30.4.2004

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

CE 104/1

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MINUTES

(2004/C 104 E/01)

PROCEEDINGS OF THE SITTING

IN THE CHAIR: Pat COX

President

1.   Resumption of session

The sitting opened at 17.05.

2.   Announcement by the President

The President, on behalf of Parliament, paid tribute to the memory of Fabrizio Quattrocchi, the Italian hostage murdered in Iraq. He expressed his condolences on behalf of Parliament to the victim's family and to the people and the Government of Italy.

Parliament observed a minute's silence.

3.   Approval of Minutes of previous sitting

The Minutes of the previous sitting were approved.

4.   Membership of Parliament

The competent Greek authorities had given notice of the appointment of Mr Nikolaos Chountis to replace Alexandros Alavanos, as Member of Parliament, with effect from 15 April 2004.

The competent Spanish authorities had given notice of the appointment of Mrs Cristina Soriano Gil, Mr José Vila Abelló and Mr Enric Xavier Morera i Catalá to replace María del Carmen Ortiz Rivas, Carlos Ripoll y Martínez de Bedoya and Carles-Alfred Gasòliba i Böhm, as Members of Parliament, with effect from 2 April 2004.

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

The competent Maltese authorities had given notice of the appointment of Mr Mario De Marco to replace Mr Antonio Fenech, and of Mr Jason Azzopardi, to replace Mr Michael Frendo as observers, with effect from 29 March 2004.

The competent Latvian authorities had given notice of the appointment of Mr Guntars Krasts to replace Mr Juris Dobelis, as observer, with effect from 7 April 2004.

The competent Cypriot authorities had given notice of the appointment of Mr Lefteris Christoforou to replace Mr Georgios Tasou, as observer, with effect from 13 April 2004.

5.   Membership of political groups

Mr Enric Xavier Morera i Catalá had become a member of the Verts/ALE Group.

6.   Membership of committees and delegations

Mr Mario De Marco had been appointed observer to the BUDG Committee.

Mr Lefteris Christoforou had been appointed observer to the LIBE Committee.

Mr Jason Azzopardi had been appointed observer to the PECH Committee and to the RETT Committee.

Mr Josef Kubica had been appointed observer to the AFCO Committee.

*

* *

The PPE-DE, PSE and ELDR Groups had presented the following requests for appointments:

—	ENVI Committee: Mrs Jacqueline Rousseau

—	AGRI Committee, FEMM Committee and Delegation for relations with Canada: Mrs Cristina Soriano,

—	RETT Committee and Delegation for relations with the countries of Central America and Mexico: Mr José Vila Abellò.

These requests would be deemed to have been ratified if no objections were raised before the approval of that day's Minutes.

7.   Verification of credentials

On a proposal from the JURI Committee, Parliament validated the mandates of Meropi Kaldi and María del Carmen Ortiz Rivas.

8.   Calendar 2005

The Conference of Presidents had forwarded its proposals as follows for the calendar of part-sessions in 2005:

10 to 13 January

26 and 27 January

21 to 24 February

7 to 10 March

11 to 14 April

27 and 28 April

9 to 12 May

25 and 26 May

6 to 9 June

22 and 23 June

4 to 7 July

5 to 8 September

26 to 29 September

12 and 13 October

24 to 27 October

14 to 17 November

30 November and 1 December

12 to 15 December

The deadline for tabling amendments was Tuesday 20 April at 10.00 and the vote would be held on Wednesday 21 April at 12.00.

9.   Documents received

The following documents had been received:

1)

from the Council and Commission: — Proposal for a Council Directive amending Directive 2003/96/EC as regards the possibility for Cyprus to apply, in respect of energy products and electricity, temporary exemptions or reductions in the levels of taxation (COM(2004) 185 — C5-0175/2004 — 2004/0067(CNS)) referred to responsible: ECON   opinion: ITRE legal basis: Article 93 EC — Draft Council Recommendation on the appointment of a member of the Executive Board of the European Central Bank (6315/2004 — C5-0176/2004 — 2004/0808(CNS)) referred to responsible: ECON legal basis: Article 112(2)(b) EC — Council of the European Union: Initiative of the Kingdom of Spain with a view to adopting a Council Directive on the obligation of carriers to communicate passenger data (8058/2004 — C5-0177/2004 — 2003/0809(CNS)) referred to responsible: LIBE   opinion: RETT legal basis: Article 62(2) EC, Article 63(3) EC — Proposal for a Council regulation amending Regulation (EC) No 1268/1999 on Community support for pre-accession measures for agriculture and rural development in the applicant countries of Central and Eastern Europe in the pre-accession period (COM(2004) 163 — C5-0178/2004 — 2004/0054(CNS)) referred to responsible: AGRI   opinion: BUDG legal basis: Article 308 EC — Proposal for a Council Regulation on the conclusion of the Protocol defining, for the period 3 December 2003 to 2 December 2007, the fishing opportunities and the financial compensation provided for by the Agreement between the European Economic Community and the Government of Mauritius on fishing in the waters of Mauritius (COM(2004) 197 — C5-0179/2004 — 2004/0071(CNS)) referred to responsible: PECH   opinion: BUDG, DEVE legal basis: Article 37 EC, Article 300(2), 1st subparagraph and (3), 1st subparagraph EC — Opinion of the Commission pursuant to Article 251(2), third subparagraph, point (c) of the EC Treaty, on the European Parliament's amendments to the Council's Common Position regarding the proposal for a Regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council concerning protection against subsidisation and unfair pricing practices in the supply of airline services from countries not members of the European Community (COM(2004) 235 — C5-0180/2004 — 2002/0067(COD)) referred to responsible: RETT   opinion: ECON, ITRE legal basis: Article 80(2) EC — Amended proposal for a Directive of the European Parliament and of the Council concerning the quality of bathing waters (COM(2004) 245 — C5-0181/2004 — 2002/0254(COD)) referred to responsible: ENVI   opinion: JURI, RETT legal basis: Article 175(1) EC — Opinion of the Commission pursuant to Article 251(2), third subparagraph, point (c) of the EC Treaty, on the European Parliament's amendments to the Council's Common Position regarding the proposal for a European Parliament and Council Regulation on the negotiation and implementation of air service agreements between Member States and third countries (COM(2004) 265 — C5-0182/2004 — 2003/0044(COD)) referred to responsible: RETT   opinion: LIBE, JURI legal basis: Article 80(2) EC — Opinion of the Commission pursuant to Article 251(2), third subparagraph, point (c) of the EC Treaty, on the European Parliament's amendments to the Council's Common Position regarding the proposal for a Decision of the European Parliament and of the Council establishing a second phase of a programme of Community action (2004-2008) to prevent violence against children, young people and women and to protect victims and groups at-risk (the DAPHNE II programme) (COM(2004) 259 — C5-0185/2004 — 2003/0025(COD)) referred to responsible: FEMM   opinion: BUDG, LIBE legal basis: Article 152 EC — Proposal for a Council Regulation on the conclusion of the Protocol defining for the period 1 January 2004 to 31 December 2006 the tuna fishing opportunities and the financial contribution provided for in the Agreement between the European Economic Community and the Democratic Republic of Madagascar on fishing off Madagascar (COM(2004) 218 — C5-0186/2004 — 2004/0070(CNS)) referred to responsible: PECH   opinion: BUDG, DEVE legal basis: Article 37 EC, Article 300 (2), 1st subparagraph and (3), 1st subparagraph EC — Proposal for a Council Directive amending Directive 2003/49/EC as regards the possibility for certain Member States to apply transitional periods for the application of a common system of taxation applicable to interest and royalty payments made between associated companies of different Member States (COM(2004) 243 — C5-0187/2004 — 2004/0076(CNS)) referred to responsible: ECON   opinion: JURI legal basis: Article 94 EC — Proposal for a Council Decision on guidelines for the employment policies of the Member States (COM(2004) 239 — C5-0188/2004 — 2004/0082(CNS)) referred to responsible: EMPL   opinion: ECON, ITRE, FEMM legal basis: Article 128(2) EC — Proposal for a Council Regulation on the conclusion of the Agreement in the form of an Exchange of Letters concerning the extension of the Protocol setting out the fishing opportunities and financial contribution provided for in the Agreement between the European Economic Community and the Republic of Cape Verde on fishing off the coast of Cape Verde for the period 1 July 2004 to 30 June 2005 (COM(2004) 183 — C5-0189/2004 — 2004/0058(CNS)) referred to responsible: PECH   opinion: BUDG, DEVE legal basis: Article 37 EC, Article 300 (2)(3) EC — Opinion of the Commission pursuant to Article 251(2), third subparagraph, point (c) of the EC Treaty, on the European Parliament's amendments to the Council's Common Position regarding the proposal for a Regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council on insurance requirements for air carriers and aircraft operators (COM(2004) 255 — C5-0190/2004 — 2002/0234(COD)) referred to responsible: RETT   opinion: JURI legal basis: Article 80(2) EC

