RULES OF PROCEDURE (1)

Note

Interpretations of the Rules (pursuant to Rule 162) are in italic script.

CONTENTS

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CHAPTER I - MEMBERS OF THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT

Rule 1 The European Parliament .

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Rule 2 The independent mandate .

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Rule 3 Privileges and immunities .

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Rule 4 Attendance of Members at sittings and votes .

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Rule 5 Payment of expenses and allowances .

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Rule 6 Waiver of immunity .

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Rule 7 Verification of credentials .

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Rule 8 Term of office of Members .

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Rule 9 Code of conduct .

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CHAPTER II - SESSIONS OF PARLIAMENT

Rule 10 Convening of Parliament .

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Rule 11 Venue of sittings and meetings .

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CHAPTER III - OFFICERS OF PARLIAMENT

Rule 12 Oldest Member .

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Rule 13 Nominations and general provisions .

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Rule 14 Election of President - opening address .

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Rule 15 Election of Vice-Presidents .

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Rule 16 Election of Quaestors .

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Rule 17 Term of office of Officers .

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Rule 18 Vacancies .

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Rule 19 Duties of the President .

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Rule 20 Duties of the Vice-Presidents .

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CHAPTER IV - PARLIAMENT'S GOVERNING BODIES

Rule 21 Composition of the Bureau .

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Rule 22 Duties of the Bureau .

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Rule 23 Composition of the Conference of Presidents .

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Rule 24 Duties of the Conference of Presidents .

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Rule 25 Duties of the Quaestors .

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Rule 26 Conference of Committee Chairmen .

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Rule 27 Conference of Delegation Chairmen .

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Rule 28 Accountability of the Bureau, the Conference of Presidents and the Quaestors .

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CHAPTER V - POLITICAL GROUPS

Rule 29 Formation of political groups .

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Rule 30 Non-attached Members .

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Rule 31 Allocation of seats in the chamber .

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CHAPTER VI - RELATIONS WITH OTHER INSTITUTIONS

Appointments

Rule 32 Nomination of the President of the Commission .

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Rule 33 Vote of approval of the Commission .

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Rule 34 Motion of censure on the Commission .

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Rule 35 Appointment of the Members of the Court of Auditors .

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Rule 36 European Central Bank (European Monetary Institute) .

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Statements

Rule 37 Statements by the Commission, Council and European Council .

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Rule 38 Statements by the Court of Auditors .

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Rule 39 Statements by the European Central Bank (European Monetary Institute) .

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Questions to the Council and Commission

Rule 40 Questions for oral answer .

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Rule 41 Question Time .

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Rule 42 Questions for written answer .

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Reports

Rule 43 Annual general report of the Commission .

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Rule 44 Annual report of the Commission on the application of Community law .

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Resolutions and recommendations

Rule 45 Motions for resolutions .

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Rule 46 Recommendations to the Council .

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Rule 47 Debates on topical and urgent subjects of major importance .

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Rule 48 Written declarations .

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CHAPTER VII - LEGISLATIVE PROCEDURES

General provisions

Rule 49 Annual legislative programme .

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Rule 50 Legislative initiative .

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Rule 51 Consideration of legislative documents .

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Rule 52 Delegation of the power of decision to committees .

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First reading - committee stage

Rule 53 Verification of legal basis .

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Rule 54 Subsidiarit, fundamental rights, financial resources .

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Rule 55 Transparency in the legislative process .

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Rule 56 Modification of a Commission proposal .

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Rule 57 Commission position on amendments .

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First reading - plenary stage

Rule 58 Conclusion of first reading .

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Rule 59 Rejection of a Commission proposal .

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Rule 60 Adoption of amendments to a Commission proposal .

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First reading - follow-up procedure

Rule 61 Follow-up to Parliament's opinion .

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Rule 62 Renewed consultation .

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Rule 63 Conciliation procedure .

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Second reading - committee stage

Rule 64 Communication of the Council's common position .

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Rule 65 Time limits .

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Rule 66 Referral to and procedure in the committee responsible .

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Second reading - plenary stage

Rule 67 Conclusion of the second reading .

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Rule 68 Approval without amendment of the Council's common position .

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Rule 69 Intended rejection of the Council's common position .

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Rule 70 Conciliation during second reading .

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Rule 71 Rejection of the Council's common position .

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Rule 72 Amendments to the Council's common position .

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Rule 73 Consequences of the Commission failing to accept Parliament's amendments in its re-examined proposal .

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Third reading - conciliation

Rule 74 Convening of Conciliation Committee .

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Rule 75 Delegation to Conciliation Committee .

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Rule 76 Time limits .

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Third reading - plenary stage

Rule 77 Joint text .

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Rule 78 Council text .

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Rule 79 Signature of adopted acts .

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Assent procedure

Rule 80 Conclusion of assent procedure .

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Supervisory powers

Rule 81 Implementing provisions .

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Rule 82 Official consolidation of Community legislation .

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Rule 83 Consequences of the Council failing to act following approval of its common position 29

Rule 84 Proceedings before the Court of Justice .

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CHAPTER VIII - BUDGETARY PROCEDURES

Rule 85 General Budget .

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Rule 86 Discharge to the Commission in respect of implementation of the budget .

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Rule 87 Parliamentary control over implementation of the budget .

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CHAPTER IX - TREATIES AND INTERNATIONAL AGREEMENTS

Rule 88 ECSC Treaty amendments .

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Rule 89 Accession treaties .

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Rule 90 International agreements .

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CHAPTER X - COMMON FOREIGN AND SECURITY POLICY

Rule 91 Consultation of and provision of information to Parliament within the framework of the common foreign and security policy .

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Rule 92 Recommendations within the framework of the common foreign and security policy .

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CHAPTER XI - COOPERATION IN THE FIELDS OF JUSTICE AND HOME AFFAIRS

Rule 93 Consultation of and provision of information to Parliament in the fields of justice and home affairs .

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Rule 94 Recommendations in the fields of justice and home affairs .

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CHAPTER XII - ORDER OF BUSINESS OF PARLIAMENT

Rule 95 Draft agenda .

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Rule 96 Adopting and amending the agenda .

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Rule 97 Urgent procedure .

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Rule 98 Joint debate .

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Rule 99 Procedure without debate .

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Rule 100 Time limits .

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CHAPTER XIII - GENERAL RULES FOR THE CONDUCT OF SITTINGS

Rule 101 Access to the Chamber .

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Rule 102 Languages .

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Rule 103 Distribution of documents .

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Rule 104 Public conduct of proceedings .

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Rule 105 Calling speakers and content of speeches .

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Rule 106 Allocation of speaking time .

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Rule 107 List of speakers .

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Rule 108 Personal statements .

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Rule 109 Order in the chamber .

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Rule 110 Exclusion of Members .

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Rule 111 Disturbances .

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CHAPTER XIV - QUORUM AND VOTING

Rule 112 Quorum .

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Rule 113 Voting procedure .

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Rule 113a Tied votes .

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Rule 114 Principles governing voting .

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Rule 115 Order of voting on amendments .

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Rule 116 Split voting .

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Rule 117 Right to vote .

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Rule 118 Voting .

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Rule 119 Voting by roll call .

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Rule 120 Electronic voting .

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Rule 121 Voting by secret ballot .

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Rule 122 Explanations of vote .

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Rule 123 Disputes on voting .

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Rule 124 Tabling and moving amendments .

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Rule 125 Admissibility of amendments .

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CHAPTER XV - INTERRUPTIVE AND PROCEDURAL MOTIONS

Rule 126 Procedural motions .

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Rule 127 Points of order .

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Rule 128 Moving the inadmissibility of a matter .

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Rule 129 Referral back to committee .

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Rule 130 Closure of a debate .

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Rule 131 Adjournment of a debate .

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Rule 132 Suspension or closure of the sitting .

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CHAPTER XVI - PUBLIC RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS

Rule 133 Minutes .

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Rule 134 Verbatim reports .

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CHAPTER XVII - COMMITTEES

Rule 135 Setting up of committees .

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Rule 136 Temporary committees of inquiry .

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Rule 137 Composition of committees .

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Rule 138 Substitutes .

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Rule 139 Duties of committees .

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Rule 140 Committee responsible for the verification of credentials .

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Rule 141 Subcommittees .

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Rule 142 Committee bureaux .

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Rule 143 Procedure without report - simplified procedure .

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Rule 144 Committee reports on consultations .

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Rule 145 Non-legislative reports .

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Rule 146 Explanatory statements and deadlines .

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Rule 147 Opinions of committees .

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Rule 148 Own-initiative reports .

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Rule 149 Question Time in committee .

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Rule 150 Procedure in committee .

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Rule 151 Committee meetings .

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Rule 152 Minutes of committee meetings .

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CHAPTER XVIII - INTERPARLIAMENTARY DELEGATIONS

Rule 153 Setting up and duties of interparliamentary delegations .

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Rule 154 Report for the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe .

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Rule 155 Joint parliamentary committees .

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CHAPTER XIX - PETITIONS

Rule 156 Right of petition .

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Rule 157 Examination of petitions .

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Rule 158 Notice of petitions .

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CHAPTER XX - OMBUDSMAN

Rule 159 Appointment of the Ombudsman .

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Rule 160 Dismissal of the Ombudsman .

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Rule 161 Activities of the Ombudsman .

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CHAPTER XXI - APPLICATION AND AMENDMENT OF THE RULES OF PROCEDURE

Rule 162 Application of the Rules of Procedure .

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Rule 163 Amendment of the Rules of Procedure .

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CHAPTER XXII - SECRETARIAT OF PARLIAMENT - ACCOUNTING

Rule 164 Secretariat .

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Rule 165 Estimates of Parliament .

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Rule 166 Power to incur and settle expenditure .

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CHAPTER XXIII - MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS

Rule 167 Unfinished business .

