New EU treaty to 'retain substance' of constitution
Friday, 15 Jun 2007 10:52
EU leaders will meet next week to discuss the way forward
A new European Union (EU) treaty will retain the "substance" of the previous attempt at forging a constitution, according to the German chancellor Angela Merkel.
In a letter to other EU leaders obtained by the Times, Ms Merkel said that next week's attempt to thrash out a new treaty would need to stay close to the failed 2005 effort.
These measures include a foreign minister for the EU and the controversial charter of fundamental rights which would create new legal substance for workers.
The prime minister in-waiting Gordon Brown along with current leader Tony Blair are said to be together on their opinions on Europe, including a rejection of the charter which could alter British law.
In the letter, Ms Merkel said that the EU countries would push to "preserve the substance of the innovations" contained in the 2004 treaty written by former French president Valery Giscard.
The German chancellor conceded that as France and the Netherlands, as well as Britain, will not ratify a constitution, concessions can be made to form an "amending treaty".
Mr Blair has signalled his willingness to sign up to a treaty which does not include constitutional changes and would therefore not involve a public referendum.
It is reported that Mr Brown is also keen to avoid any public discussion on the matter, although the Conservatives will call for parliamentary debate should anything in the treaty come close to affecting Britain's legal system and sovereignty.
An ally for Mr Brown told the Times: "There can be no ambiguity in this which might unravel over time.
"The charter of fundamental rights must never have any bearing on the British legal system."