RESOLUTION A3-0229/92

Resolution on the deliberations of the Committee on Petitions during the parliamentary year 1991-1992

The European Parliament,

-having regard to Rule 129(5) of its Rules of Procedure,

-having regard to its previous resolutions on petitions, in particular the resolution adopted on 14 June 1991 on the basis of the annual report on the deliberations of the Committee on Petitions during the parliamentary year 1990-1991OJ No. C 183, 15.7.1991, p. 452,

-having regard to the Treaty on European Union, and in particular Articles 8d and 138d (EEC) thereof,

-having regard to the report of the Committee on Petitions (A3-0229/92),

whereas the number of individuals petitioning the European Parliament is steadily increasing and is bound to rise further because of Articles 8d and 138d (EEC) of the Treaty on European Union,

whereas the exercise of the right of petition by citizens and residents of the Community is both necessary and beneficial, whereas people must be made fully aware of this right and whereas the matters raised through the exercise of this right must be dealt with swiftly and fairly by the appropriate Community bodies,

whereas the right of petition, a privilege of Community citizens and residents, does not render inadmissible petitions from individuals who, although neither citizens nor residents of the Community, raise matters falling within the Community's areas of activity,

Welcomes the fact that petitions, which are a vital link between the Community Institutions and citizens and an essential feature of the Community's democratic make-up, have been enshrined in the Treaty on European Union and thus constitute an acknowledged citizen's right;

Considers it essential, given that the right of petition has been incorporated into the Treaty, to step up the resources available for handling petitions appropriately, promptly and effectively and wishes to see the necessary steps taken for the Committee on Petitions to be provided with the required staff;

Stresses that this citizen's right implies an equivalent obligation on the part of all Community Institutions and Member States to do their utmost to facilitate action to deal with petitions and make it possible to resolve the problems set out therein;

Points out to the Member States, the Commission and the Council that the prime implication of such an obligation is that they must respond promptly and fully to any request for information or documents made to them in connection with the consideration of petitions;

Calls in particular on the Commission to show greater perseverance in dealing with petitions, which enable it to play its role as guardian of the Treaties more effectively, not just by replying promptly and fully to requests for information from the Committee on Petitions but, in general, by developing with the latter a close, open and beneficial form of cooperation in respect of petitions under consideration;

Directs its Committee on Petitions to proceed with its work on petitions it receives, in collaboration with national ombudsmen and national parliament petitions committees too, and to carry out the groundwork now - in the interests of citizens - for whatever measures are required for it to play its role appropriately as the link between Parliament and the Ombudsman; directs its other committees to act promptly and appropriately on petitions forwarded to them as the committee responsible or for an opinion;

Instructs its President to forward this resolution and the report of its committee to the Commission, the Council, the governments and parliaments of the Member States, the national-parliament petitions committees and the national ombudsmen.