The convention tasked with charting Europe's future got down to debating today on an outline constitution.
The 105 members of the convention chaired by Mr Valery Giscardd'Estaing were examining the first findings released by the formerFrench president yesterday.
The three-part document comprised rough chapter headings of theproposed constitution for what Mr Giscard d'Estaing would like to call"United Europe", a revamped European Union.
Other names floated were the current one or the "United Statesof Europe" - which Britain said was "simply not a serious runner.
"We would not accept it, nor would the majority of theconvention," said Mr Peter Hain, who was promoted last week to WelshSecretary from his former post of Minister for Europe.
Although stressing the role of member states, the outlineconstitution also talked of a double citizenship - European andnational. It also proposed a grand congress of national legislaturesand the European Parliament.
Mr d'Estaing had been expected to propose the appointmentof a president to give the EU extra clout, but there was no mentionof this controversial idea in his initial findings.
The idea is backed by Britain, France and Spain. Germany hassaid it is "not opposed" to the creation of a new post of presidentbut it also wants to see the executive European Commissionreinforced.
But smaller member states are worried about the idea of apermanent EU president, to replace what British Foreign SecretaryJack Straw dismisses as the "musical chairs" of the current rotatingpresidency.
AFP