Fundamental Rights Charter at Critical Point

12.00.00am BST (GMT +0100) Thu 15th Jun 2000

Andrew Duff, Liberal Democrat MEP for Eastern England and ELDR Constitutional Affairs Spokesman, has warned that the Fundamental Rights Charter will need fresh impetus if is to succeed.

Speaking about the latest development Mr Duff said:

"The drafting of the Charter has reached a critical phase.

"There are well over 1000 amendments tabled to about 60 articles. Frankly, the Convention is staggering, and may stall altogether if the Feira Council cannot bring a fresh impetus to the process.

"In the Convention, we have tried so far to reach consensus on everything. This has never been easy and is now proving impossible.

"The Convention now needs a more formal decision-making procedure of a parliamentary type. This means voting, and voting according to a qualified majority procedure as would be normal for constitutional procedures within any modern European member state.

"Some representatives of the European Council on the Convention hate the prospect of being forced to vote, and dislike the constituent nature of the Convention itself.

"This prejudice has to be overcome at Feira if the Charter project is to succeed."