A4-0163/97

Proposal for a Council Decision adopting a multiannual Community programme to stimulate the establishment of the information society in Europe (COM(96)0592 - C4- 0030/97 - 96/0283(CNS))

The proposal was approved with the following amendments:

(Amendment 1)

Recital 16a (new)

>Text following EP vote>

Whereas additional financing should be provided and earmarked exclusively for measures to achieve coordination between sectors covering common policies already involved in the development of the information society;

(Amendment 2)

Recital 16b (new)

>Text following EP vote>

Whereas the Commission should keep Parliament fully informed of the work of the advisory committee provided for in Article 4 and, in particular, shall require that all members make a declaration to the effect that their membership of the committee is not incompatible with their personal interests, in accordance with the agreement of 25 September 1996 between Parliament and the Commission concerning commitology;

(Amendment 3)

Article 1(3)

>Original text>

3. The annual appropriations shall be authorized by the Budgetary Authority within the limits of the financial perspective.

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3. The Budgetary Authority shall authorize the appropriations within the framework of the annual budgetary procedure and in compliance with the financial perspective.

(Amendment 4)

Article 3, 2nd indent

>Original text>

- the organization, the participation in and the granting of support for meetings of experts, conferences, consultations of persons or of groups having common interests, seminars, and the publication and dissemination of information;

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- the organization of meetings of experts, consultations of persons or of groups having common interests, and the publication and dissemination of information up to a ceiling of 10% of annual appropriations;

(Amendment 5)

Article 4(2), first three subparagraphs

>Original text>

2. The Commission shall be assisted by a committee of an advisory nature composed of representatives of the Member States and chaired by the representative of the Commission.

>Text following EP vote>

2. The Commission shall be assisted by a committee of an advisory nature composed of one representative from each Member State and chaired by the representative of the Commission.

>Original text>

The representative of the Commission shall submit to the committee a draft of the measures to be taken. The committee shall deliver its opinion on the draft within a time limit which the chairman may lay down according to the urgency of the matter, if necessary by taking a vote.

>Text following EP vote>

The representative of the Commission shall submit to the committee a draft of the general measures to be taken. The committee shall deliver its opinion on the draft within a time limit which the chairman may lay down according to the urgency of the matter, if necessary by taking a vote.

>Original text>

The opinion shall be recorded in the minutes; in addition, each Member State shall have the right to request that its position be recorded in the minutes.

>Text following EP vote>

The opinion shall be recorded in the minutes; in addition, each Member State shall have the right to request that its position be recorded in the minutes.

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The Commission shall keep the European Parliament informed of the work of the committee and shall provide it with annotated agendas for all meetings of the management and regulatory committees in good time; the Commission shall notify Parliament of the outcome of the opinions delivered by the committee.

(Amendment 6)

Article 4(2a) (new)

>Text following EP vote>

2a. A Consultation Group shall be established consisting of experts from industry and academia which may be called upon to offer advice or guidance to the advisory committee; its chairperson shall be drawn from industry or academia.

(Amendment 7)

Article 5, 2nd to 4th indents

>Original text>

- breakdown of the budgetary expenditure,

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Deleted

>Original text>

- the criteria and content of calls for proposals,

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- the criteria and content of calls for proposals,

>Original text>

- the assessment of the projects proposed under calls for proposals for Community funding and the estimated amount of the Community contribution for each product where this is equal to or more than ECU 200 000,

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- the assessment of the projects proposed under calls for proposals for Community funding and the estimated amount of the Community contribution for each product where this is equal to or more than ECU 500 000,

(Amendment 8)

Article 6a (new)

>Text following EP vote>

Article 6a

Measures shall be taken to monitor the effectiveness of spending to date on moves to establish the information society in Europe to ensure best use of Community funds for future programmes.

(Amendment 9)

Article 6b (new)

>Text following EP vote>

Article 6b

The results of monitoring measures shall be made available to the advisory committee provided for in Article 4(2).

Legislative resolution embodying Parliament's opinion on the proposal for a Council Decision adopting a multiannual Community programme to stimulate the establishment of the information society in Europe (COM(96)0592 - C4-0030/97 - 96/0283(CNS))

(Consultation procedure)

The European Parliament,

- having regard to the Commission proposal to the Council, COM(96)0592 - 96/0283(CNS) ((OJ C 51, 21.2.1997, p.12.)),

- having been consulted by the Council pursuant to Article 235 of the EC Treaty (C4-0030/97),

- having regard to Rule 58 of its Rules of Procedure,

- having regard to the report of the Committee on Economic and Monetary Affairs and Industrial Policy and the opinion of the Committee on Budgets (A4-0163/97),

1. Approves the Commission proposal, subject to Parliament's amendments;

2. Calls on the Commission to alter its proposal accordingly, pursuant to Article 189a(2) of the EC Treaty;

3. Asks to be consulted again should the Council intend to make substantial modifications to the Commission proposal;

4. Instructs its President to forward this opinion to the Council and Commission.