Brussels, 15/12/2010 (Agence Europe) - International couples getting divorced will soon be able to choose the legal regime of the EU which will oversee their divorce, by virtue of new European rules approved by the European Parliament on Wednesday by 537 votes in favour, 20 against and 80 abstentions. The new rules, which will apply to 14 member states that have opted to take part for the first time in a “reinforced cooperation” mechanism, will, for example, allow a Spanish-German couple living in France to choose which law - Spanish, German or French - will apply to their divorce. The new rules will enter into force in 18 months. The countries involved in the measure are: Belgium, Bulgaria, Germany, Spain, France, Italy, Latvia, Luxembourg, Hungary, Malta, Austria, Portugal, Romania and Slovenia. The other member states will be able to join at any time. This is the first time this procedure has been used in the history of the EU. “The new rules aim to avoid the 'race to court' and to protect spouses who may end up in a position of weakness due to this practice”, said the rapporteur of the legal committee, Tadeusz Zwiefka (EPP, Poland). The Council of the EU is set to adopt this proposal definitively on 20 December, at the Environment Council (EUROPE 10270). (B.C./transl.fl)