Committee on petitions. Annual report 1999-2000

The European Parliament adopted the resolution by Mrs Jean LAMBERT (Green/EFA, UK) on the work of the Petitions Committee during the year 1999/2000. The resolution reaffirms the importance of the committee in exercising scrutiny over EU and national and regional bodies concerned with the application of the EU law. The petitions submitted offer an insight into the difficulties faced by citizens with European and national administrations, illustrating quite often inappropriate use of discretionary powers in decision taking, and bureaucratic behaviour which alienates citizens. The positive response of the Commission is emphasised but Parliament also wants to see a more active role played by Council and see a reduction in time delays in dealing with petitions. Moreover, the Parliament calls for a modernised database as well as the use of the Internet in order for petitions to be filed more easiliy. It also wants to see twice-yearly meetings with corresponding committees in the Member States and there is a call on the Petitions Committee to maintain close contacts with Commissioners. The resolution approves the proposal for the committee to draw up two inititiative reports on the main topics of petitions i.e. social security, environmental and consumer protection, freedom and movement and recognition of diplomas and other relevant subjects of Community law. The resolution supports the idea of providing travel expenses for petitioners called to present petitions to the committee.