2)

from committees 2.1) reports: — * Report on the proposal for a Council decision on the conclusion of the Framework Agreement between the European Community and the European Space Agency (COM(2004) 85 — C5-0099/2004 — 2004/0028(CNS)) — Committee on Industry, External Trade, Research and Energy. Rapporteur: Mr Bodrato (A5-0222/2004). — *** I Second report on the proposal for a European Parliament and Council directive on the harmonisation of the laws, regulations and administrative provisions of the Member States concerning credit for consumers (COM(2002) 443 — C5-0420/2002 — 2002/0222(COD)) — Committee on Legal Affairs and the Internal Market. Rapporteur: Mr Wuermeling (A5-0224/2004). — * Report on the proposal for a Council decision concerning the conclusion of the World Health Organisation Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (COM(2003) 807 — C5-0028/2004 — 2003/0316(CNS)) — Committee on the Environment, Public Health and Consumer Policy. Rapporteur: Mr Maaten (A5-0226/2004). — Report on the Commission communication on Article 7 of the Treaty on European Union: Respect for and promotion of the values on which the Union is based (COM(2003) 606 — C5-0594/2003 — 2003/2249(INI)) — Committee on Constitutional Affairs. Rapporteur: Mr Voggenhuber (A5-0227/2004). — Report concerning discharge in respect of the implementation of the general budget of the European Union for the 2002 financial year Section II — Council (I5-0034/2003 — C5-0088/2004 — 2003/2212(DEC)), Section IV — Court of Justice (I5-0034/2003 — C5-0088/2004 — 2003/2213(DEC)), Section V — Court of Auditors (I5-0034/2003 — C5-0088/2004 — 2003/2214(DEC)), Section VI — Economic and Social Committee (I5-0034/2003 — C5-0088/2004 — 2003/2215(DEC)), Section VII — Committee of the Regions (I5-0034/2003 — C5-0088/2004 — 2003/2216(DEC)), Section VIII — Ombudsman (I5-0034/2003 — C5-0088/2004 — 2003/2217(DEC)) — Committee on Budgetary Control. Rapporteur: Mrs Stauner (A5-0228/2004). — * Report on the proposal for a Council regulation laying down the requirement for the competent authorities of the Member States to stamp systematically the travel documents of third-country nationals when they cross the external borders of the Member States and amending the convention implementing the Schengen agreement and the common manual to this end (COM(2003) 664 — C5-0580/2003 — 2003/0258(CNS)) — Committee on Citizens' Freedoms and Rights, Justice and Home Affairs. Rapporteur: Mrs Angelilli (A5-0229/2004). — Report on the risks of violation, in the EU and especially in Italy, of freedom of expression and information (Article 11(2) of the Charter of Fundamental Rights) (2003/2237(INI)) — Committee on Citizens' Freedoms and Rights, Justice and Home Affairs. Rapporteur: Mrs Boogerd-Quaak (A5-0230/2004). — * Report on the proposal for a Council regulation amending Regulations (EC) No 1452/2001, (EC) No 1453/2001 and (EC) No 1454/2001 as regards the conditions for the reexportation and re-dispatch of products covered by the specific supply arrangements (COM(2004) 155 — C5-0129/2004 — 2004/0051(CNS)) (Simplified procedure — Rule 158(1) of the Rules of Procedure) — Committee on Agriculture and Rural Development. Rapporteur: Mr Daul (A5-0231/2004). — * Report on the proposal for a Council regulation on actions in the field of beekeeping (COM(2004) 30 — C5-0052/2004 — 2004/0003(CNS)) — Committee on Agriculture and Rural Development. Rapporteur: Mrs Lulling (A5-0232/2004). — * Report on the proposal for a Council directive amending Directive 77/388/EEC as regards the place of supply of services (COM(2003) 822 — C5-0026/2004 — 2003/0329(CNS)) — Committee on Economic and Monetary Affairs. Rapporteur: Mr Karas (A5-0233/2004). — *** I Report on 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 — C5-0082/2004 — 2004/0025(COD)) — Committee on Industry, External Trade, Research and Energy. Rapporteur: Mr W.G. van Velzen (A5-0235/2004). — Report on the estimates of revenue and expenditure of Parliament for the financial year 2005 (2004/2007(BUD)) — Committee on Budgets. Rapporteur: Mr Kuckelkorn (A5-0236/2004). — *** I Report on the proposal for a European Parliament and Council decision amending Decision 2000/819/EC on a multiannual programme for enterprise and entrepreneurship, and in particular for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) (2001-2005) (COM(2003) 758 — C5-0628/2003 — 2003/0292(COD)) — Committee on Industry, External Trade, Research and Energy. Rapporteur: Mr Rübig (A5-0237/2004). — *** Recommendation on the proposal for a Council decision on the position of the European Community on the draft Regulation of the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe on uniform technical prescriptions concerning the burning behaviour of materials used in the interior construction of certain categories of motor vehicles (5049/2004 — C5-0106/2004 — 2003/0247(AVC)) (Simplified procedure — Rule 158(1) of the Rules of Procedure) — Committee on Industry, External Trade, Research and Energy. Rapporteur: Mr Berenguer Fuster (A5-0238/2004). — *** Recommendation on the proposal for a Council decision on the position of the European Community on the draft Regulation of the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe on uniform prescriptions concerning the type approval of tyres with respect to tyre rolling noise (5047/2004 — C5-0107/2004 — 2003/0254(AVC)) (Simplified procedure — Rule 158(1) of the Rules of Procedure) — Committee on Industry, External Trade, Research and Energy. Rapporteur: Mr Berenguer Fuster (A5-0239/2004). — *** Recommendation on the proposal for a Council decision on the position of the European Community on the draft Regulation of the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe concerning the adoption of uniform technical prescriptions relating to the protection of motor vehicles against unauthorised use (5048/2004 — C5-0105/2004 — 2003/0248(AVC)) (Simplified procedure — Rule 158(1) of the Rules of Procedure) — Committee on Industry, External Trade, Research and Energy. Rapporteur: Mr Berenguer Fuster (A5-0240/2004). — *** I Report on the proposal for a European Parliament and Council decision amending Council Decision 1999/784/EC concerning Community participation in the European Audiovisual Observatory (COM(2003) 763 — C5-0622/2003 — 2003/0293(COD)) — Committee on Culture, Youth, Education, the Media and Sport. Rapporteur: Mrs Sanders-ten Holte (A5-0241/2004). — *** I Report on the proposal for a European Parliament and Council decision on a single framework for the transparency of qualifications and competences (Europass) (COM(2003) 796 — C5-0648/2003 — 2003/0307(COD)) (Enhanced cooperation between committees — Rule 162a) — Committee on Culture, Youth, Education, the Media and Sport. Rapporteur: Mrs Zissener (A5-0247/2004). — * Report on the proposal for a Council regulation on the European Monitoring Centre for Drugs and Drug Addiction (recast) (COM(2003) 808 — C5-0060/2004 — 2003/0311(CNS)) — Committee on Citizens' Freedoms and Rights, Justice and Home Affairs. Rapporteur: Mr Ceyhun (A5-0248/2004). — *** I Report on the proposal for a European Parliament and Council directive on the establishment of common rules for certain types of carriage of goods by road (Codified version) (COM(2004) 47 — C5-0055/2004 — 2004/0017(COD)) (Simplified procedure — Rule 158(1) of the Rules of Procedure) — Committee on Legal Affairs and the Internal Market. Rapporteur: Mr Gargani (A5-0250/2004). — * Report on the proposal for a Council