A4-0077/98

Decision on the common position adopted by the Council with a view to adopting a European Parliament and Council Decision establishing the Community action programme 'European Voluntary Service for Young People' (C4-0007/98 - 96/0318(COD))(Codecision procedure: second reading)

The European Parliament,

- having regard to the common position of the Council, C4-0007/98 - 96/0318(COD),

- having regard to its opinion at first reading ((OJ C 200, 30.6.1997, p.183.)) on the Commission proposal to Parliament and the Council (COM(96)0610 ((OJ C 302, 3.10.1997, p.6.)),

- having regard to the amended Commission proposal COM(97)0347 ((OJ C 320, 21.10.1997, p.7.)),

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

- having regard to Rule 72 of its Rules of Procedure,

- having regard to the recommendation for second reading of the Committee on Culture, Youth, Education and the Media (A4-0077/98),

1. Amends the common position as follows;

2. Calls on the Commission to support Parliament's amendments in the opinion it is required to deliver pursuant to Article 189b(2)(d) of the EC Treaty;

3. Calls on the Council to approve all Parliament's amendments, amend its common position accordingly and definitively adopt the act;

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

(Amendment 1)

Recital 13

>Original text>

(13) Whereas this Decision establishes a Community framework designed to contribute to the development of transnational voluntary service activities;

>Text following EP vote>

(13)

Whereas serious legal obstacles impede the transnational mobility of young people; whereas those obstacles must be eliminated by means of cooperation between all the Member States with a view to the definition of a common statute for young volunteers working in the European civilian service and which provides in particular for the coordination of the social security and tax schemes applicable to the allowances and expenses that such young people receive during the period of their service for their travel, accommodation and subsistence;

(Amendment 2)

Recital 21

>Original text>

(21) Whereas European voluntary service activities are not a substitute for military service, for the alternative service formulae provided in particular for conscientious objectors or for the compulsory civilian service existing in several Member States, and should not restrict or be a substitute for potential or existing paid employment;

>Text following EP vote>

(21)

Whereas European voluntary service activities are not a substitute for military service, for the alternative service formulae provided in particular for conscientious objectors or for the compulsory civilian service existing in several Member States, and must not restrict potential or existing paid employment; whereas they must, nevertheless, be made compatible with national civilian services so that, if the Member States so wish, they can be progressively integrated into such services (thus conferring upon them a new transnational dimension) and be given the opportunity of using their material and organizational structures; whereas with that aim in view, agreements could be concluded linking European voluntary service and national civilian services;

(Amendment 3)

Article 3(1)

>Original text>

1. The financial framework for the implementation of this programme for the period 1998-1999 is hereby set at ECU 35 million, in keeping with the current financial perspective.

>Text following EP vote>

1.

The financial framework for the implementation of this programme for the period 1998-1999 is hereby set at ECU 80 million, in keeping with the current financial perspective.

(Amendment 4)

Article 7(1)

>Original text>

1. The Commission and the Member States shall take such measures as they deem appropriate to develop the structures set up at Community and national level for achieving the objectives of the programme, for making the programme more accessible to young people and other partners at local level, for evaluating and monitoring the measures provided for in the programme and for applying consultation and selection mechanisms. In that context, the Commission and the Member States shall take steps to foster the provision of appropriate information and volunteers' awareness of their rights and obligations at European, national and local level, and shall endeavour to make an active contribution to ensuring complementarity between transnational activities and national voluntary activities.

>Text following EP vote>

1.

The Commission and the Member States shall take such measures as they deem appropriate to develop the structures set up at Community and national level for achieving the objectives of the programme, for making the programme more accessible to young people and other partners at local level, for evaluating and monitoring the measures provided for in the programme and for applying consultation and selection mechanisms. In that context, the Commission and the Member States shall ensure that appropriate information is provided at European, national and local level and volunteers are made aware of their rights and obligations, and shall endeavour to make an active contribution to ensuring complementarity between transnational activities and national voluntary activities.

>Original text>

>Text following EP vote>

The Member States shall take all the measures required to ensure coordination between the European voluntary service and existing civilian services at national level by facilitating the access of young European volunteers to national infrastructures and by contributing actively to the requisite synergy between transnational activities and national voluntary schemes.

(Amendment 5)

Article 7(2)

>Original text>

2. Each Member State shall endeavour, as far as possible, to adopt such measures as it deems necessary and desirable to ensure the proper functioning of the programme, in particular as far as the mobility of young volunteers is concerned.

>Text following EP vote>

2.

Each Member State shall endeavour to adopt the measures necessary to ensure that the young people participating in the programme do not encounter obstacles, especially as regards the right of residence in the host Member State for the period of the voluntary service, and the maintenance of their entitlements, in particular those linked to their social protection, and tax exemption in respect of expenses and allowances received by young volunteers for their travel, accommodation and subsistence for the duration of their service and in the absence of remuneration proper for their work.

>Original text>

>Text following EP vote>

The Commission shall submit proposals with a view to introducing a European statute for young volunteers which will provide a specific legal framework recognized both in the countries of origin and in the host countries, so as to ensure that volunteers enjoy the same mobility as other EU citizens.

(Amendment 6)

Article 9(1)

>Original text>

1. In the implementation of this programme, the Commission shall be assisted by a committee composed of two representatives of each Member State and chaired by the representative of the Commission.

>Text following EP vote>

1.

In the implementation of this programme, the Commission shall be assisted by a committee composed of one representative of each Member State and chaired by the representative of the Commission.

(Amendment 7)

Article 9(2), 3rd subparagraph, introduction

>Original text>

The Commission shall adopt measures which 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:

>Text following EP vote>

The Commission shall adopt measures which 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

and Parliament forthwith. In that event, provided that these measures are consistent with respect for the joint legislative powers of Parliament and the Council as regards the Decision proper and its annexes, which were the subject of codecision:

(Amendment 8)

Article 9(2), 3rd subparagraph, 2nd indent

>Original text>

- the Council, acting by a qualified majority, may take a different decision within the time-limit referred to in the previous indent.

>Text following EP vote>

-

the Council, acting by a qualified majority, may take a different decision within the time-limit referred to in the previous indent, and Parliament shall be informed thereof by the Commission.

(Amendment 9)

Article 9(3), 1st subparagraph

>Original text>

3. The Commission may consult the Committee on any other matters relating to the implementation of this programme.

>Text following EP vote>

3.

The Commission may, in addition, consult the Committee on any other matters relating to the implementation of this programme, with the exception of financial provisions as referred to in Article 3.

(Amendment 10)

Article 9(3a) (new)

>Original text>

>Text following EP vote>

3a. The Commission shall keep Parliament informed of the work of the committee and shall make available to it in good time annotated agendas for all meetings of the management and regulatory committees. It shall notify Parliament of the result of the opinions delivered by the committee. It shall require of all members of the committee other than civil servants that they sign a declaration at the time of their appointment stating that there is no conflict between their membership of the committee in question and their personal interests.