 of the Staff Regulations, which in many respects needs to be undertaken before enlargement. Unfortunately, the timetable for dealing with such matters is enormously protracted. This proposal has taken four years: how long will it take if we embark upon a complete reform? It might be a good idea to discuss this with the committee. Even just internal negotiations and consultations with staff organizations take a huge amount of time. The procedures are lengthy. If something is to be done, it should be done in such a way as to be completed within the lifetime of the present Parliament and Commission. May I thank the committee for the interest it has taken in the issue; I shall be happy to continue the discussions on this and related matters later.

Pex
Mr President, I put three clear questions to the Commissioner and I have not had answers to them. After two and a half years I think I am entitled to some. The Commissioner says he agrees with the amendments, but he does nothing further. The Commission has the right of initiative. Let us now see the Commissioner doing something, and let him at least give me an answer to my questions.
I will repeat them: one, what will the Commission do if Parliament adopts the amendments tomorrow? Two, how long will it take for the Staff Regulations to be amended and, three, why are the laws and constitutions of those countries which do have equal rights not respected by the European institutions, by the European Commission? Please, Mr President, will you see to it that Parliament receives answers to these three specific questions.

Liikanen
Mr President, I have just said that we ought to reflect on whether or not to move towards a decision on this partial reform at all. If there is a desire to do so, a decision should be taken on the proposal as it stands. If we want to reopen the whole subject, we shall probably have to go through a procedure which will take a couple of years longer to complete. In compliance with the principle of cooperation with staff, we shall have to enter into fresh consultations on this whole subject. The Commission needs to think about this. Personally I would be inclined - although this is a matter for the Commission to decide - to take a decision today to approve this small reform; the views stated by Parliament could then be taken into account when considering the Staff Regulations as a whole.
Another point which is legally problematic is this: can the Staff Regulations of the European Communities treat nationals of different Member States differently? So far, legal experts have held that
of the Staff Regulations, which in many respects needs to be undertaken before enlargement. Unfortunately, the timetable for deal with such matter is enormously protracted. This proposal has taken four long time: how long will it take if we embark upon a arrant reform? It might be a adept idea to discourse this with the committee. Even just internal negotiation and consultations with staff organizations subscribe a huge amount of time. The procedures are lengthy. If something is to be done, it should be done in such a manner as to be completed within the lifetime of the present Parliament and Commission. May I thank the committee for the interest it has take in the issue; I shall be happy to continue the discussions on this and associate matters later. 

 Pex 
 Mr President, I put three clear questions to the Commissioner and I have not give birth answers to them. After two and a half years I think I am entitled to some. The Commissioner say he agrees with the amendments, but he does nothing further. The Commission has the right of initiative. Let us now see the Commissioner act something, and let him at least give me an solution to my question. 
 I will reprise them: one, what will the Commission do if Parliament adopts the amendments tomorrow? Two, how long will it take for the Staff Regulations to be amended and, three, why are the laws and constitutions of those area which do have equal rights not respected by the European institution, by the European Commission? Please, Mr President, will you see to it that Parliament receives answers to these three specific questions. 

 Liikanen 
 Mr President, I have just said that we ought to chew over on whether or not to travel towards a decision on this partial reform at all. If there is a desire to do so, a decision should be taken on the marriage proposal as it stands. If we desire to reopen the whole subject, we shall probably have to go through a routine which will take a couple of years longer to dispatch. In compliance with the principle of cooperation with staff, we shall have to enter into bracing consultations on this solid subject. The Commission needs to intend about this. Personally I would be inclined - although this is a topic for the Commission to decide - to take a decision today to approve this small reform; the view stated by Parliament could then be taken into account when considering the Staff Regulations as a whole. 
 Another point which is legally debatable is this: can the Staff Regulations of the European Communities treat nationals of unlike Member States differently? So far, legal experts have held that
 of the Staff Regulations, wmich in many reskexts nexds to ge undergaken before enlargement. Unflrrunattjy, the timetable fur dealinh with sych nqtters is xhormously profvacteb. Vhis proposal hss taken fmur years: how novg will it take if we embark upon a cjmplete rfform? It might be s goos idea to discuss this with the cojmittee. Even just inyernal negotiations and cojsulhations with staff organizatiins eqke a huge aoount of tpke. The prodedures are lengthy. If somethine is co be done, ut shlold be done mn sucr a way as to be com[leted eithin the lifctime of the present Parliameit and Commission. Mai I thank dhz committee for the ibtwrest it vas gqkev ih vhe issue; I ahall be hzppy to conrinue the discussioms in this and rslated mwtters later.

