A4-0081/98

Proposal for a Council Regulation on assistance to the applicant countries in central and eastern Europe in the framework of the pre-accession strategy (COM(97)0634 - C4-0010/98 - 97/0351(CNS))

The proposal was approved with the following amendments:

(Amendment 1)

Recital 3a (new)

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Whereas the European Parliament delivered its opinion on the Commission's communication Agenda 2000 in its resolutions of 4 December 1997(1),

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(1) OJ C 388, 22.12.1997.

(Amendment 2)

Recital 3b (new)

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Whereas the Heads of State and Government meeting in the European Council in Luxembourg on 12 and 13 December 1997 set the timetable for work on the establishment of the system of partnerships and decided on the principles, priorities, significant intermediate objectives, and conditions applicable to each individual partnership;

(Amendment 3)

Article 1

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The aid described in Regulation (EEC) No 3906/89, and any other Community assistance granted in line with the pre-accession strategy for countries applying to accede to the European Union, shall be provided as part of an Accession Partnership within a single framework, covering:

>Text following EP vote>

The aid described in Regulation (EEC) No 3906/89, and any other Community assistance granted in line with the pre-accession strategy for countries applying to accede to the European Union, shall be provided as part of an Accession Partnership within a single framework, covering:

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- the priorities, as defined in the analysis of the situation in each country, on which preparations for accession must concentrate in the light of the political and economic obligations incumbent upon a Member State;

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the priorities, as defined in the analysis of the situation in each country, on which preparations for accession must concentrate;

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- the financial resources for helping each applicant to implement the priorities identified during the pre-accession period.

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- the political criteria, on which continued progress is essential for the continuation of the accession process;

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the economic obligations incumbent upon a Member State;

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- the obligations as to the adoption of the acquis communautaire, specifically as to its social and environmental aspects;

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the financial resources for helping each applicant to implement the priorities identified during the pre-accession period and aiming to support a balanced and sustainable development.

(Amendment 4)

Article 2

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Acting on a proposal by the Commission, the Council shall decide by qualified majority, before 15 March 1998, what principles, priorities and general conditions, as disclosed by the Commission's opinions on applications for accession, are to govern each Accession Partnership.

>Text following EP vote>

Acting on a proposal by the Commission

and after consulting the European Parliament, the Council shall decide by qualified majority, before 15 March 1998, what principles, priorities and general conditions, as disclosed by the Commission's opinions on applications for accession, are to govern each Accession Partnership, with the proviso that European Union aid shall be subject to the condition that applicant countries comply with their obligations pursuant to the Europe Agreements.

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The Commission shall keep the European Parliament regularly informed about the implementation of each individual accession partnership.

(Amendment 5)

Article 3, 1st paragraph

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Under the pre-accession strategy the Community shall provide the kind of assistance that is provided for in the programmes adopted in accordance with the Treaty, and in particular Regulation (EEC) No 3906/89.

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Under the pre-accession strategy the Community shall provide the kind of assistance that is provided for in the programmes adopted in accordance with the Treaty and Regulation (EEC) No 3906/89.

(Compromise amendment 8)

Article 4

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Any adjustments to the Accession Partnerships shall be made in accordance with the procedures set out in Articles 2 and/or 3.

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Any adjustments to the Accession Partnerships shall be made

by a decision of the Council, acting by qualified majority on a proposal by the Commission and after consulting the European Parliament, which will deliver its opinion within a maximum of six weeks, and in accordance with the procedures set out in Article 3.

(Amendments 7 and 6)

Article 5

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Where a component essential to the continuance of pre-accession assistance is missing, where the principles of democracy, the rule of law, respect for human rights or the protection of minorities are violated, the Council, acting by qualified majority on a proposal from the Commission, may take appropriate steps with regard to any pre-accession assistance granted to an applicant country.

>Text following EP vote>

Where a component essential to the continuance of pre-accession assistance is missing, where the principles of democracy, the rule of law, respect for human rights or the protection of minorities are violated, the Council, acting by qualified majority on a proposal from the Commission

and after obtaining the opinion of the European Parliament, to be delivered within not more than six weeks, may take appropriate steps, including measures of a financial, economic and budgetary control nature, with regard to any pre-accession assistance granted to an applicant country.

Legislative resolution embodying Parliament's opinion on the proposal for a Council Regulation on assistance to the applicant countries in central and eastern Europe in the framework of the pre-accession strategy (COM(97)0634 - C4-0010/98 - 97/0351(CNS) )(Consultation procedure)

The European Parliament,

- having regard to the Commission proposal to the Council, COM(97)0634 - 97/0351(CNS) ((OJ C 48, 13.2.1998, p. 18.)),

- having been consulted by the Council pursuant to Article 235 of the EC Treaty and Article 203 of the Euratom Treaty (C4-0010/98),

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

- having regard to the report of the Committee on Foreign Affairs, Security and Defence Policy and the opinion of the Committee on Budgets (A4-0081/98),

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. Calls on the Council to notify Parliament should it intend to depart from the text approved by Parliament;

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

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

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