COMMISSION OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES 
Brussels, 27.09.1995 
COM(95)44(> final COIMW 
Amended proposal for a 
EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND COUNCIL DECISION 
on a series of guidelines for 
trans-European data communications networks between administrations 
(presented by the Commission pursuant to Article 189 a (2) 
of the EC-Treaty) 

EXPLANATORY MEMORANDUM 
In response to the opinion adopted by the European Parliament on 17 November 19941 on 
the proposal for a European Parliament and Council Decision on a series of guidelines for 
trans-European data communications networks between administrations,2 and in 
accordance with Article 189a(2) of the EU Treaty, the Commission has decided to amend 
the abovementioned proposal. 
1. BACKGROUND 
1.1 On 12 March 1993 the Commission submitted to Parliament and the Council a 
communication on trans-European data communications networks between 
administrations (COM(93)69 final) which contained two proposals for Council 
Decisions based on Article 235 of the EC Treaty: 
- one on a series of guidelines for trans-European data communications 
networks between administrations; and 
- the other adopting a multiannual Community programme to support the 
implementation of trans-European networks for the interchange of data 
between administrations (IDA). 
1.2 On 30 June 1993 the Economic and Social Committee endorsed them. 
1.3 Following the entry into force of the Treaty on European Union on 
1 November 1993 the proposal for a Decision on a series of guidelines for 
trans-European data communications networks between administrations is now 
based on the third paragraph of Article 129d and is subject to the cooperation 
procedure (Article 189b(2) of the EU Treaty).3 
1.4 On 17 May 1994 the Committee of the Regions endorsed the proposals.4 
1.5 On 17 November 1994 the European Parliament adopted a Resolution endorsing 
the proposal on first reading and containing three amendments to the Commission 
proposal. 
OJC 341, 5.12.1994, p. 121. 
OJC 105, 16.4.1993, p. 10. 
Doc. COM(93)570, 10.11.1993. 
OJC 217, 6.8.1994,p. 32. 
2. OBJECTIVES OF THE DECISION 
The objective of the trans-European data communications networks between 
administrations is to contribute to the efficient management of a Community area without 
frontiers by means of the joint use of data communications networks. The proposal for a 
Decision on a series of guidelines on trans-European data communications networks 
between administrations aims at defining. 
the priorities and broad lines of action for attainment of the stated objective; 
the projects of common interest to be carried out. 
COMMISSION OPINION ON THE EP AMENDMENTS 
After examination of the three amendments proposed by the European Parliament on first 
reading, the Commission supports them for the following reasons: 
1. Amendment No 1 adds a reference to the need to develop data communications 
networks between Parliaments. This is compatible with one of the priorities set, 
namely to further the adaptation of the Community decision-making process and 
to help to attain the objective of IDA, namely to improve data interchange 
between the Community institutions and the Member States and between the 
Member States themselves. 
2. Amendment No 2 aims at including data interchange with the countries of Central 
and Eastern Europe. This is particularly desirable in the context of the cooperation 
initiated with these countries and the developments expected in connection with 
the information society. 
3. Amendment No 3 adds a reference to the codecision procedure (Articles 129c(l) 
and 129d) and fits in with the change of legal basis made by the November 1993 
Commission communication (COM(93)570). 
CONCLUSIONS 
In conclusion, the Commission considers that Parliament's three amendments to the 
proposal for a Council Decision add strength to the text and are perfectly compatible with 
the objectives of this proposal. 
These amendments have been included in the amended proposal. 
Amended proposal for a European Parliament and Council Decision on a series of 
guidelines for trans-European data communications networks between administrations 
Original text1 Amended text 
Recital 4a 
Whereas trans-European data 
communications networks between 
Parliaments also need to be rapidly 
developed: 
Fifth recital 
Whereas it is important, for the purposes 
of the internal market, to facilitate the 
movement of goods, services, persons 
and capital between the Community and 
non-Community countries, and more 
specifically the member countries of the 
European Free Trade Association; 
whereas this calls for interchange of 
information between the administrations 
in the countries concerned; whereas this 
in turn requires cooperation with these 
countries in order to promote data 
communications projects of common 
interest and ensure the interoperability of 
networks; Whereas it is important, for the purposes 
of the internal market, to facilitate the 
movement of goods, services, persons 
and capital between the Community and 
non-Community countries, and more 
specifically the member countries of the 
European Free Trade Association; 
whereas this calls for interchange of 
information between the administrations 
in the countries concerned; whereas such 
interchange of information is also highly 
desirable with the countries of Central 
and Eastern Europe: whereas this in turn 
requires cooperation with these countries 
in order to promote data communications 
projects of common interest and ensure 
the interoperability of networks; 
New Article 5a 
Any addition to or other modification of 
the priorities set out in Article 3. the 
broad lines of action in Article 4 and the 
projects of common interest in Article 5 
and Annex 1. shall be decided jointly by 
Parliament and Council on a proposal 
from the Commission. 
OJC 105, 16.4.1993, p. 10. 

ISSN 0254-1475 
COM(95) 446 final 
DOCUMENTS 
EN 15 
Catalogue number : CB-CO-95-486-EN-C 
ISBN 92-77-93782-3 
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