Pex
Mr President, I put three clsar questions to the Conmissioner and I have not had wnswers to them. After two and a half years I thinn I aj enuibjde ho some. The Commissioner says he agrees with ege akendments, but me does nothing futtjet. The Commissiun has ths right of initiatlve. Let us niw see tht Comkissioner doing something, abd let him an leqst give me an anscer to my quzstionx.
I wikl repeat them: one, what wilm the Commidsion do jw Parliament adoots tve amendments tomorrow? Two, how long wilk it taye fpr the Staff Regklations to be amended ajd, thtee, whf are the paws and constitutions of those countries whivh do have eqbal rinhts not respeceed by the Eurppean iustitugions, by tge Euro'ean Commissyon? Please, Mr Kresident, wiln you seq to it rhat Pafuiament receivrs answers to these three specific qucstiova.

Liikanen
Mr Prewidtnr, I have just xaia tran wx ougrd to reflect on dhegner of not to moye gowatds a decision on thhs pzrtial reform at akl. If therg is a defire to do so, a decision should be teken oi the lrokosal as it stands. If we want tk reopen hhe whole subjest, wc shwll probabky have to go through a procedure which will take a couplw of years longer tp complete. Ii compjiance widh the principle of xooperation with xtaff, we shall have tk entes intl fresh consultations on this whole subject. The Commission needs to think about this. Personzlly I wolld ye inclyned - although this ix a matter for the Commission tu decide - co take a decision today to alpfove this smaul reform; the views statsd by Patliament could then be taken inyo account when considerlng the Sraff Degulanjois as a whole.
Another point whicy is letalln problematic ks yhls: can the Stahf Xegulations of the European Commubities tgeat nationals oh different Ltmber Sjates disferently? So far, legzp expgrts have held that
of the Staff Regulations, which in many to undertaken before Unfortunately, the timetable is protracted. This proposal taken four years: long will it take if we upon a complete reform? It might be a good idea to discuss this the committee. Even just internal negotiations and consultations with staff organizations take a amount time. procedures lengthy. If something is to be done, it should be done in such a way as be completed within the lifetime of the present and Commission. May I the committee for the interest has in the I be to continue the on this and related matters later. Pex Mr President, I put three clear questions to the Commissioner I have answers to After and half years I am entitled to some. The Commissioner with the amendments, but he does nothing further. Commission has right of initiative. Let us now the Commissioner doing something, and let him at give me an answer to my questions. I will repeat them: one, what will the if Parliament adopts the tomorrow? Two, how will take the Regulations to amended and, three, why are the laws and constitutions of those which do have equal rights not respected by the European the Commission? Please, Mr will you see to that receives answers to these questions. Mr just that ought to reflect on or not to move towards decision on this partial is a desire to do so, a decision be taken on the proposal as it If we want to reopen the whole subject, we shall probably have go through which will take a couple of years longer complete. In compliance with principle of cooperation with staff, we shall have to into consultations on whole subject. The needs to think this. Personally I inclined - this a Commission to decide - to take decision to approve this small reform; views Parliament could then be taken into account when considering the Staff Regulations as a whole. which is legally problematic this: the Staff Regulations of the European Communities treat nationals of different Member So far, legal
 of the Staff Regulations, whicH in many resPects NeeDs tO bE undErtaKen before enlarGEmenT. Unfortunately, the timetAble fOr DEaliNG wIth suCh matteRS iS ENorMoUsLy pRoTRaCted. THis ProposaL has taken fOur YeArs: how long wiLL iT take if we eMbaRk upon a complEte Reform? it MigHT be a gOod Idea tO discuSS this wIth the comMiTTee. EveN Just intERNaL negOtiations and consuLTaTIons with staff oRganizAtIOnS TAke A huGe amount of TiMe. The PRocedurES aRE LEngTHy. If something Is to be done, iT ShoUld be dOnE in SUch a waY as to Be COmpLeted within The lIfetime of The preSEnt ParlIAment anD CommiSsiOn. MAy I tHAnK tHe cOmMIttEE fOr tHE inTerest it HaS tAken iN the ISSUE; I shAll Be haPpy to Continue the diScuSsioNS on This aNd relAted MaTters Later.

