Brussels, 18/12/2007 (Agence Europe) - Following the European Parliament's approval (EUROPE 9554), the Council of Ministers definitively approved, on Monday 17 December, the new regulation amending EC Regulation No 2004/2003 on the status and financing of political parties at European level. The regulation, which could therefore take effect on 1 January 2008, mainly aims to enhance the role of European political parties during the next European elections in 2009, and to allow the financing by these European parties of European electoral campaigns. The new regulation will also govern the creation and financing of related European political foundations. (H.B.)