European constitution 'expands rights of Maltese'

The European Movement (Malta) has welcomed the signing today of the draft treaty establishing a constitution for Europe, as approved by the Intergovernmental Conference on June 18.

The movement said the European constitution was a major step in the right direction for Europe and for the people of Malta.

Part II of the constitution included the charter of fundamental rights of the Union, it said, a section that expanded the constitutionally safeguarded rights and freedoms of the Maltese people.

"Indeed, as a bill of rights, the European constitution obviously develops and expands upon the European Convention on Human Rights and the rights protected by the Maltese Constitution," it said.

The ratification of the European constitution does not endanger Malta's neutrality, the movement added.

"Contrary to the misleading statements that have already been made, article I - 41 (paragraph 2) of the European constitution says that the framing of a common security and defence policy, including the progressive framing of a Union Defence Policy, 'shall not prejudice the specific character of the security and defence policy of certain member states...' This is a clear reference to the EU neutral states - Malta, Ireland, Sweden, Austria and Finland," the European Movement said.