Brussels, 07/10/2004 (Agence Europe) - On 29 September, a draft amendment of the 2003 regulation on competency, recognition and execution of decisions on matrimony and parental responsibility in connection with the treaties with the Holy See. In principle, the Brussels regulation is confined to civil proceedings and does not apply to decisions made by ecclesiastic jurisdictions, apart for Portugal, Spain and Italy, which recognise the civil implications of marriage decreed under canonical law, in compliance with the concordats concluded with the Holy See. Malta is now the fourth country in the European Union to recognise the implications of decisions made by religious authorities on matrimony. The Commission's proposal subsequently aims to amend the regulation. In compliance with the act of accession, this kind of technical adaptation was decided by the Council using qualified majority.