B4-0459, 0461, 0462 and 0465/97

Resolution on tourism

The European Parliament,

- having regard to its resolutions of 17 May 1995 on the functioning of the Treaty on European Union with a view to the 1996 Intergovernmental Conference - Implementation and development of the Union ((OJ C 151, 19.6.1995, p. 56.)) and 13 March 1996 embodying (i) Parliament's opinion on the convening of the Intergovernmental Conference, and (ii) an evaluation of the work of the Reflection Group and a definition of the political priorities of the European Parliament with a view to the Intergovernmental Conference ((OJ C 96, 1.4.1996, p. 77.)),

- having regard to its opinion of 25 October 1996 on the proposal for a Council Decision on a first multiannual programme to assist European tourism - Philoxenia (1997-2000) ((OJ C 347, 18.11.1996, p. 430.)),

- having regard to the amended Commission proposal (COM(96) 0635) ((OJ C 13, 14.1.1997, p. 11.)),

- having regard to its final adoption of the European Union's 1997 budget ((OJ L 44, 14.2.1997.)),

- having regard to its resolution of 16 January 1997 on the general outline for a draft revision of the Treaties ((OJ C 33, 3.2.1997, p. 66.)),

A. having regard to the importance of a European policy on tourism in the context of the internal market,

B. whereas the current Dutch presidency has not yet included in its submissions to the Intergovernmental Conference Parliament's recommendations contained in its resolution of 16 January 1997 referred to above that tourism in its European dimension should form an independent common policy in the revised Treaty,

C. whereas the proposal for a first multiannual programme to assist European tourism - Philoxenia (1997-2000) can undoubtedly contribute to growth and employment by helping to improve the quality and industrial competitiveness of this sector,

D. whereas refusing to adopt the Philoxenia programme make no sense in either political or socio-economic terms, especially when the European Union's 1997 budget has allocated ECU 4 m in commitment appropriations and ECU 4.75 m in payment appropriations to budget line B5-325 (Community tourism policy),

1. Reiterates the view it expressed in its resolution of 16 January 1997 that tourism, in its European dimension, should form an independent and well differentiated common policy with a legal basis and a chapter of its own in the revised Treaty, and regrets that, so far, this viewpoint has not been put forward in the negotiations among the Member States to revise the Treaty;

2. Calls therefore in the light of its resolutions of 17 May 1995 and 13 March 1996 referred to above on the current Dutch Presidency to submit immediately to the Intergovernmental Conference a proposal to that effect;

3. Calls on the Commission to make further amendments to its proposal for the Philoxenia programme giving serious consideration to Parliament's amendments in its opinion on that proposal and to submit the revised proposal to the Council;

4. Calls therefore on the Council to adopt without further delay the Commission proposal as modified by Parliament's amendments;

5. Urges the Commission to avoid transferring funding under the 1997 budget from budget line B5-325, which must be fully utilized in order to finance the Philoxenia programme and formulate a policy on tourism at European level;

6. Calls on the Commission, given the potential of the tourism industry to create jobs and generate economic activity, to coordinate DG XXIII activities at all levels in the Commission's decision-making process in order to provide both greater transparency and external visibility;

7. Regrets that the current Dutch Presidency of the Council has not convened a tourism Council and calls on the Luxembourg Presidency to work together with the Commission to organize such a Council;

8. Instructs its President to forward this resolution to the Council, the Commission, the Economic and Social Committee, the Committee of the Regions and the governments and parliaments of the Member States.