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ANNEX I - Provisions implementing Rule 9 - Declaration of Members' financial interests .

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ANNEX II - Conduct of Question Time under Rule 41 .

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A. Guidelines .

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B. Recommendations .

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ANNEX III - Guidelines and general principles to be followed when choosing the subjects to be included on the agenda for the debate on topical and urgent subjects of major importance provided for under Rule 47 .

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ANNEX IV - Implementing procedures for examination of the General Budget of the European Union and supplementary budgets .

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ANNEX V - Procedure for the consideration and adoption of decisions on the giving of a discharge .

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ANNEX VI - Powers and responsibilities of standing committees .

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ANNEX VII - Procedure for the consideration of confidential documents communicated to the European Parliament .

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ANNEX VIII - Detailed provisions governing the exercise of the European Parliament's right of inquiry .

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CHAPTER I MEMBERS OF THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT

Rule 1

The European Parliament

1. The European Parliament is the assembly elected pursuant to the Treaties, the Act of 20 September 1976 concerning the election of the representatives of the European Parliament by direct universal suffrage and national legislation deriving from the Treaties.

2. Persons elected to the European Parliament shall be referred to as:

'Medlemmer af Europa-Parlamentet' in Danish,

'Mitglieder des Europaeischen Parlaments' in German,

'ÂïõëaaõôÝò ôïõ AAõñùðáúêïý Êïéíïâïõëssïõ' in Greek,

'Members of the European Parliament' in English,

'Diputados al Parlamento Europeo' in Spanish,

'Euroopan parlamentin jaesenet' in Finnish, 'Députés au Parlement européen' in French,

'Deputati al Parlamento europeo' in Italian,

'Leden van het Europees Parlement' in Dutch,

'Deputados ao Parlamento Europeu' in Portuguese.

'Ledamoeter av Europaparlamentet' in Swedish.

Rule 2

The independent mandate

Members of the European Parliament shall exercise their mandate independently. They shall not be bound by any instructions and shall not receive a binding mandate.

Rule 3

Privileges and immunities

1. Members shall enjoy privileges and immunities in accordance with the Protocol on the Privileges and Immunities of the European Communities, annexed to the Treaty of 8 April 1965 establishing a Single Council and a Single Commission of the European Communities.

2. Passes to allow Members to circulate freely in the Member States shall be issued to them by the President of Parliament as soon as he has been notified of their election.

3. Members shall be entitled to inspect any files held by Parliament or a committee, other than personal files and accounts which only the Members concerned shall be allowed to inspect.

Rule 4

Attendance of Members at sittings and votes

1. An attendance register shall be laid open for signature by Members at each sitting.

2. The names of Members present, as shown in the attendance register, shall be recorded in the minutes of each sitting.

3. In the event of a roll-call vote the minutes shall record the names of Members who took part in the vote and how they voted.

Rule 5

Payment of expenses and allowances

The Bureau shall lay down Rules governing the payment of expenses and allowances to Members.

Rule 6

Waiver of immunity

1. Any request addressed to the President by the appropriate authority of a Member State that the immunity of a Member be waived shall be announced in Parliament and referred to the committee responsible.

2. The committee shall consider such requests without delay and in the order in which they have been submitted.

3. The committee may ask the authority which has submitted the request to provide any information or explanation which the committee deems necessary for it to form an opinion on whether immunity should be waived. The Member concerned shall be heard at his request; he may bring any documents or other written evidence he deems relevant. He may be represented by another Member.

4. The committee's report shall contain a proposal for a decision which simply recommends the adoption or rejection of the request for the waiver of immunity. However, where the request seeks the waiver of immunity on several counts, each of these may be the subject of a separate proposal for a decision. The committee's report may, exceptionally, propose that the waiver of immunity shall apply solely to prosecution proceedings and that, until a final sentence is passed, the Member should be immune from any form of detention or remand or any other measure which prevents him from performing the duties proper to his mandate.

5. The committee shall not, under any circumstances, pronounce on the guilt or otherwise of the Member nor on whether or not the opinions or acts attributed to him justify prosecution, even if, in considering the request, it acquires detailed knowledge of the facts of the case.

6. The report of the committee shall be placed at the head of the agenda of the first sitting following the day on which it was tabled. No amendment may be tabled to the proposal(s) for a decision.

Discussion shall be confined to the reasons for or against each proposal to waive or uphold immunity.

The proposal(s) for a decision contained in the report shall be put to the vote at the first voting time following the debate.

After Parliament has considered the matter, an individual vote shall be taken on each of the proposals contained in the report. If any of the proposals are rejected, the contrary decision shall be deemed adopted.

7. The President shall immediately communicate Parliament's decision to the appropriate authority of the Member State concerned, with a request, if immunity is waived, that he should be informed of any judicial rulings made as a consequence. When the President receives this information, he shall transmit it to Parliament in the way he considers most appropriate.

8. Should a Member be arrested or prosecuted after having been found in the act of committing an offence, any other Member may request that the proceedings be suspended or that he be released.

Rule 7

Verification of credentials

1. On the basis of a report by the committee responsible, Parliament shall verify the credentials without delay and rule on the validity of the mandate of each of its newly elected Members and also on any dispute referred to it pursuant to the provisions of the Act of 20 September 1976, except those based on national electoral laws.

2. The committee's report shall be based on the official notification by each Member State of the full results of the election specifying the names of the candidates elected and those of any substitutes together with their ranking in accordance with the results of the vote.

3. The committee shall ensure that any information which may affect the performance of the duties of a Member of the European Parliament or the ranking of the substitutes is forwarded without delay to Parliament by the authorities of the Member States or of the Union, with an indication of the date of effect where an appointment is concerned.

4. Until such time as a Member's credentials have been verified or a ruling has been given on any dispute, the Member shall take his seat in Parliament and on its bodies and shall enjoy all the rights attaching thereto.

Rule 8

Term of office of Members

1. A Member's term of office shall begin and end as laid down in the Act of 20 September 1976. It shall also end on death or resignation.

2. Every Member shall remain in office until the opening of the first sitting of Parliament following the elections.

3. A Member who resigns shall notify the President of his resignation in writing. This notification shall be made in an official record drawn up in the presence of the Secretary-General or his representative, signed by the latter and by the Member concerned and immediately submitted to the committee responsible, which shall enter it on the agenda of its first meeting following receipt of the document.

If the committee responsible considers that the resignation is not in accordance with the spirit or the letter of the Act of 20 September 1976 it shall inform Parliament to this effect so that Parliament can decide whether or not to establish the vacancy.

Otherwise, the vacancy shall be established automatically unless the resigning Member indicates a later date. There shall be no vote in Parliament on the subject.

A simplified procedure has been introduced for certain exceptional circumstances, in particular where one or more part-sessions are held between the effective date of the resignation and the first meeting of the committee responsible and where, as the vacancy has not been established, the political group to which the resigning Member belongs is not able to obtain a replacement Member during those part-sessions. Under this procedure, the rapporteur of the committee responsible entrusted with these cases has the power to examine immediately any resignation duly notified and, where any delay in considering the notification would be prejudicial, to refer the matter to the committee chairman asking him, pursuant to paragraph 3:

- either to inform the President on behalf of the committee that the vacancy may be established

- or to convene an extraordinary meeting of the committee to examine any specific difficulties noted by the rapporteur.

4. Incompatibilities resulting from national legislation shall be notified to Parliament, which shall take note thereof.

Where the competent authorities of the Member States or of the Union notify the President of appointments to an office incompatible with the office of Member of the European Parliament, the President shall inform Parliament, which shall establish that there is a vacancy.

5. The following shall be considered as the date of the end of the term of office and the effective date of a vacancy:

- in the event of resignation: the date on which the vacancy is established by Parliament, the date when the President receives the letter of resignation or a later (but not earlier) date specified in his letter by the resigning Member,

- in the event of appointment to an office incompatible with the office of a Member of the European Parliament, either in respect of national electoral law, or in respect of Article 6 of the Act of 20 September 1976: the date notified by the competent authorities of the Member States or of the Union.

6. When Parliament has established that a vacancy exists, it shall inform the Member State concerned thereof.

7. Any dispute concerning the validity of the appointment of a Member whose credentials have already been verified shall be referred to the committee responsible, which shall report to Parliament without delay and no later than the beginning of the next part-session.

8. Parliament shall reserve the right, where acceptance or termination of office appears to be based on material inaccuracy or vitiated consent, to declare the appointment under consideration to be invalid or refuse to establish the vacancy.

Rule 9

Code of conduct

Parliament may lay down a code of conduct for its Members. The code shall be adopted pursuant to Rule 163 (2) and attached to these Rules of Procedure as an annex (1).

The code shall not in any way prejudice or restrict a Member in the exercise of his office or of any political or other activity relating thereto.

CHAPTER II SESSIONS OF PARLIAMENT

Rule 10

Convening of Parliament

1. The parliamentary term shall run concurrently with the term of office of Members provided for in the Act of 20 September 1976.

The session shall be the annual period prescribed by the Act and the Treaties.

The part-session shall be the meeting of Parliament convened as a rule each month and subdivided into daily sittings.

Sittings of Parliament held on the same day shall be deemed to be a single sitting.

2. Parliament shall meet, without requiring to be convened, on the second Tuesday in March each year and shall itself determine the duration of adjournments of the session.

3. Parliament shall, moreover, meet without requiring to be convened on the first Tuesday after expiry of an interval of one month from the end of the period referred to in Article 9 (1) of the Act of 20 September 1976.

4. The Conference of Presidents, stating its reasons, may alter the duration of adjournments decided pursuant to paragraph 2 at least two weeks before the date previously fixed by Parliament for resuming the session; the date of resumption shall not, however, be postponed for more than two weeks.

