Brussels, 26/05/2005 (Agence Europe) - On Thursday, in Brussels, the president of the European Parliament, Josep Borrell, and the president of the Commission, José Manuel Barroso, signed the new framework agreement that will govern relations between the two institutions for five years. The revised version of the framework agreement that already existed under the previous legislature is the result of negotiation between the Parliament and Commission (see EUROPE 8928). It was approved in plenary by Parliament on the basis of the report by German Social-Democrat Jo Leinen. During signature, President Borrell said the agreement will allow more effective work to be carried out on a common project that will better serve the interests of European citizens.
During a brief debate, on Wednesday afternoon, President Barroso again stressed the need to establish a form of “complicity” and “strategic partnership” with the European Parliament. He said the EP was the “guardian of the wishes of the people” and the only institution directly elected by the citizens. He welcomed the “balanced text” that resulted from review conducted in a “climate of excellent relations” and cited what he believes to be five major results: - strengthened political dialogue between the two institutions (mainly mentioning regular participation in the confrence of presidents of the EP's political groups); - greater transparency; - strengthened provisions on Commissioners' political responsibility; - the development of cooperation in the context of international talks; - and respect of the institutional framework set out in the treaty.