European Union Constitution to be published today

Monday, 26 May 2003 12:00 AM

The final draft of the Constitution of the European Union is to be published today after the chairman Giscard d'Estaing finished his consultations with member state leaders.

According to Tony Blair, the British Government has already won important concessions, and that if necessary he will veto any key areas he objects to.

These concessions revolve around the dreaded word 'federal', which has already been removed from the constitution.

In addition they have vetoed the idea of future constitutional change being approved by a single referendum across the European Union. They have also stifled a plan to create an EU diplomatic service.

However, despite Britain's protestations, it is unlikely that the European public prosecutor, the dilution of national autonomy over social policy or an EU foreign minister will have been removed from the constitution.

The EU's aim is to adopt the new constitution in time for the admission of 10 new members in May 2004.

The announcement of the constitution has led to criticisms from Iain Duncan Smith. He has stated his belief that any acceptance of such drastic reforms should followed a national referendum.

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