1. Multiannual Financial Framework

1.1.Having regard to the ongoing economic and financial crisis in some MemberStates; to the problems of excessive budget deficits forcing a number of MemberStates to implement far-reaching austerity programmes; to social unrest feedingeuroscepticism on the one hand, and the growing needs and challenges related tosustainable economic development of the European Union, the implementation ofthe Europe 2020 Strategy, and to keeping up with global competition on the otherhand; COSAC supports the efforts of the EU institutions resulting in the proposedMultiannual Financial Framework for 2014-2020, which will provide a basis fordebate and decision in the European Union. However, the result of the discussionhas to take into account national budget frameworks and national budgetstrategies.1.2.COSAC considers it necessary to simplify and increase the transparency of therules and procedures related to the accumulation, allocation and utilisation of theEuropean Union’s own resources and encourages the EU institutions to takeappropriate measures in this area. National Parliaments and the EuropeanParliament will consider the merits of these specific measures in due course.1.3.COSAC has been carefully analysing proposals for the establishment of differenttypes of European taxes which would provide a new source of revenue for the EUbudget. COSAC takes the view that, in the period of recovery from the crisis, newinstruments should not impose an increased financial burden on the private sectoror on individuals. In certain cases, such measures could also distort the levelplaying field between EU entities and their global competitors.1.4.In the light of the complexity of current circumstances and the number of problemsrelating to the need to improve the planning, approval and performance of futureEU budgets, COSAC encourages the competent institutions to accelerate thelegislative work in this area and, where possible, to undertake more frequent andextensive social consultations.

COSAC encourages the EU institutions to negotiate and adopt the MultiannualFinancial Framework for 2014-2020 that will enable the medium and long-term EUpolicies to be fully implemented in compliance with the European principle ofsolidarity and with regard to the ongoing economic and financial crisis. In thiscontext COSAC stresses that the cohesion policy together with a fair and equitablecommon agricultural policy are essential instruments and play an important role infostering solidarity, reducing economic and social disparities among the MemberStates and achieving EU strategic goals. They should remain focused on furthergrowth and development of the least developed regions.

2. Two years after the entry into force of the Treaty of Lisbon – parliamentary

experience

2.1COSAC notes with satisfaction its first debate on the evaluation of parliamentaryexperience and best practices two years after the entry into force of the Treaty ofLisbon.2.2COSAC welcomes the active involvement of national Parliaments in subsidiaritychecks under Protocol 2 on the application of the principles of subsidiarity andproportionality of the Treaty of Lisbon. National Parliaments have taken differentpoints of view on the practical implementation of the principle of subsidiarity.

COSAC believes that national Parliaments and the EU institutions should activelyexchange information and their existing practices on the application of Protocol 2,and that its application should become more specific as part of a continuousdialogue between all the parties concerned.2.3In accordance with Article 5 of Protocol 2, COSAC underlines that for nationalParliaments to exercise the powers vested in them it is necessary to enable thefinancial effects of EU draft legislative acts to be evaluated, and, in the case ofDirectives, the implications for national legal systems also to be evaluated.Moreover, COSAC recalls that EU draft legislative acts should be justified on thebasis of qualitative and quantitative indicators. COSAC notes that subsidiarityanalyses in the Commission’s explanatory memoranda have, to date, not met therequirements of Article 5.2.4COSAC notes the concerns of national Parliaments with the quality andindependent nature of impact assessments of EU draft legislative acts which attimes are considered to be schematic and not satisfactory in substance. COSACdraws attention to the suggestion by a number of national Parliaments to have thefull text of impact assessments translated into all official languages of the EU.

cooperation with the European Commission, established under the Treaty ofLisbon. The informal political dialogue between the European Commission andnational Parliaments will contribute to strengthening the parliamentary dimension inthe EU decision process. However, COSAC notes that pursuant to Article 6 ofProtocol 2, reasoned opinions submitted must state why the draft in question doesnot comply with the principle of subsidiarity, rather than why it does.2.7COSAC calls upon the European Commission to provide more precise andsubstantive replies to reasoned opinions on EU draft legislative acts. Many nationalParliaments consider that the European Commission’s replies should focus to agreater extent on specific doubts expressed in reasoned opinions submitted bynational Parliaments. COSAC requests the European Commission to take thenecessary steps to ensure that her replies to reasoned opinions or contributions

within the scope of the informal political dialogue are transmitted within threemonths.2.8COSAC notes the concerns voiced by numerous national Parliaments, some ofthem in reasoned opinions, that the powers granted to the European Commissionto regulate by means of delegated acts are too extensive. COSAC notes that thismay lead to a situation where essential elements of an area, reserved for the EUdraft legislative acts, will be outside the scope of control of national Parliaments.

Appointment and Co-financing of the Permanent Member of the COSAC Secretariat

1.1COSAC thanks Ms Loreta Raulinaitytė for four years of intensive and fruitful workas the Permanent Member of the COSAC Secretariat. During her two terms ofoffice, Ms Loreta Raulinaitytė has performed her duties in reliable, diligent andcommittedmanner,contributingtothetighteninganddevelopmentofinterparliamentary cooperation in the European Union.1.2COSAC welcomes the decision taken by the Chairpersons at its plenary meetingheld in Warsaw on 3 October 2011 to appoint Ms Libby Kurien as a newPermanent Member of the COSAC Secretariat for the term of office of two yearsfrom 1 January 2012 to 31 December 2013 in accordance with Rule 9.3 of theCOSAC Rules of Procedure.1.3COSAC welcomes letters of intent from 38 Parliaments/Chambers expressing theircommitment to co-finance the position of the Permanent Member of the COSACSecretariat and the running of the COSAC office and website.1.4Moreover, COSAC is grateful to the European Parliament for providing the COSACSecretariat with appropriate office facilities on its premises in Brussels.

Bi-annual Report

2.1COSAC welcomes the 16 Bi-annual Report prepared by the COSAC Secretariatand thanks the Secretariat for its excellent work. The Report providescomprehensive information on the present and future role of national Parliamentsin cooperation with governments and their scrutiny within the process ofestablishing the new Multiannual Financial Framework of the EU attuned to theobjectives of the Europe 2020 Strategy, and the evaluation of parliamentaryexperience and best practices in the implementation of the Treaty of Lisbon.th

IPEX website

3.1COSAC thanks the IPEX Board and in particular the European Parliament for therewriting of the IPEX website and its launch on 28 June 2011 and welcomes thenew technological facilities offered by the new platform.3.2COSAC invites national Parliaments to publish on time and regularly update theirinformation posted on the IPEX website. The provision of comprehensive andreliable information will contribute to better and more effective interparliamentarycooperation. COSAC encourages national Parliaments to reconsider the role ofIPEX correspondents in the light of the new tasks requested for the new website inorder to ensure that IPEX becomes a more reliable source of information.3.3COSAC believes that efficient interparliamentary exchange of information via IPEXmakes citizens familiar with the functioning of the European Union and enhancestheir awareness of EU matters.

CONTRIBUTION XLVI

Conference of Parliamentary Committees for Union Affairs of Parliaments of the

European Union (COSAC)

Warsaw, 2-4 October 2011

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