(Codecision procedure: first reading)

The European Parliament,

–   having regard to the Commission proposal to the European Parliament and the Council (COM(2002) 529)(1),

–   having regard to Article 251(2) and Article 95 of the EC Treaty, pursuant to which the Commission submitted the proposal to Parliament (C5-0445/2002),

–   having regard to Rules 67, 89 and 158(1) of its Rules of Procedure,

–   having regard to the report of the Committee on Legal Affairs and the Internal Market (A5&nbhy;0205/2003),

1.  Approves the Commission proposal;

2.  Calls on the Commission to refer the matter back to Parliament again if it intends to amend its proposal substantially or replace it with another text;

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

(1) Not yet published in the Official Journal.