51998AP0170

A4-0170/98

Decision on the common position adopted by the Council with a view to adopting a European Parliament and Council Directive on the legal protection of biotechnological inventions (C4-0132/98 - 95/0350(COD))(Codecision procedure: second reading)

The European Parliament,

- having regard to the common position of the Council (C4-0132/98 - 95/0350(COD)),

- having regard to its opinion at first reading ((OJ C 286, 22.9.1997, p. 87.)) on the Commission proposal to Parliament and the Council (COM(95)0661) ((OJ C 296, 8.10.1996, p. 4.)),

- having regard to the amended Commission proposal (COM(97)0446) ((OJ C 311, 11.10.1997, p. 12.)),

- having regard to Article 189b(2) of the EC Treaty,

- having regard to Rule 68 of its Rules of Procedure,

- having regard to the recommendation for second reading of the Committee on Legal Affairs and Citizens' Rights (A4-0170/98),

1. Approves the common position;

2. Calls on the Council to adopt the act definitively, and as soon as possible, in accordance with the common position;

3. Instructs its President to sign the act with the President of the Council pursuant to Article 191(1) of the EC Treaty;

4. Instructs its Secretary-General duly to sign the act and, in agreement with the Secretary-General of the Council, to have it published in the Official Journal;

5. Instructs its President to forward this decision to the Council and Commission.