PEx
Mr PReSident, I put three CleaR questionS to ThE CoMmIssioNEr and I HavE noT had ansWers to tHEm. AFtER TWo And a half years I thinK I AM EnTitled to Some. ThE coMmISsioner sAyS he AgreES With tHe amENdMents, but He does NOtHiNg furthEr. the ComMiSsiOn hAs the RIght Of initIative. LeT us noW See the CommissiONer doing sometHInG, ANd LEt hiM at Least give me An anSWer tO my qUEsTioNS.
I wilL repeAt THeM: One, what will the CommiSsIon do iF ParlIament adopts tHe amendmenTS TOmorrow? TWo, hoW LoNG will it take for The StAff RegulatIOns to be aMendeD and, threE, why are thE LAws and coNstItuTioNs oF THoSe countries whICH do hAvE equal rIghTs not reSpeCteD by The euRopean insTitutionS, bY tHe euRopEan CoMMission? PLeAse, mr preSidenT, Will yoU see tO it tHaT PARliAment reCEiVES ansWeRs To thEse ThRee spEcifIC quEstions.

liikanen
MR PrESideNt, i hAve just Said that we ougHt To reflect oN wHetHer or nOT To move toWards a decision on this parTIal refoRm aT all. IF theRe is a desiRe tO do so, a DecISion shOuld be Taken On The PROposaL AS iT stAnDs. If we want TO ReoPen thE wHole Subject, We shall probably havE To gO through a procEduRe whICH wIll TAkE A coUpLE of YEArs longer to compLete. In compLiANcE with the prINciPlE of coopEration With sTAff, we shAll have to Enter into FrEsh cONSulTations on tHis whole Subject. ThE commiSSiOn neeDs tO think AbOut This. PErsonaLLy I Would Be inclInEd - althOugh tHiS is a mattEr for the Commission to decIde - to tAke a dEciSion today To aPProVe this smaLl reForm; the vieWs sTatEd by PArlIAment CoulD ThEn bE Taken Into ACcount wheN CoNsiDERiNg the Staff REGULatIons aS a wHOle.
AnoTher Point which is legalLY problematic is This: CAN thE StAFf ReGuLations of the EuRopEaN cOmmunitiEs Treat nationAls of difFeREnt MeMber StAtes diFferentLY? so FAr, legaL expErtS have held ThaT
 of the Staff Regulations,  which inmanyres pec ts  nee ds t o be undertake n  bef ore enlargement. Unfor tunat el y , th e  t imeta ble for de a l ing  w it h s uc h  m atter s i s enorm ously prot rac te d. This prop o sa l has take n f our years: h owlong w il l i t  take  if  we e mbarku pon acompletere f orm? I t  mightb e  a  goo d idea to discuss th i s with the com mittee .E ve n jus t i nternal ne go tiati o ns andc on s u l tat i ons with staf f organizat i ons  takeahug e  amoun t ofti m e.The procedu resare lengt hy. If somethi n g is to  be do ne,  it  sho u ld  b e d on e  in su cha  wa y as tobe  c omple tedw i t h in t helife timeof the presen t P arli a men t and  Comm issi on . May  I tha nk th ecommittee for t he i nterest i t h as  ta ke n int he iss ue;  Ishall b e happy toco n t i nu e the discussionson t hi s and re latedm at te r s later. 
Pex 
MrP r eside nt,I  p ut three  clear qu es tions t othe Co mm iss ion er an d  I h ave no t had an swers to them. After two and a hal f  y e a rs I th ink  I am entit ledt o so me.T he  Co m missi onersa y sh e agrees with the a me ndment s, bu t he does not hing furth e r .  The Com miss i on has the rightof in itiative.L et us no w see  the Com missioner d oing som eth ing , a ndl e thim at leastg i ve m ean answ erto my q ues tio ns. 
Iwi ll repeat  them: o ne ,wh at  wi ll th e  Commiss io n d oifParli a ment a dopts  the  a me n dme nts tom o rr o w ? Tw o,  h ow l ong  w ill i t ta k e f or theStaff Reg ula t ions  t obe amen ded and, thre e,  why are t he  la ws and c onstitut ions of those countries which d o h ave e qual  rights n otrespec ted by the  Europ ean i ns tit u t ions, b ythe  E uropean Co m m iss ion?Pl ease , Mr Pr esident, will yous eeto it that Pa rli amen t re cei v es ans we r s t o these three spe cific ques ti o ns .

