ISSN 1725-2423

Official Journal

of the European Union

C 253E

European flag  

English edition

Information and Notices

Volume 48
13 October 2005


Notice No

Contents

page

 

I   (Information)

 

EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT

 

2004-2005 SESSION

 

Wednesday 26 January 2005

2005/C 253E/1

MINUTES

1

PROCEEDINGS OF THE SITTING

Resumption of session

Approval of Minutes of previous sitting

Documents received

Membership of committees

Agenda

Strategic guidelines/Legislative and work programme for 2005 (debate)

Situation in the Middle East (debate)

The Holocaust, anti-Semitism and racism (debate)

Digital content in Europe ***II (debate)

Membership of committees

Agenda for next sitting

Closure of sitting

ATTENDANCE REGISTER

9

 

Thursday 27 January 2005

2005/C 253E/2

MINUTES

11

PROCEEDINGS OF THE SITTING

Opening of sitting

Documents received

Agenda

Statement by the President

Approval of Minutes of previous sitting

Voting time

EC-Croatia and EC-former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia Stabilisation and Association Agreements *** (Rule 131) (vote)

Additional Protocol to EC-Chile Association Agreement *** (Rule 131) (vote)

Digital content in Europe ***II (vote)

Situation in the Middle East (vote)

The Holocaust, anti-Semitism and racism (vote)

Explanations of vote

Corrections to votes

One-minute speeches on matters of political importance

Verification of credentials

Communication of Council common positions

Decisions concerning certain documents

Forwarding of texts adopted during the sitting

Dates for next sittings

Adjournment of session

ATTENDANCE REGISTER

18

ANNEX I

20

ANNEX II

24

TEXTS ADOPTED

26

P6_TA(2005)0013Stabilisation and Association Agreement EU-Croatia ***European Parliament legislative resolution on the proposal for a Council and Commission Decision on the conclusion of the Protocol to the Stabilisation and Association Agreement between the European Communities and their Member States, of the one part, and the Republic of Croatia of the other part, to take account of the accession of the Czech Republic, the Republic of Estonia, the Republic of Cyprus, the Republic of Latvia, the Republic of Lithuania, the Republic of Hungary, the Republic of Malta, the Republic of Poland, the Republic of Slovenia, and the Slovak Republic to the European Union (COM(2004)0370 — 14211/2004 — C6-0028/2005 — 2004/0119(AVC))

26

P6_TA(2005)0014Stabilisation and Association Agreement EU-Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia ***European Parliament legislative resolution on the proposal for a Council and Commission Decision on the conclusion of the Protocol to the Stabilisation and Association Agreement between the European Communities and their Member States, of the one part, and the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, of the other part, to take account of the accession of the Czech Republic, the Republic of Estonia, the Republic of Cyprus, the Republic of Latvia, the Republic of Lithuania, the Republic of Hungary, the Republic of Malta, the Republic of Poland, the Republic of Slovenia, and the Slovak Republic to the European Union (COM(2004)0354 — 9856/2004 — 14025/2004 — C6-0003/2005 — 2004/0115(AVC))

26

P6_TA(2005)0015Additional Protocol to EC-Chile Association Agreement ***European Parliament legislative resolution on the proposal for a Council decision on the conclusion of an Additional Protocol to the Association Agreement between the European Community and its Member States, of the one part, and the Republic of Chile, of the other part, to take account of the accession of the Czech Republic, the Republic of Estonia, the Republic of Cyprus, the Republic of Hungary, the Republic of Latvia, the Republic of Lithuania, the Republic of Malta, the Republic of Poland, the Republic of Slovenia, and the Slovak Republic to the European Union (COM(2004)0566 — C6-0022/2005 — 2004/0195(AVC))

27

P6_TA(2005)0016Digital content in Europe ***IIEuropean Parliament legislative resolution on the Council common position for adopting 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 (10458/4/2004 — C6-0140/2004 — 2004/0025(COD))

28

P6_TC2-COD(2004)0025Position of the European Parliament adopted at second reading on 27 January 2005 with a view to the adoption of Decision No .../2005/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council establishing a multiannual Community programme to make digital content in Europe more accessible, usable and exploitable

28

ANNEX IACTIONS

32

ANNEX IITHE MEANS FOR IMPLEMENTING THE PROGRAMME

34

ANNEX IIIINDICATIVE BREAKDOWN OF EXPENDITURE

35

P6_TA(2005)0017Situation in the Middle EastEuropean Parliament resolution on the situation in the Middle East

35

P6_TA(2005)0018The Holocaust, anti-Semitism and racismEuropean Parliament resolution on remembrance of the Holocaust, anti-Semitism and racism

37

EN

 


I (Information)

EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT

2004-2005 SESSION

Wednesday 26 January 2005

13.10.2005   

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

CE 253/1


MINUTES

(2005/C 253 E/01)

PROCEEDINGS OF THE SITTING

IN THE CHAIR: Josep BORRELL FONTELLES

President

1.   Resumption of session

The sitting opened at 15.05.

2.   Approval of Minutes of previous sitting

Maria da Assunção Esteves had informed the Presidency that she had been present at the sitting of 13.01.2005 but that her name was not on the attendance register.

Corrections to votes:

United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change — B6-0032/2005

amendment 2

for: Charlotte Cederschiöld, Christofer Fjellner

Recent tsunami disaster in the Indian Ocean — RC-B6-0034/2005

amendment 16

against: Dan Jørgensen

***

The Minutes of the previous sitting were approved.

3.   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 concerning the Visa Information System (VIS) and the exchange of data between Member States on short stay-visas (COM(2004)0835 — C6-0004/2005 — 2004/0287(COD))

referred to

responsible: LIBE

Proposal for a Council decision on the conclusion of the Agreement for scientific and technological co-operation between the European Community and the Federative Republic of Brazil (COM(2004)0625 — C6-0009/2005 — 2004/0216(CNS))

referred to

responsible: ITRE

opinion: INTA

Proposal for a Council decision approving the accession of the European Community to the International Convention for the Protection of New Varieties of Plants, as revised at Geneva on 19 March 1991 (COM(2004)0798 — C6-0010/2005 — 2004/0275(CNS))

referred to

responsible: AGRI

opinion: ENVI, JURI

Proposal for a Council decision on the conclusion of the Agreement between the European Community and the Republic of Chile on certain aspects of air services (COM(2004)0829 — C6-0011/2005 — 2004/0289(CNS))

referred to

responsible: TRAN

European Commission: Final annual accounts of the European Communities — Financial year 2003 — Volume I — Consolidated reports on implementation of the budget and consolidated financial statements (SEC(2004)1181 — C6-0012/2005 — 2004/2040(DEC))

referred to

responsible: CONT

opinion: AFET, DEVE, INTA, BUDG, ECON, EMPL, ENVI, ITRE, IMCO, TRAN, RETT, REGI, AGRI, PECH, CULT, JURI, LIBE, AFCO, FEMM, PETI

European Commission: Final annual accounts of the European Communities — Financial year 2003 — Volume II — Part I and II (SEC(2004)1182 — C6-0013/2005 — 2004/2040(DEC))

referred to

responsible: CONT

opinion: AFET, DEVE, INTA, BUDG, ECON, EMPL, ENVI, ITRE, IMCO, TRAN, RETT, REGI, AGRI, PECH, CULT, JURI, LIBE, AFCO, FEMM, PETI

Proposal for a Council regulation amending Regulation (EC) No 1868/94 establishing a quota system in relation to the production of potato starch (COM(2004)0772 — C6-0014/2005 — 2004/0269(CNS))

referred to

responsible: AGRI

Commission européenne: Comptes annuels des autres institutions — Exercice 2003 — Volume III — Parlement européen (DECHARGE VOLUME III/2004 [01] — C6-0015/2005 — 2004/2041(DEC)) (This title is not currently available in all languages)

referred to

responsible: CONT

opinion: AFET, DEVE, INTA, BUDG, ECON, EMPL, ENVI, ITRE, IMCO, TRAN, RETT, REGI, AGRI, PECH, CULT, JURI, LIBE, AFCO, FEMM, PETI

Commission européenne: Comptes annuels des autres institutions — Exercice 2003 — Volume III — Conseil (DECHARGE VOLUME III/2004 [02] — C6-0016/2005 — 2004/2042(DEC)) (This title is not currently available in all languages)

referred to

responsible: CONT

opinion: AFET, DEVE, INTA, BUDG, ECON, EMPL, ENVI, ITRE, IMCO, TRAN, RETT, REGI, AGRI, PECH, CULT, JURI, LIBE, AFCO, FEMM, PETI

Commission européenne: Comptes annuels des autres institutions — Exercice 2003 — Volume III — Cour de justice (DECHARGE VOLUME III/2004 [03] — C6-0017/2005 — 2004/2043(DEC)) (This title is not currently available in all languages)

referred to

responsible: CONT

opinion: AFET, DEVE, INTA, BUDG, ECON, EMPL, ENVI, ITRE, IMCO, TRAN, RETT, REGI, AGRI, PECH, CULT, JURI, LIBE, AFCO, FEMM, PETI

Commission européenne: Comptes annuels des autres institutions — Exercice 2003 — Volume III — Cour des comptes (DECHARGE VOLUME III/2004 [04] — C6-0018/2005 — 2004/2044(DEC)) (This title is not currently available in all languages)

referred to

responsible: CONT

opinion: AFET, DEVE, INTA, BUDG, ECON, EMPL, ENVI, ITRE, IMCO, TRAN, RETT, REGI, AGRI, PECH, CULT, JURI, LIBE, AFCO, FEMM, PETI

Commission européenne: Comptes annuels des autres institutions — Exercice 2003 — Volume III — Comité économique et social (DECHARGE VOLUME III/2004 [05] — C6-0019/2005 — 2004/2045(DEC)) (This title is not currently available in all languages)

referred to

responsible: CONT

opinion: AFET, DEVE, INTA, BUDG, ECON, EMPL, ENVI, ITRE, IMCO, TRAN, RETT, REGI, AGRI, PECH, CULT, JURI, LIBE, AFCO, FEMM, PETI

Commission européenne: Comptes annuels des autres institutions — Exercice 2003 — Volume III — Comité des régions (DECHARGE VOLUME III/2004 [06] — C6-0020/2005 — 2004/2046(DEC)) (This title is not currently available in all languages)

referred to

responsible: CONT

opinion: AFET, DEVE, INTA, BUDG, ECON, EMPL, ENVI, ITRE, IMCO, TRAN, RETT, REGI, AGRI, PECH, CULT, JURI, LIBE, AFCO, FEMM, PETI

Commission européenne: Comptes annuels des autres institutions — Exercice 2003 — Volume III — Médiateur (DECHARGE VOLUME III/2004 [07] — C6-0021/2005 — 2004/2047(DEC)) (This title is not currently available in all languages)

referred to

responsible: CONT

opinion: AFET, DEVE, INTA, BUDG, ECON, EMPL, ENVI, ITRE, IMCO, TRAN, RETT, REGI, AGRI, PECH, CULT, JURI, LIBE, AFCO, FEMM, PETI

Proposal for a Council decision concerning the conclusion of an Additional Protocol to the Agreement establishing an association between the European Community and its Member States, of the one part, and the Republic of Chile, of the other part, to take account of the accession of the Czech Republic, the Republic of Estonia, the Republic of Cyprus, the Republic of Latvia, the Republic of Lithuania, the Republic of Hungary, the Republic of Malta, the Republic of Poland, the Republic of Slovenia and the Slovak Republic to the European Union (13286/2004 — C6-0022/2005 — 2004/0195(AVC))

referred to

responsible: INTA

opinion: AFET

Proposal for a Council regulation imposing certain specific restrictive measures directed against certain persons and entities in view of the situation in Côte d'Ivoire (COM(2004)0842 — C6-0023/2005 — 2004/0286(CNS))

referred to

responsible: LIBE

opinion: DEVE, ECON

Proposal for a regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council establishing a financing instrument for development cooperation and economic cooperation (COM(2004)0629 — C6-0128/2004 — 2004/0220(COD))

referred to

responsible: DEVE

opinion: AFET, INTA, BUDG, LIBE, FEMM

Proposal for a recommendation of the Council and of the European Parliament on further European cooperation in quality assurance in higher education (COM(2004)0642 — C6-0142/2004 — 2004/0239(COD))

referred to

responsible: CULT

2)

from Members:

2.1)

motions for resolutions (Rule 113):

Ilda Figueiredo, Helmuth Markov, Dimitrios Papadimoulis, Sérgio Ribeiro, Kyriacos Triantaphyllides — Motion for a resolution on the Financial Perspective for 2007-2013 (B6-0065/2005)

referred to

responsible: FINP

Salvador Garriga Polledo — Motion for a resolution on the single European market in the field of financial services (B6-0066/2005)

referred to

responsible: ECON

Cristiana Muscardini — Motion for a resolution on 8 March: European Day against Violence towards Women and Genital Mutilation (B6-0067/2005)

referred to

responsible: FEMM

opinion: DEVE

Cristiana Muscardini — Motion for a resolution on European legislation on the use of ski slopes (B6-0082/2005)

referred to

responsible: IMCO

opinion: ENVI, REGI

2.2)

proposal for a recommendation (Rule 114):

Alexander Nuno Alvaro, on behalf of the ALDE Group — Proposal for a recommendation to the Council on an EU integrated approach to preventing, preparing for and responding to all types of terrorist attacks and dealing with their consequences (B6-0081/2005)

referred to

responsible: LIBE

opinion: AFET

2.3)

written declarations for entry in the Register (Rule 116):

Marie-Noëlle Lienemann, Glyn Ford, Caroline Lucas, Vittorio Emanuele Agnoletto and Harlem Désir, on the tsunami and the introduction of an international tax (0002/2005)

Maciej Marian Giertych, Godfrey Bloom and Patrick Louis, on the 60th anniversary of the liberation of Warsaw (0003/2005)

Graham Watson, on Singapore (0004/2005)

4.   Membership of committees

At the request of the Verts/ALE Group, Parliament ratified the following appointment:

DEVE Committee:

Margrete Auken

5.   Agenda

The order of business had been established (Minutes of 10.01.2005, Item 10) and a corrigendum to the agenda had been distributed (PE 352.950/OJ/COR).

