A4-0323/98

Proposal for a Council Decision adopting a multiannual programme (1998-2002) of actions in the nuclear sector, relating to the safe transport of radioactive materials and to safeguards and industrial cooperation to promote certain aspects of the safety of nuclear installations in countries currently participating in the TACIS programme (SURE programme) (COM(98)0423 - C4-0488/98 - 98/0234(CNS))

The proposal was approved with the following amendments:

(Amendment 9)

Recital 2a (new)

>Original text>

>Text following EP vote>

Whereas in Spring 1998 values far in excess of the limit values for transports of nuclear material within and between Member States of the Community caused a considerable sensation; whereas although the problem of this sort of contamination has been known for many years to many experts, including members of the standing working party for the safe transport of radioactive substances in the European Union, the causes have been neither fully explained nor brought to an end;

(Amendment 1)

Recital 3a (new)

>Original text>

>Text following EP vote>

Whereas the establishment of an effective and reliable safeguards system and the compliance of nuclear equipment and installations with internationally recognised high safety standards are priority areas for the negotiations on enlargement of the European Union;

(Amendment 2)

Recital 5a (new)

>Original text>

>Text following EP vote>

Whereas it is important to improve public information in the areas covered by the programme and to inform the European Parliament and the Council regularly on the implementation of the programme;

(Amendment 3)

Article 3(1), indent 1a (new)

>Original text>

>Text following EP vote>

- help to raise safety standards by standardising requirements at a high level;

(Amendment 4)

Article 3(1), indent 2a (new)

>Original text>

>Text following EP vote>

- help to improve cooperation and the exchange of information between the monitoring authorities in the EU and in the countries participating in the programme;

(Amendment 5)

Article 3(1), indent 3a (new)

>Original text>

>Text following EP vote>

- propose a uniform, efficient system of obligations on the part of licence-holders to report to the monitoring authorities in the event of an incident;

(Amendment 6)

Article 3(3), indent 3

>Original text>

- facilitate the cooperation of partners from the European Community and countries participating in the TACIS programme in the development of joint industrial projects.

>Text following EP vote>

-

facilitate the cooperation of partners from the European Community and countries participating in the TACIS programme in the development of joint industrial projects and equivalent safety standards.

(Amendment 12)

Article 5(1)

>Original text>

1. The Commission shall be responsible for the financial execution and implementation of the SURE programme.

>Text following EP vote>

1.

The Commission shall be responsible for the financial execution and implementation of the SURE programme; it shall keep the European Parliament informed at all times of its work.

(Amendment 7)

Article 5(2a) (new)

>Original text>

>Text following EP vote>

2a. The Commission shall draw up each year a draft programme of actions to be undertaken during the following year, which will be submitted to the Committee referred to in paragraph 2. The Commission shall regularly inform the European Parliament and the Council on the implementation of the programme.

Legislative resolution embodying Parliament's opinion on the proposal for a Council Decision adopting a multiannual programme (1998-2002) of actions in the nuclear sector, relating to the safe transport of radioactive materials and to safeguards and industrial cooperation to promote certain aspects of the safety of nuclear installations in countries currently participating in the TACIS programme (SURE programme) (COM(98)0423 - C4-0488/98 - 98/0234(CNS))(Consultation procedure)

The European Parliament,

- having regard to the Commission proposal to the Council, COM(98)0423 - 98/0234(CNS) ((OJ C 261, 19.8.1998, p.8.)),

- having been consulted by the Council pursuant to Article 203 of the EAEC Treaty (C4-0488/98),

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

- having regard to its resolution of 20 September 1996 on East-West cooperation in energy and nuclear security ((OJ C 320, 28.10.1996, p. 245.)), in which Parliament called for effective Community actions in the field of nuclear safety,

- having regard to its resolution of 14 November 1996 on the White Paper on 'An energy policy for the European Union¨ ((OJ C 362, 2.12.1996, p. 279.)), in which Parliament confirmed its support for cooperation between the Union and the Central and Eastern European countries in the field of nuclear safety,

- having regard to its resolution of 18 December 1997 on the Commission Communication on an 'Overall view of energy policy and actions¨ ((OJ C 14, 19.1.1998, p. 178.)) in which Parliament reiterated its support for the drawing up of an energy framework programme,

- having regard to the report of the Committee on Research, Technological Development and Energy (A4-0323/98),

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

2. Calls on the Commission to alter its proposal accordingly, pursuant to Article 119(2) of the EAEC 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 the Commission.

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