Brussels, 02/02/2011 (Agence Europe) -Members of the European Parliament's constitutional affairs committee (AFCO) find the idea of the EP only being consulted over the “simplified revision” of the Lisbon Treaty, decided upon by the EU heads of state in December 2010 in order to introduce a permanent eurozone crisis management system, hard to stomach. The procedure decided upon by the leaders, namely a simplified revision of Article 48, is an “intergovernmental” rather than EU choice because it avoids the usual revision procedure whereby a Convention is convened of representatives of national parliaments, national governments, the European Commission and the European Parliament, explained several MEPs at AFCO on 1st February. The EU is creating a financial stability mechanism for the eurozone using an intergovernmental foundation rather than an EU mechanism, complained Roberto Gualtieri (S&D, Italy), one of the two co-rapporteurs on this issue. The other co-rapporteur, Elmar Brok (EPP, Germany), shares this concern but takes a more realistic line, saying that he didn't think the EP would be able to change the details of the Treaty revision decided upon by the European Council and neither could it prevent the March European Council from making a decision because of the urgent situation in some member states and the impact that would have on the markets. If it is not possible to avoid an intergovernmental approach for creating a permanent financial stability mechanism, then at least it should then be properly incorporated in the EU structure, explained Andrew Duff (ALDE, UK). Other MEPs say that they understand why the leaders had gone for a simplified revision of the Treaty. By challenging it, the EP would send the wrong message at a time when everyone, including the EP, should contribute towards stability in the eurozone, commented David Martin (S&D) and Íñigo Méndez De Vigo (EPP). (H.B./transl.fl)