The Presidency submits herewith a general outline for a draft revision of the Treaties as requested by the European Council in Florence. The document addresses the particular aims identified by the European Council. It is submitted on the Presidency's responsibility. It is not binding in its detail on any delegation. Delegations remain free to advocate their own proposals and to press their concerns in further negotiations.
Some delegations still favour maintaining the status quo in certain areas.
The Presidency has endeavoured to reflect in a balanced way in the document the discussions which have taken place at the Conference, as well as the clear wish of Heads of State or Government that the Conference should retain an adequate level of ambition. The outline draft Treaty submitted herewith could, in the Presidency's view, be a good basis for further work with a view to seeking final agreement under the Netherlands Presidency at Amsterdam on a Treaty which would equip the Union to address the challenges ahead and to respond to the aspirations of its citizens. The Presidency wishes to highlight five points in relation to the outline draft Treaty. First, it is of paramount importance that the negotiations at the Intergovernmental Conference as well as its final outcome should be clear and comprehensible to the public. The Union must not only respond to the concerns of its citizens but must be seen to respond to those concerns.