The proposal was amended as follows:

Text proposed by the Commission   Amendments by Parliament (Amendment 44) Citation 1 Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Community, and in particular Article 157(3) thereof, Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Community, and in particular Article 157(3) and Article 151(5) in conjunction with Article 151(2), fourth indent, thereof, (Amendment 45) Recital 1    (1) From 6 to 8 April 1998, the Commission, in collaboration with the United Kingdom presidency, held a European audiovisual conference on "Challenges and opportunities of the digital age”, in Birmingham. This consultation process revealed the need for an enhanced programme of support for the European audiovisual industry , in particular in the area of the development, distribution and promotion of European audiovisual works. In the digital age, activities in the audiovisual field contribute towards the creation of new jobs, particularly in the production and dissemination of audiovisual content;    (1) From 6 to 8 April 1998, the Commission, in collaboration with the United Kingdom presidency, held a European audiovisual conference on "Challenges and opportunities of the digital age”, in Birmingham. This consultation process revealed the need for an enhanced programme of support for the European audiovisual sector , in particular in the area of the development, distribution and promotion of European audiovisual works and, moreover, in the digital age, activities in the audiovisual field contribute towards the creation of new jobs, particularly in the production and dissemination of audiovisual content; (Amendment 46) Recital 4a (new) (4a) The importance of establishing a Guarantee Fund has been acknowledged on several occasions by the European Parliament and the Commission as one of the measures required, together with other means, for the development of an independent audiovisual industry that encourages new talent and develops European cultural content. (Amendment 47) Recital 8a (new) (8a) In its Green Paper entitled "Strategy options to strengthen the European programme industry in the context of the audiovisual policy of the European Union" (COM(94) 96 ), the Commission launched as far back as 1994 a debate on the establishment of a European guarantee fund, and subsequently, having received positive reactions, submitted it as a formal Commission proposal for a Council decision establishing a European Guarantee Fund to promote cinema and television production (COM(95) 546 ), which was approved by the European Parliament in its Opinion of 22 October 1996(1 ). _____________ (1 ) OJ C 347, 18.11.1996, p. 33. (Amendment 49) Recital 10a (new) (10a) In its Conclusions on the Commission's mandate for the WTO negotiations in Seattle on 26 October 1999, the Council stated that during the forthcoming WTO negotiations the Union will ensure, as in the Uruguay Round, that the Community and its Member States maintain the possibility to preserve and develop their capacity to define and implement their cultural and audiovisual policies for the purpose of preserving their cultural diversity. (Amendment 50) Recital 10b (new) (10b) The European Parliament, in its resolution of 18 November 1999 on the Communication from the Commission to the Council and the European Parliament on the EU approach to the WTO Millennium Round, recognised the European audiovisual sector's special role in sustaining cultural pluralism, a healthy economy and freedom of expression, reaffirmed its commitment to the freedom of action in the sphere of audiovisual policy obtained at the Uruguay Round, and took the view that the GATS rules on cultural services, in particular in the audiovisual sector, should not jeopardise the cultural diversity and autonomy of the WTO contracting parties . (Amendment 51) Recital 10c (new) (10c) In order to increase the added value of the Community measures it is necessary to guarantee complementarity between, on the one hand, the measures taken in the context of this Decision and other relevant Community measures, and on the other hand national forms of support including tax measures, and thus to ensure that there remains sufficient room for these national measures. (Amendment 52) Recital 10d (new) (10d) It is necessary to establish coherence between this Decision and the action of the Commission on national funding for audiovisual development and production, especially in the interests of preserving cultural diversity. The principle of additionality should therefore be respected. (Amendment 53) Recital 10e (new) (10e) The need for coherence between Community cultural, audiovisual and competition policies should be expressed in a regulation pursuant to Article 89 of the Treaty that safeguards cultural diversity by allowing national schemes to foster adequately the potential for production in Member States. (Amendment 54) Recital 11    (11) It is necessary to take into account the cultural aspects of the audiovisual sector, in accordance with Article 151 of the Treaty. Deleted (Amendment 55) Recital 11a (new) (11a) The governments of the Member States are called upon, at the forthcoming IGC, to incorporate the cultural and audiovisual industries expressly in Article 151 of the Treaty, since they constitute a key instrument for ensuring the cultural diversity of Europe. (Amendment 56) Recital 12    (12) The advent of a European audiovisual market necessitates the development and production of European works originating from Member States as well as works originating from European third countries participating in the MEDIA Plus programme or having a cooperation framework satisfying the conditions set out in Article 6 of Council Directive 89/552/EEC of 3 October 1989 on the coordination of certain provisions laid down by law, regulation or administrative action in Member States concerning the pursuit of television broadcasting activities, as amended by European Parliament and Council Directive 97/36/EC.    (12) The advent of a European audiovisual market necessitates active support for the creation and production of European works originating from Member States as well as works originating from European third countries participating in the MEDIA Plus programme or having a cooperation framework satisfying the conditions set out in Article 6 of Council Directive 89/552/EEC of 3 October 1989 on the coordination of certain provisions laid down by law, regulation or administrative action in Member States concerning the pursuit of television broadcasting activities, as amended by European Parliament and Council Directive 97/36/EC. (Amendment 57) Recital 12a (new) (12a) In the next few years the digital revolution, together with new technologies such as the Internet, pay-per-view, Cyber Cinema etc., will mean that European audiovisual works will become more easily accessible thanks to new ways of transporting audiovisual content, and will become more widely available outside their country of origin. (Amendment 58) Recital 12b (new) (12b) Consideration must be given to the possibility of establishing more precise guidelines for the treatment of public aids to cinema and television programme production as well as a Communication on legal aspects relating to the cinema sector, covering, inter alia, matters such as the definition of European work, as announced by the Commission in its Communication on "Principles and Guidelines for the Community's Audiovisual Policy in the Digital Age” (COM(1999) 657 ). (Amendment 59) Recital 13    (13) The competitiveness of the audiovisual programme industry depends on the use of new technologies at the programme development, production and distribution stages. It is therefore appropriate to ensure suitable and effective coordination with the measures undertaken in the field of new technologies, in particular the Fifth Framework Programme of the European Community for research, technological development and demonstration activities (1998-2002), as adopted by Decision No 182/1999/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council.    (13) The competitiveness of the audiovisual programme industry depends on the use of new technologies at the programme development, production and distribution stages. It is therefore appropriate to ensure suitable and effective coordination with the measures undertaken in the field of new technologies, in particular the Fifth Framework Programme of the European Community for research, technological development and demonstration activities (1998-2002), as adopted by Decision No 182/1999/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council, in particular with coordinated efforts to make use of new opportunities for multilingual production, and the future Sixth Framework Programme in order to make for consistency with the measures to be undertaken under that programme, focusing in particular on the needs and potential of small and medium-sized enterprises operating on the audiovisual market. (Amendment 61) Recital 13a (new) (13a) Without prejudice to the possibility of reviewing the financial perspective ceiling to ensure that the Media programme will be in a position to implement its objectives, the Commission should arrange for additional funding to support European audiovisual projects, including funding to cover training programmes for professionals. The sources of such funding include in particular cooperation with the European Investment Bank and the European Investment Fund, and networking with the 5th Research Framework Programme and the "e-Europe" initiative, with the Commission's relevant action plan and with the EU's Structural and Regional Funds. Information about these possibilities aimed at professionals in the audiovisual sector should be presented in an integrated form. (Amendment 62) Recital 13b (new) (13b) The redirection of the European financial instruments must also take into account the chronic under-capitalisation of audiovisual productions in Europe and provide for measures to improve their access to capital markets, in particular to risk capital, and increase their competitiveness. (Amendment 63) Recital 13c (new) (13c) In accordance with the conclusions of the Lisbon Extraordinary European Council, the Council and Commission are to report by the end of 2000 on the ongoing review of EIB and EIF financial instruments in order to redirect funding towards business start-ups, high-tech firms and micro-enterprises, as well as other risk capital initiatives proposed by the EIB. In this connection, particular attention should be paid to the audiovisual sector. (Amendment 64) Recital 13d (new) (13d) If the European audiovisual industry wants to be competitive, the production value of European audiovisual works need to be increased; in that connection it needs to be considered once again whether the establishment of a European Guarantee Fund, as proposed by the Commission on 16 November 1996 (COM(95) 546 ), would contribute to achieving this end. (Amendment 66) Recital 16    (16) There is a need to improve the conditions for distributing European cinematographic works on the European and international markets. Cooperation between international and national distributors, cinema owners and producers should be encouraged and support should be given to concerted action to promote common scheduling measures at European level.    (16) There is a need to improve the conditions for distributing European cinematographic works on the European and international markets. Cooperation between international and national distributors, cinema owners and producers should be encouraged; close networking by independent distributors, in particular SMEs, should also be encouraged, and support should be given to concerted action to promote common scheduling measures at European level. (Amendment 67) Recital 17    (17) There is a need for improvement in the television broadcasting prospects of European works on the European and international markets. Cooperation between broadcasters, (as defined in Article 2 of Directive 89/552/EEC , international distributors and producers should be encouraged.    (17) Given the leading role played by broadcasters in disseminating European works across the Member States, there is an urgent need for improvement in the television broadcasting prospects of European works on the European and international markets. Cooperation between broadcasters, (as defined in Article 2 of Directive 89/552/EEC , international distributors and producers should be strongly encouraged, since recent European feature films occupy far too weak a position on European TV channels. In most EU Member States, even films which have been successful at the box-office are only given limited and late access to TV broadcasting schedules outside the main broadcasting times. (Amendment 68) Recital 17a (new) (17a) The European audiovisual production of independent large and small private companies should not be underestimated, but on the contrary turned to account, given that such companies can do much to boost the development of the European audiovisual sector. (Amendment 69) Recital 17b (new) (17b) It is appropriate to facilitate the development of investment in the European cinema industry by calling on the Member States to pursue a policy of making sums reinvested for the creation of new jobs tax-deductible. (Amendment 70) Recital 18    (18) There is a need to facilitate market access for independent European production and distribution companies, and to promote both European works and European companies in the audiovisual sector.    (18) There is a need to facilitate market access for independent European production and distribution companies, and to promote both European works and European companies in the audiovisual sector, not least by simplifying the official administrative procedures applying to the Programme . (Amendment 71) Recital 19a (new) (19a) Publicly and privately owned European audiovisual companies, be they publishing houses, distributors, or broadcasting organisations, should be encouraged to digitise their archives and network their catalogues. (Amendment 72) Recital 19b (new) (19b) At any rate a high priority must be given to ensuring that financial resources are available to make Europe's cinematic heritage usable for the digital future. (Amendment 73) Recital 19c (new) (19c) The MEDIA Plus programme should create an environment conducive to entrepreneurial skills and investment, so as to guarantee a place for the European audiovisual sector in the global economy and the effective promotion of cultural diversity. (Amendment 74) Recital 19d (new) (19d) Account should be taken of the new issues relating to the new content which has emerged in this sector. (Amendment 76) Recital 24    (24) In accordance with Article 2 of Council Decision 1999/468/EC of 28 June 1999, laying down the procedures for the exercise of implementing powers conferred on the Commission, measures for the implementation of this Decision should be adopted by use of the advisory procedure provided for in Article 3 of that Decision.    (24) In accordance with Article 2 of Council Decision 1999/468/EC of 28 June 1999, laying down the procedures for the exercise of implementing powers conferred on the Commission, measures for the implementation of this Decision should be adopted by use of the management procedure provided for in Article 4 of that Decision. (Amendment 77) Article 1(1)    1. A programme (hereinafter referred to as "the Programme”), is hereby established to encourage the development, distribution and promotion of European audiovisual works within and outside the Community, to run from 1 January 2001 to 31 December 2005, for the purpose of strengthening the European audiovisual industry.    