The Scottish Government

Future of Europe Debate

The Debate began when EU leaders agreed that the next Intergovernmental Conference to be held in 2004 would be preceded by a Convention on the Future of Europe.

The Convention has been given the task of considering the key issues arising from the Union's development and involves members of national parliaments and the European Parliament, as well as representatives of Member State Governments and the Commission.

Its meetings are being held in public. The Convention will produce a series of options, or where there is consensus, recommendations, paving the way for decisions at the IGC in 2004.

At their meeting in Laeken in December 2001, EU leaders agreed a Declaration which posed a series of questions setting the agenda for the Convention. The Declaration calls for the Convention to consider four areas:

• A better division and definition of competence in the European Union
• Simplification of the Union's instruments
• More democracy, transparency and efficiency in the European Union
• Towards a Constitution for European Citizens
  
  

The Convention

The Convention is composed of the main parties involved in the debate on the future of the European Union.

The European Council has appointed Mr Valéry Giscard d'Estaing as Chairman of the Convention and Mr Giuliano Amato and Mr Jean-Luc Dehaene as Vice-Chairmen.

In addition to its Chairman and two Vice-Chairmen, the Convention is composed of:

• 15 representatives of the Heads of State or Government of the Member States (one from each Member State)
• 13 representatives of the Heads of State or Government of the candidate States (1 per candidate State)
• 30 representatives of the national parliaments of the Member States (two from each Member State)
• 26 representatives of the national parliaments of the candidate States (two from each candidate State)
• 16 members of the European Parliament
• 2 representatives of the European Commission

There are alternates for each full member.

Representatives from the Economic and Social Committee, Committee of the Regions, the European social partners, and the European Ombudsman are invited to attend as observers.

The Scottish Executive's key proposals on the Future of Europe include:

• The need to set out the division of powers between the EU on the one hand and Member States and Sub Member State Administrations (SMSAs) on the other.
• The development of a Statement of Subsidiarity Principles and the introduction of an independent, subsidiarity watchdog to ensure the important principle of subsidiarity is better applied in the EU;
• Requirement for assessment of the potential financial impact of EU legislation compared to the value of the benefits;
• Greater involvement for SMSAs in the EU decision-making process;
• European Commission should consult with implementing authorities at the pre-legislative stage, based on a code of practice;
• Greater use of framework proposals rather than rigid legislation to allow flexible implementation that is sensitive to local and regional circumstances.
• Review of the role and status of the Committee of the Regions
• Operation of the Commission should be constrained by the strict observance of the following:

• act within limits of powers conferred by Treaties;
• the principle of subsidiarity;
• the principle of proportionality;
• obligation to respect national identity of Member States, which includes identity/cultural diversity of the regions.

• Enhance the accountability, effectiveness, proximity and transparency of the European decision-making process.

Getting involved

You can find out more and sumbit your views in a number of ways.

• You can e-mail us at futureofeurope@scotland.gsi.gov.uk
• You can pick up a leaflet with questionnaire from any library in the network of Scottish Parliament Partner Libraries
• A special pack for schools is available through Education Authority International Co-ordinators
• If you represent a business, voluntary organisation or any other non-governmental organisation, you can attend one of 3 Autumn conferences to be held across Scotland in partnership with the Scottish Civic Forum. These will take place on 12 September in Perth, on 19 September in Dumfries and on 23 September in Edinburgh. To register an interest in attending or to find out more, please contact Niall Hermiston at the Civic Forum on 0131 225 6851 or e-mail to: niall.hermiston@civicforum.org.uk

Whatever route you choose, please make sure views are submitted by October 4, 2002. It is intended to publish all responses received, unless there is an indication to the contrary from the sender.

The Executive's Future of Europe Website.

An EU Primer - guide to its institutions

Scotland Europa Future of Europe Website