Brussels, 10/06/2002 (Agence Europe) - European Parliament President Pat Cox told the Financial Times that, at the European Council of Seville, he intended to "seek the backing of the Heads of State and Government to proposals aimed at improving Parliament's image which, although it had demonstrated that it was up to the role of co-legislator, had the reputation of being a "travelling circus" where waste reigned. In particular, Cox wants to propose the principle of "equal pay for equal work", whereas currently MEPs are paid in relation to the wages of their colleagues in national parliaments. Mr. Cox would propose a monthly salary of some 7 400 euro (more or less what MEPs from the largest Member States receive). In addition, he would like to introduce the obligation for MEPs to systematically present receipts to justify their expenses, especially travel. (See EUROPE of 12 April, p.13, for the adoption in Committee of the Rothley Report of the statute of MEP that comes down in favour of remuneration equal to 50% of the basic wage for a judge in the Community Court of Justice).