(Ordinary legislative procedure: first reading)

The European Parliament,

–  having regard to the Commission proposal to the European Parliament and the Council (COM(2010)0085),

–  having regard to Article 294(2) and Article 322 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union as well as Article 106a of the Treaty establishing the European Atomic Energy Community, pursuant to which the Commission submitted the proposal to Parliament (C7-0086/2010),

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

–  having regard to the opinion of the Court of Auditors of 29 April 2010(1),

–  having regard to the undertaking given by the Council representative by letter of 13 October 2010 to approve Parliament's position, in accordance with Article 294(4) of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union,

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

–  having regard to the joint deliberations of the Committee on Budgets and of the Committee on Budgetary Control pursuant to Rule 51 of its Rules of Procedure,

–  having regard to the report of the Committee on Budgets and of the Committee on Budgetary Control and the opinions of the Committee on Foreign Affairs, Committee on Development, Committee on International Trade and of the Committee on Constitutional Affairs (A7-0263/2010),

1.  Adopts its position at first reading hereinafter set out;

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

(1) OJ C 145, 3.6.2010, p. 4.

(As an agreement was reached between Parliament and Council, Parliament's position corresponds to the final legislative act, Regulation (EU, Euratom) No 1081/2010.)

Commission declaration

The Commission will address the issue of the European Development Fund instrument with a view to integrate it in the Union budget in the framework of its proposals relating to the next multiannual financial framework.