Local view for "http://purl.org/linkedpolitics/eu/plenary/2004-11-18-Speech-4-035"
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"en.20041118.6.4-035"2
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".
Mr President, I believe that we share a common ambition: a strong and independent Commission that can drive Europe forward with this Parliament and with all those who have that same vision.
Now points 5 (f) and 5 (g). Our relationship must be built on trust and regular contacts. My team will therefore give priority to appearing before this Parliament. Both I and Vice-President Wallström intend to maintain regular and active contact with the Conference of Presidents. The announcement of Commission decisions and proposals to Parliament reflects the current arrangements under the framework agreement, which I am, of course, willing to respect.
Nevertheless, I believe that this has not always been implemented satisfactorily, either for the Parliament or for the Commission, particularly as regards communicating effectively to the wider public what the Union does. I hope that we can discuss improvements to this arrangement, focused on identifying the most important proposals deserving the attention of Parliament and our joint communication effort. Presentation of these proposals should be timed as far as possible to coincide with plenary sessions. If we can do this, I would argue for greater flexibility on other more routine initiatives.
Point 5 (h). The Commission already explains how it will follow up the positions of Parliament on legislative proposals. Experience shows that this mechanism is useful and I will be happy to extend it to positions taken by Parliament in cases other than legislation.
Point 5 (i). We need to distinguish between issues related to the flow of information between the Commission and the European Parliament and issues linked more generally to access to European documents covered by existing legislation (Regulation 1049/01)
I am happy to look with you at ways of improving the flow of information between Parliament and the Commission. As I stated last July, it is a fundamental requirement for this Parliament to provide democratic oversight.
In relation to Regulation 1049/01, we should consider practical experience with the rules on access to documents. Nevertheless, we should not forget that those rules have been enforced for only a little over two years. We should not therefore plan an immediate review, but rather agree a timetable for a review during the lifetime of this Parliament.
Since the rules on access to documents were agreed by codecision, we should not forget that this is an area where the agreement of the Council will also be required.
Point 5 (j). The main guidelines of the code of conduct governing the behaviour and operation of the new Commission have already been endorsed by my team. I am willing to inform the European Parliament of any changes to the provisions of the code on conflicts of interests or ethical behaviour and will take due account of any views it expresses on such changes.
Point 5 (k). I believe the common approach to setting agreed priorities and planning our work and the more regular contacts between our institutions will help to improve the flow of information in these two areas. However, we should look at possible improvements in the light of current experience.
Mr President, honourable Members, generally speaking I consider this resolution a good basis. Vice-President Wallström and I will work with you constructively, addressing the points I have just made and any others that our two institutions might think appropriate, with the aim of reinforcing the roles of the European Parliament and the Commission in their work for Europe.
I take note of the resolution on which you have just voted. I look forward to examining it closely. However, my first impression is that it can provide a good basis for us to reach agreement on how we will work together over the next five years. These arrangements should be formalised through an early updating of the framework agreement adopted in 1999, to guide the cooperation between our two institutions. I would only ask that our agreed approach takes account of our respective roles and obligations and the European Union Treaty.
Before dealing with detailed points set out in point 5 of your resolution, let me reconfirm that I stand by my commitments regarding the creation of a Commissioners' Group on Fundamental Rights and new proposals in this important area.
Turning to the specific issues in point 5, let me give a first response.
With regard to points 5 (a), (b) and (c), as I indicated yesterday, I have sought and received a commitment from my team that the Commissioners will resign if I ask them to do so. I will examine very seriously any criticism expressed by this Parliament regarding the performance of Commissioners. I stand ready to explain to Parliament the conclusions that I draw. In this way we are affirming the principle of individual responsibility of every Commissioner, without calling into question the principle of collegiality for which, under the Treaty, the President of the Commission is guarantor.
With regard to the replacement of Commissioners, we must make a distinction between the current situation, which foresees no role for either the Commission President or Parliament, and the future situation under the Constitution. The Constitution will bring the procedure for replacing Commissioners closer to the procedure for the confirmation of the Commission at the start of its mandate. In this transitional phase, I can therefore agree that new Commission members should not appear officially before this Parliament until they have met with the relevant parliamentary committee.
As regards their appearance before Council, that is not entirely in my hands, since a nominated new Commissioner will have to carry out duties linked to his or her portfolio. In the event of a reshuffle of my team, I accept a similar obligation that Commissioners whose portfolios change should not appear officially before this Parliament until they have met with the relevant parliamentary committee.
With regard to points 2 and 5 (d), your resolution suggests that we have not yet taken the necessary steps to avoid potential conflicts of interest. Yesterday I explained the detailed arrangements for dealing with potential conflict of interest problems that might arise in a portfolio. Let us now implement them. We will have the opportunity to assess their effectiveness at a later stage. I will make any further changes that prove necessary in the light of experience.
With regard to point 5 (e), as I indicated in July, I share Parliament's view of the need to strengthen multiannual programming and strategic planning, together with the Council. I will therefore present to you in January draft proposals for the five-year strategic objectives of the Union, which should be jointly adopted by all institutions. I will listen to your debate on the subject in December and take account of your main concerns. This anticipates this important new area of cooperation, also provided for in the Constitution."@en1
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