Brussels, 26/11/2010 (Agence Europe) - All the signs are that final negotiations between the Council and the European Parliament (EP) on the implementing regulation on the European Citizens' Initiative (ECI) will be tough, but that a compromise could very well be reached. The mandate given by the member states (COREPER) to the Belgian Presidency of the Council on 25 November to conclude talks before the end of the year still differs from the positions of the EP rapporteurs on a few key details. On other points, however, the Council has demonstrated a greater flexibility and willingness to reach agreement. The constitutional affairs committee, which is leading the debate on the ECI implementing regulation, is due to adopt its report on 30 November. A Council/EP/Commission trialogue is scheduled to meet on that same day.
The main areas of discord relate to: - checking of statements of support for ECIs form signatories. The EP does not want signatories to have to give their identity card number (only their surname, first name and address). The Council points out that checking the statements of support is a matter for member states which will, therefore, use the procedures and methods which normally apply in their countries (Belgium, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Germany, Ireland, the Netherlands, Slovakia and the United Kingdom do not intend to ask for identity card numbers, though other countries wish to so). Given the different situations among member states, the Council's room for manoeuvre would seem to be severely restricted; - minimum age for taking part in a citizens' initiative. The EP is calling for young people from the age of 16 to be able to take part. Most member states are against this and argue that the age at which young people can vote in the European elections should apply. Some delegations have advanced constitutional and administrative arguments which effectively leave the Commission no room for manoeuvre on this point; - when the regulation comes into effect. The EP wants it to be possible for the first ECIs to be launched six months after the regulation comes into effect. Most of the Council, however, says that a period of 12 months should be left to give states the time to put in place the implementing measures that are needed administratively.
On other points, the Council is able to enter talks with greater flexibility, for example, in relation to: - checking the admissibility of ECIs. Most member states are prepared to agree to one single check, before registration, as proposed by the rapporteurs (see EUROPE 10256). The Council would, however, like it stated in the regulation provisions that ECIs must be about application of the treaties and must not seek to amend them; - the number of states from which statements of support for an ECI must come. In its political agreement of June, the Council set the minimum threshold at one third (that is, nine member states at present). The EP wants this reduced to one fifth (20%). Although a reduction of this scale is difficult for the Council to agree to, the Belgian Presidency has been mandated to negotiate a compromise; - putting in place a “committee of citizens”. Most countries back this idea, which was put forward by the EP (see EUROPE 10256) to make it easier to organise an ECI and also to avoid improper initiatives. It is very likely, then, that the Council will be flexible on this point; - hearing in the event of a successful ECI. On this point, too, the Council has asked the Belgian Presidency to show flexibility. (H.B./transl.rt)