A BASIC “CONSTITUTIONAL” TREATY FOR THE EUROPEAN UNIONJune 10th, 2003
FiledJune 10th, 2003TREATY COMMENTS Article 1. What the European Union Stands For. The European Union aims to constitute and secure an area of freedom, peace, cooperation and the rule of law for its people. This provision makes the concept of individual ‘freedom under the law’ the founding principle of the Union. The reference to ‘cooperation’ emphasises that the Union is based on the voluntary wishes of the people of Europe. The reference to ‘secure’ reminds people that freedom is not maintained without effort. No further statement of objectives is included because such statements undermine attempts to limit the powers of government and contain the kind of rhetoric that people rightly distrust. Article 2. Membership. (i) Any European State that respects the principles set out below in paragraphs (ii) and (iii) may apply to become a member of the Union. (ii) The applicant state must give evidence of its respect for fundamental human rights, respect the principles of a free and open market in the organi