directive amending Directive 2001/113/EC relating to fruit jams, jellies and marmalades and sweetened chestnut purée intended for human consumption (COM(2004) 151 — C5-0128/2004 — 2004/0052(CNS)) — Committee on the Environment, Public Health and Consumer Policy. Rapporteur: Mrs Jackson (A5-0251/2004). — *** I Report on the proposal for a European Parliament and Council directive on the quality of fresh waters needing protection or improvement in order to support fish life (Codified version) (COM(2004) 19 — C5-0038/2004 — 2004/0002(COD)) (Simplified procedure — Rule 158(1) of the Rules of Procedure) — Committee on Legal Affairs and the Internal Market. Rapporteur: Mr Gargani (A5-0252/2004). — Report on the communication from the Commission to the Council and the European Parliament: ‘Modernising company law and enhancing corporate governance in the European Union — a plan to move forward’ (COM(2003) 284 — C5-0378/2003 — 2003/2150(INI)) (Enhanced cooperation between committees — Rule 162a) — Committee on Legal Affairs and the Internal Market. Rapporteur: Mrs Ghilardotti (A5-0253/2004). — *** I Report on the proposal for a European Parliament and Council regulation on conditions for access to the gas transmission networks (COM(2003) 741 — C5-0644/2003 — 2003/0302(COD)) — Committee on Industry, External Trade, Research and Energy. Rapporteur: Mr Seppänen (A5-0254/2004). — *** I Report on the proposal for a European Parliament and Council regulation amending Council Regulation (EEC) No 2913/92 establishing the Community Customs Code (COM(2003) 452 — C5-0345/2003 — 2003/0167(COD)) — Committee on Legal Affairs and the Internal Market. Rapporteur: Mrs Fourtou (A5-0255/2004). — Report on draft amending budget No 3 of the European Union for the financial year 2004 as modified by Council — Section III — Commission (2004/2021(BUD)) — Committee on Budgets. Rapporteur: Mr Mulder (A5-0256/2004). — Report on improving safety at sea (2003/2235(INI)) — Temporary Committee on improving safety at sea. Rapporteur: Mr Sterckx (A5-0257/2004). — Report on the activity report for 2002 of the European Investment Bank (2004/2012(INI)) — Committee on Economic and Monetary Affairs. Rapporteur: Mrs Ridruejo (A5-0258/2004). — Report on draft amending budget No 6 of the European Union for the financial year 2004 — Section III — Commission (2004/2026(BUD)) — Committee on Budgets. Rapporteur: Mr Mulder (A5-0259/2004). — *** I Report on the proposal for a European Parliament and Council regulation on maximum residue levels of pesticides in products of plant and animal origin (COM(2003) 117 — C5-0108/2003 — 2003/0052(COD)) — Committee on the Environment, Public Health and Consumer Policy. Rapporteur: Mr Sturdy (A5-0260/2004). — Report on the communication from the Commission to the Council and the European Parliament on Integrated Product Policy — Building on Environmental Life-Cycle Thinking (COM(2003) 302 — C5-0550/2003 — 2003/2221(INI)) — Committee on the Environment, Public Health and Consumer Policy. Rapporteur: Mr Wijkman (A5-0261/2004). — * Report on the Commission proposal for a Council decision establishing the Visa Information System (VIS) (COM(2004) 99 — C5-0098/2004 — 2004/0029(CNS)) — Committee on Citizens' Freedoms and Rights, Justice and Home Affairs. Rapporteur: Mr Coelho (A5-0262/2004). — Report on the Communication from the Commission to the Council, the European Parliament, the European Economic and Social Committee and the Committee of the Regions — Equal opportunities for people with disabilities: A European Action Plan (COM(2003) 650 — C5-0039/2004 — 2004/2004(INI)) — Committee on Employment and Social Affairs. Rapporteur: Mr Mantovani (A5-0263/2004). — * Report on the proposal for a Council directive amending Directive 2003/96/EC as regards the possibility for Cyprus to apply, in respect of energy products and electricity, temporary exemptions or reductions in the levels of taxation (COM(2004) 185 — C5-0175/2004 — 2004/0067(CNS)) (Simplified procedure Rule 158(1) of the Rules of Procedure) — Committee on Economic and Monetary Affairs. Rapporteur: Mrs Randzio-Plath (A5-0264/2004). — *** I Report on the proposal for a European Parliament and Council directive on batteries and accumulators and spent batteries and accumulators (COM(2003) 723 — C5-0563/2003 — 2003/0282(COD)) — Committee on the Environment, Public Health and Consumer Policy. Rapporteur: Mr Blokland (A5-0265/2004). — * Second report on the initiative of the Kingdom of Spain with a view to the adoption of a Council directive on the obligation of carriers to communicate passenger data (8058/2004 — C5-0177/2004 — 2003/0809(CNS)) — Committee on Citizens' Freedoms and Rights, Justice and Home Affairs. Rapporteur: Mr Hernández Mollar (A5-0266/2004). — * Report on the Commission proposal for a Council decision establishing the European Refugee Fund for the period 2005-2010 (COM(2004) 102 — C5-0096/2004 — 2004/0032(CNS)) — Committee on Citizens' Freedoms and Rights, Justice and Home Affairs. Rapporteur: Mr Deprez (A5-0267/2004). — Report on the Communication from the Commission to the Council and the European Parliament — Building our common future — policy challenges and budgetary means of the enlarged Union 2007-2013 (COM(2004) 101 — C5-0089/2004 — 2004/2006(INI)) — Committee on Budgets. Rapporteur: Mr Wynn (A5-0268/2004). — Report on the 2005 budget: the Commission's Annual Policy Strategy report (APS) (2004/2001(BUD)) — Committee on Budgets. Rapporteur: Mr Garriga Polledo (A5-0269/2004). — Annual report on human rights in the world in 2003 and the European Union's policy on the matter (2003/2005(INI)) — Committee on Foreign Affairs, Human Rights, Common Security and Defence Policy. Rapporteur: Mrs De Keyser (A5-0270/2004). — * Report on the proposal for a Council decision on the conclusion of an Agreement between the European Community and the United States of America on the processing and transfer of PNR data by Air Carriers to the United States Department of Homeland Security, Bureau of Customs and Border Protection (COM(2004) 190 — C5-0162/2004 — 2004/0064(CNS)) — Committee on Citizens' Freedoms and Rights, Justice and Home Affairs. Rapporteur: Mrs Boogerd-Quaak (A5-0271/2004). — Report on the Third report on economic and social cohesion (COM(2004) 107 — C5-0092/2004 — 2004/2005(INI)) — Committee on Regional Policy, Transport and Tourism. Rapporteur: Mr Hatzidakis (A5-0272/2004). — * Report on the draft recommendation of the Council concerning the appointment of Mr José Manuel González-Páramo as a member of the Executive Board of the European Central Bank (6315/2004 — C5-0176/2004 — 2004/0808(CNS)) — Committee on Economic and Monetary Affairs. Rapporteur: Mrs Randzio-Plath (A5-0273/2004). 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 regulation on the coordination of social security systems (15577/6/2003 — C5-0043/2004 — 1998/0360(COD)) — Committee on Employment and Social Affairs. Rapporteur: Mrs Lambert (A5-0234/2004). — *** 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 the interoperability of electronic road toll systems in the Community (6277/1/2004 — C5-0163/2004 — 2003/0081(COD)) — Committee on Regional Policy, Transport and Tourism. Rapporteur: Mrs Sommer (A5-0246/2004). — *** 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 minimum safety requirements for tunnels in the Trans-European Road Network (5238/1/2004 — C5-0118/2004 — 2002/0309(COD)) — Committee on Regional Policy, Transport and Tourism. Rapporteur: Mr Rack (A5-0249/2004).

