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2008 BUDGETARY PROCEDURE

Doc No:6: (3)

*******19.10.2007

COMMITTEE ON BUDGETSRAPPORTEURS :

KYÖSTI VIRRANKOSKI - SECTION III (COMMISSION)VILLE ITÄLÄ - OTHER SECTIONS

PARLIAMENT - 1st READINGAmendments adopted by the

Committee on Budgets

EN EN

Draft amendment 1127 === BUDG/4873===

Budget reference line : 21BUDG/4873 Compromise amendment between FEMM/6021, DEVE/5482 << Tabled by Committee on Budgets >>

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Volume 4 (section 3) — Commission

Title 21 Development and relations with African, Caribbean and Pacific (ACP) States

Amend overall objective and remarks as follows:

Heading:Development and relations with African, Caribbean and Pacific (ACP) States

Overall objective:Amend text as follows:

The purpose of development cooperation under this heading is primarily its contribution to achieving the millennium development goals (MDGs), particularly goal 1 to halve the proportion of people whose income is less than USD 1 per day and to halve the proportion of people who suffer from hunger before 2015. The MDGs give an overall benchmark for this.— Support efforts to reach the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), in particular in Africa,

— Translate the policy framework into the new programming cycle,

— Improve the effectiveness of EU aid among Member States and with international donors, develop the EC's role as a centre of excellence for EU thinking on development policies and strengthen the EU/EC’s impact on the international development debate and cooperation,

— Enhance policy coherence for development.

Add following text:

— Enhance policy coherence for development.

Add following text:

In accordance with the Commission Declaration concerning Article 5 of Regulation (EC) No 1905/2006 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 18 December 2006 establishing a financing instrument for development cooperation (OJ L 378, 27.12.2006, p. 41) (the DCI), for countries defined as Official Development Assistance (ODA) recipients by the OECD Development Assistance Committee (DAC), the Commission will continue to report annually on the benchmark, used in the past but now superseded, of 35 % of assistance to developing countries to be allocated to social infrastructure and services, recognising that the EU contribution must be seen as a part of the overall donor support to the social sectors and that a degree of flexibility must be the norm. Moreover, also in accordance with that Commission Declaration, the Commission will endeavour to ensure that a benchmark of 20 % of its allocated assistance under country programmes covered by the DCI will be dedicated, by 2009, to basic and secondary education and basic health, through project, programme or budget support linked to these sectors, taking an average across all geographical areas and recognising that a degree of flexibility must be the norm, such as in cases where exceptional assistance is involved.

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Add following text:

Before July each year, the Commission will provide to the European Parliament and the Council an annual report on the Community’s development policy and external assistance, meeting all the Commission’s regulatory reporting requirements and giving full details of development cooperation, especially the extent to which it has met its objectives. In particular, the report will:— present the strategic objectives of the Union’s development policy and its contribution towards the

previous 35 % benchmark for social infrastructure and services and the current 20 % benchmark for basic and secondary education and for basic health, and assess the efficiency and effectiveness of cooperation, including progress made in coordinating aid, in improving the coherence of the Union’s strategy in its external actions, and in integrating the cross-cutting issues such as gender, human rights, conflict prevention and the environment;

— present the main results of evaluation and monitoring reports, as an indication of the extent to which its actions are achieving their objectives;

— summarise the key features and events of co-operation in each geographical region; and

— provide financial information on the support given to each sector, in accordance with OECD reporting criteria.

Remarks:Add following text:

Community assistance shall not be given to any government or organisation or programme which supports or participates in the management of a programme which involves human rights abuses such as coercive abortion or involuntary sterilisation or infanticide. This implements the specific Cairo ICPD prohibition on coercion or compulsion in sexual and reproductive health matters. The Commission shall present each year a report on the implementation of the EU’s external assistance covering this programme.

Legal basis:Reference acts:Justification:«Coercive abortion, involuntary sterilization or infanticide» is an agreed term consistent with other budget-line remarks (e.g. B7-300 [19 10 01] and B7-301 [19 10 02] in the 2003 budget). Articles 7.3, 7.12 and 7.17 of Part 1 of the ICPD report contain specific prohibitions of such activity.

Article 11 TEU sets out the objectives of the CFSP, one of these being to develop and consolidate democracy, the rule of law, respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms.

This is intended to help ensure budgetary discipline.

Development cooperation with the ACP States is geared towards achieving the Millennium Development Goals. That should be expressly emphasised.

As with the geographic programmes for Asia and Latin America under the Development Cooperation Instrument (DCI), the 35% developing-country assistance benchmark for social infrastructure and services and the 20% benchmark for basic and secondary education and basic health apply as set out in the above remarks.

The Committee on Budgets has taken over and modified the amendments tabled by the DEVE and the FEMM committees.

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Budget reference line : 21 04 05BUDG/4986 Compromise amendment between ITRE/6161 << Tabled by Committee on Budgets >>

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Article 21 04 05 Global Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Fund (GEEREF)

Amend remarks and figures as follows:21 04 05 Budget 2007 PDB 2008 DB 2008 AMENDMENT DB+AMENDMENT

Commitments Payments Commitments Payments Commitments Payments Commitments Payments Commitments Payments

Appropriations 5 000 000 5 000 000 p.m. p.m. p.m. p.m. 2 000 000 2 000 000 2 000 000 2 000 000Reserves

Heading:Global Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Fund (GEEREF)

Remarks:After paragraph

This appropriation will be used to support the creation of ..........investment projects in developing countries, Europe and its neighbouring countries.

Add following text:

In the context of climate change, the European Union needs to take the lead as regards measures to reduce its effects and causes. The exchange of good practices between the Member States in the area of energy efficiency will enable the European Union to act in a coordinated fashion, thus helping to lay down joint energy policy strategies and actions.

Legal basis:Reference acts:Justification:2007 saw the launch of the preparatory action for the Global Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Fund (GEEREF). Each Member State now has to establish a plan for energy efficiency and forward it to the Commission. This preparatory action could also include the exchange of good practices in the field of establishing and implementing viable energy efficiency plans.

The Committee on Budgets has taken over and modified the amendment tabled by the ITRE committee.=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-==-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-==-=-=-=-


Budget reference line : 21 04 06BUDG/4965 Compromise amendment between DEVE/5488 << Tabled by Committee on Budgets >>

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Article 21 04 06 Water management in developing countries

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Appropriations 3 000 000 p.m. p.m. 1 000 000 p.m. 1 000 000 3 000 000 2 000 000 3 000 000 3 000 000Reserves

Heading:Water management in developing countries


It is also intended to cover multi-stakeholder dialogue and coordination ..........in particular, with a view to cooperation between developing countries.

Add following text:

In 2008, measures will be extended to African regions suffering from acute water shortage.

Legal basis:Reference acts:Justification:The pilot project has made a successful start in 2007. After projects have been developed in Central Asia and South America in 2007, projects in African regions suffering from acute water shortage should be added in 2008.

The Committee on Budgets has taken over and modified the amendments tabled by the DEVE committee.=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-==-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-==-=-=-=-


Budget reference line : 21 05 01 01BUDG/4919 Compromise amendment between DEVE/5556, PSE//8440DEVE/5556 Compromise amendment between DEVE/5489, DEVE/5529 << Tabled by Committee on Budgets >>

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Item 21 05 01 01 Health

Amend remarks and figures as follows:21 05 01 01 Budget 2007 PDB 2008 DB 2008 AMENDMENT DB+AMENDMENT


Appropriations 65 900 000 12 073 029 71 901 000 55 000 000 71 901 000 55 000 000 -41 901 000 -35 000 000 30 000 000 20 000 000Reserves

Heading:Health


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This appropriation is intended to provide financial support to actions ..........for all" component of the thematic programme "Investing in people".

Amend text as follows:

Financial support is provided to actions in four priority areas: (1) combating poverty and neglected diseases, targeting the major communicable diseases and diseases that can be prevented by vaccination;diseases; (2) improving reproductive and sexual health in developing countries; (3) improving equitable access to health providers, commodities and health services; and (4) keeping a balanced approach between prevention, treatment and care, with prevention as a key priority.

Add following text:

This appropriation will be made available for measures carried out by the Commission. It may not be made available to the Global Fund to Fight Aids, Tuberculosis and Malaria (GFATM).

Legal basis:Reference acts:

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Add: 21 05 01 01 N —

Amend classification: NCE

Amend type: DA21 05 01 01 N Budget 2007 PDB 2008 DB 2008 AMENDMENT DB+AMENDMENT


Appropriations 46 000 000 46 000 000 46 000 000 46 000 000

Reserves

Heading:Global Fund to Fight Aids, Tuberculosis and Malaria (GFATM)


This appropriation is intended to provide financial support for actions under the Global Fund to Fight Aids, Tuberculosis and Malaria (GFATM).

Legal basis:Add following text:

Regulation (EC) No 1905/2006 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 18 December 2006 establishing a financing instrument for development cooperation (OJ L 378, 27.12.2006, p. 41).

Reference acts:Justification:For 2008, the Commission has earmarked a total of € 100 m for the Global Fund. In 2007, € 38 m is coming from the European Development Fund, and € 62 m from the EU budget. For 2008, shares should be equalised. Introducing a new budget heading will bring about transparency and improve Parliament's supervisory scope.

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The appropriations will be released from the reserve once the Commission has satisfied Parliament that transferring monies to the Global Fund provides added value in terms of achieving the Millennium Development Goals, by comparison with implementation by the Commission, and that expenditure control is to the same standards as under the Community method.

To correspond with the priorities outlined in the Investing in People strategy which gives attention to poverty as well as neglected diseases which affect the poorest communities. The control of the neglected tropical diseases can help in the combating of HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis, and malaria. A combined approach adds little to the cost of these programmes, contains little risk, maximises resources and will have a significant impact on morbidity, mortality and disability of the poorest people, and especially of children.

The other strand of the «Good health for all» programme, namely vaccination in developing countries and in Europe's neighbouring countries, needs to be added.

The Committee on Budgets has taken over and modified the amendments tabled by the Socialist Group in the European Parliament and the Committee on Development.

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Budget reference line : 21 05 01 02BUDG/4906 Compromise amendment between DEVE/5483 << Tabled by Committee on Budgets >>

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Item 21 05 01 02 Education



Appropriations 23 350 000 3 000 000 14 600 000 9 000 000 14 600 000 9 000 000 3 000 000 0 17 600 000 9 000 000Reserves

Heading:Education


This appropriation is intended to provide financial support to actions ..........and skills" component of the thematic programme "Investing in people".


Financial support is provided to actions in seven priority areas: (1) the MDG of achieving universal primary education by 2015 and the Dakar Framework for Action on Education for All; (2) basic, secondary and higher education plus vocational education and training, to improve access to education for all children and, increasingly, for women and men of all ages; (3) promotion of high quality basic education, with particular focus on access for girls, children in conflict-affected areas and children from marginalised and more vulnerable social groups including children with disabilities;groups; (4) developing ways to measure learning outcomes in order to better assess the quality of education; (5) promoting donor harmonisation and alignment to promote universal, compulsory, free and high quality education through international or multi-country

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initiatives; (6) supporting an inclusive knowledge-based society and contributing to bridging the digital divide, and knowledge and information gaps; and (7) improving knowledge and innovation through science and technology together with the development of, and access to, electronic communication networks.

Add following text:

The measures should take into consideration the fact that, as a result of improved education and hence life prospects in countries of origin, migration is reduced.

Legal basis:Reference acts:Justification:The DCI is the legal basis for both budget headings;they cover different thematic programmes. The appropriations for these programmes are purely indicative.

The «Migration and asylum» programme is failing to meet Parliament's wish that, in particular, the causes of migration be addressed; rather, it focuses on controlling refugee flows. The thematic programme «Investing in people» is more suitable for making a start on genuinely tackling causes of flight, however. Better education, in particular, gives people a better start for coping with their lives in their home countries and is therefore a core factor for combating flight from poverty. In addition, the «Education» budget heading has been reduced appreciably and must be increased.