1. A programme (hereinafter referred to as "the Programme”), is hereby established to encourage the development, distribution and promotion of European audiovisual works within and outside the Community, to run from 1 January 2001 to 31 December 2005, for the purpose of strengthening the European audiovisual sector . (Amendment 78) Article 1(2)(a)    (a) an improvement in the competitiveness of the European audiovisual industry on the European and international markets, by supporting the development, distribution and promotion of European audiovisual works, taking due account of the development of new technologies;    (a) protection and promotion of European cultural diversity through an improvement in the competitiveness of the European audiovisual sector on the European and international markets, by supporting the development, distribution and promotion of European audiovisual works inter alia in the form of coordinated marketing strategies , taking due account of the development of new technologies; (Amendment 79) Article 1(2)(b)    (b) respect for European linguistic and cultural diversity;    (b) respect for and development of linguistic and cultural diversity in Europe; (Amendment 80) Article 1(2)(e)    (e) building up a production and distribution sector, especially comprising small and medium-sized enterprises.    (e) building up the production, technological adaptation of products and distribution sectors , especially comprising small and medium-sized enterprises;    (ea) promoting and encouraging the creation of new content which draws upon new technologies and user interaction through various alternative or additional platforms. (Amendment 81) Article 2(a)    (a) to promote, by providing financial support, the development of production projects (dramas for cinema or television, creative documentaries, animated films for television or cinema, works exploiting the audiovisual and cinematographic heritage) submitted by companies and aimed at the European and international markets;    (a) to promote, by providing financial support, the development of production projects, in particular ones which use new experimental systems (dramas for cinema or television, creative documentaries, animated films for television or cinema, audiovisual formats, works exploiting the audiovisual and cinematographic heritage) submitted by small and medium-sized companies and aimed at the European and international markets; (Amendment 82) Article 3(a)    (a) to strengthen the European distribution sector in the field of cinema by encouraging distributors to invest in the acquisition and promotion of non-domestic European cinema films;    (a) to strengthen the European distribution sector in the field of cinema by encouraging distributors to invest in the development, marketing, acquisition and promotion of non-domestic European cinema films; (Amendment 83) Article 3(b)    (b) to foster the wider transnational dissemination of non-domestic European films on the European and international markets through measures to stimulate their distribution and their screening in cinemas;    (b) to foster the wider transnational dissemination of non-domestic European films on the European and international markets through measures to stimulate their distribution and their screening in cinemas, inter alia through coordinated marketing strategies ensuring, for example, that the same product is publicised simultaneously in all countries ; (Amendment 84) Article 3(d)    (d) to promote the movement, in the Community and outside it, of European television programmes intended for a European and world audience, by encouraging independent European broadcasters and independent distributors and producers to cooperate right from the production stage;    (d) to promote the movement, in the Community and outside it, of European television programmes produced by independent companies, intended for a European and world audience, by encouraging European broadcasters and distributors and producers to cooperate right from the production stage; (Amendment 85) Article 4 (a) and (b)    (a) facilitate and encourage the promotion and movement of European audiovisual and cinematographic works at trade fairs in Europe and around the globe, as well as at European audiovisual festivals;    (a) facilitate and encourage the promotion and movement of European audiovisual and cinematographic works at European and international trade fairs in Europe and around the globe, as well as at European and international audiovisual festivals;    (b) encourage the networking of operators at European level, particularly by supporting joint activities between national promotion organisations.    (b) encourage the networking of operators at European and international level, particularly by supporting joint activities between national promotion organisations. (Amendment 86) Article 5(1)    1. Beneficiaries of Community support shall provide a significant proportion of the funding. Community funding shall not exceed 50% of the cost of operations. In the cases expressly provided for in the Annex, this percentage may nonetheless reach 60% of the cost of operations.    1. Beneficiaries of Community support shall provide a significant proportion of the funding. Community funding shall not exceed 50% of the cost of operations. In the cases expressly provided for in the Annex, this percentage may nonetheless reach 60% of the cost of operations. Additionality with national funding has to remain possible, in order to preserve cultural diversity. (Amendment 87) Article 5(2)    2. The financial reference amount for implementation of the Programme for the period referred to in Article 1(1) shall be EUR 350 million. The annual appropriations shall be authorised by the budgetary authority within the limits of the financial perspectives.    