By Robert Greenall BBC News Online

The publication of the European Union's draft constitution this week has been greeted with some measure of hope and frustration, but mostly by indifference.

The draft has hardly made the headlines in some countries, rarely extending beyond second-hand reports of savage UK press reaction.

National governments are scrutinising the draft

When the Convention on the Future of Europe - which drew up the draft - came up with new proposals for a permanent EU presidency, the region's press focused on a symbolic gesture - the removal of the word "federal".

But mostly, the debate has been ignored.

In Germany it is just not a big deal, with people being more concerned about the looming recession.

And there has been little enthusiasm at the very heart of the EU, in the Belgian capital Brussels itself.

'Big six' support

The convention has been working on the draft for more than a year, with the aim of streamlining the organisation and structure of the EU before it acquires 10 new members in May 2004.

Do we want a directorate in Europe where the big six states decide everything? - if so it will be the end of the European Union German MEP Elmar Brok

The draft calls for a permanent presidency, to replace the current rotating presidency which gives equal status to all EU member countries.

It also plans to reduce the number of European commissioners - currently one per country.

But while their people remain virtually unmoved by the intricacies of European politics, governments of the "big six" EU members and candidates have been broadly supportive of the draft.

Even the United Kingdom, which has promised to block some elements, has ruled out a referendum on the grounds that the constitution only tidies up existing EU treaties.

Some smaller EU nations and candidate countries, on the other hand, are worried they will be sidelined if certain clauses are adopted.

The draft has also angered some Eurosceptics, who believe it will pave the way for a European superstate.

'Step backwards'

The harshest criticism comes from within the EU and even the convention itself.

BIG SIX NATIONS UK France Germany Spain Italy Poland (candidate)

European Commission President Romani Prodi said the draft was a "step backwards", apparently because member states would keep their vetoes in areas like taxation and foreign policy.

He shares the small states' fears that the proposal will help the big countries dominate the EU and weaken the commission.

Some officials accused chairman Valery Giscard d'Estaing of riding roughshod over the convention and ignoring its majority opinion.

"Do we want a directorate in Europe where the big six states decide everything?" said German Christian Democrat MEP and convention member Elmar Brok. "If so it will be the end of the European Union.

"Quite obviously, some presidium members see themselves only as representatives of the interests of the large member states to the detriment of a common Europe," he added.

Meanwhile Swedish-born EU Environment Commissioner Margot Wallstroem was quoted by AFP news agency as saying that the chairman had "not attached great importance" to what the convention thought.

'Boring place'

Media comment has been far more muted even in Denmark, where Prime Minister Anders Fogh Rasmussen announced a referendum on the constitution.

The EU, its goals and decision were meant to be made simpler and more comprehensible - and none of that has happened Austrian newspaper Die Presse

The daily Information described the draft as "very unsurprising" and "carefully designed for the EU middle-of-the-road", noting that Mr Giscard d'Estaing had failed to get his way with pro-integrationist proposals.

"Fortunately, the EU is a very boring place," it said. "Typified by civil servants, negotiations and tedious long meetings. The convention's draft constitution does not change this one iota. And we are grateful for that."

A press report from Austria, another member of the camp of smaller nations, provided another clue to the lack of public interest.

"The aim is to bring the EU closer to citizens," said a leader in the newspaper Die Presse. "The EU, its goals and decision were meant to be made simpler and more comprehensible. And none of that has happened."

But there appeared to be greater enthusiasm for debate on the institutions from candidate countries.

"These issues are of particular concern to small countries, including Latvia," said the Riga daily Diena. "The 16 small countries are not planning to give up without a fight."