Brussels, 05/10/2010 (Agence Europe) - In its adoption, on Monday 4 October, of the report by Paulo Rangel (EPP, Portugal), the committee on constitutional affairs of the European Parliament has given its approval to the new framework agreement which will govern relations between the EP and the Commission for the next five years. The agreement will be definitively approved by the Parliament at its plenary session, to be held on 20 October. The framework agreement, which will enter into force immediately after the EP's vote, includes a guarantee that the Commission will treat the Parliament as the equal of the Council of Ministers, particularly as regards access to meetings and the exchange of information, especially on legislative and budgetary issues. The agreement also provides for the Commission to involve the Parliament much more closely - using full and immediate information - in each phase of the negotiations for international agreements. (H.B./transl.fl)