Post by Emperor AAdmin on Feb 8, 2005 4:30:52 GMT -5
from archives
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Bozur:
France: No Religion in EU Constitution
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World - AP
France: No Religion in EU Constitution
Wed May 26, 4:35 PM ET
PARIS - The French prime minister said Wednesday there is no need for Christian references in the European Union's hotly debated constitution.
"The European project is secular," said Jean-Pierre Raffarin. "Our future is a European society which should include secularism as a founding value."
France and Belgium have strongly opposed including religious references in a draft constitution. But Italy and Poland, backed by Pope John Paul II, want the charter to acknowledge Christianity's role in Europe.
Raffarin, speaking on France Inter radio, said there was "no reason" to amend the draft, which says the EU draws "inspiration from the cultural, religious and humanist inheritance of Europe."
"The Christian heritage of Europe is clear. It cannot be contested. It is something that is engraved in our history," Raffarin said.
But he added: "I do not see a consensus today among union member countries for a shift on this text."
Foreign Minister Michel Barnier, speaking in France's parliament Wednesday, also defended the draft.
"Everyone can recognize themselves in this text, whatever their faith, convictions and philosophy," he said.
The place of religion in the charter's preamble has been hotly debated since negotiations on the constitution began in 2002. Foreign ministers from Poland, Italy, Portugal, Lithuania, Malta, Slovakia and the Czech Republic this week proposed that "the Christian roots of Europe" be looked at again in discussions on the text.
The constitution seeks to simplify decision-making in the EU and prevent a minority of states from blocking decisions.
---------------
Bozur:
France: No Religion in EU Constitution
-------------------------------------------------------------------
World - AP
France: No Religion in EU Constitution
Wed May 26, 4:35 PM ET
PARIS - The French prime minister said Wednesday there is no need for Christian references in the European Union's hotly debated constitution.
"The European project is secular," said Jean-Pierre Raffarin. "Our future is a European society which should include secularism as a founding value."
France and Belgium have strongly opposed including religious references in a draft constitution. But Italy and Poland, backed by Pope John Paul II, want the charter to acknowledge Christianity's role in Europe.
Raffarin, speaking on France Inter radio, said there was "no reason" to amend the draft, which says the EU draws "inspiration from the cultural, religious and humanist inheritance of Europe."
"The Christian heritage of Europe is clear. It cannot be contested. It is something that is engraved in our history," Raffarin said.
But he added: "I do not see a consensus today among union member countries for a shift on this text."
Foreign Minister Michel Barnier, speaking in France's parliament Wednesday, also defended the draft.
"Everyone can recognize themselves in this text, whatever their faith, convictions and philosophy," he said.
The place of religion in the charter's preamble has been hotly debated since negotiations on the constitution began in 2002. Foreign ministers from Poland, Italy, Portugal, Lithuania, Malta, Slovakia and the Czech Republic this week proposed that "the Christian roots of Europe" be looked at again in discussions on the text.
The constitution seeks to simplify decision-making in the EU and prevent a minority of states from blocking decisions.