§ Keith VazTo ask the Prime Minister what progress has been made on the proposals for EU institutional change pursued in his joint letter with Chancellor SchrÖder of 25 February 2002; and what steps he will take to ensure that these targets of institutional change are reached. [89026]
§ The Prime MinisterThe European Council at Seville agreed a number of practical changes that do not require Treaty amendment but do improve the effectiveness and 95W transparency of the Council. These are now in place. They focus on improving the practices of the European Council, reform of the General Affairs Council, delivering more openness when legislating on dossiers subject to co-decision, and rationalising the number of sectoral Council formations from 16 to 9. These changes have already led to more effective preparation of European Council meetings during the Danish Presidency.
Heads of State and Government at Seville also agreed that the Council should consider further change in parallel with the Convention on the Future of Europe. The European Council at Copenhagen took note of a Presidency paper that set out possible models for Council reform. The Government will also continue to pursue these issues in the Convention.