12th Plenary Meeting of the European Convention Held in Brussels [09 Dec 2002]

Two representatives from Latvia attended the 12th Plenary Meeting of the European Convention in Brussels on 5-6 December 2002: Minister of Transport Roberts Zile and member of the Saeima Rihards Piks.

The plenary session commenced with a speech by European Commission President Romano Prodi, in which he laid out the Commission's vision of the institutional architecture of the European Union of the future. Mr Prodi pointed out that the majority of EU inhabitants want changes in the operation of EU institutions. This requires strengthening all EU institutions, especially the European Commission, defender of the Community's common interests. The Commission would continue to retain the exclusive right to initiate legislation, also in new areas such as external affairs. In order to streamline decision-making procedures following EU enlargement, the requirement of a unanimous vote on particularly important issues should be replaced by the so-called double majority principle. The introduction of such a procedure would require both the support of the majority of member states and the majority of inhabitants. The European Commission does not support the idea of an EU president or the creation of new institutions, but proposes to retain the rotating presidency in a modified form. In its document the European Commission suggests that its President be elected by the European Parliament, which heretofore has been the prerogative of the Council. It should be noted that Latvia has reservations about this proposal, because its implementation could threaten the political neutrality of the European Commission's chief official.

The final reports of Working Group IX on the Simplification of Legislative Procedures and Instruments and Working Group X on Freedom, Security and Justice were also discussed at the plenary session. Given the necessity of bringing the EU closer to its citizens, the primary aim of the working group IX is the formulation of proposals for simplification of legal acts and the process by which they are adopted, thereby substantially decreasing the number of legal instruments available to the Union. It has been proposed to adopt co-decision as the primary law-making procedure, through which decisions are taken jointly by the European Parliament and the Council. In order that individual EU member states do not block the decision-making process, voting must take place with a qualified or a double majority.

The final report of the working group "Freedom, security and justice" indicates that in order to improve the working efficiency of the EU, matters of internal and judicial affairs need to be placed under the auspices of the Community. On the other hand, decisions on immigration and asylum seekers should be taken by the European Parliament and the Council with a qualified majority rather than unanimously, as has been the case up till now. To achieve a positive outcome it is important to ensure the harmonisation of legislation among EU member states and mutual recognition of court decisions, as well as a reduction in the number of legal procedures involved in adoption of decisions. Similarly, it is necessary to undertake approximation of criminal law and procedures in member states, while at the same time respecting the diverse legal systems and traditions of these states. The working group notes that the creation of a common border guard with an integrated border control command system and security standards is a long-term objective of the EU. This is of great importance for Latvia as a state which in the near future will be responsible for protecting a portion of the EU's eastern border.

The next Plenary Meeting of the Convention will take place on December 20. Items on the agenda will include the final reports of the working groups "External action" and "Defence".

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