So a country like the United States, which has a very high median income, is going to have a very high low-income cut-off, which means it's easier to be poor, if you wish, in the United States.

Brief reference should be made to some of them at this point; but they will not be expanded on further, as they primarily come within the terms of reference of the relevant committees (Employment and Social Affairs, Environment and Consumer Protection and Industry) and, of course, the committee responsible, e.g. easier SME access to procurement, taking account of social and ecological aspects in public invitations to tender and the call for higher thresholds.

At this juncture I would like to pay particular tribute to Belgian Prime Minister Guy Verhofstadt, who fought to the very end for a more equitable presence for the candidate countries and to set the qualified majority threshold at a less unreasonable level - though one that is still too high.

7. Will also examine carefully apparent shortcomings such as Council decision making procedures, particularly regarding the raised thresholds for obtaining a qualified-majority, and its complexity; the insufficient extension of the scope of qualified-majority voting in matters important for enlargement; the fact that no automatic link was made between qualified-majority voting (both old and new cases) and legislative codecision by Parliament; the fact that, in enhanced cooperation, Parliament's assent is only occasionally required; and the fact that the Charter of Fundamental Rights has neither been incorporated nor even referred to ...[+++]in the new Treaty;

7. Will examine carefully apparent shortcomings such as Council decision-making procedures, particularly regarding the raised thresholds for obtaining a qualified majority, and its complexity; the insufficient extension of the scope of qualified-majority voting in matters important for enlargement; the fact that no automatic link was made between qualified-majority voting (both old and new cases) and legislative codecision by Parliament; the fact that, in enhanced cooperation, Parliament's assent is only occasionally required;

6. Will also examine carefully apparent shortcomings such as Council decision-making procedures, particularly regarding the raised threshold for obtaining a qualified majority, and its complexity; the insufficient extension of the scope of qualified-majority voting in matters important for enlargement; the fact that no automatic link was made between qualified-majority voting (both old and new cases) and legislative co-decision by Parliament; the fact that, in closer co-operation, Parliament's assent is only occasionally required; and the fact that the Charter of Fundamental Rights has neither been incorporated nor even referred to i ...[+++]n the new Treaty;