22/04/2009 (Agence Europe) - On Tuesday 21 April, the European Parliament economic and monetary affairs committee unanimously approved, with some amendments, the proposal for an alteration to regulation 322/2002, doubling the ceiling of the Community balance of payments support mechanism for member states not belonging to the euro area (see EUROPE 9879). The European commission proposal, brought forward on 8 April, followed agreement at the last European Council to raise the aid available to €50 billion. The report by French Socialist MEP Pervenche Berès is due to be approved in plenary session on Friday 24 April. The EP has only an advisory opinion, and the Ecofin Council is expected to approve the change on 5 May. (O.J./transl.rt)