legal personality of the European Union

Mr Barnier spoke of the legal personality of the European Union.

Mr President, the resolution on the legal personality of the European Union is one of Parliament's contributions to the Convention charged with drawing up the European Constitution.

With this report we are also expressing the urgent need to establish the legal personality of the European Union so that it can cooperate effectively with the United Nations and its various agencies.

It also implies the integration of the Charter of Fundamental Rights, to which Parliament made a significant contribution. Further, it implies establishing the unique legal personality of the European Union and doing away with the pillar structure.

We cannot, for example, give responsibility for representing us abroad to a High Representative, any more than we can watch our seat on the United Nations Security Council being challenged in the name of the legal personality of the European Union.