EC president says EU constitution 'lacks vision'
European Commission President Romano Prodi lashed the EU’s new draft constitution today, saying it “lacks vision and ambition” and fails to address problems facing the bloc.
“I have to honestly admit that the draft text is a disappointment, Prodi said. “It is in some respects a step backwards.”
Prodi’s blunt criticism of the draft proposals – published on Monday – echoes concerns that the changes would heavily favour the larger EU states.
“Despite all the hard work we have put into this, the text that is now before us simply lacks vision and ambition,” Prodi said during an EU-Canada summit in Athens.
“We cannot let ourselves become victims or hostages of a text that fails to propose solutions, that threatens to paralyse Europe.”
The new constitution is aimed at streamlining the European Union ahead of its historic expansion eastward next year from 15 to 25 members.