Only 3% of disabled children have access to education. At the midway stage of the MDGs, of the 22 million children out of school, one third are children with disabilities. Universal primary education will not be achieved if children with disabilities are not targeted and actively included in actions to promote and monitor progress in inclusive education.

The Committee on Budgets has taken over and modified the amendments tabled by the DEVE committee (DEVE/5483 and DEVE/5531).

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Draft amendment 0126 === DEVE/5530===

Budget reference line : 21 05 01 03 << Tabled by Committee on Development >>

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Item 21 05 01 03 Other aspects of human and social development

Amend remarks as follows:21 05 01 03 Budget 2007 PDB 2008 DB 2008 AMENDMENT DB+AMENDMENT


Appropriations 21 045 000 3 000 000 30 000 000 10 000 000 30 000 000 10 000 000 30 000 000 10 000 000

Reserves

Heading:Other aspects of human and social development

Remarks:Before paragraph

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Financial support is provided for actions in three priority areas: ..........(2) employment and social cohesion; and (3) youth and children.


This appropriation is intended to provide financial support to actions in developing countries and in Europe’s neighbouring countries under the "Other aspects of human and social development" component of the thematic programme "Investing in people", which focuses on the core themes of good health for all, knowledge and skills, culture, employment and social cohesion, gender equality, children and youth. Action in the four areas should take into account cross-cutting issues such as gender equality, needs of people with disabilities and environmental protection.

Legal basis:Reference acts:Justification:To be consistent with the Investing in People Strategy which highlights the need to give attention to the aforementioned cross-cutting issues.

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Item 21 05 01 04 Gender equality

Amend figures as follows:21 05 01 04 Budget 2007 PDB 2008 DB 2008 AMENDMENT DB+AMENDMENT


Appropriations 7 002 900 2 000 000 3 579 000 3 000 000 3 579 000 3 000 000 3 000 000 2 000 000 6 579 000 5 000 000Reserves

Justification:Improving the role of women is central to development and to achieving the Millennium Development Goals. A reduction in funds made available, over 2007, cannot be accepted;rather, the budget heading must be topped up in order to continue successful measures.

The Committee on Budgets has taken over and modified the amendments tabled by the Committee on Development.

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Add: 21 05 01 05 —


Amend type: DA21 05 01 05 Budget 2007 PDB 2008 DB 2008 AMENDMENT DB+AMENDMENT


Appropriations 500 000 500 000 500 000 500 000

Reserves

Heading:Qualitative and quantitative monitoring of health and education expenditure — Pilot project


This appropriation is intended to promote qualitative and quantitative monitoring of health and education expenditure and debate on health and education measures carried out by the Commission.

Add following text:

Implementation of specific projects is to be debated and monitored by experts and stakeholder groups so as to increase public awareness and knowledge of health and education measures.

Add following text:

Funding is also to cover measures to support the dissemination and exchange of results and best practices in developing countries.


Pilot project within the meaning of Article 49(6) of Council Regulation (EC, Euratom) No 1605/2002 of 25 June 2002 on the Financial Regulation applicable to the general budget of the European Communities (OJ L 248, 16.9.2002, p. 1), as amended by Regulation (EC, Euratom) No 1995/2006 (OJ L 390, 30.12.2006, p. 1).

Reference acts:Justification:During discussions on the Development Cooperation Instrument (DCI), Parliament insisted that the 20% benchmark for investment in basic education and basic health be acted on. The Commission ultimately pledged to achieve that benchmark, in modified form, by 2009.

In strategy papers, the Commission has been unable to show satisfactorily that it has genuinely shifted its focus to basic education and basic health. It is therefore important that, in collaboration with experts, stakeholders, civil society and the public in the countries concerned, Commission policy be critically monitored on the basis of specific projects.

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Budget reference line : 21 06 02 << Tabled by Committee on Development >>

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Article 21 06 02 Relations with South Africa

Amend remarks as follows:21 06 02 Budget 2007 PDB 2008 DB 2008 AMENDMENT DB+AMENDMENT


Appropriations 132 268 000 135 200 000 137 175 000 110 000 000 137 175 000 110 000 000 137 175 000 110 000 000

Reserves

Heading:Relations with South Africa

Remarks:After list beginning with :

Development cooperation will focus mainly on: Strengthening capacity for and ..........development).Support to governance (both in the public and non-public domains). — ..........

and ending with :

Support to governance (both in the public and non-public domains).

Add following text:

Development cooperation may also cover areas such as management of natural resources and environmental protection, disaster prevention and risk reduction, sustainable energy and climate-change-related measures.

Legal basis:Reference acts:Justification:The UN Millennium Ecosystem Assessment Report states that the degeneration and non-sustainable use of the world’s ecosystems will act as a barrier to achieving MDGs. The degradation of the natural resources base hits the poor worst. Strong measures must be taken to reverse the destruction of the livelihoods of the poor. At the same time measures are needed to promote sustainable energy and reduce disaster risks, including climate change-related hazards. Billions of people live in areas which are periodically exposed to at least one major hazard in the form of earthquakes, tropical cyclones, floods or drought. Unless disaster risks are more fully integrated into poverty reduction strategies and serious efforts done in terms of disaster prevention and preparedness, the MDGs will be very difficult to reach. Very little can be done to prevent extreme weather events and earthquakes from happening but much can be done to reduce the vulnerability of populations at risk.

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Budget reference line : 21 06 03BUDG/4995 Compromise amendment between ALDE/7808 << Tabled by Committee on Budgets >>

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Article 21 06 03 Adjustment support for sugar protocol countries

Amend figures as follows:21 06 03 Budget 2007 PDB 2008 DB 2008 AMENDMENT DB+AMENDMENT



Justification:This amendment seeks to increase the 2007 amount for aid to the ACP Sugar Protocol countries. The aid is vital, and there would appear to be no justification for reducing commitment appropriations for 2008:

- needs remain unchanged;

- the DCI, following belated adoption of its legal basis in December 2006, should become fully operational in 2008;

- since, lastly, the 2007-2013 indicative financial allocation for the ACP Sugar Protocol countries is EUR 1 244 m, there is a sufficient margin.

The Committee on Budgets has taken over and modified the amendment tabled by the ALDE group.=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-==-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-==-=-=-=-


Budget reference line : 21 08 02 << Tabled by Committee on Development >>

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Article 21 08 02 Coordination and promotion of awareness on development issues




Justification:Reinstate PDB. In past years Parliament has consistently supported coordination and promotion of awareness on development issues. Coordination can generate synergies, which in turn lead to greater efficiency and, in the long term, greater effectiveness in the provision of aid and, at the same time, produce savings.

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Budget reference line : 22 02 01BUDG/4921 Compromise amendment between AFET/5007, PPE//7564 << Tabled by Committee on Budgets >>

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Article 22 02 01 Transition and institution-building assistance to candidate countries

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Heading:Transition and institution-building assistance to candidate countries


Part of this appropriation is intended in particular to support ..........local development, micro-credit, environmental protection and the fight against poverty.


Under the Instrument for Pre-Accession Assistance (IPA), this appropriation is intended to cover the component ‘transition and institution building’ for candidate countries. The main objective is to develop an effective capacity to implement the acquis, in particular by means of: — strengthening democratic institutions, as well as the rule of law, including its enforcement,

— the promotion and the protection of human rights and fundamental freedoms and enhanced respect for minority rights, the promotion of gender equality and non-discrimination,

— public administration reform, including the establishment of a system enabling decentralisation of assistance management to the beneficiary country in accordance with the rules set down in the Financial Regulation,

— economic reform;

— the development of civil society and social inclusion, encouraging less well represented groups to gain a voice and participate in civil society, combating all forms of discrimination, and strengthening the rights of women and children and other particularly vulnerable groups, including disabled persons and older persons,

— reconciliation, confidence-building measures and reconstruction.

After paragraph

This appropriation may cover any eligible cooperation measures that are ..........of the IPA Regulation and for cooperation between the components.

Add following text:

Part of this allocation will be used to support the activities of the International Commission on Missing Persons in candidate countries.

Legal basis:Reference acts:Justification:Vulnerable groups need more support in the implementation of measures tackling the needs of civil society. In the past programmes such as ENP, PHARE, ISPA and CARDS have enhanced successfully the participation of

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civil society and, in particular, disabled people’s organizations. Civil society has shown to be a driver of change, stabilization, democratization and reconciliation.

The Committee on Budgets has taken over and modified the amendments tabled by the Committee on Foreign Affairs.

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Draft amendment 0364 === AFET/5106===

Budget reference line : 22 02 03AFET/5106 Compromise amendment between AFET/5063, AFET/5014, AFET/5033, AFET/5048 << Tabled by Committee on Foreign Affairs >>

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Article 22 02 03 Interim civilian administrations in the western Balkans



Appropriations 26 000 000 28 000 000 5 000 000 5 430 000 5 000 000 5 430 000 5 000 000 5 430 000

Reserves

Heading:Interim civilian administrations in the western Balkans


This appropriation is also intended to finance part of the ..........to that of the Special Coordinator of the Stability Pact.


UNMIK, the OHR, and the Special Coordinator of the Stability Pact will report to the European Parliament on the political situation in the regions concerned, in particular as regards its impact on the implementation of EU financial assistance.

Add following text:

Part of this appropriation is intended to be used, with due regard for the provisions of the Financial Regulation, for operations carried out by senior volunteer experts from the European Union who come under the ESSN (European Senior Services Network), including technical assistance, advisory services and training in selected public or private sector enterprises.

Legal basis:Reference acts:Justification:Your rapporteur takes the view, that Parliament's successful initiative of previous years (2005 - 2007), to integrate the senior volunteer experts in the EU external cooperation programmes, should be continued in response to both, demand in partner countries and interest signalled by the Commission.

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The European Union should use the experience, skills and knowledge of senior volunteer experts pooled in the European Senior Services Network (ESSN).

In the past, support for European projects drawing on the many years of personal and professional experience which senior experts have behind them has proved worthwhile, and it should continue.

The voluntary contribution made by the association provides vital added value for EU external action at minimal cost.

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Budget reference line : 22 02 05AFET/5107 Compromise amendment between AFET/5049 << Tabled by Committee on Foreign Affairs >>

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Article 22 02 05 Completion of former assistance

Amend remarks as follows:

Heading:Completion of former assistance


With the introduction of the new instrument for Pre-accession Assistance ..........contracted previously under the pre-accession assistance and the CARDS assistance.

Add following text:


Legal basis:Reference acts:Justification:The voluntary contribution made by the association provides vital added value for EU external action at minimal cost.

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Item 22 02 05 02 Completion of CARDS assistance

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Appropriations p.m. 433 800 000 p.m. 411 817 000 p.m. 411 817 000 0 0 p.m. 411 817 000Reserves 48 200 000

Heading:Completion of CARDS assistance


These appropriations may give rise to commitments stemming from legal ..........(such as legal settlements, penalties for late payments, regularisations, etc.).

Add following text:


Legal basis:Reference acts:Justification:In the past, support for European projects drawing on the many years of personal and professional experience which senior experts have behind them has proved worthwhile, and it should continue.

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Budget reference line : 22 02 05 03 << Tabled by Committee on Foreign Affairs >>

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Item 22 02 05 03 Completion of former cooperation with Turkey



Appropriations p.m. 270 000 000 p.m. 100 709 000 p.m. 70 709 000 0 30 000 000 p.m. 100 709 000Reserves

Justification:Restore the PDB.

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Draft amendment 0436 === CONT/6804===

Budget reference line : 22 02 05 07 << Tabled by Committee on Budgetary Control >>

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Add: 22 02 05 07 —


Amend type: DA22 02 05 07 Budget 2007 PDB 2008 DB 2008 AMENDMENT DB+AMENDMENT


Appropriations 0 20 000 000 p.m. 20 000 000

Reserves

Heading:European Agency for Reconstruction - Subsidy under Titles 1 and 2


This item is intended to cover the Agency's staff and administrative expenditure (Titles 1 and 2).

