(Consultation procedure)

The European Parliament,

–   having regard to the Commission proposal to the Council (COM(2003) 305)(1),

–   having regard to Article 144 of the EC Treaty, pursuant to which the Council consulted Parliament (C5-0317/2003),

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

–   having regard to the report of the Committee on Employment and Social Affairs and the opinion of the Committee on Women's Rights and Equal Opportunities (A5-0037/2004),

1.  Approves the Commission proposal as amended;

2.  Calls on the Commission to alter its proposal accordingly, pursuant to Article 250(2) of the EC Treaty;

3.  Calls on the Council to notify Parliament if it intends to depart from the text approved by Parliament;

4.  Asks the Council to consult Parliament again if it intends to amend the Commission proposal substantially;

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

Text proposed by the Commission   Amendments by Parliament Amendment 1 Article 1, paragraph 2, point (aa) (new) (aa) to pay particular attention to poverty issues and to progress in social inclusion within the Member States and in the accession countries. Amendment 2 Article 1, paragraph 2, point (c) (c) without prejudice to Article 207 of the Treaty, to prepare reports, formulate opinions or undertake other work within its fields of competence, at the request of either the Council or the Commission or on its own initiative. (c) without prejudice to Article 207 of the Treaty, to prepare an annual joint report on social protection to be submitted to the Council and to the European Parliament reporting on the common objectives adopted by the Council and to prepare any other reports, formulate opinions or undertake other work within its fields of competence, at the request of either the Council or the Commission or on its own initiative. Amendment 3 Article 1, paragraph 2, subparagraph 1a (new) (1a) In fulfilling its duties the Committee shall incorporate the gender dimension horizontally and report on the specific difficulties encountered by women, not least in relation to the feminisation of poverty and changes in family models. It would therefore be desirable to introduce sex-disaggregated indicators that focus on the individual rather than on the household. Amendment 4 Article 1, paragraph 4 4.  In fulfilling its mandate, the Committee shall establish appropriate contacts with the social partners. 4.  In fulfilling its mandate, the Committee shall establish appropriate contacts with the social partners and, where appropriate, aim for a more structured engagement in its working methods with all relevant bodies such as NGOs that work with people actually experiencing poverty. Amendment 5 Article 1, paragraph 4a (new) 4a. The Committee shall include a specific chapter, containing European Parliament points of views on Social Protection matters, in its reports, opinions and other works. Amendment 6 Article 1, paragraph 4b (new) 4b. An effective system of providing information shall be established in an appropriate way so as to enable the European Parliament to follow matters up on a regular basis. Amendment 7 Article 2, paragraph 1, subparagraph 1a (new) Expenses shall be reimbursed as regards one representative per Member State only. Amendment 8 Article 2, paragraph 1, subparagraph 2 Member States and the Commission shall use their best endeavours to achieve a gender balance in the composition of delegations. Gender balance shall be maintained in the composition of delegations. Member States and the Commission must ensure this balance is achieved. Amendment 9 Article 2, paragraph 2a (new) 2a. The Committee shall regularly provide information to and consul representatives of the accession countries.

(1) Not yet published in OJ.