COSAC
142. COSAC (the Conference of Community and European
Affairs Committees of Parliaments of the European Union) meets
twice a year. The XXXVI COSAC meeting was held on 20-21 November
2006 in Helsinki, and the XXXVII COSAC meeting was held on 14-15
May 2007 in Berlin. Both were attended by Members of the Select
Committee, and Lord Grenfell attended both COSAC Chairpersons'
meetings.[62]
143. At the XXXVI COSAC meeting (November 2007)
27 parliamentary chambers contributed to the subsidiarity and
proportionality check on a Council Regulation regarding rules
concerning applicable law in matrimonial matters. One third of
participants found the Commission's proposal failed the test.
Given that two thirds of participants were satisfied, it was proposed
that parliaments needed to further develop a common understanding
of these two principles.
144. The Prime Minister of Finland, Mr Matti
Vanhanen, outlined some of the Finnish Presidency's work. He also
discussed the inclusion of Bulgaria and Romania in the Union.
In the following debate some delegations advocated Treaty Reform
as a precondition to further enlargement. Other delegations advocated
avoiding presenting such criteria which applicant countries could
have no control over.
145. Commissioner Frattini discussed the mid-term
review of the Hague Programme. Some delegations argued in favour
of faster decision-making in Justice and Home Affairs whilst other
described this as "cherry-picking" from the Constitutional
Treaty. The Commissioner stated that the enlargement of the Schengen
area to accession countries should be possible by the end of 2007.
COSAC called on the Council to work on the problems of illegal
and legal immigration together as a coherent strategy.
146. The Chairman of the EU Affairs Sub-Committee
of the International Affairs Committee of the Russian Duma spoke
of EU-Russian co-operation and suggested prolonging the current
Partnership and Co-operation Agreement. He advocated co-operation
on nuclear proliferation, terrorism, environmental issues and
illegal migration. In the following debate many delegations agreed
on the need for EU solidarity in its dealings with Russia, particularly
where trade disputes between Member States and Russia are concerned.
Russia's record on climate change, civil society and freedom of
the press were also discussed. COSAC agreed that any future negotiations
should include questions of democracy, the rule of law, human
rights and fundamental freedoms.
147. COSAC called for the Commission to provide
more detailed information on its proposals so that parliaments
could better scrutinise proposals. COSAC also called for the Commission
to work towards improving public access to documents.
148. At the XXXVII COSAC meeting (May 2007) more
work was agreed on subsidiarity and proportionality monitoring.
The majority of parliaments found the two checks conducted so
far useful.
149. The State Secretary of the German Federal
Ministry for the Environment, Nature Conservation and Nuclear
Safety gave an overview of EU climate change policy. There was
discussion about the use of nuclear energy. Scepticism towards
biofuels was also expressed. It was proposed that a new chapter
on climate protection should be added to a new reforming treaty.
150. Chancellor Angela Merkel gave a speech on
the future of Europe expressing the basic values of the EU as
peace, liberty, responsibility, justice, respect and tolerance.
151. In discussing the Commission initiative
on the direct transmission of documents to the national parliaments,
the majority of delegations saw value in the new mechanism but
it was suggested that it was too early to have a definite assessment
of its real value. Several delegations suggested working towards
analysing proposals at the earliest possible stages, e.g. at Green
or White Paper stage. COSAC called on the Commission to respond
to national parliaments' statements within two months and to react
visibly if a number of parliaments raise similar concerns over
a proposal. COSAC also encouraged delegations to upload findings
of their work to the IPEX website. The importance of the Commission
producing consultation documents in all official languages was
stressed.
152. The German Minister of State for Europe
outlined three components of the EU's Eastern Policy: intensifying
the European Neighbourhood Policy, developing the strategic partnership
with Russia, and creating a Central Asia policy. In the following
discussion several parliaments argued for the need for the European
Neighbourhood Policy to be clarified as neither a 'waiting room'
nor an alternative to EU membership. The policy should, however,
be used to bring neighbouring states to a level politically and
economically comparable with the EU. Although the complexity of
relations with Russia was acknowledged, the need for a holistic
approach to relations was stressed.
