14.4.2004

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

CE 89/1

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MINUTES

(2004/C 89 E/03)

PROCEEDINGS OF THE SITTING

IN THE CHAIR: David W. MARTIN

Vice-President

1.   Resumption of session

The sitting opened at 15.05.

2.   Approval of Minutes of previous sitting

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 Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation and Restrictions of Chemicals (Reach), establishing a European Chemicals Agency and amending Directive 1999/45/EC and Regulation (EC) No ... Persistent Organic Pollutants (COM(2003) 644 — C5-0530/2003 — 2003/0256(COD)) referred to responsible: ENVI   opinion: BUDG, ECON, JURI, ITRE, EMPL legal basis: Article 95 EC — Proposal for a Directive of the European Parliament and of the Council amending Council Directive 67/548/EEC in order to adapt it to Regulation (EC) of the European Parliament and of the Council concerning the registration, evaluation, authorisation and restriction of chemicals (COM(2003) 644 — C5-0531/2003 — 2003/0257(COD)) referred to responsible: ENVI   opinion: BUDG, ECON, JURI, ITRE, EMPL legal basis: Article 95 EC — Proposal for transfer of appropriations 44/2003 between Chapters in Section III — Commission — Part B — of the General Budget for the European Union for the financial year 2003 (SEC(2003) 340 — C5-0558/2003 — 2003/2231(GBD)) referred to responsible: BUDG legal basis: Article 274 EC — Proposal for a Council Regulation derogating from Regulation (EC) No 1251/1999 as regards the set-aside requirement for the 2004/2005 marketing year (COM(2003) 691 — C5-0559/2003 — 2003/0271(CNS)) referred to responsible: AGRI   opinion: BUDG legal basis: Article 36 EC, Article 37 EC — Proposal for transfer of appropriations 45/2003 between Chapters in Section III — Commission — Part A — of the General Budget for the European Union for the financial year 2003 (SEC(2003) 338 — C5-0560/2003 — 2003/2232(GBD)) referred to responsible: BUDG legal basis: Article 274 EC — Proposal for a Directive of the European Parliament and of the Council on cross-border mergers of companies with share capital (COM(2003) 703 — C5-0561/2003 — 2003/0277(COD)) referred to responsible: JURI   opinion: ECON legal basis: Article 44(1) EC — European Commission: Definitive annual accounts of the European Communities — Financial year 2002 — Volume I — Consolidated statements on budget implementation and consolidated financial statements (SEC(2003) 1104 — C5-0564/2003 — 2003/2210(DEC)) referred to responsible: CONT   opinion: EMPL, RETT, all committees concerned — European Commission: Definitive annual accounts of the European Communities — Financial year 2002 — Volume II — Part I and II (SEC(2003) 1105 — C5-0565/2003 — 2003/2210(DEC)) referred to responsible: CONT   opinion: EMPL, RETT, all committees concerned — Proposal for transfer of appropriations 48/2003 between Chapters in Section III — Commission — Part B — of the General Budget for the European Union for the financial year 2003 (SEC(2003) 390 — C5-0566/2003 — 2003/2236(GBD)) referred to responsible: BUDG legal basis: Article 274 EC — Draft amending budget No 6 for the financial year 2003 — Section III — Commission (14836/2003 — C5-0567/2003 — 2003/2197(BUD)) referred to responsible: BUDG   opinion: all committees concerned — Draft amending budget No 7 for the financial year 2003 — Section III — Commission (15276/2003 — C5-0568/2003 — 2003/2234(BUD)) referred to responsible: BUDG   opinion: all committees concerned — Proposal for transfer of appropriations 38/2003 between Chapters in Section III — Commission — Part B — of the General Budget for the European Union for the financial year 2003 (SEC(2003) 373 — C5-0569/2003 — 2003/2238(GBD)) referred to responsible: BUDG legal basis: Article 274 EC — Council of the European Union: Letter of Amendment No 1 to the draft general budget of the European Communities for the financial year 2004 (14837/2003 — C5-0570/2003 — 2003/2001(BUD)) referred to responsible: BUDG   opinion: AFET, CONT, LIBE, ECON, JURI, ITRE, EMPL, ENVI, AGRI, PECH, RETT, CULT, DEVE, AFCO, FEMM, legal basis: Article 272 EC, Article 177 Euratom — Council of the European Union: Letter of Amendment No 2 to the draft general budget of the European Communities for the financial year 2004 (14838/2003 — C5-0571/2003 — 2003/2001(BUD)) referred to responsible: BUDG   opinion: AFET, CONT, LIBE, ECON, JURI, ITRE, EMPL, ENVI, AGRI, PECH, RETT, CULT, DEVE, AFCO, FEMM, legal basis: Article 272 EC, Article 177 Euratom — Council of the European Union: Letter of Amendment No 3 to the draft general budget of the European Communities for the financial year 2004 (14839/2003 — C5-0572/2003 — 2003/2001 and 2003/2002(BUD) referred to responsible: BUDG   opinion: AFET, CONT, LIBE, ECON, JURI, ITRE, EMPL, ENVI, AGRI, PECH, RETT, CULT, DEVE, AFCO, FEMM, legal basis: Article 272 EC, Article 177 Euratom — Proposal for a Council Regulation amending Regulation (EC) No 2100/94 on Community plant variety rights (COM(2003) 456 — C5-0573/2003 — 2003/0161(CNS)) referred to responsible: AGRI   opinion: JURI legal basis: Article 308 EC — Proposal for a Council Regulation on the establishment of European Partnerships in the framework of the Stabilisation and Association process (COM(2003) 684 — C5-0574/2003 — 2003/0267(CNS)) referred to responsible: AFET   opinion: ITRE legal basis: Article 181A(2) EC — Amended proposal for a Council Regulation amending the Staff Regulations of officials and the Conditions of Employment of other servants of the European Communities (COM(2003) 721 — C5-0575/2003 — 2002/0100(CNS)) referred to responsible: JURI   opinion: BUDG, CONT, EMPL, AFCO legal basis: Article 283 EC — Amended proposal for a Directive of the European Parliament and of the Council amending Council Directive 96/16/EC on statistical surveys of milk and milk products (COM(2003) 736 — C5-0576/2003 — 2003/0060(COD)) referred to responsible: AGRI   opinion: ECON legal basis: Article 285(1) EC — Proposal for a Directive of the European Parliament and of the Council on waste (Codified version) (COM(2003) 731 — C5-0577/2003 — 2003/0283(COD)) referred to responsible: JURI   opinion: ENVI legal basis: Article 175 EC — Proposal for a Decision of the European Parliament and of the Council concerning the activities of certain third countries in the field of cargo shipping (Codified version) (COM(2003) 732 — C5-0578/2003 — 2003/0285(COD)) referred to responsible: JURI   opinion: RETT legal basis: Article 80(2) EC — Draft Council Decision amending Articles 16 en 17 of the Protocol on the Statute of the Court of Justice (14617/2003 — C5-0579/2003 — 2003/0823(CNS)) referred to responsible: JURI   opinion: AFCO legal basis: Article 245(2) EC, Article 160(2) Euratom — Proposal