Mr President, on behalf of the Committee on Legal Affairs and the Internal Market and in my capacity as chairperson of this committee, I should like to use some of my allotted time to refute some statements in relation to our consideration of other committees’ opinions. The rapporteur is absolutely right, Mr President, to say that these amendments, though very interesting, are not relevant in this case. Firstly, everyone is aware how hard I have fought to establish genuine administrative law in this area, however, the report centres on a different issue. The same can be said in relation to the Committee on Petitions’ other amendment that refers to an interinstitutional agreement and appeals to the Council and the Commission for greater cooperation. We shall have to vote on these amendments, but in another report. With regard to Mrs Grossetête’s report, Mr President, the fact that I have only tabled one amendment – and even that was in conjunction with Mrs Grossetête herself – is proof of my appreciation of her work and the spirit in which it was carried out. Those of you who know me will be only too aware of the fact that, if I disagree with a text, particularly one that is close to my heart and to which I attach great importance, I never hold back when it comes to amendments. There is one issue that I hope Mrs Grossetête will raise during the vote – I unfortunately cannot attend, which is why I am making a point of it here – and that is the mistake in recital G. It should state that monitoring the application of Community law is first and foremost the responsibility of the courts. As regards the other issues, this report is, in my view, thorough, comprehensive and of great importance. I should like to mention a few points in relation to Mrs Grossetête’s report. We should perhaps consider broadening its scope, not only to encompass Annex IV and the development of Article 65, but also possibly take it further and perhaps consider –as part of the creation of the Europe of the Citizens – setting up communication channels to enable citizens to discuss issues that affect them in relation to Community law and even the Treaty on European Union. Next year, Commissioner, we should like to see a more balanced and exhaustive report drawn up. As Mrs Grossetête herself pointed out, this report is very balanced and exhaustive in some areas but not in others. The overall message put forward is that Community law must be applied properly; our Community is a Legal Community; there will either be a European rule of law or not; and monitoring compliance with Community law must be considered a priority. Lastly, I should briefly like to highlight the importance of the infringement procedure and draw people’s attention, as others have before me, to this reform which is desirable and on which we all agree. We need to improve the way in which the infringement procedure operates, but do so in a way that does not prevent citizens in the slightest from fully exercising their right to directly contact the Commission which, at the end of the day, is what brings them closer to it. As we so often speak about bringing citizens closer to the institutions, this is surely one of the ways to achieve this aim.

Political group: PPE-DE