Irish delegation came with the idea that negotiations could continue into - and be decided in - the first half of 2004, when they will hold the EU chairmanship. I think this is a very generous offer, since every state will have to decide on the constitution. At the same time the signatures would be formally ratified in Rome at a final ceremony. Once again I repeat that the final treaty must be signed only after we ourselves become members of the EU."

Vladimir Spidla and Cyril Svoboda - the EU summit in Greece, photo: CTK

Radio Prague also addressed Czech Prime Minister Vladimir Spidla, asking him about the role European Union MPs could play, as well as whether Czechs were well enough informed, to decide on the European Constitution if it came to a referendum.

"Whether or not they were well-enough informed is difficult to say, because it depends on different judgments or certain generalisations in observation. However, I can say that public surveys did show that 70 percent of the population felt satisfied they had been well enough informed about the EU. Concerning the elections to the EU parliament are classic elections, where single parliamentary parties present their individual programmes, and compete to win at the polls, and I think it is the government's responsibility to broker discussions on the EU, to provide new information, to explain its decisions on the EU. Since we will have to explain a whole range of steps the government will have to take before we join."