Wed, Jun 01, 2005 page9

• French 'no victory' could throw the EU into disarray

  EU leads have put on a brave face and avoided talk of a crisis on the heels of the referendum, but also acknowledge that it has created 'problems' for the union as a whole

  • DPA
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  France's rejection of the EU's first-ever constitution cast a pall over the 25-nation bloc on Monday with policymakers struggling to contain the political and economic fall-out from the French vote.

  Senior officials in Brussels carefully avoided any talk of an EU-wide crisis but admitted that the French rebuff of the treaty created a "problem" for the entire union.

  "We should try together to put Europe back on track again," said European Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso.

  

  ILLUSTRATION: YU SHA

  Seeking to send a message of reassurance to the public, a joint statement by the commission, the Luxembourg EU presidency and the European Parliament said Europe had seen similar difficulties in the past but always re-emerged strengthened.

  "The building of Europe is, by its nature, complex," the statement insisted, adding: "Today Europe continues, and its institutions function fully. We are aware of the difficulties, but we have confidence that once again we will find the means to move the European Union forward."

  Struggling to put a brave face on the French vote, EU policymakers were unanimous in affirming that the political show must go on.

  "EU construction does not stop today. The treaty is not dead," said Luxembourg Prime Minister and current EU Chairman Jean-Claude Juncker.

  Rallying around the Luxembourg premier, European lawmakers also said that while the French "non" was disappointing and regrettable, ratification procedures in other EU states, especially the Netherlands which goes to the polls today, must not stop.

  "The battle goes on. All countries must have the opportunity to express their view," said Martin Schulz, leader of the 201-strong Socialist Group in the European Parliament.

  Graham Watson, head of the parliament's Liberal Democrats said the future of the treaty could not be decided by voters in one state.

  "We must now persevere to ensure that all 25 member states speak their mind. This will allow a breathing space in which France can reflect on its decision," he added.

  All 25 EU members must ratify the treaty through either parliamentary approval or public consultation before the constitution can come into force. So far, nine EU countries have approved the treaty namely Austria, Greece, Hungary, Italy, Lithuania, Slovakia, Slovenia and Spain, with Germany approving the constitution last week.

  Officials in Brussels insisted that this was not the moment to play the blame game. But they underlined that the reasons for the French "non" must be discussed in detail.

  But both Juncker and Barroso insisted that French men and women who voted against the treaty were sending "contradictory" messages.

  Some wanted a stronger Europe while others wanted to stop further integration, Barroso said.

  The French vote had left him "perplexed," Juncker said. The Luxembourg premier admitted, however, that many in France who had turned their backs on the treaty were worried about the bloc's past and future expansion.

  The benefits of EU enlargement had not been explained properly to citizens, Juncker conceded, adding that while many in Europe fretted about integration, the bloc was a source of inspiration to other nations.

  The Luxembourg chief said he would start talking to EU leaders on Monday, ahead of an EU summit to be held in Brussels in mid-June.

  Despite France's rejection of the new constitution, the EU will continue to operate under the current Nice treaty, approved in 2000.

  European officials are concerned, however, that voters in the Netherlands, following the French lead, will also vote against the treaty in a referendum today.

  EU policymakers fear that the French vote will damage Europe's external standing, especially vis a vis the US and Russia.

  There is concern that serious decisions on vital issues could be put off. These include the negotiation of a new financial blueprint, further enlargement -- especially the expected negotiations with Turkey and Croatia -- and Europe's capacity to play a key role in the Middle East and in nuclear talks with Iran.

  The EU constitution was painstakingly negotiated for almost two years and then signed by the bloc's leaders in October in Rome.

  It is designed to streamline decision-making in an enlarged EU and among other key features, provides for the appointment of a first-ever EU foreign minister and a permanent chairman for EU summits. It also introduces more majority voting and limits the use of national vetoes.
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