Home > The Constitution > Ratification Stage > Reflection Period

After the Constitution had been rejected in the French and Dutch referenda, member states agreed at the European Council on 16/17 June on a Declaration on the ratification of the Treaty establishing a Constitution for Europe calling for a period of reflection during which a broad debate could take place. The deadline for ratifying the treaty was prolonged indefinitely, and decisions about further ratification of the Constitution were put on the hands of each member state, with the immediate consequence that most of the member states froze their ratification processes; only Luxembourg stuck to its original timetable, ratifying the Constitution by referendum on July 10, 2005.
There were many reasons for the No vote. The domestic economic and social situation played its role in both France and the Netherlands. The perception that the Constitution was too liberal, too market oriented and the belief that it could be renegotiated was another reason, foremost in France. But also the lack of information was seen as one of the causes which provoked the rejection of the Constitution.
This special page is seen as a platform to make public different contributions by politicians and academics to this "reflection period". For more information regarding the ratification process of the European Constitution please visit the Bibliography on the ratification process.

29.03.2007Poland to fight for 'square root' law in EU treaty, EUobserver.com

Poland plans to propose a new voting system in the upcoming EU treaty talks that will be based on square roots of populations instead of simple populations. The so-called "Penrose square root law" would give Warsaw more say against Berlin, with one Polish official already talking about potential Polish vetoes.

29.03.2007 Merkel tasks MEPs with public EU treaty debate, EUobserver.com

German chancellor Angela Merkel has suggested to the European Parliament that the body itself could organise a public discussion on the EU constitution, in a response to criticism of the secretive character of her efforts to revive the treaty.

19.03.2007 Poland compromises on EU birthday declaration, EUobserver.com

German chancellor Angela Merkel's attempts to revive the EU constitution were given a boost after Poland dropped its opposition to the Berlin Declaration, a statement marking the EU's 50th birthday and intended to relaunch discussions on the EU treaty.

16.03.2007 Wallstrom backs Warsaw on constitution energy clause, EUobserver.com

EU communications commissioner Margot Wallstrom has backed Poland's bid to include solidarity on energy shocks in the new EU constitution, but warned Warsaw to leave the voting system alone or risk alienating potential European allies.

07.03.2007 Poettering warns Poland to leave EU vote system alone, EUobserver.com

European Parliament president Hans-Gert Poettering has warned Poland to leave the voting rights issue alone when EU member states consider how to move ahead on the EU constitution.

06.03.2007 UK agrees to euro reference in EU birthday declaration, EUobserver.com

The UK has agreed to a reference to the euro currency in the EU's 50th anniversary declaration, while France is keen to secure that the text will not call for uncontrolled future enlargement of the union.

05.03.2007 Birthday declaration puts Merkel to EU constitution test, EUobserver.com

The German chancellor is facing the first real test of her efforts to push a revised EU constitution as she seeks to convince EU leaders this week to include a reference to a new treaty in the EU's 50th anniversary declaration.

01.03.2007 Spain and Germany up pressure on EU constitution, EUobserver.com

Spain has reaffirmed its role of a vocal promotor of the EU constitution with renewed criticism of the UK, France and the Netherlands, while Germany is also upping the pressure saying it wants a new-style EU treaty before the end of the year.

22.02.2007 Germany's EU constitutional task increasingly difficult, EUobserver.com

As the half-way mark of the German presidency looms, even the most basic parameter-setting agreement on the EU constitution looks difficult as France is politically absent, the UK is opposed to a substantial text and Poland is taking a tough man stance.

22.02.2007 Sarkozy criticises EU integration talks without France, EUobserver.com

French presidential candidate and interior minister Nicolas Sarkozy has chastised the 18 countries who have already ratified the EU constitution for discussing European integration without France. Meanwhile polls show that his rival, Segolene Royal, is closing in on him.

22.02.2007 Poland to push for 'dark' side to EU birthday text, EUobserver.com

Poland wants the EU's upcoming 50th birthday declaration to mention the "dark" side of recent European history such as Communism and the Balkan wars, while hinting that changes to the EU voting system could become a Polish red line in future talks on the new EU constitution.

21.02.2007 Rome concerned over Blair's exit impact for EU constitution talks, EUobserver.com

Italian and Spanish leaders have voiced their full support for salvaging the EU constitution, indicating they could join Germany as the big country frontrunners pushing for the charter's revival. But Rome has raised concern over the UK's position if Tony Blair leaves government soon after the June EU summit.

