A4-0148/96

Proposal for a Council Decision on the adoption of a multiannual programme to promote the linguistic diversity of the Community in the information society (COM(95)0486 - C4-0152/96 - 95/0263(CNS))

The proposal was approved with the following amendments:

(Amendment 1)

Title

>Original text>

Proposal for a COUNCIL DECISION on the adoption of a multiannual programme to promote the linguistic diversity of the Community in the information society

>Text following EP vote>

Proposal for a EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND COUNCIL DECISION on the adoption of a multiannual programme to guarantee and promote the linguistic diversity of the Community in the information society

(Amendment 2)

Citation 1

>Original text>

Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Community, and in particular Article 130(3) thereof,

>Text following EP vote>

Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Community, and in particular Articles 128(1) and (2) and 130(3) thereof,

(Amendment 3)

Citation 1a (new)

>Text following EP vote>

Having regard to the European Parliament resolution of 11 February 1983 on measures in favour of minority languages and cultures1 and the Council of Europe's European Charter of Regional or Minority Languages signed on 5 November 1992,

1 OJ C 68, 14.3.1983, p. 103.

(Amendment 4)

Citation 1b (new)

>Text following EP vote>

Having regard to the European Parliament resolution of 11 December 1990 on languages in the Community and the situation of Catalan2,

2 OJ C 19, 28.1.1991, p. 42.

(Amendment 5)

Citation 1c (new)

>Text following EP vote>

Having regard to the European Parliament resolution of 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 definition of the political priorities of the European Parliament with a view to the Intergovernmental Conference1, in particular paragraphs 4.13 and 4.14 thereof,

1 OJ C 96, 1.4.1996, p. 77.

(Amendment 6)

Citation 4

>Original text>

Having regard to the opinion of the Economic and Social Committee,

>Text following EP vote>

Having regard to the opinion of the Committee of the Regions,

(Amendment 7)

Recital -1 (new)

>Text following EP vote>

Whereas maintaining and encouraging European linguistic diversity is an integral part of the conservation and safeguarding of cultural heritage within the meaning of Article 128 of the Treaty;

(Amendment 8)

Recital -1a (new)

>Text following EP vote>

Whereas in the information society cultural and social aspects hold as much importance as economic interests;

(Amendment 9)

Recital -1b (new)

>Text following EP vote>

Whereas efforts must be made to ensure that the development of the information society does not create a new discrimination between those who have access to it and those who are isolated from it for social, educational, linguistic, not to say geographical reasons;

(Amendment 10)

Recital -1c (new)

>Text following EP vote>

Whereas it is essential for providing citizens with democratic access to information that the latter should be available to them in their autochthonous European tongue;

(Amendment 11)

Recital -1d (new)

>Text following EP vote>

Whereas languages that remained excluded from the information society would be condemned to a more or less rapid process of marginalization, with the drastic cultural consequences such a process would entail;

(Amendment 12)

Recital -1e (new)

>Text following EP vote>

Whereas, rather than becoming the vector of a dual and reductive cultural model, the information society can become an extraordinary mechanism for realizing the full potential of the cultural and linguistic wealth and diversity of the Community, provided that all European languages are allowed to find their rightful place in it;

(Amendment 13)

Recital -1f (new)

>Text following EP vote>

Whereas the European Council meeting in Corfu on 24 and 25 June 1994 stressed the importance of the cultural and linguistic aspects of the information society; whereas following the example of the G-7 Conference of Ministers meeting in Brussels on 25 and 26 February 1995, the European Council meeting in Cannes on 26 and 27 June 1995 drew attention to the importance to the Community of its linguistic diversity;

(Amendment 14)

Recital 1

>Original text>

Whereas the advent of the information society provides industry with new prospects for communication and trade on European and world markets which are marked by a rich linguistic and cultural diversity;

>Text following EP vote>

Whereas the advent of the information society provides the language industry with new prospects for communication and trade on European markets;

(Amendment 15)

