Second amended proposal for a European Parliament and Council Decision on a series of guidelines, including the identification of projects of common interest, for trans-European networks for the electronic Interchange of Data between Administrations (IDA)
Date: 1999-04-29
Institutions: European Commission
Subjects: exchange of information, operation of the Institutions, public administration, telematics, transmission network

COMMISSION OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES

Brussels, 29.04.1999
COM(1999) 216 final

97/0340 (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

on a series of guidelines, including the identification of projects of common
interest, for trans-European networks for the electronic Interchange of Data
between Administrations (IDA)

AMENDING THE PROPOSAL OF THE COMMISSION
pursuant to Article 189 a (2) of the EC Treaty

OPINION OF THE COMMISSION

1.

BACKGROUND

On the 12th December 1997, the Commission proposed to the European
Parliament and the Council the adoption of a series of guidelines, including
trans-European
the identification of projects of common interest,
networks for the electronic Interchange of Data between Administrations
(IDA)1.

for

The Economic and Social Committee gave a favourable opinion on the
29th April 19982.

The Committee of
14th May 19983.

the Regions gave a favourable opinion on the

On the 18th November 1998, the European Parliament adopted a favourable
resolution at its first reading with regard to the Commission proposal and
proposed amendments4.

On the 15th December 1998, the Commission amended its proposal in order
to incorporate those amendments of the European Parliament it had accepted
(COM(1998) 786 final)5.

The Council adopted its Common position on the 21st December 1998,
(Common Position (EC) 8/1999)6.

In its statement of the 8th January 1999, the Commission informed the
European Parliament fully of its position (SEC(1998) 2252).

On the 12th April 1999, the European Parliament amended the Common
Position.

The Commission proposal develops a general framework governing the
establishment of telematic networks in support of the Community decision-
making process and of Community policies and activities. It provides the
objectives, priorities and broad lines of measures, establishes a specific
financial framework and identifies projects of common interest (cf. Article
129c EC). The guidelines contain rules for the harmonised construction of
networks, and establish mechanisms
co-ordination between the
Community and the Member States.

for

1 OJ C 54, 21.2.1998, p. 3.
2 OJ C 214, 10.7.1998, p. 33.
3 OJ C 251, 10.8.1998, p. 1.
4 OJ C 379, 7.12.1998, p. 57.
5 OJ C 23 , 28.01.1999 p. 8.
6 OJ C 55, 25.2.1999, p. 1.

2

At the same time as these guidelines, the Commission proposed a series of
horizontal actions and measures with the objective of ensuring the
interoperability of the networks concerned. Both decisions together provide a
balanced framework which will form the basis of a second phase of the IDA
programme.

2.

POSITION OF THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT IN SECOND READING

In the second reading,
amendments to the Common Position.

the European Parliament has proposed two

These amendments are based on amendments 10 and 21 proposed in the first
reading, the formulation of which has been slightly modified by replacing the
terms “citizens or residents” and “persons residing” by the terms “persons”
and “persons living” respectively.

Although accepted by the Commission, the former amendments 10 and 21
were rejected by the Council on the grounds that their formulation created a
legal difficulty with regard to the question of granting residency status. The
Council, however, accepted their underlying principle.

3.

OPINION OF THE COMMISSION

In the opinion of the Commission, the two amendments proposed by the
European Parliament in the second reading contribute to refining the political
priorities of the IDA programme and to enhancing its capacity to make
Community policies and activities more accessible. The Commission also
expects the formulation now chosen to remove the objections raised by the
Council in the first reading.

4.

CONCLUSION

The Commission therefore accepts both of the amendments proposed by the
European Parliament, and hereby amends its proposal, in accordance with
Article 189a paragraph 2 of the EC Treaty, in order to incorporate these
amendments.

3

Amended proposal for a

EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND COUNCIL DECISION

on a series of guidelines, including the identification of projects of common
interest, for trans-European networks for the electronic Interchange of Data
between Administrations (IDA)

(Text with EEA relevance)

Article 4 (g)

Original proposal

otherwise provide a direct benefit to the citizens of the European Union.

Amended proposal

(based on Parliament amendment 1)

provide benefits to the persons of the European Union.

Annex, section A, par. 3 (par. 5 in the Common position)

Original proposal

Implementation of those networks which, within the framework of the Community
policies and activities and in unforeseen circumstances, are urgently required to
support the action of the Community and the Member States in protecting the life and
health of humans, animals and plants, the rights of the European consumers, or the
fundamental interests of the Community.

Amended proposal
(based on Parliament amendment 2)

Implementation of those networks which, within the framework of the Community
policies and activities and in unforeseen circumstances, are urgently required to
support the action of the Community and the Member States, inter alia in protecting
the life and health of humans, animals and plants, the rights of European consumers,
the living conditions of the persons living in the European Union, or the
fundamental interests of the Community.

4