31.3.2004

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

CE 81/1

---

MINUTES

(2004/C 81 E/01)

PROCEEDINGS OF THE SITTING

IN THE CHAIR: Pat COX

President

1.   Resumption of session

The sitting opened at 15.00.

2.   Approval of Minutes of previous sitting

Colette Flesch had informed the Chair that on 3 September 2003 she had wished to vote against amendment 1 to the Lambert report (A5-0226/2003).

Giorgio Calò had informed the Chair that on 24 September 2003 he had wished to vote for amendment 23 to the Gil-Robles/Tsatsos report (A5-0299/2003).

The Minutes of the previous sitting were approved.

3.   Official welcome

On behalf of Parliament, the President welcomed Dr Jong-Wook Lee, the recently-elected Director-General of the World Health Organization, who had taken his seat in the official gallery.

4.   Membership of Parliament

Kathleen Van Brempt had given notice of her appointment as Secretary of State in the Belgian Government.

Since, pursuant to Rule 8(4) of its Rules of Procedure and Article 6(1) of the Act concerning the election of representatives of the European Parliament by direct universal suffrage, this office was incompatible with that of Member of the European Parliament, Parliament established, pursuant to Article 12(2), second subparagraph, of the aforementioned Act, that the vacancy would take effect from 29 September 2003.

The competent authorities in Belgium had given notice of the appointment of Saïd El Khadraoui to replace Kathleen Van Brempt as Member of Parliament, with effect from 7 October 2003.

The competent authorities in the Netherlands had given notice of the appointment of Cornelis Bremmer to replace Hanja Maij-Weggen as Member of Parliament, with effect from 1 October 2003.

The President drew attention to the provisions of Rule 7(5).

Arlindo Cunha had given notice in writing of his resignation as Member of Parliament, with effect from 1 October 2003.

Pursuant to Rule 8 of its Rules of Procedure and Article 12(2), second subparagraph, of the Act concerning the election of the representatives of the European Parliament by direct universal suffrage, Parliament established the vacancy and informed the Member State concerned accordingly.

The competent authorities in Cyprus had given notice that Eleni Theocharous had replaced Demetris Syllouris as observer with effect from 6 October 2003.

5.   Documents received

The following documents had been received:

1)

