The challenges facing the Union today are based on three guiding principles – simplification, efficiency and democracy. Simplification is about decision-making procedures and institutions. I welcome all those suggestions that simplify the current treaty structure and rationalise the Union's saturated decision-making procedures. It is clear we need a more obvious division of tasks between institutions. We need to simplify and clarify the legislative function whereby the Commission proposes, the Parliament assists and advises and the Council ultimately decides. The proposed Constitution is a valuable step in the right direction in that it will help citizens to determine more clearly those areas for which each institution and authority, including national parliaments, are responsible.