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In order to ensure that the European Union's institutions can continue to work efficiently after enlargement, the European Council confirms its intention of convening a Conference of the Representatives of the Governments of the Member States early in 2000 to resolve the institutional issues left open in Amsterdam that need to be settled before enlargement. The Conference should be completed and the necessary amendments to the Treaties agreed upon at the end of 2000.
In accordance with the Amsterdam Protocol on the institutions with the prospect of enlargement of the European Union and the declarations made with regard to it, the brief of the Intergovernmental Conference will cover the following topics:
- size and composition of the Commission;
- weighting of votes in
the Council (re-weighting, introduction of a dual majority and threshold for
qualified-majority decision-making);
- possible extension of
qualified-majority voting in the Council.
Other necessary amendments to
the Treaties arising as regards the European institutions in connection
with the above issues and in implementing the Treaty of Amsterdam, could also
be discussed.
The European Council invites the incoming Presidency to draw up, on its own responsibility, for the European Council meeting in Helsinki, a comprehensive report explaining and taking stock of options for resolving the issues to be settled. In so doing, the Presidency will take into account proposals submitted by Member States, the Commission and the European Parliament. The Presidency may also consider the question of further consultation. An appropriate exchange of views should be held with the applicant countries within existing fora.