from the Council and Commission: — Proposal for a Regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council amending Regulation (EC) No 2320/2002 of the European Parliament and of the Council establishing common rules in the field of civil aviation security (COM(2003) 566 — C5-0424/2003 — 2003/0222(COD)) referred to responsible: RETT legal basis: Article 80(2) EC — Proposal for a Council regulation amending Regulation (EC) No 973/2001 laying down certain technical measures for the conservation of certain stocks of highly migratory species (COM(2003) 421 — C5-0429/2003 — 2002/0189(CNS)) referred to responsible: PECH legal basis: Article 37 EC — Proposal for a Council Regulation on the European Monitoring Centre on Racism and Xenophobia (Recast version) (COM(2003) 483 — C5-0436/2003 — 2003/0185(CNS)) referred to responsible: LIBE   opinion: EMPL, CULT, FEMM legal basis: Articles 13(1), 284 and 308 EC — Proposal for a Directive of the European Parliament and of the Council on the protection of groundwater against pollution (COM(2003) 550 — C5-0447/2003 — 2003/0210(COD)) referred to responsible: ENVI   opinion: ITRE, AGRI legal basis: Article 175(1) EC — Proposal for a directive of the European Parliament and of the Council on the use of vehicles hired without drivers for the carriage of goods by road (codified version) (COM(2003) 559 — C5-0448/2003 — 2003/0221(COD)) referred to responsible: JURI   opinion: RETT legal basis: Article 71(1) EC — Draft amending budget No 5 for the financial year 2003 — Section III — Commission (13014/2003 — C5-0449/2003 — 2003/2144(BUD)) referred to responsible: BUDG   opinion: all committees concerned legal basis: Article 272 EC, Article 177 Euratom — Draft Council Decision amending the Protocol on the Statute of the Court of Justice to lay down the conditions and limits for review by the Court of Justice of decisions delivered by the Court of First Instance (12464/2003 — C5-0450/2003 — 2003/0820(CNS)) referred to responsible: JURI legal basis: Articles 225(2-3) and 245, second subparagraph EC — Opinion of the Council on transfer of appropriations 21/2003 between Chapters in Section III — Commission — Part B — of the General Budget for the European Union for the financial year 2003 (C5-0451/2003 — 2003/2169(GBD)) referred to responsible: BUDG legal basis: Article 274 EC — Opinion of the Council on transfer of appropriations 22/2003 between Chapters in Section III — Commission — Part B — of the General Budget for the European Union for the financial year 2003 (C5-0452/2003 — 2003/2170(GBD)) referred to responsible: BUDG legal basis: Article 274 EC — Opinion of the Council on transfer of appropriations 23/2003 between Chapters in Section III — Commission — Part B — of the General Budget for the European Union for the financial year 2003 (C5-0453/2003 — 2003/2177(GBD)) referred to responsible: BUDG legal basis: Article 274 EC — Opinion of the Council on transfer of appropriations 26/2003 between Chapters in Section III — Commission — Part B — of the General Budget for the European Union for the financial year 2003 (C5-0454/2003 — 2003/2176(GBD)) referred to responsible: BUDG legal basis: Article 274 EC — Proposal for a Decision of the European Parliament and of the Council on the mobilisation of the flexibility instrument in favour of the rehabilitation and reconstruction of Iraq according to point 24 of the Interinstitutional Agreement of 6 May 1999 (COM(2003) 576 — C5-0455/2003 — 2003/0225(COD)) referred to responsible: BUDG   opinion: AFET — Proposal for a Directive of the European Parliament and of the Council on the approximation of the laws of the Member States relating to the measures to be taken against the emission of gaseous and particulate pollutants from compression-ignition engines for use in vehicles, and the emission of gaseous pollutants from positive-ignition engines fuelled with natural gas or liquefied petroleum gas for use in vehicles (Recast version) (COM(2003) 522 — C5-0456/2003 — 2003/0205(COD)) referred to responsible: ENVI   opinion: ITRE legal basis: Article 95 EC — Proposal for a Council regulation on conclusion of an Agreement in the form of an exchange of letters extending to the period 1 July 2003 to 30 June 2004 the validity of the Protocol setting fishing opportunities and a financial contribution as provided for in the Agreement between the European Economic Community and the Republic of Côte d'Ivoire on fishing off the coast of Côte d'Ivoire (COM(2003) 556 — C5-0458/2003 — 2003/0219(CNS)) referred to responsible: PECH   opinion: BUDG, DEVE legal basis: Articles 37 and 300(2-3), first subparagraph EC — Proposal for a Council Regulation setting aid rates in the seeds sector for the 2004/05 marketing year (COM(2003) 552 — C5-0459/2003 — 2003/0212(CNS)) referred to responsible: AGRI   opinion: BUDG legal basis: Article 37 EC — Proposal for a Council Regulation amending Regulation (EEC) No 1696/71 on the common organisation of the market in hops (COM(2003) 562 — C5-0460/2003 — 2003/0216(CNS)) referred to responsible: AGRI   opinion: BUDG legal basis: Article 37 300(2-3) EC — Proposal for a Council regulation amending Regulation (EC) No 1683/95 laying down a uniform format for visas (COM(2003) 558 — C5-0466/2003 — 2003/0217(CNS)) referred to responsible: LIBE legal basis: Article 62 EC — Proposal for a Council regulation amending Regulation (EC) No 1030/2002 laying down a uniform format for residence permits for third-country nationals (COM(2003) 558 — C5-0467/2003 — 2003/0218(CNS)) referred to responsible: LIBE legal basis: Article 63 EC