Add following text:

With the introduction of the new Instrument for Pre-Accession Assistance on 1 January 2007, this appropriation is intended to cover the liquidation of commitments contracted previously under the CARDS assistance for the western Balkans.

Add following text:

These appropriations may give rise to commitments stemming from legal obligations related to the closure of the projects (such as legal settlements, penalties for late payments, regularisations, etc.).

Add following text:

The establishment plan of the Agency is shown in Part C ‘Staff‚ of the general statement of revenue (volume 1).


Council Regulation (EC) No 2667/2000 of 5 December 2000 on the European Agency for Reconstruction (OJ L 306, 7.12.2000, p. 7), as last amended by Regulation (EC) No 1756/2006 (OJ L 332, 30.11.2006, p. 18).

Reference acts:-------------------------------


Add: 22 02 05 08 —


Amend type: DA

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22 02 05 08 Budget 2007 PDB 2008 DB 2008 AMENDMENT DB+AMENDMENTCommitments Payments Commitments Payments Commitments Payments Commitments Payments Commitments Payments

Appropriations 0 0 p.m. p.m.

Reserves

Heading:European Agency for Reconstruction - Subsidy under Title 3


This item is intended to cover the Agency's operational expenditure (Title 3).

Add following text:

With the introduction of the new Instrument for Pre-Accession Assistance on 1 January 2007, this appropriation is intended to cover the liquidation of commitments contracted previously under the CARDS assistance for the western Balkans.

Add following text:

These appropriations may give rise to commitments stemming from legal obligations related to the closure of the projects (such as legal settlements, penalties for late payments, regularisations, etc.).

Add following text:

The estimated revenue and expenditure of the European Agency for Reconstruction for the Financial Year 2008 is as follows:

Add following text:Revenue: — Title 1 Revenue 0— Title 2 European Community subsidy 20 000 000

Total 20 000 000Expenditure: — Title 1 Staff 15 225 500 — Title 2 Administrative expenditure 4 774 500 — Title 3 Operating expenditure 0

Total 20 000 000


Council Regulation (EC) No 2667/2000 of 5 December 2000 on the European Agency for Reconstruction (OJ L 306, 7.12.2000, p. 7), as last amended by Regulation (EC) No 1756/2006 (OJ L 332, 30.11.2006, p. 18).

Reference acts:-------------------------------


Item 22 02 05 02 Completion of CARDS assistance

Amend figures as follows:

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Appropriations p.m. 433 800 000 p.m. 411 817 000 p.m. 411 817 000 0 -20 000 000 p.m. 391 817 000Reserves 48 200 000

Justification:For reasons of transparency and accountability, full information on all agencies should be included separately and openly in the general budget.

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Budget reference line : 22 02 07 01BUDG/4922 Compromise amendment between AFET/5036 << Tabled by Committee on Budgets >>

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Item 22 02 07 01 Regional and horizontal programmes




Justification:The increase of budget line 22 02 07 01 (Regional and horizontal programmes) in comparison with year 2007 is a very important development. Regional co-operation in the Western Balkans in of utmost importance and contributes to the stability and prosperity of the region. It also provides with new co-operation patterns thus ameliorating the prospects of EU accession. Every eurocent is needed to make the benevolent EU presence felt in the region.

The Committee on Budgets has taken over and modified the amendments tabled by the Committee on Foreign Affairs.

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Item 22 02 07 02 Evaluation of results of Community aid, follow-up and audit measures



Appropriations p.m. p.m. 12 000 000 5 700 000 7 000 000 3 200 000 5 000 000 2 500 000 12 000 000 5 700 000Reserves

Justification:20

Restore the PDB.=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-==-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-==-=-=-=-



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Item 22 02 07 03 Financial support for encouraging the economic development of the Turkish Cypriot Community



Appropriations p.m. 30 000 000 p.m. 53 000 000 p.m. 53 000 000 0 10 000 000 p.m. 63 000 000Reserves

Justification:The implementation of the instrument of financial support for encouraging the economic development of the Turkish Cypriot community has been painfully slow in recent years. The amendment intends to draw attention to this unpleasant situation as well as to give an additional margin of maneuver for the Commission to speed up payments.

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Budget reference line : 22 02 08BUDG/4966 Compromise amendment between PSE//8530 << Tabled by Committee on Budgets >>

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Add: 22 02 08 —


Amend type: DA22 02 08 Budget 2007 PDB 2008 DB 2008 AMENDMENT DB+AMENDMENT


Appropriations 3 000 000 2 000 000 3 000 000 2 000 000

Reserves

Heading:Pilot project for preserving and restoring cultural heritage in conflict areas


The appropriation will be used for supporting non-profit organisations (NGOs or public) conducting preservation and restoration projects for valuable cultural and religious objects (churches, mosques, libraries, museums, monuments, etc.) damaged or destroyed by war or other political conflicts in the Western Balkans.

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Add following text:

Whenever possible, particular attention should be given to projects that support the confidence-building process by involving different ethnic and religious groups in joint projects.

Add following text:

In future, experience gained under this pilot project could also serve to develop a wider approach for preserving and restoring cultural heritage in conflict areas in other geographical regions.


Pilot project within the meaning of Article 49(6) of Council Regulation (EC, Euratom) No 1605/2002 of 25 June on the Financial Regulation applicable to the general budget of the European Communities (OJ L 248, 16.9.2002, p. 1), as amended by Regulation (EC, Euratom) No 1995/2006 (OJ L 390, 30.12.2006, p. 1).

Reference acts:Justification:The Lagendijk report on Kosovo (March 2007) stated that a Kosovo settlement should cover ”protection of cultural and religious sites." A huge number of damaged buildings in the Balkans are standing as physical reminders of earlier conflicts, creating mistrust. Different ethnic groups and local authorities are today engaged by NGOs in joint restoration projects, thereby promoting respect for the cultural values of others, but no EU funding is available. IPA broadly covers "reconstruction" and "cooperation between communities" but does not make specific reference to restoring cultural heritage.

The Committee on Budgets has taken over and modified the amendment tabled by the PSE group. =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-==-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-==-=-=-=-


Budget reference line : 22 04 01 << Tabled by Committee on Foreign Affairs >>

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Article 22 04 01 Prince — Information and communication strategy





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Budget reference line : 23 02 01BUDG/4923 Compromise amendment between DEVE/5557DEVE/5557 Compromise amendment between DEVE/5515 << Tabled by Committee on Budgets >>

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Article 23 02 01 Humanitarian aid




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Article 23 02 03 Disaster preparedness




Justification:Greater priority to disaster prevention and preparedness.

Billions of people live in areas which are periodically exposed to at least one major hazard in the form of earthquakes, tropical cyclones, floods or drought. The loss of lives, the destruction of infrastructure and the erosion of livelihoods are direct outcomes of such disasters. UNDP has estimated that 130 million people are exposed every year to earthquake risks, 120 million people to tropical cyclone hazards, 200 million people to catastrophic flooding and 220 million people to serious drought conditions. The most vulnerable are among the poor and disaster losses most often erode investments made to strengthen education and health services, safe housing, drinking water and sanitation and provide employment and income. Furthermore, disaster risks in developing countries are predicted to be exacerbated manifold by the effects of climate change. Unless disaster risks are mainstreamed and more fully integrated into poverty reduction strategies and serious efforts done in terms of disaster prevention and preparedness, the Millennium Development Goals will be very difficult to reach.

Very little can be done to prevent extreme weather events and earthquakes from happening but much can be done to reduce the vulnerability of populations at risk. The ultimate goal would be to mainstream risk reduction into all poverty reduction strategies. However, this will take time to achieve and in the short-term perspective a certain percentage - in the range of 10% - of humanitarian funds should be allocated in support of prevention and preparedness programs.

The Committee on Budgets has taken over and modified the amendments tabled by the Committee on Development.

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Budget reference line : 23 02 04BUDG/4987 Compromise amendment between DEVE/5507 << Tabled by Committee on Budgets >>

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Add: 23 02 04 —




Appropriations 2 000 000 2 000 000 2 000 000 2 000 000

Reserves

Heading:Preparatory action on pharmaceutical-related transfer of technology in favour of developing countries


This preparatory action is intended to — support the improvement of pharmaceutical research, development, and production capacity in

developing countries

— provide concrete financial support for pharmaceutical-related transfer of technology and capacity-building for developing countries and local production of pharmaceuticals in all developing countries, especially LDCs, in discharging the obligations established by Article 66.2 of the TRIPS Agreement;


Preparatory action within the meaning of Article 49(6) of Council Regulation No 1605/2002 of 25 June 2002 on the Financial Regulation applicable to the general budget of the European Communities (OJ L 248, 16.9.2002, p.1), as amended by Regulation (EC, EURATOM) No 1995/2006 of 13 December 2006 (OJ L 390, 30.12.2006, p. 1).

Reference acts:Add following text:

Resolution of the European Parliament of 12 July 2007 on the TRIPS Agreement and access to medicines.

Justification:This preparatory action follows the adoption on 12 July by the European Parliament of a resolution on the TRIPS Agreement and access to medicines asking for additional measures as a matter of urgency with a view to encouraging the transfer of technology, research, capacity strengthening, regional supply systems and help with registration, in order to facilitate and increase the production of pharmaceutical products by the developing countries themselves. The EU should take a more active role in concrete technology transfer and physical infrastructure capacity building efforts for the development and production of pharmaceutical products in developing countries. Building up pharmaceutical-related capacity in developing countries is quite practicably achievable. Yet very limited financial resources are so far committed to such endeavours. Concrete measures should be taken for transfer of technology to improve the capacity of poor countries to participate fully in the development and production of medicines. The idea is to launch this preparatory action with the aim of creating an action programme to support the transfer of technology in the pharmaceutical sector.

The Committee on Budgets has taken over and modified the amendment tabled by the DEVE committee.

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Budget reference line : 23 02 05BUDG/4988 Compromise amendment between INTA/6726 << Tabled by Committee on Budgets >>

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Add: 23 02 05 —




Appropriations 2 000 000 2 000 000 2 000 000 2 000 000

Reserves

Heading:Preparatory action on research and development on poverty-related, tropical and neglected diseases


This preparatory action is intended to increase funding for research and development on poverty-related, tropical and neglected diseases and to support research institutes willing to cooperate with public health initiatives dedicated to these efforts.


Preparatory action within the meaning of Article 49(6) of Council Regulation No 1605/2002 of 25 June 2002 on the Financial Regulation applicable to the general budget of the European Communities (OJ L 248, 16.9.2002, p.1), as amended by Regulation (EC, EURATOM) No 1995/2006 of 13 December 2006 (OJ L 390, 30.12.2006, p. 1).


Resolution of the European Parliament of 12 July 2007 on the TRIPS Agreement and access to medicines.

Justification:This preparatory action follows the adoption on 12 July by the European Parliament of a resolution on the TRIPS Agreement and access to medicines asking to increase funding for research and development on poverty-related, tropical and neglected diseases across a broad spectrum of locations, including Public-Private Partnerships and other possible funding ventures, and to support research institutes willing to cooperate with public health initiatives dedicated to these efforts and pursuing research and development of medicines of special relevance to developing countries. The idea is to launch this preparatory action with the aim of creating an action programme to support research and development on poverty-related, tropical and neglected diseases and on medicines of special relevance to developing countries.

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The Committee on Budgets has taken over and modifed the amendment tabled by the INTA committee. =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-==-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-==-=-=-=-


Budget reference line : 40 02 42 << Tabled by Committee on Budgets >>

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Article 40 02 42 Emergency aid reserve



Appropriations 234 527 000 p.m. 239 218 000 239 218 000 239 218 000 p.m. 0 239 218 000 239 218 000 239 218 000Reserves


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Budget reference line : XX 01 01 01BUDG/4814 Compromise amendment between PPE//7575 << Tabled by Committee on Budgets >>

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Item XX 01 01 01 Expenditure related to staff in active employment working with the institution


Heading:Expenditure related to staff in active employment working with the institution


The amount of assigned revenue pursuant to Article 18(1)(e) to ..........of the Financial Regulation is estimated at EUR 39 600 000.

