WRITTEN QUESTION E-1177/00 by Gorka Knörr Borràs (Verts/ALE) to the Council. EU enlargement and regions.
13. 2. 2001 EN Official Journal of the European Communities C 46 E/139 (2001/C 46 E/159) WRITTEN QUESTION E-1177/00 by Gorka Knörr Borràs (Verts/ALE) to the Council (13 April 2000) Subject: EU enlargement and regions We have reached an historic and crucial moment in the history not only of the Union but of the continent of Europe as a whole. Leaving aside Turkey, the other twelve applicant countries have a population of more than 100 thousand, which would mean a 27 % increase in the population of the EU, whilst the European Parliament would probably have little more than 700 seats, i. e. only 11 % more than the current number. Since it is not proposed to change the role and powers of the European institutions, does the Council not consider that the representation of the regions will be seriously undermined? Does the Council not envisage any other way of ensuring that regions such as the Basque Country (3 million inhabitants) or the Catalan-speaking regions (12 million inhabitants) can be given proportional representation equivalent to that of future Member States such as Malta or Cyprus? Does the Council not envisage a thorough reform of the Committee of the Regions in order to ensure that it actually represents the regions? Reply (10 July 2000) The issues raised by the Honourable parliamentarian relating to the composition of the Committee of the regions and the allocation of seats within that Committee are currently being considered by the Intergovernmental Conference on institutional reform. The Council is of course aware of the suggestions which have been put forward on these matters by both the European Parliament and the Commission as contributions to the Conferenceís work, neither of which addresses the issue of the breakdown of seats for the Committee of the Regions within each Member State. The Council would recall that the present Treaty fixes the number of members from each Member State; it is up to each Member State to determine the basis on which these seats are allocated internally. Given that the Council has no formal role in the Conference itself, which brings together the governments of the 15 Member States, it would be entirely inappropriate for the Council to speculate on the possible outcome of the Conferenceís work. The European Parliament, on the other hand, is closely associated and involved in the work of the Conference. Meetings of the IGC preparatory group are attended by two observers from the European Parliament, and each session of the Conference at ministerial level is preceded by an exchange of views with the President of the European Parliament, assisted by two EP representatives. (2001/C 46 E/160) WRITTEN QUESTION E-1178/00 by Gorka Knörr Borràs (Verts/ALE) to the Commission (12 April 2000) Subject: EU enlargement and the regions We have reached a crucial historical moment, not only for the EU but for the entire continent of Europe. The twelve applicant states (other than Turkey) have a total population of over 100 000 m. This means that the total population of the EU will rise by 27 %, although, as we know, the number of MEPs is not expected to rise to more than 700, that is, only 11 % more than the present number. Given that no proposals exist to modify the role and competences of the EU institutions, does the Commission not consider that the representation of the regions is likely to be seriously undermined? Has the Commission not provided for new measures to ensure that regions such as the Basque Country (with 3 million inhabitants) or the Catalan-speaking regions (totalling 12 million inhabitants) can enjoy their due representation as compared with prospective Member States such as Malta or Cyprus? Does the Commission have no plans for a wide-ranging reform of the Committee of the Regions, with a view to its becoming a truly representative organ of the regions?