3)

from Members 3.1) oral questions for Question Time (Rule 43) (B5-0071/2004) — Ebner Michl, McAvan Linda, Lage Carlos, Sandbæk Ulla Margrethe, Karas Othmar, Newton Dunn Bill, Harbour Malcolm, Paasilinna Reino, Martínez Martínez Miguel Angel, McKenna Patricia, Bowis John, Kinnock Glenys, Posselt Bernd, Isler Béguin Marie Anne, Staes Bart, Nogueira Román Camilo, Hedkvist Petersen Ewa, Crowley Brian, Hughes Stephen, Morgan Eluned, Bowe David Robert, Gahrton Per, Ó Neachtain Seán, Medina Ortega Manuel, Andrews Niall, Hyland Liam, Fitzsimons James (Jim), Collins Gerard, Grönfeldt Bergman Lisbeth, Sacrédeus Lennart, Thorning-Schmidt Helle, Whitehead Phillip, Ahern Nuala, Kratsa-Tsagaropoulou Rodi, Varela Suanzes-Carpegna Daniel, Hatzidakis Konstantinos, Casaca Paulo, Dybkjær Lone, Lannoye Paul A.A.J.G., Moraes Claude, MacCormick Neil, Patakis Ioannis, Färm Göran, Mulder Jan, Izquierdo Rojo María, Arvidsson Per-Arne, Alyssandrakis Konstantinos, Riis-Jørgensen Karin, Korakas Efstratios, De Rossa Proinsias, Sandberg-Fries Yvonne, Thors Astrid- Isler Béguin Marie Anne, Nogueira Román Camilo, Hyland Liam, Collins Gerard, Crowley Brian, Gahrton Per, Medina Ortega Manuel, Andrews Niall, Fitzsimons James (Jim), Ludford Sarah, McKenna Patricia, Ahern Nuala, Ó Neachtain Seán, Kratsa-Tsagaropoulou Rodi, Dybkjær Lone, Newton Dunn Bill, Posselt Bernd, O'Toole Barbara, Jensen Anne Elisabet, Moraes Claude, MacCormick Neil, De Rossa Proinsias, Izquierdo Rojo María, Thors Astrid. 3.2) motions for resolution (Rule 48) — Maurizio Turco, Emma Bonino, Marco Cappato, Gianfranco Dell'Alba, Benedetto Della Vedova, Olivier Dupuis, Marco Pannella, Uma Aaltonen, Nuala Ahern, Sylviane H. Ainardi, Bent Hindrup Andersen, Jan Andersson, Anne André-Léonard, Danielle Auroi, Alexandros Baltas, María Luisa Bergaz Conesa, Jean-Louis Bernié, Fausto Bertinotti, Johanna L.A. Boogerd-Quaak, Armonia Bordes, Alima Boumediene-Thiery, David Robert Bowe, André Brie, Ieke van den Burg, António Campos, Marie-Arlette Carlotti, Maria Carrilho, Paulo Casaca, Michael Cashman, Gérard Caudron, Chantal Cauquil, Carmen Cerdeira Morterero, Dorette Corbey, Armando Cossutta, Danielle Darras, Jean-Maurice Dehousse, Véronique De Keyser, Harlem Désir, Jan Dhaene, Giuseppe Di Lello Finuoli, Lone Dybkjær, Saïd El Khadraoui, Alain Esclopé, Jillian Evans, Giovanni Claudio Fava, Anne Ferreira, Ilda Figueiredo, Glyn Ford, Pernille Frahm, Geneviève Fraisse, Per Gahrton, Marie-Françoise Garaud, Marie-Hélène Gillig, Koldo Gorostiaga Atxalandabaso, Mary Honeyball, Michiel van Hulten, Renzo Imbeni, Marie Anne Isler Béguin, Salvador Jové Peres, Anna Karamanou, Hans Karlsson, Giorgos Katiforis, Sylvia-Yvonne Kaufmann, Dimitrios Koulourianos, Alain Krivine, Arlette Laguiller, Jean Lambert, Vincenzo Lavarra, Caroline Lucas, Sarah Ludford, Eryl Margaret McNally, Nelly Maes, Cecilia Malmström, Lucio Manisco, Helmuth Markov, Pedro Marset Campos, Claudio Martelli, David W. Martin, Emmanouil Mastorakis, Véronique Mathieu, Erik Meijer, José María Mendiluce Pereiro, Emilio Menéndez del Valle, Reinhold Messner, Rosa Miguélez Ramos, Ana Miranda de Lage, Hans Modrow, Enrique Monsonís Domingo, Claude Moraes, Luisa Morgantini, Sami Naïr, Pasqualina Napoletano, Bill Newton Dunn, Camilo Nogueira Román, Jean-Thomas Nordmann, Mihail Papayannakis, Béatrice Patrie, Marit Paulsen, Giovanni Pittella, Elly Plooij-van Gorsel, Jacques F. Poos, Didier Rod, Alexander de Roo, Martine Roure, Giorgio Ruffolo, Heide Rühle, Guido Sacconi, Ulla Margrethe Sandbæk, Manuel António dos Santos, Luciana Sbarbati, Michel-Ange Scarbonchi, Karin Scheele, Herman Schmid, Olle Schmidt, Inger Schörling, Ilka Schröder, Patsy Sörensen, Ioannis Souladakis, Sérgio Sousa Pinto, Bart Staes, Dirk Sterckx, Joke Swiebel, Anna Terrón i Cusí, Maj Britt Theorin, Feleknas Uca, María Elena Valenciano Martínez-Orozco, Anne E.M. Van Lancker, Gianni Vattimo, Luigi Vinci, Matti Wuori, Francis Wurtz, Eurig Wyn, Myrsini Zorba and Olga Zrihen, on respect for the principle of separation between public and religious institutions in the European Constitution (B5-0186/2004) referred to responsible: AFCO   opinion: LIBE 3.3) written declarations for entry in the Register (Rule 51): — Miquel Mayol i Raynal, Ian Stewart Hudghton, Nelly Maes, Camilo Nogueira Román and Josu Ortuondo Larrea on the recognition of the right to self-determination (No 29/2004) — John Bowis, Jillian Evans, Imelda Mary Read, Catherine Stihler and Diana Wallis on endometriosis (No 30/2004) — Caroline Lucas, Paul A.A.J.G. Lannoye, Inger Schörling and Patricia McKenna on the marketing of foods to children (No 31/2004) — Jean Lambert, Caroline Lucas, Matti Wuori and Alima Boumediene-Thiery on the deaths of Sikh civilians in Panjaab and India in 1984 (No 32/2004)

