Parliament stakes claim

The European Parliament yesterday again staked its claim to an enhanced role in decision-making in the EU when the President …

The European Parliament yesterday again staked its claim to an enhanced role in decision-making in the EU when the President of the outgoing Parliament, Mr Jose-Maria Gil Robles, gave his traditional pre-summit address to leaders. Decrying the failure of governments to involve MEPs in their formulation of EU employment policy and in dialogue with the social partners, Mr Gil-Robles also called for new mechanisms to involve Parliament in the forthcoming Inter-Governmental Conference. He suggested the preparation of treaty changes should come as proposals from the Commission to be negotiated and agreed between Parliament and the Council of Ministers.