Brussels, 21/01/2010 (Agence Europe) - Member states want to amend the Protocol to the Lisbon Treaty to increase the number of MEPs provisionally from 736 to 754 until the 2014 European elections when the number will fall to 751, but without having to call a Convention which, in the normal procedure, should precede an inter-governmental conference (IGC) to amend the treaty, President of the European Council Herman Van Rompuy has told EP President Jerzy Buzek by letter. The European Council of June 2009 decided that, once the new treaty came into effect, 18 new seats would be added to the 736 contested at the last European elections: four would go to Spain, two each to Austria, France and Sweden, and one to each of the Netherlands, Poland, Italy, Slovenia, Bulgaria, Latvia, Malta and the United Kingdom. The General Affairs Council of 7 December 2009 approved this change but, at the European Council on 11 December, leaders decided to consult the EP and the Commission before proceeding without delay with this amendment to the treaty, preferably at a short, swift IGC so as not to open the Pandora's box of long and difficult negotiations that preceded the adoption of the Lisbon Treaty. In his letter, Van Rompuy informs Buzek of member states' desire to consult the EP and to get, in particular, its agreement on not holding a Convention. On Wednesday 20 January, Buzek announced in plenary session that the constitutional affairs committee would appoint a rapporteur on this issue in the coming days. UK Liberal Andrew Duff is unhappy, and has already called for a Convention to be held, in line with the provisions set out in the new Treaty (see EUROPE 10038). (H.B./transl.rt)