The proposal was amended as follows:

Text proposed by the Commission (1)   Amendments by Parliament Amendment 1 Recital 5    (5) Different levels are needed for regional statistics depending on the purpose of these statistics. It is appropriate to have three levels of detail in the European regional classification NUTS.    (5) Different levels are needed for regional statistics depending on the purpose of these statistics. It is appropriate to have at least three levels of detail in the European territorial classification NUTS. Amendment 2 Recital 9    (9) Comparability of regional statistics requires that the regions be of a comparable size in terms of population. In order to achieve this goal, amendments of the NUTS classification should render the regional structure more homogeneous in terms of population size.    (9) Comparability of regional statistics requires that the territorial units be of a comparable size in terms of population. In order to achieve this goal, amendments of the NUTS classification should render the regional structure more homogeneous in terms of population size. The actual political, administrative and institutional situation must also be respected. Non-administrative units must correspond to economic, social, geographical and environmental circumstances. Amendment 3 Recital 9 a (new) (9a) It is necessary to define the population on which the classification is based. Amendment 4 Article 2    1. The NUTS classification comprises for each region a specified code and name. It subdivides the economic territory of the Community, as defined in the Commission Decision 91/450/EEC of 26 July 1991, into territorial units, hereinafter referred to as “regions”.    1. The NUTS classification comprises for each territorial unit a specified code and name. It subdivides the economic territory of the Community, as defined in the Commission Decision 91/450/EEC of 26 July 1991, into territorial units.    2. The NUTS classification is hierarchical. It subdivides each Member State into NUTS level 1 regions , each of which is subdivided into NUTS level 2 regions , these in turn each being subdivided into NUTS level 3 regions .    2. The NUTS classification is hierarchical. It subdivides each Member State into NUTS level 1 territorial units , each of which is subdivided into NUTS level 2 territorial units , these in turn each being subdivided into NUTS level 3 territorial units.    3. However, a particular region may represent several levels of NUTS.    3. However, a particular territorial unit may be classified at several levels of NUTS.    4. Two different regions in the same Member State may not be identified by the same name. If two regions in different Member States have the same name, the country identifier is added to the region name.    4. Two different territorial units in the same Member State may not be identified by the same name. If two territorial units in different Member States have the same name, the country identifier is added to the territorial unit name. Amendment 5 Article 3, paragraph 2 a (new) 2a. For the purpose of this Regulation the "population of a territorial unit” shall consist of those persons having their usual place of residence in this area. Amendment 6 Article 3, paragraph 4, subparagraph 3 However, because of particular administrative and geographical circumstances, to be appreciated by the Commission , individual non-administrative units may deviate from these thresholds. However, because of particular administrative and geographical circumstances, especially in islands and the outermost regions , individual non-administrative units may deviate from these thresholds. Amendment 7 Article 4, paragraph 1 a (new) 1a. No later than...*, the Commission shall, after consulting the Member States in accordance with the procedure referred to in Article 7(2), submit a communication to the European Parliament and the Council on the appropriateness of establishing a new NUTS level 4. __________________________________ 1 Two years after the entry into force of this Regulation Amendment 8 Article 5, paragraph 5    5. After an amendment to NUTS is adopted, the Member State concerned must ensure within two years the provision of historical time series for the new regional breakdown for the last five years .    5. After an amendment to NUTS is adopted, the Member State concerned must ensure within two years the provision of historical time series for the new territorial breakdown. The length of the historical time series shall be established in accordance with the procedure referred to in Article 7(2). Amendment 9 Article 7 a (new) Article 7a Report No later than ...*, the Commission shall submit a report to the European Parliament and the Council on the implementation of this Regulation. __________________________________ * Three years after the entry into force of this Regulation Amendment 10 Annex I, España NUTS 2NUTS 3 ES63Ceuta y Melilla ES631Ceuta NUTS 2 NUTS 3 ES 63Ceuta ES 631Ceuta ES632 Melilla ES 64 Melilla ES 641 Melilla Amendment 11 Annex II, paragraph 3 At NUTS level 3 for Belgium "arrondissements”, for Denmark "Amter”, for Germany "Kreise / kreisfreie Städte”, for Greece "nomoi”, for Spain "provincias”, for France "départements”, for Ireland "regional authority regions”, for Italy "provincie” and for Sweden "län”. At NUTS level 3 for Belgium "arrondissements”, for Denmark "Amter”, for Germany "Kreise / kreisfreie Städte”, for Greece "nomoi”, for Spain "provincias”, for France "départements”, for Ireland "regional authority regions”, for Italy "provincie”, for Sweden "län” and for Finland “maakunnat” .

(1) OJ C 180 E, 26.6.2001, p. 108.

(Codecision procedure: first reading)

The European Parliament,

-  having regard to the Commission proposal to the European Parliament and the Council (COM(2001) 83 (1) ),

-  having regard to Article 251(2) and Article 285 of the EC Treaty pursuant to which the Commission submitted the proposal to Parliament (C5-0065/2001 ),

-  having regard to Rule 67 of its Rules of Procedure,

-  having regard to the report of the Committee on Regional Policy, Transport and Tourism (A5-0335/2001 ),

1.  Approves the Commission proposal as amended;

2.  Asks to be consulted again should the Commission intend to amend the proposal substantially or replace it with another text;

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

(1) OJ C 180 E, 26.6.2001, p. 108.