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E.U. leaders set to begin talks on statute

By Batuk Gathani

BRUSSELS OCT. 3. It will be a historic occasion, when on Saturday, 25 heads of the present and future European Union member states begin talks on finalising the Union's Constitution, drafted by the European Convention comprising leading politicians, jurists and policy-makers under the chairmanship of the former French President, Valerie Giscard d'Estaing, after 18 months of often acrimonious and emotional debate.

The Italian Prime Minister, Silvio Berlusconi, will preside over the European Constitutional Conference, as his country currently holds the rotating presidency of the E.U.

The 15 current, 10 future, and three prospective member states have been invited to participate in the conference.

The smaller nations in the Union are determined to confront the heavyweights such as France, Germany, Britain and Italy over the appointment of E.U. Commissioners (Ministers) and the parameters and patterns of voting rights. India too has a stake in the success of the E.U. with 40 per cent of the country's trade being with the enlarged Union. There are also the prospects of attracting large investment flows.

Indian companies may also be tempted to establish a firm trading and servicing foothold in the capitals of the member states to attract more trade, investments and technology. Other Asian nations — the ASEAN countries, China, Japan and South Korea — are fast strengthening their trading and investment profiles in the markets of the E.U.

E.U. conferences are rarely smooth, and according to observers, cannot be accused of being excessively democratic, smooth or transparent.

The last E.U. inter-Governmental conference was held in France in December 2000 when Germany fell out with the host country.

In Rome, there are question marks about the unpredictable Mr. Berlusconi's ability to steer the conference in the right direction. But there can be surprises and much hope rests on the diplomatic ability of Mr. d'Estaing to bring about a broad agreement on the Constitution.

The E.U. Constitution will also have to be approved by its citizens in referendums. If everything goes smoothly, Mr. Berlusconi is planning to stage a lavish signing ceremony next May and his quest is to proclaim the emergence of the Second Treaty of Rome, under Italy's tutelage.

The six founding members of the European Union — France, Germany, Italy, Belgium, Luxembourg and Holland — have endorsed the Giscard package and would like other members to adopt it intact.

If everything goes according to plan, the member states will finalise the Constitution at a summit in Brussels in December.

They will be writing a new chapter in history with the E.U. emerging as the world's largest common market served by a common currency and populated by 470 million prosperous citizens.

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