(Ordinary legislative procedure: first reading)

The European Parliament,

–  having regard to the Commission proposal to Parliament and the Council (COM(2011)0326),

–  having regard to Article 294(2) and Article 82(2) of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union, pursuant to which the Commission submitted the proposal to Parliament (C7–0157/2011),

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

–  having regard to the contributions submitted by the Bulgarian Parliament, the Italian Senate and the Portuguese Parliament on the draft legislative act,

–  having regard to the opinion of the European Economic and Social Committee of 7 December 2011(1),

–  after consulting the Committee of the Regions,

–  having regard to the undertaking given by the Council representative by letter of 4 June 2013 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 Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs and the opinion of the Committee on Legal Affairs (A7-0228/2013),

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

2.  Calls on the Commission to refer the matter to Parliament again if it intends to amend its proposal substantially or replace it with another text;

3.  Instructs its President to forward its position to the Council, the Commission and the national parliaments.

(1) OJ C 43, 15.2.2012, p. 51.

(As an agreement was reached between Parliament and Council, Parliament's position corresponds to the final legislative act, Directive 2013/48/EU.)