14.7.2005

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

CE 174/52

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MINUTES

(2005/C 174 E/03)

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 directive of the European Parliament and of the Council on the prevention of the use of the financial system for the purpose of money laundering, including terrorist financing (COM(2004)0448 — C6-0143/2004 — 2004/0137(COD)). referred to responsible: LIBE opinion: CONT, ECON, IMCO, JURI, PETI — Proposal for transfer of appropriations DEC50/2004 — Commission — Section III (SEC(2004)1282 — C6-0152/2004 — 2004/2211(GBD)). referred to responsible: BUDG — Council of the European Union: draft framework decision on simplifying the exchange of information and intelligence between law enforcement authorities of the Member States of the European Union, in particular as regards serious offences including terrorist acts (10215/2004 — C6-0153/2004 — 2004/0812(CNS)). referred to responsible: LIBE — Proposal for a directive of the European Parliament and of the Council on certain aspects of mediation in civil and commercial matters (COM(2004)0718 — C6-0154/2004 — 2004/0251(COD)). referred to responsible: JURI opinion: LIBE — Proposal for a Council decision on the system of the European Communities' own resources (COM(2004)0501 [01] — C6-0155/2004 — 2004/0170(CNS)). referred to responsible: BUDG opinion: CONT, REGI — Proposal for a Council regulation on the implementing measures for the correction of budgetary imbalances in accordance with Articles 4 and 5 of the Council decision of (...) on the system of the European Communities' own resources (COM(2004)0501 [02] — C6-0156/2004 — 2004/0171(CNS)). referred to responsible: BUDG opinion: CONT, REGI — Proposal for a regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council on medicinal products for paediatric use and amending Regulation (EEC) No 1768/92, Directive 2001/83/EC and Regulation (EC) No 726/2004 (COM(2004)0599 — C6-0159/2004 — 2004/0217(COD)). referred to responsible: ENVI opinion: ITRE, IMCO — Proposal for a directive of the European Parliament and of the Council laying down rules on nominal quantities for pre-packed products, repealing Council Directives 75/106/EEC and 80/232/EEC, and amending Council Directive 76/211/EEC (COM(2004)0708 — C6-0160/2004 — 2004/0248(COD)). referred to responsible: IMCO opinion: ITRE

2)

from Members, written declarations for entry in the Register (Rule 116): — Philip Claeys, Koenraad Dillen and Frank Vanhecke, on non-recognition by the Turkish Government of the Armenian genocide (0043/2004); — Philip Claeys, Koenraad Dillen and Frank Vanhecke, on the carrying-out of an impact study on immigration in the event of Turkey's accession to the European Union (0044/2004); — Philip Claeys, Koenraad Dillen and Frank Vanhecke, on the holding of referenda on Turkey's possible accession to the European Union (0045/2004).

3.   Preparation of the European Council (Brussels, 4 and 5 November 2004) (statements followed by debate)

Council and Commission statements: Preparation of the European Council (Brussels, 4 and 5 November 2004)

Atzo Nicolaï (President-in-Office of the Council) and Günther Verheugen (Member of the Commission) made the statements.

The following spoke: Marianne Thyssen, on behalf of the PPE-DE Group, Margrietus van den Berg, on behalf of the PSE Group, Graham Watson, on behalf of the ALDE Group, Monica Frassoni, on behalf of the Verts/ALE Group, Erik Meijer, on behalf of the GUE/NGL Group, Mirosław Mariusz Piotrowski, on behalf of the IND/DEM Group, Marcin Libicki, on behalf of the UEN Group, Ryszard Czarnecki, Non-attached Member, Camiel Eurlings, Véronique De Keyser and Jean-Louis Bourlanges.

