EU LEADERS TO DRAFT REFORM TREATY TO REPLACE CONSTITUTION

European Union (EU) leaders meeting at the European Council Summit in Brussels have agreed on proposals for a new EU Reform Treaty to govern the 27-member EU. The controversial Constitutional Treaty is to be replaced by a set of pragmatic reforms of the European Union that will help it operate and deliver on policy more effectively and will improve parliamentary scrutiny and democratic accountability. With regard to a referendum, Britain has never had a referendum to ratify an international treaty. There were greater changes brought about by the Single European Act (under Mrs Thatcher) or the Treaty of Maastricht (under John Major) and there were no referendums on those occasions. It is nonsensical to demand one on a Treaty that does modest things like changing the length of the European Council Presidency; the Conservatives’ call for a referendum on a Treaty that changes far less than either the Single European Act or the Maastricht Treaty smacks of hypocrisy and desperation from a party that has no credibility on Europe. The Reform Treaty will be drafted at an Intergovernmental Conference (IGC) convening in July and will consist of a series of amendments to the existing EU Treaties, but will not replace them. Key measures in the reform treaty include:

• Abandoning the term ‘constitution’;
• Extending the use of Qualified Majority Voting in the Council of Ministers while maintaining national vetoes in key fields of national interest;
• A merger of two existing EU spokespersons on Foreign Affairs into one post of High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy;
• All EU legislation will be subject to approval by both the Council of Ministers and the European Parliament;
• A president elected by EU leaders for a 2-year term will replace the 6-month rotating presidency of the European Council.

ROUND TABLE ON 'AID FOR TRADE' A HUGE SUCCESS

Last month I chaired a hugely successful roundtable reinforcing the message contained in my Aid for Trade Report to the European Commission. The European Parliament overwhelmingly passed this report in May. The roundtable meeting was made up of representatives from developing countries, NGOs such as Oxfam, EU member States, the German Presidency and the European Commission who came to the European Parliament to discuss issues raised in my report. The discussion covered issues such as: How do we ensure the Member States and the European Commission can deliver on their commitment to each provide €1 bullion annually in ‘aid for trade’ by 2010?; How can ‘aid for trade’ be delivered to fit in with the developing countries’ own national strategies?; and, How can ‘aid for trade’ best support regional integration and infrastructure? Gordon Brown’s announcement, in the same week, that trade and development policy are to be aligned in the same department within the UK Government was a huge boost to this agenda and gives the UK a leadership role in this area.

SCOTTISH SPIRITS INDUSTRY TO BENEFIT FROM SPIRIT DRINKS REGULATION

The June Strasbourg session saw the passage of a carefully brokered compromise on the Spirit Drinks Regulation, which strengthened safeguards for Scotch Whisky and ensured that British companies can continue to produce Vodka as they have done for decades. This deal was vital for the Scottish Whisky industry to protect Scottish brands and distilleries worldwide against cheap imitations from overseas. This is good for Scottish trade and Scottish jobs. Despite last-ditch efforts by some Eastern European elements to amend the regulation to limit the term ‘Vodka’ to only describe certain varieties, it was ensured, after work by Labour MEP Linda McAvan, that Vodka made in the UK can continue to carry the Vodka label.

SOCIALISTS WIN KEY VOTE ON RURAL POSTAL SERVICES

The Postal Services Directive was significantly amended as it passed through the European Parliament’s Transport Committee this month. After the Socialist Group member in charge of Postal Services, Labour’s Brian Simpson tabled a range of amendments, the vote at the Committee stage provided a significant step towards ensuring a universal postal service across Europe. After the vote Mr Simpson said: “Letters should go on being both delivered and collected at least once a day, five days a week, for every EU citizen, not just in London or Athens, but also in the Shetlands or Crete. This obligation to full territorial coverage should be retained”. The Socialist Group will now work tirelessly to ensure that the universal service guarantees remain in the final directive.

MEPS VOTE FOR COMPLETE BAN ON CAT AND DOG FUR TRADE IN EU

The European Parliament adopted a report on the proposed EU-wide ban on trading in cat and dog fur. The first reading scraps an exemption allowing trade in fur from cats and dogs if they were “not bred or killed for fur production”. This exemption would have left a “gaping loophole” in the legislation, which traders would soon exploit. The majority of cat and dog fur comes from China, where over 2 million dogs and cats are slaughtered each year for their furs and skins. At least 10 dogs are slaughtered to make a coat – more if puppies are used. Labour European MPs were the first to call for a law to ban this cruel trade and with the support of over 1 million concerned citizens persuaded the European Commission to come forward with a draft law to ban the trade. This is another example of the European Union listening to the concerns of citizens and taking action.

EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT CONDEMNS OPPRESSION OF BURMESE PEOPLE

The European Parliament in Strasbourg adopted a motion to condemn the Burmese Governments oppression of its people and to demand the release of all political prisoners. The resolution demands “the immediate and unconditional release of Aung San Suu Kyi”. Aung San Suu Kyi is the leader of the National League for democracy and winner of the European Parliament’s Sakharov Prize, and has spent 11 of the last 17 years under house arrest. The resolution also draws attention to the case of U Win Tin, a 77-year old journalist detained as political prisoner for almost two decades for writing a letter to the UN on the ill treatment of political prisoners and calls for his release and that of all political prisoners – estimated to number over 1200. MEPs also urged outside actors such as the EU, ASEAN, China, India and the business world to each play their part in improving the situation. The renewal of EU targeted sanctions is welcomed but it is recognised that they have failed to achieve the desired impact. MEPs therefore call on the Council “to expand the scope of the sanctions and to enlarge the list of those targeted”. Meanwhile, the council “must ensure that all Member States rigorously apply existing restrictive measures”. Under the EU Common Position on Burma, “support is limited to humanitarian aid and assistance for the most in need”. MEPs believe “all aid destined for Burma must be delivered through genuine NGOs” with focus on women’s groups and ethnic minorities.

FIRE-SAFE CIGARETTES TO GET GO-AHEAD

I am pleased to announce that a campaign, which I have long supported, could be given the go-ahead in Brussels. The European Commission is to bring forward proposals to ban traditional cigarettes by 2009/10, forcing smokers to buy ‘fire-safe’ cigarettes that need constant drags to keep them alight.
Fire-safe cigarettes that stop burning within two minutes of being put down are to replace conventional brands in an attempt to reduce the number of casualties from fires started by smouldering cigarette butts. Casualties that have been all too prevalent throughout Scotland over the past decades will be prevented. Cigarettes or other tobacco products sparked thirty of the 76 fatal house fires in Scotland in 2004. Over 2,000 people across Europe are killed in house fires caused by cigarettes and a further 7,300 injured. Fire-safe cigarettes will prevent that and save lives.

RETURN TO EUROPEAN REPORT ARCHIVE