(Codecision procedure: second reading)

The European Parliament,

-  having regard to the Council common position (7455/1/00 - C5-0330/2000 ),(1)

-  having regard to its position at first reading(2) on the Commission proposal to Parliament and the Council (COM(1999)158 (3) ),

-  having regard to the Commission's amended proposal (COM(2000) 185 ),

-  having regard to Article 251(2) of the EC Treaty,

-  having regard to Rule 78 of its Rules of Procedure,

-  having regard to the recommendation for second reading of the Committee on Regional Policy, Transport and Tourism (A5-0234/2000 ),

1.  Approves the common position;

2.  Notes that the act is adopted in accordance with the common position;

3.  Instructs its President to sign the act with the President of the Council pursuant to Article 254(1) of the EC Treaty;

4.  Instructs its Secretary-General duly to sign the act and, in agreement with the Secretary-General of the Council, to have it published in the Official Journal of the European Communities;

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

(1) OJ C 245, 25.8.2000, p. 7. (2) Texts Adopted of 18.1.2000, Item 6. (3) OJ C 171, 18.6.1999, p.17.