COMMISSION OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES 
Brussels, 30.03.1998 
COM(1998) 201 final 
96/0318 (COD) 
OPINION OF THE COMMISSION 
pursuant to Article 189 b (2) (d) of the EC Treaty, 
on the European Parliament's amendments 
to the Council's common position regarding the 
proposal for a 
EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND COUNCIL DECISION 
establishing the Community action programme 
"European voluntary service for young people" 
AMENDING THE PROPOSAL OF THE COMMISSION 
pursuant to Article 189 a (2) of the EC Treaty 

EXPLANATORY MEMORANDUM 
Article 189b (2d) of the EC Treaty states that the Commission shall deliver an opinion on 
amendments proposed by the European Parliament at second reading. 
The Commission hereby sets out its opinion on the 10 amendments proposed by the European 
Parliament It also attaches, pursuant to Article 189a (2) of the EC Treaty, an amended 
proposal incorporating the two EP amendments which it has accepted. 
1. Background 
a) On 23 December 1996, the Commission forwarded to the Council and the European 
Parliament its proposal for a Decision (COM(96) 610 final - COD 96/0318). 
b) On 19 March 1997, the Economic and Social Committee delivered a favourable 
opinion. 
c) On 12 June 1997, the Committee of the Regions delivered a favourable opinion. 
d) On 12 June 1997, the European Parliament adopted, at first reading, a favourable 
resolution containing 40 amendments to the Commission proposal. 
e) On 23 July 1997, the Commission adopted, in accordance with Article 189a (2) of the 
EC Treaty, an amended proposal for a Decision containing in full or in part 18 of the 40 
amendments put forward by the European Parliament (COM(97) 347 final - COD-
96/0318). 
f) On 16 December 1997, the Council adopted its common position. 
g) On 12 March 1998, the European Parliament voted at second reading to adopt a 
favourable resolution including 10 amendments to the common position. 
2. Aim of the proposal for a Decision 
Based on Article 126 of the Treaty, the programme forms part of the framework of objectives 
for a policy of cooperation in the field of youth. 
Its main objective is to help with the integration of young people into active life by means of 
socially useful transnational activities within the Community and in non-member countries. 
European voluntary service (EVS) offers young people residing in the European Community 
(aged 18-25) a recognised formative experience, at transnational level, involving both the 
acquisition of skills and abilities and the demonstration of responsible citizenship. 
OPINION OF THE COMMISSION ON THE AMENDMENTS BY THE EUROPEAN 
PARLIAMENT 
After examining the amendments proposed by the European Parliament at second reading, the 
Commission is able to support those which: 
- are in line with its initial proposal, or 
- provide useful clarification of the text 
1. Amendments accepted by the Commission 
The Commission is able to accept amendments Nos 1 and 6, and has incorporated them into 
its new amended proposal so that they may be re-examined by the Council. 
Amendment No 1 (13th recital) concerns the removal of obstacles to the mobility of young 
volunteers. The Commission is able to accept the principles behind this amendment using the 
following wording: "Whereas appropriate measures, particularly with regard to social protection 
and tax systems adopted by the Member States, would help facilitate access by young people 
to national infrastructures within the framework of voluntary service". The aim is to take 
account of the competence of the Member States in this matter. 
Amendment No 6 (Article 9,(1)) concerns the composition of the Committee. The Commission, 
in keeping with the Comitology text is able to accept the amendment by means of the following 
alterations to the wording: replacement of "In the execution of this task" by "In the 
implementation of this programme" for the purposes of coherence of the text; replacement of 
"composed of one representative of each Member State" by "composed of representatives of 
the Member States". 
2. Amendments rejected by the Commission 
Amendments Nos 2,3,4,5,7,8,9 and 10 are rejected by the Commission. 
Amendment No 2 (recital 21) concerns compatibility between European voluntary service and 
existing national civilian services. The Commission recognises the importance of this aspect in 
the development of EVS, but cannot accept the amendment from the European Parliament 
which touches upon questions related to the competence of the Member States. 
Amendment No 3 (Article 3 (1)) concerns the budget for the two years of the programme. The 
Commission maintains the budget put forward in its initial proposal (ECU 60 million). 
