EP10, Resolution on the Reform Treaty
Resolution on the Reform Treaty
- Proposed by JEF Belgium -
JEF-Europe,
Recognising that the EU has suffered under a high degree of Europessimism after the negative referenda on the Constitutional Treaty but now stands at a new crossroads, where it can continue its federal development towards a supranational system,
Fearing that if the Reform Treaty would not get through the ratification procedure, the outcome could cause unpredictable damage to the European construction and the harmony within the political community,
Having perceived the reflection period as a perfect opportunity to launch courageous and bold proposals on how to overcome the stalemate, among them the demand for more transparent and inclusive Treaty negotiations and the support for a pan-European referendum,
Still denouncing the Sherpa method as an undemocratic, non-transparent and non-participative form of negotiating behind closed doors that can only be used as on option of last resort,
JEF-Europe, however,
Notes that the political momentum has become entirely different now, since a Reform Treaty has been decided upon at the 2007 June Summit, that represents a hard-fought compromise and preserves about 85% of the Constitutional Treaty’s achievements,
Recalls that JEF is first and foremost a pro-European organisation and therefore by definition supports any step forward in the European integration process that has been legitimately obtained, meaning that none of the institutional proceedings which were democratically voted upon by all 27 national parliaments have been violated,
Believes that the policies and strategies of JEF must now become more pragmatic and advance as their top priority the EU’s steady evolution towards a federal political union, especially the strengthening of the communautarian institutions and the enhancement of the EU’s policy fields to successfully tackle the internal and global challenges it faces,
JEF-Europe therefore,
Recognises that the Reform Treaty, however disappointing the negotiations, some symbolical changes, the delays and opt-outs may be, still represents major advantages that outweigh the disadvantages,
Points to the fact that the Reform Treaty will bring about important innovations, including a single legal personality for the EU, a reference to the Fundamental Rights Charter that will make the document legally binding, a European Council President who will be elected for a two and a half year term and a High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy who will be in charge of its own diplomatic corps, a smaller Commission that will be more effective and a simplified “double majority” voting system in the Council (55% QMV and 65% population) that will smooth the decision-making process and increase its transparency, a one million citizen’s initiative that gives the citizens an important participative tool, more co-decision that will be given to the European Parliament in judicial and police affairs and increased cooperation that will take place for security, immigration, climate change and the energy sector,
Urges its members not to stay apathetic to a Reform Treaty that allows the EU to progress in a federal direction, increase its efficiency and improve the democratic rules of the game step by step,
Urges the Executive Bureau and all the sections to support the Reform Treaty and communicate its innovations as true federalist frontrunners in an open and fair way to the European people,
Asks all members of JEF to consider campaigning for the ratification of this highly important new Reform Treaty, principally in the countries where a referendum will be organised and a positive outcome cannot be taken for granted.
