Brussels, 28/05/2010 (Agence Europe) - On Friday 28 May, the EU Council of Ministers will most probably give its political agreement to first ever use of “enhanced cooperation” in the Union's history for resolving the thorny question of bi-national divorce. European justice ministers, who will be meeting next week in Luxembourg, are expected to agree by qualified majority on a proposal submitted in March by European Justice Commissioner Viviane Reding (EUROPE 10105). The Parliament has still to approve the proposed enhanced cooperation before this can go ahead. In parallel, member states are still discussing the proposal for a regulation on substance. The proposal aims to allow European citizens to choose which law should apply to their divorce and, in the event of disagreement, to fix precise rules regarding the choice of law. One of the questions still to be settled concerns Malta, which does not recognise divorce and would like to retain its specificity on this. This proposal is still being discussed by the 27 EU member states but requires unanimous endorsement by all member states that have opted for enhanced cooperation in order to be adopted. For now, there are twelve participating countries: France, Romania, Bulgaria, Hungary, Austria, Spain, Italy, Slovenia, Luxembourg, Germany, Belgium and Latvia. Greece decided to leave the group last year but Germany, Belgium and Latvia joined the initiative on 15 April, 22 April and 17 May 2010 respectively. These last three countries “have shown that with enhanced cooperation the door is always open. With these countries adding their voice to calls for EU action, we are building momentum for a measure that was stuck in a traffic jam. We are seeing a great example of how the EU can move forward and help citizens with an important family matter”, Reding said on Friday 28 May. The Commission points out that the countries wishing to take part in enhanced cooperation after Council's adoption of the decision to give its authorisation may do so at any time. (B.C./transl.jl)