12.02.2007 French MEP sees way out of EU constitutional crisis, EUobserver.com

As proposals to chop, add to or scrap the EU constitution continue to crop up almost daily, a French MEP believes he has found the solution to the bloc's institutional impasse by keeping the text exactly as it is but introducing a radical ratification procedure. However, the UK remains the "great unknown," according to the deputy.

09.02.2007 Barroso puts pressure on The Hague over EU constitution, EUobserver.com

European Commission chief Jose Manuel Barroso on Thursday urged the Netherlands to start "moving" towards a compromise on the EU constitution, during a visit to the Dutch national parliament which saw Mr Barroso's charm soothe some Dutch MPs' fears of Brussels' intentions.

07.02.2007 [Comment] Ratification is not an optional extra, EUobserver.com

The suggestion in the Netherlands that a decision on whether or not to hold a referendum will be taken once the negotiations on the EU constitution are complete is simply a repeat of the previous error. Ratification is not an add-on; it is central to Europe's constitutional future, argues Richard Laming.

01.02.2007 EU divisions on constitution grow, EUobserver.com

Despite Germany's efforts to conduct negotiations on the EU constitution discreetly, the rifts between member states are already abundantly clear with the UK and the Czech Republic already setting out their red lines, Spain looking to put more into the text, and the French presidential contenders bringing the topic into their pre-election campaigning.

30.01.2007 Prague faces head-on clash with pro-EU constitution camp, EUobserver.com

The Czech Republic has emerged as a key opponent of the German EU presidency's plan to revive the European constitution, with its newly appointed negotiator Jan Zahradil telling EUobserver that Prague seeks to curb EU powers and re-open core parts of the charter.

29.01.2007 Prague and Warsaw brief Merkel on EU charter plans, EUobserver.com

Prague will press for a substantially revised EU constitution that is easier to understand and takes "smaller steps" on integration and Warsaw's proposal will better reflect EU reality than the existing draft charter, German chancellor Angela Merkel learned over the weekend.

26.01.2007 Friends of EU constitution defend treaty's 'fundamental content', EUobserver.com

A pro-EU constitution gathering in Madrid has called for a revised version of the charter to not go "below" the existing compromise, while expressing "frustration" at the lack of alternative solutions put forward by countries that have failed to ratify it.

26.01.2007 Spain pushes for extended EU constitution, EUobserver.com

In a speech to open the 'Friends of EU constitution' meeting in Madrid, Spain's foreign minister Miguel Angel Moratinos argued that any revised treaty should be extended to include more European objectives rather than pared down to just institutional reforms. But most delegations rejected substantial changes in the constitution.

25.01.2007 Pro-EU constitution states discuss tactics, EUobserver.com

The 18 member states that have already ratified the EU constitution are gathering to discuss how to swing the political debate around to their side, with the nine countries who have stopped the raitification process continuing to steal the political limelight.

25.01.2007 Berlin lays down tight negotiation timetable for constitution, EUobserver.com

Germany has laid out a detailed timetable for negotiations on the EU constitution, asking that member states appoint two experts for the confidential negotiations and saying that the European Parliament may also appoint "a close collaborator" of its president.

23.01.2007 Germany warns MEPs not to 'compete' on EU constitution, EUobserver.com

MEPs will not have any major role in the EU's constitution revival project Germany's foreign minister has said, warning deputies not pick fights with national governments over who serves Europe better or overshadow Berlin's efforts to revive the EU charter.

23.01.2007 Luxembourg calls off EU constitution conference, EUoberver.com

Luxembourg has called off a planned February meeting on the EU constitution in order to avoid the "impression" of working against the German EU presidency, while this week's "friends of the constitution" meeting in Madrid continues to stir controversy.

22.01.2007 Ireland to 'keep critical eye' on any constitution changes, EUoberver.com

Ireland is keeping a watchful eye on any possible changes to the European Constitution, calling on member states to maintain the "balance of the entire package." It will also have a referendum whatever the outcome of the talks, the country's Europe minister told EUobserver.

22.01.2007 Commissioner criticises Berlin's constitutional revival method, EUoberver.com

EU communications commissioner Margot Wallström has voiced concern at plans by the German presidency to only involve governments in the revived talks on the bloc's constitution, saying citizens should be "engaged" in the constitutional discussion.

