France: EU treaty unconstitutional

The French Constitutional Council has ruled that clauses in a recent European Union treaty which set out common policies on immigration and political asylum are contrary to French law.

The nine-member Council's statement said the Treaty of Amsterdam transferred competance for these policies in a way which could affect the exercise of national sovereignty.Correspondents say the ruling means France cannot ratify the treaty without first changing its constitution.

European Union foreign ministers signed the Treaty of Amsterdam in October, but it will not come into force until it is ratified by fifteen member countries.

From the newsroom of the BBC World Service