Madam, - I oppose the inclusion of a reference to Christianity in the EU constitution for two reasons. First, it suggests unequal status for Europeans who are not Christians. Second, it will be a barrier to the ultimate accession of "non-Christian" countries such as Turkey and Bosnia.
Madam, - I oppose the inclusion of a reference to Christianity in the EU constitution for two reasons. First, it suggests unequal status for Europeans who are not Christians. Second, it will be a barrier to the ultimate accession of "non-Christian" countries such as Turkey and Bosnia.
The EU should stop this silly debate and return to its core principle of being a free-trade area. This means freeing trade both from national barriers as well as from the current failing of excessive EU regulation. Finally, free trade should be extended to poorer countries so they have a fair chance to compete in the EU marketplace and raise their standard of living. Surely this is a truly Christian aim? - Yours, etc.,
FINTAN CLANCY, Bracknell Gardens, London NW3.
Madam, - Can we break into the debate on whether god(s) should be mentioned in the EU's first constitution to remind your readers that the outcome of the Inter-Governmental Conference (IGC) will also have important implications for people here on earth?
Unlike national constitutions, EU treaties have always been as much about what the EU does as about how power is shared between different "actors". The Rome Treaty established the EU's focus on market integration and later treaties prepared the way for the single currency. This led to an unbalanced "European project", with unrestricted competition deepening social divisions and undermining services.
The European Convention which prepared the current draft constitution included in its objectives "to combat social exclusion and discrimination". In contrast to the commercial objectives, however, there is no mechanism to move this from aspiration to reality.
The European Anti-Poverty Network is proposing the addition of just three important words to the 240-page draft constitution, as follows (new words in italics): "in all the activities referred to in this \ part, the Union shall aim to combat social exclusion, eliminate inequalities and promote equality between men and women".
Just three words can make a lot of difference to the type of Europe we create. Will our leaders take them up? - Yours, etc.,
ROBIN HANAN, European Anti-Poverty Network (EAPN) Ireland, Dublin 1.
Madam, - Thank God and/or Allah for Fintan O'Toole (Opinion, October 21st). - Yours, etc.,
PETER DOYLE, Dornden Park, Blackrock, Co Dublin.