for a Council Regulation laying down the requirement for the competent authorities of the Member States to stamp systematically the travel documents of third-country nationals when they cross the external borders of the Member States and amending the convention implementing the Schengen agreement and the common manual to this end (COM(2003) 664 — C5-0580/2003 — 2003/0258(CNS)) referred to responsible: LIBE legal basis: Article 62 EC — Proposal for a Council Decision establishing the European Civil Service Tribunal (COM(2003) 705 — C5-0581/2003 — 2003/0280(CNS)) referred to responsible: JURI   opinion: AFCO legal basis: Article 225A EC, Article 245 EC — Council of the European Union: Initiative of the Italian Republic with a view to adopting a Council Decision on the organisation of joint flights for removals of third-country nationals illegally present in the territory of two or more Member States (14205/2003 — C5-0582/2003 — 2003/0821(CNS)) referred to responsible: LIBE legal basis: Article 63(3) EC — European Court of Auditors: Annual Report for the year 2002 on the activities financed from the general budget, together with the institutions' replies (I5-0019/2003 — C5-0583/2003 — 2003/2210 to 2003/2217(DEC)) referred to responsible: CONT   opinion: EMP, RETT, all committees concerned — European Court of Auditors: Annual Report on the activities of the sixth, seventh and eight European Development Funds, together with the institution's replies for the financial year 2002 (I5-0019/2003 — C5-0584/2003 — 2003/2189(DEC)) referred to responsible: CONT   opinion: BUDG, DEVE — Draft Council Decision amending the Rules of Procedure of the Court of Justice with regard to the rules governing languages referred to responsible: JURI   opinion: AFCO legal basis: Article 245 EC, Article 160(2) Euratom — Opinion of the Commission pursuant to Article 251(2), third subparagraph, point (c) of the EC Treaty, on the European Parliament's amendments to the Council's Common Position regarding the proposal for a Directive of the European Parliament and of the Council on safety on the Community's railways and amending Council Directive 95/18/EC on the licensing of railway undertakings and Directive 2001/14/EC on the allocation of railway infrastructure capacity and the levying of charges for the use of railway infrastructure and safety certification (COM(2003) 719 — C5-0586/2003 — 2002/0022(COD)) referred to responsible: RETT   opinion: JURI legal basis: Article 71(1) EC — Opinion of the Commission pursuant to Article 251(2), third subparagraph, point (c) of the EC Treaty, on the European Parliament's amendments to the Council's Common Position regarding the proposal for a Directive of the European Parliament and of the Council amending Council Directive 96/48/EC and Directive 2001/16/EC on the interoperability of the trans-European rail system (COM(2003) 719 — C5-0587/2003 — 2002/0023(COD)) referred to responsible: RETT   opinion: JURI, ITRE legal basis: Article 71 EC, Article 156 EC — Opinion of the Commission pursuant to Article 251(2), third subparagraph, point (c) of the EC Treaty, on the European Parliament's amendments to the Council's Common Position regarding the proposal for a Regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council establishing a European Railway Agency (COM(2003) 719 — C5-0588/2003 — 2002/0024(COD)) referred to responsible: RETT   opinion: BUDG, CONT, JURI, ITRE legal basis: Article 71(1) EC — Opinion of the Commission pursuant to Article 251(2), third subparagraph, point (c) of the EC Treaty, on the European Parliament's amendments to the Council's Common Position regarding the proposal for a Directive of the European Parliament and of the Council amending Council directive 91/440/EEC on the development of the Community's railways (COM(2003) 719 — C5-0589/2003 — 2002/0025(COD)) referred to responsible: RETT   opinion: JURI legal basis: Article 71(1) EC — Proposal for transfer of appropriations 47/2003 between Chapters in Section III — Commission — Part B — of the General Budget for the European Union for the financial year 2003 (SEC(2003) 409 — C5-0590/2003 — 2003/2250(GBD)) referred to responsible: BUDG legal basis: Article 274 EC — Proposal for transfer of appropriations 49/2003 between Chapters in Section III — Commission — Part B — of the General Budget for the European Union for the financial year 2003 (SEC(2003) 412 — C5-0591/2003 — 2003/2251(GBD)) referred to responsible: BUDG legal basis: Article 274 EC — Proposal for transfer of appropriations 50/2003 between Chapters in Section III — Commission — Part A — of the General Budget for the European Union for the financial year 2003 (SEC(2003) 411 — C5-0592/2003 — 2003/2253(GBD)) referred to responsible: BUDG legal basis: Article 274 EC — Opinion of the Commission pursuant to Article 251(2), third subparagraph, point (c) of the EC Treaty, on the European Parliament's amendments to the Council's Common Position regarding the proposal for a European Parliament and Council regulation concerning monitoring of forests and environmental interactions in the Community (Forest Focus) (COM(2003) 738 — C5-0595/2003 — 2002/0164(COD)) referred to responsible: ENVI   opinion: BUDG, CONT, AGRI legal basis: Article 175(1) EC — Proposal for a Council Regulation amending Regulation (EC) No 1673/2000 on the common organisation of the markets in flax and hemp grown for fibre (COM(2003) 701 — C5-0596/2003 — 2003/0275(CNS)) referred to responsible: AGRI legal basis: Article 37(2), subparagraph 3 EC — Proposal for a Council Regulation amending Regulation (EC) No 1782/2003 establishing common rules for direct support schemes under the common agricultural policy and establishing certain support schemes for farmers (COM(2003) 698 — C5-0597/2003 — 2003/0278(CNS)) referred to responsible: AGRI   opinion: BUDG legal basis: Article 37(2) subparagraph 3 EC — Proposal for a Council Regulation on the common organisation of the market in olive oil and table olives and amending Regulation (EEC) No 827/68 (COM(2003) 698 — C5-0598/2003 — 2003/0279(CNS)) referred to responsible: AGRI   opinion: BUDG legal basis: Article 36 EC, Article 37(2), subparagraph 3 EC — Proposal for a Directive of the European Parliament and of the Council on minimum conditions for the implementation of Directive 2002/15/EC and Council Regulations (EEC) Nos 3820/85 and 3821/85 concerning social legislation relating to road transport activities (COM(2003) 628 — C5-0601/2003 — 2003/0255(COD)) referred to responsible: RETT   opinion: EMPL legal basis: Article 71(1) EC — Proposal for a Council Decision on a Community financial contribution towards Member States fisheries control programmes (COM(2003) 706 — C5-0602/2003 — 2003/0281(CNS)) referred to responsible: PECH   opinion: BUDG legal basis: Article 37 EC

