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Constitution will place the interests of citizens at the heart of EU

Today in Rome, the heads of state and government of the EU's 25 member states will sign the treaty establishing a Constitution for Europe. We have come a long way since the six founding members formed the European Economic Community back in March 1957 -- also in Rome.

After the treaty is signed, it will go before the national parliaments for approval. So it is crucially important to understand why the treaty deserves to be ratified. Simply put, it places the interests of Europe's citizens more than ever at the heart of the EU's activities. It does so in four ways.

First, the constitutional treaty guarantees that the union's institutions will respect the fundamental rights of everyone within the EU. The "catalogue of fundamental rights" included in the Constitution is extensive, centering on respect for human dignity, freedom, and equality, and also on the principles of democracy and the rule of law. By enshrining them in the Constitution, these fundamental rights and principles become legally binding, and citizens will have greater scope for bringing appeals to the Court of Justice. In this respect, the EU leads the world in the protection of fundamental rights.

Second, the treaty makes the EU more democratic and brings government closer to Europe's citizens. The union has no business interfering in matters that can be dealt with successfully at the local, regional, or national level. The EU's objectives are precisely those that countries are unable to achieve on their own, for example, a stronger economy and greater security.

The constitutional treaty includes guarantees to ensure that the EU adheres to this principle strictly. National parliaments will be able to call a time-out if Brussels makes proposals that seem to interfere unnecessarily. Should one-third of national parliaments so wish, the European Commission will be required to reconsider a proposal.

In addition, the constitutional treaty gives citizens the right to ask the European Commission to take action on a specific point. A citizens' initiative of this kind will require 1 million signatures, obtained in different countries.

At the same time, the European Parliament will have far greater powers. It will have joint decision-making authority in many more areas, including the budget. As a result, European citizens' elected representatives will be better able to scrutinize the work of the commission.

Third, the treaty makes the EU more open and more transparent. Citizens want powers to be clearly defined and decisions to be taken openly in a way that they can understand. Many people despair of finding their way through the maze of current EU treaties and their numerous amendments. Outside Brussels, few people can explain the "pillar" structure and the distinction between the union and the community. The Constitution consigns these complexities to history. It also gives people far greater access to official information, extending their right of access to documents from all institutions, organs, and bodies.

Finally, the treaty will make Europe more effective. This is essential if the issues that affect people's lives are to be tackled successfully. Two themes that people consider crucial are a stronger European economy (more jobs and more growth) and greater security (reducing cross-border crime). European countries are heavily reliant on each other in addressing these issues. People are counting on Europe to take action. But, because EU decisions often have to be taken unanimously, this can be difficult. Moreover, the means to work together effectively are often lacking. The treaty introduces major improvements here, enabling us to work together more effectively to achieve our aims.

In sum, the constitutional treaty firmly enshrines fundamental rights in law, and also makes the EU more democratic, more transparent, and more effective. This makes it a good deal for everyone -- for people who expect more cooperation and more concrete results from the union, but also for those concerned about excessive interference by Europe in questions that can be better dealt with by the member states themselves.

Next year, we will celebrate 60 years of peace across a large part of Europe. Never before in our history have we enjoyed such a long period of concord, a period that has seen an enormous growth in prosperity. Democracy has taken root in almost every corner of Europe, and Europeans now have far greater freedom to live, work, and study where and how they wish.

These achievements are largely due to European cooperation. The constitutional treaty is a reflection of our wish to continue in the same vein, to carry on working together. We want to reaffirm our commitment to a life without war and injustice, and to the freedom that we hold so dear.

The constitutional treaty provides solid foundations for our shared future. Peace, security, and prosperity are as vulnerable as they are valuable. This treaty makes them stronger. And that makes us stronger. The signing ceremony is therefore a message of hope. It is a new beginning.

Jan Peter Balkenende is prime minister of the Netherlands and president of the European Council. Copyright: Project Syndicate
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