Brussels, 22/05/2007 (Agence Europe) - A very large majority (no votes against and just one abstention) of the European Parliament's industry, research and energy committee adopted the compromise text on international roaming charges, which was the result of negotiations between the Council, Parliament and the European Commission. The Socialist Group at the European Parliament finally took a stance in favour of the agreement despite doubts expressed last week by Joseph Muscat (PES, Malta), rapporteur on the dossier for the internal market committee (see EUROPE 9427). Mr Muscat said on Monday evening that, after working hard with the European consumer's organisation, BEUC, “it was agreed that we should vote in favour of this compromise”. Still regretting the fact that some of the provisions of the consolidated text were lacking in ambition, especially with regard to tariff ceilings, he nonetheless felt the agreement was a “major victory for consumers”. The road now seems open for adoption of the text at the European Parliament's plenary session on Wednesday with a view to application before the summer holiday period. (gc)