European Union leaders have been criticised for preparing a deal on changing the EU's treaties behind closed doors. The EU Civil Society Contact Group, representing eight large European networks of NGOs, say plans by the Council to prepare and agree a revised EU treaty through a closed Inter-Governmental Conference (IGC) with a restricted mandate threatens important changes proposed by the Convention that prepared the draft of the Constitutional Treaty.  The Convention, which was broadly representative of the EU governments, Parliaments and different sectors of EU society, sought to incorporate concerns of citizens in the text. As European Heads of States and government prepare to meet on 21/22 June 2007 to discuss the future of the Treaty, NGOs are urging them to take action to maintain certain provisions of the draft constitutional treaty. This includes the strengthened provisions on development co-operation included in articles III-316 to III-319. 
More