Strasbourg, 16/03/2001 (Agence Europe) - Nine MEPs from different countries and political groups have launched a "Campaign for Parliament Reform", in which they specify that their initiative is the "direct result of the failure to draw up a Statute for MEPs". The "Campaign's first priority" is to revive the talks on the MEP Statute, say the MEPs in question, who will call on their colleagues to sign a written declaration giving the principles on which this Statute should be founded, and which affirm that the last "substantial" vote by the "old Parliament" on this matter, dating back to December 1998 (the Rothley report) "can no longer be taken as representing Parliament's views".
The ten points on the agenda for reform are: - agreement on an MEP Statute (by the European elections of 2004 at the latest); - a transparent system of MEP expenses on the basis of actual costs incurred; - the publication of MEPs' financial interests on the Internet; - A Statute for Parliamentary assistants; - a single seat for the EP, in Brussels; - reform of Parliament's rules of procedure (the "Provan" proposals); - ensuring the language regime is ready for enlargement; - strict rules on the financing of European political parties; - full access to parliamentary documents and information for Europe's citizens; and - modernisation of Parliament's administration and management.
The nine MEPs are: - three British: Conservative Chris Heaton-Harris, Labour member Catherine Stihler, Liberal Democrat Nick Clegg; - three Dutch nationals: Socialist Michiel van Hulten, Liberal (Democratie 66) Lousewies van der Laan, and Green member Kathalijne Buitenweg; - one Finnish national, Piia-Noora Kauppi (EPP-ED); a Dane, Social Democrat Heele Thorning Schmidt; and a Swede, Cecilia Malmström (Liberal Group).