2)

from committees: 2.1) reports: — Report on a European Union strategy to reduce atmospheric emissions from seagoing ships (COM(2002) 595 — C5-0154/2003 — 2003/2064(INI)) — Committee on the Environment, Public Health and Consumer Policy. Rapporteur: Mrs Lucas (A5-0400/2003). — Report on the Communication from the Commission entitled ‘A framework for target-based tripartite contracts and agreements between the Community, the States and regional and local authorities’ (COM(2002) 709 — C5-0202/2003 — 2003/2088(INI)) — Committee on Constitutional Affairs. Rapporteur: Mr MacCormick (A5-0401/2003). — Report on European governance (COM(2002) 705 — C5-0200/2003 — 2003/2085(INI)) — Committee on Constitutional Affairs. Rapporteur: Mr van den Berg (A5-0402/2003). — * Report on the proposal for a Council decision on the conclusion of the Agreement on scientific and technological cooperation between the European Community and the Kingdom of Morocco (Simplified procedure — Rule 158(1) of the Rules of Procedure) (COM(2003) 551 — C5-0470/2003 — 2003/0211(CNS)) — Committee on Industry, External Trade, Research and Energy. Rapporteur: Mr Berenguer Fuster (A5-0403/2003). — * Report on the proposal for a Council decision on the conclusion of the Agreement on scientific and technological cooperation between the European Community and the Tunisian Republic (Simplified procedure — Rule 158(1) of the Rules of Procedure) (COM(2003) 549 — C5-0469/2003 — 2003/0213(CNS)) — Committee on Industry, External Trade, Research and Energy. Rapporteur: Mr Berenguer Fuster (A5-0404/2003). — *** I Report on the proposal for a regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council establishing a programme for financial and technical assistance to third countries in the area of migration and asylum (COM(2003) 355 — C5-0267/2003 — 2003/0124(COD)) — Committee on Citizens' Freedoms and Rights, Justice and Home Affairs. Rapporteur: Mr Santini (A5-0405/2003). — * Report on the proposal for a Council regulation on the conclusion of the Fisheries Agreement between the European Community and the Republic of Mozambique (COM(2003) 419 — C5-0354/2003 — 2003/0154(CNS)) — Committee on Fisheries. Rapporteur: Mr Stevenson (A5-0406/2003). — * Report on the proposal for a Council regulation amending Council Regulation (EC) No 2561/2001 aiming to promote the conversion of fishing vessels and of fishermen that were, up to 1999, dependent to the fishing agreement with Morocco (COM(2003) 437 — C5-0357/2003 — 2003/0157(CNS)) — Committee on Fisheries. Rapporteur: Mrs Miguélez Ramos (A5-0407/2003). — Report on a legal framework for free movement within the internal market of goods whose ownership is likely to be contested — 2002/2114(INI)) — Committee on Legal Affairs and the Internal Market. Rapporteur: Mr De Clercq (A5-0408/2003). — * Report on the proposal for a Council regulation on the management of fishing fleets registered in the outermost regions (COM(2003) 175 — C5-0243/2003 — 2003/0062(CNS)) — Committee on Fisheries. Rapporteur: Mrs Sudre (A5-0409/2003). — * Report on the proposal for a Council directive amending Directive 77/388/EEC as regards reduced rates of value added tax (COM(2003) 397 — C5-0359/2003 — 2003/0169(CNS)) — Committee on Economic and Monetary Affairs. Rapporteur: Mrs Randzio-Plath (A5-0410/2003). — * Report on the proposal for a Council regulation introducing a scheme to compensate for the additional costs incurred in the marketing of certain fishery products from the Azores, Madeira, the Canary Islands and the French departments of Guiana and Réunion as a result of those regions' remoteness (COM(2003) 516 — C5-0390/2003 — 2003/0202(CNS)) — Committee on Fisheries. Rapporteur: Mrs Sudre (A5-0411/2003). — Report on the tuna fleet and industry: situation and future prospects in the EU and worldwide — 2003/2017(INI)) — Committee on Fisheries. Rapporteur: Mr Varela Suanzes-Carpegna (A5-0412/2003). — *** I Report on the proposal for a European Parliament and Council regulation on the transfer of cargo and passenger ships between registers within the Community (COM(2003) 478 — C5-0366/2003 — 2003/0180(COD)) — Committee on Regional Policy, Transport and Tourism. Rapporteur: Mr Poignant (A5-0413/2003). — * Report on the proposal for a Council regulation amending Regulation (EC) No 1453/2001 introducing specific measures for certain agricultural products for the Azores and Madeira and repealing Regulation (EEC) No 1600/92 (Poseima) with respect to the application of the supplementary levy in the milk and milk products sector in the Azores — (Simplified procedure — Rule 158(2) of the Rules of Procedure) (COM(2003) 617 — C5-0500/2003 — 2003/0244(CNS)) — Committee on Agriculture and Rural Development. Rapporteur: Mr Daul (A5-0415/2003). — * Report on the proposal for a Council regulation setting aid rates in the seeds sector for the 2004/05 marketing year (Simplified procedure — Rule 158(2) of the Rules of Procedure) (COM(2003) 552 — C5-0459/2003 — 2003/0212(CNS)) — Committee on Agriculture and Rural Development. Rapporteur: Mr Daul (A5-0416/2003). — *** I Report on the proposal for a European Parliament and Council decision amending Decision No 508/2000/EC of 14 February 2000 establishing the ‘Culture 2000’ programme (COM(2003) 187 — C5-0178/2003 — 2003/0076(COD)) — Committee on Culture, Youth, Education, the Media and Sport. Rapporteur: Mr Rocard (A5-0417/2003). — *** I Report on the proposal for a European Parliament and Council directive amending Council Directive 74/408/EEC relating to motor vehicles with regards to the seats, their anchorages and head restraints (COM(2003) 361 — C5-0283/2003 — 2003/0128(COD)) — Committee on Regional Policy, Transport and Tourism. Rapporteur: Mr Koch (A5-0418/2003). — Report on the request for waiver of the immunity of Efstratios Korakas (2003/2117(IMM)) — Committee on Legal Affairs and the Internal Market. Rapporteur: Mr MacCormick (A5-0420/2003). — Report on the request for defence of parliamentary immunity and privileges submitted by Guiseppe Gargani (2003/2182(IMM)) — Committee on Legal Affairs and the Internal Market. Rapporteur: Mr MacCormick (A5-0421/2003). — Report on the request for waiver of the immunity of Jean-Charles Marchiani (2003/2071(IMM)) — Committee on Legal Affairs and the Internal Market. Rapporteur: Mr Lehne (A5-0422/2003). — Report on the request for waiver of the immunity of Jean-Charles Marchiani (2003/2115(IMM)) — Committee on Legal Affairs and the Internal Market. Rapporteur: Mr Lehne (A5-0423/2003). — * Report on the proposal for a Council regulation amending Regulation (EC) No 2501/2001 applying a scheme of generalised tariff preferences for the period from 1 January 2002 to 31 December 2004 and extending it to 31 December 2005 (COM(2003) 634 — C5-0544/2003 — 2003/0259(CNS)) — Committee on Development and Cooperation. Rapporteur: Mr van den Berg (A5-0424/2003). — *** I Report on the proposal for a European Parliament and Council regulation on the statistics relating to the trading of goods between Member States (COM(2003) 364 — C5-0285/2003 — 2003/0126(COD)) — Committee on Economic and Monetary Affairs. Rapporteur: Mrs Lulling (A5-0426/2003). — * Report on the proposal for a Council directive amending Directive 77/388/CEE concerning the common system of value added tax, as regards conferment of implementing powers and the procedure for adopting derogations (COM(2003) 335 — C5-0281/2003 — 2003/0120(CNS)) — Committee on Economic and Monetary Affairs. Rapporteur: Mr Blokland (A5-0427/2003). — Report on Draft Amending Budget No 6/2003 of the European Union for the financial year 2003 — Section III — Commission — 2003/2197(BUD)) — Committee on Budgets. Rapporteur: Mr Färm (A5-0428/2003). — Report on Draft Amending Budget N 7/2003 of the European Union for the financial year 2003 — Section III — Commission — 2003/2234(BUD)) — Committee on Budgets. Rapporteur: Mr Färm (A5-0429/2003). — *** I Report on the proposal for a regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council extending and amending Council Regulation (EC) No 1659/98 on decentralised cooperation (COM(2003) 413 — C5-0319/2003 — 2003/0156(COD)) — Committee on Development and Cooperation. Rapporteur: Mr Zimmerling (A5-0431/2003). — Report on the request for the defence of privileges and immunities made by Marco Cappato (2003/2142(IMM)) — Committee on Legal Affairs and the Internal Market. Rapporteur: Mr MacCormick (A5-0433/2003). — Report on the request for defence of parliamentary immunity and privileges made by Olivier Dupuis (2003/2059(IMM)) — Committee on Legal Affairs and the Internal Market. Rapporteur: Neil MacCormick (A5-0450/2003). — Report on the reform of the Staff Regulations concerning transitional measures for the reform of the Staff Regulations, in particular with regard to pay and pension (COM(2003) 612 — C5-0492/2003 — 2003/0241(CNS)) Committee on Legal Affairs and the Internal Market. Rapporteurs: Manuel Medina Ortega and Malcolm Harbour (A5-0453/2003). 2.2) recommendations for second reading: — *** II Recommendation for second reading on the common position adopted by the Council with a view to adopting a European Parliament and Council regulation laying down Community procedures for the authorisation and supervision of medicinal products for human and veterinary use and establishing a European Medicines Agency (10949/2/2003 — C5-0463/2003 — 2001/0252(COD)) — Committee on the Environment, Public Health and Consumer Policy. Rapporteur: Mrs Müller (A5-0425/2003). — *** II Recommendation for second reading on the common position adopted by the Council with a view to adopting a European Parliament and Council regulation on drug precursors (9732/1/2003 — C5-0462/2003 — 2002/0217(COD)) — Committee on Citizens' Freedoms and Rights, Justice and Home Affairs. Rapporteur: Mr Pirker (A5-0430/2003). — *** II Recommendation for second reading on the common position adopted by the Council with a view to adopting a European Parliament and Council directive amending Council Directives 70/156/EEC and 80/1268/EEC as regards the measurement of carbon dioxide emissions and fuel consumption of N1 vehicles (5997/1/2003 — C5-0491/2003 — 2001/0255(COD)) — Committee on the Environment, Public Health and Consumer Policy. Rapporteur: Mr Goodwill (A5-0432/2003).

