(Ordinary legislative procedure: first reading)

The European Parliament,

–  having regard to the Commission proposal to Parliament and the Council (COM(2008)0650),

–  having regard to Article 251(2) and Articles 71 and 137(2) of the EC Treaty, pursuant to which the Commission submitted the proposal to Parliament (C6-0354/2008),

–  having regard to the Commission Communication to Parliament and the Council entitled ’Consequences of the entry into force of the Treaty of Lisbon for ongoing interinstitutional decision-making procedures’ (COM(2009)0665),

–  having regard to Article 294(3) and Articles 91 and 153(3) of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union,

–  having regard to the opinion of the European Economic and Social Committee of 25 March 2009(1),

–  after consulting the Committee of the Regions,

–  having regard to Rule 55 of its Rules of Procedure,

–  having regard to the report of the Committee on Employment and Social Affairs (A7-0137/2010),

1.  Rejects the Commission proposal;

2.  Calls on the Commission to withdraw its proposal and take appropriate steps together with Parliament to submit a new proposal;

3.  Instructs its President to forward its position to the Council, the Commission and the national parliaments.

(1) OJ C 228, 22.9.2009, p. 78.