5. Exceptionally, after consulting the Conference of Presidents, the President shall convene Parliament at the request of a majority of its Members or at the request of the Commission or the Council.

Exceptionally, with the approval of the Conference of Presidents, the President may convene Parliament at the request of one-third of its Members.

Rule 11

Venue of sittings and meetings

1. Parliament shall hold its sittings and its committee meetings at the place fixed as its seat under the provisions of the Treaties.

2. Exceptionally, however, on a resolution adopted by a majority of its component Members, Parliament may decide to hold one or more sittings elsewhere than at its seat.

Proposals for additional part-sessions in Brussels and any amendments thereto will require only a simple majority vote.

3. Any committee may decide to ask that one or more meetings be held away from the said seat. Its request, with the reasons therefor, shall be made to the President, who shall place it before the Bureau. If the matter is urgent, the President may take the decision himself. Should the request be rejected by the Bureau or the President the reasons for the rejection shall be stated.

CHAPTER III OFFICERS OF PARLIAMENT

Rule 12

Oldest Member

1. At the sitting provided for under Rule 10 (3), and at any other sitting held for the purpose of electing the President and the Bureau, the oldest Member present shall take the Chair until the President has been elected.

2. No business shall be transacted while the oldest Member is in the Chair unless it is concerned with the election of the President or the verification of credentials.

If a question relating to the verification of credentials is raised when the oldest Member is in the Chair, he shall refer the matter to the committee responsible for the verification of credentials.

Rule 13

Nominations and general provisions

1. The President, Vice-Presidents and Quaestors shall be elected by secret ballot. Nominations shall be with consent. They may only be made by a political group or by at least 29 Members. However, if the number of nominations does not exceed the number of seats to be filled, the candidates may be elected by acclamation.

2. Four Members chosen by lot shall count the votes cast in a secret ballot. Candidates may not act as tellers.

3. In the election of the President, Vice-Presidents and Quaestors, account should be taken of the need to ensure an overall fair representation of Member States and political views.

Rule 14

Election of President - opening address

1. The President shall be elected first. Nominations shall be handed before each ballot to the oldest Member, who shall announce them to Parliament. If after three ballots no candidate has obtained an absolute majority of the votes cast, the fourth ballot shall be confined to the two Members who have obtained the highest number of votes in the third ballot. In the event of a tie the elder candidate shall be declared elected.

2. As soon as the President has been elected, the oldest Member shall vacate the Chair. Only the elected President may deliver an opening address.

Rule 15

Election of Vice-Presidents

1. The Vice-Presidents shall then be elected on a single ballot paper. Those who on the first ballot, up to the number of fourteen, obtain an absolute majority of the votes cast shall be declared elected in the numerical order of their votes. Should the number of candidates elected be less than the number of seats to be filled, a second ballot shall be held under the same conditions to fill the remaining seats. Should a third ballot be necessary, a relative majority shall suffice for election to the remaining seats. In the event of a tie the eldest candidates shall be declared elected.

Although this Rule, unlike Rule 14 (1), does not expressly provide for new nominations to be introduced between ballots during the election of Vice-Presidents, such action is permissible because Parliament, being a sovereign body, must be able to consider all possible candidates, especially since the absence of such an option might impede the smooth running of the election.

2. Subject to the provisions of Rule 18 (1), the Vice-Presidents shall take precedence in the order in which they were elected and, in the event of a tie, by age.

Where they are not elected by secret ballot, the order in which their names are read out to the House by the President shall determine the order of precedence.

Rule 16

Election of Quaestors

After the election of the Vice-Presidents, Parliament shall elect five Quaestors.

The Quaestors shall be elected by the same procedure as the Vice-Presidents.

Rule 17

Term of office of Officers

1. The term of office of the President, Vice-Presidents and Quaestors shall be two and a half years.

When a Member changes political groups he shall retain, for the remainder of his two and a half year term of office, any seat he holds in the Bureau or the College of Quaestors.

2. Should a vacancy for one of these positions occur before the expiry of this term, the Member elected shall serve only for the remaining period of his predecessor's term of office.

Rule 18

Vacancies

1. Should it be necessary for the President, a Vice-President or a Quaestor to be replaced, his successor shall be elected in accordance with the above Rules.

A newly elected Vice-President shall take the place of his predecessor in the order of precedence.

2. Should the President's seat become vacant, the first Vice-President shall act as President until a new President is elected.

Rule 19

Duties of the President

1. The President shall direct all the activities of Parliament and its bodies under the conditions laid down in these Rules. He shall enjoy all the powers necessary to preside over the proceedings of Parliament and to ensure that they are properly conducted.

2. The duties of the President shall be to open, suspend and close sittings; to ensure observance of these Rules, maintain order, call upon speakers, close debates, put matters to the vote and announce the results of votes; and to refer to committees any communications that concern them.

3. The President may speak in a debate only to sum up or to call speakers to order. Should he wish to take part in a debate, he shall vacate the Chair and shall not reoccupy it until the debate is over.

4. Parliament shall be represented in international relations, on ceremonial occasions and in administrative, legal or financial matters by the President, who may delegate these powers.

Rule 20

Duties of the Vice-Presidents

Should the President be absent or unable to discharge his duties, or should he wish to take part in a debate pursuant to Rule 19 (3), he shall be replaced by one of the Vice-Presidents pursuant to Rule 15 (2).

CHAPTER IV PARLIAMENT'S GOVERNING BODIES

Rule 21

Composition of the Bureau

1. The Bureau shall consist of the President and the 14 Vice-Presidents of Parliament.

2. The Quaestors shall be members of the Bureau in an advisory capacity.

3. Should voting in the Bureau result in a tie, the President shall have a casting vote.

Rule 22

Duties of the Bureau

1. The Bureau shall carry out the duties assigned to it under the Rules of Procedure.

2. The Bureau shall take financial, organizational and administrative decisions on matters concerning Members and the internal organization of Parliament, its Secretariat and its bodies.

3. The Bureau shall take decisions on matters relating to the conduct of sittings.

4. The Bureau shall adopt the provisions referred to in Rule 30 concerning non-attached Members.

5. The Bureau shall decide the establishment plan of the Secretariat and lay down regulations relating to the administrative and financial situation of officials and other servants.

6. The Bureau shall draw up Parliament's preliminary draft estimates.

7. The Bureau shall adopt the guidelines for the Quaestors pursuant to Rule 25.

8. The Bureau shall be the authority responsible for authorizing meetings of committees away from the usual places of work, hearings and study and fact-finding journeys by rapporteurs.

9. The Bureau shall appoint the Secretary-General pursuant to Rule 164.

10. The President and/or the Bureau may entrust one or more members of the Bureau with general or specific tasks lying within the competence of the President and/or the Bureau. At the same time the ways and means of carrying them out shall be laid down.

11. When a new Parliament is elected, the outgoing Bureau shall remain in office until the first sitting of the new Parliament.

Rule 23

Composition of the Conference of Presidents

1. The Conference of Presidents shall consist of the President of Parliament and the chairmen of the political groups. The chairman of a political group may arrange to be represented by a member of his group.

2. The non-attached Members shall delegate two of their number to attend meetings of the Conference of Presidents, without having the right to vote.

3. The Conference of Presidents shall endeavour to reach a consensus on matters referred to it.

Where a consensus cannot be reached, the matter shall be put to a vote subject to a weighting based on the number of Members in each political group.

Rule 24

Duties of the Conference of Presidents

1. The Conference of Presidents shall carry out the duties assigned to it under the Rules of Procedure.

2. The Conference of Presidents shall take decisions on the organization of Parliament's work and matters relating to legislative planning.

3. The Conference of Presidents shall be the authority responsible for matters relating to relations with the other institutions and bodies of the European Union and with the national parliaments of Member States.

4. The Conference of Presidents shall be the authority responsible for matters relating to relations with non-member countries and with non-Union institutions and organizations.

5. The Conference of Presidents shall draw up the draft agenda of Parliament's part-sessions.

6. The Conference of Presidents shall be the authority responsible for the composition and competence of committees and temporary committees of inquiry and of joint parliamentary committees, standing delegations and ad hoc delegations.

7. The Conference of Presidents shall decide how seats in the Chamber are to be allocated pursuant to Rule 31.

8. The Conference of Presidents shall be the authority responsible for authorizing the drawing up of own-initiative reports.

9. The Conference of Presidents shall submit proposals to the Bureau concerning administrative and budgetary matters relating to the political groups.

Rule 25

Duties of the Quaestors

The Quaestors shall be responsible for administrative and financial matters directly concerning Members, pursuant to guidelines laid down by the Bureau.

Rule 26

Conference of Committee Chairmen

1. The Conference of Committee Chairmen shall consist of the chairmen of all standing or temporary committees and shall elect its chairman.

2. The Conference of Committee Chairmen may make recommendations to the Conference of Presidents about the work of committees and the drafting of the agenda of part-sessions.

3. The Bureau and the Conference of Presidents may instruct the Conference of Committee Chairmen to carry out specific tasks.

Rule 27

Conference of Delegation Chairmen

1. The Conference of Delegation Chairmen shall consist of the chairmen of all standing interparliamentary delegations and shall elect its chairman.

2. The Conference of Delegation Chairmen may make recommendations to the Conference of Presidents about the work of delegations.

3. The Bureau and the Conference of Presidents may instruct the Conference of Delegation Chairmen to carry out specific tasks.

Rule 28

Accountability of the Bureau, the Conference of Presidents and the Quaestors

1. The minutes of the Bureau and the Conference of Presidents shall be translated into the official languages, printed and distributed to all Members of Parliament, unless the Bureau or the Conference of Presidents exceptionally, for reasons of confidentiality, decides otherwise.

2. Any Member may ask questions related to the work of the Bureau, the Conference of Presidents and the Quaestors. Such questions shall be submitted to the President in writing and published in the Bulletin of Parliament within 30 days of tabling, together with the answers given.

