03/03/2009 (Agence Europe) - The presidents of the national parliaments in the 27 member states met in Paris on 27-28 February, where they agreed to step up cooperation between their assemblies on the control of subsidiarity and proportionality in European legislative acts. Once they have an adequate number of parliaments or assemblies that point out the difficulties involving respect for the principles of subsidiarity and proportionality contained even in a Commission proposal, they intend to send a joint letter to the latter. The president of the French national assembly, Bernard Accoyer, who hosted the meeting, called for early implementation of the Lisbon Treaty provisions, which grant new powers to national parliaments. He asked: “If elements for strengthening the link between the EU and its peoples exist, and if some of the provisions can be applied now voluntarily, why wait?” Miloslav Vlcek, the president of the Chamber of Czech deputies, the country currently presiding over the EU, said they had to take early action so they are prepared even before the Lisbon Treaty is adopted. (H.B./transl.rh)