Brussels, 17/03/2010 (Agence Europe) - Justice Commissioner Viviane Reding will, on Wednesday 24 March, propose the very first enhanced cooperation in EU history with the aim of harmonising divorce procedures among those member states which wish. The enhanced cooperation project refers to the law applicable in cross-border divorces. Once adopted (qualified majority in the Council, assent by the European Parliament), the initiative will allow couples to choose the law that will apply in their divorce or, where there is no choice made, will allow rules of applicability to be imposed, for example, the law of the last permanent residence of the couple. In June 2008, the draft regulation Rome III on cross-border divorces was vetoed by Sweden. After that failure, 10 member states put a formal request to the Commission to bring forward an enhanced cooperation proposal. The initiative was not followed up for fear of a two-speed Europe. In the EU, there are 170,000 cross border divorces recorded annually, some 20% of all divorces awarded. The proposal to be presented on Wednesday will take up the basis of the compromise put forward by the French Presidency in April 2008 (see EUROPE 9867). (B.C./transl.rt)