4)

from the Parliament Delegation to the Conciliation Committee: — ***III Report on the joint text approved by the Conciliation Committee for a European Parliament and Council directive amending Council Directive 91/440/EEC on the development of the Community's railways [PE-CONS 3641/2004 — C5-0156/2004 — 2002/0025(COD)]. Rapporteur: Georg Jarzembowski (A5-0242/2004) — ***III Report on the joint text approved by the Conciliation Committee for 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 [PE-CONS 3639/2004 — C5-0154/2004 — 2002/0023(COD)]. Rapporteur: Sylviane H. Ainardi (A5-0243/2004) — ***III Report on the joint text approved by the Conciliation Committee for a regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council establishing a European Railway Agency (‘Agency Regulation’) [PE-CONS 3640/2004 — C5-0155/2004 — 2002/0024(COD)]. Rapporteur: Gilles Savary (A5-0244/2004) — ***III Report on the joint text approved by the Conciliation Committee for 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) [PE-CONS 3638/2004 — C5-0153/2004 — 2002/0022(COD)]. Rapporteur: Dirk Sterckx (A5-0245/2004)

10.   Petitions

The following petitions, which had been entered in the register on the dates shown below, had been forwarded to the committee responsible, pursuant to Rule 174(5):

31 March 2004

by Mr Rafael Pérez (No 251/2004);

by Mr Antonio Arbelo Alvarado (No 252/2004);

by Mr Pedro Fernández Arcila (ATAN (Asociación Tinerfeña de Amigos de la Naturaleza)) (No 253/2004);

by Mr Antonio Plá Piera (Asociación de Vecinos, Cultural y de Consumidores Patraix) (No 254/2004);

by Mr José Luis Hernández Domínguez (No 255/2004);

by Mr Pierre Segura (No 256/2004);

by Mr Dragan Rakic (No 257/2004);

by Mr Jacques Memmi (No 258/2004);

by Mr Manuel Enocq (No 259/2004);

by Mr Suleman Gjanaj (No 260/2004);

by Mr Jean de la Forge (Comité de Défense Rural Donnery/Fay-aux-loges) (No 261/2004);

by Mrs Adalgisa Uccheddu (No 262/2004);

by Mr Andrea Alleva (No 263/2004);

by Mr Roberto Massa (No 264/2004);

by Mr Giovanni Pittella (No 265/2004);

by Mr Mario Borghezio (No 266/2004);

by Mr Donato Aguese (No 267/2004);

by Mrs Silvia Varriale (No 268/2004);

by Mr Vincenzo Guerra (No 269/2004);

by Mrs Marica Camerlengo (No 270/2004);

by Mr Giuseppe Mario Di Mattia (No 271/2004);

by Mr Luis Manuel Rodrigues de Sousa Gabriel (No 272/2004);

by Mr Joachim Kurth (No 273/2004)

by Mr Ferdinand Holzner (No 274/2004)

by Mr Gert Schlüter (No 275/2004)

by Mr Arif Rüzgar (No 276/2004)

by Mrs Rita Bürger (No 277/2004)

by Mr Karl-Heinz Hutzler (No 278/2004)

by Mr Friedrich Arnst (No 279/2004)

by Mr Erwin Bültmann (No 280/2004)

by Mr Peter Mailänder (Rechtsanwälte Haver & Mailänder) (No 281/2004)

by Mrs Gisela Kroll (No 282/2004)

by Mr Franco José Kozely Masé Duca (No 283/2004)

by Mr Charles Winfield (No 284/2004)

by Mr Errol Jackson (No 285/2004)

by Mrs Denise Walsh (No 286/2004)

by Mrs Carol Grayson (No 287/2004)

by Mr Michael Gare-Simmons (No 288/2004)

by Mrs Harriet Bullock (No 289/2004)

by Mrs Reinhild Bergan (No 290/2004)

by Mr Frank Harvey (No 291/2004)

by Mr Harto Hannula (No 292/2004)

by Mr Rien van Kerkwijk (Vereniging Vrij Wonen) (and 8753 signatories) (No 293/2004)

by Mrs Marie-Christina Gräfin zu Poppenheim (No 294/2004)

by Mr Christos Kostoudis (No 295/2004);

by Mrs Irini Savvidou (Somateio ergazomenon sta topika symfona apasholisis Dimou Veroias) (No 296/2004);

by Mrs Marianthi Varveri (No 297/2004);

by Mr Evangelos Tsankarakis (Oikodomikos Synetairismos Georgikon Ypallilon O ‘PAN’ S.P.E.) (No 298/2004).

11.   Transfers of appropriations

The Committee on Budgets had considered proposal for transfer of appropriations DEC 3/2004 (C5-0119/2003 — SEC(2004) 0286).

Having noted the Council's opinion, the committee 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 31.01 — Rerserves for administrative expenditure
— Item 31.0140 — 04.010407 — Actions combating and preventing exclusion — Expenditure on administrative management	NDA	- 450 000 EUR
— Item 31.0140 — 04.010412 — Measures combating and preventing discrimination — Expenditure on administrative management	NDA	- 630 000 EUR
— Item 31.0140 — 15.010412 — Measures for civil society and visits to the Commission — Expenditure on administrative management	NDA	-1 050 000 EUR
Chapter 31.02 — Rerserves for financial interventions
— Item 31.0241 — 04.490407 — Actions combating and preventing exclusion — Expenditure on administrative management	PA	- 215 928 EUR
— Item 31.0241 — 04.490412 — Measures combating and preventing discrimination — Expenditure on administrative management	PA	- 562 192 EUR
— Item 31.0241 — 15.030302 — European Training Foundation — Subsidy under Title 3	CA	- 406 100 EUR
	PA	- 406 100 EUR
Article 31.0241 — 15.0605 Visits to the Commission	CA	-1 500 000 EUR
	PA	-1 540 000 EUR
— Item 31.0241 — 15.490401 — Preparatory actions for cooperation in the field of education and of youth policy — Expenditure on administrative management	PA	-1 200 000 EUR
— Item 31.0241 — 15.490412 — Measures for civil society — Expenditure on administrative management	PA	- 270 000 EUR
TO:
Chapter 04.01 — Administrative expenditure of policy area ‘Employment and social affairs’
— Article 04.0104 — Support expenditure for operations of policy area ‘Employment and social affairs’
— Item 04.010407 — Actions combating and preventing exclusion — Expenditure on administrative management	NDA	450 000 EUR
— Item 04.010412 — Measures combating and preventing discrimination — Expenditure on administrative management	NDA	630 000 EUR
Chapter 04.49 — Expenditure on administrative management of programmes committed in accordance with the former financial regulation
— Article 04.4904 — Support expenditure for operations of policy area ‘Employment and social affairs’
— Item 04.490407 — Actions combating and preventing exclusion — Expenditure on administrative management	PA	215 928 EUR
— Item 04.490412 — Measures combating and preventing discrimination — Expenditure on administrative management	PA	562 192 EUR
Chapter 15.01 — Administrative expenditure of policy area ‘Education and culture’
— Article 15.0104 — Support expenditure for operations of policy area ‘Education and culture’
— Item 15.010412 — Measures for civil society and visits to the Commission — Expenditure on administrative management	NDA	1 050 000 EUR
Chapter 15.03 — Vocational training
— Article 15.0303 — European Training Foundation
— Item 15.030302 — European Training Foundation — Subsidy under Title 3	CA	406 100 EUR
	PA	406 100 EUR
Chapter 15.06 — Dialogue with the citizens
— Article 15.0605 — Visits to the Commission	CA	1 500 000 EUR
	PA	1 540 000 EUR
Chapter 15.49 — Expenditure on administrative management of programmes committed in accordance with the former financial regulation
— Article 15.4904 — Support expenditure for operations of policy area ‘Education and culture’
— Item 15.490401 — Preparatory actions for cooperation in the field of education and of youth policy — Expenditure on administrative management	PA	1 200 000 EUR
— Item 15.490412 — Measures for civil society — Expenditure on administrative management	PA	270 000 EUR

*

* *

The Committee on Budgets had considered proposal for transfer of appropriations DEC 4/2004 (C5-0120/2003 — SEC(2004) 0256).