3)

from Members: 3.1) motions for resolution (Rule 48): — Cristiana Muscardini, Charles Pasqua, Franz Turchi, Mauro Nobilia, Roberta Angelilli, Antonio Mussa, Sergio Berlato, Sebastiano (Nello) Musumeci, Adriana Poli Bortone, Roberto Felice Bigliardo, Mogens N.J. Camre, Luís Queiró, Gerard Collins, José Ribeiro e Castro, Nicole Thomas-Mauro and Jean-Charles Marchiani, on a support fund for victims of terrorism and a European Order of Merit for Peace and Freedom (B5-0517/2003) referred to responsible: AFET   opinion: BUDG 3.2) written declarations for entry in the Register (Rule 51): — Chris Davies, Johanna L.A. Boogerd-Quaak, Marco Cappato, Anna Karamanou and Michiel van Hulten, on the Aids epidemic and Vatican advice on condoms — 29/2003; — José Ribeiro e Castro, on the holding of referendums on the new Treaty in all Member States, including the ten acceding countries — 31/2003.

4.   Membership of Parliament

The Cypriot authorities had given notice of the appointment of Christodoulos Taramountas as observer to replace Eleni Theocharous with effect from 1 December 2003.

5.   Membership of committees and delegations

The President announced that Juris Dobelis, Michael Frendo, Kestutis Krisciunas, Boguslaw Liberadzki and George Varnava had been appointed as observers to the Temporary Committee on improving safety at sea.

6.   Written declarations (Rule 51)

In accordance with Rule 51(5), written declaration No 16/2003 lapsed as it had not obtained the required number of signatures.

7.   Transfers of appropriations

The Committee on Budgets had considered proposal for transfer of appropriations 27/2003 (C5-0508/2003 — SEC(2003) 1153 final).

The committee had decided, pursuant to Articles 24(3) and 181(1) of the Financial Regulation of 25 June 2002, to authorise the transfer in accordance with the following breakdown:

