Brussels, 25/02/2010 (Agence Europe) - MEPs on the European Parliament foreign affairs committee (AFET) reaffirmed their intention to use all the powers put at their disposal by the Lisbon Treaty to enhance the democratic legitimacy of the common foreign and security policy (CFSP). In a report by committee chairman Gabriele Albertini (EPP, Italy), adopted by AFET on 23 February, MEPs express their determination to exercise their budgetary powers and their democratic control in the area of the CFSP, including with regard to the funding mechanisms for the new European External Action Service (EEAS). They also highlight their demand to have the right of scrutiny in the appointment of ambassadors and special EU representatives, and call for the EP to be consulted systematically in the launch of common security and defence policy (ESDP) operations. AFET believes that the responsibilities of special representatives (SRs) should gradually be transferred to heads of EU delegations. SRs with a regional mandate should act as “advisers” to heads of delegations. AFET calls, too, for access to sensitive information - information classified as top secret, secret or confidential - to be improved. MEPs are concerned about the consequences of the under-funding of the Community budget Heading IV (“the EU as a global player”) if there is to be a “credible and proactive” foreign policy. The EU should have additional financial means to be able to respond to unforeseen challenges, they believe. The EP also wants to be consulted on procedures for urgent financing of CFSP initiatives. (H.B./transl.rt)