The President pointed out that Members would have the chance to make one-minute speeches under Rule 144 the following morning, between the end of the formal sitting and 10.00.

As the Council had not yet consulted Parliament, the votes on the Brok and Barón Crespo recommendations (items 9, 10 and 11 on the agenda) had been postponed until a later part-session.

The agenda was thus established.

6.   Strategic guidelines/Legislative and work programme for 2005 (debate)

Commission statement: Strategic guidelines/Legislative and work programme for 2005

The President welcomed the fact that the President-in-Office of the Council was to take part in the debate.

José Manuel Barroso (President of the Commission) made the statement.

Jean-Claude Juncker (President-in-Office of the Council) spoke.

The following spoke: Hans-Gert Poettering, on behalf of the PPE-DE Group, Martin Schulz, on behalf of the PSE Group, Graham Watson, on behalf of the ALDE Group, Pierre Jonckheer, on behalf of the Verts/ALE Group, Francis Wurtz, on behalf of the GUE/NGL Group, Jens-Peter Bonde, on behalf of the IND/DEM Group, Brian Crowley, on behalf of the UEN Group, Hans-Peter Martin, Non-attached Member, Françoise Grossetête, Hannes Swoboda, Bronisław Geremek, Dimitrios Papadimoulis and Roger Knapman.

IN THE CHAIR: Jacek Emil SARYUSZ-WOLSKI

Vice-President

The following spoke: Roberta Angelilli, Ashley Mote, József Szájer, Magda Kósáné Kovács, Alexander Lambsdorff, Johannes Blokland, Marcin Libicki, Jana Bobošíková, Elmar Brok, Poul Nyrup Rasmussen, Andrew Duff, Irena Belohorská, Maria Martens, Pervenche Berès, Paolo Costa, Timothy Kirkhope, Richard Falbr, Sophia in 't Veld, Christofer Fjellner, Reino Paasilinna and Lena Ek.

IN THE CHAIR: Josep BORRELL FONTELLES

President

The following spoke: Markus Ferber, Guido Sacconi, Alexander Radwan, Alain Hutchinson and Ria Oomen-Ruijten.

IN THE CHAIR: Luigi COCILOVO

Vice-President

The following spoke: Katerina Batzeli, John Bowis, Mia De Vits, Paul Rübig, Malcolm Harbour, Georg Jarzembowski, Konstantinos Hatzidakis, Lutz Goepel, Doris Pack, Klaus-Heiner Lehne, Ewa Klamt, Rodi Kratsa-Tsagaropoulou, Amalia Sartori, Françoise Grossetête and José Manuel Barroso.

The debate would continue on 21 February 2005 (see Minutes of 21.02.2005, Item 12).

IN THE CHAIR: Josep BORRELL FONTELLES

President

7.   Situation in the Middle East (debate)

Statement by the High Representative for CFSP — Situation in the Middle East

Javier Solana made the statement.

Benita Ferrero-Waldner (Member of the Commission) spoke.

IN THE CHAIR: Luigi COCILOVO

Vice-President

The following spoke: José Ignacio Salafranca Sánchez-Neyra, on behalf of the PPE-DE Group, Pasqualina Napoletano, on behalf of the PSE Group, Annemie Neyts-Uyttebroeck, on behalf of the ALDE Group, Joost Lagendijk, on behalf of the Verts/ALE Group, Luisa Morgantini, on behalf of the GUE/NGL Group, Gerard Batten, on behalf of the IND/DEM Group, Roberta Angelilli, on behalf of the UEN Group, James Hugh Allister, Non-attached Member, Edward McMillan-Scott, Michel Rocard, Ignasi Guardans Cambó, David Hammerstein Mintz, Adamos Adamou, Georgios Karatzaferis, Luca Romagnoli, Elmar Brok, Véronique De Keyser, Janusz Onyszkiewicz and Georgios Toussas.

IN THE CHAIR: Janusz ONYSZKIEWICZ

Vice-President

The following spoke: Jan Tadeusz Masiel, Jana Hybášková, Proinsias De Rossa, Lapo Pistelli, Charles Tannock, Richard Howitt, Nicholson of Winterbourne, Ioannis Kasoulides, Edith Mastenbroek, Luciana Sbarbati, Armin Laschet, Antonio Masip Hidalgo, Gitte Seeberg, Panagiotis Beglitis and Vytautas Landsbergis.

IN THE CHAIR: Mario MAURO

Vice-President

The following spoke: Stefano Zappalà, Michael Gahler, Georgios Papastamkos, Javier Solana and Benita Ferrero-Waldner.

Motions for resolutions to wind up the debate tabled pursuant to Rule 103(2):

Annemie Neyts-Uyttebroeck, on behalf of the ALDE Group, on the situation in the Middle East (B6-0068/2005);

Joost Lagendijk, David Hammerstein Mintz, Margrete Auken and Johannes Voggenhuber, on behalf of the Verts/ALE Group, on the situation in the Middle East (B6-0071/2005);

Pasqualina Napoletano, Véronique De Keyser and Michel Rocard, on behalf of the PSE Group, on the Middle East (B6-0072/2005);

Francis Wurtz, Adamos Adamou, Luisa Morgantini, Umberto Guidoni and Dimitrios Papadimoulis, on behalf of the GUE/NGL Group, on the situation in the Middle East (B6-0075/2005);

Roberta Angelilli, Brian Crowley, Cristiana Muscardini and Anna Elzbieta Fotyga, on behalf of the UEN Group, on the situation in the Middle East (B6-0078/2005);

João de Deus Pinheiro, José Ignacio Salafranca Sánchez-Neyra and Edward McMillan-Scott, on behalf of the PPE-DE Group, on the Middle East peace process (B6-0080/2005).

The debate closed.

Vote: Minutes of 27.01.2005, Item 6.4.

8.   The Holocaust, anti-Semitism and racism (debate)

Oral question by Martin Schulz and Glyn Ford, on behalf of the PSE Group, to the Council, Commemoration of Auschwitz (B6-0003/2005)

Oral question by Martin Schulz and Glyn Ford, on behalf of the PSE Group, to the Commission, Commemoration of Auschwitz (B6-0004/2005)

Martin Schulz moved the oral questions.

Nicolas Schmit (President-in-Office of the Council) answered question B6-0003/2005.

Franco Frattini (Vice-President of the Commission) answered question B6-0004/2005.

The following spoke: Ewa Klamt, Glyn Ford, Sarah Ludford, Gisela Kallenbach, Giusto Catania, Bogdan Pęk and Cristiana Muscardini.

IN THE CHAIR: Gérard ONESTA

Vice-President

The following spoke: Philip Claeys, Non-attached Member, Bogusław Sonik, Martine Roure, Jean Lambert, Martin Schulz who made a personal statement, Kyriacos Triantaphyllides, Romano Maria La Russa, Ryszard Czarnecki, Patrick Gaubert, Józef Pinior, Mario Borghezio, Wojciech Roszkowski, Timothy Kirkhope, Michael Cashman, Anna Záborská, Pierre Schapira, David Sumberg, Monika Beňová, Marta Vincenzi, Csaba Sándor Tabajdi, Nicolas Schmit and Franco Frattini.

Motions for resolution to wind up the debate tabled pursuant to Rule 108(5):

Martin Schulz, Glyn Ford and Martine Roure, on behalf of the PSE Group, on anti-Semitism (B6-0069/2005);

Daniel Marc Cohn-Bendit and Monica Frassoni, on behalf of the Verts/ALE Group, on racism and anti-Semitism (B6-0070/2005);

Graham Watson and Sarah Ludford, on behalf of the ALDE Group, on remembrance of the Holocaust, anti-Semitism and racism (B6-0073/2005);

Francis Wurtz, Marco Rizzo, Miguel Portas, André Brie and Dimitrios Papadimoulis, on behalf of the GUE/NGL Group, on racism and anti-Semitism (B6-0074/2005);

Hans-Gert Poettering, Ewa Klamt, Patrick Gaubert, Timothy Kirkhope and Bogusław Sonik, on behalf of the PPE-DE Group, on anti-Semitism (B6-0076/2005);

Romano Maria La Russa, Inese Vaidere, Roberta Angelilli and Brian Crowley, on behalf of the UEN Group, on anti-Semitism and racism (B6-0077/2005);

Maciej Marian Giertych, Jens-Peter Bonde, Georgios Karatzaferis and Nils Lundgren, on behalf of the IND/DEM Group, on anti-Semitism and racism (B6-0079/2005).

The debate closed.

Vote: Minutes of 27.01.2005, Item 6.5.

9.   Digital content in Europe ***II (debate)

Recommendation for second reading on the Council common position for adopting 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 (10458/4/2004 — C6-0140/2004 — 2004/0025 (COD)) — Committee on Industry, Research and Energy.

Rapporteur: Paul Rübig (A6-0002/2005)

Paul Rübig introduced the recommendation for second reading.

Viviane Reding (Member of the Commission) spoke.

The following spoke: Richard Seeber, on behalf of the PPE-DE Group, Neena Gill, on behalf of the PSE Group, Bastiaan Belder, on behalf of the IND/DEM Group, Mieczysław Edmund Janowski, on behalf of the UEN Group, and Reino Paasilinna.

The debate closed.

Vote: Minutes of 27.01.2005, Item 6.3.

10.   Membership of committees

At the request of the ALDE Group, Parliament ratified the following appointment:

LIBE Committee:

Jean-Marie Cavada to replace Lapo Pistelli

11.   Agenda for next sitting

The agenda for the next sitting had been established (‘Agenda’ PE 352.950 OJJE).

12.   Closure of sitting

The sitting closed at 22.30.

Julian Priestley

Secretary-General

Alejo Vidal-Quadras Roca

Vice-President


ATTENDANCE REGISTER

The following signed:

