Framework agreement on relations between the European Parliament and the Commission: revision

ACT: Framework Agreement on relations between the European Parliament and the European Commission.

CONTENT: to better reflect the new ‘special partnership’ between Parliament and the Commission, the two Institutions agree on the following measures:

• to strengthen the political responsibility and legitimacy of the Commission;
• to extend constructive dialogue;
• to improve the flow of information between the two Institutions and;
• to improve cooperation on procedures and planning.

They also agree on specific provisions:

• on Commission meetings with national experts, as set out in Annex I,
• on the forwarding of confidential information to Parliament, as set out in Annex II,
• on the negotiation and conclusion of international agreements, as set out in Annex III, and
• on the timetable for the Commission Work Programme, as set out in Annex IV.

The practical implementation of this Framework Agreement and its Annexes shall be assessed periodically by the two Institutions. A review shall be carried out by the end of 2011, in the light of practical experience.