Recital 2

>Original text>

Whereas industry must work out specific and adequate solutions to overcome the linguistic barriers if it is to benefit fully from the advantages of the internal market and remain competitive on world markets;

>Text following EP vote>

Whereas all concerned players must work out specific and adequate solutions to overcome the linguistic barriers if they are to benefit fully from the advantages of the internal market and remain competitive on world markets;

(Amendment 16)

Recital 4

>Original text>

Whereas the European Council meeting in Corfu on 24 and 25 June 1994, stressed the importance of the cultural and linguistic aspects of the information society, and whereas the European Council meeting in Cannes on 26 and 17 June 1995, restated the importance to the Community of its linguistic diversity;

>Text following EP vote>

Deleted

(Amendment 17)

Recital 5

>Original text>

Whereas the emergence of the information society could afford citizens greater access to information and offer an outstanding opportunity to exploit the cultural and linguistic wealth and diversity of the Community;

>Text following EP vote>

Deleted

(Amendment 18)

Recital 5a (new)

>Text following EP vote>

Whereas certain non-official languages of the Union, which have a status recognized at regional level, are used as instruments of communication both for the transmission of technical information and in teaching and cultural activities;

(Amendment 19)

Recital 6

>Original text>

Whereas language policies are a matter for the Member States, taking account of Community law; whereas, however, promoting the development of modern language processing tools and their use is a field of activity in which Community action is justified in order to achieve substantial economies of scale by stimulating suitable cooperation between those involved in the various language areas; whereas the measures to be taken at Community level must be commensurate with the objectives to be attained and concern only those fields which are likely to produce an added value for the Community;

>Text following EP vote>

Whereas language policies are a matter for the Member States, taking account of Community law; whereas, however, the Community has its own powers as regards safeguarding its linguistic heritage; whereas, consequently, promoting the development of modern language processing tools and their use is a field of activity in which Community action is justified in order to achieve substantial economies of scale by stimulating suitable cooperation between those involved in the various language areas, because it is capable of producing an added value for the Community and contributing to the economic and social cohesion of the Union;

(Amendment 20)

Recital 6a (new)

>Text following EP vote>

Whereas it is necessary to protect and support the minority languages and ensure their survival in the multilingual information society;

(Amendment 21)

Recital 7

>Original text>

Whereas it is in the interests of the Community to support efforts to set up an infrastructure encouraging the creation and exploitation of the language resources required to improve language services and tools and give a boost to R& D work;

>Text following EP vote>

Whereas, furthermore, it is both a duty of and in the interests of the Community to support efforts to set up an infrastructure encouraging the creation and exploitation of the language resources required to improve language services and tools and give a boost to R& D work;

(Amendment 22)

Recital 8

>Original text>

Whereas the Community should also mobilize the language industries and help create an environment which is conducive to their expansion;

>Text following EP vote>

Whereas actions undertaken on the basis of action lines 1 and 2 of this programme should help to create a favourable environment for strengthening the language industries;

(Amendment 23)

Recital 8a (new)

>Text following EP vote>

Whereas the private sector in this field consists mainly of SMEs, which face considerable difficulties in addressing different language markets and must thus be supported, especially when considering their role as a source of employment;

(Amendment 24)

Recital 10

>Original text>

Whereas it is useful for the Community institutions and the administrations concerned in the Member States to collaborate more closely in order to reduce the cost of developing and using the language tools required to carry out their tasks;

>Text following EP vote>

Whereas it is useful for the Community institutions and the administrations concerned in the Member States to collaborate more closely in order to reduce the cost of developing and using the language tools required to carry out their tasks, making full use of the facilities of this programme and of the Community's IDA programme of information exchange between administrations;

(Amendment 25)

Recital 10a (new)

>Text following EP vote>

Whereas the Member States could envisage using the Structural Funds to help protect and develop their linguistic heritage;

(Amendment 26)

Recital 11

>Original text>

Whereas the actions to be carried out in implementing this programme should be coordinated closely with initiatives implemented under other Community programmes with a view to setting up a multilingual information society;

