What the EU constitution says

A constitution for the European Union was agreed in Brussels on 18 June, 2004.

KEY DEVELOPMENTS February 2002: Convention starts work June 2003: Draft submitted to EU Thessaloniki summit December 2003: Brussels summit fails to agree final text May 2004: EU enlarges to 25 June 2004: Text agreed October 2004: Leaders sign

The constitution brings together for the first time the many treaties and agreements on which the EU is based. It defines the powers of the EU, stating where it can and act and where the member states retain their right of veto.

Although it was approved by the leaders of the EU member states it still has to be ratified by a number of countries, including the UK, in referendums.

If any country fails to ratify it, the constitution cannot be adopted. The deadline for it to be ratified is two years after the October signing ceremony.

In the UK its contents have been, and are certain to remain, the subject of much discussion. Click below to read the full text of the constitution, and judge for yourself.

Constitution full text (1MB)