Press release, 23 April 2013
“Inter-parliamentary cooperation in the European Union should be developed on the basis of the existing formats,” stressed Vydas Gedvilas, Speaker of the Seimas, at the Conference of Speakers of the EU Parliaments held in the Cypriot capital of Nicosia.
At the Conference, the Speakers of Parliaments discussed the implementation of Article 13 of the Treaty on Stability, Coordination, and Governance (Fiscal Compact). Article 13 of the Treaty stipulates that “the European Parliament and the national Parliaments of the Contracting Parties will together determine the organisation and promotion of a conference of representatives of the relevant committees of the European Parliament and representatives of the relevant committees of national Parliaments in order to discuss budgetary policies and other issues covered by this Treaty.” The Article underlines the cooperation between the national Parliaments and the European Parliament, which should play an important role in the process of economic coordination and governance in the EU.
According to Mr Gedvilas, the proposals on the implementation of Article 13 of the Treaty can be debated; however, the equality of all the Parliaments should be respected by focussing on effective cooperation and economically justified decisions.
The Speaker of the Seimas expressed his conviction that in order to achieve effective inter-parliamentary cooperation and parliamentary scrutiny, first of all, the existing means enabling the attainment of the objectives set should be used.
Recently, the EU has been mostly focussing on strengthening of the Economic and Monetary Union and ensuring fiscal sustainability. The implementation of Article 13 is expected to considerably enhance inter-parliamentary cooperation in the framework of a more integrated EU financial, budgetary and economic policy, with a view to achieving more democratic legitimacy and accountability.
In the discussion on bringing citizens closer to the EU, the Speaker of the Seimas urged the EU to listen to its citizens, hear their problems, concerns and expectations and inform them better about their rights and duties related to EU citizenship.
The annual Conference of Speakers of the EU Parliaments in Nicosia is attended by Speakers of Parliaments of 33 EU Member States and candidate countries and the President of the European Parliament. The Conference discusses ways of bringing citizens closer to the EU, enhancing social cohesion in times of austerity and effective contribution to the promotion of democracy and human rights in third countries.
The Conference of Speakers of the EU Parliaments is hosted by the Parliament of the Member State that presided over the Council of the European Union in the second half of last year, namely, the House of Representatives of the Republic of Cyprus.
In spring 2014, the Conference will be held in Vilnius.
Renata Lygienė, Head of Office, Committee on European Affairs, tel: +370 5 239 6592,
e-mail: [email protected]