CHAPTER V POLITICAL GROUPS

Rule 29

Formation of political groups

1. Members may form themselves into groups according to their political affinities.

2. The minimum number of Members required to form a political group shall be 29 if they come from one Member State, 23 if they come from two Member States, 18 if they come from three Member States and 14 if they come from four or more Member States.

3. A Member may not belong to more than one group.

4. The President shall be notified in a statement when a political group is set up. This statement shall specify the name of the group, its members and its bureau.

5. The statement shall be published in the Official Journal of the European Communities.

Rule 30

Non-attached Members

1. Members who do not belong to a political group shall be provided with a secretariat. The detailed arrangements shall be laid down by the Bureau on a proposal from the Secretary-General.

2. The Bureau shall also determine the status and parliamentary rights of such Members.

Rule 31

Allocation of seats in the chamber

The Conference of Presidents shall decide how seats in the chamber are to be allocated among the political groups, the non-attached Members and the institutions of the European Union.

CHAPTER VI RELATIONS WITH OTHER INSTITUTIONS

APPOINTMENTS

Rule 32

Nomination of the President of the Commission

1. When the governments of the Member States have agreed on a nomination for President of the Commission, the President shall request the nominee to make a statement to Parliament. The statement shall be followed by a debate.

The Council shall be invited to take part in the debate.

2. Parliament shall approve or reject the nomination by a majority of the votes cast.

The vote shall be taken by roll call.

3. The President shall forward the result of the vote to the President of the European Council and to the governments of the Member States as Parliament's opinion.

4. If the result of the vote in Parliament on the nomination for President of the Commission is negative, the President shall request the governments of the Member States to withdraw their nomination and submit a new nomination to Parliament.

Rule 33

Vote of approval of the Commission

1. When the governments of the Member States have agreed on the other persons they intend to appoint as Members of the Commission, the President shall, after consulting the nominee for President of the Commission, request the nominees to appear before the appropriate committees according to their prospective fields of responsibility.

2. The committee may invite the nominee to make a statement and answer questions. The committee shall report its conclusions to the President.

3. The nominee for President shall present the programme of the nominated Commission at a sitting of Parliament which the whole Council shall be invited to attend. The statement shall be followed by a debate.

4. In order to wind up the debate, any political group may table a motion for a resolution which shall contain a statement as to whether Parliament approves or rejects the nominated Commission.

5. Parliament shall vote its approval of the Commission by a majority of the votes cast.

The vote shall be taken by roll call.

6. If Parliament approves the nominated Commission, the President shall notify the governments of the Member States that the appointment of the Commission may now take place.

Rule 34

Motion of censure on the Commission

1. A motion of censure on the Commission may be submitted to the President by one-tenth of the component Members of Parliament.

2. The motion shall be called 'motion of censure' and supported by reasons. It shall be forwarded to the Commission.

3. The President shall announce to Members that a motion of censure has been tabled immediately he receives it.

4. The debate on the motion shall not take place until at least 24 hours after its receipt is announced to Members.

5. The vote on the motion shall be by roll call and shall not be taken until at least 48 hours after the beginning of the debate.

6. The debate and the vote shall take place, at the latest, during the part-session following the submission of the motion.

7. The motion of censure shall be adopted if it secures a two-thirds majority of the votes cast, representing a majority of the component Members of Parliament. The result of the vote shall be notified to the President of the Council and the President of the Commission.

Rule 35

Appointment of the Members of the Court of Auditors

1. Candidates nominated as Members of the Court of Auditors shall be invited to make a statement before the committee responsible and answer questions put by members.

2. The committee responsible shall make a recommendation to Parliament as to whether the nomination should be approved.

3. The vote shall take place within two months of the receipt of the nomination unless Parliament, at the request of the committee responsible, a political group or at least 29 Members, decides otherwise.

4. If the opinion adopted by Parliament is negative, the President shall request the Council to withdraw its nomination and submit a new nomination to Parliament.

Rule 36

European Central Bank (European Monetary Institute)

1. The candidate nominated as President of the European Central Bank shall be invited to make a statement before the committee responsible and answer questions put by members.

2. The committee responsible shall make a recommendation to Parliament as to whether the nomination should be approved.

3. The vote shall take place within two months of the receipt of the nomination unless Parliament, at the request of the committee responsible, a political group or at least 29 Members, decides otherwise.

4. If the opinion adopted by Parliament is negative, the President shall request the Council to withdraw its nomination and submit a new nomination to Parliament.

5. The same procedure shall apply for nominations for Vice-President and Executive Board Members of the European Central Bank and for President of the European Monetary Institute.

STATEMENTS

Rule 37

Statements by the Commission, Council and European Council

1. Members of the Commission, Council and European Council may at any time ask the President for permission to make a statement. The President shall decide when the statement may be made. Such a statement may be followed by a debate.

2. A committee, a political group, or at least 29 Members may table a motion for a resolution.

3. Motions for resolutions shall be put to the vote on the same day. The President shall decide on any exceptions. Explanations of vote shall be admissible.

4. A joint motion for a resolution shall replace the previous motions for resolutions tabled by its signatories, but not those tabled by other committees, political groups or Members.

5. After a resolution has been adopted, no further motions may be put to the vote except where the President, by way of exception, decides otherwise.

6. If no debate is held, Members will be allowed a maximum of 30 minutes in which to put brief and concise questions.

Rule 38

Statements by the Court of Auditors

1. In the context of the discharge procedure or Parliament's activities in the sphere of budgetary control, the President of the Court of Auditors may be invited to take the floor in order to present the comments contained in the Annual Report, special reports or opinions of the Court, or in order to explain the Court's work programme.

2. Parliament may decide to hold a separate debate on any questions raised in such statements with the participation of the Commission and Council.

Rule 39

Statements by the European Central Bank (European Monetary Institute)

1. The President of the European Central Bank shall present the Annual Report of the Bank to Parliament.

2. Parliament may decide to hold a debate following this presentation.

3. The President of the European Central Bank and other Executive Board Members may be invited to attend a meeting of the committee responsible to make a statement and answer questions. The President of the Bank shall attend such meetings twice a year. He may be invited to attend additional meetings if circumstances justify it in the opinion of the committee responsible confirmed by the Conference of Presidents.

4. The same procedure shall apply to the President of the European Monetary Institute for the period of its existence.

QUESTIONS TO THE COUNCIL AND COMMISSION

Rule 40

Questions for oral answer

1. Questions may be put to the Council or the Commission by a committee, a political group or at least 29 Members with a request that they be placed on the agenda of Parliament.

Such questions shall be submitted in writing to the President who shall immediately refer them to the Conference of Presidents.

The Conference of Presidents shall decide whether and in what order questions should be placed on the agenda.

2. Questions to the Commission must be referred to that institution at least one week before the sitting on whose agenda they are to appear and questions to the Council at least three weeks before that date.

3. Where the questions concern matters referred to in Articles J.7 and K.6 of the Treaty on European Union, the time limit provided for in paragraph 2 of this Rule shall not apply, and the Council must reply with sufficient promptness to keep Parliament properly informed.

4. One of the questioners may move the question for five minutes. One member of the institution concerned shall answer.

The author of the question is entitled to use the whole period of speaking time mentioned.

5. Rule 37 (2), (3), (4) and (5) shall apply mutatis mutandis.

Rule 41

Question Time

1. Question Time to the Council and Commission shall be held at each part-session at such times as may be decided by Parliament on a proposal from the Conference of Presidents. A specific period of time may be set aside for questions to the President and individual Members of the Commission.

2. No Member may put more than one question to the Council and the Commission at a given part-session.

3. Questions shall be submitted in writing to the President, who shall rule on their admissibility and on the order in which they are to be taken. The questioner shall be notified immediately of this decision.

4. The detailed procedure shall be governed by guidelines (1).

Rule 42

Questions for written answer

1. Questions for written answer may be put by any Member to the Council or the Commission.

2. Questions shall be submitted in writing to the President who shall forward them to the institution concerned.

3. Questions and answers shall be published in the Official Journal of the European Communities.

4. If a question cannot be answered within the time limit set it shall, at the request of the author, be placed on the agenda of the next meeting of the committee responsible. Rule 41 shall apply mutatis mutandis.

5. Questions which require an immediate answer but no detailed research (priority questions) shall be answered within three weeks. Each Member may table one priority question each month.

6. Other questions (non-priority questions) shall be answered within six weeks.

7. Members shall indicate which type of question they are submitting. The final decision shall be taken by the President.

REPORTS

Rule 43

Annual general report of the Commission

The annual general report by the Commission on the activities of the European Communities shall be referred to the committees, which may submit specific and fundamental questions to the plenary under the existing procedures.

Rule 44

Annual report of the Commission on the application of Community law

1. The annual report by the Commission on the application of Community law in the Member States shall be referred to the various committees concerned, each of which may deliver its opinion to the committee responsible for legal affairs which shall submit a report to the plenary.

2. The resolution adopted by Parliament and the report of the committee responsible shall be forwarded to the Council, the Commission and the governments and the parliaments of the Member States.

RESOLUTIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS

Rule 45

Motions for resolutions

1. Any Member may table a motion for a resolution on a matter falling within the sphere of activities of the European Union.

The motion may not comprise more than 200 words.

2. The committee responsible shall decide what procedure is to be adopted.

It may combine the motion for a resolution with other motions for resolutions or reports.

It may adopt an opinion, which may take the form of a letter.

It may decide to draw up a report, in which case it shall require the approval of the Conference of Presidents.

3. The authors of a motion for a resolution shall be informed of the decisions of the committee and the Conference of Presidents.

4. The report shall contain the text of the motion for a resolution.

5. Opinions in the form of a letter addressed to other institutions of the European Union shall be forwarded by the President.

