Local view for "http://purl.org/linkedpolitics/eu/plenary/2003-09-24-Speech-3-068"

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"Mr President, I would like to focus on three points: the question of unanimity, the reference to God and Christianity and traditionally resident minorities. The work of both the Convention and the rapporteurs is certainly positive; therefore – in answer to the pessimists and to those who always say no – I would say that, in terms of a complete Constitution, we are obviously only half way along the road but, compared to Nice, we have made steps forward that were and are giant steps. It is, however, necessary to make some changes to this report, as President Prodi, whose opinion I share, stated before this House. The first point that I would like to mention is unanimity. I believe that, in requiring unanimity for constitutional amendments of minor importance too we would certainly be closing the door to future developments. We must endeavour to be more farsighted and more open, and, to this end, I, too, endorse the spirit of Amendment No 20, for which I will vote. Regarding my second point, the reference to God and Christianity, I find the uncompromising position of certain sections of this House incomprehensible; indeed, it is in conflict with the opinion of the overwhelming majority of the population. As regards Christianity, above all, if we do not include a clear, firm reference to it in the Constitution it will be tantamount to disowning our age-old history. The third point concerns linguistic and cultural diversity and the rights of minorities, referred to in Amendment No 22, recital H. I believe that the minorities that were referred to in the Copenhagen criteria should have a place in this report as well. I urge the Italian Presidency to make every endeavour to this end, both before and during the IGC, and to ensure that these minorities are mentioned in the Constitution too."@en1

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