B4-0326/94

Decision on the number and composition of the interparliamentary delegations

The European Parliament,

-having regard to the objectives of the Treaty on European Union in the field of the common foreign and security policy,

-having regard to the treaties of association and cooperation and the other agreements concluded by the Union with third countries,

A.concerned to contribute by regular interparliamentary dialogue to the consolidation of parliamentary democracy,

B.wishing to contribute to the 50% reduction in expenses relating to missions by the delegations and joint parliamentary committees outside the Union,

1.Sets the number and numerical composition of the delegations as follows:

(a)Europe

Delegations to the joint parliamentary committees

-EU - Turkey(19 members)

-EU - Cyprus(19 members)

-EU - Malta(19 members)

-EU - Poland(19 members)

-EU - Hungary(19 members)

Interparliamentary delegations for relations with

-Czech Republic, Slovak Republic and Slovenia(19 members)

-Bulgaria1 and Romania1(19 members)

-Russia(30 members)

-Ukraine, Belarus and Moldavia2(19 members)

-Transcaucasus(14 members)

-Estonia, Lithuania and Latvia(14 members)

-Switzerland and Iceland(14 members)

-South-east Europe(20 members)

(b)North Africa and the Middle East

-Maghreb(20 members)

-Mashreq and the Gulf States(20 members)

-Israel(20 members)

(c)The Americas

-United States(30 members)

-Canada(14 members)

-Central America and Mexico(30 members)

-South America(30 members)

(d)Asia and Australia

-Japan(30 members)

-China(30 members)

-Central Asia and Mongolia(14 members)

-Southern Asia and the Southern Asia Regional Cooperation Association(20 members)

-ASEAN, South-east Asia and Korea(30 members)

-Australia and New Zealand(14 members)

(e)Africa

-South Africa(20 members)

-EU - Austria(18 members)

-EU - Sweden(18 members)

-EU - Finland(15 members)

-EU - Norway(12 members)

-EEA(33 members)

These delegations will exist up to the moment of accession.

2.Decides to set 287 as the total number of Members responsible for representing Parliament outside the Union in the delegations and joint parliamentary committees;

3.Instructs the Conference of Presidents to decide, on the basis of proposals from the political groups, on the allocation of these 287 seats in the delegations and joint parliamentary committees whilst respecting the right of each group and the non-attached Members to the participation of 50% of their members;

4.Instructs the Conference of Presidents to adopt the implementing provisions for the delegations and joint parliamentary committees pursuant to Rule 153(5) of the Rules of Procedure;

5.Instructs the Conference of Presidents to set up a working party to carry out a detailed study of the operation of the whole present system and to put forward appropriate proposals for Parliament's next constituent session.