The EU Policies Commission feels that the COSAC must convey a clear and resolute message to the European Council of Laeken that national parliaments need to be involved in the reform processes launched by the Declaration on the Future of the European Union.

In this sense, the EU Policies Commission feels that the contributions of the Italian Senate (first line), the Portuguese National Assembly and the Swedish Parliament (item 3) stress the importance of having national parliaments involved in the debate on the future of the European Union in preparation for the upcoming IGC in 2004. However, this role should be defined more precisely, namely:

• In view of the Declaration of Laeken, the attention of parliaments should be focused on the method used to draft reforms. Parliaments also need to become the main players involved in this method;
• The COSAC of Stockholm already spoke out in favour of setting up a Convention-type structure. The COSAC needs to reassert its support for such a Convention where national parliaments, including minority groups, would be adequately represented;
• The new Convention should be more than just a forum to discuss the reforms that the IGC 2004 intends to implement; Instead, the Convention should be given the task of drafting various proposals that the IGC can later choose from. Along this line, the Convention should be able to make decisions by majority vote.

The contributions presented by Italy, Portugal and Sweden seem to perceive parliamentary involvement as being limited to debate with no active participation in the decision-making process. Only the Italian Senate suggests a Convention, although it does not define its corresponding composition or duties.

The EU Policies Commission would like the COSAC of Brussels to resolutely affirm that a Convention composed of actively involved national parliaments needs to be created and that such a Convention must be given decision-making powers in relation to EU reform projects.

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