Add following text:

Before releasing the appropriation, the Commission should provide the information below:— the commitment of the Commission to carry out a study on ABM implementation before 30 April 2008

with the following information for the budgetary authority:

Add following text:

1) how the different components of the SPP-ABM cycle (APS, CLWP, AMP) can be better integrated with each other;

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2) how the integration of the SPP-ABM cycle with other cycles (HR cycle, risk management, evaluation) can be improved, possibly via an integrated IT system;

3) communication of a list of clear predetermined performance indicators to be used throughout the cycle in order to improve performance management;

Add following text:

— the commitment of the Commission to present a follow-up to its report on «planning and optimising Commission human resources to serve EU priorities» by 30 April 2008 which will highlight in particular a detailed breakdown of staff per category, and by directorate-general, and the evolution foreseen for the coming years;

— a communication by the Commission on the current situation and the state of play concerning the implementation of Article 44 of the Interinstitutional Agreement of 17 May 2006.


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Sub-Item XX 01 01 01 01 Remuneration and allowances

Amend figures as follows:XX 01 01 01

01Budget 2007 PDB 2008 DB 2008 AMENDMENT DB+AMENDMENT


Appropriations 1 576 030 000 1 576 030 000 1 661 361 000 1 661 361 000 1 612 361 000 1 612 361 000 0 0 1 612 361 000 1 612 361 000Reserves 49 000 000 49 000 000 49 000 000 49 000 000

Justification:The appropriations in the PDB might be of an appropriate level, but Parliament requests further information on improvement of human resources management, simplification of administrative procedures and much improved use of ex post indicators for evaluation. Moreover Parliament requests the Commission to present further information and clarifications on the screening process and for the declaration of Assurance between the 1st and the 2nd reading.

The Committee on Budgets has taken over and modified the amendments tabled by the rapporteur, Mr. Virrankoski and by the EPP-ED Group.

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Budget reference line : XX 01 01 02 01 << Tabled by Committee on Budgets >>

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Sub-Item XX 01 01 01 03 Adjustments to remuneration


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XX 01 01 01 03

Budget 2007 PDB 2008 DB 2008 AMENDMENT DB+AMENDMENT



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Sub-Item XX 01 01 02 01 Remuneration and allowances





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Sub-Item XX 01 02 02 01 Remuneration of other staff




Appropriations 47 233 199 47 233 199 54 816 000 54 816 000 52 800 067 52 800 067 2 015 933 2 015 933 54 816 000 54 816 000Reserves 2 318 801 2 318 801

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Sub-Item XX 01 02 11 01 Mission and entertainment expenses





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Sub-Item XX 01 02 12 01 Missions, conferences and entertainment expenses





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Sub-Item XX 01 03 01 03 Equipment and furniture





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Sub-Item XX 01 03 01 04 Services and other operating expenditure






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Draft amendment 0687 === PPE//7615===

Budget reference line : XX 01 02 01 << Tabled by Salvador Garriga Polledo, László Surján, Richard James Ashworth, Mairead McGuinness, Group of the European People's Party (Christian Democrats) and European Democrats >>

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Item XX 01 02 01 External staff working with the institution

Amend remarks and legal basis as follows:

Heading:External staff working with the institution


Any revenue from the contribution from candidate countries for participation ..........appropriations in accordance with Article 18(1)(d) of the Financial Regulation.


This appropriation is intended to cover the following expenditure incurred within the Community territory:— the remuneration of contract staff (within the meaning of the Conditions of employment of other servants of

the European Communities), employer’s contributions to social welfare for contract staff and the impact of weightings applicable to the remunerations of such staff,

— a sum to cover the remuneration of contract staff acting as guides for disabled persons,

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— the employment of agency staff, particularly clerical staff and shorthand typists,

— expenditure on staff included in service contracts for technical and administrative work and the supply of intellectual services, and expenditure on buildings and equipment and operating costs relating to this type of staff,

— the cost of national civil servants or other experts on secondment or temporary assignment to the Commission or called for short consultations, particularly to draft legislation on harmonisation in various areas; exchanges are also organised to allow uniform application of Community legislation by the Member States,

— the cost of any adjustments to remuneration approved by the Council during the financial year,year.

— expenditure related to a pilot project for recruitment of trainees with disabilities to promote employment of disabled staff by the Institutions and combat discrimination faced by people with disabilities.

Legal basis:After paragraph

Council Regulation (EC, Euratom) No 1605/2002 of 25 June 2002 ..........(EC, Euratom) No 1995/2006 (OJ L 390, 30.12.2006, p. 1).

Add following text:

Council Directive 2000/78/EC of 27 November 2000 establishing a general framework for equal treatment in employment and occupation.

Add following text:

Code of good practice for the employment of people with disabilities, adopted by European Parliament Bureau Decision of 22 June 2005.

Reference acts:-------------------------------


Add: XX 01 02 01 04 —


Amend type: DAXX 01 02 01



Appropriations 200 000 200 000

Reserves

Heading:Disabled trainees

Remarks:Legal basis:Reference acts:

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Justification:A successful pilot project for disabled trainees is already ongoing at the European Parliament, and there is a need to level up the recruitment of disabled trainees in other institutions, such as the European Commission, as well.

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Budget reference line : XX 01 02 11 04 << Tabled by Committee on Budgets >>

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Sub-Item XX 01 02 11 04 Studies and consultations





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Item XX 01 02 11 Other management expenditure of the institution


Heading:Other management expenditure of the institution


The appropriation has been placed in the reserve, pending the ..........conferred on the Commission (OJ L 200, 22.7.2006, p. 11).

Add following text:

According to Eurobserver, energy-wood production in the EU Member States stood at 47.3 million tonnes of oil equivalent in 2000. Most (85%) was used for heating; some was used for electricity production (29.6 TWh). Energy wood has a 6.3% share of EU primary energy production but accounts for no more than 2% of total energy consumption in the EU. Energy wood is the main renewable energy source in the EU and accounts for 54% of primary energy production from renewable sources. Added to that, only two thirds of the annual growth of the forests in the EU is utilised today.

Add following text:

At present, however, there is no regular supply of comprehensive, reliable statistics on the production and/or sale of wood, particularly heating wood, in Europe. The main repositories of statistics on wood resources are the government departments in charge of agricultural matters in each Member State. However, there are major disparities in calculation and data collection methods and the way in which the statistics are used. Owing to these disparities, some estimates of European wood resources are twice as high as others.

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Add following text:

Lastly, it is extremely difficult to estimate the wood stocks held by retailers and private individuals. It is thus customary to assume that energy-wood production is equal to its consumption, which is the same thing as deeming stock variations and the import-export balance to be negligible.

Add following text:

The EU views energy wood and wood offcuts from tree felling, as well as third-eneration renewable energy products, as a priority for future energy supply purposes, with a view to enhancing its energy independence and pursuing its sustainable development strategy. The indicative target set for 2010 is to cover 12% of gross domestic energy production from renewable sources. This corresponds to approximately one million homes heated using wood (in private, collective or district heating systems).

Add following text:

A reliable statistical tool is therefore needed that will enable an accurate estimate to be made of energy wood resources as against overall wood resources, with a view to meeting the sustainable development objectives the EU has set itself.


The following studies should be financed:

1) an annual report on child labour in the European Union;

2) a study on the impact of job relocation;

3) studies on the impact of new technologies in the workplace and on occupational illnesses, such as, for example, the impact of repetitive movements when performing a task;

4) a study on the benefits of removing the barriers to trade and investment between the EU and US, taking into account the recent OECD study in this area;

5) a study on the impact of the single currency on movements in prices of essential goods and bank fees and commission;

6) a study on the feasibility of and obstacles to the creation of a federal police force for the European Union;

7) a feasibility study on qualified market access/qualified external protection; the European Parliament has already adopted this approach on a number of occasions. The main idea underlying it is that social and ecological standards should be applied as parameters for granting or denying access to European markets and for charging different duties and agricultural levies according to the standards established. These levies/duties will be channelled to a fund for rural development in developing countries and benefit the products for which standards need to be improved;

8) a study on the compilation and updating of basic data on European populations; this study should seek to answer the following questions: What population movements are there in the Union? Who moves, why, and from where to where? Who settles on a long-term basis in a partner country? Are third-country nationals mobile within the Union, or do they remain in the first host country? How many mixed marriages and mixed births are there, and what categories of persons are most commonly affected? Are these European citizens registered on electoral rolls in the host country? Do they apply to the courts or the ombudsman if they have difficulties in asserting their rights as European citizens? What has become of traditionally nomadic peoples since new members have joined the Union?

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9) a study on food safety and quality; the study should cover inter alia the cost to business stemming from the introduction of labelling, the impact on the consumption of Community products both within and outside the European Union, any changes in consumer perception of Community products in terms of food safety and quality, the initiative's value for money, possible promotional measures, and whether products labelled as being of Community origin can maintain their national or regional identity;

10) a study to identify the best strategy for combating avian influenza in the European Union, in order to reduce the risk of its propagation and transmission to humans; the study should cover inter alia the resources that the European Union can bring to bear in the event of a pandemic and proposals as to how to enhance those resources, the risk of an animal and human pandemic, detailed guidelines for measures to be taken by Member States to minimise the risk of propagation, improving coordination at Community and international levels, enhancing the financial resources to be brought to bear in the event of an outbreak of the disease either within or outside the European Union, the best means of eradicating and preventing the disease, and improving monitoring of the disease and ways to prevent a catastrophic situation from arising in the Member States;

11) a study on desertification; the study should cover inter alia the economic and social repercussions for European regions affected by desertification, with an appraisal of the current and likely future implications, particularly for the sectors most at risk, such as farming and tourism, environmental impact, solutions and strategies for combating desertification, identification of the means of combating desertification that the EU should have at its disposal, and techniques and instruments for the recovery and use of water resources;

12) a study on new means of providing European farmers with support when a disaster occurs;occurs.

13) a study on the efficiency and effectiveness of existing aviation security measures, taking into account the impact of those measures on passengers;

14) a study on the condition, and estimated cost of restoring, cultural heritage in the northern part of Cyprus. This study should include, inter alia, a detailed description of each monument of significant cultural value (complemented by photographs and sketches), a record of the damage that occurred, and a list of repairs that are necessary in order to preserve the original status of the cultural monuments affected. The amount needed for the above study is estimated at EUR 500 000.

15) a study to establish what the obstacles are to the creation of a federal police force for the European Union;

16) a study on the emissions trading scheme (ETS). The study should present an assessment of the potential revenues that ETS might generate and the mechanism to assign them in full or in part to the EU budget. The study should indicate the breakdown of emissions in the Member States and their relation to GDP. The study should also provide some options as to how these appropriations can be allocated to policies to reduce emissions and combat poverty. The Commission should present this study by October 2008 to contribute to the debate on the review of financial mechanisms after 2013.

17) a study into the development of a pan-European statistical tool for EU wood resources. The aim is to provide the Union with a reliable statistical tool enabling an accurate estimate to be made of energy-wood resources as against overall wood resources, with a view to meeting the sustainable development objectives the EU has set itself. The main repositories of statistics on wood resources are the government departments in charge of agricultural matters in each Member State. This situation has given rise to major disparities in calculation and data collection methods and the way in which the statistics are used;

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18) a study to benchmark the Commission's staff against staff in other international organisations on the aspects that are comparable;

19) a study on the presentation by the Commission of guidelines to facilitate the financing of public infrastructure under public-private partnerships (PPP).

