52004PC0367

Amended proposal for a DECISION OF THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND OF THE COUNCIL establishing a multiannual Community programme to make digital content in Europe more accessible, usable and exploitable (presented by the Commission pursuant to Article 250 (2) of the EC Treaty)

2004/0025 (COD)

Amended proposal for a DECISION OF THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND OF THE COUNCIL establishing a multiannual Community programme to make digital content in Europe more accessible, usable and exploitable

1. Background

On 13 February 2004 the Commission submitted to Parliament, pursuant to Articles 251(2) and 157(3) of the EC Treaty, the proposal for a European Parliament and Council decision establishing a multiannual Community programme to make digital content in Europe more accessible, usable and exploitable (COM(2004) 96 - 2004/0025(COD)).

Opinion of the European Parliament - first reading: 22 April 2004.

2. Objective of the Commission proposal

eContentplus has the overall aim to make digital content in Europe more accessible, usable and exploitable, facilitating the creation and diffusion of information and knowledge - in areas of public interest - at the Union level.

It will create better conditions for accessing and managing digital content and services in multilingual and multicultural environments. It will broaden users' choice and support new ways of interacting with knowledge-enhanced digital content, a feature which is becoming essential to make content more dynamic and tailored to specific contexts.

3. Commission opinion on the amendments adopted by the Parliament

3.1. General assessment

All the changes made by the European Parliament are in line with the Commission's proposal and make useful clarifications for the implementation of the eContentplus programme. The Commission therefore accepts them all.

3.2. Examination of the amendments

Amendment 1 (recital 15a new), clarifying the reference to digital content stakeholders.

Amendments 2, 3, 4, 5, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16 clarifying the text related to the specific objectives.

Amendments 6, 8, 9, 10 proposing revised text to ensure the consistency of the annual appropriations with the financial perspective.

Amendment 7 proposing to forward the results of the quantitative and qualitative evaluations to the European Parliament and the Council together with any appropriate proposals for the amendment of the Decision before presentation of the draft general budget of the European Union for the year 2007 and 2009 respectively.

4. Conclusions

In accordance with Article 250(2) of the EC Treaty the Commission amends its proposal as set out above.