19.01.2007 Dutch open to new-style EU constitution, poll shows, EUoberver.com

Dutch voters are increasingly open to the idea of a revised version of the EU constitution, but would still reject the current text of the charter, according to a fresh poll.

18.01.2007 UK begins offensive against full-blown EU constitution, EUoberver.com

The UK has already begun its offensive against a full-blown version of the EU constitution in direct response to a call yesterday by Germany to put the talks back on track.

18.01.2007 France's Royal wants new EU constitution referendum, EUoberver.com

Segolene Royal, the socialist candidate to become France's next president, has said she is in favour of holding a new referendum on a revised EU constitution in 2009, proposing to make the treaty more attractive to the French by attaching a social declaration.

European Policy Center (2007), A five-point plan for the Berlin Declaration, 07.03.2007. (HTML)

Göler, D.; Jopp, M. (2007), Kann Europa gelingen? Vorhaben und Chancen der deutschen Ratspräsidentschaft, Integration 1/07, Februar 2007. (German) (PDF)

Shaw, J. (2006), Resuscitation, Long-term Hibernation or Death?, Federal Trust for Education and Research, Public lecture delivered at the Radisson SAS Bay Point Resort Hotel, Malta, 21.12.2006. (HTML)

Commission of the Bishops' Conferences of the European Community (2007), Common values – the living source of the European project, Contribution to the Preparation of the Berlin Declaration. (PDF)

Commission of the Bishops' Conferences of the European Community (2005), The Treaty establishing a Constitution for Europe Elements for an Evaluation, March 2005. (PDF)

Rodríguez Iglesias, R.C.; Torreblanca, J.I. (Coor.) (2007), El futuro de la Constitución Europea: Opciones para España, Real Instituto Elcano, 8º Informe Elcano, enero de 2007. (Spanish) (PDF)

Schreyer, M. (2007), Zur Zukunft des Verfassungsvertrages : Positionen und Vorschläge der Grünen und anderer europapolitischer Akteure, Heinrich-Böll-Stiftung, Schriften zu Europa, Studie, Februar 2007. (German) (PDF)

Maurer, A. (2007), Accommoder des attentes contradictoires : Perspectives pour la présidence allemande de l'Union européenne en 2007, Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung, Analyses et Documents. (French) (PDF)

Mangas, A. (2007), El rescate del Tratado Constitucional: ¿qué y cómo se puede salvar?,
ARI Nº 17/2007, Real Instituto Elcano, 12.02.2007. (Spanish) (HTML)

Torreblanca, J.I. (2007), Tiempo de aniversario, tiempo de trincheras, riesgo de ruptura, ARI Nº 16/2007, Real Instituto Elcano, 12.02.2007. (Spanish) (HTML)

European Policy Centre (2007), Challenge Europe - Europe@50: back to the future, Issue paper 16, February 2007. (PDF)

Onesta, G. (2006), Le Plan A+ - Le Traité, La Constitution européenne entre possible et souhaitable, automne 2006. (French) (PDF)

Onesta, G. (2006), Le Plan A+ - La Constitution, La Constitution européenne entre possible et souhaitable, automne 2006. (French) (PDF)

Onesta, G. (2006), Le Plan A+ - La démarche, La Constitution européenne entre possible et souhaitable, automne 2006. (French) (PDF)

Laming, R. (2007), Fifty years of the European Union, Based on a talk given to the Eastbourne branch of the European Movement, 24.01.2007. (HTML)

Inter-Parliamentary Research Network (2003), The Proposed Treaty Establishing a Constitution for Europe, briefing note, Research and Library Services of the legislatures in the United Kingdom (UK) and the Republic of Ireland (ROI). (PDF)

Institut für Europäische Politik (IEP) (ed.) (2007), EU-25/27 Watch, No. 4, January 2007. (PDF)

Hagemann, S.; De Clerck-Sachsse, J. (2007), Decision-making in the Enlarged Council of Ministers: Evaluating the Facts, Centre for European Policy Studies, Policy brief, No. 119. (PDF)

Koopman, M. (2007), Pacemaker Instead of European Saviour: Germany's EU Presidency, Real Instituto Elcano, ARI 6/2007, 19.01.2007. (PDF)

Hughes, K.; Torreblanca, J.I. (2007), Chance for a Real Debate on the EU´s Constitution, blogeuropa.eu, 24.01.2007. (HTML)

European Policy Centre (2007), State of the Union debate, event report, 25.01.2007. (HTML)

