Regolamento

Rules of the EU-Chile Joint Parliamentary Committee

RULES OF PROCEDURE
of the European Union-Chile Joint Parliamentary Committee

THE REPUBLIC OF CHILE - EUROPEAN UNION JOINT PARLIAMENTARY COMMITTEE (hereinafter 'the Committee')
- having regard to the close relationship which has developed in recent years between the Chilean National Congress and the European Parliament, particularly in the shape of the Institutionalised Interparliamentary Dialogue,
- having regard to the Association Agreement between the Republic of Chile on the one part, and the European Community and its Member States on the other, signed in Brussels on 18 November 2002, and in particular Article 9 thereof,
- whereas the agreement provisionally came into force on 1 February 2003,

LAYS DOWN THE FOLLOWING RULES OF PROCEDURE:

Rule 1

The role of the Committee shall be to consider all aspects of relations between the European Community and Chile and, in particular, the implementation of the Association Agreement.

Rule 2

1. The Committee shall consist of a fixed number of members, appointed by the European Parliament and the Chilean National Congress.

2. The length of the members' term of office shall be laid down in accordance with the rules and practices of the European Parliament and of the Chilean National Congress respectively.

Rule 3

1. The Committee's bureau shall comprise the Chair of the European Parliament's Delegation to the EU-Chile Joint Parliamentary Committee, the Chair of the Chilean National Congress delegation and a Vice-Chair from each delegation.

2. The Committee shall be chaired in turn by the Chair of the European Parliament's delegation and the Chair of the Chilean National Congress delegation.

3. Should the need arise, a delegation Vice-Chair may deputise for the Chair.

Rule 4

1. On a proposal from the Committee's bureau and pursuant to Article 9(7) of the Association Agreement, recommendations may be put forward to the Association Council. It shall also be possible to make recommendations to the European Parliament, the Chilean National Congress or their competent committees.

2. Such recommendations shall be deemed to have been adopted if they are supported by a majority of the members of the European Parliament delegation and a majority of the Chilean National Congress delegation.

Rule 5

1. The Committee shall meet at least once a year, at a venue alternating between one of the European Parliament's places of work and Chile.

2. The draft agenda, which shall be drawn up by the Co-Chairs, shall be forwarded to the members of the Committee two weeks before the date scheduled for meetings.

3. The meetings shall be held in public, unless the Committee decides otherwise.

Rule 6

In addition to the members of the Committee, members of the Council of Ministers of the European Community and of the European Commission and representatives of the Chilean Government may attend and speak at the meetings held in public. The Co-Chairs may invite other persons to attend the meetings.

Rule 7

1. The Committee's secretariat shall be provided by the secretariats of the European Parliament and of the Chilean National Congress, with each being responsible for organising the Committee's meetings held at its parliament.

2. The Committee secretariat shall take minutes of each meeting, for approval at the start of the following meeting.

Rule 8

Members of the Committee may speak at its meetings in any of the official languages of the European Union. Translation and interpretation facilities shall be provided on the basis of the Bureau's decisions and pursuant to the European Parliament's internal rules.

Rule 9

1. The Chilean National Congress and the European Parliament shall separately meet any personnel, travel and subsistence expenses arising from their participation in meetings of the Committee.

2. Expenditure in connection with the practical organisation of meetings shall be borne by the party hosting the meeting.

Rule 10

1. Any amendments to these Rules of Procedure which the Committee may propose shall be submitted for consideration by the Bureau of the European Parliament and by the corresponding body within the Chilean National Congress.

2. The Committee shall adopt any amendments and additions to these Rules of Procedure on the basis of a majority of the votes of the total number of members of each of the parties.