2)

from committees: 2.1) reports: — *** I Report on the proposal for a European Parliament and Council regulation concerning Community cooperation with Asian and Latin American countries and amending Council Regulation (EC) No 2258/96 (COM(2002) 340 — C5-0368/2002 — 2002/0139(COD)) — Committee on Development and Cooperation Rapporteur: Mrs Sanders-ten Holte (A5-0312/2003) — Report on the conclusion of the interinstitutional agreement on ‘Better Law-Making’ between the European Parliament, the Council and the Commission (I5-0017/2003 — C5-0407/2003 — 2003/2131(ACI)) — Committee on Constitutional Affairs Rapporteur: Mrs Frassoni (A5-0313/2003) — — Report on the proposals for decisions on the mobilisation of the EU Solidarity Fund according to point 3 of the Interinstitutional Agreement of 7 November 2002 between the European Parliament, the Council and the Commission on the financing of the European Union Solidarity Fund, supplementing the Interinstitutional Agreement of 6 May 1999 on budgetary discipline and improvement of the budgetary procedure (COM(2003) 431 — C5-0323/2003 — 2003/0166(ACI) and COM(2003) 529 — C5-0418/2003 — 2003/0206(ACI)) — Committee on Budgets Rapporteur: Mr Colom i Naval (A5-0315/2003) — Report on the Draft Amending Budget No 5/2003 of the European Union for the financial year 2003 (13014/2003 — C5-0449/2003 — 2003/2144(BUD) and 2003/2181(BUD)) — Section III — Commission — Committee on Budgets Rapporteur: Mr Färm (A5-0316/2003) — * Report on the proposal for a Council regulation amending Regulation (EC) No 2596/97 extending the period provided for in Article 149(1) of the Act of Accession of Austria, Finland and Sweden (COM(2003) 372 — C5-0324/2003 — 2003/0144(CNS)) — Committee on Agriculture and Rural Development Rapporteur: Mr Daul (A5-0317/2003) (Simplified procedure — Rule 158(1) of the Rules of Procedure) — * Report on the proposal for a Council regulation amending Regulation No 79/65/EEC of the Council setting up a network for the collection of accountancy data on the incomes and business operations of agricultural holdings in the European Economic Community (COM(2003) 472 — C5-0437/2003 — 2003/0183(CNS)) — Committee on Agriculture and Rural Development Rapporteur: Mr Daul (A5-0318/2003) (Simplified procedure — Rule 158(1) of the Rules of Procedure) — *** I Report on the proposal for a European Parliament and Council regulation on quarterly financial accounts for general government (COM(2003) 242 — C5-0222/2003 — 2003/0095(COD)) — Committee on Economic and Monetary Affairs Rapporteur: Mrs Lulling (A5-0320/2003) — * Report on the proposal for a Council directive amending Directives 92/79/EEC and 92/80/EEC, authorising France to prolong the application of lower rates of excise duty to tobacco products released for consumption in Corsica (COM(2003) 186 — C5-0197/2003 — 2003/0075(CNS)) — Committee on Economic and Monetary Affairs Rapporteur: Mr Purvis (A5-0322/2003) — *** I Report on the proposal for a European Parliament and Council directive amending Directive 2002/96/EC on waste electrical and electronic equipment (COM(2003) 219 — C5-0191/2003 — 2003/0084(COD)) — Committee on the Environment, Public Health and Consumer Policy Rapporteur: Mr Florenz (A5-0324/2003) — Report on industrial policy in an Enlarged Europe (COM(2002) 714 — C5-0153/2003 — 2003/2063(INI)) — Committee on Industry, External Trade, Research and Energy Rapporteur: Mrs Zrihen (A5-0328/2003) 2.2) recommendations for second reading: — ***II Recommendation for second reading on the common position adopted by the Council with a view to adopting a European Parliament and Council decision adopting a multi-annual programme (2004-2006) for the effective integration of Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) in education and training systems in Europe (eLearning Programme) (8642/1/2003 — C5-0293/2003 — 2002/0303(COD)) — Committee on Culture, Youth, Education, the Media and Sport Rapporteur: Mr Mauro (A5-0314/2003) — ***II Recommendation for second reading on the common position adopted by the Council with a view to adopting a European Parliament and Council directive amending Council Directive 96/48/EC on the interoperability of the trans-European high-speed rail system and Directive 2001/16/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council on the interoperability of the trans-European conventional rail system (8556/2/2003 — C5-0298/2003 — 2002/0023(COD)) — Committee on Regional Policy, Transport and Tourism Rapporteur: Mrs Ainardi (A5-0321/2003) — ***II Recommendation for second reading on the common position adopted by the Council with a view to adopting a European Parliament and Council regulation on establishing a European Railway Agency (Agency Regulation) (8558/2/2003 — C5-0296/2003 — 2002/0024(COD)) — Committee on Regional Policy, Transport and Tourism Rapporteur: Mr Savary (A5-0323/2003) — ***II Recommendation for second reading on the common position adopted by the Council with a view to adopting a European Parliament and Council directive on safety on the Community's railways and amending Council Directive 95/18/EC on the licensing of railway undertakings and Directive 2001/14/EC on the allocation of railway infrastructure capacity and the levying of charges for the use of railway infrastructure and safety certification (Railway Safety Directive) (8557/2/2003 — C5-0297/2003 — 2002/0022(COD)) — Committee on Regional Policy, Transport and Tourism Rapporteur: Mr Sterckx (A5-0325/2003) — ***II Recommendation for second reading on the common position adopted by the Council with a view to adopting a European Parliament and Council directive amending Council directive 91/440/EEC on the development of the Community's railways (8011/3/2003 — C5-0295/2003 — 2002/0025(COD)) — Committee on Regional Policy, Transport and Tourism Rapporteur: Mr Jarzembowski (A5-0327/2003)