6. The author or authors of a motion for a resolution tabled pursuant to Rule 37 (2), 40 (5) or 47 (1) shall be entitled to withdraw it before the final vote.

7. A motion for a resolution tabled pursuant to paragraph 1 may be withdrawn by its author, authors or first signatory before the committee responsible has decided, pursuant to paragraph 2, to draw up a report on it.

Once the motion has been thus taken over by the committee, only the committee shall be empowered to withdraw it up until the opening of the final vote.

8. A motion for a resolution withdrawn may be taken over and retabled immediately by a group, a committee or the same number of Members who are entitled to table it.

Committees have a duty to ensure that motions for resolutions tabled pursuant to Rule 45 which meet the requirements laid down are followed up and duly referred to in documents produced as a result.

Rule 46

Recommendations to the Council

1. At least 29 Members or a political group may table a proposal for a recommendation to the Council concerning subjects under Titles V and VI of the Treaty on European Union.

2. Such proposals shall be referred to the committee responsible for consideration.

Where appropriate, the committee shall refer the matter to Parliament in accordance with the procedures laid down in these Rules.

3. Where it presents a report, the committee responsible shall submit to Parliament a proposal for a recommendation to the Council, together with a brief explanatory statement and, where appropriate, the opinions of the committees consulted.

4. In urgent cases the provisions of Rule 92 or 94 shall apply.

Rule 47

Debates on topical and urgent subjects of major importance

1. A political group or at least 29 Members may ask the President in writing for a debate to be held on a topical and urgent subject of major importance (Rule 95 (3)). Such a request must be linked with a motion for a resolution. The President shall notify Parliament immediately of any such request.

2. The Conference of Presidents shall draw up a list of subjects to be included on the agenda of the next debate on topical and urgent subjects of major importance on the basis of the requests referred to in paragraph 1 and in accordance with the provisions of Annex III. The total number of subjects included on the agenda shall not exceed five. The President shall notify Parliament of this list not later than at the resumption of the sitting on the afternoon of the same day.

Up to the end of the sitting on the same day, a political group or at least 29 Members may oppose this decision in writing, stating their reasons, and move that Parliament abandon a topic due to be debated and/or include an unscheduled topic in the debate without, however, exceeding the maximum number of topics laid down by this Rule. The vote on their objections shall take place without debate at the beginning of the next day's sitting.

3. The total speaking time for the political groups and non-attached Members shall be allocated in accordance with the procedure laid down in Rule 106 (2) and (3) within the maximum time for debates of three hours per part-session.

Any time remaining after taking account of the time required for the introduction of and vote on the motions for resolutions and the speaking time, if any, allocated to the Commission and Council, shall be broken down between the political groups and the non-attached Members.

4. At the end of the debate there shall be an immediate vote. Rule 122 shall not apply.

Votes taken pursuant to Rule 47 may be organized on a collective basis under the responsibility of the President and the Conference of Presidents.

5. If two or more motions for resolutions are tabled on the same subject, the procedure set out in Rule 37 (4) shall apply.

6. The President and political group chairmen may decide that a motion for a resolution shall be put to the vote without debate. Such a decision shall require the unanimous assent of all the political group chairmen.

The provisions of Rules 128, 129 and 131 shall not apply to motions for resolutions included on the agenda for a debate on topical and urgent subjects of major importance.

Motions for resolutions tabled for a debate on topical and urgent subjects of major importance in accordance with paragraph 1 which are not included in the list of subjects entered on the agenda for this debate and drawn up pursuant to paragraph 2, or which are included but cannot be dealt with in the time allocated to the debate, shall lapse. The same shall apply to motions for resolutions in respect of which it is established, following a request under Rule 112 (3), that a quorum is not present. Obviously Members shall be entitled to re-table such motions either for consideration in committee pursuant to Rule 45 or for the debate on topical and urgent subjects of major importance at the next part-session.

A motion for a resolution tabled in accordance with paragraph 1 cannot be included on the agenda for a debate on topical and urgent subjects of major importance if the subject covered by this motion is already on the agenda for that part-session.

There are no provisions in the Rules to allow a joint debate on a motion for a resolution tabled in accordance with paragraph 1 and a committee report on the same subject.

***

When a request is made pursuant to Rule 112 (3) that it be established whether a quorum is present, this request shall be valid only for the motion for a resolution which is to be put to the vote and not for those which follow.

Rule 48

Written declarations

1. Any Member may submit a written declaration of not more than 200 words on a matter falling within the sphere of activities of the European Union. Written declarations shall be printed in the official languages, distributed and entered in a register.

2. Any Member may add his signature to a declaration entered in the register.

3. At the end of each part-session, the President shall announce how many signatures have been obtained by the declarations entered in the register.

4. As soon as a declaration entered in the register has been signed by at least one half of the component Members of Parliament, the text of the declaration shall be forwarded to the institutions named by the author together with the names of the signatories. The President shall announce this at the next sitting and the text of the declaration and the names of the signatories shall be included in the minutes of that sitting as an annex. Once this announcement has been made, no more entries may be made in the register.

5. A written declaration that has stood in the register for over two months and has not been signed by at least one-half of the component Members of Parliament shall lapse

CHAPTER VII LEGISLATIVE PROCEDURES

GENERAL PROVISIONS

Rule 49

Annual legislative programme

1. Before the end of each year and following a debate and vote in Parliament on the Annual Programme of the Commission, the Presidents of the Parliament and the Commission shall agree on behalf of their institutions an Annual Legislative Programme for the following year covering all planned legislative activity. The President of the Council shall also be invited to take part in this procedure on behalf of his/her institution.

2. The Annual Legislative Programme shall establish the priorities in the legislative field and fix a timetable for the submission by the Commission of all the proposals and documents contained in the programme and for their examination by Parliament and the Council.

3. The Annual Legislative Programme shall refer to:

(a) all new legislative proposals,

(b) all pre-legislative documents,

(c) any other document of a legislative nature,

(d) agreements with third countries,

which are to be submitted during the following year by the Commission to Parliament and the Council.

The Programme shall also refer to any legislative proposals and documents requested by Parliament or the Council which the Commission has agreed to submit.

4. The President of Parliament shall, in the discussions about the Annual Legislative Programme, act on the basis of the conclusions of the Conference of Presidents. Before formulating their conclusions, the Conference of Presidents shall consult the Conference of Committee Chairmen.

5. Where there are urgent and unforeseeable circumstances, an institution may propose a legislative measure on its own initiative, in the manner permitted by the Treaties, to be added to the measures proposed in the Legislative Programme.

6. For each proposal or document in the Annual Legislative Programme, Parliament shall indicate which committee may be designated as the committee responsible when the proposals or documents are submitted.

7. The Annual Legislative Programme as agreed between the institutions shall be attached to the minutes of the proceedings of the sitting following its adoption. The President shall forward the Annual Legislative Programme to the governments and parliaments of the Member States as well as to the Economic and Social Committee and the Committee of the Regions.

8. Where an institution is unable to comply with the timetable laid down it shall notify the other institution as to the reasons for the delay and propose a new timetable.

9. The Annual Legislative Programme may be revised at the beginning of the second half of the year.

Rule 50

Legislative initiative

1. Parliament may request the Commission to submit to it any appropriate legislative proposal pursuant to Article 138b, second paragraph, of the EC Treaty by adopting a resolution on the basis of an own-initiative report from the committee responsible and authorized pursuant to Rule 148. The resolution shall be adopted by a majority of the component Members of Parliament. Parliament may at the same time fix a deadline for the submission of such a proposal.

2. Before initiating the procedure under Rule 148, the committee responsible shall establish, in the following cases, that no such proposal is under preparation:

(a) such a proposal is not included in the Annual Legislative Programme;

(b) the preparations of such a proposal have not started or are unduly delayed;

(c) the Commission has not responded positively to earlier requests either from the committee responsible or contained in resolutions adopted by Parliament with simple majority.

3. Parliament's resolution shall indicate the appropriate legal basis and be accompanied by detailed recommendations as to the content of the required proposals, which shall respect the principle of subsidiarity and the fundamental rights of citizens.

4. Where a proposal has financial implications, Parliament shall indicate how sufficient financial resources can be provided.

5. The committee responsible shall monitor the progress of preparation of any legislative proposal drawn up following a particular request by Parliament.

6. The provisions of this Rule shall apply mutatis mutandis in cases where the Treaties attribute the right of initiative to Parliament.

The majority required shall be the majority indicated by the relevant article of the Treaty concerned.

Rule 51

Consideration of legislative documents

1. Proposals from the Commission and other documents of a legislative nature shall be referred by the President to the committee responsible for consideration.

Where a proposal is listed in the Annual Legislative Programme the committee responsible may decide to appoint a rapporteur to follow the preparatory phase of the proposal.

Consultations by the Council or requests from the Commission for an opinion shall be forwarded by the President to the committee responsible for consideration of the proposal concerned.

The provisions for the first reading as set out in Rules 53 to 63 shall apply to legislative proposals whether they require one, two or three readings.

2. Common positions from the Council shall be referred for consideration to the committee responsible at the first reading.

The provisions for the second reading as set out in Rules 64 to 73 shall apply to common positions.

3. During the Conciliation procedure between Parliament and the Council following the second reading, no referral back to committee shall take place.

The provisions for the third reading as set out in Rules 74 to 78 shall apply to the Conciliation procedure.

4. Rules 52, 58 (1) and (3), 59, 60, 129, 143, 144 and 147 shall not apply during the second and third readings.

5. In the event of a conflict between a provision of the Rules of Procedure relating to the second and third readings and any other provision of the Rules, the provision relating to the second and third readings shall take precedence.

Rule 52

Delegation of the power of decision to committees

1. The Conference of Presidents may refer a consultation, a request for an opinion, an own-initiative report (Rule 148) or a report based on a motion for a resolution tabled pursuant to Rule 45 (1) to (5) to the appropriate committee for a decision.