>Text following EP vote>

Whereas the actions to be carried out in implementing this programme should be coordinated closely and in a structured fashion with all Community initiatives implemented under other programmes with a view to setting up a multilingual information society;

(Amendment 27)

Recital 11a (new)

>Text following EP vote>

Whereas the right to mother-tongue access to information must go hand in hand with the possibility of learning a number of other languages; whereas, consequently, the existing programme contributing to the safeguarding of the Community's linguistic plurality must be supplemented by in-depth, foundation- laying action to expand the teaching of Community languages in schools;

(Amendment 28)

Recital 12

>Original text>

Whereas mutual benefits can be obtained by involving international organizations and legal entities from non-member countries in the implementation of all or part of the programme, while respecting the general policies of the Community towards these organizations,

>Text following EP vote>

Whereas mutual benefits can be obtained by involving international organizations and legal entities from non-member countries in the implementation of all or part of the programme, while respecting the general policies of the Community towards these organizations; whereas, if their involvement has a financial impact, it must be entered in the Community budget;

(Amendment 29)

Recital 12a (new)

>Text following EP vote>

Whereas, as part of the present programme, pilot actions centred on regional and minority languages of the Community can be envisaged;

(Amendment 30)

Recital 12b (new)

>Text following EP vote>

Whereas the existing programme must be subjected to an interim evaluation and a final evaluation for which independent experts will be responsible; whereas these evaluation reports will also contain a detailed appraisal of the actual availability of Community languages in the principal computer networks used in the Community;

(Amendment 31)

Article 1

>Original text>

A Community programme which aims to:

>Text following EP vote>

A Community programme which aims to promote the linguistic diversity of the Community in the global information society:

>Original text>

(a) encourage the use of technologies, tools and methods which reduce the cost of transferring information between languages and the development of multilingual services,

>Text following EP vote>

(a) by encouraging the use of technologies, tools and methods which reduce the cost of transferring information between languages,

>Original text>

(b) stimulate the expansion of the languages industries,

>Text following EP vote>

(b) by stimulating the expansion of the languages industries,

>Original text>

(c) promote the development of multilingual services,

>Text following EP vote>

(c) by encouraging and promoting the development of multilingual services,

>Original text>

(d) promote the linguistic diversity of the Community in the global information society,

>Text following EP vote>

(d) by incorporating the languages which have official status in part of the territory of certain Member States,

>Original text>

is adopted for the period running from the date upon which this Decision takes effect until 31 December 1998.

>Text following EP vote>

is adopted for the period running from the date upon which this Decision takes effect until 31 December 1998.

(Amendment 32)

Article 2, 1st paragraph (c)

>Original text>

(c) promotion of the use of advanced language tools in the European public sector.

>Text following EP vote>

(c) promotion of the use of advanced language tools in the Community and Member States' public sectors.

(Amendment 33)

Article 3(1)

>Original text>

1. The budgetary authority shall determine the appropriations for each financial year subject to the availability of resources within the context of the financial outlook.

>Text following EP vote>

1. The reference amount for the total duration of the programme shall be ECU 20 million, of which 5 million shall be subject to the revision of the financial perspective.

That amount shall be without prejudice to the powers of the budgetary authority.

>Text following EP vote>

The latter shall determine the appropriations for each financial year, subject to their utilization in the preceding financial years and the availability of resources within the context of the financial outlook.

(Amendment 34)

Article 3(2a) (new)

>Text following EP vote>

2a. The financial impact arising from the participation of international organizations and legal entities from non-member countries referred to in Article 5(f) shall be entered in the Community budget.

(Amendment 35)

Article 4(1)

>Original text>

1. The Commission shall be responsible for the implementation of the programme.

>Text following EP vote>

1. The Commission shall be responsible for the implementation of the programme and its coordination with other Community programmes and actions under way.

(Amendment 36)

Article 4(2)

>Original text>

2. The Commission shall be assisted by a committee of an advisory nature composed of representatives of the Member States and chaired by the representative of the Commission.

>Text following EP vote>

2. The Commission shall be assisted by a committee of an advisory nature composed of one representative per Member State and chaired by the representative of the Commission.

