(Ordinary legislative procedure: first reading)

The European Parliament,

–  having regard to the request by the Court of Justice submitted to Parliament and the Council (01923/2011),

–  having regard to Articles 257 and 281 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union, pursuant to which the draft act was submitted to Parliament (C7-0091/2011),

–  having regard to Article 294(3) and (15) of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union,

–  having regard to the opinion of the Commission (COM(2011)0596),

–  having regard to the undertaking given by the Council representative by letter of 31 May 2012 to approve Parliament's position, in accordance with Article 294(4) of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union,

–  having regard to Rule 55 of its Rules of Procedure,

–  having regard to the report of the Committee on Legal Affairs (A7-0184/2012),

1.  Adopts its position at first reading hereinafter set out;

2.  Instructs its President to forward its position to the Council, the Court of Justice, the Commission and the national parliaments.

(As an agreement was reached between Parliament and Council, Parliament's position corresponds to the final legislative act, Regulation (EU, Euratom) No 979/2012.)