Strasbourg, 01/07/2003 (Agence Europe) - At the opening of its plenary session in Strasbourg on Monday, the European Parliament paid its last respects to former EP President, Dutch Socialist Piet Dankert, who passed away last week. EP President Pat Cox paid tribute to Dankert's defence of the European Parliament's powers, highlighting his enterprising spirit and sense of humour and inviting MEPs to hold a minute's silence in his memory. Dutch Socialist Margrietus van den Berg said Dankert's election as President of the EP had been an “open” affair (without prior agreement between political groups) and had therefore followed genuine hustings. Pointing out that Dankert was the first President to use the “budget instrument” to strengthen the EP, van den Berg said Dankert had really given the European Parliament some bite.