OMMISSION OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES 
COM(94) 52 final 
Brussels, 22.02.1994 
94/0004 (COD) 
OPINION OF THE COMMISSION 
pursuant to Article 189b(2)(d) of the EC Treaty, 
on the amendments proposed by the European Parliament on 9 February 1994 
to the Council's common position of 14 January 1994 concerning adoption of a decision 
on the fourth framework programme of European Community activities in the field of 
research, technological development and demonstration 
(1994-1998) 
z 
On 17 June 1993 the commission submitted its proposal for a decision on the 
4th framework programme of European Community activities in the field of 
research, technological development and demonstration (1994-1998) (COMC93) 
276)- Following the entry into force of the Treaty on European Union, the 
European Parliament adopted its opinion at first reading on 18 November 
1993. On 14 January 1994, the Council then adopted its common position, 
which was acknowledged by the European Parliament on 19 January 1994. The 
commission expressed its views on the Council's common position in its 
communication to Parliament of 14 January 1994 (SEC(94) 20). On 9 February 
1994 Parliament delivered its opinion at second reading. It adopted ten 
amendments to the council's common position* 
The commission would like to express its satisfaction at the special efforts 
of the European Parliament, which resulted in delivery of its opinion at 
second reading less than a month after being informed of the council's 
common position. Once again it is evident that all the institutions 
recognize the urgent need for a decision on the 4th framework programme so 
that continuity of the Community's RTD activities beyond 31 December 1994 
can be guaranteed. 
The Commission also notes with interest that Parliament opted at second 
reading for a reduced number of amendments. Parliament's attitude was made 
possible by the closeness of the positions already generated by the joint 
decision-making procedure. The fact that most of the amendments made by 
Parliament at first reading were incorporated into the Council's common 
position should be emphasized here* It is now quite clear that the common 
position can form the basis of a definitive agréeront on the framework 
programme. 
The Commission believes that Parliament's amendments at second reading c&n 
generate constructive debate in the Council. These amendments are concerned 
solely with essential questions over which there are still differences of 
opinion with the Council, though these are limited in scope and are not 
insurmountable. The amendments concerning in particular the increase in the 
overall budget and its distribution, particularly i_n favour of activities 2 
and 3, the division of the overall budget into two periods and the role of 
the JRC are coherent in substance with the arguments put forward in the 
Commission's communication to Parliament on the Council's common osition. 
The Commission's view is that the ECU 400 million increase in overall 
funding is not incompatible with the position of tJne European Council of 10 
and 11 December 1993, which indicated 12 billion as a minimum. The 
Commission maintains that appropriations should be distributed uniformly 
throughout the period of the framework programme. Division of the overall 
amount into two periods - which is opposed by Parliament - would at all 
events not have a binding effect from the legal point of view* Finally, the 
Commission is in favour of an increase in the operational budget of the 
jRC's specific programme, the effect of which would be to restore the 
proportion of JRC activities subject to a competitive approach to a 
realistic level. 
By way of conclusion, the Commission would reiterate its wish to contribute 
towards drawing up a satisfactory overall agreement between the three 
institutions. It believes that such an agreement could be reached on the 
basis of the Council's common position reviewed in the light of the 
amendments made at second reading by the European Parliament. 
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ISSN 0254-1475 
COM(94) 52 final 
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