FRANCE: FOREIGN MINISTER BARNIER CAMPAIGNS IN PARIS FOR "YES" VOTE ON EUROPEAN CONSTITUTION REFERENDUM

Record ID: 328709

  • Title: FRANCE: FOREIGN MINISTER BARNIER CAMPAIGNS IN PARIS FOR "YES" VOTE ON EUROPEAN CONSTITUTION REFERENDUM
  • Date: 24th May 2005
  • Summary: (BN10) PARIS, FRANCE (24 MAY, 2005) (REUTERS) 1. WIDE OF EXTERIOR BAR/ CAFE MENILMONTANT IN PARIS 0.04 2. SLV MICHEL BARNIER, FRENCH FOREIGN AFFAIRS MINISTER, ARRIVING 0.13 3. VARIOUS OF BARNIER SITTING AT TABLE AND CHATTING WITH PEOPLE 0.32 4. WIDE OF BAR WITH "YES TO EUROPE" POSTER ON WALL 0.37 5. WIDE OF BARNIER SEATED AT TABLE TALKING TO PEOPLE 0.43 6. WIDE OF OPEN MARKET IN PARIS 0.47 7. SLV BARNIER WALKING AROUND MARKET SHAKING HANDS 1.04 8. PAN TO FRUIT STALL 1.06 9. SCU (SOUNDBITE) ( French) MICHEL BARNIER, FRENCH MINISTER OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS, SAYING: "Their fears relate to the way in which Europe is working today. So what I'm trying to explain today, when I meet people and in the meetings I have held in the last three months, is that this constitution will bring only progress to today's situation. There is not a single step backward in it and we have all the guarantees on the social issues, public services, democracy, public security, and foreign politics. Why should we not take progress? Why should we stay in today's situation, when we have the opportunity to make things better. That is just what I'm explaining." 1.41 10. SLV BARNIER WALKING AROUND THE MARKET 1.52 Initials Script is copyright Reuters Limited. All rights reserved
  • Embargoed: 8th June 2005 13:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: PARIS,FRANCE
  • Country: France
  • Reuters ID: LVAAO8RSUVJ4A96X819SJY0C30YQ
  • Story Text: French Foreign Minister Michel Barnier takes the
    "yes" campaign to an open market, ahead of next Sunday's
    vote on the European Constution.



    France on Tuesday (24 May) entered what was likely
    to be a bitter final campaign week before a national
    referendum on the European Union's new constitution, with
    polls showing undecided voters could make or break the
    neck-and-neck race.

    Both sides were geared for an intensive week of rallies
    and media appearances in order to win over wavering voters,
    estimated at between a fifth and a third of the public,
    prior to the poll on Sunday (May 29).

    At an open air market in Paris, Michel Barnier, the
    French Foreign Affairs Minister, campaigned for the "yes"
    camp, trying to win over undecided voters.

    "Their fears relate to the way in which Europe is
    working today. So what I'm trying to explain today, when I
    meet people and in the meetings I have held in the last
    three months, is that this constitution will bring only
    progress to today's situation. There is not a single step
    backward in it and we have all the guarantees on the social
    issues, public services, democracy, public security, and
    foreign politics. Why should we not take progress? Why
    should we stay in today's situation, when we have the
    opportunity to make things better. That is just what I'm
    explaining," said Barnier.

    Earlier, the minister met local people at a bar in a
    popular neighbourhood and addressed their concerns.

    The French have been caught up in the debate over the
    landmark EU charter ahead of the vote, and the political
    landscape has been sharply divided. The arguments have
    dominated public life for weeks, with many people acquiring
    in-depth knowledge of the constitution's four sections and
    448 articles.

    According to the most recent polls, a majority of
    French voters plan to oppose the charter. The constitution
    needs the backing all 25 EU states to come into force.


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