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

This Communication describes the amendments to be made to the Treaties and outlines certain separate adjustments that could be made to the Commission's working procedures. A distinction must be drawn between the matters considered here relating to the structure and organisation of the Commission's proceedings and the internal reform process under way since the present Commission took office. Those reforms are concerned with modernising and improving the workings of the administration and must be carried out regardless of the number of Members of the Commission. 1) Amendments to the Treaties: The main features of the Commission's internal organisation are determined by its rules of procedure. However, amendments to the Treaties are needed with respect to the following: - to enhance the President's capacity to organise the Commission's proceedings and to confer new powers on him or her to that effect. This refers to the allocation of portfolios and departments to Members of the Commission as well as the appointment of Vice-Presidents from among members of the Commission; - that the political commitment given by the Members of the present Commission to resign if asked to do so by the President; - giving the President a casting vote in deliberations would confirm his or her power to direct policy; - to confirm the use of the empowerment procedure, already standard practice under the Commission's Rules of Procedure. 2) Separate adjustments to the workings of the Commission: Beyond the current change in the activities of the Commission, any reorganisation of its proceedings should pay special attention to the following aspects: - the preparation of Commission meetings; - the frequency of Commission meetings; - the role of groups of Ministers; - the role of Vice-Presidents. In conclusion, the guidelines outlined above are for illustrative purposes only.