Having noted the Council's opinion, the committee 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 31.01 — Reserves for administrative expenditure
— Item 31.0140 — 09.010404 — Action on illegal and harmful content on the Internet — Expenditure on administrative management	NDA	- 162 000 EUR
Chapter 31.02 — Reserves for financial interventions
— Item 31.0241 — 07.030101 — Protection of forests	CA	-17 000 000 EUR
	PA	-17 000 000 EUR
— Article 31.0241 — 09.0301 — Information society	CA	-6 000 000 EUR
	PA	-2 200 000 EUR
TO:
Chapter 07.03 — Environmental programmes and projects
— Article 07.0301 — Clean development mechanism
— Item 07.030101 — Protection of forests	CA	17 000 000 EUR
	PA	17 000 000 EUR
Chapter 09.01 — Administrative expenditure of policy area ‘Information society’
— Article 09.0104 — Support expenditure for operations of policy area ‘Information society’
— Item 09.010404 — Action on illegal and harmful content on the Internet — Expenditure on administrative management	NDA	162 000 EUR
Chapter 09.03 — eEurope
— Article 09.0301 — Information society	CA	6 000 000 EUR
	PA	2 200 000 EUR

*

* *

The Committee on Budgets had considered proposal for transfer of appropriations DEC 5/2004 (C5-0125/2003 — SEC(2004) 0302).

After noting the Council's opinion, the committee 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 27.01 — Administrative expenditure of policy area ‘Budget’
— Article 27.0102 — External staff and other management expenditure in support of policy area ‘Budget’
— Item 27.010209 — External staff — Non-decentralised management	NDA	-1 725 000 EUR
— Item 27.010219 — Other management expenditure — Non-decentralised management	NDA	- 511 000 EUR
TO:
Chapter 01.01 — Administrative expenditure of policy area ‘Economic and financial affairs’
— Article 01.0102 — External staff and other management expenditure in support of policy area ‘Economic and financial affairs’
— Item 01.010201 — External staff	NDA	77 000 EUR
Chapter 03.01 — Administrative expenditure of policy area ‘Competition’
— Article 03.0102 — External staff and other management expenditure in support of policy area ‘Competition’
— Item 03.010201 — External staff	NDA	607 000 EUR
Chapter 05.01 — Administrative expenditure of policy area ‘Agriculture’
— Article 05.0102 — External staff and other management expenditure in support of policy area ‘Agriculture’
— Item 05.010201 — External staff	NDA	490 000 EUR
Chapter 13.01 — Administrative expenditure of policy area ‘Regional policy’
— Article 13.0102 — External staff and other management expenditure in support of policy area ‘Regional policy’
— Item 13.010201 — External staff	NDA	514 000 EUR
Chapter 25.01 — Administrative expenditure of policy area ‘Commission's policy coordination and legal advice’
— Article 25.0102 — External staff and other management expenditure in support of policy area ‘Commission's policy coordination and legal advice’
— Item 25.010211 — Other management expenditure of policy area ‘Commission's policy coordination and legal advice’	NDA	511 000 EUR
Chapter 27.01 — Administrative expenditure of policy area ‘Budget’
— Article 27.0102 — External staff and other management expenditure in support of policy area ‘Budget’
— Item 27.010201 — External staff of DG ‘Budget’	NDA	37 000 EUR

12.   Texts of agreements forwarded by the Council

The Council had forwarded certified true copies of the following documents:

—	agreement between the European Community and the Kingdom of Cambodia on trade in textile products;

—

agreement in the form of an exchange of letters extending for the period from 1 July 2003 to 30 June 2004 the validity of the protocol setting out the fishing opportunities and financial contribution 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.

13.   Action taken on Parliament's positions and resolutions

The President announced that the Commission communication on the action taken by that institution on the following resolution had been distributed:

—	European Parliament resolution on the Commission's legislative and work programme for 2004 (P5_TA(2003)0585).

*

* *

The following spoke: Dagmar Roth-Behrendt, who referred to the accusations made in the German press by a Member of Parliament concerning certain Members (see in particular item 3 of Minutes of 29 March 2004), and called for any documents substantiating those accusations to be forwarded to the Court of Auditors and to OLAF so that the matter might be properly investigated (the President called once again on the author of the accusations to communicate such documents to him, and pointed out that he had received nothing to date), and Jo Leinen.

14.   Order of business

The next item was the order of business.

The final draft agenda for the April 2004 sittings (PE 344.162/PDOJ) had been distributed and a number of changes had been proposed (Rule 111):

Sittings of 19 to 22 April 2004

Monday

—

On a proposal from the President, the item ‘One-minute speeches on matters of political importance’, normally scheduled after the order of business, was replaced by an exchange of views on the recommendation from the JURI Committee to submit to the Court of Justice a request for an opinion (Article 300(6) of the Treaty) concerning the Treaty compatibility of a proposal for a Council decision on the conclusion of an agreement between the European Union and the United States on the processing and transfer of PNR data.

—

Guido Podestà, on behalf of the PPE-DE Group as well as Vitaliano Gemelli, Chairman of the PETI Committee, had asked that the report by Johanna L.A. Boogerd-Quaak (A5-0230/2004) be referred back to Committee so that its admissibility could be examined (the President proposed to wait for the conclusions of the LIBE Committee meeting, scheduled for that evening at 19.00. Guido Podestà accepted that proposal).

The following spoke: Monica Frassoni, on behalf of the Verts/ALE Group, Johanna L.A. Boogerd-Quaak, (rapporteur), Francesco Fiori, who insisted that the request for referral back to committee be put to the vote, and Elena Ornella Paciotti, on behalf of the PSE Group.

The President pointed out that the deadline for tabling such a request, as provided for in Rule 144, had not been respected, but that the request could still be made at the time of the vote on the report.

Tuesday

—	The report by Jan Mulder and Neena Gill (A5-0256/2004) (item 107 of the Agenda) was withdrawn from the Agenda, as the Council had accepted all Parliament's amendments.

—	The PSE Group had requested that the vote on the report by Christa Randzio-Plath (A5-0273/2004), (item 71 of the Agenda), scheduled for voting time on Wednesday, be brought forward to Tuesday. The request was approved.

—	The GUE/NGL Group had requested that the report by Marianne Eriksson (A5-0274/2004) be entered on Tuesday's Agenda.

The following spoke: Marianne Eriksson, (rapporteur), who moved the request, Francis Wurtz, on behalf of the GUE/NGL Group, and Doris Pack, on behalf of the PPE-DE Group.

Parliament rejected the request by RCV (59 for, 127 against and 5 abstentions).

Corrections to votes:

Philippe A.R. Herzog, Umberto Scapagnini and Anne E.M. Van Lancker had intended to vote in favour.

