A4-0318/98

Proposal for a Council Decision amending Decision 97/256/EC so as to extend the Community guarantee granted to the European Investment Bank to cover loans for projects in Bosnia and Herzegovina (COM(98)0315 - C4-0358/98 - 98/0175 (CNS))

The proposal was approved with the following amendments:

(Amendment 1)

ARTICLE 1(3)

Article 1a (3) (Decision 97/256/EC)

>Original text>

3. EIB lending in Bosnia and Herzegovina shall be consistent with the policy of the Community in this country. The Bank shall operate within the framework of the reconstruction programme agreed at the various donors' conferences and shall finance projects of mutual interest in general infrastructure, including transport, energy and the environment, with the focus on the water, waste-water and sanitation projects designed to speed up the reconstruction process.

>Text following EP vote>

3.

EIB lending in Bosnia and Herzegovina shall be consistent with the policy of the Community in this country. The Bank shall operate within the framework of the reconstruction programme agreed at the various donors' conferences and according to the Council's and the European Parliament's priorities and shall finance projects aiming at achieving the five main objectives of the 1998 reconstruction programme: a) the implementation of policy reforms; b) Community support to facilitate the reintegration of refugees and displaced persons; c) employment recovery and private sector development; d) the rehabilitation of the education and health systems; and e) the improvement of infrastructure networks throughout the country, including transport, energy and the environment, with the focus on the water, waste-water and sanitation projects designed to speed up the reconstruction process.

(Amendment 2)

ARTICLE 1(3)

Article 1a (7) (Decision 97/256/EC)

>Original text>

7. The Commission and the EIB shall cooperate whenever appropriate with all international financial institutions active in fields similar to its own in Bosnia and Herzegovina.

>Text following EP vote>

7.

The Commission and the EIB shall cooperate whenever appropriate with all international financial institutions active in fields similar to its own in Bosnia and Herzegovina and shall ensure the visibility of projects sponsored by the Union.

(Amendment 3)

ARTICLE 1(4)

Article 2, new paragraph (Decision 97/256/EC)

>Original text>

The Commission shall submit to the Council and the Parliament, at the latest by the end of 1999, a report on the implementation of this Decision. This report shall in particular take into account the evolution of the economic and financial situation in Bosnia and Herzegovina and the commitment level of EIB loans and shall make appropriate recommendations. To this end, the EIB shall transmit to the Commission the appropriate information.

>Text following EP vote>

The Commission shall submit to the Council and the Parliament, at the latest by the end of 1999,

an evaluation report on the implementation of this Decision, to include a measure of its impact, an analysis of operational strengths and weaknesses and a new strategy. This report shall in particular take into account the evolution of the economic and financial situation in Bosnia and Herzegovina and the commitment level of EIB loans and shall make appropriate recommendations. To this end, the EIB shall transmit to the Commission the appropriate information.

Legislative resolution embodying Parliament's opinion on the Commission proposal for a Council Decision amending Decision 97/256/EC so as to extend the Community guarantee granted to the European Investment Bank to cover loans for projects in Bosnia and Herzegovina (COM(98)0315 - C4-0358/98 - 98/0175 (CNS)) (Consultation procedure)

The European Parliament,

- having regard to the Commission proposal to the Council COM(98)0315 - 98/0175 (CNS) ((OJ C 192, 19.6.1998, p. 12.)),

- having been consulted by the Council pursuant to Article 235 of the EC Treaty (C4-0358/98),

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

- having regard to the report of the Committee on Budgets and the opinions of the Committee on External Economic Relations and the Committee on Budgetary Control (A4-0318/98),

1. Approves the Commission proposal, subject to Parliament's amendments;

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

3. Calls for the conciliation procedure to be opened should the Council intend to depart from the text approved by Parliament;

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