Notes transmitted by the Parliaments represented in the  Working Group

 DENMARK

 Remarks on the preparatory note debated in Cogne

As stated in Cogne the Danish opinion is that the future co-operation between the Parliaments in the European Union countries is very important.
The contacts that have been established in the working group have already created a network that can contribute to the interchange of experience and knowledge at a more informal level.
Experiences with informal networks between the Nordic parliaments have been very satisfactory. These networks between parliamentarians and officials from the Nordic parliaments contribute to rapid information at the right time.
From a Danish point of view there is a danger of formalising networks with the routine exchange of facts, which there is no current need for. It is more important for politicians and officials to work with concrete questions such as improved planning of legislation, or the introduction of party leader debates, to be able to address inquiries to the right colleagues in other parliaments, and receive all the latest information on conditions and experience.
The Danish suggestion is that The European Parliaments commit themselves to informing the other Parliaments on alterations concerning the Standing Orders, other procedures or other steps taken to improve the quality of legislation.
The interchange of documentation on legislative issues of common interest that already takes place between parliaments and CERDP, the fact-finding departments in the EU, the administration of OECD and others, is important but there is no need for an extra body.
Moreover it would be very useful in the daily practical work on legislation if the network between the corresponding committees in the Parliaments in the European Union countries was strengthened. A network between the environmental committees has been established and preparations for a network between the traffic committees are going on.