Adamou, Adwent, Albertini, Allister, Alvaro, Andersson, Andrejevs, Andria, Andrikienė, Angelilli, Antoniozzi, Arif, Arnaoutakis, Ashworth, Assis, Atkins, Attard-Montalto, Aylward, Ayuso González, Baco, Badía i Cutchet, Barón Crespo, Barsi-Pataky, Batten, Battilocchio, Batzeli, Bauer, Beaupuy, Beazley, Becsey, Beglitis, Belder, Belet, Belohorská, Beňová, Berend, Berès, van den Berg, Berger, Berman, Bersani, Bertinotti, Bielan, Birutis, Blokland, Bobošíková, Böge, Bösch, Bonde, Bonino, Bono, Bonsignore, Booth, Borghezio, Borrell Fontelles, Bourlanges, Bourzai, Bowis, Bozkurt, Bradbourn, Mihael Brejc, Brepoels, Brie, Brok, Brunetta, Budreikaitė, van Buitenen, Bullmann, van den Burg, Bushill-Matthews, Busk, Busquin, Busuttil, Calabuig Rull, Callanan, Camre, Capoulas Santos, Carlotti, Carlshamre, Carnero González, Casa, Casaca, Cashman, Caspary, Castiglione, del Castillo Vera, Catania, Cavada, Cederschiöld, Cesa, Chichester, Chmielewski, Christensen, Chruszcz, Claeys, Clark, Cocilovo, Coelho, Cohn-Bendit, Corbett, Corbey, Correia, António Costa, Paolo Costa, Cottigny, Coûteaux, Crowley, Marek Aleksander Czarnecki, Ryszard Czarnecki, D'Alema, Degutis, Dehaene, De Keyser, Del Turco, Demetriou, De Michelis, Deprez, De Rossa, De Sarnez, Descamps, Deß, Deva, De Veyrac, De Vits, Díaz de Mera García Consuegra, Dičkutė, Didžiokas, Díez González, Dillen, Dimitrakopoulos, Dionisi, Di Pietro, Dobolyi, Dombrovskis, Doorn, Douay, Dover, Drčar Murko, Duchoň, Duff, Duin, Duka-Zólyomi, Duquesne, Ehler, Ek, El Khadraoui, Elles, Esteves, Estrela, Ettl, Eurlings, Jonathan Evans, Robert Evans, Fajmon, Falbr, Farage, Fatuzzo, Fava, Fazakas, Ferber, Fernandes, Fernández Martín, Elisa Ferreira, Fjellner, Flasarová, Flautre, Florenz, Foglietta, Fontaine, Ford, Fotyga, Fourtou, Fraga Estévez, Frassoni, Freitas, Friedrich, Fruteau, Gahler, Gál, Gaľa, García-Margallo y Marfil, García Pérez, Garriga Polledo, Gaubert, Gauzès, Gebhardt, Gentvilas, Geremek, Geringer de Oedenberg, Gierek, Giertych, Gill, Gklavakis, Goepel, Golik, Gollnisch, Gomolka, Goudin, Genowefa Grabowska, Grabowski, Graefe zu Baringdorf, Gräßle, de Grandes Pascual, Graça Moura, Grech, Griesbeck, Gröner, Grosch, Grossetête, Guardans Cambó, Guellec, Guerreiro, Guidoni, Gutiérrez-Cortines, Guy-Quint, Gyürk, Hänsch, Hall, Hammerstein Mintz, Hamon, Handzlik, Hannan, Harangozó, Harbour, Harkin, Harms, Hassi, Hatzidakis, Haug, Hazan, Heaton-Harris, Hedh, Hedkvist Petersen, Hegyi, Henin, Hennicot-Schoepges, Herczog, Herrero-Tejedor, Hieronymi, Higgins, Hökmark, Hoppenstedt, Horáček, Hortefeux, Howitt, Hudacký, Hudghton, Hughes, Huhne, Hutchinson, Ilves, in 't Veld, Isler Béguin, Itälä, Iturgaiz Angulo, Jackson, Jäätteenmäki, Jałowiecki, Janowski, Jarzembowski, Jeggle, Jensen, Joan i Marí, Jöns, Jørgensen, Jonckheer, Jordan Cizelj, Juknevičienė, Kaczmarek, Kallenbach, Kamiński, Karas, Karatzaferis, Kasoulides, Kaufmann, Tunne Kelam, Kilroy-Silk, Kindermann, Kirkhope, Klamt, Klaß, Klich, Knapman, Koch, Kohlíček, Konrad, Korhola, Kósáné Kovács, Koterec, Kozlík, Krahmer, Krarup, Krasts, Kratsa-Tsagaropoulou, Krehl, Kreissl-Dörfler, Kristovskis, Krupa, Kuc, Kudrycka, Kuhne, Kułakowski, Kušķis, Kusstatscher, Kuźmiuk, Lagendijk, Lamassoure, Lambert, Lambrinidis, Lang, Langen, Langendries, Laperrouze, La Russa, Laschet, Lauk, Lechner, Le Foll, Lehideux, Lehne, Lehtinen, Leichtfried, Leinen, Fernand Le Rachinel, Letta, Liberadzki, Libicki, Lichtenberger, Lienemann, Liese, Liotard, Locatelli, López-Istúriz White, Louis, Lucas, Ludford, Lulling, Lundgren, Lynne, Maat, Maaten, McAvan, McCarthy, McDonald, McGuinness, McMillan-Scott, Madeira, Malmström, Manders, Maňka, Erika Mann, Thomas Mann, Manolakou, Mantovani, Markov, Marques, Martens, David Martin, Hans-Peter Martin, Martinez, Martínez Martínez, Masiel, Masip Hidalgo, Mastenbroek, Mathieu, Matsakis, Matsis, Matsouka, Mauro, Mavrommatis, Mayer, Medina Ortega, Meijer, Méndez de Vigo, Menéndez del Valle, Meyer Pleite, Miguélez Ramos, Mikko, Mikolášik, Millán Mon, Mitchell, Mölzer, Mohácsi, Montoro Romero, Moraes, Moreno Sánchez, Morgan, Morgantini, Morillon, Moscovici, Mote, Mulder, Musacchio, Muscardini, Muscat, Musotto, Musumeci, Myller, Napoletano, Nassauer, Nattrass, Navarro, Newton Dunn, Neyts-Uyttebroeck, Nicholson, Nicholson of Winterbourne, van Nistelrooij, Novak, Obiols i Germà, Olajos, Ó Neachtain, Onesta, Onyszkiewicz, Oomen-Ruijten, Ortuondo Larrea, Őry, Ouzký, Oviir, Paasilinna, Pack, Pafilis, Borut Pahor, Paleckis, Pálfi, Panayotopoulos-Cassiotou, Pannella, Panzeri, Papadimoulis, Papastamkos, Parish, Pavilionis, Peillon, Pęk, Alojz Peterle, Pflüger, Piecyk, Pieper, Pīks, Pinheiro, Pinior, Piotrowski, Pirilli, Piskorski, Pistelli, Pleguezuelos Aguilar, Pleštinská, Podestà, Podkański, Poettering, Poignant, Polfer, Portas, Prets, Prodi, Protasiewicz, Purvis, Queiró, Quisthoudt-Rowohl, Rack, Radwan, Ransdorf, Rapkay, Remek, Resetarits, Reul, Reynaud, Ribeiro e Castro, Riera Madurell, Ries, Riis-Jørgensen, Rocard, Rogalski, Roithová, Romagnoli, Rosati, Roszkowski, Roth-Behrendt, Rothe, Rouček, Roure, Rudi Ubeda, Rübig, Rühle, Rutowicz, Ryan, Sacconi, Saïfi, Sakalas, Salafranca Sánchez-Neyra, Salinas García, Samuelsen, Sánchez Presedo, dos Santos, Sartori, Saryusz-Wolski, Savary, Savi, Sbarbati, Schapira, Scheele, Schenardi, Schierhuber, Schlyter, Schmidt, Pál Schmitt, Ingo Schmitt, Schnellhardt, Schöpflin, Schröder, Schroedter, Schulz, Schwab, Seeber, Seeberg, Segelström, Seppänen, Siekierski, Sifunakis, Silva Peneda, Sinnott, Siwiec, Sjöstedt, Skinner, Škottová, Smith, Sommer, Sonik, Sornosa Martínez, Spautz, Speroni, Staes, Staniszewska, Starkevičiūtė, Šťastný, Stevenson, Stihler, Strejček, Stroz, Stubb, Sturdy, Sudre, Sumberg, Surján, Svensson, Swoboda, Szájer, Szejna, Szent-Iványi, Szymański, Tabajdi, Tajani, Takkula, Tannock, Tatarella, Thomsen, Thyssen, Titford, Titley, Toia, Tomczak, Toubon, Toussas, Trakatellis, Trautmann, Triantaphyllides, Trüpel, Turmes, Tzampazi, Uca, Väyrynen, Vaidere, Vakalis, Valenciano Martínez-Orozco, Vanhecke, Van Hecke, Van Lancker, Van Orden, Varela Suanzes-Carpegna, Varvitsiotis, Vaugrenard, Ventre, Verges, Vergnaud, Vernola, Vidal-Quadras Roca, Villiers, Vincenzi, Virrankoski, Vlasák, Vlasto, Voggenhuber, Wallis, Walter, Watson, Henri Weber, Westlund, Whitehead, Whittaker, Wieland, Wiersma, Wierzejski, Wijkman, Wise, Wohlin, Wojciechowski, Wortmann-Kool, Wuermeling, Wurtz, Wynn, Xenogiannakopoulou, Yañez-Barnuevo García, Záborská, Zahradil, Zaleski, Zani, Zappalà, Zatloukal, Ždanoka, Železný, Zieleniec, Zimmer, Zingaretti, Zvěřina, Zwiefka


Thursday 27 January 2005

13.10.2005   

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

CE 253/11


MINUTES

(2005/C 253 E/02)

PROCEEDINGS OF THE SITTING

IN THE CHAIR: Josep BORRELL FONTELLES

President

1.   Opening of sitting

The sitting opened at 09.05.

2.   Documents received

The following documents had been received:

1)

from the Council and Commission:

Proposal for a Council regulation amending Regulation (EC) No 2500/2001 to enable the implementation of Community assistance according to Article 54(2)(c) of the Financial Regulation (COM (2004)0814 — C6-0026/2005 — 2004/0285(CNS))

referred to

responsible: AFET

opinion: BUDG, CONT

Proposal for a Council decision concerning the conclusion of a Protocol to the Euro-Mediterranean Agreement between the European Communities and their Member States, of the one part, and the Arab Republic of Egypt, of the other part, to take account of the accession of the Czech Republic, the Republic of Estonia, the Republic of Cyprus, the Republic of Latvia, the Republic of Lithuania, the Republic of Hungary, the Republic of Malta, the Republic of Poland, the Republic of Slovenia, and the Slovak Republic to the European Union (05100/2005 — C6-0027/2005 — 2004/0131 (AVC))

referred to

responsible: AFET

opinion: INTA

Proposal for a Council and Commission decision concerning the conclusion of a Protocol to the Stabilisation and Association Agreement between the European Communities and their Member States, of the one part, and the Republic of Croatia, of the other part, to take account of the accession of the Czech Republic, the Republic of Estonia, the Republic of Cyprus, the Republic of Latvia, the Republic of Lithuania, the Republic of Hungary, the Republic of Malta, the Republic of Poland, the Republic of Slovenia, and the Slovak Republic to the European Union (14211/2004 — C6-0028/2005 — 2004/0119(AVC))

referred to

responsible: AFET

opinion: INTA

Proposal for a directive of the European Parliament and of the Council amending Council Directives 78/660/EEC and 83/349/EEC concerning the annual accounts of certain types of companies and consolidated accounts (COM(2004)0725 — C6-0164/2004 — 2004/0250(COD))

referred to

responsible: JURI

opinion: ECON

2)

from committees:

2.1)

reports:

*** Recommendation on the proposal for a Council decision on the conclusion of an Additional Protocol to the Association Agreement between the European Community and its Member States, of the one part, and the Republic of Chile, of the other part, to take account of the accession of the Czech Republic, the Republic of Estonia, the Republic of Cyprus, the Republic of Hungary, the Republic of Latvia, the Republic of Lithuania, the Republic of Malta, the Republic of Poland, the Republic of Slovenia, and the Slovak Republic to the European Union (13286/2004 — C6-0022/2005 — 2004/0195(AVC)) — Committee on International Trade

Rapporteur: Enrique Barón Crespo (A6-0007/2005)

*** Recommendation

1.

on the proposal for a Council and Commission Decision on the conclusion of the Protocol to the Stabilisation and Association Agreement between the European Communities and their Member States, of the one part, and the Republic of Croatia, of the other part, to take account of the accession of the Czech Republic, the Republic of Estonia, the Republic of Cyprus, the Republic of Latvia, the Republic of Lithuania, the Republic of Hungary, the Republic of Malta, the Republic of Poland, the Republic of Slovenia, and the Slovak Republic to the European Union

2.

on the proposal for a Council and Commission Decision on the conclusion of the Protocol to the Stabilisation and Association Agreement between the European Communities and their Member States, of the one part, and the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, of the other part, to take account of the accession of the Czech Republic, the Republic of Estonia, the Republic of Cyprus, the Republic of Latvia, the Republic of Lithuania, the Republic of Hungary, the Republic of Malta, the Republic of Poland, the Republic of Slovenia, and the Slovak Republic to the European Union (14025/2004 — C6-0003/2005 — 2004/0115(AVC)) — Committee on Foreign Affairs

Rapporteur: Elmar Brok (A6-0011/2005)

2.2)

recommendation for second reading:

***II Recommendation for second reading on the Council common position for adopting 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 (10458/4/2004 — C6-0140/2004 — 2004/0025(COD)) — Committee on Industry, Research and Energy

Rapporteur: Paul Rübig (A6-0002/2005)

3.   Agenda

The President announced that adverse weather conditions in central Europe had prevented Viktor Yushchenko, President of Ukraine, from coming to Brussels that day.

The formal sitting was therefore cancelled.

4.   Statement by the President

The President made a statement commemorating the 60th anniversary of the liberation of the Auschwitz-Birkenau death camp.

Parliament observed a minute's silence in memory of the victims.

(The sitting was suspended at 09.10 and resumed at 10.00.)

IN THE CHAIR: Alejo VIDAL-QUADRAS ROCA

Vice-President

5.   Approval of Minutes of previous sitting

The Minutes of the previous sitting were approved.

6.   Voting time

Details of voting (amendments, separate and split votes, etc.) appear in Annex I to the Minutes.

6.1.   EC-Croatia and EC-former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia Stabilisation and Association Agreements *** (Rule 131) (vote)

Recommendation

1.

on the proposal for a Council and Commission Decision on the conclusion of the Protocol to the Stabilisation and Association Agreement between the European Communities and their Member States, of the one part, and the Republic of Croatia, of the other part, to take account of the accession of the Czech Republic, the Republic of Estonia, the Republic of Cyprus, the Republic of Latvia, the Republic of Lithuania, the Republic of Hungary, the Republic of Malta, the Republic of Poland, the Republic of Slovenia, and the Slovak Republic to the European Union [COM(2004)0370 — 14211/2004 — C6-0028/2005 — 2004/0119(AVC)]

2.

on the proposal for a Council and Commission Decision on the conclusion of the Protocol to the Stabilisation and Association Agreement between the European Communities and their Member States, of the one part, and the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, of the other part, to take account of the accession of the Czech Republic, the Republic of Estonia, the Republic of Cyprus, the Republic of Latvia, the Republic of Lithuania, the Republic of Hungary, the Republic of Malta, the Republic of Poland, the Republic of Slovenia, and the Slovak Republic to the European Union [COM(2004)0354 — 9856/2004 — 14025/2004 — C6-0003/2005 — 2004/0115(AVC)] — Committee on Foreign Affairs.

Rapporteur: Elmar Brok (A6-0011/2005)

(Simple majority)

(Voting record: Annex I, Item 1)

DRAFT LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTIONS

Adopted by single vote (P6_TA(2005)0013 and 0014)

Parliament thereby gave its assent.

6.2.   Additional Protocol to EC-Chile Association Agreement *** (Rule 131) (vote)

Recommendation on the proposal for a Council decision on the conclusion of an Additional Protocol to the Association Agreement between the European Community and its Member States, of the one part, and the Republic of Chile, of the other part, to take account of the accession of the Czech Republic, the Republic of Estonia, the Republic of Cyprus, the Republic of Hungary, the Republic of Latvia, the Republic of Lithuania, the Republic of Malta, the Republic of Poland, the Republic of Slovenia, and the Slovak Republic to the European Union (13286/2004 — C6-0022/2005 — 2004/0195(AVC)) — Committee on International Trade.

Rapporteur: Enrique Barón Crespo (A6-0007/2005)

(Simple majority)

(Voting record: Annex I, Item 2)

DRAFT LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION

Adopted by single vote (P6_TA(2005)0015)

Parliament thereby gave its assent.

6.3.   Digital content in Europe ***II (vote)

Recommendation for second reading on the Council common position for adopting 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 (10458/4/2004 — C6-0140/2004 — 2004/0025 (COD)) — Committee on Industry, Research and Energy.

