Brussels, 06/06/2002 (Agence Europe) - The proposals package for making 800 officials from the Community institutions redundant (definitive cessation of activities), which was adopted at the end of last March by the European Commission was discussed by the Permanent Representatives Committee (Coreper) but no agreement was reached (see EUROPE 27 March). The Commission is beginning to get impatient at the urgency and delicate nature of the case. Certain delegations are still wary about application of the redundancy measures for these officials from the political groups at the European Parliament, while agreeing with the participation of institutions other than the Commission in carrying out the definitive redundancy measures. Member States consider that temporary agents are not European civil servants and making them and these redundancy measures are not the right way to end their contracts. The EP believes that that the decision cannot be avoided. The Commission has been called on to fill in the legal gaps. Certain Member States wanted the proposal of the Commission to include a definition of budgetary neutrality. The solution that is now envisaged does not enjoy unanimity and consists in including provisions in the regulation that ensure an annual follow-up of the principle in the framework of budgetary procedures. The Spanish Presidency has sent the dossier to the Danish Presidency, given the remaining difficulties, and is awaiting the recommendations from the other institutions. These proposals involve the redundancies in 2002-2004 of 600 officials from the Commission, 94 from the Council, 100 from the European Parliament and 24 temporary agents from the EP political groups.
Beginning of discussion on package of reforms on statute
The Council "Statute" group is continuing its examination of the proposals for amending the statute of European civil servants and discussing the main contentious issues. Coreper is expected to send an initial report to the Spanish Presidency. Two main debates have ensued - career structures and rights and responsibilities. Certain delegations harbour some misgivings about budgetary impacts (such as those on social policy or the minimum rate of guaranteed promotion etc). The more delicate issue is - salaries and pensions - expected to be discussed next week by the "Statute" group.