Legal basis:Reference acts:Justification:With the eye to better regulation in general and the Inter-Institutional Agreement on Better Lawmaking , it should be evaluated/studied what the actual effects of aviation security measures are, taking into account the impact of these measures on the passengers. At all costs it should be avoided that we end up having all kinds of safety measures of which we do not know the actual efficiency and effectiveness.

The above should provide for the follow-up and implementation of the adopted Written Declaration of the European Parliament on the protection and the preservation of the religious heritage in the northern part of Cyprus (P6_TA(2006)0335). This request was also incorporated in the European Parliament resolution on the general budget of the European Union for the financial year 2007 (P6_TA(2006)0570).

The Commission should deliver the requested information. EP requested further information on the screening process and for the Declaration of Assurance in the Report on the mandate for the 2008 draft budget conciliation procedure before the Council's first reading (par. 4 and 22)

The aim is to provide the Union with a reliable statistical tool enabling an accurate estimate to be made of energy wood resources as against overall wood resources, with a view to meeting the sustainable development objectives the EU has set itself. The main repositories of statistics on wood resources are the government departments in charge of agricultural matters in each Member State. This situation has given rise to major disparities in calculation and data collection methods and the way in which the statistics are used.

Organised international criminal gangs cross internal EU borders with impunity, and are growing rich at the expense of our citizens. But our law enforcement agencies are all national. None are able to cross the borders. EuroPol collects intelligence but has no power of arrest, nor can it compel national agencies to take action against international gangs. International crime feeds local crime and each kilo of heroin imported from Afghanistan creates over two hundred local crimes in European streets. The only way to fight international gangs is to give equivalent powers to our law-enforcers which means creating a federal force that can operate across EU internal borders.

The auctioning of the ETS could potentially be used to change the entire way that the EU is financed, so instead of relying on the current own resources approach, each member state would donate the majority proportion of its allocation of money raised through auction to the financing of the EU, Carbon emissions are linked to the GDP of a member state, so this would give an added incentive for member states to cut down their carbon emissions. The more carbon produced in a country the more would be its contribution to EU budget

The aim is to provide the Union with a reliable statistical tool enabling an accurate estimate to be made of energy wood resources as against overall wood resources, with a view to meeting the sustainable development objectives the EU has set itself. The main repositories of statistics on wood resources are the government departments in charge of agricultural matters in each Member State. This situation has given rise to major disparities in calculation and data collection methods and the way in which the statistics are used.

The Committee on Budgets has taken over and modified the amendments tabled by the CULT and LIBE commitees and the EPP-ED, PSE and ALDE Groups.

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Budget reference line : 03 01 01BUDG/4815 Compromise amendment between ECON/6615 << Tabled by Committee on Budgets >>

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Article 03 01 01 Expenditure related to staff in active employment of «Competition» policy area



Appropriations 58 519 944 58 519 944 64 179 786 64 179 786 62 209 173 62 209 173 0 0 62 209 173 62 209 173Reserves

Heading:Expenditure related to staff in active employment of «Competition» policy area


The part of the funds of restored PDB amount shall be used to enhance the competition in the EU by improving and strengthening regulatory framework, exchanging of best practices and comparing and clarifying the institutional arrangements with regard to competition supervision in different Member States across the EU.

Legal basis:Reference acts:Justification:Some Member States with small markets lack of experience, human capital and sometimes even legal arrangements hindering their ability to protect consumers from activity of the cartels, which may be easily formed within small markets. An economically unjustified increase in prices hampers Members States perspectives to meet Maastricht criteria and join the Eurozone.

The Committee on Budgets has taken over and modified the amendments tabled by the ECON Committee=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-==-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-==-=-=-=-



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Add: 03 01 04 —


Amend type: NDA

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03 01 04 Budget 2007 PDB 2008 DB 2008 AMENDMENT DB+AMENDMENTCommitments Payments Commitments Payments Commitments Payments Commitments Payments Commitments Payments


Reserves

Heading:Damage requests resulting from legal procedures against the Commission's decisions in the field of competition policy

Remarks:Legal basis:Reference acts:Justification:The Commission had proposed (SEC(1140)2007) a budget line 03 03 02 in Heading 1A, covering this activity. Instead of budget line 03 03 02 "Damage requests resulting from legal procedures against the Commission's decisions in the field of competition policy", EP considers inappropriate and creates the line under Heading 5, administrative expenditure, with a token entry ("p.m."). EP considers that operational programmes in the concerned Heading 1A should not be reduced

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Article 06 01 06 Euratom subsidy for operation of the Supply Agency

Delete: 06 01 0606 01 06 Budget 2007 PDB 2008 DB 2008 AMENDMENT DB+AMENDMENT


Appropriations 230 000 230 000 180 000 180 000 180 000 180 000 -180 000 -180 000 0 0Reserves

Justification:In March 2007, the Commission presented two proposals concerning the Euratom Supply Agency. In reaction to concerns raised by COBU regarding the nature of this agency and the need for a separate financial regulation, the Commission is considering to present a new proposal. As long as the structure of, and the framework conditions for, the Euratom Supply Agency are still under discussion, this line is superfluous since the Supply Agency under the current regime functions as a unit of DG TREN and as such does not need a separate budget line.

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Budget reference line : 15 06 07 << Tabled by Salvador Garriga Polledo, László Surján, Richard James Ashworth, Group of the European People's Party (Christian Democrats) and European Democrats >>

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Article 15 06 07 Pilot project — European political foundations




Justification:It is necessary to ensure the appropriate funding of the Pilot Project for the European political foundations, until the legal basis and the permanent funding for the European political foundations is established.

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Budget reference line : 16 04 04BUDG/4816 Compromise amendment between PPE//7607 << Tabled by Committee on Budgets >>

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Article 16 04 04 Written publications of general use




Heading:Written publications of general use


This appropriation is intended to cover expenditure on issuing, in ..........at the teaching profession, opinion leaders and the general public.


Publishing costs cover, among other things, preparation and drafting (including authors' contracts), freelance editing, use of documentation, reproduction of documents, data purchase or management, editing, translation, revision (including checking the concordance of texts), printing, posting on the Internet or installation in any other electronic medium, distribution, storage, dissemination and promotion of the publications including in formats accessible to disabled citizens. These publications must also include alternative material.publications.

Legal basis:Reference acts:Justification:

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In order to fulfil its intention to be closer to citizens and its public service task, the EU institutions cannot have publications that remain inaccessible to disabled citizens, as it is often the case up until today. The publication financed by the EU should not be one-sided.

The Committee on Budgets has taken over and modified the amendments tabled by the EPP-ED and GUE Groups.

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Budget reference line : 19 01 01 01BUDG/4817 Compromise amendment between PSE//8434 << Tabled by Committee on Budgets >>

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Item 19 01 01 01 Expenditure related to staff in active employment of «External relations» Directorates-General



Appropriations 83 461 426 83 461 426 86 741 588 86 741 588 84 078 225 84 078 225 -17 348 317 -17 348 317 66 729 908 66 729 908Reserves 17 348 317 17 348 317 17 348 317 17 348 317

Justification:The Commission is invited to present to Parliament an exhaustive overview of the use of funds (in 2006, 2007 and planned for 2008) in Iraq, specifying, which projects have been financed / co-financed the framework of the Iraqi reconstruction process with exact indications on the geographical location and contractors per project (where already defined).

The Committee on Budgets has taken over and modified the amendments tabled by the PSE Group.=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-==-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-==-=-=-=-



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Item 19 01 02 02 External staff of «External relations» delegations of the Commission of the European Communities



Appropriations 24 110 438 24 110 438 30 481 734 30 481 734 29 517 312 29 517 312 -3 702 794 -3 702 794 25 814 518 25 814 518Reserves 2 668 502 2 668 502 3 702 794 3 702 794 3 702 794 3 702 794

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Item 19 01 03 02 Buildings and related expenditure of «External relations» delegations of the Commission of the European Communities



Appropriations 55 817 642 55 817 642 70 631 454 70 631 454 70 631 454 70 631 454 -8 611 852 -8 611 852 62 019 602 62 019 602Reserves 6 201 960 6 201 960 8 611 852 8 611 852 8 611 852 8 611 852

The debate on the strategy papers has shown that a proportion of appropriations in the development policy area (DCI) does not go on genuine development cooperation. The Commission is spending more and more development aid monies in the form of budget assistance or via partners. It is unfathomable why the Commission is now making provision for a considerable rise in delegation staff and building costs.

The appropriations will be released from the reserve:

— once the Commission has satisfactorily showed that the appropriations made available are genuinely used in accordance with its Declaration concerning Article 5 of Regulation (EC) No 1905/2006 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 18 December 2006 establishing a financing instrument for development cooperation (OJ L 378, 27.12.2006, p. 41) (the DCI), i.e. that, for countries defined as Official Development Assistance (ODA) recipients by the OECD Development Assistance Committee (DAC), the Commission will continue to report annually on the benchmark, used in the past but now superseded, of 35 % of assistance to developing countries to be allocated to social infrastructure and services, recognising that the EU contribution must be seen as part of the overall donor support to the social sectors and that a degree of flexibility must be the norm, and that the Commission will endeavour to ensure that a benchmark of 20% of its allocated assistance under country programmes covered by the DCI will be dedicated, by 2009, to basic and secondary education and basic health through project, programme or budget support linked to these sectors, taking an average across all geographic areas and recognising that a degree of flexibility must be the norm, such as in cases where exceptional assistance is involved, and

— once the Commission has given a satisfactory explanation as to why the increases in appropriations for staff and building costs are necessary.




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Item 21 01 02 02 External staff of «Development» delegations of the Commission of the European Communities



Appropriations 25 524 390 25 524 390 29 054 496 29 054 496 28 135 231 28 135 231 -3 530 106 -3 530 106 24 605 125 24 605 125

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Reserves 3 530 106 3 530 106 3 530 106 3 530 106

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Item 21 01 03 02 Buildings and related expenditure of «Development» delegations of the Commission of the European Communities




Justification:Appropriations against the budget headings for external staff in the delegations and for buildings and related expenditure are to rise by just under 14% each. That rise is very much more than the 1.5% rise in appropriations for heading 4.

The debate on the strategy papers has shown that a proportion of appropriations in the development policy area (DCI) does not go on genuine development cooperation. The Commission is spending more and more development aid monies in the form of budget assistance or via partners. It is unfathomable why the Commission is now making provision for a considerable rise in delegation staff and building costs.

The appropriations will be released from the reserve:

— once the Commission has satisfactorily showed that the appropriations made available are genuinely used in accordance with its Declaration concerning Article 5 of Regulation (EC) No 1905/2006 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 18 December 2006 establishing a financing instrument for development cooperation (OJ L 378, 27.12.2006, p. 41) (the DCI), i.e. that, for countries defined as Official Development Assistance (ODA) recipients by the OECD Development Assistance Committee (DAC), the Commission will continue to report annually on the benchmark, used in the past but now superseded, of 35 % of assistance to developing countries to be allocated to social infrastructure and services, recognising that the EU contribution must be seen as part of the overall donor support to the social sectors and that a degree of flexibility must be the norm, and that the Commission will endeavour to ensure that a benchmark of 20% of its allocated assistance under country programmes covered by the DCI will be dedicated, by 2009, to basic and secondary education and basic health through project, programme or budget support linked to these sectors, taking an average across all geographic areas and recognising that a degree of flexibility must be the norm, such as in cases where exceptional assistance is involved, and

— once the Commission has given a satisfactory explanation as to why the increases in appropriations for staff and building costs are necessary.



Budget reference line : 24 01 06 << Tabled by Committee on Budgetary Control >>

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40


Article 24 01 06 European Anti-fraud Office (OLAF)




Justification:Protecting the financial interests of the European Communities is a priority for the European institutions. It is estimated that nearly a billion euros out of an annual budget of more than 100 billion is misappropriated. The European Union combats fraud with a series of regulations to fight currency counterfeiting, violations of intellectual property rights and corruption both in Europe and internationally. In order to ensure proper carrying out of anti-fraud policies and to enhance the effectiveness of action to combat fraud and other illegal activities detrimental to the Community's interests, the appropriations in PDB in the budget line for OLAF should be retained.

