(Consultation procedure)

The European Parliament,

–   having regard to the Commission proposal (COM(2004)0178)(1),

–   having regard to Article 63 of the EC Treaty,

–   having regard to Article 67 of the EC Treaty, pursuant to which the Council consulted Parliament (C6-0012/2004),

–   having regard to Rule 51 of its Rules of Procedure,

–   having regard to the report of the Committee on Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs and the opinion of the Committee on Industry, Research and Energy (A6-0054/2005),

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 Commission.

Text proposed by the Commission   Amendments by Parliament Amendment 25 Recital 4 (4)  The number of researchers which the Community will need if it is to meet the target set by the Barcelona European Council of investing 3% of GDP in research is put at 700 000. This target must be met through a series of interlocking measures, such as making scientific careers more attractive to young people, increasing the opportunities for training and mobility in research, improving career prospects for researchers within the Community and opening up the Community to third-country nationals who might be admitted for the purposes of research. (4)  The number of researchers which the Community will need if it is to meet the target set by the Barcelona European Council of investing 3% of GDP in research is put at 700 000. This target must be met through a series of interlocking measures, such as making scientific careers more attractive to young people, promoting women's involvement in scientific research, increasing the opportunities for training and mobility in research, improving career prospects for researchers within the Community and opening up the Community to third-country nationals who might be admitted for the purposes of research. Amendment 26 Paragraph 1, point (c) (c) guarantee third-country nationals the possibility of working as a researcher without any maximum time limit, save where an exception is justified by the needs of the researchers" country of origin; (c) guarantee third-country nationals the possibility of working as a researcher without any maximum time limit, save where the third-country national in question is not in possession of a valid passport or equivalent travel document or constitutes a threat to public policy, public security or public health; Amendment 27 Paragraph 2, point (b) (b) guarantee third-country nationals working as researchers that their residence permits will be renewed indefinitely, save where an exception is justified by the needs of the researchers" country of origin; (b) guarantee third-country nationals working as researchers that their residence permits will be renewed indefinitely, save where the third-country national in question is not in possession of a valid passport or equivalent travel document or constitutes a threat to public policy, public security or public health; Amendment 28 Paragraph 4, point (d) (d) designate a contact person within the ministry that deals with research who would be responsible for the admission of researchers from third countries; (d) designate a contact person within the ministry that deals with research and innovation who would be responsible for the admission of researchers from third countries;

(1) Not yet published in OJ.