FROM:
Chapter B2-10 — Objective 1
— Article B2-103 — European Social Fund (ESF)	NCE	- 200 000 000 EUR
Chapter B2-11 — Objective 2
— Article B2-111 — European Social Fund (ESF)	NCE	-50 000 000 EUR
Chapter B2-14 — Community initiatives
— Article B2-141 — Interreg
— Item B2-1410 — Interreg III Community initiative	NCE	- 370 000 000 EUR
— Article B2-142 — EQUAL	NCE	- 150 000 000 EUR
Chapter B2-30 — Cohesion Fund
— Article B2-300 — Cohesion Fund	NCE	- 350 000 000 EUR
Chapter B6-51 — Completion of programmes prior to 1999
— Article B6-511 — Completion of programmes prior to 1999	NCE	-47 086 000 EUR
Chapter B6-52 — Completion of the fifth framework programme (1998-2002)
— Article B6-521 — Completion of the fifth framework programme (1998-2002)
— Item B6-5211 — Completion of the fifth EC framework programme (1998-2002)	NCE	- 301 000 000 EUR
Chapter B7-01 — The Sapard pre-accession instrument
— Article B7-010 Agriculture	NCE	-10 000 000 EUR
Chapter B7-04 — Pre-accession strategy for the Mediterranean countries (Cyprus and Malta)
— Article B7-041 — Pre-accession strategy for Cyprus	NCE	-11 400 000 EUR
Chapter B7-32 — Cooperation with the countries of southern Africa, including South Africa
— Article B7-320 — European programme for reconstruction and development (EPRD)	NCE	-23 900 000 EUR
Chapter B7-40 — Cooperation with Mediterranean third countries
— Article B7-401 — Financial Protocols with Malta and Cyprus
— Item B7-4011 — Financial Protocols with Malta and Cyprus	CE	-1 300 000 EUR
— Article B7-403 — Cooperation with Turkey
— Item B7-4035 — Implementation of measures to intensify the EC-Turkey customs union	NCE	-2 200 000 EUR
— Item B7-4036 — Implementation of measures to promote social and economic development in Turkey	NCE	-11 000 000 EUR
— Article B7-405 — Financial Protocols with the southern Mediterranean countries
— Item B7-4050 — First and second Financial Protocols with the southern Mediterranean countries	CE	-1 000 000 EUR
— Item B7-4051 — Third and fourth Financial Protocols with the southern Mediterranean countries	CE	-19 000 000 EUR
Chapter B7-42 — Support programme for the Middle East
— Article B7-421 — Aid to the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestinian Refugees in the Near East	CE	-2 887 500 EUR
Chapter B7-52 — Assistance to partner countries in eastern Europe and central Asia
— Article B7-520 — Assistance to partner countries in eastern Europe and central Asia	NCE	-12 400 000 EUR
— Article B7-521 — Cross-border cooperation
— Item B7-5210 — ross-border cooperation in structural matters	NCE	-18 100 000 EUR
— Article B7-525 — Community contribution to the EBRD for the Chernobyl Shelter Fund	CE	-25 000 000 EUR
— Article B7-528 — Macroeconomic assistance for the partner countries of eastern Europe and central Asia	NCE	-4 600 000 EUR
Chapter B7-54 — Cooperation with the countries of the western Balkans
— Article B7-541 — Assistance for the countries of the western Balkans	NCE	-39 900 000 EUR
Chapter B7-60 — Community measures to support non-governmental organisations
— Article B7-600 — Community contribution towards schemes concerning developing countries carried out by non-governmental organisations
— Item B7-6000 — Community contribution towards schemes concerning developing countries carried out by non-governmental organisations	NCE	-32 112 500 EUR
Chapter B7-62 — Multisectoral action
— Article B7-620 — Environment in the developing countries	NCE	-7 000 000 EUR
Chapter B7-63 — Social infrastructure and services
— Article B7-631 — Social infrastructure and services
— Item B7-6311 — Aid for poverty-related diseases (HIV/AIDS, malaria and tuberculosis) in developing countries	NCE	-11 000 000 EUR
— Item B7-6312 — Aid for population and reproductive health care	NCE	-4 800 000 EUR
Chapter B7-66 — Specific measures involving non-member countries
— Article B7-665 — Cooperation with industrialised non-member countries	NCE	-3 000 000 EUR
Chapter B7-81 — External aspects of environment policy
— Article B7-810 — LIFE (European Financial Instrument for the Environment) — Operations outside Community territory	NCE	- 700 000 EUR
Chapter B7-87 — Promotion of commercial relations
— Article B7-872 — Promotion of Community investment in developing countries of Latin America, Asia, the Mediterranean and in South Africa by economic cooperation and trade agreements	NCE	-10 000 000 EUR
Chapter B8-01 — Common foreign and security policy
— Article B8-010 — Conflict prevention and crisis management	NCE	-5 800 000 EUR
TO:
Chapter B2-10 — Objective 1
— Article B2-101 — Financial Instrument for Fisheries Guidance (FIFG)	NCE	135 400 000 EUR
— Article B2-102 — European Regional Development Fund (ERDF)	NCE	1 500 000 000 EUR
Chapter B3-41 — Social protection and freedom of movement
— Article B3-410 — Social protection and cooperation with charitable associations
— Item B3-4102 — Analysis of and studies on the social situation, demographics and the family	NCE	850 000 EUR
Chapter B5-33 — Promotion of an information society: Measures to assist citizens
— Article B5-334 — Promotion of the European digital presence in global networks	NCE	1 300 000 EUR
Chapter B5-50 — Labour market initiatives
— Article B5-502 — Labour market	NCE	375 000 EUR
— Article B5-502A — Labour market — Expenditure on administrative management	NCE	283 000 EUR
Chapter B5-72 — Telecommunications networks
— Article B5-721 — Telematics networks linking administrations
— Item B5-7210 — Networks for the interchange of data between administrations (IDA)	NCE	1 200 000 EUR
— Item B5-7210A — Networks for the interchange of data between administrations (IDA) — Expenditure on administrative management	NCE	500 000 EUR
Chapter B5-80 — Measures to combat instances of discrimination, exclusion and mistreatment
— Article B5-803 — Measures combating and preventing discrimination	NCE	1 390 000 EUR
— Article B5-809 — European Monitoring Centre on Racism and Xenophobia
— Item B5-8091 — European Monitoring Centre on Racism and Xenophobia — Subsidy under Title 3	NCE	1 735 000 EUR
Chapter B5-83 — Drugs and drug addiction
— Article B5-831 — Preparatory measures for a programme to combat drug trafficking	NCE	453 000 EUR
Chapter B7-03 — PHARE pre-accession instrument
— Article B7-030A — Economic aid to the associated countries of central and eastern Europe — Expenditure on administrative management	NCE	10 000 000 EUR
Chapter B7-05 — Pre-accession strategy for the Mediterranean countries (Turkey)
— Article B7-050 — Preaccession strategy for Turkey	NCE	5 200 000 EUR
Chapter B7-41 — MEDA (Measures to accompany the reforms to the economic and social structures in the Mediterranean non-member countries
— Article B7-410 — MEDA (measures to accompany the reforms to the economic and social structures in the Mediterranean non-member countries)	NCE	64 500 000 EUR
Chapter B7-65 — Coordination, evaluation and inoscetion measures
— Article B7-651 — Coordination of development policy, evaluation of the results of Community aid and follow-up and audit measures	NCE	2 000 000 EUR

*

* *

The Committee on Budgets had considered proposal for transfer of appropriations 35/2003 (C5-0539/2003 — SEC(2003) 1286 final).

The committee had decided, pursuant to Articles 24(3) and 181(1) of the Financial Regulation of 25 June 2002, to authorise the transfer in accordance with the following breakdown:

FROM:
Chapter B6-51 — Completion of programmes prior to 1999
— Article B6-511 — Completion of programmes prior to 1999	PA	-9 200 000 EUR
Chapter B6-60 — Administrative expenditure
— Article B6-601 — Administrative expenditure
— Item B6-6011 — Staff	CA	-6 313 626 EUR
— Item B6-6012 — External staff (research)	CA	- 293 657 EUR
— Item B6-6013 — Other management expenditure in the field of research	CA	-4 062 254 EUR
Chapter B6-61 — Operating expenditure — Integrating and strengthening the European research area
— Article B6-616 — Sustainable development, global change and ecosystems	CA	-11 354 738 EUR
	PA	-10 500 000 EUR
— Article B6-619 — Strengthening the foundations of the European Research Area
— Item B6-6192 — Support for the coherent development of policies	CA	-1 664 057 EUR
Chapter B6-63 — Operating expenditure — Research and training actions under the Euratom Treaty
— Article B6-631 — Priority thematic areas of research
— Item B6-6312 — Management of radioactive waste	CA	-2 400 000 EUR
TO:
Chapter B6-61 — Operating expenditure — Integrating and strengthening the European research area
— Article B6-614 — Aeronautics and space	CA	18 891 934 EUR
	PA	19 700 000 EUR
— Article B6-618 — Specific activities covering a wider field of research
— Item B6-6181 — Supporting policies and anticipating scientific and technological needs	CA	4 796 398 EUR
Chapter B6-63 — Operating expenditure — Research and training actions under the Euratom Treaty
— Article B6-631 — Priority thematic areas of research
— Item B6-6313 — Radiation protection	CA	1 970 000 EUR
— Article B6-632 — Other activities in the field of nuclear technologies and safety	CA	430 000 EUR

*

* *

The Committee on Budgets had considered proposal for transfer of appropriations 37/2003 (C5-0542/2003 — SEC(2003) 1257 final).

The committee had decided, pursuant to Articles 24(3) and 181(1) of the Financial Regulation of 25 June 2002, to authorise the transfer in accordance with the following breakdown:

FROM:
Chapter B0-40 — Provisions
— Article B1-331 — Other measures in the veterinary, animal welfare and publichealth field	NDA	-1 000 000 EUR
TO:
Chapter B1-33 — Veterinary and plant health measures
— Article B1-331 — Other measures in the veterinary, animal welfare and publichealth field	NDA	1 000 000 EUR

*

* *

The Committee on Budgets had considered proposal for transfer of appropriations 41/2003 (C5-0541/2003 — SEC(2003) 1285 final).