2. The financial reference amount for implementation of the Programme for the period referred to in Article 1(1) shall be EUR 480 million. The annual appropriations shall be authorised by the budgetary authority within the limits of the financial perspectives. (Amendment 88) Article 6, 2nd paragraph (new) The Commission shall ensure that disbursement and administrative procedures are tightened to enhance effectiveness and efficiency of the Programme, especially to benefit small and medium-sized enterprises. (Amendment 89) Article 7 The Commission shall be responsible for the implementation of the Programme, in accordance with the procedure referred to in Article 8(2) and with the rules laid down in the Annex.    1. The Commission shall be responsible for the implementation of the Programme, in accordance with the procedure referred to in Article 8(2) and with the rules laid down in the Annex.    2. Technical assistance shall be governed by the provisions adopted pursuant to the Financial Regulation. (Amendment 90) Article 8(2)    2. Where reference is made to this paragraph, the advisory procedure laid down in Article 3 of Decision 1999/468/EC shall apply, in compliance with Article 7(3) thereof.    2. Where reference is made to this paragraph, the management procedure laid down in Article 4 of Decision 1999/468/EC shall apply, having regard to Article 7(3) thereof. For specific measures, if needed, the advisory procedure laid down in Article 3 of Decision 1999/468/EC shall apply. (Amendment 91) Article 9, 1st paragraph To ensure that the Programme can be flexibly adapted to technological developments, pilot projects shall be implemented in the fields defined in the Annex . To ensure that the Programme can be flexibly adapted to technological developments the Commission shall implement pilot projects, especially in the following areas:    - conservation and exploitation of the cinematographic heritage, by encouraging partnerships between operators in the cinematographic sector and public or private bodies;    - digitisation of audiovisual and radio programme archives of European interest;    - networking the owners of rights to catalogues of European audiovisual works;    - scheduling of European audiovisual works on special-interest channels in digital format;    - creation of a suitable environment for developing and disseminating new advanced on-line distribution services . No financial support under this scheme shall be granted directly to television channels. After two years of implementation of the programme the Commission shall verify the results of the pilot projects and propose adjustments to the programme. (Amendment 92) Article 9, 2nd paragraph In this task the Commission may consult Technical Consultation Groups. These shall be composed of professionals from the various sectors of the audiovisual industry , appointed by the Member States and chaired by a representative of the Commission. The Technical Consultation Groups shall submit their reports to the Commission, which shall take the utmost account of them. In this task the Commission may consult Technical Consultation Groups. These shall be composed of professionals from the various fields of the audiovisual sector , appointed by the Media Committee and chaired by a representative of the Commission. The Technical Consultation Groups shall work closely together with the Media Committee and submit their reports to the Commission, which shall take the utmost account of them. (Amendment 93) Article 10(5)    5. The Programme shall also be open to cooperation with other third countries on the basis of supplementary appropriations and the specific arrangements to be established in agreements between the interested parties. The European third countries referred to in paragraph 3 which do not wish to benefit from full participation in the Programme may be eligible for cooperation with the Programme under the conditions set out in this paragraph.    5. The Programme shall also be open to cooperation with other third countries on the basis of supplementary appropriations and the specific arrangements, including cost sharing under agreed procedures, to be established in agreements between the interested parties. The inclusion of third countries must be encouraged because it makes for a cultural exchange that can serve to disseminate the democratic ideas and the values, traditions, history, and culture which Europe embodies and symbolises. The European third countries referred to in paragraph 3 which do not wish to benefit from full participation in the Programme may be eligible for cooperation with the Programme under the conditions set out in this paragraph. (Amendment 94) Article 11(1)    1. The Commission shall ensure that measures taken under this Decision are subject to prior appraisal, and to subsequent monitoring and evaluation.    1. The Commission shall ensure that measures taken under this Decision are subject to prior appraisal, and to subsequent monitoring and evaluation, taking care to maximise the accessibility of the programme and the transparency of the criteria used in decision-making. (Amendment 95) Article 11(4)    4. On completion of the Programme the Commission shall submit to the European Parliament, the Council and the Economic and Social Committee a report on the implementation and results of the Programme.    