2. If, after referral to committee pursuant to paragraph 1, one-third of the current members of the committee request that the power of decision be referred back to Parliament, the procedures for debate and amendment of committee reports in plenary shall apply.

3. The meeting at which the committee takes its decision shall be open to the public.

4. The deadline for tabling amendments shall be published in the Bulletin of the European Parliament.

5. As soon as the committee has adopted its report, and subject to Rules 102 (1) and 103, the President shall place it on the agenda for the next part-session. The committee's resolution and amendments, if any, shall be deemed adopted and shall be recorded in the minutes unless, before the start of the second day of the part-session, one-tenth of the component Members of Parliament from at least three political groups have tabled their opposition in writing. The President shall announce this opposition at the start of the second sitting of the part-session; in this case the committee's report shall be placed on the agenda for the same or the following part-session and shall be dealt with in accordance with the normal procedure. The President shall set a deadline for the tabling of amendments.

A request from one-third of a committee's current members for the power of decision to revert to Parliament may be made in writing outside of committee meetings but must be submitted before the date of the meeting at which the committee appoints the rapporteur on the subject in respect of which it is requested that the power of decision revert to Parliament.

***

The provisions of the Rules which concern the tabling of amendments are Rules 124 (1), the reference to that Rule in Rule 150 (4), and Rule 52, in particular paragraph 4 thereof, which stipulates that any deadline for tabling amendments shall be published in the Bulletin of the European Parliament; under Rule 124 (1) any Member may table amendments in any of the committees; this principle becomes even more pertinent when a committee is considering matters referred to it pursuant to Rule 52.

FIRST READING - COMMITTEE STAGE

Rule 53

Verification of legal basis

1. For all Commission proposals and other documents of a legislative nature, the committee responsible shall first verify the validity and appropriateness of the chosen legal basis.

2. If the committee responsible disputes the validity or the appropriateness of the legal basis, it shall request the opinion of the committee responsible for legal affairs.

3. The committee responsible for legal affairs may also on its own initiative take up questions concerning the legal basis of proposals submitted by the Commission. In such cases it shall duly inform the committee responsible.

4. If the committee responsible for legal affairs decides to dispute the validity or the appropriateness of the legal basis, it shall report its conclusions to Parliament.

5. If amendments are tabled in Parliament to change the legal basis of a Commission proposal without the committee responsible having disputed the validity or appropriateness of the legal basis, the committee responsible for legal affairs must deliver an opinion on the amendments tabled before they are put to the vote.

Rule 54

Subsidiarity, fundamental rights, financial resources

1. During the examination of a legislative proposal, Parliament shall pay particular attention to whether the proposal respects the principle of subsidiarity and the fundamental rights of citizens. Where a proposal has financial implications, Parliament shall establish whether sufficient financial resources are provided.

2. If Parliament concludes that the principle of subsidiarity is not duly respected, or that the fundamental rights of citizens are not sufficiently respected, or that the financial resources provided are not sufficient, it shall request the Commission to make the necessary modifications to its proposal.

Rule 55

Transparency in the legislative process

1. Throughout the whole legislative procedure Parliament and its committees shall request access to all documents relating to Commission proposals under the same conditions as the Council and its working parties.

2. During the examination of a Commission proposal, the committee responsible shall request the Commission and the Council to keep it informed about the progress of this proposal in the Council and its working parties and in particular to inform it of any emerging compromises which will substantially amend the original Commission proposal or of the intention of the Commission to withdraw its proposal.

Rule 56

Modification of a Commission proposal

1. If the committee responsible, during its examination of a Commission proposal, becomes aware that the Council intends to modify substantially this proposal, it shall formally ask the Commission whether it intends to alter its proposal.

2. If the Commission declares that it intends to alter its proposal, the committee responsible shall postpone its examination of this proposal until it has been informed about the new proposal or amendments by the Commission.

3. During the examination of a Commission proposal in the committee responsible, the Commission may also on its own initiative table amendments to its proposal directly in the committee.

4. If the Commission declares, following a request under paragraph 1, that it does not intend to alter its proposal, the committee responsible shall proceed with its examination of the proposal. The declaration of the Commission shall be annexed to the report and shall be considered by Parliament as binding on the Commission even after the completion of the first reading.

5. If, following a Commission declaration under paragraph 4, the Council, notwithstanding the position of the Commission, proceeds to a decision which substantially modifies the original Commission proposal, the President of Parliament shall remind the Council of its obligation to consult Parliament again.

Rule 57

Commission position on amendments

1. Before the committee responsible proceeds to the final vote on a Commission proposal, it shall request the Commission to state its position on all the amendments to the proposal adopted by the committee.

2. If the Commission is not in a position to make such a statement or declares that it is not prepared to accept all the amendments adopted by the committee then the committee may postpone the final vote.

3. The position of the Commission shall be annexed to the report.

FIRST READING - PLENARY STAGE

Rule 58

Conclusion of first reading

1. Without prejudice to Rules 52, 99 and 143 (1), Parliament shall discuss the legislative proposal on the basis of the report drawn up by the committee responsible pursuant to Rule 144.

2. Parliament shall first vote on the amendments to the proposal with which the report of the committee responsible is concerned, then on the proposal, amended or otherwise, then on the amendments to the draft legislative resolution, then on the draft legislative resolution as a whole, which shall contain only a statement as to whether Parliament approves, rejects or proposes amendments to the Commission's proposal and any procedural requests.

The consultation procedure is concluded if the draft legislative resolution is adopted.

All reports tabled under the legislative procedure should conform to the provisions of Rules 51, 53 and 144. Any non-legislative motion for a resolution tabled by a committee should be in accordance with the referral procedures provided for in Rules 139 or 148.

3. The text of the proposal as approved by Parliament and the accompanying resolution shall be forwarded to the Council and Commission by the President as Parliament's opinion.

Rule 59

Rejection of a Commission proposal

1. If a Commission proposal fails to secure a majority of the votes cast, the President shall, before Parliament votes on the draft legislative resolution, request the Commission to withdraw the proposal.

2. If the Commission does so, the President shall hold the consultation procedure on the proposal to be superfluous and shall inform the Council accordingly.

3. If the Commission does not withdraw its proposal, Parliament shall refer the matter back to the committee responsible without voting on the draft legislative resolution.

In this case, the committee responsible shall, orally or in writing, report back to Parliament within a period decided by Parliament which may not exceed two months.

This procedure may be applied only once. Consequently, when the second report is put to the vote, Parliament shall also vote on the draft legislative resolution.

4. If the committee responsible is unable to meet the deadline, it shall request referral back to committee pursuant to Rule 129 (1). If necessary, Parliament may set a new time limit pursuant to Rule 129 (4). If the committee's request is not accepted, Parliament shall move to the vote on the draft legislative resolution.

Rule 60

Adoption of amendments to a Commission proposal

1. Where the Commission proposal as a whole is approved, but on the basis of amendments which have also been adopted, the vote on the draft legislative resolution shall be postponed until the Commission has stated its position on each of Parliament's amendments.

If the Commission is not in a position to make such a statement at the end of Parliament's vote on its proposal, it shall inform the President or the committee responsible as to when it will be in a position to do so; the proposal shall then be placed on the draft agenda of the first part-session thereafter.

2. Where the Commission announces that it does not intend to adopt all Parliament's amendments, the rapporteur of the committee responsible or, failing him, the chairman of that committee shall make a formal proposal to Parliament as to whether the vote on the draft legislative resolution should proceed. Before submitting this proposal, the rapporteur or chairman of the committee responsible may request the President to suspend consideration of the item.

Should Parliament decide to postpone the vote, the matter shall be deemed to be referred back to the committee responsible for reconsideration.

In this case, the committee responsible shall, orally or in writing, report back to Parliament within a period decided by Parliament which may not exceed two months.

If the committee responsible is unable to meet the deadline, the procedure provided for in Rule 59 (4) shall be applied.

Only amendments tabled by the committee responsible and seeking to reach a compromise with the Commission shall be admissible at this stage.

3. Application of paragraph 2 does not preclude a request for referral being tabled by other Members pursuant to Rule 129.

A committee to which a matter has been referred back pursuant to Rule 60 (2) is principally required under the terms of that referral to report within the deadline given and, where appropriate, to table amendments seeking to reach a compromise with the Commission, but not to reconsider all the provisions approved by Parliament.

However, within these terms of reference, in view of the suspensive effect of the referral, the committee enjoys a greater degree of freedom and may, where necessary in the interests of the compromise, propose reconsidering provisions which received a favourable vote in Parliament.

In such cases, in view of the fact that the only admissible amendments from the committee are those seeking to reach a compromise, and with a view to preserving the sovereignty of the House, the report referred to in Rule 60 (2) must clearly state which provisions already approved would fall if the proposed amendments were adopted.

FIRST READING - FOLLOW-UP PROCEDURE

Rule 61

Follow-up to Parliament's opinion

1. In the period following the adoption by Parliament of its opinion on a proposal by the Commission, the chairman and the rapporteur of the committee responsible shall monitor the progress of the proposal in the course of the procedure leading to its adoption by the Council to ensure that the undertakings made by the Commission to Parliament with respect to its amendments are properly observed.

2. The Council or, if necessary, the Commission shall, during this period, and at least once every three months, furnish all necessary information to the committee responsible.

3. The committee responsible shall, in particular, bring to Parliament's attention any potential or actual breach of undertakings made by the Commission to Parliament.

4. At any stage of the follow-up procedure the committee responsible may, if it deems it necessary, table a motion for a resolution under this Rule inviting Parliament:

- to call upon the Commission to withdraw its proposal, or

- to call upon the Council to open a conciliation procedure with the Parliament, pursuant to Rule 63, or

- to call upon the Council to reconsult Parliament pursuant to Rule 62, or

- to decide to take such other action that it deems appropriate.

