Different shades of European blueprint

European Commission President Romano Prodi has added to the increasingly vigorous debate over the future of the European Union by calling for greater powers for the EU executive.

His comments came just a day after French Prime Minister Lionel Jospin set out his vision of an EU still led by nation states and a recent statement by German Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder who envisages a federal model for the union.

And as the future of the EU continues to stimulate debate in the current UK parliamentary election, BBC News Online examines the differing stance of France, Germany, the UK and the Commission on key issues.

Political union:

Germany:

In May, German Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder put forward his blueprint for Europe - a "federal" model similar to the structure of Germany itself. The main elements were:

European Commission to become "strong European executive"

Council of Ministers to become upper house in two-chamber parliamentary system.

European Parliament to be lower house with more powers and full sovereignty over budget

European President to be chosen by parliament.

Transfer of EU responsibilities back to national and regional level, especially in agriculture and structural aids

France:

Prime Minister Lionel Jospin rejects Germany's federal vision. He wants to build a closer union while preserving the "nation-state". His proposals include:

Granting more power to the European Parliament and to the Council of Ministers

The European Commission to be made more democratically accountable by drawing the commission president from the political group holding a parliamentary majority

France is worried that EU enlargement will weaken French influence.

Last year, French President Jacques Chirac called for an inner core of EU members that could pursue faster integration - a "two-speed Europe". But the idea did not meet with general approval.

UK:

The UK Government hopes to be "at the heart of Europe" despite staying, for now, outside the eurozone. The UK public is deeply eurosceptic and afraid of giving up national powers to Europe. Up to two-thirds of the public is against joining the single currency.

Prime Minister Tony Blair has suggested that a second chamber of the European Parliament could be formed from representatives of the national parliaments.

European Commission:

• Romano Prodi says the European Commission should be more involved in EU foreign policy and play a bigger role as a co-ordinator of economic policy.

• The EU's high representative on foreign policy, Javier Solana, should be a member of the European Commission.

• However, he rejects the idea of a second chamber of the European Parliament to oversee the use of EU powers.

Defence:

The European Union has plans for a "rapid-reaction force", but the key players have differing views on long term policy.

Germany:

Supported the setting up of a "rapid reaction force" and expected to make a substantial contribution.

France:

Mr Jospin has proposed a long-term, co-ordinated defence policy for Europe, in view of the United States' controversial plans for a missile defence programme.

UK:

The plan for a European force has proved highly controversial with some opposition parties warning of steps to create a European army. The government has stressed that the force is not a standing army, and that it will not replace or rival Nato.

It says the force will improve European capabilities and that it is not intended for fighting full-scale wars or contingencies where European security as a whole is threatened.

Tax harmonisation:

Europe already has a degree of tax harmonisation - for example VAT rates are set within a certain minimum in order to make the single market more effective. But the big three member states have different views on whether there should be further harmonisation.

Germany:

Germany was at one time a strong advocate of tax harmonisation, with former finance minister Oskar Lafontaine demanding greater European integration.

He fell out of favour and resigned in 1999. Germany has been much quieter on the issue since and Mr Schroeder's European blueprint says taxation policy should remain at national or regional government level.

France:

France wants a direct tax levied from Brussels and a unified tax policy, including common rules for business taxes.

UK:

The UK is opposed to a common tax policy and refuses to give up its veto on tax decisions. But Mr Blair agrees that "unfair tax competition" is wrong because it "prevents the single market working properly".

European Commission:

Mr Prodi says there should be a new tax to pay the European Union's running costs of $60bn per year, to provide a direct link between citizens and the EU.

Constitution:

Germany:

Germany is keen for the EU to have its own constitution. The idea was supported in a speech last year by Foreign Minister Joschka Fischer, and backed by Mr Schroeder.

France:

Mr Jospin has proposed a European constitution, based on the Charter of Fundamental Rights, endorsed by EU leaders at last year's Nice summit. The charter sets out a range of civil, political and social rights.

UK:

The UK is against a European constitution. The UK fears that if the Charter becomes legally binding it could undermine the UK's national sovereignty.

Social policies:

Germany:

Germany broadly agrees with France on social issues. It has strong trade unions.

France:

Mr Jospin wants common social policies for Europe, based on state welfare and stricter worker protection laws.

France also wants a greater consultation with trades unions and a consumer protection network to ensure transparency about the origin of products, in response to the BSE crisis.

UK:

The UK is fiercely protective of its veto on social security questions and it won the right to keep its veto at last year's Nice Summit. However it has signed up to the Social Chapter.

European Commission:

Mr Prodi has suggested the European Parliament and the European Court could play a bigger role in justice and home affairs, taking over powers from the nation states.