(Consultation procedure)

The European Parliament,

–   having regard to the Commission proposal (COM(2007)0439),

–   having regard to Article 63(4) of the EC Treaty,

–   having regard to Article 67 of the EC Treaty, pursuant to which the Council consulted Parliament (C6-0289/2007),

–   having regard to Rule 51 of its Rules of Procedure,

–   having regard to the report of the Committee on Employment and Social Affairs (A6-0209/2008),

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 if it intends to depart from the text approved by Parliament;

4.  Calls on the Council to consult Parliament again if it intends to amend the Commission proposal substantially;

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

Text proposed by the Commission   Amendment Amendment 1 Proposal for a Regulation Recital 3 a (new) (3a)  This Regulation respects the fundamental rights and observes the principles recognised, in particular, by the Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union, notably Article 34(2) thereof. Amendment 2 Proposal for a Regulation Recital 6 a (new) (6a)  Promoting a high level of social protection and raising the standard of living and the quality of life in the Member States are objectives of the European Union.