The committee had decided, pursuant to Articles 24(3) and 181(1) of the Financial Regulation of 25 June 2002, to authorise the transfer in accordance with the following breakdown:

FROM:
Chapter B1-16 — Products of the wine-growing sector
— Article B1-161 — Intervention for products of the wine-growing sector
— Item B1-1611 — Distillation of wine	NDA	-95 000 000 EUR
TO:
Chapter B1-33 — Veterinary and plant health measures
— Article B1-332 — Emergency fund for veterinary complaints and other animal contaminations which are a risk to public health	NDA	95 000 000 EUR

*

* *

The Committee on Budgets had considered proposal for transfer of appropriations 44/2003 (C5-0558/2003 — SEC(2003) 1340).

The committee had decided, pursuant to Articles 24(3) and 181(1) of the Financial Regulation of 25 June 2002, to authorise the transfer in accordance with the following breakdown:

FROM:
Chapter B7-80 — International fisheries agreements
— Article B7-800 — International fisheries agreements
— Item B7-8000 — International fisheries agreements	CA	- 850 000 EUR
	PA	- 775 000 EUR
— Item B7-8001 — Contributions to international organisations	CA	- 410 000 EUR
	PA	- 410 000 EUR
— Item B7-8002 — Preparatory work for new international fisheries organisations and other non-compulsory contributions to international organisations	CA	- 390 000 EUR
	PA	- 465 000 EUR
TO:
Chapter B7-82 — Financial obligations linked to agreements between the European Union and international organisations
— Article B7-821 — International agricultural agreements
— Item B7-8211 — Annual fees for the European Union's membership of the international organisations in the coffee, cocoa and jute sectors and for other tropical products	CA	1 650 000 EUR
	PA	1 650 000 EUR

*

* *

The Committee on Budgets had considered proposal for transfer of appropriations 45/2003 (C5-0560/2003 — SEC(2003) 1338).

The committee had decided, pursuant to Articles 24(3) and 181(1) of the Financial Regulation of 25 June 2002, to authorise the transfer in accordance with the following breakdown:

FROM:
Chapter A-100 — Provisional appropriations
— Item A-3028 — European Union Analysis and Evaluation Centre/conflict prevention network	NDA	-1 000 000 EUR
— Item A-3286 — European School: Office of the Representative of the Board of Governors (Brussels)	NDA	- 100 000 EUR
Chapter A-15 — Exchanges of officials and experts
— Article A-152 — Staff exchanges between Community institutions and the public and private sectors
— Item A-1521 — Institution officials temporarily assigned to national civil services, to international organisations or to public or private institutions or undertakings	NDA	- 600 000 EUR
Chapter A-20 — Investments in immovable property, rental of buildings and associated costs
— Article A-205 — Security of buildings and persons
— Item A-2050 — Security and surveillance of buildings	NDA	- 800 000 EUR
Chapter A-24 — Postal charges, telecommunictaions and computer infrastructure
— Article A-242 — Computer infrastructure
— Item A-2421 — Equipment and software for departmental systems	NDA	- 700 000 EUR
Chapter A-32 — Youth, education and town-twinning
— Article A-327 — European Schools
— Item A-3274 — European School: Luxembourg	NDA	- 222 000 EUR
— Item A-3275 — European School: Brussels I (Uccle)	NDA	- 612 000 EUR
— Item A-3277 — European School: Brussels III (Ixelles)	NDA	-50 000 EUR
— Item A-3278 — European School: Munich (DE)	NDA	-10 000 EUR
— Item A-3279 — European School: Varese (I)	NDA	- 259 000 EUR
— Item A-3280 — European School: Karlsruhe (DE)	NDA	- 818 000 EUR
— Item A-3281 — European School: Culham (UK)	NDA	-1 038 000 EUR
— Item A-3282 — European School: Bergen (NL)	NDA	- 860 000 EUR
— Item A-3284 — European School: Alicante (E)	NDA	- 346 000 EUR
— Item A-3285 — European School: Frankfurt (DE)	NDA	- 585 000 EUR
Chapter A-34 — Publishing
— Article A-340 — Official Journal	NDA	- 200 000 EUR
— Article A-341 — Publications
— Item A-3410 — General publications	NDA	- 200 000 EUR
— Item A-3411 — Priority publications programme	NDA	- 900 000 EUR
Chapter A-40 — Management of resources
— Article A-401 — Joint management of translators
— Item A-4013 — Multilingual terminology databases and translation tools	NDA	- 200 000 EUR
— Article A-402 — Interinstitutional competitions
— Item A-4020 — Miscellaneous expenditure on recruitment	NDA	- 600 000 EUR
— Item A-4021 — European Personnel Selection Office (EPSO)	NDA	-3 000 000 EUR
Chapter A-42 — Interinstitutional infrastructure and operating expenditure
— Article A-420 — Offices in the Community: buildings, equipment, operating costs and information technology
— Item A-4200 — Buildings, equipment, operating costs and information technology	NDA	- 500 000 EUR
Chapter A-44 — Contribution to the fund for the financing of the convention on the future of the European Union
— Article A-440 — Contribution to the Fund for the financing of the Convention on the Future of the European Union	NDA	- 750 000 EUR
Chapter A-60— Staff and administrative expenditure of European Community delegations
— Article A-600 — Staff expenditure of European Community delegations
— Item A-6000 — Salaries, allowances and reimbursement of expenses for officials and temporary staff	NDA	-5 400 000 EUR
Chapter A-70 — Decentralised expenditure on support staff and administration
— Article A-700 — Decentralised expenditure on support staff
— Item A-7001 — Agency staff	NDA	-1 558 000 EUR
— Item A-7003 — National and international civil servants and private-sector staff temporarily assigned to the institution	NDA	-2 532 000 EUR
— Article A-704 — Miscellaneous expenditure on the organisation of and participation in conferences, congresses and meetings
— Item A-7040 — Conferences, congresses and meetings organised by the institution	NDA	-1 160 000 EUR
TO:
Chapter A-11 — Staff in active employment
— Article A-110 — Officials and temporary staff holding a post provided for in the establishment plans
— Item A-1100 — Basic salaries	NDA	18 400 000 EUR
Chapter A-19 — Pensions and severance grants
— Article A-190 — Pensions and severance grants
— Item A-1900 — Retirement pensions	NDA	8 400 000 EUR

8.   Agenda

The order of business had been established (Item 9 of Minutes of17 November 2003).

A corrigendum to the agenda of 3 and 4 December had been distributed (PE 337.907/OJ/COR).

The President read out the changes proposed in the corrigendum.

He proposed including in Thursday's votes the MacCormick report on Giuseppe Gargani's request for defence of his parliamentary immunity and privileges (A5-0421/2003), adopted pursuant to Rule 110a.

The following spoke: Johannes (Hannes) Swoboda, who asked for the vote on the report to be postponed until the next part-session, and Neil MacCormick, rapporteur, who seconded the request.

The President established that there were no objections to the request.

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

the proposal for a Council regulation concerning transitional measures for the reform of the Staff Regulations, in particular with regard to pay and pensions (COM(2003) 612 — C5-0492/2003 — 2003/0241(CNS)).

