The General Affairs Council agreed on 29 September that two
MEPs will attend the ministerial-level meetings of the
Conference and that the attendance of the Parliament's
President at the meetings of heads of state and government
will be decided on a case-by-case basis.
The Socialists were quick to appoint
German MEP Klaus Hänsch as their representative. The
European Peoples' Party followed suit on 1 October, by
appointing Spanish MEP Inigo Mendez de Vigo to do the
job.
Lobbying efforts continue on two fronts
for the possible inclusion of a third MEP in the IGC with
both the Liberals and the new Member States pressing for a
seat.
European Parliament President Pat Cox is
sure to attend the opening session on 4 October, however,
decision on his inclusion in the other top-level IGC
meetings is to be decided on the day.