Post by Maverick on May 25, 2004 17:46:32 GMT -5
EU debates religion in constitution
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Tuesday, May 25, 2004
BRUSSELS, Belgium — France said yesterday it could not accept references to God and Christianity in a European Union constitution.
France and Belgium have been most opposed to religious references in the charter, while Italy and Poland, backed by Pope John Paul II, want the charter to acknowledge Christianity's role.
"I think the text, as is, is a balanced one," French Foreign Minister Michel Barnier said.
The 25 EU foreign ministers sat down for a new session of negotiations, one week after talks failed to narrow deep differences over a constitutional draft, which is expected to be finalized by the June 17-18 summit of government leaders.
Foreign ministers from Poland, Italy, Portugal, Lithuania, Malta, Slovakia and the Czech Republic proposed a "further attention to a reference to the Christian roots of Europe." France wants to stick to the current text, which says the EU draws "inspiration from the cultural, religious and humanist inheritance of Europe."
British Foreign Secretary Jack Straw also backed the current text.
Click here to read the original article
Tuesday, May 25, 2004
BRUSSELS, Belgium — France said yesterday it could not accept references to God and Christianity in a European Union constitution.
France and Belgium have been most opposed to religious references in the charter, while Italy and Poland, backed by Pope John Paul II, want the charter to acknowledge Christianity's role.
"I think the text, as is, is a balanced one," French Foreign Minister Michel Barnier said.
The 25 EU foreign ministers sat down for a new session of negotiations, one week after talks failed to narrow deep differences over a constitutional draft, which is expected to be finalized by the June 17-18 summit of government leaders.
Foreign ministers from Poland, Italy, Portugal, Lithuania, Malta, Slovakia and the Czech Republic proposed a "further attention to a reference to the Christian roots of Europe." France wants to stick to the current text, which says the EU draws "inspiration from the cultural, religious and humanist inheritance of Europe."
British Foreign Secretary Jack Straw also backed the current text.