(Consultation procedure)

The European Parliament,

–   having regard to the Commission proposal to the Council (COM(2003) 603)(1),

–   having regard to Article 308 of the EC Treaty, pursuant to which the Council consulted Parliament (C5-0501/2003),

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

–   having regard to the report of the Committee on Budgets and the opinions of the Committee on Foreign Affairs, Human Rights, Common Security and Defence Policy and the Committee on Industry, External Trade, Research and Energy (A5-0198/2004),

1.  Approves the Commission proposal as amended on 31 March 2004(2);

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 Commission.

(1) Not yet published in OJ. (2) P5_TA(2004)0230.