§ Keith VazTo ask the Prime Minister what progress has been made in respect of the joint letter he sent with Chancellor Schröder on the reform of the EU. [145410]
§ The Prime MinisterIn June 2002, the European Council at Seville agreed a number of practical changes to improve the effectiveness and transparency of the Council, in line with proposals made in the Prime Minister's joint letter of 25 February 2002 with Chancellor Schröder.
Further reforms of the Council have been considered in the Convention on the Future of Europe and the subsequent Intergovernmental Conference. The Government will continue to pursue these issues as negotiations on a new EU Treaty progress.