At the eve of the European Council of Laeken, the ELDR Presidency wishes to contribute to the debate on the future of the Union by issuing the following statement:

The European liberal democrats believe that Europe needs ambitious objectives for the development of the Union. This includes the adoption of a Constitution which delineates its principles, define its competencies and clarifies the role of the Member States The Belgian presidency has been instrumental to this purpose. We believe that the Laeken Declaration should mark the start for a process of progressive reforms which should lead to a wider, transparent and democratic Union.

We await with impatience the conclusion of the enlargement process. We reiterate that the accession of each candidate country should be decided only according to its own merits, with a full adoption of the community acquis and the respect of the Copenhagen Criteria.

Europe needs to reform its institutions. The Convention which will be convened next year will have the challenging task of inspiring the shape of the future European Union. The reform must include the extension of co-decision by the Council and the EP, widening the parliamentary democracy of the EU. We welcome that the parliaments of the candidate states should be represented in that forum through observers, as well as the Committee of the Regions and the Economic and Social Committee.

Europe needs to reconnect to its citizens, through a transparent decision-making process and the readiness to listen to the demands of its people. We believe that the European political parties would be instrumental to build bridges between the institutions and the European people. We demand the adoption of a statute which recognises the role of the political parties, and to grant them the necessary financial means to carry on their task.

Europe needs to develop an effective Common Foreign Security Policy, within the European institutional framework, and with the full involvement of the EP. We welcome the establishment of the rapid reaction force, as a valid first step in that direction.

Europe needs to create a European Judicial Area, where the rule of law will be applied homogeneously throughout the continent and where the rights of the European citizens will be respected and defended. Among the first measures to be implemented there should be the introduction of a European Arrest Warrant, the creation of a European Prosecutor's office directly accountable to the Court of Justice and the integration of EUROJUST and EUROPOL within the EU Institutional framework.

We are conscious that the process of reforms will be arduous and challenging. We are confident that, in 2002, the Danish presidency will bring us closer, with the largest possible number of candidate states, and will present Europe with a new face.