Brussels, 27/01/2000 (Agence Europe) - The President of the European Parliament, Nicole Fontaine, following presentation of the Commission's opinion on the upcoming IGC, stated, subject to detailed study of the Commission report, that the EU Executive has "had the courage to make a number of proposals along the lines sought by the European Parliament", such as the proposal for general use of qualified majority and "consequently, codecision". The EP, she recalled, wishes qualified majority to be used for fiscal and social issues, insofar as they relate to the proper working of the internal market. Mrs Fontaine also agrees with the Commission's proposal for abolition of the possibility of a Member State vetoing the launch of enhanced cooperation, while stating that the use of enhanced cooperation will have to be followed closely to ensure that it respects Parliament's powers. Mrs Fontaine is more critical of proposals concerning the composition of the Commission (on this very sensitive subject, she observed, "I would have preferred seeing debate open on one of the two proposals, thus facilitating the positions of both sides at the start of the negotiation") and the Charter of Fundamental Rights (she regrets that the Commission did not propose "starting from a simple principle, that of its binding nature and its integration in the Treaties").
Mrs Fontaine also noted that she understands the Commission's decision to "entrust Parliament with the responsibility of making proposals" on its own composition, stating: "We are going to take up this task as soon as possible." Mrs Fontaine is also "very satisfied" to see the Commission endorse Parliament's idea of electing a number of Members of the EP on European lists, noting that this "would enhance the role of political parties at European level".