The majority of MEPs voted in favour of an equal salary of 8,500 euro a month, eliminating the present disparities between what MEPs earn according to their nationality. This new salary amount will be paid from the EU budget and not by the respective Member States as it is presently.

At the moment an Italian MEP earns 11,779 euro per month whereas a Spaniard earns 2,540.

But whilst they voted themselves a pay rise, the EU acceding states might still face themselves with a lower pay.

Opt-out for MEPs from new member states

MEPs decided to give the new EU states the option to keep paying MEPs elected from their country like their respective national parliamentarians, from the entry into force of the accession treaty to the end of the second full European Parliament legislative term after that date.

The Commission also indicated that provisions in the draft statute touching immunities raise certain legal problems, as they would amend primary law, and therefore be out of the competence of the European Parliament.

Despite five-year long discussions over the Statute for MEPs, Mr Rothley wanted this issue to be included in the report, even though it might lead EU states to block it.

The issue of taxation might also put the European Parliament at loggerheads with the Council.

It was decided that MEPs should pay tax to the European Communities and not their national taxation. Besides the likely opposition which might arrive from the Nordic countries and the UK, the liberals in the European Parliament feel that this will bring them in a position of EU civil servants, as they will not be paying the same tax as their constituents.

MEPs will now vote tomorrow on the motion for resolution, after considering the opinion given by the Commission. If approved, the Statute will go to the Council with the hope that EU states will not block it.