92001E2433

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2433/01

by Esko Seppänen (GUE/NGL) to the Commission

(7 September 2001)

Subject: Membership of Parliament under the Treaty of Nice

Replying to my Written Question P-1558/01(1), the Commission interpreted the provisions of the Treaty of Nice regarding the membership of Parliament to mean that the number of representatives of Member States to be elected in 2004 could exceed the figures laid down in the Treaty. This might happen if accession treaties had not been concluded with all the applicant countries. If new Member States were to join during the 2004-2009 parliamentary term, they would certainly be entitled to send their full complement of representatives to Parliament immediately thereafter. According to the Commission's interpretation, would some representatives of old Member States elected in 2004 be required in that event to resign before completing their term of office in order to make room for representatives of new Member States?

(1) OJ C 350 E, 11.12.2001, p. 189.

Answer given by Mr Prodi on behalf of the Commission

(1 October 2001)

Article 2(4) of the Protocol on the enlargement of European Union annexed to the Treaty on European Union and to the Treaties establishing the European Communities by the Treaty of Nice stipulates that, in the event of new Member States acceding to the Union during the parliamentary term 2004-2009, the total number of Members of Parliament may temporarily, i. e. for the remainder of the 2004-2009 term, exceed 732 representatives(1). It is therefore out of the question that representatives would have to resign in the course of the parliamentary term. The Commission would also draw the Honourable Member's attention to the explanatory statement in the Méndez de Vigo-Seguro Report on the Treaty of Nice and the future of the European Union(2).

(1) OJ C 80, 10.3.2001.

(2) Report A5-0168/2001 (PE 294 755).