Reason for request:

The proposal for a regulation was to be adopted before the end of the year, and the Council needed to examine Parliament's opinion within the deadlines.

Parliament would be consulted on the request for urgent procedure at the beginning of Thursday's sitting.

The agenda was thus established.

9.   One-minute speeches on matters of political importance

Pursuant to Rule 121a, Gianfranco Dell'Alba spoke for one minute to draw the attention of the House to a matter of political importance.

The following spoke: Charles Tannock, who made a personal statement in reply to remarks concerning him in a press release made by Richard Howitt, and Richard Howitt in reply.

The President pointed out that the remaining one-minute speeches would be taken after the joint debate on the European Council, the Social Summit and the IGC.

10.   Official welcome

On behalf of Parliament, the President welcomed Duck-Woo Nam, former Prime Minister, and Seung-Yun Lee, former Deputy Prime Minister, of South Korea, who had taken their seats in the official gallery.

11.   Preparation of the European Council (Brussels, 12/13 December 2003), including the social summit — Progress report on the Intergovernmental Conference (statements followed by debate)

Council and Commission statements: Preparation of the European Council (Brussels, 12/13 December 2003), including the social summit — Progress report on the Intergovernmental Conference

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

The following spoke: Elmar Brok, on behalf of the PPE-DE Group, Enrique Barón Crespo, on behalf of the PSE Group, Graham R. Watson, on behalf of the ELDR Group, Pernille Frahm, on behalf of the GUE/NGL Group, Daniel Marc Cohn-Bendit, on behalf of the Verts/ALE Group, Gerard Collins, on behalf of the UEN Group, and Jens-Peter Bonde, on behalf of the EDD Group.

IN THE CHAIR: Giorgos DIMITRAKOPOULOS

Vice-President

The following spoke: Marco Pannella, Non-attached Member, Íñigo Méndez de Vigo, Klaus Hänsch, Andrew Nicholas Duff, Efstratios Korakas, Johannes Voggenhuber, José Ribeiro e Castro, Antonio Tajani, Johannes (Hannes) Swoboda, Bob van den Bos, Neil MacCormick, Charles Tannock, Gary Titley, Sarah Ludford, Camilo Nogueira Román, Konstantinos Hatzidakis, Martin Schulz, Cecilia Malmström, Ursula Stenzel, Margrietus J. van den Berg, John Walls Cushnahan, Richard Corbett, Georg Jarzembowski, Stephen Hughes, Othmar Karas, Proinsias De Rossa, Roberto Antonione and Romano Prodi.

Motions for resolution to wind up the debate pursuant to Rule 37(2):

Preparation of the European Council (Brussels, 12/13 December 2003), including the social summit

—	Jules Maaten, on behalf of the ELDR Group, on the preparation of the European Council (Brussels, 12/13 December 2003) (B5-0514/2003),

—	Francis Wurtz, on behalf of the GUE/NGL Group, on the European Council meeting on 12/13 December 2003 (B5-0519/2003),

—	Monica Frassoni, Daniel Marc Cohn-Bendit and Nelly Maes, on behalf of the Verts/ALE Group, on the preparation of the European Council (Brussels, 12/13 December 2003) (B5-0521/2003),

—	Gerard Collins and Cristiana Muscardini, on behalf of the UEN Group, on the preparation of the European Council in Brussels on 12/13 December 2003, including the European Social Forum (B5-0522/2003),

—

Enrique Barón Crespo, Johannes (Hannes) Swoboda, Martin Schulz, Gary Titley, Margrietus J. van den Berg, Robert Goebbels, Anna Terrón i Cusí, Jannis Sakellariou and Stephen Hughes, on behalf of the PSE Group, on the preparation of the European Council in Brussels on 12/13 December 2003 (B5-0523/2003),

—	Hans-Gert Poettering, Ilkka Suominen, Othmar Karas, Philippe Morillon, Arie M. Oostlander and Hubert Pirker, on behalf of the PPE-DE Group, on the preparation of the European Council, including the Social Summit, Brussels, 12/13 December 2003 (B5-0525/2003).

Progress report on the Intergovernmental Conference

—	Andrew Nicholas Duff, on behalf of the ELDR Group, on the progress in the Intergovernmental Conference (IGC) (B5-0513/2003),

—	Gerard Collins, Cristiana Muscardini and Luís Queiró, on behalf of the UEN Group, on the IGC and the proposals of the Italian Presidency with a view to the Summit on 12/13 December 2003 (B5-0526/2003),

—	Íñigo Méndez de Vigo and Elmar Brok, on behalf of the PPE-DE Group, on the Intergovernmental Conference (B5-0527/2003),

—

Jonathan Evans, Robert Atkins, Richard A. Balfe, Christopher J.P. Beazley, John Bowis, Philip Charles Bradbourn, Philip Bushill-Matthews, Martin Callanan, John Alexander Corrie, Nirj Deva, Den Dover, James E.M. Elles, Jacqueline Foster, Robert Goodwill, Daniel J. Hannan, Malcolm Harbour, Christopher Heaton-Harris, Roger Helmer, Caroline F. Jackson, Bashir Khanbhai, Timothy Kirkhope, Edward H.C. McMillan-Scott, James Nicholson, Neil Parish, James L.C. Provan, Struan Stevenson, Stockton, Robert William Sturdy, David Sumberg, Charles Tannock, Geoffrey Van Orden and Theresa Villierson progress at the Intergovernmental Conference (B5-0528/2003),

—	Francis Wurtz, on behalf of the GUE/NGL Group, on the progress report on the Intergovernmental Conference (B5-0529/2003),

—	Johannes Voggenhuber, Monica Frassoni and Neil MacCormick, on behalf of the Verts/ALE Group, on the progress in the Intergovernmental Conference (IGC) (B5-0530/2003),

—	Enrique Barón Crespo, Klaus Hänsch, Giorgio Napolitano and Richard Corbett, on behalf of the PSE Group, on the progress report on the Intergovernmental Conference (B5-0531/2003).

The debate closed.

Vote: Minutes of 04.12.2003, Item 27 and 28.

12.   The Stability and Growth Pact (statements followed by debate)

Council and Commission statements: The Stability and Growth Pact

Giulio Tremonti (President-in-Office of the Council) made the statement.

IN THE CHAIR: James L.C. PROVAN

Vice-President

Pedro Solbes Mira (Member of the Commission) made the statement.

The following spoke: Hans-Gert Poettering, on behalf of the PPE-DE Group, Enrique Barón Crespo, on behalf of the PSE Group, Graham R. Watson, on behalf of the ELDR Group, Philippe A.R. Herzog, on behalf of the GUE/NGL Group, Alain Lipietz, on behalf of the Verts/ALE Group, Roberto Felice Bigliardo, on behalf of the UEN Group, Johannes (Hans) Blokland, on behalf of the EDD Group, Georges Berthu, Non-attached Member, José Ignacio Salafranca Sánchez-Neyra, Robert Goebbels, Christopher Huhne, Ilda Figueiredo, Marco Pannella, Othmar Karas and Bruno Trentin.

