Draft Treaty Gives EU New Powers
A draft of the new European Union Treaty is about to be released, calling for the EU to be be given new powers over border controls and defence
policy.
The Dutch Government, which currently holds the presidency of the union, will
release the document to ministers from member states at a meeting on Friday afternoon at the Dutch town of Maastricht, where the last treaty was negotiated six years ago.
The draft version of the new treaty marks the start of the final run of negotiations on the EU's future. Britain's Minister for
Europe, Doug Henderson, is among those invited to the Netherlands to be
given his copy.
The draft remains secret but some details have emerged. It would give the EU new powers over borders and immigration with a likely opt-out on part of this for Britain. The text also calls for a new role for the EU in defence policy to help with peace-keeping.
Much of this and the procedure for decision-making, won't be settled until the Amsterdam summit next month. Observers say the next few weeks will see some hard bargaining.
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