European Union foreign ministers yesterday embraced with some enthusiasm a debate on the long-term constitutional future of the EU launched before the summer by the German Foreign Minister, Mr Joscke Fischer, and France's President Jacques Chirac.
Few nailed their colours to the mast of either man's different but radical proposals. But a majority of ministers at last weekend's informal meeting clearly accepted that the current treaty-changing Inter-Governmental Conference (IGC), due to conclude in Nice in December, will now have to be followed by another one, with a far wider agenda.
In particular the idea of creating a constitution for the Union met with wide backing and there was some support for the idea that a new IGC should be established in a forum with a far wider representation that heretofore.
The launching of a new debate was not met by universal acclaim. The Minister for Foreign Affairs, Mr Cowen, warned that "the prospects of success at Nice will not be enhanced by the idea of starting another IGC in January". He complained of the dangers of the Union moving into a "semi-permanent state of contitutional upheaval" rather than addressing its core work.
His determination that the "leftovers of Amsterdam" be thoroughly addressed in Nice, in line with the Union's pledge to the acceding states of eastern Europe to put its house in order ahead of accession, was also reflected by all other ministers.
The French Foreign Minister, Mr Hubert Vedrine, speaking for the EU Presidency, said that ministers were clear that "if we cannot solve the four problems we have set ourselves at Nice all reflections on subsequent change will be academic". He said that Nice would probably be too soon to launch or agree the timeframe of a subsequent IGC process.
Among the "avant-garde" issues raised were the charter of fundamental rights, and the primacy of the nation state in any new European federation. The British Foreign Secretary, Mr Robin Cook, warned, however, the phrase "avant-garde" should be used with care as it had different meanings in different member states.
He insisted that such a debate should in no way interfere with the process of accession.
The Spanish Minister, Mr Josep Picque, opposed a German suggestion that a new IGC should concern itself essentially with the subsidiarity issue, a listing of the various competences of the Union, member states, and regions.
Constrained by concerns that they might upset the delicate Middle East peace negotiations with statements either for or against a declaration of a Palestinian state, ministers publicly confined themselves to generalities about the process. Behind the scenes the French Presidency is closely monitoring developments.
There is some speculation that a promise of an EU military presence on the ground may be part of the Union's contribution to a peace deal. Mr Cowen bluntly refused to comment on whether it was being discussed but insisted that any such role would have to be UN-mandated.
On Wednesday, the Commission will unveil a package of measures aimed at supporting any agreement should it be reached. These are understood to be based on an enhancing of the so-called "Barcelona Process", the EU's Mediterranean dialogue, and, specifically, on encouraging the emergence of regional co-operation and possibly institutions on matters of mutual interest.
AFP adds: Spain's EU partners expressed their complete solidarity yesterday with the country's fight against the Basque separatist group ETA, Mr Vedrine announced yesterday.
