Finns surprised by Austrian plans to revive constitution

Finnish president Tarja Halonen is surprised by Austria’s plans to revive the Constitution, saying her Austrian colleagues failed to mention their intentions despite Helsinki taking over the presidency from Vienna in the second half of 2006.

Ms Halonen’s statement comes just after the Austrian chancellor Wolfgang Schussel on Monday (9 January) said that his country, currently at the helm of the EU, is aiming to resuscitate the debate on the EU constitution under its presidency.

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"To us, the recess declared after the referendums in France and Holland is still valid," she said, adding that the two countries had planned for the 2006 EU agenda "shoulder to shoulder."

[fonte: EU Observer]