Rapporteur: Paul Rübig (A6-0002/2005)

(Qualified majority)

(Voting record: Annex I, Item 3)

COMMON POSITION OF THE COUNCIL

Declared approved as amended (P6_TA(2005)0016)

6.4.   Situation in the Middle East (vote)

Motions for resolution B6-0068/2005, B6-0071/2005, B6-0072/2005, B6-0075/2005, B6-0078/2005 and B6-0080/2005

(Simple majority)

(Voting record: Annex I, Item 4)

JOINT MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION RC-B6-0068/2005

(replacing B6-0068/2005, B6-0071/2005, B6-0072/2005, B6-0075/2005, B6-0078/2005 and B6-0080/2005):

tabled by the following Members:

José Ignacio Salafranca Sánchez-Neyra, João de Deus Pinheiro, Edward McMillan-Scott and Charles Tannock, on behalf of the PPE-DE Group,

Pasqualina Napoletano, Véronique De Keyser and Michel Rocard, on behalf of the PSE Group,

Annemie Neyts-Uyttebroeck, on behalf of the ALDE Group,

Joost Lagendijk, David Hammerstein Mintz, Margrete Auken and Johannes Voggenhuber, on behalf of the Verts/ALE Group,

Francis Wurtz, Adamos Adamou and Luisa Morgantini, on behalf of the GUE/NGL Group,

Roberta Angelilli, Brian Crowley, Cristiana Muscardini and Anna Elzbieta Fotyga, on behalf of the UEN Group

Adopted (P6_TA(2005)0017)

The following spoke on the vote:

Francis Wurtz, on behalf of the GUE/NGL Group, who moved an oral amendment to amendment 2, which was incorporated;

Edward McMillan-Scott, who proposed that paragraph 15 should be deleted.

6.5.   The Holocaust, anti-Semitism and racism (vote)

Motions for resolution B6-0069/2005, B6-0070/2005, B6-0073/2005, B6-0074/2005, B6-0076/2005, B6-0077/2005 and B6-0079/2005

(Simple majority)

(Voting record: Annex I, Item 5)

JOINT MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION RC-B6-0069/2005/rev.

(replacing B6-0069/2005, B6-0070/2005, B6-0073/2005, B6-0074/2005, B6-0076/2005, B6-0077/2005 and B6-0079/2005):

tabled by the following Members:

Hans-Gert Poettering, Ewa Klamt, Timothy Kirkhope and Patrick Gaubert, on behalf of the PPE-DE Group,

Martin Schulz, Glyn Ford and Martine Roure, on behalf of the PSE Group,

Sarah Ludford, Graham Watson and Alexander Nuno Alvaro, on behalf of the ALDE Group,

Daniel Marc Cohn-Bendit and Monica Frassoni, on behalf of the Verts/ALE Group,

Francis Wurtz, Miguel Portas, Dimitrios Papadimoulis, André Brie, Marco Rizzo and Helmuth Markov, on behalf of the GUE/NGL Group,

Brian Crowley, on behalf of the UEN Group

Adopted (P6_TA(2005)0018)

The following spoke on the vote:

Bogusław Sonik, on behalf of the PPE-DE Group, who moved oral amendments to recital A and paragraph 5, indent 2;

Sarah Ludford, on the oral amendments;

Martin Schulz, on behalf of the PSE Group, who moved an oral amendment to recital A;

Hans-Gert Poettering, on behalf of the PPE-DE Group, in support of Martin Schulz's oral amendment;

Sarah Ludford on the voting procedure in respect of the oral amendments;

Daniel Marc Cohn-Bendit, on behalf of the Verts/ALE Group, on the PSE and UEN Groups' oral amendments;

Martin Schulz, on the voting procedure;

Johannes Voggenhuber, who supported Martin Schulz's oral amendment, but also wished to stress Austria's responsibility;

Michał Tomasz Kamiński, on behalf of the UEN Group, and Sarah Ludford on Daniel Marc Cohn-Bendit's remarks;

Hannes Swoboda, who outlined the scope of Martin Schulz's oral amendment;

Vytautas Landsbergis, who moved an oral amendment to recital A;

Cristiana Muscardini on Daniel Marc Cohn-Bendit's remarks and the procedure in respect of the voting on the oral amendments.

7.   Explanations of vote

Written explanations of vote:

Explanations of vote submitted in writing under Rule 163(3) appear in the verbatim report of proceedings for the sitting.

Oral explanations of vote:

The Holocaust, anti-Semitism and racism — RC-B6-0069/2005/rev.

Frank Vanhecke, Maciej Marian Giertych

8.   Corrections to votes

Corrections to votes were submitted by the following Members:

The Holocaust, anti-Semitism and racism — RC-B6-0069/2005/rev.

resolution (as a whole)

for: Christofer Fjellner, Mogens N.J. Camre, Lydia Schenardi

***

Kathy Sinnott pointed out that she had wanted to move an oral amendment to recital A of the joint resolution on the Holocaust, anti-Semitism and racism to include ‘the disabled’ in the list of victims, but had not been able to attract the President's attention in time.

9.   One-minute speeches on matters of political importance

Pursuant to Rule 144, the following Members who wished to draw the attention of Parliament to matters of political importance spoke for one minute:

Jo Leinen, József Szájer, Witold Tomczak, Nigel Farage, Barbara Kudrycka, Mary Lou McDonald, Gerard Batten, Genowefa Grabowska, Urszula Krupa, Bogdan Pęk, Bogusław Rogalski, Marios Matsakis, Ryszard Czarnecki, György Schöpflin and Kathy Sinnott.

10.   Verification of credentials

On a proposal from the JURI Committee, Parliament decided to confirm the validity of Viktória Mohácsi's mandate, with effect from 29 November 2004.

11.   Communication of Council common positions

The President announced, pursuant to Rule 57(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:

Common position adopted by the Council on 24 January 2005 with a view to the adoption of a directive of the European Parliament and of the Council amending Council Directive 77/541/EEC on the approximation of the laws of the Member States relating to safety belts and restraint systems of motor vehicles (11934/3/2004 — C6-0029/2005 — 2003/0130(COD))

referred to

responsible: TRAN

Common position adopted by the Council on 24 January 2005 with a view to the adoption of a directive of the European Parliament and of the Council amending Council Directive 76/115/EEC on the approximation of the laws of the Member States relating to anchorages for motor-vehicle safety belts (11933/3/2004 — C6-0030/2005 — 2003/0136(COD))

referred to

responsible: TRAN

Common position adopted by the Council on 24 January 2005 with a view to the adoption of a directive of the European Parliament and of the Council amending Council Directive 74/408/EEC relating to motor vehicles with regard to the seats, their anchorages and head restraints (11935/3/2004 — C6-0031/2005 — 2003/0128(COD))

referred to

responsible: TRAN

The three-month period available to Parliament to adopt its position would therefore begin the following day, 28.01.2005.

12.   Decisions concerning certain documents

Referral to committees

ITRE Committee

Proposal for a directive of the European Parliament and of the Council amending Directive 2003/88/EC concerning certain aspects of the organisation of working time (COM(2004)0607 — C6-0122/2004 — 2004/0209(COD))

referred to responsible: EMPL

(opinion: ITRE, FEMM)

CONT Committee

Proposal for a directive of the European Parliament and of the Council on services in the internal market (COM(2004)0002 — C5-0069/2004 — 2004/0001(COD))

referred to responsible: IMCO

(opinion: CONT, ECON, EMPL, ENVI, ITRE, CULT, JURI)

JURI Committee

Proposal for a regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council on compulsory licensing of patents relating to the manufacture of pharmaceutical products for export to countries with public health problems (COM(2004)0737 — C6-0168/2004 — 2004/0258(COD))

referred to responsible: INTA

(opinion: DEVE, ENVI, JURI)

13.   Forwarding of texts adopted during the sitting

Pursuant to Rule 172(2), the Minutes of that day's sitting would be submitted to Parliament for its approval at the beginning of the next sitting.

With Parliament's agreement, the texts that had been adopted would be forwarded forthwith to the bodies named therein.

14.   Dates for next sittings

The next sittings would be held from 21.02.2005 to 24.02.2005.

15.   Adjournment of session

The session of the European Parliament was adjourned.

The sitting closed at 11.05.

Julian Priestley

Secretary-General

Josep Borrell Fontelles

President


ATTENDANCE REGISTER

The following signed:

Adamou, Adwent, Albertini, Allister, Alvaro, Andersson, Andrejevs, Andria, Andrikienė, Angelilli, Antoniozzi, Arnaoutakis, Ashworth, Assis, Atkins, Attwooll, Auken, Ayala Sender, Aylward, Ayuso González, Bachelot-Narquin, Baco, Badía i Cutchet, Barsi-Pataky, Batten, Battilocchio, Batzeli, Bauer, Beaupuy, Beazley, Becsey, Beer, Beglitis, Belder, Belet, Belohorská, Bennahmias, Beňová, Berend, Berès, van den Berg, Berger, Berman, Bersani, Bielan, Birutis, Blokland, Bloom, Bobošíková, Böge, Bösch, Bonde, Bonino, Bono, Bonsignore, Borghezio, Borrell Fontelles, Bourlanges, Bourzai, Bowis, Bozkurt, Bradbourn, Mihael Brejc, Brepoels, Bresso, Breyer, Brie, Brok, Brunetta, Budreikaitė, Buitenweg, Bullmann, van den Burg, Bushill-Matthews, Busquin, Busuttil, Buzek, Callanan, Camre, Capoulas Santos, Carlotti, Carnero González, Casa, Casaca, Cashman, Caspary, Castex, Castiglione, del Castillo Vera, Catania, Cavada, Cederschiöld, Cercas, Cesa, Chatzimarkakis, Chichester, Chmielewski, Christensen, Chruszcz, Claeys, Clark, Cocilovo, Coelho, Cohn-Bendit, Corbey, Cornillet, Correia, António Costa, Paolo Costa, Cottigny, Coveney, Cramer, Marek Aleksander Czarnecki, Ryszard Czarnecki, D'Alema, Davies, De Poli, Degutis, Dehaene, De Keyser, Demetriou, De Michelis, Deprez, De Rossa, De Sarnez, Descamps, Deß, Deva, De Veyrac, De Vits, Díaz de Mera García Consuegra, Dičkutė, Didžiokas, Díez González, Dimitrakopoulos, Dionisi, Di Pietro, Dombrovskis, Doorn, Douay, Dover, Doyle, Drčar Murko, Duchoň, Dührkop Dührkop, Duff, Duin, Duka- Zólyomi, Duquesne, Ebner, Ek, El Khadraoui, Esteves, Estrela, Ettl, Eurlings, Jonathan Evans, Robert Evans, Fajmon, Falbr, Farage, Fatuzzo, Fava, Fazakas, Ferber, Fernandes, Fernández Martín, Anne Ferreira, Elisa Ferreira, Fjellner, Flasarová, Flautre, Florenz, Foglietta, Fontaine, Ford, Fotyga, Fourtou, Fraga Estévez, Frassoni, Freitas, Friedrich, Fruteau, Gahler, Gál, Gaľa, García-Margallo y Marfil, García Pérez, Gaubert, Gauzès, Gebhardt, Gentvilas, Geremek, Geringer de Oedenberg, Gierek, Giertych, Gill, Gklavakis, Glante, Glattfelder, Goepel, Golik, Gollnisch, Gomes, Gomolka, Goudin, Genowefa Grabowska, Grabowski, Graefe zu Baringdorf, Gräßle, de Grandes Pascual, Graça Moura, Grech, Gröner, Grosch, Grossetête, Guardans Cambó, Guellec, Guerreiro, Guidoni, Gutiérrez-Cortines, Guy-Quint, Gyürk, Hänsch, Hall, Hammerstein Mintz, Handzlik, Harangozó, Harbour, Hassi, Hatzidakis, Haug, Hazan, Heaton-Harris, Hedh, Hegyi, Henin, Hennicot-Schoepges, Herczog, Herrero-Tejedor, Hieronymi, Higgins, Honeyball, Hoppenstedt, Hortefeux, Howitt, Hudacký, Hudghton, Hughes, Huhne, Hutchinson, Ibrisagic, Ilves, in 't Veld, Isler Béguin, Itälä, Iturgaiz Angulo, Jackson, Jäätteenmäki, Jałowiecki, Janowski, Jarzembowski, Jeggle, Jensen, Joan i Marí, Jöns, Jonckheer, Jordan Cizelj, Juknevičienė, Kaczmarek, Kallenbach, Kamiński, Karas, Karim, Kasoulides, Kaufmann, Tunne Kelam, Kilroy-Silk, Kindermann, Kirkhope, Klamt, Klaß, Klich, Klinz, Knapman, Koch, Kohlíček, Konrad, Korhola, Kósáné Kovács, Koterec, Kozlík, Krahmer, Krarup, Krasts, Kratsa-Tsagaropoulou, Krehl, Kreissl-Dörfler, Kristovskis, Krupa, Kuc, Kudrycka, Kuhne, Kułakowski, Kušķis, Kusstatscher, Kuźmiuk, Lagendijk, Lamassoure, Lambert, Lambrinidis, Landsbergis, Lang, Langen, Langendries, Laschet, Lechner, Le Foll, Lehideux, Lehne, Lehtinen, Leichtfried, Leinen, Fernand Le Rachinel, Letta, Lévai, Janusz Lewandowski, Liberadzki, Libicki, Lichtenberger, Lienemann, Liese, Liotard, Locatelli, Lombardo, López-Istúriz White, Louis, Lucas, Ludford, Lulling, Lundgren, Lynne, Maat, Maaten, McAvan, McCarthy, McDonald, McGuinness, McMillan-Scott, Madeira, Malmström, Manders, Maňka, Erika Mann, Thomas Mann, Manolakou, Mantovani, Markov, Marques, Martens, David Martin, Hans-Peter Martin, Martinez, Martínez Martínez, Masiel, Masip Hidalgo, Mastenbroek, Mathieu, Matsakis, Matsis, Matsouka, Mauro, Mavrommatis, Mayer, Mayor Oreja, Medina Ortega, Meijer, Méndez de Vigo, Menéndez del Valle, Meyer Pleite, Miguélez Ramos, Mikko, Mikolášik, Millán Mon, Mitchell, Mölzer, Mohácsi, Montoro Romero, Moraes, Moreno Sánchez, Morgantini, Morillon, Moscovici, Mote, Mulder, Musacchio, Muscardini, Muscat, Musotto, Musumeci, Myller, Napoletano, Nassauer, Nattrass, Navarro, Newton Dunn, Neyts-Uyttebroeck, Nicholson, Niebler, van Nistelrooij, Novak, Obiols i Germà, Özdemir, Olajos, Olbrycht, Ó Neachtain, Onesta, Onyszkiewicz, Oomen- Ruijten, Ortuondo Larrea, Őry, Ouzký, Oviir, Paasilinna, Pack, Borut Pahor, Paleckis, Pálfi, Panayotopoulos- Cassiotou, Pannella, Panzeri, Papadimoulis, Papastamkos, Parish, Patrie, Pavilionis, Peillon, Pęk, Alojz Peterle, Piecyk, Pieper, Pīks, Pinheiro, Pinior, Piotrowski, Pirilli, Piskorski, Pistelli, Pittella, Pleštinská, Podestà, Podkański, Poettering, Poignant, Polfer, Prets, Prodi, Protasiewicz, Purvis, Queiró, Quisthoudt-Rowohl, Rack, Radwan, Rapkay, Rasmussen, Remek, Resetarits, Reul, Reynaud, Ribeiro e Castro, Riera Madurell, Ries, Riis- Jørgensen, Rogalski, Roithová, Romagnoli, Rosati, Roszkowski, Roth-Behrendt, Rothe, Rouček, Roure, Rudi Ubeda, Rübig, Rühle, Rutowicz, Ryan, Sacconi, Saïfi, Sakalas, Salafranca Sánchez-Neyra, Salinas García, Salvini, Samaras, Sánchez Presedo, dos Santos, Sartori, Saryusz-Wolski, Savary, Sbarbati, Schapira, Scheele, Schenardi, Schierhuber, Schlyter, Schmidt, Pál Schmitt, Ingo Schmitt, Schnellhardt, Schöpflin, Schröder, Schroedter, Schulz, Schwab, Seeber, Seeberg, Segelström, Sifunakis, Silva Peneda, Sinnott, Siwiec, Sjöstedt, Skinner, Škottová, Sommer, Sonik, Sornosa Martínez, Sousa Pinto, Spautz, Speroni, Staes, Staniszewska, Starkevičiūtė, Šťastný, Sterckx, Stevenson, Stihler, Stockmann, Strejček, Stroz, Stubb, Sudre, Sumberg, Surján, Svensson, Swoboda, Szájer, Szejna, Szent-Iványi, Szymański, Tabajdi, Tajani, Takkula, Tannock, Tatarella, Thomsen, Thyssen, Titford, Titley, Toia, Tomczak, Toubon, Trakatellis, Trautmann, Triantaphyllides, Trüpel, Turmes, Tzampazi, Väyrynen, Vaidere, Vakalis, Valenciano Martínez-Orozco, Vanhecke, Van Hecke, Van Lancker, Van Orden, Varela Suanzes-Carpegna, Varvitsiotis, Vatanen, Vaugrenard, Ventre, Verges, Vergnaud, Vernola, Vidal-Quadras Roca, Vincenzi, Vlasák, Vlasto, Voggenhuber, Wagenknecht, Wallis, Walter, Henri Weber, Manfred Weber, Weiler, Weisgerber, Westlund, Whitehead, Whittaker, Wieland, Wiersma, Wierzejski, Wijkman, Wise, von Wogau, Wohlin, Wojciechowski, Wortmann-Kool, Wurtz, Wynn, Xenogiannakopoulou, Yañez-Barnuevo García, Záborská, Zahradil, Zaleski, Zani, Zappalà, Zatloukal, Ždanoka, Železný, Zieleniec, Zvěřina, Zwiefka