Open Europe (2006), The EU in 2007, December 2006. (PDF)

Guérot, U. (2006), Germany and Europe: New Deal or Déjà Vu?, Notre Europe, Studies and Research N°55. (PDF)

Micossi, S.; Gros, D. (2006), Confronting Crisis in the European Union: A Fresh Start, CEPS Policy Brief, No 117, December 2006. (PDF)

Dauderstädt, M.; Lippert, B.; Maurer, A. (2006), Die deutsche EU-Ratspräsidentschaft 2007: hohe Erwartungen bei engen Spielräumen, Bonn 2006. (German) (PDF)

Lamers, K: (2006), Considerations on the European crisis, Notre Europe. (PDF)

European Commission (2006), Standard Eurobarometer 66: first results, December 2006. (PDF)
"In France and the Netherlands public support has increased since Spring 2006: 59% of Dutch respondents are now in favour (+6 points) and for France this figure is 56% (+5 points)."

Deutscher Bundestag (2006), Tot oder lebendig? Zur aktuellen Debatte über den EU-Verfassungsvertrag, wissenschaftlicher Dienst, Nr. 54/06, 24.11.2006. (German) (PDF)

European Policy Centre (2006), Priorities of the German Presidency, event report. (HTML)

de Ruyt, J. (2006), Can EU Foreign Policy Survive Without a new Constitutional Treaty?, Notre Europe, Policy paper n°23. (French) (PDF)

Laffan, B.; Sudbury, I. (2006), On the Constitutional Treaty Ratification Failure – Three Readings and their Critiques, Integration, No. 4/06, Octobre 2006. (German) (PDF)

Santer, J. (2006), 25 Years of European Integration in Retrospect, Integration, No. 4/06, Octobre 2006. (German) (PDF)

Gerstlé, J. (2006), L'impact des médias télévisés sur la campagne référendaire française de 2005-comparaison avec les élections européennes de 2004, Notre Europe. (French) (PDF)

Moravcsik, A. (2006), What Can We Learn from the Collapse of the European Constitutional Project?, Notre Europe, Politische Vierteljahresschrift, 47. Jg. (2006), Heft 2, S. 219–241. (PDF)

Reactions to Andrew Moravcsik's article

LH2 / Libération, Les Français et le Référendum sur le Traité Constitutionnel Européen, Sondage, Mai 2006. (PDF) (French)

Eurobarometer (2006), The Future of Europe, Special Eurobarometer 251. (PDF)
(for Fact sheets per member state please visit our country sites)

Eurobarometer (2006), The European citizens and the future of Europe, Qualitative Study among citizens in the 25 member states, Overall Report, May 2006. (PDF)

Göler, D.; Jopp, M. (2006), Die europäische Verfassungskrise und die Strategie des "langen Atems", Institut für Europäische Politik (IEP), Integration, Heft 2/06, April 2006. (PDF) (German)

Greco, E. (2006), And Yet It Moves: The European Constitutional Debate One Year Later, The Brookings Institution, U.S.-Europe Analysis Series. (PDF)

Hix, S.; Bartolini, S. (2006), Politics: The Right or the Wrong Sort of Medicine for the EU?, Notre Europe, Policy paper N°19. (PDF)

Federal Trust (2006), European Newsletter, March/April. (PDF)
Dr Karen E. Smith: Whither the CFSP after the demise of the Constitution?
Hans-Jörg Trenz/ Regina Vetters: No News from Brussels: Comment on the Commission's White Paper on a European Communication Policy
Katharina Gnath: The Services Directive has passed the European Parliament: Business as usual?
Markus Wagner: The Constitution: Ratification goes ahead

Emmanouilidis, J. (2006), Surmonter la crise constitutionnelle, IFRI, Note du Cerfa (Comité d'études de relations franco-allemandes), n. 30(b). (French) (PDF)

Lippert, B.; Goosmann, T. (2006), The State of the Union: Period of Reflection or the Sound of Silence, Real Instituto Elcano, ARI 29/2006.