153. Commissioner Wallström, Vice-President
for Institutional Relations and Communication Strategy, gave an
overview of the Annual Policy Strategy 2008. Although Commissioner
Wallström welcomed the input of parliaments in the formulation
of the Annual Policy Strategy, delegations asked for more information
on the specific objectives of the Annual Policy Strategy.
154. The XXXVIII COSAC meeting, held on 14-16
October 2007 in Lisbon discussed, among other matters: the IGC
and Reform Treaty, a new subsidiarity and proportionality check,
and the co-financing of the COSAC Secretariat.
155. A scheme for co-financing the permanent
member of the COSAC Secretariat was agreed. The expenses for the
post would be shared between all participating parliaments with
the salary paid by the seconding parliament itself.[63]
156. COSAC debated the future of the EU with
Commission President Barroso, Prime Minister Sócrates and
the representatives of the European Parliament at the IGC. A debate
was held on the EU Mediterranean Dimension.
157. We commend the material on the COSAC
website to all those interested in how scrutiny of the EU operates
across the Member States.[64]
The biannual reports in particular provide valuable material,
notably the summary of scrutiny systems in the eighth biannual
report.
Looking ahead to changes to our
work in 2007-08
158. In 2006-07, the Committee spent some time
considering proposals for ways in which we can improve public
awareness of the scrutiny role of the House and the Committee,
following the publication of our Report "EU Legislation—Public
Awareness of the Scrutiny Role of the House of Lords".[65]
This work, and the reviews of working practices which will be
involved, will be taken forward in the coming year. The Committee's
staff will continue to review the role of the EU Documents Office,
which is the centre for document management, queries and record-keeping
for the Committee's staff, and will look at improving related
internal systems.
159. The year ahead will be an exciting and
challenging time for EU scrutiny. If the Reform Treaty is presented
for ratification we will contribute to that debate. Thereafter,
if the Treaty is ratified, we will work to ensure that new powers
for national parliaments are effectively implemented in the United
Kingdom and that scrutiny of the EU and of our Government's role
in agreeing EU policy continue to be strengthened.
53 The Scrutiny Reserve Resolution, as agreed in the
House of Lords, 6 December 1999 (see Appendix 2). Back
54
The Scrutiny Reserve Resolution, as agreed in the House of Lords,
6 December 1999. Back
55
"Illegal Migrants: proposals for a Common EU returns policy"
32nd Report (Session 2005-06), HL Paper 166, para. 36. http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/ld200506/ldselect/ldeucom/166/166.pdf Back
56
"European enforcement order and the transfer of sentenced
persons", Commons European Scrutiny Committee Report, 19th
Report (2006-07), HC 41 xix (paras 3-26) http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm200607/cmselect/cmeuleg/41-xix/41xix.pdf Back
57
"Review of Scrutiny of European Legislation", 1st Report
(2002-03), HL 15, p.34, http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/ld200203/ldselect/ldeucom/15/15.pdf
Back
58
"Government Responses: Review of Scrutiny; Europol's role
in fighting crime; and EU Russia relations", 20th Report
(2002-03), HL 99 http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/ld200203/ldselect/ldeucom/99/99.pdf Back
59
"Government Responses: Review of Scrutiny; Europol's role
in fighting crime; and EU Russia relations", 20th Report
(2002-03), HL 99 http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/ld200203/ldselect/ldeucom/99/99.pdf Back
60
The website is available at http://europeanmemorandum.cabinetoffice.gov.uk/search.aspx. Back
61
Remarks made my Commission President Barroso to COSAC, Lisbon
15 October 2007. www.cosac.eu Back
62
The Contributions agreed at these meetings are available at www.cosac.eu
Back
63
The House of Lords share will be no more than €2860 in any
one financial year. Back
64
www.cosac.eu Back
65
"EU Legislation-Public Awareness of the Scrutiny Role of
the House of Lords", 32nd Report (2005-06), HL 179, http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/ld200506/ldselect/ldeucom/179/179.pdf
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