COMMISSION OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES 
Brussels, 09.12.1996 
COM(96) 637 final 
94/0189 (COD) 
OPINION OF THE COMMISSION 
pursuant to Article 189 b (2) (d) 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 DECISION 
establishing a support programme 
in the field of books and reading (Ariane) 
AMENDING THE PROPOSAL OF THE COMMISSION 
pursuant to Article 189 a (2) of the EC Treaty 

1. BACKGROUND 
a) On 25 October 1994 the Commission sent to Parliament and the Council its 
proposal for a decision (COM(94)356 final COD 94/0189). 
b) On 6 April 1995 Parliament adopted on first reading a resolution containing 
35 amendments to the Commission's proposal. 
c) On 20 April 1995 the Committee of the Regions delivered a favourable opinion. 
d) On 28 July 1995 the Commission adopted, under Article 149(3) of the Treaty, an 
amended proposal taking over in full or in part 32 of these amendments 
(COM(95) 373). 
e) On 27 June 1996 the Council adopted a common position. 
f) On 22 July 1996 the Commission accepted this common position and sent its 
opinion to Parliament (SEC(95) 1648). 
g) On 22 October 1996 Parliament adopted, on second reading, a resolution 
containing eleven amendments to the common position. 
2. AIMS OF THE PROPOSAL 
It is a programme of support for books and reading designed to promote knowledge and 
dissemination of the written heritage and contemporary writing in Europe and increase 
public access to it, in particular by providing aid for the translation of works of literature, 
drama and reference, supporting projects for cooperation on books and reading carried 
out under partnership arrangements and providing further training for professionals in this 
field. 
Priority is given under the programme to the less widely-used languages. 
4-3 
COMMISSION OPINION ON 
PARLIAMENT'S AMENDMENTS 
After examining the amendments proposed by Parliament on second reading, the 
Commission can agree to some of them which are of a technical nature or fit in with its 
original proposal. 
1. Amendments accepted by the Commission 
The Commission is prepared to accept amendments 4, 5, 6, 7 and 8 and has incorporated 
them in its amended proposal so that they can be reexamined by the Council. 
* Amendment 4 would insert a reference, in the evaluation report, to the impact of 
the programme on the dissemination of literature in the less widely^used 
languages. 
* Comments'. As this is not a fundamental issue, there is no reason why it should 
not be accepted, even though the cuts made in the lifespan and budget of the 
programme may mean that this exercise is particularly limited in scope. 
* Amendment 5 would make works written in the less widely-used languages 
eligible even without previous translation into another Community language. 
Comments: The Commission takes the view that this amendment, which takes up 
its original proposal, is bound to increase the participation and presence of such 
works in the programme. 
* Amendment 6 would give priority to small independent publishing houses. 
Comments: The Commission can accept this amendment, as experience with the 
pilot project for aid to translation has demonstrated that for the most part the 
publishing houses receiving Community support can be considered small 
businesses. 
* Amendment 7 deletes the reference to the dual (advisory and management 
committee) procedure for the breakdown of resources. 
Comments: In view of the limited budget for the programme, the Commission 
can see no point in making a breakdown between the six actions. 
* Amendment 8 would make projects concerned with creating databases eligible for 
this programme. 
Comments: The Commission feels that this amendment concerns a type of project 
which is consistent with the objectives of the programme. 
2. Amendment accepted in part by the Commission 
* Amendment 2 replaces the dual (advisory and management committee) procedure 
by an advisory committee. It is only partly acceptable in view of the line taken 
by the Commission following the adoption of the Council's common position on 
the proposed decision 94/0189 (SEC(96) 1320, 12.7.1996, point 3.4). 
Comments: As it stated in the above communication, the Commission is not 
against the use of a hybrid committee procedure, but only against the use of the 
management committee for the adoption of certain specific acts, namely decisions 
granting financial assistance to projects involving over ECU 10 000 and the use 
of any Committee procedure for the adoption of evaluation reports (which are not 
draft measures within the meaning of the Council Decision of 13 July 1987 
(87/373/EEC) laying down the procedures for the exercise of implementing 
powers conferred on the Commission1). Moreover, Parliament's amendment 
deleting the indication of the draft measures to which a committee procedure 
would apply cannot be accepted as this would not make for legal certainty. 
3. AMENDMENTS REJECTED BY THE COMMISSION 
The Commission rejects amendments 1 and 3. 
* Amendment 1 requests a change to the title to refer explicitly to translation. 
Comments: The Commission feels that given the distribution of the programme's 
resources (50% for translation and 50% for the promotion of books and reading), 
it is not true to say that support is primarily through translation. 
Amendment 3 requests a significant increase in the budget (from ECU 7 million 
to ECU 10.5 million). 
Comments: Parliament takes the view that if the Council endorses the 
Commission's proposals for 1997 and 1998, the budget for the programme does 
not match up to its ambitions. However, the Commission is bound by the budget 
programming approved (ECU 23.5 million for five years), which is respected over 
the lifespan of the programme 1997-98. 
