Brussels, 14/03/2003 (Agence Europe) - Andrew Duff, speaking on behalf of the Liberal component of the European Convention, has criticised draft articles 24 to 33 as presented by the Praesidium of the Convention on actions open to the Union (see EUROPE of 1 March, p.3). The Liberals have tabled amendments aiming to emphasise the distinction between "the legislative and executive sectors" and to ensure that "nothing that has not been approved by both Council and Parliament can become law", according to a press release. The Praesidium should "show greater courage" and clarity, says Andrew Duff, who warns: "Certain Member States seem to wish to continue hiding the EU's governance behind a political smokescreen and legalist wording. The Convention must not be intimidated by those of its members who are afraid to tell the citizens the truth about the scope and depth of European integration".
The Liberal amendments propose particularly: - article 24: bring in a new type of "organic" law for institutional issues such as the own-resource system; article 25: better division of the legislative process, and "to deny Council the right to legislate on its own"; - article 27: specify how Parliament and Council can control Commission's use of "delegated" actions, including a "call-back" procedure; - article 28: abolish the existing "comitology" system, instead reinforcing the European Commission's powers of execution; article 31: eliminate provisions on separate instruments for the police and criminal justice.