IN THE CHAIR: Ingo FRIEDRICH

Vice-President

The following spoke: Giusto Catania, Kathy Sinnott, Seán Ó Neachtain, Alessandro Battilocchio, Jerzy Buzek, Guido Sacconi, Luciana Sbarbati, Ilda Figueiredo, Mario Borghezio, Ashley Mote (the President observed that the demand made by Mr Mote would be contrary to the law of the European Union), Jonathan Evans, Stephen Hughes, Jaime Mayor Oreja, Martine Roure, José Albino Silva Peneda, Atzo Nicolaï and Günther Verheugen.

The debate closed.

4.   Membership of Parliament

The French authorities had given notice of the appointment of Fernand Le Rachinel to replace Chantal Simonot as Member of Parliament with effect from 22.10.2004.

Ingo Friedrich (Vice-President) drew attention to the provisions of Rule 3(5).

(The sitting was suspended at 10.50 pending voting time and resumed at 11.05.)

IN THE CHAIR: Josep BORRELL FONTELLES

President

5.   Voting time

Election of the European Commission (vote)

Motions for resolution B6-0088/2004, B6-0090/2004, B6-0092/2004, B6-0093/2004, B6-0098/2004, B6-0099/2004 and B6-0100/2004 and draft decision B6-0091/2004

José Manuel Barroso (President-elect of the Commission) stated that, in view of the situation, he had decided not to submit a proposal on a new Commission for Parliament's approval that day.

The President noted the decision and, having reminded the House of the provisions of Article 214 of the EC Treaty, pointed out that as no proposal had been made, Parliament could not vote on the matter.

Atzo Nicolaï (President-in-Office of the Council) stated that, under the circumstances, the incumbent Commission would stay in office for as long as necessary.

Marco Pannella spoke on Article 214 of the EC Treaty and Rules 99(2) and 132 of the Rules of Procedure (the President cut him off, as his remarks did not constitute a point of order under the Rules).

The following spoke: Martin Schulz, on behalf of the PSE Group, who asked that the sitting be suspended to give the political groups time to meet; and Hans-Gert Poettering, on behalf of the PPE-DE Group, who echoed the request.

The President stated that he would call a meeting of the Conference of Presidents after the political group meetings.

(The sitting was suspended at 11.15 and resumed at 12.15.)

Bogusław Rogalski spoke on a procedural matter.

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, Daniel Marc Cohn-Bendit, 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, Cristiana Muscardini, on behalf of the UEN Group, and Ryszard Czarnecki, Non-attached Member.

The following spoke on procedural matters: Robert Kilroy-Silk (the President cut him off, as his remarks did not constitute a point of order under the Rules) and Alessandra Mussolini.

The following spoke: Atzo Nicolaï and José Manuel Barroso.

In the light of the remarks made by the previous speakers, the President concluded firstly that, as no proposal had been made, there would be no vote; and secondly that the incumbent Commission would remain in office. He asked José Manuel Barroso and the Council to submit a proposal as soon as possible and to keep Parliament informed of the state of play.

(The sitting was suspended at 13.05 and resumed at 15.05.)

IN THE CHAIR: Pierre MOSCOVICI

Vice-President

6.   Approval of Minutes of previous sitting

Salvatore Tatarella and Hiltrud Breyer had informed the Presidency that they had been present but that their names were not on the attendance register.

The Minutes of the previous sitting were approved.

Roger Knapman made a comment on that day's agenda.

7.   EU-India relations (statements followed by debate)

Council and Commission statements: EU-India relations

Report with a proposal for a European Parliament recommendation to the Council on EU-India relations [2004/2195(INI)] — Committee on Foreign Affairs

Rapporteur: Emilio Menéndez del Valle (A6-0024/2004).

Atzo Nicolaï (President-in-Office of the Council) and Günther Verheugen (Member of the Commission) made the statements.

Emilio Menéndez del Valle introduced the report.

The following spoke: Marcello Vernola, on behalf of the PPE-DE Group, Neena Gill, on behalf of the PSE Group, Cem Özdemir, on behalf of the Verts/ALE Group, Roger Knapman, Georgios Papastamkos, Enrique Barón Crespo, Philip Claeys, Non-attached Member, Bogdan Golik, Panagiotis Beglitis, Margrietus van den Berg and Atzo Nicolaï.

