Brussels, 24/11/2009 (Agence Europe) - On Tuesday 24 November, the European Parliament massively rejected the four proposals intended to extend the powers of the European Police Office (Europol), mainly with regard to the rules relating to Europol's analysis work files, data confidentiality, exchange of personal data with Europol partners and agreement with third countries. The European Parliament justified its refusal by the fact that the rules of Europol must not be modified until the EP has become co-legislator. “The rush by the Council to adopt a whole series of decisions before the entry into force of the Lisbon Treaty, thus circumventing the equal legislative role of the European Parliament, is embarrassing”, explained Sophie In't Veld (ALDE, Netherlands), rapporteur on one of the projects. Consequently, MEPs call on the EU Council to withdraw the proposals and to table new ones within six months, given the entry into force of the Lisbon Treaty on 1 December, which gives the EP power of codecision in the field of police cooperation. The Justice and Home Affairs Council, meeting on 30 November, may however adopt proposals, as the Parliament's opinion does not yet have binding force. The decision on the rules of application governing Europol's relations with its partners, mainly the exchange of personal data and classified information (Ms In't Veld's report) was rejected by 628 to 13 and 9 abstentions. The decision on the rules of application relating to Europol analysis work files (report by Agustín Díaz De Mera García Consuegra, Spanish MEP) received 640 votes against, 12 in favour and 10 abstentions. The draft decision on the rules relating to the protection of Europol information confidentiality (report by British Conservative Timothy Kirkhope) was voted with 605 votes against, 31 for and 7 abstentions. Finally, the list of states and third organisations with which Europol concludes agreements, which was the subject of the report by Philipp Albrecht (Greens/EFA, Germany) was rejected by 633 to 17 and 7 abstentions. Further to these votes, the Council's draft proposals were automatically referred back to parliamentary committee. (B.C./transl.jl)