Intergovernmental Conference IGC: revision of the Treaties, the financial interests and the European Prosecutor

PURPOSE : the convening of an Intergovernmental Conference (IGC) concerning the amendment of the Treaties on which the Union is founded. CONTENT : Pursuant to Article 48 of the Treaty on European Union, the Finnish Government is convening a new IGC and submits to the Council a proposal for the amendment of the Treaties on which the Union is founded, mainly dealing with the extension of qualified majority voting in the Union. In parallel, it has asked for the opinion of the European Parliament on these questions. The IGC will be officially convened in early February 2000 with the purpose of reforming the Treaties in regard to the following points : - the size and the composition of the Commission ; - the weighting of votes in the Council ; - the possible extension of qualified majority voting in the Council ; and other necessary amendments to the Treaties arising as regards the European institutions in connection with the above issues and in implementing the Treaty of Amsterdam. The incoming Presidency (Portugal) will report to the European Council on progress made in the Conference and may propose additional issues to be taken on the agenda of the Conference.