The debate closed.

Vote: Minutes of 28.10.2004, Item 4.8

8.   Result of the referendum and elections in Belarus (statements followed by debate)

Council and Commission statements: Result of the referendum and elections in Belarus

Atzo Nicolaï (President-in-Office of the Council) made the statement.

IN THE CHAIR: Mario MAURO

Vice-President

Günther Verheugen (Member of the Commission) made the statement.

The following spoke: Vytautas Landsbergis, on behalf of the PPE-DE Group, Jan Marinus Wiersma, on behalf of the PSE Group, Janusz Onyszkiewicz, on behalf of the ALDE Group, Elisabeth Schroedter, on behalf of the Verts/ALE Group, Jiří Maštálka, on behalf of the GUE/NGL Group, Wojciech Wierzejski, on behalf of the IND/DEM Group, Konrad Szymański, on behalf of the UEN Group, Carl Lang, Non-attached Member, Bogdan Klich, Justas Vincas Paleckis, Athanasios Pafilis, Ryszard Czarnecki, Laima Liucija Andrikienė and Atzo Nicolaï.

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

—	Bogdan Klich, Barbara Kudrycka, Jacek Protasiewicz and Charles Tannock, on behalf of the PPE-DE Group, on the situation in Belarus after the parliamentary elections and the referendum of 17 October 2004 (B6-0094/2004);

—	Cecilia Malmström, on behalf of the ALDE Group, on the breaches of democratic principles in the parliamentary elections and in the so-called Republican Referendum held in Belarus on 17 October 2004 (B6-0097/2004);

—	Joseph Muscat, Justas Vincas Paleckis and Jan Marinus Wiersma, on behalf of the PSE Group, on Belarus (B6-0101/2004);

—	Marie Anne Isler Béguin, Joost Lagendijk and Elisabeth Schroedter, on behalf of the Verts/ALE Group, on the situation in Belarus (B6-0104/2004);

—	Vittorio Emanuele Agnoletto and Jonas Sjöstedt, on behalf of the GUE/NGL Group, on the results of the referendum and the elections in Belarus (B6-0105/2004);

—	Anna Elzbieta Fotyga and Konrad Szymański, on behalf of the UEN Group, on the elections and referendum in Belarus (B6-0110/2004).

The debate closed.

Vote: Minutes of 28.10.2004, Item 4.9

9.   Forthcoming elections in Ukraine (statements followed by debate)

Council and Commission statements: Forthcoming elections in Ukraine

Günther Verheugen (Member of the Commission) and Atzo Nicolaï (President-in-Office of the Council) made the statements.

The following spoke: Charles Tannock, on behalf of the PPE-DE Group, Jan Marinus Wiersma, on behalf of the PSE Group, Janusz Onyszkiewicz, on behalf of the ALDE Group, Elisabeth Schroedter, on behalf of the Verts/ALE Group, Helmuth Markov, on behalf of the GUE/NGL Group, Anna Elzbieta Fotyga, on behalf of the UEN Group, Bogdan Klich, Marek Maciej Siwiec, Grażyna Staniszewska, Aldis Kušķis, Bogusław Sonik, Bastiaan Belder, on behalf of the IND/DEM Group, Atzo Nicolaï, Günther Verheugen, Bastiaan Belder and Atzo Nicolaï.

