(Consultation procedure)

The European Parliament,

–   having regard to the proposal for a Council decision (COM(2008)0530),

–   having regard to the Optional Protocol to the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities ("the Optional Protocol"), adopted by the United Nations General Assembly on 13 December 2006,

–   having regard to Articles 13(1) and 300(2), first subparagraph, of the EC Treaty,

–   having regard to Article 300(3), first subparagraph, of the EC Treaty, pursuant to which the Council consulted Parliament (C6-0117/2009),

–   having regard to Rules 51 and 83(7) of its Rules of Procedure,

–   having regard to the report of the Committee on Employment and Social Affairs and the opinion of the Committee on Women's rights and Gender Equality (A6-0230/2009),

1.  Approves conclusion of the Optional Protocol;

2.  Calls on the Member States and the Commission to report every three years to the Council and to Parliament on the status of implementation of the Optional Protocol in accordance with their respective fields of competence;

3.  Instructs its President to forward its position to the Council and the Commission, and the governments and parliaments of the Member States.