15/04/2002 (Agence Europe) - The General Affairs Council welcomed the preparatory work accomplished by the European Commission with a view to reforming its staffing policy. In its conclusions, it supports the Commission's intentions to above all strengthen the efficiency and the transparency of the European public service. It hopes to be able to take a decision on the proposal of regulation amending the "Staff Regulations of Officials and Conditions of Employment of Other Servants of European Communities" towards the end of June 2003. With this in view, the Council expects the European Parliament, the Court of Justice and the Court of Auditors to give their opinions for end 2002.