4. On completion of the Programme the Commission shall submit to the European Parliament, the Council and the Economic and Social Committee a detailed report on the implementation and results of the Programme. (Amendment 97) Annex (1.1), 1st paragraph a (new) In establishing this scheme, account will be taken of the diversity of production structures and of the project packages, presented in order to ensure fair access for operators. (Amendment 96) Annex (1.1), 2nd subparagraph, indents    - their contribution towards developing European linguistic and cultural diversity;    - the interest shown by co-producers in the project;    - the interest shown by co-producers in the project;    - the project's transnational exploitation potential (as demonstrated by the expression of interest by distributors, the project's production potential, previous productions by the tendering enterprise or its constituent individuals);    - the project's transnational exploitation potential (as demonstrated by the expression of interest by distributors, the project's production potential, previous productions by the tendering enterprise or its constituent individuals);    - the quality and originality of the concept, script or narrative;    - the quality, originality and marketing potential of the concept, script or narrative;    - the potential for using new technologies (special effects, computer images, interactivity, etc.).    - the potential for using new technologies (special effects, computer images, interactivity, etc.);    - a marketing and distribution assessment . (Amendment 98) Annex (1.2.1)(b), indents    - the production of new non-domestic European films    - the acquisition of non-domestic European films;    - the acquisition of exploitation rights for non-domestic European films, in particular by means of minimum guarantees;    - editing costs (copying, dubbing and subtitling), promotion costs and publicity costs for non-domestic European films.    - editing costs (copying, dubbing and subtitling), promotion costs and publicity costs for non-domestic European films. (Amendment 99) Annex (1.2.1)(c)    (c) a system to assist European companies specialising in the international distribution of cinema films (sales agents) according to their performance on the market over a given period. This type of assistance may be used by international distributors only for investment in costs arising from the promotion of new European works on the European and international markets.    (c) a system to assist European companies specialising in the international distribution of cinema films (sales agents) according to their performance on the market over a reference period of at least one year . This type of assistance may be used by international distributors only for investment in costs arising from the promotion of new European works on the European and international markets. (Amendment 100) Annex (1.2.1)(d)    (d) appropriate assistance to encourage operators to screen a significant proportion of non-domestic European films in premiere cinemas for a minimum screening period. The support granted to each cinema will be determined according to the number of cinema seats sold for non-domestic European films during a reference period. Support should, in particular, contribute to measures to educate and raise awareness amongst young cinema-goers. Support will also be granted for the creation and consolidation of networks of European operators running joint schemes to encourage such scheduling.    (d) appropriate assistance to encourage operators to screen a significant proportion of European, particularly non-domestic, films in premiere cinemas for a minimum screening period. The support must be made conditional on showing a minimum number of European films, to be set on the basis of the number of screens in the cinema. The level of support may take account of the number of seats sold in that particular cinema for non-domestic European films. Support should, in particular, contribute to measures to educate and raise awareness amongst young cinema-goers. Support will also be granted for the creation and consolidation of networks of European operators running joint schemes to encourage such scheduling. (Amendment 101) Annex (1.2.2), 2nd paragraph, introduction Automatic support: a system of automatic support for editors and distributors of European cinematographic works on media intended for private use (e.g. videocassettes, DVD, DVD-Rom) according to market performance over a given period. The support granted may be used by distributors only for investment in the following: Automatic support: a system of automatic support for editors and distributors of European cinematographic works on media intended for private use (e.g. videocassettes, DVD, DVD-Rom) according to market performance over a reference period of at least one year. The support granted may be used by distributors only for investment in the following: (Amendment 102) Annex (1.2.3), 1st paragraph Encourage independent producers to produce works (feature films , documentaries and animated films) involving at least three broadcasters in several Member States belonging to different language zones. Encourage independent producers to produce works (fiction , documentaries and animated films) involving in principle at least three broadcasters in different participating countries , belonging to at least two different language zones. Account will be taken of the specific needs of the audiovisual sector in countries with lower audiovisual capacity and/or restricted geographical and linguistic areas. (Amendment 103) Annex (1.2.4), 2nd paragraph Introduction of incentives to digitise works and create