3)

from Members: 3.1) motions for resolution (Rule 48): — Roberta Angelilli, on behalf of the UEN Group, on the employment crisis at Alcatel Italia SpA (B5-0406/2003) referred to responsible: EMPL — Salvador Garriga Polledoon the creation of a European Research Council (B5-0408/2003) referred to responsible: ITRE 3.2) proposals for recommendations (Rule 49): — Anna Terrón i Cusí and Gerhard Schmid, on behalf of the PSE Group, on dealing with the possible threat of biological and chemical weapon attacks (B5-0407/2003) referred to responsible: LIBE

6.   Transfers of appropriations

The Committee on Budgets had considered proposal for transfer of appropriations No 21/2003 (C5-0413/2003 — SEC(2003) 941).

Having noted the opinion of the Council, it had authorised the transfer, pursuant to Articles 24(3) and 181(1) of the Financial Regulation of 25 June 2002, in accordance with the following breakdown:

FROM:
Chapter B0-40 — Provisions
— Article B5-306 — Computerisation of the excise system (EMCS)	CA	-3 000 000 EUR
	PA	-1 000 000 EUR
TO:
Chapter B5-30 — Strategic implementing measures
— Article B5-306 — Computerisation of the excise system (EMCS)	CA	3 000 000 EUR
	PA	1 000 000 EUR

*

* *

The Committee on Budgets had considered proposal for transfer of appropriations No 22/2003 (C5-0414/2003 — SEC(2003) 940).

Having noted the opinion of the Council, it had authorised the transfer, pursuant to Articles 24(3) and 181(1) of the Financial Regulation of 25 June 2002, in accordance with the following breakdown:

FROM:
Chapter B2-16 — Innovative measures and technical assistance
— Article B2-164 — Completion of earlier programmes	PA	- 189 051 EUR
TO:
Chapter B2-60 — Other regional policy operations
— Article B2-602 — Completion of other regional measures	PA	189 051 EUR

*

* *

The Committee on Budgets had considered proposal for transfer of appropriations No 23/2003 (C5-0388/2003 — SEC(2003) 993).

