(Codecision procedure: second reading)

The European Parliament,

–   having regard to the Council common position (6282/3/2006 – C6-0272/2006),

–   having regard to its position at first reading(1) on the Commission proposal to Parliament and the Council (COM(2004)0488)(2),

–   having regard to the amended Commission proposal (COM(2005)0536)(3),

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

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

–   having regard to the recommendation for second reading of the Committee on Employment and Social Affairs (A6-0300/2006),

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 to sign the act, once it has been verified that all the procedures have been duly completed, 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) OJ C 193 E, 17.8.2006, p. 99. (2) Not yet published in OJ. (3) Not yet published in OJ.