(Codecision procedure: third reading)

The European Parliament,

–   having regard to the joint text approved by the Conciliation Committee (PE-CONS 3611/2002 – C5&nbhy;0098/2002),

–   having regard to its position at first reading(1) on the Commission proposal to Parliament and the Council (COM(2000) 468(2)),

–   having regard to its position at second reading(3) on the Council common position(4),

–   having regard to the Commission's opinion on Parliament's amendments to the common position (COM(2001) 621 &nbhy; C5&nbhy;0515/2001),

–   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&nbhy;0121/2002),

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 232, 17.8.2001, p. 305. (2) OJ C 337 E, 28.11.2000, p. 251. (3) OJ C 87 E, 11.4.2002, p. 118. (4) OJ C 297, 23.10.2001, p. 49.