Presentation to the Committee on Constitutional Affairs (AFCO) of the challenges for the Belgian Presidency of the Council
On Tuesday 13 July 2010, at 9 a.m., the Secretary of State for European Affairs, Olivier Chastel, will present the programme of the Belgian Presidency of the EU Council to the European Parliament AFCO Committee (constitutional affairs).
Indeed, the Belgian ministers ensuring the Presidency of one of the EU Council programmes will be responsible for presenting their respective programme to the Parliamentary committees in their field of competence in the months of July and September.
The AFCO Committee, chaired by Carlo Casini, is composed of 25 members and 24 substitutes. It deals with questions relating to the institutional aspects of the European integration process, the implementation of the Lisbon Treaty and the assessment of its operation, the institutional consequences of EU enlargement negotiations, interinstitutional relations, the uniform electoral procedure, political parties at European level, and matters relating to the European Parliament’s Rules of Procedure, etc.
The principal matters covered by the Belgian programme for the AFCO Committee are to monitor the enlargement negotiations, adapt the Rules of Procedure in accordance with the Lisbon Treaty, implement the right of initiative for European citizens to give them greater empowerment and therefore a greater feeling of involvement in the EU.
After the presentation by the Secretary of State, AFCO members will also debate the accession of the EU to the European Convention of Human Rights, the Framework Agreement on relations between the European Parliament and the Commission, political parties at European level and the change to the number of members of the European Parliament.
Secretary of State Olivier Chastel wants to strengthen interinstitutional relations in the wake of the entry into force of the Lisbon Treaty. According to Olivier Chastel, the Belgian Presidency will concentrate on ensuring constructive political dialogue between the Council and European Parliament.
