(Codecision procedure: second reading)

The European Parliament,

-  having regard to the Council common position (5766/2/2001 - C5-0135/2001 ),

-  having regard to its position at first reading(1) on the Commission proposal to Parliament and the Council (COM(1998) 678 )(2) ,

-  having regard to the Commission's amended proposal (COM(2000) 648 )(3) ,

-  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 Employment and Social Affairs (A5-0156/2001 ),

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) Texts Adopted of 21.9.2000, Item 8. (2) OJ C 247 E, 31.8.1999, p. 23. (3) OJ C 62 E, 27.2.2001, p. 113.