EU Review & Call to Prayer (EURCP) - December, 2003

(By Praise & Prayer Ministries International   http://www.EUPrayer.com)

 

BULLETIN 2 - the European Union Constitution – Firm National stands will risk December 13 approval date – Study issues for prayer insight


The Word

1 Timothy 2: 1,2 "Therefore I exhort first of all that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks be made for all men, for kings and all who are in authority, that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and reverence." [Your prayers implement God’s Word]

John 15: 5 “I am the vine, you are the branches. He who ABIDES in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing. 7. If you ABIDE in Me, and My Words ABIDE in you, you will ask what you desire, and it shall be done for you”

 __________________________________________________________________________________

12 December 2003, Praise & Prayer Ministries International – Hugh E. and Norma Jenson Davis

 

The European Constitution may well hang on the balance of referenda across various EU member states. Seven countries have already declared that they will consult their citizens. Click here to see the exact situation in each of the 25 EU countries.

Europe is voting in June 2004. For the latest updates on the Parliamentary elections, party politics, and MEP campaigns don't miss the EUobserver’s new section, 'EP Elections 2004'. Go to: http://euobs.com/?sid=154

Kind regards,   The editors, Euobserver

*****************

EURO-SCEPTIC “COMMENTARY” LIST , MORE CRITICAL COMMENTARY

[NOT ENDORSED BUT ENCLUDED FOR STUDY]

http://www.teameurope.info/

 

*******************

READ PRAYERFULLY AND PRAY SPECIFICALLY

 

New Draft Fails to Resolve EU Divisions

By CONSTANT BRAND .c The Associated Press

 

BRUSSELS, Belgium (AP) - A new draft constitution has failed to resolve divisions among European Union governments on a voting system for the enlarged union, with growing signs leaders will miss their weekend deadline for agreement.

 

Instead nations hardened their positions as they prepared for the summit of EU leaders starting Friday to debate the union's first-ever constitution. EU officials have said about 100 issues remain to be decided, including whether God should be mentioned in the charter and whether there should be majority voting on foreign policy.

 

The constitution, drafted by a 105-member convention, reshapes EU institutions to avoid gridlock after the 15-nation bloc takes in 10 new members on May 1. It must be ratified by parliaments and referendums to take effect on Jan. 1, 2005.

 

To bolster Europe's global profile, the constitution would create new positions of an EU president and foreign minister to speak for all 25 nations in world forums.

 

The biggest obstacle to agreement is the proposed voting system, under which decisions would be adopted if at least half the EU members containing 60 percent of the bloc's population voted in favor.

 

At a summit in Nice, France, in December 2000, the EU agreed to give Spain and Poland, each with about 40 million people, nearly as many votes as Germany, with a population of more than 80 million.

 

Under the proposed constitution, Spain and Poland would lose votes, which neither is willing to accept. The Germans are demanding more power as the most populous EU member.

 

Polish President Aleksander Kwasniewski said Wednesday the leaders should postpone a decision on the voting reform, indicating Poland still was unwilling to budge.

 

Poland, one of those joining the EU, and Spain say the new voting rules would give too much power to the grouping's ``big four'' of Germany, France, Britain and Italy.

 

British Foreign Secretary Jack Straw insisted London would not accept a constitution that harmed its interests and also hinted that more talks beyond the summit might be needed. ``We'll carry on talking and working until we get the right result,'' he told the House of Commons in London.

 

Italian Premier Silvio Berlusconi, whose country holds the EU's rotating presidency, said Wednesday he was confident he would solve the voting problem. He told reporters in Rome that he had in his ``pocket a formula which gives Spain and Poland recognition as big countries'' and would reveal it ``at the last minute'' at the summit. He did not elaborate.

 

The smaller nations also are demanding seat on the European Commission, despite fears the EU executive body will become too unwieldy with 25 full voting members. Berlusconi said he would propose a compromise on the commission problem.

 

Dutch Prime Minister Jan Peter Balkenende also had problems with the latest draft, saying it did not meet his call for stronger budget deficit rules to underpin the euro currency. ``As presented it is not the right one,'' he said after talks at EU headquarters. ``You can imagine that we will be very busy in improving the text.''

 

The latest draft, prepared by Italy, had a 70-page list of amendments to the 465-article constitution. In other differences, Italians want to make foreign policy decisions by majority vote, while the British, Swedes and Danish vehemently oppose such an amendment.

 

European Union members are France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Belgium, Luxembourg, Denmark, Greece, Ireland, Portugal, Spain, Britain, Austria, Sweden and Finland.

 

They are to be joined by Poland, Hungary, Lithuania, Estonia, Latvia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Cyprus, Malta and the Czech Republic in May.

 

EU Constitution talks: http://ue.eu.int/igc/index.asp

               12/11/03 06:55 EST

Copyright 2003 The Associated Press. The information contained in the AP news report may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or otherwise distributed without the prior written authority of The Associated Press.

 

*********************

 

Pnpmi (Praise & Prayer Ministries International - Hugh & Norma Jenson Davis) is conducting this multi-denominational ministry under the mission program of the Assemblies of God Western Europe office outside of Brussels, Belgium. The mailing address there is: EMC/EURCP (Gerald Branum.) 45 Chaussee de Waterloo, 1640 Rhode Saint Genese, BELGIUM

This newsletter is also available free by subscription.  Please contact us if you would like to receive a monthly copy.

 

Our email is: eurcp@EUPrayer.com or NjensonDavis3@aol.com

 


Return to the "EU Review & Call To Prayer" Home Page