Duff says Belgian ratification puts Prime Minister Guy Verhofstadt in good position to renegotiate constitution

2.31.31pm GMT Wed 8th Feb 2006

ALDE constitutional affairs spokesman Andrew DUFF (LibDem, UK) is to welcome this afternoon's ratification by the Flanders Parliament of the EU Constitution. He will say: "I warmly welcome the ratification by the Flemish Parliament of the Constitution. This completes the Belgian ratification process, and shows that Belgium keeps faith with its European destiny despite the problems encountered by the Constitution in France, the Netherlands and elsewhere".

"Now the Constitution has been ratified by 14 member states representing a majority of the citizens of the Union. The ratification puts Prime minister Guy Verhofstadt in a strong position during the renegotiation of the constitutional treaty which will undoubtedly follow the period of reflection"; he'll add. "We need to improve the text in a judicious manner in order to strengthen the economic governance of the Union ‑ in particular that of the eurozone, to reform Europe's social model, to up-grade the fight against climate change and to meet public fears about the definition of the Union's boundary" ,Duff he'll conclude.

Andrew DUFF is co-rapporteur for the European Parliament on the period of reflection.

Mr DUFF will be present in the Flamish Parliament at the vote at 16.00 this afternoon and available for interviews