OJL 197, 18.7.1987, p. 33. 
CONCLUSION 
By way of conclusion, the Commission feels that proposed amendments 4, 5, 6, 7, and 
8 can be accepted as they stand and amendment 2 in part. The amended proposal 
incorporates the changes requested. Amendments 1 and 3 are rejected. 
Amended proposal 
for a 
EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND COUNCIL DECISION 
establishing the support programme in the field of books and reading (Ariane). 
(Presented by the Commission pursuant to Article 189b(2)of the EC Treaty) 
EXPLANATORY MEMORANDUM 
As a result of the entry into force of the Treaty on European Union on 1 November 1993, 
this proposed decision is subject to the codecision procedure (Article 189b of the EC 
Treaty). 
Article 189b(2)(d) requires the Commission to deliver an opinion on the amendments 
proposed by Parliament on second reading. The Commission has accepted six of 
Parliament's amendments for the reasons set out in point 1 of the attached opinions-
Pursuant to Article 189b2) of the EC Treaty the Commission is now presenting an 
amended proposal incorporating the six amendments by Parliament which it has accepted. 
Amended proposal 
for a 
EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND COUNCIL DECISION 
establishing the support programme in the field of books and reading (Ariane). 
(Presented by the Commission pursuant to Article 189b(2)of the EC Treaty) 
$C 
Common Position of the Council Modified Text 
(Amendment 2) 
Article 5 
1. The Commission shall implement this 
programme in accordance with this 
decision. 
2. The Commission shall be assisted by a 
Committee composed of two 
representatives per Member State and 
chaired by the Commission 
representative. Members of the 
Committee may be assisted by experts or 
advisers. 1. The Commission shall implement this 
programme in accordance with this 
decision. 
2.The Commission shall be assisted bv the 
Committee set up under Article 5(1) of 
decision No 719/96/EC of the-European 
Parliament and of the Council establishing 
the Kaleidoscope Programme. 
3. The representative of the Commission 
shall submit to the Committee draft 
measures concerning: 
- the annual work plan; 
- the general balance between the various 
Actions; 
- the detailed arrangement and selection 
criteria for the various types of project 
described in the Annex (Actions 1, 2, 3, 
4 and 6); 
- projects involving more than ten 
thousand ecus in assistance: 
the procedures for monitoring and 
evaluating the programme, together with 
the conclusions of the reports provided 
for in Article 8 and any programme 3.The following measures shall be adopted in 
accordance with the procedure set out in 
paragraph 4: 
- the annual work plan; 
- the general balance between the various 
Actions; 
- the detailed arrangement and selection 
criteria for the various types of project 
described in the Annex (Actions 1, 2, 3, 4 
and 6); 
the procedures for monitoring and 
evaluating the programme; 
readjustment 
therefrom. measures resulting 
The Committee shall deliver its opinion on. 
the draft measures referred to in the first 
subparagraph within a time limit which the 4. The representative of the Commission 
shall submit to the Committee the draft of the 
measures to be taken. The Committee shall 
Chairman may lay down according to the 
urgency of the matter. The opinion shall be 
delivered by the majority laid down in 
Article 148(2) of the Treaty in the case of 
decisions which the Council is required to 
adopt on a proposal from the Commission. 
The votes of the representatives of the 
Member States shall be weighted in the 
manner set out in that Article. The chairman 
shall note vote. deliver its opinion on the draft within a time 
limit which the Chairman may lay down 
according to the urgency of the matter.The 
opinion shall be delivered by the majority 
laid down in Article 148(2) of the Treaty in 
the case of decisions which the Council is 
required to adopt on a proposal from the 
Commission. The votes of the 
representatives of the Member States shall be 
weighted in the manner set out in that 
Article. The chairman shall note vote. 
The Commission shall adopt measures which 
shall apply immediately. However, if these 
measures are not in accordance with the 
opinion of the Committee, they shall be 
communicated by the Commission to the 
Council forthwith. The Commission shall adopt measures which 
shall apply immediately. However, if these 
measures are not in accordance with the 
opinion of the Committee, they" shall be 
communicated by the Commission to the 
Council forthwith. 
In that event: In that event: 
(a) the Commission may defer application of 
the measures which it has decided for a 
period of two months from the date of such 
communication; (a) the Commission may defer application of 
the measures which it has decided for a 
period of one month from the date of such 
communication; 
(b) the Council, acting by a qualified 
majority, may take a different decision within 
the time limit referred to in (a). 
fL The Commission 
Committee may consult the 
v^imimu^ on any other matter 
concerning the implementation of this 
programme not covered bv paragraph 3. (b) the Council, acting by a qualified 
majority, may take a different decision within 
the time limit referred to in (a). 
5. Decisions granting Community financial 
assistance to projects for which the assistance 
exceeds ECU 10.000 shall be adopted in 
accordance with the procedure set out in 
paragraph 6: 
The representative of the Commission shall, 
submit to the Committee a draft of the 
measures to be taken. 6. The representative of the Commission 
shall submit to the Committee a draft of the 
measures to be taken. 
