Press Release

03/12/2007

4th Joint Parliamentary Meeting on the Future of Europe. Cooperating more closely with our partners of tomorrow. Íñigo Méndez de Vigo MEP and Edward McMillan-Scott MEP

"The Lisbon Treaty is an example of the fruitful effects of cooperation between the European Parliament and national Parliaments, which was formally established in the First Interparliamentary Forum in May 2006", Íñigo Méndez de Vigo MEP (EPP-ED, ES) said at today's opening of the 4th Joint Parliamentary Meeting on the Future of Europe. This two-day meeting focuses on the new Treaty to be signed at the European Summit in Lisbon on 13 December.

Mr Méndez de Vigo pointed out that the national parliaments will play an increasingly important role in the European legislative process once the Lisbon Treaty has been ratified. "The Lisbon Treaty is a substantial improvement on the existing Treaties as it will ensure more democratic accountability through the strengthening of the roles of the European Parliament and the national parliaments; it will enhance the rights of European citizens vis-à-vis the Union; and will improve the effective functioning of the European Union's institutions."

Edward McMillan-Scott MEP (EPP-ED, Yorkshire and Humber UK), Vice-President of the European Parliament, responsible for relations with national parliaments, noted that that the EPP-ED Group has always fostered contacts with the political parties of the EPP-ED family and now wants to take cooperation a step further: "Anticipating the increased role the new Treaty will give to national parliaments, the EPP-ED Group wants to develop a network of structured relations between MEPs and MPs. Together, they will debate political issues which will determine the future of Europe. I am convinced that our political family will be able to shape Europe's future with common sense and conviction. We are now focusing on forging ties with our national, regional and locally-elected partners."

Today, Hans-Gert Poettering MEP, President of the European Parliament, and Jaime Gama, President of the Portuguese Assembleia da República, will chair a plenary meeting. The meeting will be attended by José Sócrates, Prime Minister of the Republic of Portugal, and José Manuel Barroso, President of the European Commission. The plenary meeting will be followed by three simultaneous working groups addressing various aspects of the new institutional set-up. Jean-Luc Dehaene MEP (EPP-ED, BE) is Rapporteur of the Working Group on the Ratification and Implementation of the Lisbon Treaty.

Programme of the 4th Joint Parliamentary Meeting on the Future of Europe, 'The Lisbon Treaty - New Foundation for the EU's Future'.

For further information:
Íñigo Méndez de Vigo MEP, Tel: +32-2-28445755
Edward McMillan-Scott MEP, Tel: +32-2-284 5959
Greet Gysen, EPP-ED Press Service, Tel: +32-497-028054

Notes to Editors:
The EPP-ED Group is the largest political group in the European Parliament with 278 Members from all 27 Member States.