EU constitution in 2004 - Chirac

President Jacques Chirac has set the ambitious target date of 2004 for a European constitution to come into force.

Speaking to France's ambassadors at the ╔lysΘe Palace yesterday, Mr Chirac listed the adoption of a constitution for the EU first among measures needed to make Europe more powerful. "Let us act in such a way that the constitution becomes a reality in 2004," he said.

The EU's political role was not commensurate with its status as an economic giant and "its place in the world", the French leader said. Differences between member states meant "the smallest common denominator" prevailed. "What can we do so that Europe carries greater weight on the international stage? What can we do to give it the energy and power of attraction that are lacking?" Mr Chirac asked.

First of all, he continued, there had to be "a feeling of European identity". Member states needed to affirm their shared references and values. "The adoption of a constitution would contribute to this," he said. "Such a text would unite the Europeans by enabling them, through their solemn approval, to identify with a project."

Never one to shrink from taking credit, the French president noted that he had put forward the idea of an EU constitution, and that it was making progress. On June 27th, 2000, before the German Bundestag, Mr Chirac suggested establishing a "pioneer group" of states responsible for drafting the document, which he said would "reorganise the treaties" and set "the final geographical borders" of the EU. The measure has been opposed by countries fearing a "two-track" Europe, but Mr Chirac reiterated yesterday that "to go forward after enlargement Europe will need the avant-garde, the pioneer group that I outlined in my Bundestag speech."

Mr Chirac credited France with having "brought the needed inspiration to the construction of Europe". He cited France's role in creating the euro, the Saint-Malo conference where Britain and France established basic elements of a European defence policy, and "making enlargement possible thanks to the Treaty of Nice".

During the French EU presidency last year, Mr Chirac said: "We decided to launch a great debate on the future of Europe." Most of the themes were those raised by him in the Bundestag, he added.

"Now we must define, without timidity, the areas where we want to go towards more Europe, within the framework desired by France, of a Federation of Nation States."