European leaders sign EU Constitution | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() |
Europe |
Written by Chris Perver |
Thursday, 13 December 2007 06:08 |
Leaders from across the European Union met in Lisbon yesterday for the signing of two documents which are set to fundamentally change the way the EU works forever. Yesterday afternoon, European leaders added their signatures to the European Charter on Fundamental Rights, in essence a European Constitution in all but name. British MEPs expressed their opposition to the EU Constitution at the ceremony, waving placards calling for a national referendum on the treaty and disrupting Commission President José Manuel Barroso and Portuguese President José Sócrates as they delivered their speeches on the occasion. Quote: "Welsh Green MEP Jill Evans said that the UK opt-outs meant that British MEPs could not participate in the celebrations as the charter was formally adopted. “Nothing highlights our disadvantage in Europe more than watching everyone except Britain and possibly Poland sign up to the charter of fundamental rights… those of us who are denied the protection of the charter could only stand on the sidelines,” she said. However UK Independence Party leader Nigel Farage, one of the prime movers of the protest, said: "This is the new EU in action, showing the world a united face as they steamroll towards their own superstate while totally refusing to allow anyone to see a different point of view." Following the rejection of the original draft of the EU Constitution by France and Holland in 2005, the treaty was hurriedly split into two parts:- a "Charter of Fundamental Rights" which outlines the basic human rights guaranteed to EU citizens, and an "Amending Treaty" which combines all previous European treaties in one document, along with several major amendments. Only the Republic of Ireland will hold a referendum on the adoption of the treaties, but only because Ireland's own constitution requires it by law. The Labour government had promised the British electorate a referendum on the EU Constitution after facing intense public pressure over the issue. But after the document was split in two, former Prime Minister Tony Blair claimed that a referendum was no longer required, for Britain was not signing up to the Charter on Fundamental Rights and as a result Britain's sovereignty would not be affected. But it is the "Amending Treaty" which changes how the EU functions as an organization, and its ratification will create the new posts of EU President and Foreign Minister. Britain's "red lines" only suspends the adoption of the EU Charter on Fundamental Rights in the UK, it does not prohibit it completely. European leaders met inside a 16th century monastery in Lisbon today, to add their signatures to the "Amending Treaty". Quote: "'It is the treaty of an enlarged Europe from the Mediterranean to the Baltic, from the Atlantic Ocean to the Black Sea. A Europe that shares common values and common ambitions,' Barroso said. 'For the first time, the countries that were once divided by a totalitarian curtain, are now united in support of a common treaty that they had themselves negotiated,' Barroso said. EU leaders were greeted under the Portuguese sun outside Lisbon's Jeronimos Monastery by Portuguese Prime Minister Jose Socrates and his foreign minister, Luis Amado. The officials were putting their signatures to the text inside the monastery, an imposing 16th-century building that homes the tomb of explorer Vasco da Gama and other prominent figures of Portuguese history.
Revelation 17:1-2 Source EU Politix, EuroParl, Monsters and Critics |
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