Having noted the opinion of the Council, it had authorised the transfer, pursuant to Articles 24(3) and 181(1) of the Financial Regulation of 25 June 2002, in accordance with the following breakdown:

FROM:
Chapter B0-40 — Provisions
— Article B2-707 — Marco Polo programme	CA	-15 000 000 EUR
— Article B4-106 — ‘Intelligent energy for Europe’ programme (2003-2006)	CA	-47 360 000 EUR
— Article B4-106A — ‘Intelligent energy for Europe’ programme (2003-2006) — Expenditure on administrative management	CA	- 640 000 EUR
	PA	- 192 000 EUR
— Article B5-820 — Training, exchange and cooperation programmes in the fields of justice and home affairs	CA	-4 000 000 EUR
	PA	-4 000 000 EUR
— Article B5-821 — Action against illegal and harmful content on the Internet	CA	-6 400 000 EUR
— Article B7-841 — ‘Intelligent energy for Europe’ programme: external strand — Coopener	CA	-1 970 000 EUR
— Article B7-841A — ‘Intelligent energy for Europe’ programme: external strand — Coopener — Expenditure on administrative management	CA	-30 000 EUR
	PA	-30 000 EUR
TO:
Chapter B2-70 — Transport
— Article B2-707 — Marco Polo programme	CA	15 000 000 EUR
Chapter B4-10 — Energy policy
— Article B4-106 — ‘Intelligent energy for Europe’ programme (2003-2006)	CA	47 360 000 EUR
— Article B4-106A — ‘Intelligent energy for Europe’ programme (2003-2006) — Expenditure on administrative management	CA	640 000 EUR
	PA	192 000 EUR
Chapter B5-82 — Judicial and police cooperation — Measures to combat crime
— Article B5-820 — Training, exchange and cooperation programmes in the fields of justice and home affairs	CA	4 000 000 EUR
	PA	4 000 000 EUR
— Article B5-821 — Action against illegal and harmful content on the Internet	CA	6 400 000 EUR
Chapter B7-84 — External aspects of transport and energy policy
— Article B7-841 — ‘Intelligent energy for Europe’ programme: external strand — Coopener	CA	1 970 000 EUR
— Article B7-841A — ‘Intelligent energy for Europe’ programme: external strand — Coopener — Expenditure on administrative management	CA	30 000 EUR
	PA	30 000 EUR

*

* *

The Committee on Budgets had considered proposal for transfer of appropriations No 26/2003 (C5-0387/2003 — SEC(2003) 1002).

Having noted the opinion of the Council, it had authorised the transfer, pursuant to Articles 24(3) and 181(1) of the Financial Regulation of 25 June 2002, in accordance with the following breakdown:

FROM:
Chapter B6-61 — Operating expenditure — Integrating and strengthening the European Research Area
— Article B6-613 — Nanotechnologies, knowledge-based materials and new production processes	Payments	-9 000 000 EUR
— Article B6-615 — Food quality and safety	Payments	-9 200 000 EUR
— Article B6-617 — Citizens and governance in a knowledge-based society	Payments	-5 600 000 EUR
— Article B6-619 — Strengthening the foundations of the European Research Area
— Item B6-6192 — Support for the coherent development of policies	Payments	-1 300 000 EUR
Chapter B6-62 — Operating expenditure — Structuring the European Research Area
— Article B6-622 — Human resources	Payments	-26 940 000 EUR
— Article B6-623 — Research infrastructures	Payments	-8 400 000 EUR
TO:
Chapter B2-90 — Support measures for the common fisheries policy
— Article B2-904 — Support for the management of fishery resources and stepping up of research (collection of basic data and improvement of scientific advice)	Payments	6 740 000 EUR
Chapter B6-61 — Operating expenditure — Integrating and strengthening the European Research Area
— Article B6-616 — Sustainable development, global change and ecosystems	Payments	13 500 000 EUR
— Article B6-618 — Specific activities covering a wider field of research
— Item B6-6181 — Supporting policies and anticipating scientific and technological needs	Payments	3 400 000 EUR
— Article B6-619 — Strengthening the foundations of the European Research Area
— Item B6-6191 — Support for the coordination of activities	Payments	27 100 000 EUR
Chapter B6-62 — Operating expenditure — Structuring the European Research Area
— Article B6-624 — Science and society	Payments	1 900 000 EUR
Chapter B6-63 — Operating expenditure — Research and training actions under the Euratom Treaty
— Article B6-631 — Priority thematic areas of research
— Item B6-6312 — Management of radioactive waste	Payments	3 600 000 EUR
— Item B6-6313 — Radiation protection	Payments	2 100 000 EUR
— Article B6-632 — Other activities in the field of nuclear technologies and safety	Payments	2 100 000 EUR

