August 2005

Wolfgang Gerhardt, the German chairman of FDP fraction said: “More important is the timing of when one puts the project to the vote again. A second attempt only has a chance if the people aren’t expecting such high unemployment and low growth.” But he argues that the EU should have a second go with a “streamlined” version.

The Austrian Chancellor Wolfgang Schuessel points to other difficulties: "People are worried about the EU becoming overstretched if it takes in Turkey, Ukraine and other countries. If a cautious approach is taken then we can say to the French and Dutch: "So you see we have understood and acted” Then for example after 2007, if in one or another nation policy changes have been completed, we can have another attempt (at ratification)”.

Noel Treacy, the Irish Europe minister said that the EU will revisit the Constitution during the first half of 2006. “Our government remains committed to the Constitution and to using this year to engage the public of Ireland on the issue of Europe.”

Gunter Verheugen, Vice-President of the European Commission also said that “Convinced Europeans like me should not put themselves in a defensive position: some critiques on Europe are justified, but certainly not all. Europe is the best thing we have built. We must not abandon nor weaken it”. He adds, “The ratification of the constitutional treaty is the responsibility of the member states. The Commission is going to use the period of reflection in which we find ourselves after the rejection of the constitution in France and the Netherlands to contribute to the re-launch of the European project.”

He also said, “There is no European social model. Each country has its traditions. It is useless to try and unify our social systems.”