Andrew Duff MEP for East of England

Andrew Duff Commits Liberals To Support Convention Consensus

12.00.00am BST (GMT +0100) Fri 13th Jun 2003

Speaking in the solemn session of the Convention today, Liberal spokesman Andrew Duff said that all members of the Liberal family in the Convention would support the proposals. He said that the Convention had succeeded in closing some of the gap between the rhetoric and reality of European politics.

"We have drafted a constitutional treaty that puts mandatory fundamental rights at the heart of the integration process; that enhances the capacity of the Union to act effectively at home and abroad; and that strengthens parliamentary democracy both at the national and post-national levels."

Duff praised the draft constitution for being "simpler, shorter and a lot more rational" than the present EU treaties. He emphasised the desirability, allowed under the Constitution, of moving over the longer term to an integrated presidency of the Union.

He added:

"The result is not of course perfect. Nobody will leave here today triumphant. But what we have is, frankly, the best we could get. Our proposals deserve to be treated by the IGC that follows with the utmost respect. ..."

"Liberals in this Convention have collaborated well and contributed a lot. I am proud of them. All members of the Liberal caucus today support the package of proposals."

Referring to his disagreements with the UK government position, Mr Duff said:

"It is my belief that the fruits of our work here will one day convince many more of my countrymen and women to shed their obsessive nationalism, to become more trustworthy partners of the European Union, and to make of our own country a modern, European place."

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Previous news story: Blair Has Four Days to Make a Positive UK Contribution to Convention (Mon 9th Jun 2003).
Next news story: Andrew Duff to meet Liberal Leaders in Thessaloniki (Thu 19th Jun 2003).

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