>Original text>

The representative of the Commission shall submit to the committee a draft of the measures to be taken. The committee shall deliver its opinion on the draft within a time limit which the chairman may lay down according to the urgency of the matter, if necessary by taking a vote.

>Text following EP vote>

The representative of the Commission shall submit to the committee a draft of the measures to be taken. The committee shall deliver its opinion on the draft within a time limit which the chairman may lay down according to the urgency of the matter, if necessary by taking a vote.

>Original text>

The opinion shall be recorded in the minutes. In addition, each Member States shall have the right to request that its position be recorded in the minutes.

>Text following EP vote>

The opinion shall be recorded in the minutes. In addition, each Member States shall have the right to request that its position be recorded in the minutes.

>Original text>

The Commission shall take the utmost account of the opinion delivered by the committee. It shall inform the committee of the manner in which its opinion has been taken into account.

>Text following EP vote>

The Commission shall take the utmost account of the opinion delivered by the committee. It shall inform the committee of the manner in which its opinion has been taken into account.

>Text following EP vote>

The meetings of the committee shall in principle be public, save where a duly motivated decision to the contrary is specifically made and published in good time. The committee shall publish its agendas two weeks before the meetings. It shall publish the minutes of its meetings. It shall draw up a public register of declarations of interest by its members.

>Text following EP vote>

The committee shall report back on a regular basis to the European Parliament's Committee on Culture, Youth, Education and the Media regarding all of its findings and its activities. The minutes of all of its meetings shall be readily available to all Members of the European Parliament.

(Amendment 37)

Article 5(c)

>Original text>

(c) the selection of the actions proposed for Community financing and the estimated amount of this financing for each action, where this amount is equal to or exceeds ECU 0.5 million,

>Text following EP vote>

(c) the selection of the actions proposed for Community financing and the estimated amount of this financing for each action, where this amount is equal to or exceeds ECU 1 million,

(Amendment 38)

Article 6

>Original text>

Upon completion of the programme, the Commission shall present to the European Parliament, the Council and the Economic and Social Committee an evaluation report on the results obtained through implementing the actions referred to in Article 2.

>Text following EP vote>

Before 1 March 1998 and upon completion of the programme, the Commission shall present to the European Parliament, the Council and the Committee of the Regions a report on the results obtained through implementing the actions referred to in Article 2, together with the external evaluation by the independent experts on which it shall be based.

(Amendment 39)

Annex I (1), 1st subparagraph

>Original text>

Language resources such as dictionaries, terminology databanks, grammar books, collections of texts and voice recordings are an essential raw material for linguistic research, the development of language-processing tools integrated into data processing systems and for improving translation services. Considerable amounts of money have already been invested by the Member States, the Commission and some private companies on producing language resources of varying size and complexity. The full utilization of these resources is currently being hampered by the fact that they are mainly monolingual and their basic specifications sometimes differ, thus limiting their wider use. In addition, they are often difficult to locate. The aim of this action line is to support efforts to construct a European infrastructure for multilingual language resources.

>Text following EP vote>

Language resources such as dictionaries, terminology databanks, grammar books, collections of texts and voice recordings are an essential raw material for linguistic research, the development of language-processing tools integrated into data processing systems and for improving translation services. Considerable amounts of money have already been invested by the Member States, the Commission and some private companies on producing language resources of varying size and complexity. The full utilization of these resources is currently being hampered by the fact that they are mainly monolingual and their basic specifications sometimes differ, thus limiting their wider use. In addition, they are often difficult to locate. The aim of this action line is to support efforts to construct a European infrastructure for multilingual language resources. Most of the enterprises operating in this sector are SMEs, which are often innovative and efficient, but whose financial means are insufficient in view of the level of investment required.

(Amendment 40)

Annex I (1), 1st subparagraph a (new)

>Text following EP vote>

This support will concern in particular the valorization on the global market in information technologies of the linguistic know-how of Community operators.

