(Consultation procedure)

The European Parliament,

–   having regard to the draft Council regulation (14320/2007),

–   having regard to the Commission proposal (COM(2007)0364),

–   having regard to Council Regulation (EC, Euratom) No 1605/2002 of 25 June 2002 on the Financial Regulation applicable to the general budget of the European Communities(1),

–   having regard to Regulation (EC) No 2004/2003 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 4 November 2003 on the regulations governing political parties at European level and the rules regarding their funding(2),

–   having regard to Article 279 of the EC Treaty, pursuant to which the Council consulted Parliament (C6-0411/2007),

–   having regard to Rules 51 and 43(1) of its Rules of Procedure,

–   having regard to the report of the Committee on Constitutional Affairs and the letter of the Committee on Budgets (A6-0465/2007),

1.  Approves the draft Council regulation;

2.  Calls on the Council to notify Parliament if it intends to depart from the text approved by Parliament;

3.  Asks the Council to consult Parliament again if it intends to amend the text substantially;

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

(1) OJ L 248, 16.9.2002, p.1. Regulation as amended by Regulation (EC, Euratom) No 1995/2006 (OJ L 390, 30.12.2006, p. 1). (2) OJ L 297, 15.11.2003, p. 1.