Re-examined proposal for a Council Decision adopting a series of actions and measures in order to ensure interoperability of and access to trans-European networks for the electronic Interchange of Data between Administrations (IDA)
Date: 1999-04-29
Institutions: European Commission
Subjects: EU programme, disclosure of information, public administration, telematics, trans-European network

COMMISSION OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES

Brussels, 29.04.1999
COM(1999)215 final

97/0341 (SYN)

Re-examined proposal for a

COUNCIL DECISION

adopting a series of actions and measures in order to ensure interoperability of
and access to trans-European networks for the electronic Interchange of Data
between Administrations (IDA)

(presented by the Commission pursuant to Article 189 c(d) of the EC Treaty)

EXPLANATORY MEMORANDUM

1.

BACKGROUND

On the 12th December 1997, the Commission proposed to the Council the
adoption of a series of actions and measures
to ensure
interoperability of and access to trans-European networks for the electronic
Interchange of Data between Administrations (IDA)1.

in order

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) 785 final)5.

The Council adopted its Common position on the 21st December 1998,
(Common Position (EC) 9/1999)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.

This Commission proposal accompanied a proposal to adopt a series of
guidelines governing the establishment of telematic networks in support of
the Community decision-making process and of Community policies and
activities. 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,
amendment to the Common Position.

the European Parliament has proposed one

1 OJ C 54, 21.2.1998, p. 12.
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. 58.
5 OJ C 10 , 14.1.1999 p. 8.
6 OJ C 55, 25.2.1999, p. 15.

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This amendment is based on amendment 11 proposed in the first reading, the
formulation of which has been slightly modified.

The former amendment 11 was rejected by the Commission on the grounds
that proposals for the amendment of this decision, following the periodical
programme evaluation, could only be submitted to both Parliament and
Council once the Treaty of Amsterdam had entered into force and thus
determined the application of the co-decision procedure. The Council
endorsed this position.

3.

OPINION OF THE COMMISSION

The formulation now proposed by the European Parliament would seem
more appropriate. The Commission can now remove its objection, especially
in view that the Treaty of Amsterdam has been ratified by all Member States
and is due to enter into force on the 1st May 1999.

4.

CONCLUSION

The Commission therefore accepts Parliament’s sole amendment
to the
Common Position and hereby re-examines its proposal, in accordance with
Article 189c(d) of the EC Treaty, in order to incorporate this amendment.

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Re-examined proposal for a

COUNCIL DECISION

adopting a series of actions and measures in order to ensure interoperability of
and access to trans-European networks for the electronic Interchange of Data
between Administrations (IDA)

(Text with EEA relevance)

Article 13(3)

Original proposal

The Commission shall forward its evaluation to the Council together with any
appropriate proposals for the amendment of this Decision.

Re-examined proposal

The Commission shall forward its evaluation to the Council and the Parliament,
once the TAC has examined it. The Commission shall also submit any appropriate
proposal for the amendment of this Decision. The evaluations shall be forwarded no
later than the draft budget for the years 2001, 2003 and 2005 respectively.

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