A4-0056/99

Proposal for a Council Decision concerning the Community position within the Association Council on the participation of Bulgaria in Community programmes in the fields of vocational training and education (COM(98)0750 - C4-0061/99 - 98/0352(CNS))

The proposal was approved with the following amendments:

(Amendment 1)

Annex II (7)

>Original text>

7. Without prejudice to the responsibilities of the Commission and the Court of Auditors of the European Community in relation to the monitoring and evaluation of the programmes pursuant to the Decision concerning Leonardo da Vinci and Socrates (Articles 10, 9 and 8 respectively), the participation of Bulgaria in the programmes will be continuously monitored on a partnership basis involving Bulgaria and the Commission of the European Communities. Bulgaria will submit the necessary reports to the Commission and take part in other specific activities undertaken by the Community in that context.

>Text following EP vote>

7.

Without prejudice to the responsibilities of the Commission and the Court of Auditors of the European Community in relation to the monitoring and evaluation of the programmes pursuant to the Decisions concerning Leonardo da Vinci and Socrates (Articles 10, 9 and 8 respectively), the participation of Bulgaria in the programmes will be continuously monitored on a partnership basis involving Bulgaria and the Commission of the European Communities, which will keep Parliament and the Council regularly informed thereof. Bulgaria will submit the necessary reports to the Commission and take part in other specific activities undertaken by the Community in that context.

(Amendment 2)

Annex II (8)

>Original text>

8. Without prejudice to the procedures referred to in Article 6 of the Decision on the Leonardo da Vinci programme and Article 4 of the Decision on the Socrates programme, Bulgaria will be invited to coordination meetings on any question concerning the implementation of this Decision prior to the regular meetings of the Committees. The Commission will inform Bulgaria about the results of such regular meetings.

>Text following EP vote>

8.

Without prejudice to the procedures referred to in Article 6 of the Decision on the Leonardo da Vinci programme and Article 4 of the Decision on the Socrates programme, Bulgaria will be invited to coordination meetings on any question concerning the implementation of this Decision prior to the regular meetings of the Committees. Bulgaria may also send a representative to such regular meetings in order to gain from first-hand experience of the Community without, however, being able to influence the Committee's decisions.

(Amendment 3)

Annex II (9)

>Original text>

9. The language to be used as regards the application process, contracts, reports to be submitted and other administrative arrangements for the programmes, will be one of the official languages of the Community.

>Text following EP vote>

9.

The language(s) to be used as regards the application process, contracts, reports to be submitted and other administrative arrangements for the programmes, will be official languages of the Community. This should not, however, rule out occasional use of the national languages of the countries concerned, in particular during informal negotiations.

Legislative resolution embodying Parliament's opinion on the proposal for a Council Decision concerning the Community position within the Association Council on the participation of Bulgaria in Community programmes in the fields of vocational training and education (COM(98)0750 - C4-0061/99 - 98/0352(CNS))(Consultation procedure)

The European Parliament,

- having regard to the Commission proposal to the Council, COM(98)0750 - 98/0352(CNS) ((OJ C 10, 14.1.1999, p.10.)),

- having been consulted by the Council pursuant to Article 126 in conjunction with Article 228(3), first subparagraph, of the Treaty (C4-0061/99),

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

- having regard to the report of the Committee on Culture, Youth, Education and the Media and the opinion of the Committee on Budgets (A4-0056/99),

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

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

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

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