A Constitution for Europe

In December 2001 at Laeken, Belgium, the Heads of State or Government of the 15 Member States of the European Union decided to convene a “European Convention”, assembling the main parties involved in the debate on the future of Europe. This European Convention was instructed to draw up a document intended to provide a starting point for discussions in an Intergovernmental Conference to amend the existing European Treaties (the “Laeken declaration”). Never before has an amendment of the European Treaties been prepared by such a large and open assembly as the European Convention.

After 16 months’ work the European Convention reached a consensus on a draft European Constitution (13 June and 10 July 2003). This draft was submitted to an Intergovernmental Conference composed of representatives of the governments of the present and future Member States.