ANNEX I

RESULTS OF VOTES

Abbreviations and symbols

+

adopted

-

rejected

lapsed

W

withdrawn

RCV (..., ..., ...)

roll-call vote (for, against, abstentions)

EV (..., ..., ...)

electronic vote (for, against, abstentions)

split

split vote

sep

separate vote

am

amendment

CA

compromise amendment

CP

corresponding part

D

deleting amendment

=

identical amendments

§

paragraph

art

article

rec

recital

MOT

motion for a resolution

JT MOT

joint motion for a resolution

SEC

secret ballot

1.   EC-Croatia and EC-former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia Stabilisation and Association Agreement ***

Report: BROK (A6-0011/2005)

Subject

RCV etc.

Vote

RCV/EV — remarks

single vote

 

+

 

2.   Additional Protocol to EC-Chile Association Agreement ***

Report: BARÓN CRESPO (A6-0007/2005)

Subject

RCV etc.

Vote

RCV/EV — remarks

single vote

 

+

 

3.   Digital content in Europe ***II

Recommendation for second reading: RÜBIG (A6-0002/2005)

Subject

Amendment No

Author

RCV etc.

Vote

RCV/EV — remarks

Article 6

1

ITRE committee

 

+

 

common position

 

declared approved

 

4.   Situation in the Middle East

Motions for resolution: B6-0068/2005, 0071/2005, 0072/2005, 0075/2005, 0078/2005 and 0080/2005

Subject

Amendment No

Author

RCV etc.

Vote

RCV/EV — remarks

Joint motion for a resolution RC6-0068/2005 (PPE-DE, PSE, ALDE, Verts/ALE, GUE/NGL and UEN)

§ 8

2

GUE/NGL

split

 

oral amendment

1

+

2

-

§ 12

 

original text

split

 

 

1

+

 

2/EV

-

297, 301, 17

3

+

 

4

+

 

§ 13

3

GUE/NGL

 

+

 

§ 14

 

original text

split

 

 

1

+

 

2

+

 

§15

 

original text

 

-

 

after § 14

1

UEN

 

+

 

vote: resolution (as a whole)

 

+

 

motions for resolution by political groups

B6-0068/2005

 

ALDE

 

 

B6-0071/2005

 

Verts/ALE

 

 

B6-0072/2005

 

PSE

 

 

B6-0075/2005

 

GUE/NGL

 

 

B6-0078/2005

 

UEN

 

 

B6-0080/2005

 

PPE-DE

 

 

Requests for split votes

ALDE, PPE-DE

§ 12

1st part:‘Condemns all terrorist attacks and any acts of violence’

2nd part:‘indiscriminate’

3rd part:‘from both sides’

4th part:‘demands that the armed Palestinian groups ... an end to extrajudicial killings;’

§ 14

1st part: the whole text without the words ‘to halt the construction of the wall’

2nd part: those words

GUE/NGL

Am 2 (see also oral amendment to this amendment)

1st part:‘Strongly encourages President Abbas ... in order to achieve these goals’

2nd part:‘calls on the Israeli authorities ... of the UN Security Council’

Miscellaneous

Mr Wurtz moved the following oral amendment to Amendment 2:

8.

Strongly encourages President Abbas to act upon his willingness to end violence (original text of § 8) and welcomes the measures taken by President Abbas, as well as his willingness to reform and to reinforce control over the Palestinian security corps and to fully engage in dialogue with all concerned parties; believes that full political support by the USA and the EU, as well as active cooperation from the Israelis, are essential in order to achieve these goals; calls on the Israeli authorities to accept and implement the roadmap and the resolutions of the UN Security Council;

5.   Holocaust, anti-Semitism and racism

Motions for resolution: B6-0069/2005, 0070/2005, 0073/2005, 0074/2005, 0076/2005, 0077/2005 and 0079/2005

Subject

Amendment No

Author

RCV etc.

Vote

RCV/EV — remarks

Joint motion for a resolution RC6-0069/2005/rev. (PPE-DE, PSE, ALDE, Verts/ALE, GUE/NGL and UEN)

§ 4

 

original text

split

 

 

1

+

 

2

+

 

§ 5, indent 2

 

original text

 

+

oral amendment

recital A

oral am

PPE-DE (Sonik)

 

+

oral amendments

oral am

PSE (Schulz)

 

+

1

UEN

 

oral am

Landsbergis

 

+

after recital B

2

UEN

 

-

 

vote: resolution (as a whole)

RCV

+

617, 0, 10

motions for resolutions by political groups

B6-0069/2005

 

PSE

 

 

B6-0070/2005

 

Verts/ALE

 

 

B6-0073/2005

 

ALDE

 

 

B6-0074/2005

 

GUE/NGL

 

 

B6-0076/2005

 

PPE-DE

 

 

B6-0077/2005

 

UEN

 

 

B6-0079/2005

 

IND/DEM

 

 

Requests for roll-call votes

ALDE, PPE-DE, Verts/ALE: final vote

IND/DEM, UEN: am 1

Request for split votes

IND/DEM:

§ 4

1st part: the whole text without the words ‘cultural’ and ‘religious’

2nd part: those words

Miscellaneous

The PPE-DE Group (Mr Sonik) proposed the following oral amendment to recital A:

A.

whereas 27 January 2005, the sixtieth anniversary of the liberation of Hitler's Nazi death camp at Auschwitz-Birkenau, where a combined total of up to 1,5 million Jews, Roma, Poles, Russians and prisoners of various other nationalities, and homosexuals, were murdered, is not only a major occasion for European citizens to remember and condemn the enormous horror and tragedy of the Holocaust, but also for addressing the disturbing rise in anti-Semitism, and especially anti-Semitic incidents, in Europe, and for learning anew the wider lessons about the dangers of victimising people on the basis of race, ethnic origin, religion, politics or sexual orientation,

The PPE-DE Group (Mr Sonik) moved the following oral amendment to paragraph 5, indent 2:

reinforcing Holocaust education through the use of all the Holocaust memorial institutions, especially the Auschwitz-Birkenau Museum (Muzeum Państwowe Auschwitz-Birkenau w Oświęcimiu) and the Berlin Holocaust information centre (Stiftung Denkmal für die ermordeten Juden Europas) as European resources, making Holocaust education and European citizenship standard elements in school curricula throughout the EU, and setting the current fight against racism, xenophobia and anti-Semitism against the background of the Shoah (Holocaust),

The PSE Group (Mr Schulz) moved the following oral amendment to Recital A:

A.

whereas 27 January 2005, the sixtieth anniversary of the liberation of Nazi Germany's death camp at Auschwitz-Birkenau, where hundreds of thousands of Jews, Roma, homosexuals, Poles and other prisoners of various nationalities were murdered, is not only a major occasion for European citizens to remember and condemn the enormous horror and tragedy of the Holocaust, but also for addressing the disturbing rise in anti-Semitism, and especially anti-Semitic incidents, in Europe, and for learning anew the wider lessons about the dangers of victimising people on the basis of race, ethnic origin, religion, politics or sexual orientation,

Mr Landsbergis moved the following oral amendment to Recital A:

A.

whereas 27 January 2005, the sixtieth anniversary of the liberation of Hitler's Nazi death camp at Auschwitz-Birkenau, where hundreds of thousands of Jews, Roma, homosexuals, Poles and other prisoners of various nationalities were murdered, is not only a major occasion for European citizens to remember and condemn the enormous horror and tragedy of the Holocaust, but also for addressing the disturbing rise in anti-Semitism, and especially anti-Semitic incidents, in Europe, and for learning anew the wider lessons about the dangers of victimising people on the basis of race, ethnic origin, religion, social classification, politics or sexual orientation,


ANNEX II

RESULT OF ROLL-CALL VOTES

RC B6-0069/2005 — Anti-Semitism

Resolution

For: 617

ALDE: Alvaro, Andrejevs, Andria, Attwooll, Beaupuy, Birutis, Bonino, Bourlanges, Budreikaitė, Carlshamre, Cavada, Chatzimarkakis, Cocilovo, Cornillet, Costa Paolo, Davies, Degutis, Deprez, De Sarnez, Dičkutė, Di Pietro, Duff, Ek, Fourtou, Gentvilas, Geremek, Guardans Cambó, Hall, Huhne, in 't Veld, Jäätteenmäki, Jensen, Juknevičienė, Karim, Klinz, Krahmer, Kułakowski, Lambsdorff, Lehideux, Letta, Ludford, Lynne, Maaten, Malmström, Manders, Matsakis, Mohácsi, Morillon, Mulder, Newton Dunn, Neyts-Uyttebroeck, Onyszkiewicz, Ortuondo Larrea, Oviir, Pannella, Pistelli, Polfer, Prodi, Ries, Riis-Jørgensen, Savi, Sbarbati, Staniszewska, Starkevičiūtė, Sterckx, Szent-Iványi, Takkula, Toia, Väyrynen, Van Hecke, Virrankoski, Wallis, Watson

GUE/NGL: Adamou, Brie, Catania, Flasarová, Guidoni, Kaufmann, Kohlíček, Krarup, Liotard, McDonald, Markov, Meijer, Meyer Pleite, Morgantini, Musacchio, Papadimoulis, Remek, Sjöstedt, Stroz, Triantaphyllides, Verges, Wagenknecht, Wurtz

IND/DEM: Adwent, Batten, Belder, Blokland, Bloom, Bonde, Borghezio, Chruszcz, Clark, Farage, Giertych, Goudin, Grabowski, Knapman, Krupa, Louis, Lundgren, Nattrass, Pęk, Piotrowski, Rogalski, Salvini, Sinnott, Speroni, Titford, Tomczak, Whittaker, Wierzejski, Wise, Wohlin, Železný

NI: Allister, Baco, Battilocchio, Belohorská, Bobošíková, Czarnecki Marek Aleksander, Czarnecki Ryszard, De Michelis, Kilroy-Silk, Kozlík, Martin Hans-Peter, Martinez, Masiel, Mote, Resetarits, Rutowicz

