We, the people of the United States...

His Majesty the King of the Belgians, the President of the Czech Republic, Her Majesty the Queen of Denmark, the President of the Federal Republic of Germany, the president of the Republic of Estonia, the president of the Hellenic Republic, the King of Spain, the President of the French Republic, the President of Irealand, the President of the Italian Republic, the President of the Republic of Cyprus, the President of the Republic of Letonia, the President of the Republic of Lituania, his Royal Highness the Grand Duke of Luxembourg, the Parliament of the Republic of Hungary, the President of the Republic of Malta, Her Majesty the Queen of the Netherlands, the President of the Republic of Austria, the President of the Republic of Polonia, the President of the Portuguese Republic, the President of the Republic of Slovenia, the President of the Republic of Slovaquia, the President of the Republic of Finland, the governement of the Kingdom of Sweden, the Quen of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northen Ireland

in Order to form a more perfect Union, establish Justice, insure domestic Tranquility, provide for the common defense, promote the general Welfare, and secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America.

Conscious that Europe is a continent that has brought forth civilisation; that its inhabitants, arriving in successive waves from earliest times, have gradually developed the values underlying humanism equality of persons, freedom, respect for reason. Drawing inspiration from the cultural, religious and humanist inheritance of Europe, the values of which, still present in its heritage, have embedded within the life of society the central role of the human person and his or her inviolable and inalienable rights, and respect for law,

Believing that reunited Europe intends to continue along the path of civilisation, progress and prosperity, for the good of all its inhabitants, including the weakest and most deprived; that it wishes to remain a continent open to culture, learning and social progress; and that it wishes to deepen the democratic and transparent nature of its public life, and to strive for peace, justice and solidarity throughout the world,

Convinced that, while remaining proud of their own national identities and history, the peoples ofEurope are determined to transcend their ancient divisions and, united ever more closely, to forge a common Convinced that, thus "united in its diversity", Europe offers them the best chance of pursuing, with due regard for the rights of each individual and in awareness of their responsibilities towards future generations and the Earth, the great venture which makes of it a special area of human hope,

grateful to the members of the European Convention for having prepared this Constitution on behalf of the citizens and States of Europe, Who, having exchanged their full powers, found in good and due form, have agreed as follows