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Budget reference line : 25 01 06 02BUDG/4820 Compromise amendment between ALDE/7812 << Tabled by Committee on Budgets >>

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Add: 25 01 06 02 —


Amend type: NDA25 01 06 02 Budget 2007 PDB 2008 DB 2008 AMENDMENT DB+AMENDMENT



Reserves

Heading:High Level Group of Independent Stakeholders on administrative burden


This appropriation is intended to cover the financing of specialist studies, consultations, meetings and other activities relating to the High Level Group of Independent Stakeholders resulting from the pilot project Minimizing Administrative Burdens (26 01 08).

Legal basis:Reference acts:Justification:

41

This is the implementation of a Pilot Project which has already been approved by the budgetary authority for the 2007 budget. The Commission is currently implementing this as part of their broader strategy concerning Better Regulation and the Action Programme for reducing administrative burdens. For reasons of transparency and independency however the proposed High Level Group of Independant Stakeholders should have its own budget line. This amendment seeks to re-instate the old budget line 26 01 08, which has been deleted by the Commission, under Article 25 01 06 — Better regulation and institutional development.

The Committee on Budgets has taken over and modified the amendment tabled by the ALDE Group.=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-==-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-==-=-=-=-

Draft amendment 0781 === PSE//7296===

Budget reference line : 26 01 09 01 << Tabled by Catherine Guy-Quint, Jutta Haug, Socialist Group in the European Parliament >>

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Item 26 01 09 01 Publications Office





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Budget reference line : 26 01 20 << Tabled by Catherine Guy-Quint, Jutta Haug, Socialist Group in the European Parliament >>

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Article 26 01 20 European Personnel Selection Office



Appropriations 23 678 000 23 678 000 26 106 000 26 106 000 25 587 920 25 587 920 518 080 518 080 26 106 000 26 106 000Reserves 1 667 000 1 667 000


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Budget reference line : 26 01 21 << Tabled by Catherine Guy-Quint, Jutta Haug, Socialist Group in the European Parliament >>

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42

Article 26 01 21 Office for the Administration and Payment of Individual Entitlements





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Budget reference line : 26 01 22 01BUDG/4821 Compromise amendment between BUDG/3097 << Tabled by Committee on Budgets >>

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Item 26 01 22 01 Office for Infrastructure and Logistics in Brussels




Justification:According to the Court of Auditor's Special Report 2/2007 on the Buildings policy: the potential advantage offered by the creation of the Offices for Infrastructure and Logistics in Brussels was limited and there were even allegations of corruption in the press.

20 % of CA and PA should put into the reserve until the Commission reports back to the European Parliament on the following:

- how the Commission intends to achieve improvements concerning the inter-institutional co-operation

- how can the concentration of Institutions buildings in the European Quarter in Brussels that is pushing up market prices been stopped

- How the extensive use of the negotiated procedure can been reduced in favour of competitive tendering in order to obtain best prices.

- what efforts will be done in order to establish a common building policy and better interinstitutional cooperation (including increased coordination of planning, reassessment of the concentration of offices within specific areas, using tenders in the broadest way

- presentation of a detailed and updated analysis on the current situation concerning the needs for office space and the mid-term needs foreseen in relation to the evolution of staff.

The Committee on Budgets has taken over and modified the amendment tabled by the rapporteur, Mr Virrankoski and by the EPP Group. Linked to amendment BUDG/4824.

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43

Budget reference line : 26 01 22 03 << Tabled by Salvador Garriga Polledo, László Surján, Richard James Ashworth, Mairead McGuinness, Group of the European People's Party (Christian Democrats) and European Democrats >>

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Item 26 01 22 03 Expenditure related to buildings in Brussels

Amend remarks and legal basis as follows:26 01 22 03 Budget 2007 PDB 2008 DB 2008 AMENDMENT DB+AMENDMENT


Appropriations 64 400 000 64 400 000 70 225 000 70 225 000 70 225 000 70 225 000 70 225 000 70 225 000

Reserves

Heading:Expenditure related to buildings in Brussels


Appropriations to cover the equivalent expenditure in respect of research ..........various items in Article 01 05 of the titles concerned.


This appropriation is intended to cover the following expenditure incurred within the Community territory:— the payment of insurance premiums on the buildings or parts of buildings occupied by the institution,

— water, gas, electricity and heating charges,

— maintenance costs, calculated on the basis of current contracts, for premises, lifts, central heating, air-conditioning equipment, etc.; the expenditure incurred by regular cleaning operations, including the purchase of maintenance, washing, laundry and dry-cleaning products, etc., and by repainting, repairs and supplies used by the maintenance shops (before contracts for an amount in excess of EUR 300 000 are renewed or concluded, and with a view to rationalising expenditure, the Commission must consult the other institutions with regard to the conditions (price, currency chosen, indexing, duration, other clauses) obtained by each of them for a similar contract),

— expenditure on the selective treatment, storage and removal of waste,

— the refurbishment of buildings, e.g. alterations to partitioning, alterations to technical installations and other specialist work on locks, electrical equipment, plumbing, painting, floor coverings, etc., and the cost of changes to the cabling associated with fixtures, and the cost of the necessary equipment (before contracts for an amount in excess of EUR 300 000 are renewed or concluded, and with a view to rationalising expenditure, the Commission must consult the other institutions with regard to the conditions (price, currency chosen, indexing, duration, other clauses) obtained by each of them for a similar contract),

— expenses concerned with the health and safety of individuals at work, in particular the purchase, hire and maintenance of fire-fighting equipment, the replacement of equipment for fire pickets and statutory inspection costs (before contracts for an amount in excess of EUR 300 000 are renewed or concluded, and with a view to rationalising expenditure, the Commission must consult the other institutions with regard to the conditions (price, currency chosen, indexing, duration, other clauses) obtained by each of them for a similar contract),

44

— expenses relating to conducting the audit of accessibility of buildings to persons with disabilities and/or reduced mobility and the introduction of necessary adaptations pursuant to such an audit so as to make buildings fully accessible to all visitors,

— the cost of legal, financial and technical consultancy fees prior to the acquisition, rental or construction of buildings,

— other expenditure on buildings, in particular management fees for multiple-tenanted buildings, costs of surveys of premises and charges for utilities (street cleaning and maintenance, refuse collection, etc.),

— technical assistance fees relating to major fitting-out operations for premises,


Council Regulation (EC, Euratom) No 1605/2002 of 25 June 2002 ..........Regulation (EC, Euratom) No 1995/2006 (OJ L 390, 30.12.2006, p. 1).

Add following text:

Decision of the European Ombudsman on own-initiative inquiry OI/3/2003/JMA concerning the European Commission.

Reference acts:Justification:According to the Ombudsman’s decision of 4 July 2007, the European Commission has been criticized by the public that it had not participated in a comprehensive accessibility audit of all EU institutions, and that certain accessibility aspects (such as the EU information point in Rond Point Schuman and Commission’s parking spaces) remained unaddressed. Additional efforts are needed to adhere to the criteria laid down in the EU Code of Good Practice for the Employment of Persons with Disabilities and section on Working Environment.

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Item 26 01 22 04 Expenditure for equipment in Brussels



Appropriations 5 733 000 5 733 000 7 520 000 7 520 000 5 520 000 5 520 000 5 520 000 5 520 000

Reserves

Heading:Expenditure for equipment in Brussels


45



This appropriation is intended to cover the following expenditure incurred within the Community territory:

the purchase, hire or leasing, maintenance, repair, installation and renewal of technical equipment and installations, and in particular:

— equipment (including photocopiers) for producing, reproducing and archiving documents in any form (paper, electronic media, etc.),

— audiovisual, library and interpreting equipment (booths, headsets and switching units for simultaneous interpreting facilities, etc.),

— kitchen fittings and restaurant equipment,

— various tools for building-maintenance shops,

— facilities required for disabledhandicapped officials,

— as well as studies, documentation and training relating to such equipment (before contracts for an amount in excess of EUR 300 000 are renewed or concluded, and with a view to rationalising expenditure, the Commission must consult the other institutions with regard to the conditions (price, currency chosen, indexing, duration, other clauses) obtained by each of them for a similar contract),

the purchase, hire, maintenance and repair of vehicles, and in particular:— new purchases of vehicles, including at least one vehicle adapted for transportation of persons with

reduced mobility,

— the replacement of vehicles which, during the year, reach a total mileage such as to justify replacement,

— the cost of hiring cars for short or long periods when demand exceeds the capacity of the vehicle fleet, or when the vehicle fleet does not cater for needs of passengers with reduced mobility,

— the cost of maintaining, repairing and insuring official vehicles (fuel, lubricants, tyres, inner tubes, miscellaneous supplies, spare parts, tools, etc.),

— various types of insurance (in particular third-party liability and insurance against theft) and the insurance costs referred to in Article 75 of the Financial Regulation,

— the refunding up to 50 % of the annual cost of public transportation between home and the work place, the purchase of transport tickets (one-way ticket and business pass), the free access to public transport lines to facilitate mobility between Commission buildings or between Commission buildings and public buildings (ex. airport), the service bicycles and any other means encouraging the use of public transportation and the Commission staff mobility, with the exception of service vehicles.

— expenditure on inputs for protocol restaurant services.



Add following text:

46

Directive 2004/17/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 31 March 2004 coordinating the procurement procedures of entities operating in the water, energy, transport and postal services sectors. Directive 2004/18/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 31 March 2004 coordinating the procedures for the award of public works contracts, public supply contracts and public service contracts.

Reference acts:Justification:European Public Procurement Directives encourage public authorities to design technical specifications of public contract tenders taking into account, whenever possible, accessibility criteria for people with disabilities or design for all users (Directive 2004/17/EC Article 34, Directive 2004/18/EC Article 23). Whenever possible, and particularly, while purchasing new equipment, the European Institutions should follow these recommendations.

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Budget reference line : 26 01 23 01 << Tabled by Catherine Guy-Quint, Jutta Haug, Socialist Group in the European Parliament >>

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Item 26 01 23 01 Office for Infrastructure and Logistics in Luxembourg





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Item 26 01 23 03 Expenditure related to buildings in Luxembourg



Appropriations 11 848 000 11 848 000 12 466 000 12 466 000 12 466 000 12 466 000 12 466 000 12 466 000

Reserves

Heading:Expenditure related to buildings in Luxembourg

47




This appropriation is intended to cover the following expenditure incurred within the Community territory:— the payment of insurance premiums on the buildings or parts of buildings occupied by the institution,

— water, gas, electricity and heating charges,

— maintenance costs, calculated on the basis of current contracts, for premises, lifts, central heating, air-conditioning equipment, etc.; the expenditure incurred by regular cleaning operations, including the purchase of maintenance, washing, laundry and dry-cleaning products, etc., and by repainting, repairs and supplies used by the maintenance shops (before contracts for an amount in excess of EUR 300 000 are renewed or concluded, and with a view to rationalising expenditure, the Commission must consult the other institutions with regard to the conditions (price, currency chosen, indexing, duration, other clauses) obtained by each of them for a similar contract),

— expenditure on the selective treatment, storage and removal of waste,

— the refurbishment of buildings, e.g. alterations to partitioning, alterations to technical installations and other specialist work on locks, electrical equipment, plumbing, painting, floor coverings, etc., and the cost of changes to the cabling associated with fixtures, and the cost of the necessary equipment (before contracts for an amount in excess of EUR 300 000 are renewed or concluded, and with a view to rationalising expenditure, the Commission must consult the other institutions with regard to the conditions (price, currency chosen, indexing, duration, other clauses) obtained by each of them for a similar contract),

— expenses concerned with the health and safety of individuals at work, in particular the purchase, hire and maintenance of fire-fighting equipment, the replacement of equipment for fire pickets and statutory inspection costs (before contracts for an amount in excess of EUR 300 000 are renewed or concluded, and with a view to rationalising expenditure, the Commission must consult the other institutions with regard to the conditions (price, currency chosen, indexing, duration, other clauses) obtained by each of them for a similar contract),

— expenses relating to conducting the audit of accessibility of buildings to persons with disabilities and/or reduced mobility and the introduction of necessary adaptations pursuant to such an audit so as to make buildings fully accessible to all visitors,

— the cost of legal, financial and technical consultancy fees prior to the acquisition, rental or construction of buildings,

— other expenditure on buildings, in particular management fees for multiple-tenanted buildings, costs of surveys of premises and charges for utilities (street cleaning and maintenance, refuse collection, etc.),

— technical assistance fees relating to major fitting-out operations for premises.