IN THE CHAIR: Charlotte CEDERSCHIÖLD

Vice-President

The following spoke: Carles-Alfred Gasòliba i Böhm, Helmuth Markov, Generoso Andria, Christa Randzio-Plath, Jean-Thomas Nordmann, Jonas Sjöstedt, Werner Langen, Pervenche Berès, Ioannis Marinos, Giorgos Katiforis, Carlos Coelho, Alexander Radwan, Christoph Werner Konrad, Giulio Tremonti and Pedro Solbes Mira.

The debate closed.

13.   One-minute speeches on matters of political importance (continuation)

The following spoke: Fodé Sylla, David Robert Bowe, José Ribeiro e Castro, Sarah Ludford, Avril Doyle, Giuseppe Gargani and Avril Doyle.

(The sitting was suspended at 19.55 and resumed at 21.00.)

IN THE CHAIR: Alejo VIDAL-QUADRAS ROCA

Vice-President

14.   European governance — Contracts and tripartite agreements (debate)

Report on European governance [COM(2002) 704 — COM(2002) 705 — COM(2002) 713 — C5-0200/2003 — 2003/2085(INI)] — Committee on Constitutional Affairs.

Rapporteur: Margrietus J. van den Berg

(A5-0402/2003)

Report on the communication from the Commission: a framework for contracts and tripartite agreements between the Community, the States and the regional and local authorities [COM(2002) 709 — 2003/2088(INI)] — Committee on Constitutional Affairs.

Rapporteur: Neil MacCormick

(A5-0401/2003)

Margrietus J. van den Berg introduced the report (A5-0402/2003).

Neil MacCormick introduced the report (A5-0401/2003).

Franz Fischler (Member of the Commission)spoke.

The following spoke: Manuel Medina Ortega (draftsman of the opinion of the JURI Committee), Guido Bodrato, on behalf of the PPE-DE Group, Josu Ortuondo Larrea, on behalf of the Verts/ALE Group, Philip Charles Bradbourn, Reino Paasilinna and Franz Fischler.

The debate closed.

Vote: Minutes of 4.12.2003, Items 19 and 29.

15.   Assessment of OLAF (debate)

Report on the Commission report on the assessment of the activities of the European Anti-Fraud Office (OLAF) [COM(2003) 154 — 2002/2237(INI)] — Committee on Budgetary Control.

Rapporteur: Herbert Bösch

(A5-0393/2003)

Herbert Bösch introduced the report.

Michaele Schreyer (Member of the Commission)spoke.

The following spoke: Gabriele Stauner, on behalf of the PPE-DE Group, Paulo Casaca, on behalf of the PSE Group, Ole B. Sørensen, on behalf of the ELDR Group, Freddy Blak, on behalf of the GUE/NGL Group, Heide Rühle, on behalf of the Verts/ALE Group, Mogens N.J. Camre, on behalf of the UEN Group, Rijk van Dam, on behalf of the EDD Group, Diemut R. Theato, Generoso Andria, Michaele Schreyer, Herbert Bösch and Freddy Blak.

The debate closed.

Vote: Minutes of 4.12.2003, Item 31.

16.   Conversion of fishing vessels and fishermen * (debate)

Report on the proposal for a Council regulation amending Council Regulation (EC) No 2561/2001 aiming to promote the conversion of fishing vessels and of fishermen that were, up to 1999, dependent on the fishing agreement with Morocco [COM(2003) 437 — C5-0357/2003 — 2003/0157(CNS)] — Committee on Fisheries.

Rapporteur: Rosa Miguélez Ramos

(A5-0407/2003)

Franz Fischler (Member of the Commission) spoke.

Rosa Miguélez Ramos introduced the report.

The following spoke: Daniel Varela Suanzes-Carpegna, on behalf of the PPE-DE Group, Carlos Lage, on behalf of the PSE Group, and Franz Fischler.

The debate closed.

Vote: Minutes of 4.12.2003, Item 14.

17.   EC-Mozambique fisheries agreement * (debate)

Report on the proposal for a Council regulation on the conclusion of the Fisheries Agreement between the European Community and the Republic of Mozambique [COM(2003) 419 — C5-0354/2003 — 2003/0154(CNS)] — Committee on Fisheries.

Rapporteur: Struan Stevenson

(A5-0406/2003)

Franz Fischler (Member of the Commission) spoke.

Struan Stevenson introduced the report.

The following spoke: Bárbara Dührkop Dührkop (draftsman of the opinion of the BUDG Committee), Linda McAvan (draftsman of the opinion of the DEVE Committee), Joaquim Piscarreta, on behalf of the PPE-DE Group, Rosa Miguélez Ramos, on behalf of the PSE Group, and Carlos Lage.

The debate closed.

Vote: Minutes of 4.12.2003, Item 25.

18.   Repatriation of mortal remains (debate)

Report on the adoption of measures concerning the repatriation of mortal remains [2003/2032(INI)] — Committee on Citizens' Freedoms and Rights, Justice and Home Affairs.

Rapporteur: Michael Cashman

(A5-0362/2003)

Michael Cashman introduced the report.

Frits Bolkestein (Member of the Commission) spoke.

The following spoke: Marcelino Oreja Arburúa, on behalf of the PPE-DE Group, Jeffrey William Titford, on behalf of the EDD Group, Carlos Coelho, Mary Elizabeth Banotti, Michael Cashman on Jeffrey William Titford's remarks, and Frits Bolkestein.

The debate closed.

Vote: Minutes of 4.12.2003, Item 32.

19.   Reduction of atmospheric emissions from ships (debate)

Report on a European Union strategy to reduce atmospheric emissions from seagoing ships [COM(2002) 595 — 2003/2064(INI)] — Committee on the Environment, Public Health and Consumer Policy.

Rapporteur: Caroline Lucas

(A5-0400/2003)

Caroline Lucas introduced the report.

Frits Bolkestein (Member of the Commission) spoke.

The following spoke: Robert Goodwill, on behalf of the PPE-DE Group, Dominique F.C. Souchet, Non-attached Member, and Frits Bolkestein.

The debate closed.

Vote: Minutes of 4.12.2003, Item 20.

20.   Reduced rates of VAT * (debate)

Report on the proposal for a Council directive amending Directive 77/388/EEC as regards reduced rates of value added tax [COM(2003) 397 — C5-0359/2003 — 2003/0169(CNS)] — Committee on Economic and Monetary Affairs.

Rapporteur: Christa Randzio-Plath

(A5-0410/2003)

Frits Bolkestein (Member of the Commission) spoke.

Christa Randzio-Plath, rapporteur, drawing attention to the respective roles of Parliament and the Commission in the legislative process, asked that her request for the rapporteur to speak before, rather than after, the Commission in such debates, be forwarded to the Bureau. Christa Randzio-Plath introduced the report.

The following spoke: Astrid Lulling, on behalf of the PPE-DE Group, Ieke van den Burg, on behalf of the PSE Group, Johannes (Hans) Blokland, on behalf of the EDD Group, Georges Berthu, Non-attached Member, Theresa Villiers, Frits Bolkestein, Christa Randzio-Plath and Frits Bolkestein.

The debate closed.

Vote: Minutes of 4.12.2003, Item 26.

21.   Agenda for next sitting

The President referred Members to the document ‘Agenda’ PE 337.907/OJJE.

22.   Closure of sitting

The sitting closed at 00.20.

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