Kurpas, S.; Schönlau, J. (2006), Deadlock avoided, but sense of mission lost? The Enlarged EU and its Uncertain Constitution, CEPS Policy Briefs. (PDF)

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Aldecoa Luzarraga, F. (2006), El proceso político en la laberíntica ratificación del Tratado Constitucional, Real Instituto Elcano, working paper 3/2006. (Spanish) (HTML)

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Closa, C., Sisyphus Revisited: Options for the EU's Constitutional Future, The Brookings Institution, U.S.-Europe Analysis Series, July 2005. (PDF)

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Dehousse, R. (2005), Contribution au symposium organisé par la commission constitutionnelle du Parlement européen, Symposium: The future of the constitutional process of the European Union, European Parliament, 13/14 October 2005. (French) (PDF)

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Emmanouilidis, J. (2005), Overcoming the Constitutional Crisis, Symposium: The future of the constitutional process of the European Union, European Parliament, 13/14 October 2005. (PDF)

Faber, A.; Fleschenberg, J. (2005), EU-CONSENT: Welche Optionen für die Zukunft der Europäischen Union?, integration, Heft 4/05, Oktober 2005. (PDF) (German)

Franck, C. (2005), Vues rétrospectives et prospectives sur le Traité constitutionnel, Symposium: The future of the constitutional process of the European Union, European Parliament, 13/14 October 2005. (PDF) (French)

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Göler, D.; Marhold, H. (2005), Die Zukunft der Verfassung – Überlegungen zum Beginn der Reflexionsphase, integration, Heft 4/05, Oktober 2005. (PDF) (German)

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Kurpas, S. (2005), Briefing Paper “Issues and context of the period of reflection on the European constitution”, Symposium: The future of the constitutional process of the European Union, European Parliament, 13/14 October 2005. (PDF)

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German Federal Minister for Foreign Affairs Steinmeier, F.W. (2007), Speech at the debate marking the 50th anniversary of the signing of the Treaties of Rome in the German Bundestag, Berlin, 22.03.2007. (HTML)

German Bundestag (2007), 50. Jahrestag der Römischen Verträge, parliamentary debate, 22.03.2007. (German) (HTML)

German Federal Minister for Foreign Affairs Steinmeier, F.W. (2007),"The constitutional treaty is much more alive than many may think" Speech on the Berlin Declaration to the European Parliament, Strasbourg, 14.03.2007. (HTML)

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Vice-Premier Ministre et Ministre des Affaires étrangères et de l’Immigration du Grand-Duché de Luxembourg Jean Asselborn; Ministre des Affaires étrangères et de la Coopération du Royaume d’Espagne Miguel Ángel Moratinos (2007), L’Europe que nous voulons, 17.01.2007. (French) (PDF)

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Chancellor Merkel, A. (2006), Speech at the Vision for Europe Award ceremony, Luxembourg. 14.11.2006. (HTML)

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Président de la Commission européenne José Manuel Barroso, Discours au Parlement européen en vue du Conseil européen des 15 et 16 juin 2006, Parlement européen, Strasbourg, 14 juin 2006. (PDF) (French)

Prime Minister Matti Vanhanen, address to Parliament on Finland's EU Presidency, 21.06.2006. (HTML)

UK Minister for Europe Geoff Hoon, 'A new agenda for Europe', Centre for European Reform, speech, 14.06.2006. (HTML)

European Parliament, Is Europe still at a crossroads?, Press releases, Future of Europe/European integration, 31.05.2006. (HTML)

Belgian Premier Ministre Guy Verhofstadt, Discours du prononcé devant le Parlement européen, 31.05.2006. (French) (HTML) (English)

Commission of the European Communities, Concept Paper: Europe in the World — Some Practical Proposals for Greater Coherence, Effectiveness and Visibility, COM(2006) 278 final, Brussels, 08.06.2006. (PDF)

European Parliament, Joint parliamentary meeting on the Future of Europe puts enlargement in the limelight, Compilation of Press releases from the European Parliament and the Austrian Parliament concerning the Joint Parliamentary Meeting on the Future of Europe, Brussels, 8.-9.05.2006. (PDF)

Austrian Foreign Minister Ursula Plassnik, First building blocks for new consensus on future of EU, Press Release, 28.05.2006. (HTML)

Commission of the European Communities, The Period of reflection and Plan D, COM(2006) 212, Brussels, 10.5.2006.

German Chancellor Angela Merkel, speech to the German Bundestag, 11.05.2006 . (HTML) (German)

The Taoiseach, Mr. Bertie Ahern T.D., speech at a Celebration of Europe Day at Dublin City Hall, 08.05.2006.

Irish Minister of State Noel Treacy, address to the DIT Conference "European Constitution - Pathways and Pitfalls", 05.05.2006.