(Amendment 41)

Annex I (1.1) indent 3a (new)

>Text following EP vote>

- establish, promote and safeguard high standards and high quality in the language resources available in the Community,

(Amendment 42)

Annex I (1.1), 2nd subparagraph (new)

>Text following EP vote>

The Commission will ensure that the ELRA reports regularly to it on the development of its activities, the launch of which it is encouraging.

(Amendment 43)

Annex I (1.2), 2nd subparagraph a (new)

>Text following EP vote>

The Commission will investigate with the Member States the feasibility of supporting the development of databases for languages with limited economic potential.

(Amendment 44)

Annex I (1.3), 2nd subparagraph (new)

>Text following EP vote>

Standards will be those officially recognized within the Member States.

(Amendment 46)

Annex I (2.2a) (new)

>Text following EP vote>

2. 2a. Special effort will be taken to introduce shared cost projects in bilingual areas, especially those where a lesser-used language is spoken.

(Amendment 47)

Annex I (2.3)

>Original text>

2. 3 The Commission will promote the use of networks by the translation and interpretation industries. These give access to advanced tools, including electronic dictionaries, improve logistics, allow integration with other functions, and generally improve the functioning of the translation market. A call for proposals will ask for the definition and implementation of European translation directory services, the definition of an open translation environment in Europe, and for pan-European tele-translation and tele-interpretation demonstrators with the involvement of the translation industry and profession.

>Text following EP vote>

2. 3 The Commission will seek to promote the use of language tools and means of communication which enhance the efficiency and productivity of the European translation industry and make it more competitive on the world market. As it is made up of very small companies and freelance translators, the translation industry is fragmented and does not currently have a high profile. In consultation with the performers concerned, including translation schools, the Commission shall examine the measures to be taken to stimulate modernization of this profession and to speed up its networking to increase its efficiency and bring it closer to potential users.

(Amendment 49)

Annex I (3.2a) (new)

>Text following EP vote>

3. 2a. Before completion of the programme, the interoperability of the information networks of the Institutions of the Community shall be assured. An interinstitutional working party will be set up to that end.

(Amendment 50)

Annex I (3.2b) (new)

>Text following EP vote>

3. 2b. Pilot actions centred on the regional and minority languages of the Community may be launched.

(Amendment 51)

Annex I (3.3)

>Original text>

3.3. A special effort will be made to bring the language tools for the new official Community languages up to the level of the others.

>Text following EP vote>

3.3. A special effort will be made to bring the language tools for the new official Community languages and the lesser-used regional languages up to the level of the others.

(Amendment 52)

Annex I (4a) (new)

>Text following EP vote>

4a. Synergies

While taking care to avoid duplication, synergies shall be sought between this programme and other programmes relating to the information society, in particular the Fourth Framework Research and Development Programme, the integrated programme for SMUs and craft industries, and with IDA (Interconnection of Data between Administrations) and the ARIANE programme.

(Amendment 53)

Annex II (2)

>Original text>

2. Where appropriate action lines in the programmes shall be carried out by means of shared-cost projects, except in the case of developments exclusively for the Institutions of the EU, in which case the rate may be up to 100%. The Community's financial contribution will not normally be more than 50% of the cost of the projects, this proportion decreasing the closer the project is to being marketed. Universities and other institutes which do not have cost accounting systems shall be reimbursed at 100% of their additional costs.

>Text following EP vote>

2. In principle, action lines in the programmes shall be implemented by means of shared-cost projects. The Community's financial contribution will not be more than 50% of the cost of the projects, this proportion decreasing the closer the project is to being marketed. Universities, other institutes and non-profit-making research centres which do not have cost accounting systems shall be reimbursed at 100% of their additional costs.

(Amendment 54)

Annex II (5)

>Original text>

5. Support for attempts to construct an infrastructure for European linguistic resources could take the form of concerted actions to coordinate the development of multilingual linguistic resources, particularly thorough 'concertation networks'. The Community's financial contribution could cover up to 100% of the coordinating costs.

