Brussels, 10/10/2001 (Agence Europe) - The 24th meeting of COSAC (Conference of bodies specialised in Community affairs, including European Parliament representatives) in Brussels on 4/5 October adopted a contribution on the future of Europe addressed to the European Council, in which COSAC underlines the important role that the parliaments of Member States and of candidate countries, as well as the European Parliament, should play in the debate on the future of the European Union. COSAC wants the agenda not to be restricted to the four points mentioned in the Declaration of Nice, "but to broaden it to a debate on a global political project for Europe". COSAC says the Convention, in which parliaments "should be suitably represented" "should be tasked to present to the 2004 IGC a coherent draft proposal contributing solutions to the problems which it is confronted". COSAC "supports the creation of a European forum and national forums enabling citizens and civil society, by maximising their participation, to contribute to the Convention's work".
In addition, COSAC calls on the Commission to pull out the stops to end enlargement negotiations with the candidate countries by the end of 2002; insists that particular attention be paid to developing the European social model, with respect for the principles of subsidiarity and proportionality (stressing the importance of having both qualitative and quantitative employment indicators) and developing a balanced, global agenda for the new WTO trade round; stresses the need to create a European Food Agency as soon as possible "with its own powers but with sufficient democratic control" and the implementation of a new European sustainable development strategy; and invites the EU's institutions to present the European Council of Laeken with "a joint action plan seeking to control clandestine immigration and fight against the trade in human beings" and achieve a common European asylum system.