promotional and publicity material in digital form, so encouraging European companies (suppliers of on-line access, special-interest channels, etc.) to create catalogues of European works in digital format for exploitation via new media. Introduction of incentives to digitise works and create promotional and publicity material in digital form, so encouraging European companies (suppliers of on-line access, radio broadcasters , special-interest channels, etc.) to create catalogues of European works in digital format for exploitation via new media. (Amendment 104) Annex (1.4)    1.4 Pilot projects The Commission will implement pilot projects in the following areas: Deleted    - conservation and exploitation of the cinematographic heritage, by encouraging partnerships between operators in the cinematographic sector and public or private bodies;    - digitisation of European audiovisual programme archives;    - networking the owners of rights to catalogues of European audiovisual works;    - scheduling of European audiovisual works on special-interest channels in digital format;    - creation of a suitable environment for developing and disseminating new advanced on-line distribution services. Where appropriate, the Commission may approach the technical consultation groups for assistance. (Amendment 105) Annex (2.1) In implementing the programme, the Commission will work closely with the Member States. It will also consult the partners concerned. It will ensure that the participation of professionals reflects adequately Europe's cultural diversity. In implementing the programme, the Commission and the Media Committee will work closely with the Member States. They will also consult the partners concerned. They will ensure that the participation of professionals reflects adequately Europe's cultural diversity. (Amendment 106) Annex (2.3.1), 1st paragraph    2.3.1 The Commission shall implement the programme. It may, to this end, call upon consultants and technical assistance offices to be selected, after a call for tenders, on the basis of their expertise in the sector. The Technical assistance shall be financed by the programme's budget. The Commission may also conclude, in accordance with the procedure referred to in Article 8(2), partnerships for ad hoc operations with specialist bodies such as Audiovisual Eureka, in order to implement joint measures that meet the programme objectives in the field of promotion.    2.3.1 The Commission shall implement the programme. It may, to this end, call upon independent consultants and technical assistance offices to be selected, after a call for tenders, on the basis of their expertise in the sector. The Technical assistance shall be financed by the programme's budget. The Commission may also conclude, in accordance with the procedure referred to in Article 8(2), partnerships for ad hoc operations with specialist bodies such as Audiovisual Eureka, in order to implement joint measures that meet the programme objectives in the field of promotion. (Amendment 107) Annex (2.3.1), 3rd paragraph In order to execute this programme and, in particular, evaluate the projects benefiting from the programme funding and networking activities, the Commission shall draw on the know-how of recognised audiovisual experts in the fields of development, production, distribution and promotion. In order to execute this programme and, in particular, evaluate the projects benefiting from the programme funding and networking activities, the Commission shall draw on the know-how of recognised, independent audiovisual experts in the fields of development, production, distribution and promotion. (Amendment 108) Annex (2.3.2), indent -1 (new)    - inform professionals in the audiovisual sector of all support arrangements available under European Union policies which are relevant to their professions; (Amendment 109) Annex (2.3.2), 3rd paragraph (new) To that end, the Commission shall also provide via the Internet comprehensive information concerning all support arrangements available under the European Union's policies which are of relevance to the audiovisual sector.

(Consultation procedure)

The European Parliament,

-  having regard to the Commission proposal to the Council (COM(1999) 658 ),

-  having been consulted pursuant to Article 157(3) of the EC Treaty (C5-0119/2000 ),

-  whereas the legal basis proposed by the Commission is not sufficient and needs to be supplemented by a reference to Article 151(2) and (5) of the EC Treaty,

-  having regard to Rule 67 of its Rules of Procedure,

-  having regard to the opinion of the Committee on Legal Affairs and the Internal Market on the legal basis of the Commission proposal,

-  having regard to the report of the Committee on Culture, Youth, Education, the Media and Sport and the opinions of the Committee on Budgets, the Committee on Industry, External Trade, Research and Energy and the Committee on Legal Affairs and the Internal Market (A5-0186/2000 ),

1.  Approves the Commission proposal as amended;

2.  Calls on the Commission to alter its proposal accordingly, pursuant to Article 250(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 initiated should the Council intend to depart from the text approved by Parliament;

5.  Asks to be consulted again should the Council intend to make substantial changes to the Commission proposal;

6.  Instructs its President to forward its position to the Council and Commission.