>Text following EP vote>

5. Support for attempts to construct an infrastructure for European linguistic resources, and/or the promotion of the use of advanced linguistic tools in the European public sector, could take the form of concerted actions to coordinate the development of multilingual linguistic resources, particularly thorough 'concertation networks'. The Community's financial contribution could cover up to 100% of the coordinating costs.

(Amendment 55)

Annex II (6)

>Original text>

6. Projects financed entirely by the Commission under study and service contracts shall be implemented through a call for tenders in accordance with the Commission's financial regulations. Transparency will be ensured by the publication and regular dissemination of the work programme to professional associations and other interested bodies.

>Text following EP vote>

6. Projects financed entirely from the Community budget under study contracts shall be implemented through a call for tenders by the Commission in accordance with the provisions of the Financial Regulation and the regulation laying down provisions for implementing certain provisions of the current Financial Regulation. Transparency will be ensured by the publication and dissemination of the work programme and the projects selected to professional associations and other bodies concerned.

(Amendment 56)

Annex II (7)

>Original text>

7. To implement the programme, the Commission shall also carry out activities drawn up in accordance with the general objectives of the programme and the specific aims of each action line. Such activities shall include workshops, seminars, conferences, studies, publications, awareness campaigns, training courses, participation in cooperative projects with the administrations in the Member States, the European institutions and international organizations, helping national language observatories and specific support for the development of language tools and resources for those Community languages most in need of such assistance.

>Text following EP vote>

7. To implement the programme, the Commission shall also carry out activities drawn up in accordance with the general objectives of the programme and the specific aims of each action line. Such activities shall include workshops, seminars, conferences, studies, publications, awareness campaigns, training courses, participation in cooperative projects with the administrations in the Member States, the European institutions and international organizations, helping national language observatories recognized by the public authorities and specific support for the development of language tools and resources for those Community languages most in need of such assistance.

(Amendment 59)

Annex II (7a) (new)

>Text following EP vote>

7a. All activities benefiting from financial support should, as far as is technically feasible, display the European Union flag and indicate their funding by the European Union.

(Amendment 58)

Annex IIa (new)

>Text following EP vote>

Annex IIa

FINANCIAL ESTIMATES FOR THE PROGRAMME BY ACTION LINE

The financing of the different actions will be as follows (figures for guidance only):

>Original text>

ACTIONS

>Text following EP vote>

TOTAL (in m ECU)

>Original text>

Support for constructing an infrastructure of European linguistic resources

>Text following EP vote>

4.0

>Original text>

Mobilizing and strengthening language industries

>Text following EP vote>

6.0

>Original text>

Promoting the use of advanced linguistic tools in the European public sector (cooperation between the Institutions and the Member State administrations, excluding developments intended for the Institutions alone)

>Text following EP vote>

7.0

>Original text>

Accompanying actions

>Text following EP vote>

3.0

>Original text>

TOTAL

>Text following EP vote>

20.01

>Text following EP vote>

1 ECU 5 million shall be subject to the revision of the financial perspective.

Legislative resolution embodying Parliament's opinion on the proposal for a Council Decision (EC) on the adoption of a multiannual to promote the linguistic diversity of the Community in the information society (COM(95)0486 - C4-0152/96 - 95/0263(CNS))

(Consultation procedure)

The European Parliament,

- having regard to the proposal from the Commission to the Council, COM(95)0486 - 95/0263(CNS),

- having been consulted by the Council pursuant to Article 130(3) of the EC Treaty (C4-0152/96),

- whereas the legal basis proposed is insufficient and reference should also be made to Article 128(1) and (2) of the EC Treaty,

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

- having regard to the opinion of the Committee on Legal Affairs and Citizens' Rights on the legal basis proposed,

- having regard to the report by its Committee on Culture, Youth, Education and the Media and the opinions of the Committee on Budgets, the Committee on Economic and Monetary Affairs and Industrial Policy and the Committee on Research, Technological Development and Energy (A4-0148/96),

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

2. Calls on the Commission to amend 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. Calls for the conciliation procedure to be opened if the Council should intend to depart from the text approved by Parliament;

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