Brussels, 11/03/2010 (Agence Europe) - On Wednesday 10 March, the Council of the European Union criticised the European Commission's alternative initiative on suspects' rights in criminal proceedings. “We are unhappy about this proposal since it constitutes a doubling up of the legislative process, making it harder for citizens to understand how the EU works,” an official Council source told EUROPE. On Tuesday 9 March, the Commission presented a draft directive that seeks to require member states to provide full interpretation and translation services for those suspected of or charged with crimes (see EUROPE 10094). The Council, however, had already been discussing a similar proposal put by the Spanish Presidency and supported by 12 member states (see EUROPE 10088). While nothing prevents the Commission making its own proposal, doing so means losing time on measures designed to help suspects, since the member states' initiative has already been referred to the European Parliament and national parliaments. “The compromise text agreed by member states is acceptable, and the European Parliament amendments would certainly have improved the content,” the above-mentioned source said, predicting a further “power struggle” between the Commission and Council on another proposal relating to victim protection (see EUROPE 10094). The Lisbon Treaty gives the European Commission the right of initiative. Initiatives can also be brought forward by a quarter of member states together in three areas: criminal judicial cooperation, police cooperation and administrative cooperation. (B.C./transl.rt)