B4-0010, 0011, 0013, 0014/RC1/94

Resolution on the Brussels European Council of 15 July 1994

The European Parliament,

-having regard to the conclusions of the special European Council held on 15 July 1994 in Brussels,

-having regard to Article N(2) of the EU Treaty and Article 158(2) of the EC Treaty,

-having regard to Rules 32 and 33 of its Rules of Procedure,

- having regard to its resolutions of 21 April 1994 on the investiture of the Commission and of 4 May 1994 on the European Council in Corfu,

A.whereas the European Council has nominated Mr Jacques Santer as its prospective candidate for the presidency of the European Commission,

B.whereas the Commission, as the guardian of the Treaties and in view of its right of initiative, is an important instrument of European integration,

C.whereas the balanced participation of women in all bodies in society, including decision-making bodies, is vital to the proper functioning of democratic systems,

D.whereas the term of office of the ninth President of the Commission will be marked by successive enlargements of the EU, the implementation of the White Paper, the revision of the Treaties in 1996 and the new budgetary system for the EU at the beginning of the 21st century,

1.Regrets that political circumstances forced the European Council to postpone its decision concerning the President of the Commission until 15 July 1994;

2.Proposes that, in the interests of greater transparency and democracy, the method for appointing the Commission President be replaced by a system of election;

3.Calls on the new President of the Commission to show the determination necessary to guarantee that:

-the Commission remains independent and retains its role in ensuring a balance between the Institutions;

-a system of democratic control by the European Parliament is established;

-an economic policy is introduced concentrating on the creation of jobs and on strengthening economic and social cohesion between the countries and regions of the Union;

-improvements are made to the social policies of the Union;

-the commitments entered into by the Union at the Rio Summit on environmental protection are put into practice and Community legislation in this field strengthened;

4.Hopes that the governments of the Member States will, as soon as possible, and in consultation with the nominee for President, nominate the other persons whom they intend to appoint as members of the Commission, so that Parliament may hear the members of the Commission thus nominated before subjecting them to a vote of approval;

5.Firmly reiterates the recommendations on the representation of women in the Commission made in its abovementioned resolution of 21 April 1994 and requests that the distribution of vice-presidencies within the Commission should reflect the geographical and political balance of the Union;

6.Instructs its President to forward this resolution to the Council and Commission, and the governments of the Member States and the applicant countries.