Metsola publicly asked EU leaders in an address last week to consider “how to achieve consensus on a second reading of this file”.
Cyprus said in Monday’s note that there was an “urgent need” to close that legal gap. It added that it “takes note of the political signal from the President of the European Parliament to encourage continued work on the proposal.”
If the capitals choose to adopt their stance, the legislation is not automatically passed: Parliament must either accept it or re-enter negotiations. “There is no certainty [the Parliament] Cyprus will adopt the legislative act in the second reading in line with the Council’s first reading position, Cyprus wrote in the note.
Gregorova rejected the suggestion that lawmakers would back down. “Parliament’s mandate is clear: the majority rejected it, which means we reject the extension.”
According to EU procedures, if capitals and parliaments continue to disagree, they can turn to a rare process known as conciliation.
MPs will meet next Monday for political talks on a second standing bill to deal with CSAM, although no agreement is likely to be reached at that meeting, two parliament officials involved in the process and a national official said last week.
Max Griera contributed reporting.
This article was updated to include comment and additional details from a Metsola spokesperson.
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