—	The PPE-DE Group had asked for the joint debate on discharges for 2002 (items 34 to 38 of the Agenda) to include a Commission statement on Eurostat, and the tabling of motions for resolutions.

The following spoke: Hans-Gert Poettering, on behalf of the PPE-DE Group, who moved the request, and Helmut Kuhne.

Parliament approved the request by EV (100 for, 86 against, and 2 abstentions).

Deadlines for tabling:

—	motions for resolutions: Tuesday 20 April at 10.00.

—	amendments and joint motions: Wednesday 21 April at 10.00.

The vote would be on Thursday.

Wednesday

—	The Verts-ALE Group had asked for the inclusion of Commission and Council statements on the situation in the Middle East.

The following spoke: Monica Frassoni, on behalf of the Verts/ALE Group, who moved the request, and Johannes (Hannes) Swoboda, on behalf of the PSE Group.

Parliament approved the request.

The item would be taken immediately after the debate on Cyprus (item 64), with the result that the afternoon's Question Time would probably have to be curtailed.

Thursday

—	no changed proposed

Council request for the application of urgent procedure (Rule 112) for:

Initiative of the Italian Republic with a view to the adoption of a Council decision in respect of the organisation of joint flights to remove nationals of third countries residing illegally on the territory of two or more Member States.

Reason for request:

A legal vacuum would continue to exist in this important area so long as the Council had not taken a decision.

Parliament would take a decision on the request for urgent procedure at the beginning of the following day's sitting.

*

* *

The order of business was thus established.

15.   EC-United States agreement on PNR data

Concerning the report by Johanna L.A. Boogerd-Quaak (A5-0271/2004), the President announced that he had received a letter from the Chairman of the JURI Committee, recommending that the opinion of the Court of Justice of the European Communities be sought regarding the validity of the EC-United States agreement on the processing and transfer of PNR data.

The following spoke: Frits Bolkestein (Member of the Commission), Klaus-Heiner Lehne, on behalf of the PPE-DE Group, Elena Ornella Paciotti, on behalf of the PSE Group, Graham R. Watson, on behalf of the ELDR Group, Giuseppe Di Lello Finuoli, on behalf of the GUE/NGL Group, Monica Frassoni, on behalf of the Verts/ALE Group, Johanna L.A. Boogerd-Quaak, (rapporteur), and Jorge Salvador Hernández Mollar, Chairman of the LIBE Committee.

The debate remained on Tuesday's agenda as scheduled and the vote would take place on Wednesday.

*

* *

The President announced that Members who had wanted to make ‘One-minute speeches on matters of political importance’ could either forward their speeches to him in writing or take the floor at the end of that evening's debates.

16.   Respect for and promotion of the values on which the Union is based (debate)

Report on the Commission communication on Article 7 of the Treaty on European Union: Respect for and promotion of the values on which the Union is based (COM(2003) 606 — C5-0594/2003 — 2003/2249(INI)) — Committee on Constitutional Affairs.

Rapporteur: Johannes Voggenhuber (A5-0227/2004)

Johannes Voggenhuber introduced the report.

IN THE CHAIR: David W. MARTIN

Vice-President

David Byrne (Member of the Commission) spoke.

The following spoke: Marcelino Oreja Arburúa, Jo Leinen, Sylvia-Yvonne Kaufmann, Georges Berthu and Hans-Peter Martin.

The debate closed.

Vote: Minutes of 20.04.2004, Item 10.33.

17.   Cooperation on consumer protection ***I — Consumer credit ***I — Unfair business-to-consumer commercial practices ***I (debate)

Report on the proposal for a European Parliament and Council regulation on cooperation between national authorities responsible for the enforcement of consumer protection laws (‘the regulation on consumer protection cooperation’) [COM(2003) 443 — C5-0335/2003 — 2003/0162(COD)] — Committee on Legal Affairs and the Internal Market.

Rapporteur: Evelyne Gebhardt (A5-0191/2004).

Draftsman of the opinion (Rule 162a): Béatrice Patrie, ENVI Committee

Second report on the proposal for a directive of the European Parliament and of the Council on the harmonisation of the laws, regulations and administrative provisions of the Member States concerning credit for consumers [COM(2002) 443 — C5-0420/2002 — 2002/0222(COD)] — Committee on Legal Affairs and the Internal Market.

Rapporteur: Joachim Wuermeling (A5-0224/2004)

Report on the proposal for a European Parliament and Council directive concerning unfair business-toconsumer commercial practices in the Internal Market and amending Directives 84/450/EEC, 97/7/EC and 98/27/EC (the Unfair Commercial Practices Directive) [COM(2003) 356 — C5-0288/2003 — 2003/0134(COD)] — Committee on Legal Affairs and the Internal Market.

Rapporteur: Fiorella Ghilardotti (A5-0188/2004).

Draftsman of the opinion (Rule 162a): Phillip Whitehead, ENVI Committee

David Byrne (Member of the Commission) spoke.

Evelyne Gebhardt introduced the report (A5-0191/2004).

Joachim Wuermeling introduced the report (A5-0224/2004).

Fiorella Ghilardotti introduced the report (A5-0188/2004).

The following spoke: Pervenche Berès (draftsman of the opinion of the ECON Committee), Béatrice Patrie (draftsman of the opinion of the ENVI Committee) and Phillip Whitehead (draftsman of the opinion of the ENVI Committee).

IN THE CHAIR: Alonso José PUERTA

Vice-President

The following spoke: Marianne L.P. Thyssen, on behalf of the PPE-DE Group, Manuel Medina Ortega, on behalf of the PSE Group, Astrid Thors, on behalf of the ELDR Group, Neil MacCormick, on behalf of the Verts/ALE Group, Rijk van Dam, on behalf of the EDD Group, María Sornosa Martínez (draftsman of the opinion of the ENVI Committee), Paolo Bartolozzi, Arlene McCarthy, Diana Wallis, Klaus-Heiner Lehne, Othmar Karas, Avril Doyle, Malcolm Harbour and David Byrne.

The debate closed.

Vote: Minutes of 20.04.2004, Items 10.20 to 10.22.

18.   Residue levels of pesticides in plant and animal products ***I (debate)

Report on the proposal for a regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council on maximum residue levels of pesticides in products of plant and animal origin [COM(2003) 117 — C5-0108/2003 — 2003/0052(COD)] — Committee on the Environment, Public Health and Consumer Policy.

Rapporteur: Robert William Sturdy (A5-0260/2004)

David Byrne (Member of the Commission) spoke.

Robert William Sturdy introduced the report.

The following spoke: Saïd El Khadraoui, on behalf of the PSE Group, Patricia McKenna, on behalf of the Verts/ALE Group, Dorette Corbey and David Byrne.

The debate closed.

Vote: Minutes of 20.04.2004, Item 10.23.

19.   Modernising company law and enhancing corporate governance (debate)

Report on the communication from the Commission to the Council and the European Parliament on modernising company law and enhancing corporate governance in the European Union — a plan to move forward [COM(2003) 284 — C5-0378/2003 — 2003/2150(INI)] — Committee on Legal Affairs and the Internal Market.

Rapporteur: Fiorella Ghilardotti (A5-0253/2004).

Draftsman of the opinion (Rule 162a): Pervenche Berès, ECON Committee

Fiorella Ghilardotti introduced the report.

Frits Bolkestein (Member of the Commission) spoke.

The following spoke: Pervenche Berès (draftsman of the opinion of the ECON Committee), Per-Arne Arvidsson (draftsman of the opinion of the ITRE Committee), Ioannis Koukiadis (draftsman of the opinion of the EMPL Committee), Klaus-Heiner Lehne, on behalf of the PPE-DE Group, Inglewood and Frits Bolkestein.

The debate closed.