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

—	Bogdan Klich, Rihards Pīks, Charles Tannock and Ari Vatanen, on behalf of the PPE-DE Group, on the forthcoming presidential elections in Ukraine (B6-0095/2004);

—	Cecilia Malmström, on behalf of the ALDE Group, on the forthcoming presidential elections in Ukraine (B6-0096/2004);

—	Justas Vincas Paleckis and Jan Marinus Wiersma, on behalf of the PSE Group, on Ukraine (B6-0102/2004);

—	Angelika Beer, Rebecca Harms, Milan Horáček, Joost Lagendijk and Elisabeth Schroedter, on behalf of the Verts/ALE Group, on the forthcoming presidential elections in Ukraine (B6-0103/2004);

—	Vittorio Emanuele Agnoletto, on behalf of the GUE/NGL Group, on the forthcoming elections in Ukraine (B6-0106/2004);

—	Anna Elzbieta Fotyga, Guntars Krasts and Konrad Szymański, on behalf of the UEN Group, on the forthcoming presidential elections in Ukraine (B6-0109/2004).

The debate closed.

Vote: Minutes of 28.10.2004, Item 4.10

(The sitting was suspended at 17.40 pending Question Time and resumed at 18.00.)

IN THE CHAIR: António COSTA

Vice-President

10.   Question Time (Council)

Parliament considered a number of questions to the Council (B6-0017/2004).

Question 1 (István Szent-Iványi): Atrocities against national minorities in Voivodina, Serbia and Montenegro.

Atzo Nicolaï (President-in-Office of the Council) answered the question and a supplementary by István Szent-Iványi.

Question 2 (Panagiotis Beglitis): Opening of negotiations with Serbia and Montenegro for a stabilisation and association agreement.

Atzo Nicolaï answered the question and a supplementary by Panagiotis Beglitis.

Question 3 (Dimitrios Papadimoulis): Demonstration by ‘Grey Wolves’ against the Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople.

Question 4 (Jonas Sjöstedt): Relations with Turkey.

Question 5 (Antonios Trakatellis): Respect for religious freedom in Turkey.

Atzo Nicolaï answered the questions and supplementaries by Dimitrios Papadimoulis, Jonas Sjöstedt and Antonios Trakatellis.

Question 6 (Jillian Evans): Flooding in Bangladesh.

Atzo Nicolaï answered the question and a supplementary by Robert Evans.

Question 7 (Bernd Posselt): Border controls in south-eastern Europe.

Atzo Nicolaï answered the question and a supplementary by Bernd Posselt.

Question 8 (Jacek Protasiewicz): The accession of Turkey to the European Union.

Atzo Nicolaï answered the question and supplementaries by Jacek Protasiewicz, Robert Evans and Bernd Posselt.

Question 9 (Georgios Karatzaferis): Provocative statements by the Albanian Prime Minister.

Atzo Nicolaï answered the question.

Question 10 (Manuel Medina Ortega): Beaked whale deaths following military manoeuvres in the Atlantic.

Atzo Nicolaï answered the question and a supplementary by Manuel Medina Ortega.

Question 11 (Frederika Brepoels): European Council's position on the possible scrapping of euro coins.

Atzo Nicolaï answered the question and a supplementary by Frederika Brepoels.

Question 12 (Brian Crowley): Cooperation between police agencies and coastguards in preventing illegal drug imports.

Atzo Nicolaï answered the question and supplementaries by Brian Crowley, Claude Moraes and Bill Newton Dunn.

Question 13 (Eoin Ryan): Third world countries and the debt burden.

Atzo Nicolaï answered the question and a supplementary by Eoin Ryan. The following spoke: Bill Newton Dunn and Manolis Mavrommatis on the conduct of Question Time.

Questions which had not been answered for lack of time would receive written answers.

Question 18 had been withdrawn.

Council Question Time closed.

11.   Tabling of a motion for a resolution (Rule 81)

Pursuant to Rule 81, the ENVI Committee had tabled a motion for a resolution on the draft Commission regulation amending Annex IV to Regulation (EC) No 999/2001 of the European Parliament and of the Council as regards transmissible spongiform encephalopathies and animal nutrition (B6-0126/2004).

It would be put to the vote the following day without debate or amendments.

12.   Agenda for next sitting

The President referred Members to the Agenda (PE 347.486/OJJE).

13.   Closure of sitting

The sitting closed at 19.00.

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