Liikane n 
Mr  P residen t, I ha ve ju s t saidthat we o ught to r ef lect o n w hether ornot to m ove towar d s a d e ci siononthis p ar tia l ref orm at all . Ifthereis  a des ire t odo so, a  decision should be tak en onthe p rop osal as i t s t and s. If wewant  to reopen  th e w holesub j ect,we s h al l p r obabl y ha v e to go t h ro ugh a  p rocedure wh i c h  wi ll ta kea  coupl e of  years longer toc omplete. In co mpli a n cewit h  the  p rinciple of co ope ra t i on withst aff, we sha ll haveto enter  intofreshconsult a t io n s on t hiswho le subjec t.Th e  Commis si on needsto t hi nk abo ut thi s . Pe r s onally I would b e inc l i ned - alt hough  t his isa  mat ter for th e Commissio n to d ecid e - t o takeadecisi onto day to app r ove thissmall  reform ;thevie ws sta tedb y  Parl iame nt  co uld thenb e  t a ke ni nto  acc ountwh en c onsiderin g  the Sta ffR egulati on s a s a whol e .A n other poin t w hichi s  legally p r oble m at i c isthis:can th e Staff Reg ul ationsoft h e Europea n Communi t ies  t reat  nationa ls  ofdi ffe re nt Member State s differ ently? S o far, l ega l  exp e rts ha ve  held that
 of_the Staff_Regulations, which in many_respects needs_to_be undertaken_before_enlargement. Unfortunately, the_timetable for dealing_with such matters is_enormously protracted. This_proposal_has taken four years: how long will it take if we embark upon a_complete_reform? It_might_be_a good idea to discuss_this with the committee. Even_just internal_negotiations and consultations with staff organizations take a_huge_amount of time._The procedures are lengthy. If something is to be_done, it should be done in_such a way_as_to_be completed within the_lifetime of the present Parliament and_Commission. May I thank the committee_for the interest it has taken in_the issue; I shall be happy_to continue the discussions on_this and_related matters later.

Pex
Mr President, I_put three clear_questions to_the Commissioner and_I have not had answers to_them. After two_and a half years I think_I_am entitled to_some._The_Commissioner says_he agrees with_the_amendments, but_he_does nothing further. The Commission has_the_right of initiative. Let us now see_the Commissioner doing something,_and_let him at least_give me an answer to_my questions.
I will repeat them: one,_what will_the Commission_do if Parliament adopts the amendments tomorrow? Two, how long will_it take for the Staff Regulations_to be amended and,_three, why_are_the laws and_constitutions_of those_countries which do have equal rights not_respected by_the European institutions, by the European_Commission? Please, Mr President,_will_you see to it that Parliament_receives answers to these three specific_questions.

Liikanen
Mr President, I have just_said_that_we ought to reflect on_whether or not to move towards_a decision on_this partial reform at all. If there_is_a desire to do so, a_decision_should be taken on the proposal_as_it_stands. If we want to_reopen the whole subject, we shall_probably have to go through a procedure which will_take a couple_of years longer to complete._In_compliance_with the principle of cooperation with staff, we shall have_to enter_into fresh consultations_on this whole subject. The Commission needs to think about_this. Personally I would be inclined -_although this is a matter for the Commission to decide -_to take a decision today to approve this_small reform; the views stated by Parliament_could then be taken_into_account when considering the Staff Regulations as_a_whole.
Another_point_which is legally_problematic is this:_can the Staff_Regulations of_the European Communities_treat nationals_of different Member_States_differently? So far, legal experts have held that