7.   Action taken on Parliament's positions and resolutions

The Commission communication on the action taken on the following resolution had been distributed:

—	European Parliament resolution on the ministerial meeting of the European Space Agency (ESA) (P5_TA(2003)0217).

8.   Agenda

The order of business had been established (Item13 of Minutes of 22 September 2003).

Klaus-Heiner Lehne spoke to request the tabling of motions for resolution to wind up the debate on the oral question on the market regulations and competition rules for the liberal professions (B5-0278/2003).

Parliament approved the request.

The President announced that the vote would take place during the next part-session.

Deadlines:

—	motion for resolution: Thursday 16 October at 12.00;

—	amendments and joint motion for resolution: Monday 20 October at 19.00.

A corrigendum to the agenda of the sittings of 8 and 9 October 2003 had been distributed (PE 334.423/OJ/COR).

Proposed changes:

—

Wednesday — the Commission communication on the full integration of cooperation with ACP states into the EU budget (Item 46 of the Agenda) would be made by Michaele Schreyer, — as the Färm report (A5-0316/2003) (Item 77) and the Colom i Naval report (A5-0315/2003) (Item 78) had been adopted under Rule 110a, they would be voted, without debate, during voting time on Thursday;

—	Thursday — as the Daul reports on drinking milk (A5-0317/2003) and accountancy data on agricultural holdings (A5-0318/2003) had been adopted by the AGRI Committee under Rule 158(1), they would be voted during voting time on Thursday.

*

* *

The agenda was thus established.

9.   Official welcome

On behalf of Parliament, the President welcomed the Swedish Riksdag's Committee on the Constitution, its Chairman, Gunnar Hökmark, and Vice-Chairman, Göran Magnusson, who had taken their seats in the official gallery.

10.   One-minute speeches on matters of political importance

Pursuant to Rule 121a, the following Members who wished to draw the attention of Parliament to matters of political importance spoke for one minute:

Richard Howitt, Ian Stewart Hudghton, Efstratios Korakas, Giorgio Lisi, Nuala Ahern, Linda McAvan, Myrsini Zorba, Carlos Lage and Juan Manuel Ferrández Lezaun.

11.   Full integration of cooperation with ACP states into the budget of the European Union (Commission statement)

Commission statement: Full integration of cooperation with ACP states into the budget of the European Union.

Michaele Schreyer (Member of the Commission) made the statement.

Glenys Kinnock asked a question which Michaele Schreyer answered.

The item was closed.

(The sitting, which was suspended at 15.40 pending the next item on the Agenda, resumed at 16.10.)

12.   Market regulations and competition rules for the liberal professions (Oral question with debate)

Oral question by Klaus-Heiner Lehne, Othmar Karas, Giuseppe Gargani and Stefano Zappalà, on behalf of the PPE-DE Group, to the Commission, on market regulations and competition rules for the liberal professions (B5-0278/2003).