This motion shall be placed on the draft agenda of the part-session following the decision by the committee.

Rule 62

Renewed consultation

The President shall, at the request of the committee responsible, call on the Council to reconsult Parliament:

- where the Commission withdraws its initial proposal after Parliament has delivered its opinion in order to replace it with another text,

- where the Commission or the Council substantially amend or intend to amend the proposal on which Parliament originally delivered an opinion,

- where, through the passage of time or changes in circumstances, the nature of the problem with which the proposal is concerned substantially changes.

The President shall also request re-consultation in the circumstances defined in this Rule where Parliament so decides on a proposal from a political group or at least 29 Members.

Rule 63

Conciliation procedure

1. Where, in the case of certain important Community decisions, the Council intends to depart from the opinion of Parliament, a procedure for conciliation with the Council, with the active participation of the Commission, may be opened by Parliament when delivering its opinion.

2. This procedure shall be initiated by Parliament, either at its own or at the Council's initiative.

3. For the composition and procedure of the delegation to the conciliation committee Rule 75 (1) to (7) shall apply.

4. The committee responsible shall report on the results of the conciliation. This report shall be debated and voted on by Parliament.

SECOND READING - COMMITTEE STAGE

Rule 64

Communication of the Council's common position

1. Communication of the Council's common position pursuant to Articles 189b and 189c of the EC Treaty takes place when it is announced by the President in Parliament. On the day of the announcement, the President must have received the documents containing the common position itself, the reasons which led the Council to adopt its common position and the Commission's position, duly translated into the official languages of the European Union. The President's announcement shall be made during the part-session following the receipt of such documents.

Before making the announcement, the President shall establish, after consulting the chairman of the committee responsible, that the text he has received is indeed a common position and that the circumstances described in Rule 62 do not apply. Failing this, the President, together with the committee responsible and, where possible, in agreement with the Council, shall seek an appropriate solution.

2. A list of such communications shall be published in the minutes of the sitting together with the name of the committee responsible.

Rule 65

Time limits

1. The President shall, on a request from the chairman or rapporteur of the committee responsible, ask the Council to agree to an extension, by a maximum of one month, of the three-month period following either the communication of the common position to Parliament or the presentation of the Commission's re-examined proposal.

2. The President may, after consulting the chairman and the rapporteur of the committee responsible, on behalf of Parliament agree, on a request from the Council, to extend the period of three months following the communication of the common position to Parliament or the presentation of the Commission's re-examined proposal by a maximum of one month.

Rule 66

Referral to and procedure in the committee responsible

1. On the day of its communication to Parliament pursuant to Rule 64 (1), the common position shall be deemed to have been referred automatically to the committee responsible and to the committees asked for their opinion at first reading.

2. The common position shall be entered as the first item on the agenda of the first meeting of the committee responsible following the date of its communication.

3. Unless otherwise decided, the rapporteur during second reading shall be the same as during first reading.

4. The provisions for Parliament's second reading in Rules 69 (1), 71 (1) and 72 (2) and (4) shall apply to the proceedings in the committee responsible; only members or permanent substitutes of that committee may table proposals for rejection and amendments. The committee shall decide by a majority of the votes cast.

5. The committee responsible may request a dialogue with the Council in order to reach a compromise (1).

6. The committee responsible shall submit a recommendation for second reading proposing the decision Parliament should take on the common position adopted by the Council. The recommendation shall include a short justification for the decision proposed.

7. If the common position is approved without amendment, the recommendation may take the form of a letter.

SECOND READING - PLENARY STAGE

Rule 67

Conclusion of second reading

1. The Council's common position and, where available, the recommendation for second reading of the committee responsible shall automatically be placed on the draft agenda for the part-session whose Wednesday falls before and closest to the day of expiry of the period of three months or, if extended in accordance with Rule 65, of four months, unless the matter has been dealt with at an earlier part-session.

The recommendations for second readings submitted by parliamentary committees are equivalent to an explanatory statement in which the committee justifies its position in relation to the Council's common position. There is no vote on these texts.

2. The second reading shall be concluded when Parliament approves, rejects or amends the common position within the time limits and in accordance with the conditions laid down by Articles 189b and 189c of the EC Treaty.

Rule 68

Approval without amendment of the Council's common position

Where no motion to reject the common position, and no amendments to the common position, are adopted under Rules 71 and 72 within the time limits specified by Articles 189b and 189c of the EC Treaty, the President shall declare the common position approved without a vote, unless Parliament has approved the common position by a majority of the votes cast.

Rule 69

Intended rejection of the Council's common position

1. For legislative proposals falling under Article 189b of the EC Treaty a committee, a political group or at least 29 Members may, in writing and before a deadline set by the President, table a proposal for a declaration by Parliament of intended rejection of the Council's common position. The proposal shall require for its approval the votes of a majority of the component Members of Parliament. The proposal shall be put to the vote before any amendments.

2. If the proposal is approved, the President shall ask the Council whether it intends to convene the Conciliation Committee. If the Council does not intend to convene the Conciliation Committee, the President shall announce in Parliament that the procedure is terminated and the proposed act shall be deemed not to have been adopted.

3. For the composition and procedure of the delegation to the Conciliation Committee Rule 75 shall apply.

Rule 70

Conciliation during second reading

1. In the light of the conclusions of the Conciliation Committee convened pursuant to Rule 69 (2), Parliament's delegation may recommend that Parliament confirm its rejection of the common position in a separate vote by a majority of its component Members. If Parliament confirms the rejection the President shall declare the legislative procedure closed.

If Parliament does not confirm the rejection with the required majority then it shall proceed with the consideration of the common position and any amendments tabled to it.

2. In the light of the conclusions of the Conciliation Committee, Parliament's delegation may recommend that consideration of the common position and any amendments tabled to it be resumed or, in consultation with the committee responsible, propose new amendments for consideration by Parliament in accordance with Rule 72.

The delegation may recommend the application of Rule 115 (5) for the vote on the amendments.

Rule 71

Rejection of the Council's common position

1. The committee responsible, a political group or at least 29 Members may, in writing and before a deadline set by the President, table a proposal to reject the common position of the Council. Such a proposal shall require for its adoption the votes of a majority of the component Members of Parliament. A proposal to reject the common position shall be voted on before voting on any amendments.

2. Notwithstanding a vote by Parliament against the initial proposal to reject the common position, Parliament may, on the recommendation of the rapporteur, consider a further proposal for rejection after voting on the amendments and hearing a statement from the Commission pursuant to Rule 72 (4).

3. If the common position of the Council is rejected, the President shall request the Commission to withdraw its proposal.

4. If the Commission does so, the President shall hold the cooperation procedure on the proposal to be superfluous and shall inform the Council accordingly.

Rule 72

Amendments to the Council's common position

1. The committee responsible, a political group or at least 29 Members may table amendments to the Council's common position for consideration in Parliament.

2. An amendment to the common position shall be admissible only if it conforms to the provisions of Rules 124 and 125 and:

(a) it seeks to restore wholly or partly the position adopted by Parliament in its first reading; or

(b) it is a compromise amendment representing an agreement between the Council and Parliament; or

(c) it seeks to amend a part of the text of a common position which was not included in - or differs in content from - the proposal submitted in first reading and which does not amount to a substantial change within the meaning of Rule 62.

The President's discretion to declare an amendment admissible or inadmissible cannot be questioned.

3. An amendment shall be adopted only if it secures the votes of a majority of the component Members of Parliament.

4. If one or more of the amendments are adopted, the rapporteur of the committee responsible or, failing him, the chairman of that committee shall ask the Commission to state its position.

Rule 73

Consequences of the Commission failing to accept Parliament's amendments in its re-examined proposal

1. For legislative proposals falling under Article 189c of the EC Treaty, the Conference of Presidents shall place the Commission's re-examined proposal on the draft agenda for the part-session following its adoption and the President shall request the Commission to inform Parliament of the reasons which led the Commission not to accept Parliament's amendments.

2. Parliament may, by a majority of its component Members, request the Commission to withdraw its proposal.

THIRD READING - CONCILIATION

Rule 74

Convening of Conciliation Committee

Where the Council is unable to approve all Parliament's amendments to the common position, the President may, after consulting the chairmen of the political groups and the chairman and rapporteur of the committee responsible, agree to a time and place for a first meeting of the Conciliation Committee. The six-week deadline for the Conciliation Committee to agree a joint text shall run from the time at which the Committee first meets.

Rule 75

Delegation to Conciliation Committee

1. Parliament's delegation to the Conciliation Committee shall consist of a number of members equal to the number of members of the Council delegation.

2. The political composition of the delegation shall correspond to the composition of Parliament by political groups. The Conference of Presidents shall fix the exact number of Members from each political group.

3. The members of the delegation shall be appointed by the political groups for each particular conciliation case, preferably from among the members of the committees concerned, except for three members who shall be appointed as permanent members of successive delegations for a period of 12 months. The three permanent members shall be appointed by the political groups from among the Vice-Presidents and shall represent at least two different political groups. The chairman and the rapporteur of the committee responsible in each particular case shall be members of the delegation.

4. The political groups represented on the delegation may appoint substitutes who may only participate in the work of the Conciliation Committee if the full member is absent for the whole meeting.

5. Political groups not represented on the delegation may each send one representative to any internal preparatory meeting of the delegation.

6. The delegation shall be led by the President or by one of the three permanent members.

7. The delegation shall decide by a majority of its members. Its deliberations shall be held in camera.

The Conference of Presidents may lay down further procedural guidelines for the work of the delegation to the Conciliation Committee.

8. The results of the conciliation including any proposed amendments or compromises shall be reported by the delegation to Parliament in due time to allow Parliament to complete any further procedural steps pursuant to the provisions of the EC Treaty.