Notre Europe, "Les Etats-Unis d’Europe" by Guy Verhofstadt, Book Review, 30.03.2006. (PDF) (French)

Giscard d'Estaing, Valery, "The Political Future of Europe", Speech at the London School of Economics, 28.02.2006. (PDF)

UK Presidency and Austrian Presidency, Interim report on the national debates during the reflection period on the future of Europe, Brussels, 14 December 2005. (PDF)

Address delivered by the Federal President of the Republic of Austria Heinz Fischer to the European Parliament, 15.02.2006. (HTML)

Secretaría de Estado para la Unión Europea, Ministerio de Asuntos Exteriores y de Cooperación, El futuro de la Unión Europea: Informe del Gobierno al Congreso de los Diputados, 9.2.2006, (Spanish) (HTML) (PDF)

PM Tony Blair, Speech on future of Europe, Oxford University, 02.02.2006. (HTML)

Speech by State Secretary Winkler "How is the Austrian Presidency addressing the EU’s Constitutional Agenda" at the Wilton Park Conference, 6.02.2006. (HTML)

Keynote speech by the French Prime Minister Dominique de Villepin at the conference "The Sound of Europe" in Salzburg, 27.01.2006. (HTML)

Opening address by Federal President Heinz Fischer at the conference "The Sound of Europe" in Salzburg, 27.01.2006. (HTML)

Opening statement by Vice-President of the European Commission Margot Wallström at the conference "The Sound of Europe" in Salzburg. 27.01.2006. (HTML)

European Parliament, Resolution on the period of reflection: the structure, subjects and context for an assessment of the debate on the European Union, A6-0414/2006, 19.01.2006. (HTML)

Le premier ministre, M. Dominique de Villepin, a prononcé le 18.1.2006 dans le cadre du cycle de conférences "Forum Constitutionis Europae" de l’Institut Walter Hallstein pour le droit constitutionnel européen. (PDF)

European Parliament, The period of reflection: the structure, subjects and context for an assessment of the debate on the European Union, Co-rapporteurs: Andrew Duff and Johannes Voggenhuber, PE 364.708/v02-00, 16.12.2005.

Valéry Giscard d´Estaing, Speech at the Conference: "The European Constitution: and what now? organised by the Real Academia de Jurisprudencia y Legislación, the Asociación Española para el Estudio del Derecho Europeo and the Real Instituto Elcano, in Madrid, 16.11.2005. (PDF) (French)

Minister for Europe, Douglas Alexander, Leading the debate in Europe, Speech at the Conference of Chairman of European Foreign Affairs Committees, 31/10/05

Irish Department of Foreign Affairs, White Paper on the European Constitution, 13.10.2005. (PDF)

European Parliament, The period of reflection: the structure, subjects and context for an assessment of the debate on the European Union, Co-rapporteurs: Andrew Duff and Johannes Voggenhuber, PE 362.870v01-00, 30.09.2005. (PDF)

European Council, Declaration by the Heads of State or Government of the Member States of the European Union on the Ratification of the Treaty Establishing a Constitution for Europe, 18.06.2005. (PDF)

Common article by the presidents of Austria, Heinz Fischer; Finland, Tarja Halonen; Germany, Horst Köhler; Italy, Carlo Azeglio Ciampi; Latvia, Vaira Vike-Freiberga; Poland, Aleksander Kwaœniewski and Portugal, Jorge Fernando Branco de Sampaio, United for Europe, 15.07.2005. (HTML)

Wallström, Margot: Communicating a Europe in stormy waters: Plan D, European Voice conference “Simplifying Europe”, Brussels, 28 June 2005. (HTML)

House of Commons (2005), The Future of the European Constitution, Research Paper 05/45, 13.06.2005. (PDF)

European Parliament, Plenary debate regarding the European Council meeting on 16/17.06.05, 22.06.2005. (HTML)

PM Blair, Tony: Speech to the EU Parliament, 23.06.2005. (HTML)

Spanish Parliament, Plenary debate regarding the European Council meeting on 16/17.06.05, 22.06.2005. (Spanish) (PDF)

The Taoiseach, Bertie Ahern, statement on the European Council meeting, Houses of the Oireachtas, 21.06.05. (HTML)

PM Tony Blair, statement on the European Council meeting, House of Commons, 20.06.05. (HTML)

European Council, Declaration by the heads of State or Government of the Member States of the European Union on the ratification of the treaty establishing a Constitution for Europe, 17.06.2005. (HTML)