European governance: tripartite contracts and agreements between Community, States and regional authorities

The European Parliament adopted a resolution based on the own-initiative report drafted by Sir Neil MacCORMICK (Greens/EFA, UK) on tripartite agreements. (Please refer to the summary dated 06/11/03.) Parliament stressed that tripartite contracts were not intended to amend existing Community legislation or be an appropriate instrument for transposing directives into national law. As they involve Member States as key partners, they will not conflict with the constitutional systems of the Member States and will not change the competences of public authorities. Furthermore, since they are not based on binding Community law and have therefore not been the subject of a legislative procedure involving Parliament and the Council, tripartite agreements should be restricted to matters concerning improved implementation of Community law.