Rule 76

Time limits

1. The President shall, at the request of the delegation, ask the Council to agree to an extension, by a maximum of two weeks, of the six-week periods allowed for the work of the Conciliation Committee and for the approval of a joint text or the rejection of a Council text.

2. The President may, after consultation with the delegation, agree on behalf of Parliament to a request from the Council for an extension, by a maximum of two weeks, of the six-week periods mentioned in paragraph 1.

THIRD READING - PLENARY STAGE

Rule 77

Joint text

1. Where agreement on a joint text is reached within the Conciliation Committee, the matter shall automatically be placed on the agenda of the last part-session to fall within six or, if extended, eight weeks of the date of approval of the joint text by the Conciliation Committee unless the matter has been dealt with earlier.

2. Parliament shall discuss the joint text on the basis of a report by its delegation to the Conciliation Committee.

3. No amendments may be tabled to the joint text.

4. The joint text as a whole shall be the subject of a single vote. The joint text shall be approved if it secures a majority of the votes cast.

Rule 78

Council text

1. Where no agreement is reached on a joint text within the Conciliation Committee, the President shall invite the Commission to withdraw its proposal, and invite the Council not to adopt under any circumstances a position pursuant to Article 189b (6) of the EC Treaty. Should the Council nonetheless confirm its common position, the President of the Council shall be invited to justify its decision before Parliament in plenary sitting. The matter shall automatically be placed on the agenda of the last part-session to fall within six or, if extended, eight weeks of the confirmation by the Council unless the matter has been dealt with at an earlier part-session.

2. Parliament shall discuss the Council text on the basis of a report from its delegation to the Conciliation Committee.

3. No amendments may be tabled to the Council text.

4. The Council text as a whole shall be the subject of a single vote. Parliament shall vote on a motion to reject the Council text. If this motion receives the votes of a majority of the component Members of Parliament, the President shall declare the proposed act not adopted.

Rule 79

Signature of adopted acts

For legislative acts adopted under the procedure in Article 189b of the EC Treaty, the President shall, after checking that all procedures have been properly completed, sign the act together with the President of the Council and arrange its publication in the Official Journal of the European Communities.

ASSENT PROCEDURE

Rule 80

Conclusion of assent procedure

1. Where Parliament is requested to give its assent to an international agreement or a legislative proposal, it shall do so on the basis of a report from the committee responsible containing a draft legislative resolution only recommending the adoption or rejection of the proposal as a whole. No amendments may be tabled. The majority required for the adoption of the assent shall be the majority indicated in the relevant article of the EC Treaty.

2. For accession treaties and international agreements, Rules 89 and 90 shall apply respectively.

3. For legislative proposals the committee responsible may decide, in order to facilitate a positive outcome of the procedure, to present an interim report to Parliament with a motion for a resolution containing recommendations for modification or implementation of the proposal.

If Parliament approves at least one recommendation with the same majority as required for the final assent, the President shall request the opening of a conciliation procedure with the Council.

The committee responsible shall make its final recommendation for the assent of Parliament in the light of the outcome of the conciliation with the Council.

SUPERVISORY POWERS

Rule 81

Implementing provisions

When the Commission tables in Parliament an implementing measure which it has submitted to a management committee or a draft implementing measure which it has submitted to an advisory or regulatory committee, the President shall refer the document in question to the committee responsible for the proposal from which the implementing provisions derive.

Rule 82

Official consolidation of Community legislation

1. When a Commission proposal for official consolidation of Community legislation is submitted to Parliament, it shall be referred to the committee responsible for legal matters. Provided that it is ascertained that the proposal does not entail any change of substance to existing Community legislation, the procedure laid down in Rule 143 (1) shall be followed.

2. The chairman of the committee responsible or the rapporteur appointed by that committee may participate in the examination and revision of the proposal for consolidation. If necessary, the committee responsible may give its opinion beforehand.

3. Notwithstanding the provisions of Rule 143 (3), the procedure without report may not be applied to a proposal for official consolidation where this procedure is opposed by a majority of the members of the committee responsible for legal matters or of the committee responsible.

Rule 83

Consequences of the Council failing to act following approval of its common position

If, within three or, with the agreement of the Council, four months of the communication of the common position, Parliament has neither rejected nor amended the position, and the Council fails to adopt the proposed legislation in accordance with the common position, the President may, on behalf of Parliament and after consulting the committee responsible for legal affairs, bring an action against the Council in the Court of Justice under Article 175 of the EC Treaty.

Rule 84

Proceedings before the Court of Justice

1. Parliament shall, within the time limits specified by the Treaties and the Statute of the Court of Justice for action by the institutions of the Union and by any natural or legal persons, examine Community legislation to ensure that its rights have been fully respected.

2. The committee responsible shall report to Parliament, orally if necessary, where it suspects a breach of Parliament's rights.

CHAPTER VIII BUDGETARY PROCEDURES

Rule 85

General Budget

Implementing procedures for examination of the General Budget of the European Union and supplementary budgets, in accordance with the budgetary provisions of the Treaties establishing the European Communities and the Treaty of 22 July 1975, shall be adopted by resolution of Parliament and annexed to these Rules (1).

Rule 86

Discharge to the Commission in respect of implementation of the budget

The provisions concerning the implementing procedures for the decision on the giving of a discharge to the Commission in respect of the implementation of the budget in accordance with the Treaty of 22 July 1975 and the Financial Regulation are attached to these Rules as an annex (2). This annex shall be adopted pursuant to Rule 163 (2).

Rule 87

Parliamentary control over implementation of the budget

1. Parliament shall monitor the implementation of the current year's budget. It shall entrust this task to the committee responsible for budgetary control and the other committees concerned.

2. Each year it shall, however, consider, before the first reading of the draft budget for the following financial year, the problems involved in the implementation of the current budget, where appropriate on the basis of a motion for a resolution tabled by its committee responsible.

CHAPTER IX TREATIES AND INTERNATIONAL AGREEMENTS

Rule 88

ECSC Treaty amendments

1. Amendments proposed by the Commission and the Council under Article 95 of the ECSC Treaty shall be printed at the same time as the assenting opinion thereon delivered by the Court of Justice.

These documents shall be distributed and referred to the appropriate committee. In its report the committee shall recommend either adoption or rejection of the proposed amendment as a whole.

2. No amendment thereto shall be admissible, and split voting shall not be permitted. For adoption the proposed amendment as a whole shall require a three-quarters majority of the votes cast, representing a two-thirds majority of the component Members of Parliament.

3. Any Member may table a motion for a resolution proposing to the Commission and Council amendments to the ECSC Treaty under Article 95 of that Treaty.

Such motions shall be printed, distributed and referred to the appropriate committee. They shall be adopted only if they secure the votes of a majority of the component Members of Parliament.

Rule 89

Accession treaties

1. Any application by a European State to become a member of the European Union shall be referred to the appropriate committee for consideration.

2. Parliament may decide, on a proposal from the committee responsible, a political group or at least 29 Members, to request the Commission and the Council to take part in a debate before negotiations with the applicant State commence.

3. Throughout the negotiations the Commission and the Council shall inform the committee responsible regularly and thoroughly of the progress in the negotiations, if necessary on a confidential basis.

4. At any stage of the negotiations Parliament may, on the basis of a report from the committee responsible, adopt recommendations and require these to be taken into account before the conclusion of a Treaty for the accession of an applicant State to the European Union. Such recommendations shall require the same majority as the final assent.

5. When the negotiations are completed, but before any agreement is signed, the draft agreement shall be submitted to Parliament for assent.

6. Parliament shall give its assent to an application by a European State to become a member of the European Union by a majority of its component Members on the basis of a report by the committee responsible.

Rule 90

International agreements

1. When it is intended to open negotiations on the conclusion, renewal or amendment of an international agreement, including agreements in specific areas such as monetary affairs or trade, the committee responsible shall ensure that Parliament is fully informed by the Commission about its recommendations for a negotiating mandate, if necessary on a confidential basis.

2. Parliament may, on a proposal from the committee responsible or a political group or at least 29 Members, request the Council not to authorize the opening of negotiations until Parliament has stated its position on the proposed negotiating mandate on the basis of a report from the committee responsible.

3. The committee responsible shall verify the chosen legal basis for international agreements pursuant to Rule 53.

4. Throughout the negotiations the Commission and the Council shall inform the committee responsible regularly and thoroughly of the progress in the negotiations, if necessary on a confidential basis.

5. At any stage of the negotiations Parliament may, on the basis of a report from the committee responsible, adopt recommendations and require that these be taken into account before the conclusion of the international agreement under consideration.

6. When the negotiations are completed, but before any agreement is signed, the draft agreement shall be submitted to Parliament for opinion or for assent. For the assent procedure Rule 80 shall apply.

7. Parliament shall give its opinion on, or its assent to, the conclusion, renewal or amendment of an international agreement or a financial protocol concluded by the European Community by a majority of the votes cast.

8. If the opinion adopted by Parliament is negative, the President shall request the Council not to conclude the agreement in question.

9. If Parliament, by a majority of the votes cast, withholds its assent to an international agreement, the President shall refer the agreement in question back to the Council for reconsideration.

CHAPTER X COMMON FOREIGN AND SECURITY POLICY

Rule 91

Consultation of and provision of information to Parliament within the framework of the common foreign and security policy

1. The committee responsible for the common foreign and security policy shall ensure that Parliament is consulted on such policies and that its opinions are duly taken into account, particularly in connection with the joint actions referred to in Article J.3 of the Treaty on European Union and the actions referred to in Article 228a of the EC Treaty.

2. Where appropriate, the committee shall inform Parliament in accordance with these Rules.

3. The Council and the Commission shall provide the committee responsible with full, regular and timely informa