EN Official Journal of the European Union CE 81/175

Thursday 6 May 2010

Decision not to convene a Convention for the revision of the Treaties with regard to transitional measures concerning the composition of the European Parliament ***

P7_TA(2010)0147

European Parliament decision of 6 May 2010 on the European Council’s proposal not to convene a Convention for the revision of the Treaties with regard to transitional measures concerning the composition of the European Parliament (17196/2009 – C7-0002/2010 – 2009/0814(NLE))

2011/C 81 E/32

(Consent)

The European Parliament,

having regard to the letter from the President of the European Council to the President of the European Parliament of 18 December 2009 concerning the amendment of Protocol No 36 on transitional measures (17196/2009),

having regard to the request for consent submitted by the European Council in accordance with Article 48(3), second subparagraph, of the Treaty on European Union (C7-0002/2010),

having regard to Protocol No 36 on transitional provisions, annexed to the Lisbon Treaty,

having regard to Article 14(3) of the Treaty on European Union,

having regard to the Act of 20 September 1976 concerning the election of the members of the European Parliament by direct universal suffrage,

having regard to the conclusions of the European Council meetings of 11 and 12 December 2008, 18 and 19 June 2009 and 10 and 11 December 2009,

having regard to Rules 74a and 81(1) of its Rules of Procedure,

having regard to the recommendation of the Committee on Constitutional Affairs (A7-0116/2010),

A. having regard to the Convention held from 22 February 2002 to 18 July 2003, which prepared the draft Treaty establishing a Constitution for Europe, most of the substance of which was incorporated into the Lisbon Treaty, which entered into force on 1 December 2009,

B. having regard to the Convention held from 17 December 1999 to 2 October 2000, which drafted the Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union,

C. whereas these two Conventions, which brought together representatives of the national parliaments, the European Parliament, the national governments and the Commission for the first time to work on the development of a common project for the European Union, constituted a significant step towards the introduction of more democratic, more effective decision-making processes at European level,

D. whereas, however, both Conventions were convened to address major issues relating to the future of the European Union, namely reform of its institutional structure and the drafting of a text setting out the fundamental principles and rights common to Europeans,

E. whereas, under Article 48(3), first subparagraph, of the EU Treaty, the European Council is required to consult Parliament about any revision of the section of Protocol No 36 (annexed to the Lisbon Treaty) dealing with transitional provisions concerning the composition of Parliament,

F. having regard to the European Council’s proposal not to convene a Convention and to adopt the amendment to the protocol by means of an intergovernmental conference,

G. whereas, in the light of precedent, it is unnecessary to convene a Convention to approve a transitional amendment, with limited scope, of the provisions set out in the EU Treaty relating to the composition of Parliament,

1. Approves the European Council’s proposal to amend Protocol No 36 by means of an intergovernmental conference, without convening a Convention;