European Union leaders on Friday signed a first-ever Constitution for the expanding bloc, in a landmark ceremony on the spot in Rome where its forerunner was founded nearly half a century ago.
The Constitution, agreed in June after two years of haggling, aims to streamline EU institutions and prevent decision-making gridlock in a bloc that grew from 15 to 25 members this year, with several more waiting in line.
It notably foresees a longer-term EU presidency to replace the current six-month musical-chairs system, while streamlining the executive commission and creating a new post of EU foreign minister.
The leaders signed in alphabetical order, beginning with Prime Minister Guy Verhofstadt of Belgium.
Outgoing European Commission chief Romano Prodi urged EU leaders to press ahead and ratify the new EU Constitution, warning that its entry into force cannot be taken for granted, notably due to public scepticism.
”The signing of the European Constitution does not mean we have crossed the finishing line,” he said in a speech shortly before the formal signing ceremony.
”In the months ahead, the governments of the union’s 25 member states will need to use their best endeavours to persuade their Parliaments and citizens to ratify the new constitutional treaty,” he added.
”Those decisions we cannot take for granted,” he said, in a reference to the fact that at least 10 EU states are set to hold referenda on the Constitution in the next two years.
The pact has to be ratified by all 25 member states to come into force, and there are serious doubts about whether the people of some countries, such as notoriously Euro-sceptic Britain, will vote to back it.
Prodi added that ”while the chief responsibility … will lie with the signatory governments, the EU institutions will play their part in providing the citizens of Europe with objective information concerning its content”.
Christians protest
About 100 demonstrators rallied in Rome early on Friday to protest the lack of a reference in the EU Constitution to Europe’s Christian roots.
Protesters held up banners proclaiming ”Europe is either Christian or it’s not” and ”We don’t allow abortion in Europe” in the city’s Republic Square, more than 2km from Rome’s city hall, where the 25 EU leaders were gathering to sign the Constitution treaty.
”We are here to bring the values and the tradition of the Christian and religious culture as a fundamental of Europe,” said Fabrizio Santori, leader of European Christian Youth, one of the groups taking part in the protest.
Italy’s RAI television said the demonstration proceeded peacefully. — Sapa-AFP