Klaus-Heiner Lehne moved the oral question.

Mario Monti (Member of the Commission) answered the oral question.

The following spoke: Giuseppe Gargani, on behalf of the PPE-DE Group, Manuel Medina Ortega, on behalf of the PSE Group, Benedetto Della Vedova, Non-attached Member, Othmar Karas, Stefano Zappalà and Mario Monti.

The following deadlines were set:

—	motions for resolution: Thursday 16 October at 12.00;

—	amendments and joint motions for resolution: Monday 20 October at 19.00.

13.   Preparation of the European Council (Brussels, 16/17 October 2003) (statement followed by debate)

Council and Commission statements on the preparation of the European Council (Brussels, 16/17 October 2003).

Roberto Antonione (President-in-Office of the Council) and Romano Prodi (President of the Commission) made the statements.

Hans-Gert Poettering spoke on behalf of the PPE-DE Group.

IN THE CHAIR: Guido PODESTÀ

Vice-President

The following spoke: Enrique Barón Crespo, on behalf of the PSE Group, Graham R. Watson, on behalf of the ELDR Group, Francis Wurtz, on behalf of the GUE/NGL Group, Nelly Maes, on behalf of the Verts/ALE Group, Gerard Collins, on behalf of the UEN Group, Jens-Peter Bonde, on behalf of the EDD Group, Benedetto Della Vedova, Non-attached Member, Antonio Tajani and Johannes (Hannes) Swoboda.

IN THE CHAIR: Giorgos DIMITRAKOPOULOS

Vice-President

The following spoke: Andrew Nicholas Duff, Ilda Figueiredo, Johannes Voggenhuber, William Abitbol, Mario Borghezio, Margie Sudre, Anna Terrón i Cusí, Sarah Ludford, Georges Berthu, Arie M. Oostlander and Roberto Antonione.

The debate closed.

14.   Interinstitutional agreement on ‘Better Law-Making’ — Simplifying and improving Community regulation (debate)

Report on the conclusion of the interinstitutional agreement on ‘Better Law-Making’ between the European Parliament, the Council and the Commission Draft interinstitutional agreement on better lawmaking [2003/2131(ACI)] — Committee on Constitutional Affairs.

Rapporteur: Monica Frassoni

(A5-0313/2003)

Second Report on the second report on the Commission communications on simplifying and improving Community regulation [COM(2001) 726 — C5-0108/2002 — 2002/2052(COS)] — Committee on Legal Affairs and the Internal Market.

Rapporteur: Manuel Medina Ortega

(A5-0235/2003)

Monica Frassoni and Manuel Medina Ortega introduced their reports.

The following spoke: Philippe Busquin (Member of the Commission), Roberto Antonione (Presidentin-Office of the Council) and Giuseppe Gargani (draftsman of the opinion of the JURI Committee).

IN THE CHAIR: Alonso José PUERTA

Vice-President

The following spoke: Bert Doorn, on behalf of the PPE-DE Group, Johannes (Hannes) Swoboda, on behalf of the PSE Group, Nicholas Clegg, on behalf of the ELDR Group, Neil MacCormick, on behalf of the Verts/ALE Group, Ursula Schleicher, Margrietus J. van den Berg, Elizabeth Lynne, Avril Doyle, Ioannis Koukiadis, Lord Inglewood, Richard Corbett, Arlene McCarthy and Monica Frassoni.

Richard Corbett spoke on the organisation of the debate.

The debate closed.

Vote: Minutes of 9.10.2003, Items 16 and 17.

15.   European space policy (debate)

Report on the Green Paper on European space policy [2003/2092(INI)] — Committee on Industry, External Trade, Research and Energy.

Rapporteur: Guido Bodrato

(A5-0294/2003)

Guido Bodrato introduced the report.

Philippe Busquin (Member of the Commission) spoke.

