(Codecision procedure: third reading)

The European Parliament,

-  having regard to the joint text approved by the Conciliation Committee (PE-CONS 3656/2001 - C5-0526/2001 ),

-  having regard to its position at first reading(1) on the Commission proposal to the European Parliament and the Council (COM(2000) 142 (2) ),

-  having regard to the amended proposal (COM(2000) 849 (3) ),

-  having regard to its position at second reading(4) on the Council common position(5) ,

-  having regard to the Commission's opinion on Parliament's amendments to the common position (COM(2001) 338 - C5-0265/2001 ),

-  having regard to Article 251(5) of the EC Treaty,

-  having regard to Rule 83 of its Rules of Procedure,

-  having regard to the report of its delegation to the Conciliation Committee (A5-0441/2001 ),

1.  Approves the joint text;

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

3.  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;

4.  Instructs its President to forward this legislative resolution to the Council and Commission.

(1) OJ C 228, 13.8.2001, p. 150. (2) OJ C 212 E, 25.7.2000, p. 114. (3) OJ C 154 E, 29.5.2001, p. 51. (4) Texts Adopted of 16.5.2001, Item 10. (5) OJ C 101, 30.3.2001, p. 1.