48

Add following text:

Decision of the European Ombudsman on own-initiative inquiry OI/3/2003/JMA concerning the European Commission.

Reference acts:Justification:According to the Ombudsman’s decision of 4 July 2007, the European Commission has been criticized by the public that it had not participated in a comprehensive accessibility audit of all EU institutions, and that certain accessibility aspects (such as the EU information points and Commission’s parking spaces) remained unaddressed. Additional efforts are needed to adhere to the criteria laid down in the EU Code of Good Practice for the Employment of Persons with Disabilities and section on Working Environment.

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Item 26 01 23 04 Expenditure for equipment in Luxembourg



Appropriations 845 000 845 000 930 000 930 000 930 000 930 000 930 000 930 000

Reserves

Heading:Expenditure for equipment in Luxembourg




This appropriation is intended to cover the following expenditure incurred within the Community territory:

the purchase, hire or leasing, maintenance, repair, installation and renewal of technical equipment and installations, and in particular:

— equipment (including photocopiers) for producing, reproducing and archiving documents in any form (paper, electronic media, etc.),

— audiovisual, library and interpreting equipment (booths, headsets and switching units for simultaneous interpreting facilities, etc.),

— kitchen fittings and restaurant equipment,

49

— various tools for building-maintenance shops,

— facilities required for disabledhandicapped officials,

— as well as studies, documentation and training relating to such equipment (before contracts for an amount in excess of EUR 300 000 are renewed or concluded, and with a view to rationalising expenditure, the Commission must consult the other institutions with regard to the conditions (price, currency chosen, indexing, duration, other clauses) obtained by each of them for a similar contract),

the purchase, hire, maintenance and repair of vehicles, and in particular:— new purchases of vehicles, including at least one vehicle adapted for transportation of persons with

reduced mobility,

— the replacement of vehicles which, during the year, reach a total mileage such as to justify replacement,

— the cost of hiring cars for short or long periods when demand exceeds the capacity of the vehicle fleet, or when the vehicle fleet does not cater for needs of passengers with reduced mobility,

— the cost of maintaining, repairing and insuring official vehicles (fuel, lubricants, tyres, inner tubes, miscellaneous supplies, spare parts, tools, etc.),

— various types of insurance (in particular third-party liability and insurance against theft) and the insurance costs referred to in Article 75 of the Financial Regulation,


Council Directive 90/270/EEC of 29 May 1990 on the minimum ..........16(1) of Directive 89/391/EEC) (OJ L 156, 21.6.1990, p. 14).


Council Regulation (EC, Euratom) No 1605/2002 of 25 June 2002 on the Financial Regulation applicable to the general budget of the European Communities (OJ L 248, 16.9.2002, p. 1), as amended by Regulation (EC, Euratom) No 1995/2006 (OJ L 390, 30.12.2006, p. 1).

Add following text:

Directive 2004/17/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 31 March 2004 coordinating the procurement procedures of entities operating in the water, energy, transport and postal services sectors. Directive 2004/18/EC of the European Parliament and of Council of 31 March 2004 coordinating the procedures for the award of public works contracts, public supply contracts and public service contracts.

Reference acts:Justification:European Public Procurement Directives encourage public authorities to design technical specifications of public contract tenders taking into account, whenever possible, accessibility criteria for people with disabilities or design for all users (Directive 2004/17/EC Article 34, Directive 2004/18/EC Article 23). Whenever possible, and particularly, while purchasing new equipment, the European Institutions should follow these recommendations.

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Budget reference line : 26 01 51 01

50

<< Tabled by Salvador Garriga Polledo, László Surján, Richard James Ashworth, Mairead McGuinness, Group of the European People's Party (Christian Democrats) and European Democrats >>

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Item 26 01 51 01 Office of the Secretary-General of the European Schools (Brussels)

Amend remarks, legal basis and figures as follows:26 01 51 01 Budget 2007 PDB 2008 DB 2008 AMENDMENT DB+AMENDMENT


Appropriations 7 647 791 7 647 791 6 902 696 6 902 696 6 902 696 6 902 696 0 0 6 902 696 6 902 696Reserves 200 000 200 000 200 000 200 000

Heading:Office of the Secretary-General of the European Schools (Brussels)


This appropriation is intended to contribute to the financing of the Office of the Secretary-General of the European Schools (Brussels).

Add following text:

The reserve of 200 000 euros in this appropriation is intended to contribute to the financing of first-class education for SEN children and to fully promote the concept of inclusive education. It is be released upon presentation of a proposal for the launch of a pilot project for a SEN resource centre, comprising qualified personnel with relevant experience and appropriate teaching materials.


European Parliament resolution on options for developing the European Schools system P6_TA(2005)0336, 8 September 2005. Decision of the European Ombudsman on own-initiative inquiry OI/3/2003/JMA concerning the European Commission, 4 July 2007.

Reference acts:Justification:EP resolution P6_TA(2005)0336 calls for financing to be set aside for a pilot project for an SEN resource centre, which would provide advice and materials for SEN education (para 27). Ombudsman’s decision OI/3/2003/JMA recalls that the Commission has been asked to assess the results of the European Schools' new SEN policy and to indicate a timetable for such assessment (para 5.4). 200 000 euros must be allocated and released upon presentation of such SEN pilot project.

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Budget reference line : 31 01 09 << Tabled by Committee on Budgetary Control >>

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51


Add: 31 01 09 —


Amend type: NDA31 01 09 Budget 2007 PDB 2008 DB 2008 AMENDMENT DB+AMENDMENT


Appropriations

Reserves

Heading:Translation Centre for the Bodies of the European Union


This article covers the Translation Centre for the bodies of the European Union.


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Add: 31 01 09 01 —





Reserves

Heading:Translation Centre for the Bodies of the European Union - Subsidy under Titles 1 and 2


This item is intended to cover the Translation Centre's staff and administrative expenditure (Titles 1 and 2).

Add following text:

The Budgetary resources of the Translation Centre for the bodies of the European Union consist of financial contributions from the agencies for which it works and the institutions and bodies with which it cooperates, without prejudice to other revenue.

Add following text:

During the budgetary procedure and even during the financial year, when a letter of amendment or an amending budget is submitted, the Commission shall inform the budgetary authority beforehand of any changes in the agencies’ budget, in particular concerning the establishment plans published in the budget.

52

Such a procedure is in accordance with the provisions on transparency set out in the Interinstitutional Declaration of 17 November 1995 and implemented in the form of a code of conduct agreed by the European Parliament, the Commission and the agencies.

Add following text:

The amounts repaid in accordance with Article 16 of Commission Regulation (EC, Euratom) No 2343/2002 of 23 December 2002 on the framework Financial Regulation for the bodies referred to in Article 185 of Council Regulation (EC, Euratom) No 1605/2002 on the Financial Regulation applicable to the general budget of the European (OJ L 357, 31.12.2002, p. 72) constitute assigned revenue (Article 18(1) (f) of the Financial Regulation) to be charged to Item 6 6 0 0 of the general statement of revenue.

Add following text:

The establishment plan of the Translation Centre is shown in Part C ‘Staff‚ of the general statement of revenue (volume 1).


Council Regulation (EC) No 2965/94 of 28 November 1994, setting up a Translation Centre for the bodies of the European Union (OJ L 314, 7.12.1994, p. 1), as last amended by Regulation (EC) No 1645/2003 (OJ L 245, 29.9.2003, p. 13).


Declaration of the representatives of the Governments of the Member States meeting in Brussels on 29 October 1993 at Head of State or Government level.

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Add: 31 01 09 02 —





Reserves

Heading:Translation Centre for the Bodies of the European Union - Subsidy under Title 3


This item is intended to cover the Translation Centre's operating expenditure (Title 3).

Add following text:

53

The Budgetary resources of the Translation Centre for the bodies of the European Union consist of financial contributions from the agencies for which it works and the institutions and bodies with which it cooperates, without prejudice to other revenue.

Add following text:

During the budgetary procedure and even during the financial year, when a letter of amendment or an amending budget is submitted, the Commission shall inform the budgetary authority beforehand of any changes in the agencies’ budget, in particular concerning the establishment plans published in the budget. Such a procedure is in accordance with the provisions on transparency set out in the Interinstitutional Declaration of 17 November 1995 and implemented in the form of a code of conduct agreed by the European Parliament, the Commission and the agencies.

54

Add following text:

The amounts repaid in accordance with Article 16 of Commission Regulation (EC, Euratom) No 2343/2002 of 23 December 2002 on the framework Financial Regulation for the bodies referred to in Article 185 of Council Regulation (EC, Euratom) No 1605/2002 on the Financial Regulation applicable to the general budget of the European (OJ L 357, 31.12.2002, p. 72) constitute assigned revenue (Article 18(1) (f) of the Financial Regulation) to be charged to Item 6 6 0 0 of the general statement of revenue.

Add following text:

The estimated revenue and expenditure of the Translation Centre for the bodies of the European Union for the financial year 2008 is as follows:

Add following text:Revenue:

— Title 1 European Community subsidy p.m. — Title 2 Other revenue 42 252 000

Total 42 252 000 Expenditure: — Title 1 Staff 21 010 000— Title 2 Administrative expenditure 5 637 000— Title 3 Operating expenditure 12 597 000— Title 10 Provisions 3 008 000

Total 42 252 000 — Balance for the financial year —— Profit as per 31 December


Council Regulation (EC) No 2965/94 of 28 November 1994, setting up a Translation Centre for the bodies of the European Union (OJ L 314, 7.12.1994, p. 1), as last amended by Regulation (EC) No 1645/2003 (OJ L 245, 29.9.2003, p. 13).


Declaration of the representatives of the Governments of the Member States meeting in Brussels on 29 October 1993 at Head of State or Government level.

Justification:For reasons of transparency and accountability, full information on all agencies should be included separately and openly in the general budget.

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Budget reference line : PARTC-3-3 << Tabled by Committee on Budgets >>

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Volume 1 - TOTAL REVENUE

55

- PARTC-3-3 European Anti-fraud Office (OLAF)


Heading:European Anti-fraud Office (OLAF)

Remarks:Amend text as follows:

Category and gradeEuropean Anti-fraud Office (OLAF)

2007 2008Permanent posts Temporary posts Permanent posts Temporary posts

AD 16 1 — 1 —AD 15 2 3 2 3AD 14 5 4 5 4AD 13 3 — 3 —AD 12 14 21 16 21AD 11 16 13 15 13AD 10 11 1 11 1AD 9 13 1 12 1AD 8 18 15 15 15AD 7 2 — 7 —AD 6 6 2 8 2AD 5 10 — 158 — Total grade AD 101 60 110103 60AST 11 1 — 1 —AST 10 8 18 8 18AST 9 4 — 8 —AST 8 15 4 17 4AST 7 26 25 24 25AST 6 35 1 31 1AST 5 12 8 12 8AST 4 15 — 15 —AST 3 16 — 16 —AST 2 8 — 8 —AST 1 11 — 11 — Total grade AST 151 56 151 56Grand total 252 116 261254 116Total staff 368 377370

Justification:Restore PDB.