PPE-DE: Albertini, Andrikienė, Antoniozzi, Ashworth, Atkins, Ayuso González, Bachelot-Narquin, Barsi-Pataky, Bauer, Beazley, Becsey, Belet, Berend, Böge, Bonsignore, Bowis, Bradbourn, Brejc, Brepoels, Brok, Brunetta, Bushill-Matthews, Busuttil, Buzek, Callanan, Casa, Caspary, Castiglione, del Castillo Vera, Cederschiöld, Cesa, Chichester, Chmielewski, Coelho, Coveney, De Poli, Dehaene, Demetriou, Descamps, Deß, Deva, De Veyrac, Díaz de Mera García Consuegra, Dionisi, Dombrovskis, Doorn, Dover, Doyle, Duchoň, Duka-Zólyomi, Ebner, Ehler, Elles, Esteves, Eurlings, Evans Jonathan, Fajmon, Fatuzzo, Ferber, Fernández Martín, Florenz, Fontaine, Fraga Estévez, Freitas, Friedrich, Gahler, Gál, Gaľa, García-Margallo y Marfil, Gaubert, Gauzès, Gklavakis, Glattfelder, Goepel, Gomolka, Gräßle, de Grandes Pascual, Graça Moura, Grossetête, Guellec, Gutiérrez-Cortines, Gyürk, Handzlik, Hannan, Harbour, Hatzidakis, Heaton-Harris, Hennicot-Schoepges, Herrero-Tejedor, Hieronymi, Higgins, Hoppenstedt, Hortefeux, Hudacký, Hybášková, Ibrisagic, Itälä, Iturgaiz Angulo, Jackson, Jałowiecki, Jeggle, Jordan Cizelj, Kaczmarek, Karas, Kasoulides, Kelam, Kirkhope, Klamt, Klaß, Klich, Koch, Konrad, Korhola, Kratsa-Tsagaropoulou, Kudrycka, Kušķis, Kuźmiuk, Lamassoure, Landsbergis, Langen, Langendries, Laschet, Lechner, Lehne, Lewandowski, López-Istúriz White, Lulling, Maat, McGuinness, McMillan-Scott, Mann Thomas, Mantovani, Marques, Martens, Mathieu, Matsis, Mauro, Mavrommatis, Mayer, Méndez de Vigo, Mikolášik, Millán Mon, Mitchell, Montoro Romero, Musotto, Nassauer, Nicholson, Niebler, van Nistelrooij, Novak, Olajos, Olbrycht, Oomen-Ruijten, Őry, Ouzký, Pack, Pálfi, Panayotopoulos-Cassiotou, Papastamkos, Parish, Peterle, Pieper, Pīks, Pinheiro, Piskorski, Pleštinská, Podestà, Podkański, Poettering, Pomés Ruiz, Protasiewicz, Purvis, Queiró, Quisthoudt-Rowohl, Rack, Radwan, Reul, Ribeiro e Castro, Roithová, Rudi Ubeda, Rübig, Saïfi, Salafranca Sánchez-Neyra, Samaras, Sartori, Saryusz-Wolski, Schierhuber, Schmitt Pál, Schmitt Ingo, Schnellhardt, Schöpflin, Schröder, Schwab, Seeber, Seeberg, Silva Peneda, Škottová, Sommer, Sonik, Spautz, Šťastný, Stevenson, Strejček, Stubb, Sturdy, Sudre, Sumberg, Surján, Szájer, Tajani, Tannock, Thyssen, Toubon, Trakatellis, Vakalis, Van Orden, Varela Suanzes-Carpegna, Varvitsiotis, Vatanen, Ventre, Vernola, Vlasák, Vlasto, Weber Manfred, Weisgerber, Wieland, Wijkman, von Wogau, Wojciechowski, Wortmann-Kool, Wuermeling, Záborská, Zahradil, Zaleski, Zappalà, Zatloukal, Zieleniec, Zvěřina, Zwiefka

PSE: Andersson, Arnaoutakis, Assis, Attard-Montalto, Ayala Sender, Badía i Cutchet, Batzeli, Beglitis, Beňová, Berès, van den Berg, Berger, Berman, Bersani, Bösch, Bono, Bourzai, Bozkurt, Bresso, Bullmann, van den Burg, Busquin, Capoulas Santos, Carlotti, Carnero González, Casaca, Cashman, Castex, Cercas, Christensen, Corbey, Correia, Costa António, Cottigny, D'Alema, De Keyser, De Rossa, De Vits, Díez González, Douay, Dührkop Dührkop, Duin, El Khadraoui, Estrela, Ettl, Evans Robert, Falbr, Fava, Fazakas, Fernandes, Ferreira Anne, Ferreira Elisa, Ford, Fruteau, García Pérez, Gebhardt, Geringer de Oedenberg, Gierek, Gill, Glante, Golik, Gomes, Grabowska, Grech, Gröner, Guy-Quint, Hänsch, Harangozó, Haug, Hazan, Hedh, Hegyi, Herczog, Honeyball, Howitt, Hughes, Hutchinson, Ilves, Jöns, Jørgensen, Kindermann, Kósáné Kovács, Koterec, Krehl, Kreissl-Dörfler, Kuc, Kuhne, Lambrinidis, Le Foll, Lehtinen, Leichtfried, Leinen, Lévai, Lienemann, McAvan, McCarthy, Madeira, Maňka, Mann Erika, Martin David, Martínez Martínez, Masip Hidalgo, Mastenbroek, Matsouka, Medina Ortega, Menéndez del Valle, Miguélez Ramos, Mikko, Moraes, Moreno Sánchez, Moscovici, Muscat, Myller, Napoletano, Navarro, Obiols i Germà, Paasilinna, Pahor, Paleckis, Panzeri, Patrie, Peillon, Piecyk, Pinior, Pittella, Pleguezuelos Aguilar, Poignant, Prets, Rapkay, Rasmussen, Reynaud, Riera Madurell, Rosati, Roth-Behrendt, Rothe, Rouček, Roure, Sacconi, Sakalas, Salinas García, Sánchez Presedo, dos Santos, Savary, Schapira, Scheele, Schulz, Segelström, Sifunakis, Siwiec, Skinner, Sornosa Martínez, Sousa Pinto, Stihler, Stockmann, Swoboda, Szejna, Tabajdi, Tarand, Thomsen, Titley, Trautmann, Tzampazi, Valenciano Martínez-Orozco, Van Lancker, Vaugrenard, Vergnaud, Vincenzi, Walter, Weber Henri, Weiler, Westlund, Whitehead, Wiersma, Wynn, Xenogiannakopoulou, Yañez-Barnuevo García, Zani

UEN: Angelilli, Aylward, Bielan, Didžiokas, Foglietta, Fotyga, Janowski, Kamiński, Krasts, Kristovskis, La Russa, Libicki, Muscardini, Musumeci, Ó Neachtain, Pavilionis, Pirilli, Roszkowski, Ryan, Szymański, Tatarella, Vaidere

Verts/ALE: Auken, Beer, Bennahmias, Breyer, Buitenweg, Cohn-Bendit, Cramer, Flautre, Frassoni, Graefe zu Baringdorf, Hammerstein Mintz, Harms, Hassi, Horáček, Hudghton, Isler Béguin, Joan i Marí, Jonckheer, Kallenbach, Kusstatscher, Lagendijk, Lambert, Lichtenberger, Lucas, Özdemir, Onesta, Rühle, Schlyter, Schmidt, Schroedter, Smith, Staes, Trüpel, Turmes, Voggenhuber, Ždanoka

Abstention: 10

GUE/NGL: Henin, Manolakou, Toussas

NI: Claeys, Dillen, Schenardi, Vanhecke

PPE-DE: Lombardo

UEN: Camre

Verts/ALE: van Buitenen


TEXTS ADOPTED

 

P6_TA(2005)0013

Stabilisation and Association Agreement EU-Croatia ***

European Parliament legislative resolution on the proposal for a Council and Commission Decision on the conclusion of the Protocol to the Stabilisation and Association Agreement between the European Communities and their Member States, of the one part, and the Republic of Croatia of the other part, to take account of the accession of the Czech Republic, the Republic of Estonia, the Republic of Cyprus, the Republic of Latvia, the Republic of Lithuania, the Republic of Hungary, the Republic of Malta, the Republic of Poland, the Republic of Slovenia, and the Slovak Republic to the European Union (COM(2004)0370 — 14211/2004 — C6-0028/2005 — 2004/0119(AVC))

(Assent procedure)

The European Parliament,

having regard to the proposal for a Council and Commission Decision (COM(2004)0370 — 14211/2004) (1),

having regard to the request for assent submitted by the Council pursuant to Article 300(3), second subparagraph, in conjunction with Article 300(2), first subparagraph, second sentence and Article 310 of the EC Treaty (C6-0028/2005),

having regard to Rules 75, 83(7) and 43(1) of its Rules of Procedure,

having regard to the recommendation of the Committee on Foreign Affairs (A6-0011/2005),

1.

Gives its assent to the conclusion of the Protocol;

2.

Instructs its President to forward its position to the Council, the Commission and the governments and parliaments of the Member States and the Republic of Croatia.


(1)  Not yet published in OJ.

P6_TA(2005)0014

Stabilisation and Association Agreement EU-Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia ***

European Parliament legislative resolution on the proposal for a Council and Commission Decision on the conclusion of the Protocol to the Stabilisation and Association Agreement between the European Communities and their Member States, of the one part, and the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, of the other part, to take account of the accession of the Czech Republic, the Republic of Estonia, the Republic of Cyprus, the Republic of Latvia, the Republic of Lithuania, the Republic of Hungary, the Republic of Malta, the Republic of Poland, the Republic of Slovenia, and the Slovak Republic to the European Union (COM(2004)0354 — 9856/2004 — 14025/2004 — C6-0003/2005 — 2004/0115(AVC))

(Assent procedure)

The European Parliament,

having regard to the proposal for a Council and Commission Decision (COM(2004)0354 — 9856/2004 — 14025/2004) (1),

having regard to the request for assent submitted by the Council pursuant to Article 300(3), second subparagraph, in conjunction with Article 300(2), first subparagraph, second sentence and Article 310 of the EC Treaty (C6-0003/2005),

having regard to Rules 75, 83(7) and 43(1) of its Rules of Procedure,

having regard to the recommendation of the Committee on Foreign Affairs (A6-0011/2005),

1.

Gives its assent to the conclusion of the Protocol;

2.

Instructs its President to forward its position to the Council, the Commission and the governments and parliaments of the Member States and the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia.


(1)  Not yet published in OJ.

P6_TA(2005)0015

Additional Protocol to EC-Chile Association Agreement ***

European Parliament legislative resolution on the proposal for a Council decision on the conclusion of an Additional Protocol to the Association Agreement between the European Community and its Member States, of the one part, and the Republic of Chile, of the other part, to take account of the accession of the Czech Republic, the Republic of Estonia, the Republic of Cyprus, the Republic of Hungary, the Republic of Latvia, the Republic of Lithuania, the Republic of Malta, the Republic of Poland, the Republic of Slovenia, and the Slovak Republic to the European Union (COM(2004)0566 — C6-0022/2005 — 2004/0195(AVC))

(Assent procedure)

The European Parliament,

having regard to the proposal for a Council decision (COM(2004)0566) (1),

having regard to the request for assent submitted by the Council pursuant to Article 300(3), second subparagraph, in conjunction with Articles 310 and 300(2), first subparagraph of the EC Treaty (C6-0022/2005),

having regard to Rules 75, 83(7) and 43(1) of its Rules of Procedure,

having regard to the recommendation of the Committee on International Trade (A6-0007/2005),

1.

Gives its assent to the conclusion of the protocol to the agreement;

2.

Instructs its President to forward its position to the Council and Commission, and the governments and parliaments of the Member States and the Republic of Chile.


(1)  Not yet published in OJ.

P6_TA(2005)0016

Digital content in Europe ***II

European Parliament legislative resolution on the Council common position for adopting 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 (10458/4/2004 — C6-0140/2004 — 2004/0025(COD))

(Codecision procedure: second reading)

The European Parliament,

having regard to the Council common position (10458/4/2004 — C6-0140/2004),

having regard to its position at first reading (1) on the Commission proposal to Parliament and the Council (COM(2004)0096) (2),

having regard to the Commission's amended proposal (COM(2004)0367) (2),

having regard to Article 251(2) of the EC Treaty,

having regard to Rule 62 of its Rules of Procedure,

having regard to the recommendation for second reading of the Committee on Industry, Research and Energy (A6-0002/2005),

1.

Approves the common position as amended;

2.

Instructs its President to forward its position to the Council and Commission.


(1)  Texts Adopted, 22.4.2004, P5_TA(2004)0364.

(2)  Not yet published in OJ.

P6_TC2-COD(2004)0025

Position of the European Parliament adopted at second reading on 27 January 2005 with a view to the adoption of Decision No .../2005/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council establishing a multiannual Community programme to make digital content in Europe more accessible, usable and exploitable

THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION,

Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Community, and in particular Article 157(3) thereof,

Having regard to the proposal from the Commission,

Having regard to the Opinion of the European Economic and Social Committee (1),

After consulting the Committee of the Regions,

Acting in accordance with the procedure laid down in Article 251 of the Treaty (2),

Whereas:

(1)

The evolution of the information society and the emergence of broadband will influence the life of every citizen in the European Union by, inter alia, stimulating access to knowledge and new ways of acquiring knowledge, thus increasing the demand for new content, applications and services.

(2)

Internet penetration in the Community is still growing considerably. The opportunities offered by the Internet should be exploited in order to enable every individual and organisation in the Community to enjoy the social and economic benefits of sharing information and knowledge. The stage has now been set in Europe to exploit the potential of digital content.

(3)

The conclusions of the European Council held in Lisbon on 23 and 24 March 2000 stressed that the shift to a digital, knowledge-based economy, prompted by new goods and services, will be a powerful engine for growth, competitiveness and jobs. On that occasion the role of the content industries in creating added value by exploiting and networking European cultural diversity was specifically recognised.