Amendment No 4 (Article 7 (1)): the first part of the amendment relates to informing and 
raising the awareness of volunteers with regard to their rights and obligations. This concern is 
covered by the text of the common position. The second part relates to compatibility with 
existing national civilian services: see amendment No 2. The text of the common position takes 
on board, in spirit, the European Parliament's amendments on this question. 
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Amendment No 5 (Article 7 (2)) relates to the removal of obstacles to the mobility of young 
volunteers. The amended text of recital No 13 (see amendment No 1) is more appropriate than 
the first part of the European Parliaments amendment in so far as the Commission insists on 
respecting the competence of the Member States in this matter. 
The second part asks the Commission to put forward proposals aimed at introducing a status 
for young volunteers and thereby calls into question the Commission's right of initiative. 
Amendments Nos 7, 8, 9,10 (Article 9 (2, 3, 3a)) relate to the Programme Committee and 
introduce elements of the Modus Vivendi. While respecting commitments made in the context 
of the Modus Vivendi, the Commission must keep exactly to the Comitology text 
CONCLUSIONS 
In conclusion, the Commission considers that the European Parliament's proposed 
amendments Nos 1 and 6 to the common position reinforce the text with regard to the removal 
of remaining obstacles and with regard to Comitology. 
The amended proposal incorporates these amendments. 
Amended proposal for a 
EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND COUNCIL DECISION 
establishing the Community Action Programme 
"European voluntary service for young people" 
(presented by the Commission in accordance with 
Article 189a (2) of the EC Treaty 
4c 
(11) Whereas it is necessary to create new 
opportunities for the transfer and 
application of experience and good practice 
and to promote new partnerships; 
(12) Whereas an independent ex-ante 
evaluation of a multi-annual programme of 
voluntary service has been carried out in 
accordance with the principles put in place 
by the Commission for the second phase of 
its SEM 2000 ("sound and efficient 
management") programme; 
(13) Whereas this Decision establishes a 
Community framework designed to 
contribute to the development of 
transnational voluntary service activities; 
(14) Whereas participation by young people 
in voluntary service activities constitutes a 
form of informal education, the quality of 
which will to a large extent be based on 
appropriate preparation activities including 
those of a linguistic and cultural nature, 
contributes to their future development and 
to broadening their horizons, promotes the 
development of their social skills, active 
citizenship and their balanced integration 
into society from an economic, social and 
cultural point of view and makes it possible 
to promote awareness of genuine European 
citizenship; (IS) Whereas appropriate measures, 
particularly with regard to social 
protection and tax systems adopted by the 
Member States, would help facilitate 
access by young people to national 
infrastructures within the framework of 
voluntary service: 
-5-
2. Each Member State shall endeavour, as 
far as possible, to adopt such measures as it 
deems necessary and desirable to ensure the 
proper functioning of the programme, in 
particular as far as the mobility of young 
volunteers is concerned. 
Article 8 
Attestation 
A document, drawn up by the Commission 
in accordance with the procedure laid down 
in Article 9(2) and (3), shall attest to the 
participation of young volunteers in 
European Voluntary Service and to the 
experience and skills that they have 
acquired during the relevant period. 
Article 9 
Committee 
1. In the implementation of this programme, 
the Commission shall be assisted by a 
committee composed of two 
representatives of each Member State and 
chaired by the representative of the 
Commission. 
2. The representative of the Commission 
shall submit to the committee a draft of the 
measures to be taken in respect of: 
- the committee's rules of procedure; 
- the implementing provisions; 
- the annual plan of work for the 
implementation of the measures in the 
programme; 
- the general balance between the various 
sections of the programme; 1. In the implementation of this 
programme, the Commission shall be 
assisted by a committee composed of 
representatives of the Member States and 
chaired by the representative of the 
Commission. 
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ISSN 0254-1475 
COM(98) 201 final 
DOCUMENTS 
EN 16 06 04 01 
Catalogue number : CB-CO-98-215-EN-C 
ISBN 92-78-32930-4 
Office for Official Publications of ths European Communities 
L-2985 Luxembourg 
T-