Brussels, 05/06/2007 (Agence Europe) - Speaking before the plenary session of the European Economic and Social Committee (EESC) on Thursday 31 May in Brussels, the vice-president of the European Commission, Günter Verheugen, called for a “new European legislation culture” to be set in place and for “better regulation”. Dimitris Dimitriadis, the EESC president, pointed out the “ever closer” cooperation between the Commission and Committee on the evaluation of legislation. He also highlighted the fact that legislative work should be in line with economic and social parameters and give preference to an approach geared to simplicity and clarity.
During the debate, Arno Metzler (Germany, Various Interests) expressed the hope that the gap would close between “national administrative practices”. He also asserted that “alternative instruments such as auto-regulation and co-regulation provided precious support for improving the legislative framework”. Bojidar Danev (Bulgaria, Employers) pointed out not only the importance of “good transposal” of Community legislation by member states but also the importance of immediate application. Karin Alleweldt (Germany, Workers) was adamant that it was necessary to match legislation to citizens' needs. Mario Campli (Italy, Various Interests) made a link between the notion of “better regulation” and the European model of society. Edgardo Iozia (Italy, Workers) said that the action of simplification now under way will “arouse European sympathies”. Finally, Joost van Iersel (Netherlands, Employers) called for a Council commitment on the road to improving legislation. (gb)