Opinion of the Commission pursuant to Article 251 (2), third subparagraph, point (c) of the EC Treaty, on the European Parliament's amendments to the Council's common position regarding the proposal for a Directive of the European Parliament and of the Council establishing a Framework for Community Action in the field of Marine Environmental Policy (Marine Strategy Framework Directive) amending the proposal of the Commission pursuant to Article 250 (2) of the EC Treaty
Date: 2008-01-10
Institutions: European Commission
Subjects: EU action, biodiversity, environmental policy, environmental protection, management of resources, marine ecosystem, marine environment

COMMISSION OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES 

Brussels, 10.1.2008 
COM(2008) 5 final 

2005/0211 (COD) 

OPINION OF THE COMMISSION 

pursuant to Article 251 (2), third subparagraph, point (c) of the EC Treaty, on the 
European Parliament's amendments to the Council's common position regarding the 
proposal for a 

DIRECTIVE OF THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND OF THE COUNCIL 

establishing a Framework for Community Action in the field of Marine Environmental 
Policy (Marine Strategy Framework Directive) 

AMENDING THE PROPOSAL OF THE COMMISSION pursuant to Article 250 (2) of the 
EC Treaty 

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2005/0211 (COD) 

OPINION OF THE COMMISSION 

pursuant to Article 251 (2), third subparagraph, point (c) of the EC Treaty, on the 
European Parliament's amendments to the Council's common position regarding the 
proposal for a 

DIRECTIVE OF THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND OF THE COUNCIL 

establishing a Framework for Community Action in the field of Marine Environmental 
Policy (Marine Strategy Framework Directive) 

(Text with EEA relevance) 

1. 

BACKGROUND 

Procedure 

–  On 24 October 2005 the Commission submitted a proposal for a Directive of the European 
Parliament  and  of  the  Council1  establishing  a  Framework  for  Community  Action  in  the 
field  of  Marine  Environmental  Policy  (Marine  Strategy  Directive)  for  adoption  by  co-
decision procedure as laid down in Article 251 of the EC Treaty. 

–  The European Economic and Social Committee delivered its Opinion on 20 April 2006. 

–  The Committee of the Regions delivered its Opinion on 26 April 2006. 

–  The European Parliament adopted its position on first reading on 14 November 2006. 

–  The Council adopted its Common Position on 23 July 2007. 

–  The European Parliament adopted its position on second reading on 11 December 2007. 

This is an empty Line. 

Objective of the Commission proposal 

The  main  objective  of  the  proposal  is  to  establish  a  framework  for  the  protection  and 
preservation  of  the  marine  environment,  the  prevention  of  its  deterioration  and,  where 
practicable, the restoration of that environment in areas where it has been adversely affected. 
This would be done through development and implementation, by Member States, of marine 
strategies with the aim of achieving or maintaining good environmental status. 

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COM(2005)505 final (2005/0211 (COD)) 

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2. 

COMMISSION COMMENTS 

2.1 

General 

At  its  plenary  session  of  11  December  2007,  the  European  Parliament  adopted  54 
amendments, out of the 117 amendments that were tabled. 

The 54 amendments adopted by the Parliament were all part of a compromise package agreed 
with the Council. The Commission can accept all of the amendments in full. 

2.2 

Amended proposal 

Pursuant to Article 250(2) of the EC Treaty, the Commission amends its proposal as set out 
above. 

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