(Codecision procedure: second reading)

The European Parliament,

–   having regard to the Council common position (16367/1/2006 – C6-0089/2007) and the relevant statement by the Council and Parliament,

–   having regard to its position at first reading(1) on the Commission proposal to Parliament and the Council (COM(2005)0122)(2) and on the amended proposal (COM(2006)0230)(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 Women's Rights and Gender Equality (A6-0147/2007),

1.  Approves the common position and confirms the statement annexed to this legislative resolution;

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 the Commission.

(1) OJ C 305 E, 14.12.2006, p. 75. (2) Not yet published in OJ. (3) Not yet published in OJ.

STATEMENT BY THE COUNCIL AND THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT

Violence and the threat of violence constitute a breach of the right to life, safety, freedom, dignity and physical and emotional integrity, and are a serious threat to the physical and mental health of the victims of such violence. The effects of such violence, being so widespread throughout the Community, constitute a genuine fundamental rights violation and health scourge and an obstacle to the enjoyment by all people of safe, free and just citizenship. The aim of the Daphne III programme is to prevent and combat violence against children, young people and women and to protect victims and groups at risk. With a view to furthering these aims, the European Parliament and the Council invite the European Commission to consider the possibility of an initiative for a European Year to combat violence against children, young people and women.