Vote: Minutes of 21.04.2004, Item 10.24.

20.   Single payment area (debate)

Report on a legal framework for a single payment area [2003/2101(INI)] — Committee on Economic and Monetary Affairs.

Rapporteur: Alexander Radwan (A5-0192/2004)

Alexander Radwan introduced the report.

IN THE CHAIR: Gérard ONESTA

Vice-President

Frits Bolkestein (Member of the Commission) spoke.

The following spoke: Helena Torres Marques, on behalf of the PSE Group, Philippe A.R. Herzog, on behalf of the GUE/NGL Group, and Frits Bolkestein.

The debate closed.

Vote: Minutes of 21.04.2004, Item 10.26.

21.   Security of natural gas supply ***I — Access to gas transmission networks ***I (debate)

Report on the modification of the legal base and general guideline of the Council in view of the entry into force of a directive of the European Parliament and the Council concerning measures to safeguard security of natural gas supply [15769/2003 — C5-0027/2004 — 2002/0220(COD)] — Committee on Industry, External Trade, Research and Energy.

Rapporteur: Peter Michael Mombaur (A5-0213/2004)

Report on the proposal for a regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council on conditions for access to the gas transmission networks [COM(2003) 741 — C5-0644/2003 — 2003/0302(COD)] — Committee on Industry, External Trade, Research and Energy.

Rapporteur: Esko Olavi Seppänen (A5-0254/2004)

Loyola de Palacio (Vice-President of the Commission) spoke.

Peter Michael Mombaur introduced the report (A5-0213/2004).

Esko Olavi Seppänen introduced the report (A5-0254/2004).

Giles Bryan Chichester spoke on behalf of the PPE-DE Group.

IN THE CHAIR: Catherine LALUMIÈRE

Vice-President

The following spoke: Bernhard Rapkay, on behalf of the PSE Group, Johannes (Hans) Blokland, on behalf of the EDD Group, Hans Kronberger, Non-attached Member, Gordon J. Adam, Benedetto Della Vedova, Rolf Linkohr, Reino Paasilinna and Loyola de Palacio.

The debate closed.

Vote: Minutes of 20.04.2004, Items 10.24 and 10.25.

22.   Eco-design requirements for Energy-Using Products ***I (debate)

Report on the proposal for a directive of the European Parliament and of the Council on establishing a framework for the setting of Eco-design requirements for Energy-Using Products and amending Council Directive 92/42/EEC [COM(2003) 453 — C5-0369/2003 — 2003/0172(COD)] — Committee on the Environment, Public Health and Consumer Policy.

Rapporteur: Astrid Thors (A5-0171/2004).

Draftsman of the opinion (Rule 162a): Claude Turmes, ITRE Committee

Loyola de Palacio (Vice-President of the Commission) spoke.

Astrid Thors introduced the report.

The following spoke: Claude Turmes (draftsman of the opinion of the ITRE Committee), Peter Liese, on behalf of the PPE-DE Group, Karin Scheele, on behalf of the PSE Group, Chris Davies, on behalf of the ELDR Group, David Robert Bowe and Loyola de Palacio.

The debate closed.

Vote: Minutes of 20.04.2004, Item 10.26.

23.   Communication of common positions of the Council

The President announced, pursuant to Rule 74(1), that the following common positions had been received from the Council, together with the reasons which had led to their adoption, and the Commission's position on:

—

Decision of the European Parliament and of the Council amending Decision No 1692/96/EC on Community guidelines for the development of trans-European transport network (C5-0184/2004 — 2001/0229(COD) — 5762/1/2004 — 8073/2004 — COM(2004) 294) referred to responsible: RETT   asked for opinion at 1st reading: BUDG, ENVI, ITRE

The three-month period available to Parliament to adopt its position would therefore begin the following day, 20 April 2004.

24.   Greenhouse gas emission allowance trading ***I (debate)

Report on the proposal for a directive of the European Parliament and of the Council amending the Directive establishing a scheme for greenhouse gas emission allowance trading within the Community, in respect of the Kyoto Protocol's project mechanisms [COM(2003) 403 — C5-0355/2003 — 2003/0173(COD)] — Committee on the Environment, Public Health and Consumer Policy.

Rapporteur: Alexander de Roo (A5-0154/2004)

Margot Wallström (Member of the Commission) spoke.

IN THE CHAIR: Charlotte CEDERSCHIÖLD

Vice-President

Alexander de Roo introduced the report.

The following spoke: Rolf Linkohr (draftsman of the opinion of the ITRE Committee), Cristina García-Orcoyen Tormo, on behalf of the PPE-DE Group, David Robert Bowe, on behalf of the PSE Group, Chris Davies, on behalf of the ELDR Group, Ria G.H.C. Oomen-Ruijten, Peter Liese and Margot Wallström.

The debate closed.

Vote: Minutes of 20.04.2004, Item 10.27.

*

* *

Jens-Peter Bonde pointed out that the motion of censure on the Commission concerning Eurostat had obtained sufficient signatures pursuant to Rule 34 for it to be debated and voted on (the President took note of his remarks and informed him that the President of Parliament would address the matter the following day).

25.   Batteries and accumulators ***I (debate)

Report on the proposal for a directive of the European Parliament and of the Council on batteries and accumulators and spent batteries and accumulators [COM(2003) 723 — C5-0563/2003 — 2003/0282(COD)] — Committee on the Environment, Public Health and Consumer Policy.

Rapporteur: Johannes (Hans) Blokland (A5-0265/2004)

Margot Wallström (Member of the Commission) spoke.

Johannes (Hans) Blokland introduced the report.

The following spoke: Rolf Linkohr (draftsman of the opinion of the ITRE Committee), Robert Goodwill, on behalf of the PPE-DE Group, Bernd Lange, on behalf of the PSE Group, Chris Davies, on behalf of the ELDR Group, Alexander de Roo, on behalf of the Verts/ALE Group, Patricia McKenna and Margot Wallström.

The debate closed.

Vote: Minutes of 20.04.2004, Item 10.28.

26.   Integrated product policy (debate)

Report on the communication from the Commission to the Council and the European Parliament: Integrated Product Policy: Building on Environmental Life-Cycle Thinking [COM(2003) 302 — C5-0550/2003 — 2003/2221(INI)] — Committee on the Environment, Public Health and Consumer Policy.

Rapporteur: Anders Wijkman (A5-0261/2004)

Anders Wijkman introduced the report.

Margot Wallström (Member of the Commission) spoke.

Bernd Lange spoke on behalf of the PSE Group.

The debate closed.

Vote: Minutes of 21.04.2004, Item 10.27.

27.   Coordination of social security systems ***II (debate)

Recommendation for second reading on the common position of the Council with a view to adopting a Regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council on the coordination of social security systems [15577/6/2003 — C5-0043/2004 — 1998/0360(COD)] — Committee on Employment and Social Affairs.

Rapporteur: Jean Lambert (A5-0234/2004)

Jean Lambert introduced the recommendation for second reading.

Anna Diamantopoulou (Member of the Commission) spoke.

The following spoke: Ria G.H.C. Oomen-Ruijten, on behalf of the PPE-DE Group, Ieke van den Burg, on behalf of the PSE Group, Johanna L.A. Boogerd-Quaak, on behalf of the ELDR Group, Brian Crowley, on behalf of the UEN Group, Marie-Hélène Gillig and Anna Diamantopoulou.

The debate closed.

Vote: Minutes of 20.04.2004, Item 10.17.

28.   Agenda for next sitting

The President referred Members to the document ‘Agenda’ PE 344.162/OJMA.

29.   Closure of sitting

The sitting closed at 23.40.

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