(4)

The eEurope 2005 Action Plan, developing the Lisbon strategy, calls for actions to stimulate the emergence of secure services, applications and content over broadband networks and thus to provide a favourable environment for private investment, for the creation of new jobs, to boost productivity, to modernise public services and to give everyone the opportunity to participate in the global information society.

(5)

The demand for quality digital content in Europe, with balanced access and user rights, by a broad community, be they citizens in society, students, researchers, SMEs and other business users, or people with special needs wishing to augment their knowledge, or ‘re-users’ wishing to exploit digital content resources to create services, is increasingly apparent.

(6)

Digital content stakeholders are content providers (including public and private organisations and institutions that create, collect or own digital content) and content users (including organisations and entreprises that are end-users that re-use and/or add value to digital content). Particular attention should be given to the participation of SMEs.

(7)

The eContent Programme (2001-2004) adopted by Council Decision 2001/48/EC of 22 December 2000 (3) favoured the development and use of European digital content on the Internet and the linguistic diversity of European websites in the information society. The Commission Communication of 10 October 2003 concerning the mid term evaluation the eContent Programme reaffirms the importance of acting in this field.

(8)

Technological advances offer the potential to add value to content in the form of embedded knowledge and to improve interoperability at the service level, which is fundamental to accessing and using and distributing digital content. This is particularly relevant to those areas of public interest to be addressed by this programme.

(9)

Fostering of solid business models will enhance the continuity of the projects initiated under this programme, and will thus improve the conditions for greater economic return from services based on access to, and re-use of, digital content.

(10)

A legislative framework has been defined to deal with the challenges of digital content in the information society (4)  (5)  (6).

(11)

Different practices among Member States continue to pose technical obstacles impeding wide access, use, re-use and exploitation of public sector information in the Community.

(12)

Where the digital content involves personal data, Directives 95/46/EC (7) and 2002/58/EC (8) should be respected and the technologies used should respect and, where possible, enhance privacy.

(13)

Community actions undertaken concerning the content of information should promote the Community's multilingual and multicultural specificity.

(14)

The measures necessary for the implementation of this Decision should be adopted in accordance with Council Decision 1999/468/EC of 28 June 1999 laying down the procedures for the exercise of implementing powers conferred on the Commission (9).

(15)

The Commission should ensure complementarity and synergy with related Community initiatives and programmes, in particular those related to education and culture and to the European Interoperability Framework.

(16)

This Decision lays down, for the entire duration of the programme, a financial framework constituting the prime reference, within the meaning of point 33 of the Interinstitutional Agreement of 6 May 1999 between the European Parliament, the Council and the Commission on budgetary discipline and improvement of the budgetary procedure (10), for the budgetary authority during the annual budgetary procedure.

(17)

Since the objectives of the proposed action, namely aiming at making digital content in Europe more accessible, usable and exploitable, cannot be sufficiently achieved by the Member States due to the transnational character of the issues at stake and can therefore, by reason of the European scope and effects of the actions, be better achieved at Community level, the Community may adopt measures, in accordance with the principle of subsidiarity as set out in Article 5 of the Treaty. In accordance with the principle of proportionality, as set out in that Article, this Decision does not go beyond what is necessary in order to achieve those objectives,

HAVE DECIDED AS FOLLOWS:

Article 1

Objective of the Programme

1.   This Decision establishes a Community programme for the period 2005-2008 to make digital content in Europe more accessible, usable and exploitable, facilitating the creation and diffusion of information — in areas of public interest — at Community level.

The programme shall be known as the ‘eContentplus’ programme (hereinafter ‘the Programme’).

2.   In order to attain the overall aim of the Programme, the following lines of action shall be addressed:

(a)

facilitating at Community level access to digital content,its use and exploitation;

(b)

facilitating improvement of quality and enhancing best practice related to digital content between content providers and users, and across sectors;

(c)

reinforcing cooperation between digital content stakeholders and awareness.

The activities to be carried out under those lines of action target areas of public sector information, spatial data and educational, cultural and scientific content as set out in Annex I. The Programme shall be implemented in accordance with Annex II.

Article 2

Participation

1.   Participation in the Programme shall be open to legal entities established in the Member States. It shall also be open to participation of legal entities established in the candidate countries in accordance with bilateral agreements in existence or to be concluded with those countries.

2.   Participation in the Programme may be opened to legal entities established in EFTA States which are contracting parties to the EEA Agreement, in accordance with the provisions of that Agreement.

3.   Participation in the Programme may be opened, without financial support by the Community, to legal entities established in third countries and to international organisations, where such participation contributes effectively to the implementation of the Programme. The decision to allow such participation shall be adopted in accordance with the procedure referred to in Article 4(2).

Article 3

Competences of the Commission

1.   The Commission shall be responsible for the implementation of the Programme.

2.   The Commission shall draw up a work programme on the basis of this Decision.

3.   In the implementation of the Programme, the Commission shall, in close cooperation with the Member States, ensure general consistency and complementarity with other relevant Community policies, programmes and actions that impinge upon the development and use of European digital content and the promotion of linguistic diversity in the information society, in particular the Community research and technological development programmes, IDA, eTEN, eInclusion, eLearning, Modinis and Safer Internet.

4.   The Commission shall act in accordance with the procedure referred to in Article 4(2) for the purposes of the following:

(a)

adoption and modifications of the work programme;

(b)

determination of the criteria and content of calls for proposals, in line with the objectives set out in Article 1;

(c)

assessment of the projects proposed under calls for proposals for Community funding of an estimated amount of Community contribution equal to, or more than, EUR 1 million;

(d)

any departure from the rules set out in Annex II.

5.   The Commission shall inform the committee referred to in Article 4 of progress with the implementation of the Programme.

Article 4

Committee

1.   The Commission shall be assisted by a committee.

2.   Where reference is made to this paragraph, Articles 4 and 7 of Decision 1999/468/EC shall apply, having regard to the provisions of Article 8 thereof.

The period laid down in Article 4(3) of Decision 1999/468/EC shall be set at three months.

3.   The Committee shall adopt its rules of procedure.

Article 5

Monitoring and Evaluation

1.   In order to ensure that Community aid is used efficiently, the Commission shall ensure that actions under this Decision are subject to prior appraisal, follow-up and subsequent evaluation.

2.   The Commission shall monitor the implementation of projects under the Programme. The Commission shall evaluate the manner in which the projects have been carried out and the impact of their implementation in order to assess whether the original objectives have been achieved.

3.   The Commission shall report on the implementation of the lines of action referred to in Article 1(2) to the European Parliament, the Council, the European Economic and Social Committee and the Committee of the Regions by mid-2006 at the latest. In this context, the Commission shall report on the consistency of the amount for 2007-2008 with the financial perspective. If applicable, the Commission shall take the necessary steps within the budgetary procedures for 2007-2008 to ensure the consistency of the annual appropriations with the financial perspective. The Commission shall submit a final evaluation report at the end of the Programme.

4.   The Commission shall forward the results of its quantitative and qualitative evaluations to the European Parliament and the Council together with any appropriate proposals for the amendment of this Decision. The results shall be forwarded before presentation of the draft general budget of the European Union for the years 2007 and 2009 respectively.

Article 6

Financial framework

1.   The financial framework for the implementation of the Community actions under this Decision for the period from 1 January 2005 to 31 December 2008 is hereby set at EUR 149 million of which EUR 55,6 million is for the period until 31 December 2006.

2.   For the period following 31 December 2006, the amount shall be deemed to be confirmed if it is consistent for this phase with the financial perspective in force for the period commencing in 2007.

3.   The annual appropriations for the period from 2005 to 2008 shall be authorised by the budgetary authority within the limits of the financial perspective. An indicative breakdown of expenditure is given in Annex III.

Done at ..., on ...

For the European Parliament

The President

For the Council

The President


(1)  Opinion delivered on 29 April 2004(OJ C 117, 30.4.2004, p. 49).

(2)  Position of the European Parliament of 22 April 2004 (not yet published in the Official Journal) Council Common Position of 24 September 2004 (OJ C 25 E, 1.2.2005, p. 19) and Position of the European Parliament of 27 January 2005.

(3)  OJ L 14, 18.1.2001, p. 32.

(4)  Directive 2003/98/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 17 November 2003 on the re-use of public sector information (OJ L 345, 31.12.2003, p. 90).

(5)  Directive 2001/29/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 22 May 2001 on the harmonisation of certain aspects of copyright and related rights in the information society (OJ L 167, 22.6.2001, p. 10).

(6)  Directive 96/9/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 11 March 1996 on the legal protection of databases (OJ L 77, 27.3.1996, p. 20).

(7)  Directive 95/46/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 24 October 1995 on the protection of individuals with regard to the processing of personal data and on the free movement of such data (OJ L 281, 23.11.1995, p. 31). Directive as amended by Regulation (EC) No 1882/2003 (OJ L 284, 31.10.2003, p. 1).

(8)  Directive 2002/58/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 12 July 2002 concerning the processing of personal data and the protection of privacy in the electronic communications sector (Directive on privacy and electronic communications) (OJ L 201, 31.7.2002, p. 37).

(9)  OJ L 184, 17.7.1999, p. 23.

(10)  OJ C 172, 18.6.1999, p. 1. Agreement as amended by Decision 2003/429/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council (OJ L 147, 14.6.2003, p. 25).

ANNEX I

ACTIONS

I.   INTRODUCTION

eContentplus has the overall aim of making digital content in Europe more accessible, usable and exploitable, facilitating the creation and diffusion of information — in areas of public interest — at Community 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 (learning, cultural, people with special needs, etc.).

The Programme will pave the way for a structured framework for quality digital content in Europe — The European Digital Content Area — by facilitating transfer of experiences, best practice and cross-fertilisation between content sectors, content providers and users.

Three lines of action are foreseen:

(a)

facilitating at Community level access to digital content, its use and exploitation;

(b)

facilitating improvement of quality and enhancing best practice related to digital content between content providers and users, and across sectors;

(c)

reinforcing cooperation between digital content stakeholders and awareness.

II.   LINES OF ACTION

A.   Facilitating at Community level access to digital content, its use and exploitation

The activities to be carried out under this line of action encompass the establishment of networks and alliances between stakeholders, encouraging the creation of new services.

Target areas are public sector information, spatial data, learning and cultural content.

Focus will be on:

(a)

supporting a wider recognition of the importance of public sector information (PSI), its commercial value and associated societal implications of its use. Activities shall improve effective cross-border use and exploitation of PSI between public sector organisations and private companies, including SMEs, for added-value information products and services;

(b)

encouraging a wider use of spatial data by public sector bodies, private companies, including SMEs, and citizens through cooperation mechanisms at European level. Activities should tackle both technical and organisational issues, avoiding duplications and underdeveloped territorial data sets. They should promote cross-border interoperability, supporting coordination between mapping agencies and fostering the emergence of new services at European level for mobile users. They should also support the use of open standards;

(c)

fostering the proliferation of open European knowledge pools of digital objects, for education and research communities, as well as the individual. The activities will support the creation of trans-European brokering services for digital learning content, with associated business models. The activities should also encourage the use of open standards, and the creation of large user groups analysing and testing pre-standardisation and specifications schemes with a view to conveying European multilingual and multicultural aspects into the process of definition of global standards for digital learning content;

(d)

promoting the emergence of trans-European information infrastructures for accessing and using high quality European digital cultural and scientific resources through the linking of virtual libraries, community memories, etc. Activities should encompass coordinated approaches to digitisation and collection building, preservation of digital objects and inventories of cultural and scientific digital resources. They should improve access to digital cultural and scientific assets through effective licensing schemes and collective pre-emptive clearing of rights.

B.   Facilitating improvement of quality and enhancing best practice related to digital content between content providers and users, and across sectors

The activities to be carried out under this line of action are intended to facilitate the identification and wide diffusion of best practice in methods, processes and operations to achieve higher quality, greater efficiency and effectiveness in the creation, use and distribution of digital content.

These activities encompass experiments that demonstrate searchability, usability, re-usability, composability and interoperability of digital content within the context of the existing legal framework while meeting from the early stage of the process the requirements of different target groups and markets in an increasingly multilingual and multicultural environment, and extending beyond mere localisation technologies.

These activities will exploit the benefits of enhancing digital content with machine-understandable data (semantically well defined metadata based on relevant descriptive terminology, vocabularies and ontologies).

The experiments will be conducted in thematic clusters. The gathering, dissemination and cross-sector fertilisations of gained knowledge will be an integral part of the experiments.

Target application areas are public sector information, spatial data, digital learning and cultural content, as well as scientific and scholarly digital content.

C.   Reinforcing cooperation between digital content stakeholders and awareness

The activities to be carried out under this line of action include measures accompanying relevant legislation relating to digital content, and fostering increased collaboration between digital content stakeholders, as well as awareness building. These activities will support the development of benchmarking, monitoring and analysis tools, the impact assessment of the Programme and the dissemination of results. They will identify and analyse emerging opportunities and problems (e.g. trust, quality marking, intellectual property rights in education) and propose, as appropriate, solutions.

ANNEX II

THE MEANS FOR IMPLEMENTING THE PROGRAMME

1.

The Commission will implement the Programme in accordance with the technical content specified in Annex I.

2.

The Programme will be executed through indirect action comprising:

(a)

shared-cost actions

(i)

projects designed to increase knowledge so as to improve existing products, processes and/or services and/or to meet the needs of Community policies. The Community funding will normally not exceed 50 % of the cost of the project. Public sector bodies may be reimbursed on the basis of 100 % of additional costs;

(ii)

best practice actions to spread knowledge. They will normally be conducted in thematic clusters and linked through thematic networks. The Community contribution for the measures set out under this point will be limited to direct costs deemed necessary or appropriate for achieving the specific objectives of the action;

(iii)

thematic networks: networks bringing together a variety of stakeholders around a given technological and organisational objective, so as to facilitate coordination activities and the transfer of knowledge. They may be linked to best practice actions. Support will be granted towards the additional eligible costs of coordinating and implementing the network. The Community participation may cover the additional eligible costs of these measures.

