(Codecision procedure: second reading)

The European Parliament,

–   having regard to the Council common position (16305/1/2003 – C5-0094/2004)(1),

–   having regard to its position at first reading(2) on the Commission proposal to Parliament and the Council (COM(2001) 335)(3),

–   having regard to the amended proposal (COM(2002) 623)(4),

–   having regard to Article 251(2) of the EC Treaty,

–   having regard to Rule 78 of its Rules of Procedure,

–   having regard to the recommendation for second reading of the Committee on Regional Policy, Transport and Tourism (A5-0217/2004),

1.  Approves the common position;

2.  Notes that the act is adopted in accordance with the common position;

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

4.  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 Union;

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

(1) 1 Not yet published in OJ. (2) 2 OJ C 261 E, 30.10.2003, p. 116. (3) 3 OJ C 270 E, 25.9.2001, p. 131. (4) 4 Not yet published in OJ.