Brussels, 20/05/2010 (Agence Europe) - On Wednesday 19 May, MEPs revealed the main principles that will guide them in the European Union's future accession to the European Convention for the Protection of Human Rights and fundamental Freedoms (ECHR). In a resolution put down on the initiative of Ramón Jáuregui Atondo (S&D, Spain), which was adopted by show of hands, Parliament first noted that accession by the EU to the ECHR constituted a move forward in the process of European integration and for protection of fundamental rights. They stated that the main added value of the accession of the EU to the ECHR lay in recourse for individuals against acts by means of which the law of the Union is implemented by its institutions or the member states. They were clear, however, that accession would “not in any way” call into question the principle of the autonomy of the Union's law, as the Court of Justice of the European Union will remain the sole supreme court adjudicating on issues relating to EU law and the validity of its acts. MEPs decided that, before a matter is taken to the Court in Strasbourg, the applicant must have exhausted the judicial remedies of the state concerned, including a reference for a preliminary ruling to the Court in Luxembourg. They also said they feel it appropriate that, in any case brought against a member state before the European Court of Human Rights which may raise an issue concerning the law of the Union, the Union may be permitted to intervene as a co-defendant, and that in any case brought against the Union subject to the same conditions any member state may be permitted to intervene as a co-defendant. MEPs recommended, too, that the Commission be mandated to negotiate accession to all the protocols concerning rights corresponding to the Charter of Fundamental Rights (1, 4, 6, 7, 12 and 13), regardless of whether they have been ratified by the member states. They called on the EU to accede to Council of Europe bodies such as the Committee on the Prevention of Torture (CPT), the European Commission against Racism and Intolerance (ECRI) and the European Commission on the Efficiency of Justice (CEPEJ). EU accession to the ECHR is subject to very demanding conditions, with the Council having to give its unanimous approval, after the European Parliament has approved joining, and this agreement not coming into force until it has been approved by the member states in line with their individual constitutional rules. The Spanish Presidency hopes to adopt a negotiating mandate by the end of June so that talks can begin after summer. (B.C./transl.rt)