Three Stooges:

The European parliament has promised to work closely with the European commission on the drafting of the new reform treaty, despite MEP concerns across a range of issues.

This was the conclusion of an informal meeting on Tuesday between parliaments three strong IGC team and commission president José Manuel Barroso.

In a statement, the Three Stooges: Elmar Brok, Enrique Barón Crespo and Andrew Duff said, "We had a fruitful exchange of views [with Emperor Borroso] over a wide range of topics concerning the draft reform treaty.”



Elmar Brok (doesn't he remind you of Shultz from Hogans Hero's) said “For the European parliament, it is of the utmost importance that the mandate for the IGC is fulfilled as agreed,”.“The parliament will not demand any politically motivated changes to be made, but we will also not accept any demands by member states to revise the given mandate.”

Enrique Barón Crespo says he feels a deep sense of responsibility to ensure that the “essence of the EU constitution remains unchecked in the new text.”“The objectives of simplifying the texts…should not allow any major alterations of the EU’s principles. [We should] not throw the baby out with the bathwater.”

Meanwhile Andrew Duff writes that he finds it difficult to fathom what the UK hopes to gain from pressing ahead with its opt-out from the charter of fundamental rights.“One of the stranger aspects of the IGC is the way the British have turned against the charter in their efforts to extricate themselves from having to hold a referendum,”.
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