The Committee shall deliver its opinion on 
this draft within a time limit which the 
Chairman may lay down according to the 
urgency of the matter, if necessary by taking 
a vote. The Committee shall deliver its opinion on 
this draft within a time limit which the 
Chairman may lay down according to the 
urgency of the matter, if necessary by taking 
a vote. 
10 
The opinion shall be recorded in the minutes; 
each Member State shall have the right to ask 
to have its position recorded in the minutes. 
The Commission shall take the utmost 
account of the opinion delivered by the 
Committee. It shall inform the Committee of 
the manner in which its opinion has been 
taken into account. The opinion shall be recorded in the minutes; 
each Member State shall have the right to ask 
to have its position recorded in the minutes. 
The Commission shall take the utmost 
account of the opinion delivered by the 
Committee. It shall inform the Committee of 
the manner in which its opinion has been 
taken into account. 
7. At the request of the Commission, the 
Committee may examine any matter relating 
to the application of this decision. 
11 
Common Position of the Council Modified Text 
(Amendment 4) 
Article 8, first paragraph 
One year after this programme has been in 
operation, and within the six months 
following that period, the Commission, after 
having consulted the Committee, shall present 
to the European Parliament and the Council 
a detailed assessment report on the results 
achieved, accompanied, where necessary, by 
appropriate proposals, including proposals for 
the continuation of the programme and the 
relevant arrangements so as to enable to 
European Parliament and the Council to take 
a decision before the end of the period 
covered by the programme. This report will 
highlight the added value created, particularly 
of a cultural nature and the socio-economic 
consequences brought about by the financial 
support granted by the Community. The 
report is intended to assess, both qualitatively 
and quantitatively, the extent to which the 
programme has achieved the objectives 
referred to in Article 2. One year after this programme has been in 
operation, and within the six months 
following that period, the Commission, after 
having consulted the Committee, shall present 
to the European Parliament and the Council 
a detailed assessment report on the results 
achieved, accompanied, where necessary, by 
appropriate proposals, including proposals for 
the continuation of the programme and the 
relevant arrangements so as to enable to 
European Parliament and the Council to take 
a decision before the end of the period 
covered by the programme. This report will 
highlight the added value created, particularly 
of a cultural nature including reference to the 
impact on the dissemination of literature in 
the less-widely used languages and the socio­
economic consequences brought about by the 
financial support granted by the Community. 
The report is intended to assess, both 
qualitatively and quantitatively, the extent to 
which the programme has achieved the 
objectives referred to in Article 2. 
12 
Common Position of the Council Modified Text 
(Amendment 5) 
Action 1, paragraph lb (ii) 
Works written in one of the less widely used 
languages of the European Union may 
nevertheless be eligible for a translation grant 
when they have already been translated and 
published in a European Union language 
(other than the original language), or when, 
although they have not vet been translated 
and published in a European Union language, 
they are simultaneously proposed for 
translation into at least two European Union 
languages. Grants are intended to support 
translation into another European language. 
These provisions also apply to works: In order to give priority to the less widely-
used languages of the European Union works 
written in these languages may nevertheless 
be eligible for a translation grant without 
having been previously translated into other 
Community languages. Grants are intended 
to support translation into another European 
language. These provisions also- apply to 
works: 
13 
Common Position of the Council Modified Text 
(Amendment 6) 
Annex, Action 1, Point 1, paragraph ba (new) 
Priority should be given to applications from 
small independent publishing companies 
14 
Common Position of the Council Modified Text 
(Amendment 7) 
Action 1 - final paragraph 
The resources to be committed to this Action The resources to be committed to this Action 
will amount to 50% of the overall budget will amount to 50% of the overall budget 
allocated-to this programme. The exact allocated to this programme. 
breakdown between the six Actions making 
up this programme will be determined in 
accordance with the procedure laid down in 
Article 5(3). 
15 
Common Position of the Council Modified Text 
(Amendment 8) 
Annex, Action 2, third paragraph, indent 
the mutual knowledge of, and access to, 
the literature or history of the European 
peoples; 
the development of partnership initiatives 
which aim to facilitate access to data 
relevant to the dissemination of books to 
their promotion, to their translation and 
to access by the citizen to reading; 
the exchange of experience and know-
how on themes of common interest 
between professionals at European level. (a) the mutual knowledge of, and access 
to, the literature or history of the 
European people; 
(b) the development of partnership 
initiatives which aim to facilitate, 
access to data relevant to the 
dissemination of . books, for 
example, by creating a database 
containing the details of books 
available on the market, of 
publishing houses and their 
specialist fields, with a view to 
supporting the co-production and 
co-publication of European works. 
the promotion of books. 
their translation, including the 
possible setting up of a semantics 
database (listing semantic 
difficulties and peculiarities) to 
help technical and literary 
translators. 
fcÛ access by the citizen to reading; 
the exchange of experience and know-
how on themes of common interest 
between professionals at European 
level. 
16 


ISSN 0254-1475 
COM(96) 637 final 
DOCUMENTS 
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