At present, the
European Union is on the verge of a historic extension
that will affect 13 candidate countries of Central and Eastern Europe.
The countries interested are Bulgaria, Cyprus, Estonia, Hungary,
Letonia, Malta, Lithuania, Poland, the Cheque republic, Rumania,
Slovenia, Slovakia and Turkey. The extension will be carried out in
stages and the first joinings will not occur until 2003. To continue
working in an efficient and democratic way, the European Union should
carry out a profound global reformation before the end of the year.
As an initiative "
Dialogue on Europe", the
European Commission is
contributing to the stimulation of a public debate amongst the public
about what Europe risks in the institutional reform. The objective of
the initiative is to bear in mind the European public's opinion in the
Intergovernmental Conference (IGC), that started its activities in February
this year and it is foreseen that these will end in Nice, in December
2000.
Meanwhile, the
Council of the European Union wishes to reunite the recognised
fundamental rights in the European Union in a unique document with the
view to making them more accessible. The edition of a
Charter of
Fundamental Rights was given to a group of 15 representatives of the
member states, 30 national MPs, 16 Euro MPs and a representative of the
Commission. The Tribunal of Justice and the Council of the European
Union participate as observers.
More information:
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IGC 2000
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The European Parliament and the IGC 2000
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Council of the European Union and the IGC 2000