The following spoke: Brigitte Langenhagen, on behalf of the PPE-DE Group, Gilles Savary, on behalf of the PSE Group, Sylviane H. Ainardi, on behalf of the GUE/NGL Group, and Yves Piétrasanta, on behalf of the Verts/ALE Group.

(The sitting was suspended at 20.00 and resumed at 21.00.)

IN THE CHAIR: José PACHECO PEREIRA

Vice-President

The following spoke: Rolf Linkohr, Konstantinos Alyssandrakis, Josu Ortuondo Larrea, Reino Paasilinna, Hans-Peter Martin and Philippe Busquin (Member of the Commission).

The debate closed.

Vote: Minutes of 9.10.2003, Item 18.

16.   EC Merger Regulation * (debate)

Report on the proposal for a Council regulation on the control of concentrations between undertakings: ‘The EC Merger Regulation’ [COM(2002) 711 — C5-0005/2003 — 2002/0296(CNS)] — Committee on Economic and Monetary Affairs.

Rapporteur: Benedetto Della Vedova

(A5-0257/2003)

Mario Monti (Member of the Commission) spoke.

The following spoke: Benedetto Della Vedova, who introduced his report.

The following spoke: Bert Doorn (draftsman of the opinion of the JURI Committee), on behalf of the PPE-DE Group, Luis Berenguer Fuster, on behalf of the PSE Group, Olle Schmidt, on behalf of the ELDR Group, Wolfgang Ilgenfritz, Non-attached Member, Ieke van den Burg, Othmar Karas, Manuel António dos Santos, Thomas Mann and Mario Monti.

The debate closed.

Vote: Minutes of 9.10.2003, Item 19.

17.   Tunnel safety ***I (debate)

Report on a proposal for a directive of the European Parliament and of the Council on minimum safety requirements for tunnels in the Trans-European Road Network [COM(2002) 769 — C5-0635/2002 — 2002/0309(COD)] — Committee on Regional Policy, Transport and Tourism.

Rapporteur: Reinhard Rack

(A5-0311/2003)

Mario Monti (Member of the Commission) spoke.

Reinhard Rack introduced the report.

The following spoke: Georg Jarzembowski, on behalf of the PPE-DE Group, Johannes (Hannes) Swoboda, on behalf of the PSE Group, Helmuth Markov, on behalf of the GUE/NGL Group, Rijk van Dam, on behalf of the EDD Group, Erik Meijer, Dieter-Lebrecht Koch and Mario Monti.

IN THE CHAIR: Alejo VIDAL-QUADRAS ROCA

Vice-President

The debate closed.

Vote: Minutes of 9.10.2003, Item 15.

18.   Fisheries partnership agreements with third countries (debate)

Report on the Commission communication on an integrated framework for fisheries partnership agreements with third countries [COM(2002) 637 — C5-0070/2003 — 2003/2034(INI)] — Committee on Fisheries.

Rapporteur: Arlindo Cunha

(A5-0303/2003)

Daniel Varela Suanzes-Carpegna, deputising for the rapporteur, introduced the report.

Franz Fischler (Member of the Commission) spoke.

The following spoke: Struan Stevenson, chairman of the PECH Committee, who referred in particular to remarks made by Ian Stewart Hudghton earlier that afternoon (see Item 10) and who subsequently spoke on behalf of the PPE-DE Group, Carlos Lage, on behalf of the PSE Group, Elspeth Attwooll, on behalf of the ELDR Group, Ilda Figueiredo, on behalf of the GUE/NGL Group, Patricia McKenna, on behalf of the Verts/ALE Group, Nigel Paul Farage, on behalf of the EDD Group, Dominique F.C. Souchet, Non-attached Member, Brigitte Langenhagen, Catherine Stihler and Franz Fischler

The debate closed.

Vote: Minutes of 9.10.2003, Item 22.

19.   Agenda for next sitting

The President referred Members to the document ‘Agenda’ (PE 334.423/OJJE).

20.   Closure of sitting

The sitting closed at 23.20.

---

---