The European Parliament,

–   having regard to Article 272 of the EC Treaty and Article 177 of the Euratom Treaty,

–   having regard to Council Regulation (EC, Euratom) No 1605/2002 of 25 June 2002 on the Financial Regulation applicable to the general budget of the European Communities(1) and particularly Articles 37 and 38 thereof,

–   having regard to the general budget of the European Union for the financial year 2004, as finally adopted on 18 December 2003(2),

–   having regard to the Interinstitutional Agreement of 6 May 1999 between the European Parliament, the Council and the Commission on budgetary discipline and improvement of the budgetary procedure(3),

–   having regard to the preliminary draft estimates adopted by its Bureau on 9 February 2004,

–   having regard to Rule 92 of and Annex IV to its Rules of Procedure,

–   having regard to the report of the Committee on Budgets (A5-0072/2004),

A.   whereas the revised Staff Regulations are expected to enter into force on 1 May 2004,

B.   whereas, to comply with the revised Staff Regulations, the 2004 establishment plan has to be technically adapted to accomodate the new grades during the transitional period and a new budget item for contract staff has to be created with a token entry (p.m.),

1.  Adopts the estimates, as attached to this resolution, pending an amending budget for the financial year 2004 to take account of the revised Staff Regulations;

2.  Calls on its Secretary-General to provide supplementary information on the following points by 15 April 2004:

3.  Instructs its President to forward this resolution and the attached estimates to the Council and the Commission.

(1) OJ L 248, 16.9.2002. (2) OJ L 53, 23.2.2004. (3) OJ C 172, 18.6.1999, p. 1. Agreement as amended by Decision 2003/429/EC (OJ L 147, 14.6.2003, p. 25).

TITLE 1- EXPENDITURE RELATING TO PERSONS WORKING WITH THE INSTITUTION

CHAPTER 11 - STAFF IN ACTIVE EMPLOYMENT

New item

Item 1115 Contract staff

Remarks

Rules applicable to other servants of the European Communities adopted on ... 2004, with particular reference to Articles 1, 3a and 3b thereof.