(b)

accompanying measuresAccompanying measures will contribute to the implementation of the Programme or the preparation of future activities. Measures devoted to the commercialisation of products, process or services, marketing activities and sales promotion are excluded.

(i)

studies in support of the Programme, including the preparation of future activities;

(ii)

exchange of information, conferences, seminars, workshops or other meetings and the management of clustered activities;

(iii)

dissemination, information and communication activities.

3.

The selection of shared-cost actions will be based on calls for proposals published on the Commission's Internet site in accordance with the financial provisions in force.

4.

Applications for Community support should provide, where appropriate, a financial plan listing all the components of the funding of the projects, including the financial support requested from the Community, and any other requests for or grants of support from other sources.

5.

Accompanying measures will be implemented through calls for tenders in accordance with the financial provisions in force.

ANNEX III

INDICATIVE BREAKDOWN OF EXPENDITURE

1.

Facilitating at Community level access to digital content, its use and exploitation: 40-50 %

2.

Facilitating improvement of quality and enhancing best practice related to digital content between content providers and users, and across sectors: 45-55 %

3.

Reinforcing cooperation between digital content stakeholders and awareness: 8-12 %

P6_TA(2005)0017

Situation in the Middle East

European Parliament resolution on the situation in the Middle East

The European Parliament,

having regard to its previous resolutions on the situation in the Middle East and in particular that of the 23 October 2003 (1),

having regard to UN Security Council Resolutions 242, 338, 425, 1373 and 1397,

having regard to the results of the Palestinian presidential election,

having regard to the statement of the European Union Election Observation Mission and the statement of the EP observers' delegation,

having regard to the Quartet's ‘Roadmap for Peace’ of 30 April 2003,

having regard to Rule 103(4) of its Rules of Procedure,

A.

whereas the Palestinian presidential election proceeded in a satisfactory manner despite the difficult circumstances due to the Israeli occupation of the Palestinian Territories; and whereas it represents a crucial opportunity to renew the peace process and could serve as an example for other elections in the region,

B.

concerned by the impact of the occupation on the elections in terms of restrictions on freedom of movement of both candidates and voters, by the harassment and short-term arrests of some candidates when trying to reach their potential voters in East Jerusalem and by the serious restrictions imposed on Jerusalem residents exercising their right to vote,

C.

whereas the recent terrorist attacks, intended to sabotage the negotiation efforts, have occurred precisely at a time when there is real hope of relaunching the political process; concerned about the consequences of these attacks and retaliation in terms of victims on both sides as well as further restrictions imposed on Palestinians,

1.

Welcomes the success of the first presidential election since 1996 and notably the turnout of voters; pays tribute to the Palestinian people and authorities for the commitment to democracy that they demonstrated despite the occupation, especially that of Palestinian women, who helped secure the electoral operations and participated strongly in the vote;

2.

Considers that the new President of the Palestinian Authority, Mahmoud Abbas, and the other candidates conducted the campaign in a responsible manner under the circumstances, respecting international standards;

3.

Urges Israel, in view of the coming Palestinian legislative elections, to fully respect the internationally recognised right of all East Jerusalem residents to vote and to facilitate the process in a such way that the obstacles observed in the presidential elections are lifted by the time of the legislative elections;

4.

Welcomes the effectiveness of the EU observation mission and calls on the Council and the Commission to prepare another mission for the legislative elections of July 2005 with the aim of supporting pluralism and balanced access to the media for all the candidates and finding ways, in cooperation with the Israeli authorities, to overcome the difficulties faced by the Palestinians living in East Jerusalem;

5.

Notes with concern the resignation of a significant number of members of the Palestinian Central Electoral Commission in protest at the political pressure exerted on election day for the extension of voting time;

6.

Invites the new Israeli Government and the Palestinian Authority to recognise the window of opportunity offered by the results of the elections and to relaunch negotiations; calls on the EU to take an urgent initiative, in the framework of the Quartet, and especially vis-à-vis the USA, in accordance with their complementary roles in the peace process, in order to open a new phase of strong mutual cooperation by jointly relaunching their efforts to bring peace to the region;

7.

Calls on the Council, the High Representative for the CFSP and the Commission to fully play their role in the process, to continue assistance to the Palestinian Authority and people and to develop dialogue with Israel, in the framework of the Barcelona Process and the European Neighbourhood Policy, in accordance with the Action Plans already adopted by the Council;

8.

Strongly encourages President Abbas to act upon his willingness to end violence and welcomes the measures taken by President Abbas, as well as his willingness to reform and to reinforce control over the Palestinian security corps and to fully engage in dialogue with all concerned parties; believes that full political support by the USA and the EU, and active cooperation from the Israelis, are essential in order to achieve these goals;

9.

Calls on the Palestinian Authority to recognise the Palestinian people's commitment to democracy and to promote the rule of law, the independence of the judiciary, better separation of powers between the legislative and executive arms of government, good governance, including transparent accounting, and the fight against corruption;

10.

Declares once again, at this particular time, that the solution to the Middle East conflict is only possible through the negotiation of a firm and final peace agreement as set out in the Roadmap, which is still valid, without prior conditions, based on the existence of two democratic, sovereign and viable states, living peacefully side by side within secure and recognised borders;

11.

Believes that a lasting peace can only be sustained with a genuine bottom-up approach involving the civil societies of both sides striving for dialogue; calls, in this regard, on the Quartet to make full use of the Geneva Accord as a complement to the Road Map and to facilitate the continuation of the negotiations between these civil societies within this framework;

12.

Condemns all terrorist attacks and any acts of violence from both sides; demands that the armed Palestinian groups refrain from any attacks and reminds them that any form of terror and violence not only causes loss of innocent lives but is also detrimental to the peace process and to the conditions of the civilian population; asks the Israeli Government to refrain from retaliation and put an end to extrajudicial killings;

13.

Calls on the Israeli Government, as a credible first step in the implementation of the Roadmap and the resolutions of the UN Security Council on the path to a lasting peace, to implement the withdrawal from Gaza and other parts of the Occupied Territories, by involving and negotiating with Egypt, the first neighbour to approve this project, as well as the Palestinian authorities under the verification of an international observer mission; calls on the Council to find ways to provide the necessary assistance;

14.

Reiterates its call to the Israeli Government to stop the expansion of settlements, notably in the Jerusalem area, to halt the construction of the wall, and to comply fully with the Fourth Geneva Convention, and thus end the violation of international law;

15.

Confirms the EU's support for the peace process and puts forward a proposal for an an economic development plan which should be monitored by the Union, in order to give the region a solid basis for prosperity and stability;

16.

Instructs its President to forward this resolution to the Council, the Commission, the Palestinian Authority and the Palestinian Legislative Council, the Israeli Government and Knesset, the US Government, the Government of Russian Federation and the UN Secretary-General.


(1)  OJ C 82 E, 1.4.2004, p. 610.

P6_TA(2005)0018

The Holocaust, anti-Semitism and racism

European Parliament resolution on remembrance of the Holocaust, anti-Semitism and racism

The European Parliament,

having regard to Articles 2, 6, 7 and 29 of the Treaty on European Union and Article 13 of the EC Treaty, which commit the Member States to upholding the highest standards of human rights and nondiscrimination, and to the European Charter of Fundamental Rights,

having regard to its previous resolutions on racism, xenophobia and anti-Semitism of 27 October 1994 (1), 27 April 1995 (2), 26 October 1995 (3), 30 January 1997 (4) and 16 March 2000 (5), to the report of its Committee of Inquiry into Racism and Xenophobia of 1990 and its Written Declaration of 7 July 2000 on remembrance of the Holocaust (6),

having regard to Council Regulation (EC) No 1035/97 of 2 June 1997 establishing a European Monitoring Centre on Racism and Xenophobia (7) (EUMC) and to the EUMC's various reports on racism in the EU, including ‘Manifestations of Anti-Semitism in the EU 2002-2003’ and ‘Perceptions of Anti-Semitism in the European Union’, both published in March 2004,

having regard to the Berlin Declaration of the second OSCE Conference on Anti-Semitism, held in Berlin on 28/29 April 2004, and to the recent appointment by the OSCE of the Personal Representative on Combating Anti-Semitism,

having regard to the Declaration of the Stockholm International Forum on the Holocaust held on 26 to 28 January 2000, which called for increased education on the Holocaust,

having regard to the establishment of 27 January 2005 as Holocaust Memorial Day in several EU Member States,

having regard to Rule 108(5) of its Rules of Procedure,

A.

whereas 27 January 2005, the sixtieth anniversary of the liberation of Nazi Germany's death camp at Auschwitz-Birkenau, where a combined total of up to 1,5 million Jews, Roma, Poles, Russians and prisoners of various other nationalities, and homosexuals, were murdered, is not only a major occasion for European citizens to remember and condemn the enormous horror and tragedy of the Holocaust, but also for addressing the disturbing rise in anti-Semitism, and especially anti-semitic incidents, in Europe, and for learning anew the wider lessons about the dangers of victimising people on the basis of race, ethnic origin, religion, social classification, politics or sexual orientation,

B.

whereas Europe must not forget its own history: the concentration and extermination camps built by the Nazis are among the most shameful and painful pages of the history of our continent; whereas the crimes committed at Auschwitz must live on in the memory of future generations, as a warning against genocide of this kind, rooted in contempt for other human beings, hatred, anti-Semitism, racism and totalitarianism,

C.

whereas discrimination on religious and ethnic grounds continues to be practised at various levels, notwithstanding the important measures adopted by the European Union in application of Article 13 of the EC Treaty,

D.

whereas Jews in Europe are experiencing a heightened sense of insecurity as a result of anti-Semitism disseminated on the Internet, manifested in the desecration of synagogues, cemeteries and other religious sites, attacks on Jewish schools and cultural centres, and attacks on Jewish people in Europe, causing numerous injuries,

E.

whereas the Holocaust has been seared on the consciousness of Europe, especially for its murderous hatred of Jews and Roma on the basis of their racial or religious identity, despite which anti-Semitism and racial and religious prejudice continue to pose a very serious threat to their victims and to European and international values of democracy, human rights and the rule of law, and therefore to overall European and global security,

F.

whereas there needs to be an ongoing dialogue with the media about the way their reporting and commentary can contribute both positively and negatively to the perception and understanding of religious, ethnic and racial issues, and to the presentation of historical truth,

1.

Pays homage to all the victims of the Nazis and is convinced that lasting peace in Europe must be based on remembrance of its history; rejects and condemns revisionist views and denial of the Holocaust as shameful and contrary to historical truth, and expresses concern over the rise of extremist and xenophobic parties and growing public acceptance of their views;

2.

Calls on the institutions of the European Union, the Member States and all European democratic political parties to:

condemn all acts of intolerance and incitement to racial hatred, as well as all acts of harassment or racist violence,

condemn in particular and without reservation all acts and expressions of anti-Semitism of whatever kind,

condemn in particular all acts of violence motivated by religious or racial hatred or intolerance, including attacks on religious places, sites and shrines belonging to Jewish, Muslim or other faiths, as well as against minorities such as the Roma;

3.

Urges the Council and the Commission, as well as the various levels of local, regional and national government in the Member States, to coordinate their measures to combat anti-Semitism and attacks on minority groups including Roma and third-country nationals in the Member States, in order to uphold the principles of tolerance and non-discrimination and to promote social, economic and political integration;

4.

Is convinced that these efforts should also include the promotion of dialogue and cooperation between the different segments of society at the local and national levels, including dialogue and cooperation between different cultural, ethnic and religious communities;

5.

Reaffirms its conviction that remembrance and education are vital components of the effort to make intolerance, discrimination and racism a thing of the past, and urges the Council, Commission and Member States to strengthen the fight against anti-Semitism and racism through promoting awareness, especially among young people, of the history and lessons of the Holocaust by:

encouraging Holocaust remembrance, including making 27 January European Holocaust Memorial Day across the whole of the EU,

reinforcing Holocaust education through the use of all the Holocaust memorial institutions, especially the Auschwitz-Birkenau Museum (Państwowe Muzeum Auschwitz-Birkenau w Oświęcimiu) and the Berlin Holocaust Information Centre (Stiftung Denkmal für die ermordeten Juden Europas) as European resources, making Holocaust education and European citizenship standard elements in school curricula throughout the EU, and setting the current fight against racism, xenophobia and anti-Semitism against the background of the Shoah (Holocaust),

ensuring that school programmes in the 25 EU countries address the teaching of the Second World War with the utmost historical rigour and by taking advantage of Parliament's insertion in the 2005 budget of provision for schools throughout the EU to adopt war graves and monuments;

6.

Welcomes the declared intention of the Luxembourg Presidency to restart the stalled discussions on the proposal for a Council Framework Decision on combating Racism and Xenophobia (8), and urges the Council to reach agreement on a ban on incitement to racial and religious hatred throughout the EU while preserving legitimate free speech;

7.

Invites the Commission to start a review of the application of the Racial Equality Directive 2000/43/EC (9) aimed at strengthening European Union anti-discrimination measures and to organise a major conference involving all the actors concerned, in particular political representatives, public institutions at a national, regional and local level, and NGOs and associations active in this field;

8.

Instructs its President to forward this resolution to the Council, the Commission and the governments and parliaments of the Member States and candidate countries.


(1)  OJ C 323, 21.11.1994, p. 154.

(2)  OJ C 126, 22.5.1995, p. 75.

(3)  OJ C 308, 20.11.1995, p. 140.

(4)  OJ C 55, 24.2.1997, p. 17.

(5)  OJ C 377, 29.12.2000, p. 366.

(6)  OJ C 121, 24.4.2001, p. 503.

(7)  OJ L 151, 10.6.1997, p. 1.

(8)  OJ C 75 E, 26.3.2002, p. 269.

(9)  OJ L 180, 19.7.2000, p. 22.