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Budget reference line : A2 01 01 << Tabled by Committee on Budgets >>

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ANNEX II — PUBLICATIONS OFFICE

Article A2 01 01 Expenditure related to staff in active employment


56

A2 01 01 Budget 2007 PDB 2008 DB 2008 AMENDMENT DB+AMENDMENTCommitments Payments Commitments Payments Commitments Payments Commitments Payments Commitments Payments


-------------------------------


Item A2 01 02 01 External staff

Amend figures as follows:A2 01 02 01 Budget 2007 PDB 2008 DB 2008 AMENDMENT DB+AMENDMENT



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Item A2 01 02 11 Other management expenditure



Appropriations 743 900 743 900 744 000 744 000 743 900 743 900 100 100 744 000 744 000Reserves

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Article A2 01 03 Buildings and related expenditure

Amend figures as follows:A2 01 03 Budget 2007 PDB 2008 DB 2008 AMENDMENT DB+AMENDMENT



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Article A2 01 50 Personnel policy and management



Appropriations 564 800 564 800 565 000 565 000 564 800 564 800 200 200 565 000 565 000Reserves

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Item A2 02 01 01 EU Bookshop

Amend figures as follows:57

A2 02 01 01 Budget 2007 PDB 2008 DB 2008 AMENDMENT DB+AMENDMENTCommitments Payments Commitments Payments Commitments Payments Commitments Payments Commitments Payments

Appropriations 470 000 470 000 970 000 970 000 500 000 500 000 470 000 470 000 970 000 970 000Reserves


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ANNEX III — EUROPEAN ANTI-FRAUD OFFICE





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58




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ANNEX IV — EUROPEAN PERSONNEL SELECTION OFFICE





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59



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Item A4 02 01 02 Limited consultations, studies and surveys



Appropriations 33 750 33 750 70 000 70 000 45 000 45 000 25 000 25 000 70 000 70 000Reserves 11 250 11 250


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Budget reference line : A4 02 01 << Tabled by Salvador Garriga Polledo, László Surján, Richard James Ashworth, Mairead McGuinness, Group of the European People's Party (Christian Democrats) and European Democrats >>

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Article A4 02 01 Interinstitutional cooperation, interinstitutional services and activities

Amend remarks and legal basis as follows:

Heading:Interinstitutional cooperation, interinstitutional services and activities


EPSO should submit a report to the budgetary authority with proposals to introduce changes in its working methods in order to: — adopt measures to further reduce the length of the selection process,

— adopt measures to make recruitment procedures accessible to and inclusive of candidates with disabilities,

— examine the possibility of applying stricter admissibility criteria, whilst ensuring open and equal access to competitions for European citizens,

— increase the number of successful candidates on the reserve lists to meet the Institutions’ needs,

— adopt measures to further improve and speed up the utilisation of reserve lists,

— further examine the possibility of decentralising the interview stage of the selection process for certain competitions.

60


Council Directive 2000/78/EC of 27 November 2000 establishing a general framework for equal treatment in employment and occupation.

Reference acts:Justification:The European Ombudsman’s inquiry into the integration of persons with disabilities by the European Commission (OI/3/2003/JMA) called on the Commission to make its measures to promote the recruitment of persons with disabilities more transparent. He criticised the insufficient number of measures taken to sensitise the Commission’s staff to the needs of people with disabilities.

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Budget reference line : A4 10 01 << Tabled by Salvador Garriga Polledo, László Surján, Richard James Ashworth, Mairead McGuinness, Group of the European People's Party (Christian Democrats) and European Democrats >>

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Article A4 10 01 Provisional appropriations

Amend remarks and figures as follows:

Amend type: DAA4 10 01 Budget 2007 PDB 2008 DB 2008 AMENDMENT DB+AMENDMENT


Appropriations p.m. p.m. p.m. p.m. 0 p.m.

Reserves 200 000 200 000

Heading:Provisional appropriations


The appropriations entered in this chapter are purely provisional and may be used only after their transfer to other chapters in accordance with the procedure laid down for that purpose in the Financial Regulation. A reserve must be put aside for adoption of an action plan for adaptation of the personnel selection procedures, including accessibility of tests and examination centres, to the needs of candidates with disabilities.

Legal basis:Reference acts:Justification:A reserve must be put aside for adoption of an action plan for adaptation of the personnel selection procedures, including accessibility of tests and examination centres, to the needs of candidates with disabilities.

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Budget reference line : A5 01 02 01 << Tabled by Committee on Budgets >>

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ANNEX V OFFICE FOR ADMINISTRATION AND PAYMENT OF INDIVIDUAL ENTITLEMENTS





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ANNEX V OFFICE FOR ADMINISTRATION AND PAYMENT OF INDIVIDUAL ENTITLEMENTS






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ANNEX VI — INFRASTRUCTURE AND LOGISTICS OFFICE, BRUSSELS





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Justification:According to the Court of Auditor's Special Report 2/2007 on the Buildings policy: the potential advantage offered by the creation of the Offices for Infrastructure and Logistics in Brussels was limited and there were even allegations of corruption in the press.

20 % of CA and PA should put into the reserve until the Commission reports back to the European Parliament on the following:

- how the Commission intends to achieve improvements concerning the inter-institutional co-operation

- how can the concentration of Institutions buildings in the European Quarter in Brussels that is pushing up market prices been stopped

- How the extensive use of the negotiated procedure can been reduced in favour of competitive tendering in order to obtain best prices.

- what efforts will be done in order to establish a common building policy and better interinstitutional cooperation (including increased coordination of planning, reassessment of the concentration of offices within specific areas, using tenders in the broadest way

- presentation of a detailed and updated analysis on the current situation concerning the needs for office space and the mid-term needs foreseen in relation to the evolution of staff.

The Committee on Budgets has taken over and modified the amendment tabled by the rapporteur, Mr Virrankoski and by the EPP Group. Linked to amendment BUDG/4821.

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Budget reference line : A7 01 02 01

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<< Tabled by Committee on Budgets >>-------------------------------

ANNEX VII — INFRASTRUCTURE AND LOGISTICS OFFICE, LUXEMBOURG





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Article A7 01 50 Personnel policy and management





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Budget reference line : 1 2

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BUDG/4941 Compromise amendment between BUDG/2001, BUDG/2002, BUDG/2004, BUDG/2005, BUDG/2006, BUDG/2007, BUDG/2008, BUDG/2062 << Tabled by Committee on Budgets >>

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SECTION I - PARLIAMENT

Chapter 1 2 OFFICIALS AND TEMPORARY STAFF


Heading:OFFICIALS AND TEMPORARY STAFF


Establishment plan: Release from the reserve of 9 AD5 and 7 AST3 (including 1 AST3 temporary post for the sixth Quaestor).

Add following text:

Establishment plan: release from the reserve of the 35 AST posts (10 AST1, 10 AST2, 5 AST3, 5 AST4 and 5 AST5) converted into AD5 posts.

Add following text:

Establishment plan: creation of 5 AD5 for the Library (of which two are placed in reserve).

Add following text:

Establishment plan: Creation of two AD16 posts for the new Directorates-General for Interpretation and for Technological Innovation and Support.

Add following text:

Establishment plan: Conversion of 25 AST6 into AD5, conversion of 1AST1 into AD5 (Tabling Office), and regrading of 23 permanent posts in Parliament's Secretariat (2 AD12 to AD15, 11 AD12 to AD7, 4 AST11 to AST3, 3 AST11 to AST1, and 3 AST6 to AST1).

Add following text:

Establishment plan: Ad personam promotion (AD14 to AD15).

Add following text:

Establishment plan: 74 upgradings of posts for the political groups (1 AS12 to AD13, 6 AD11 to AD12, 4 AD10 to AD11, 2 AD9 to AD10, 4 AD8 to AD9, 3 AD7 to AD8, 7 AD6 to AD7, 8 AD5 to AD6, 3 AST10 to AST11, 9 AST8 to AST9, 9 AST7 to AST8, 3 AST6 to AST7, 2 AST5 to AST6, 2 AST4 to AST5, 2 AST4 to AST5, 1 AST3 to AST4, 2 AST2 to AST3, and 8 AST1 to AST2).

Add following text:

Establishment plan: Release from the reserve of the 448 upgradings for Parliament's Secretariat (permanent posts: 2 AD13 to AD14, 45 AD12 to AD13, 25 AD11 to AD12, 10 AD7 to AD8, 3 AD6 to AD7, 165 AD5 to AD6, 50 AST7 to AST8, 65 AST4 to AST5, 65 AST1 to AST2; and temporary posts: 1 AD12 to AD13, 2 AD10 to AD11, 1 AST2 to AST3, 2 AST1 to AST2, and 12 AST1 to AST3).

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Item 1 2 0 0 Remuneration and allowances



Appropriations 448 446 662 448 446 662 472 968 573 472 968 573 472 968 573 472 968 573 2 395 246 2 395 246 475 363 819 475 363 819Reserves 317 157 317 157 3 002 745 3 002 745 3 002 745 3 002 745 -2 937 593 -2 937 593 65 152 65 152

Justification:Amendments presented by the Rapporteur at the request of the Bureau.

It is proposed to upgrade 74 temporary posts for the political groups (BUDG/2001).

This measure was decided by the Bureau when the estimates were adopted. It is proposed to release from the reserve the 16 posts and their corresponding appropriation (BUDG/2002).

This measure was decided by the Bureau when the estimates were adopted. It is proposed to release the corresponding appropriation entered in the reserve regarding the conversion of 35 AST posts into AD5 posts (BUDG/2004).

It is proposed to create five additional AD5 posts for setting up the Analytical Service within the Library (BUDG/2005).

Before creating five additional AD posts for setting up the Analytical Service within the Library, expects to receive, as stated in the EP Resolution of 29 March 2007 on the guidelines for the 2008 budget procedure, relevant proposals with cost estimations on the "... possibilities for the extension of the facilities provided to Members by the Library by its providing (....) an extensive single document and information repository of all existing texts and expertise (Knowledge Management System); (...) which also include the possibility of publishing the answers to such queries on the Parliament's Intranet (...)". In the main time decided to introduce 5 AD posts and the corresponding amount in reserve. (0806).

Following the decision to create two additional Directorates Generals on Interpretation and for Technological Innovation and Support, it is proposed to create the posts for the two Directors Generals (BUDG/2006).

It is proposed to update the structure of the Parliament's secretariat in order to properly conduct the redeployment policy (BUDG/2007).

It is proposed to give one ad personam promotion from AD14 into AD15 for a long service official (BUDG/2008).

This measure was decided by the Bureau when the estimates were adopted. It is proposed to release the necessary upgradings to implement the Parliament's staff policy and the corresponding appropriation entered in the reserve (BUDG/2062).

The Committee on Budgets has taken over and modified the amendments tabled by the Rapporteur, Mr. Itälä, tabled at the request of the Bureau and by the PSE Group.

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Budget reference line : 1 2 0 4 << Tabled by Ville Itälä, rapporteur, on behalf of the Bureau >>

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Item 1 2 0 4 Entitlements in connection with entering the service, transfer and leaving the service



Appropriations 4 937 776 4 937 776 7 100 000 7 100 000 7 100 000 7 100 000 7 100 000 7 100 000

Reserves

Heading:Entitlements in connection with entering the service, transfer and leaving the service


Conditions of employment of other servants of the European Communities.


This appropriation is intended to cover:— travel expenses due to officials and temporary staff (including their families) entering or leaving the service

or being transferred to another place of employment,

— installation/resettlement allowances and removal expenses due to officials and temporary staff obliged to change their place of residence on taking up duty, on transfer to a new place of employment and on finally leaving the institution and resettling elsewhere,

— daily subsistence allowance for officials and temporary staff who furnish evidence that they must change their place of residence on taking up duty or transferring to a new place of employment,

— the compensation for a probationary official who is dismissed because his work is obviously inadequate,

— compensation for a member of the temporary staff whose contract is terminated by the institution,

— the difference between the contributions paid by contractauxiliary staff to a Member State pension scheme and those payable to the Community scheme in the event of reclassification of a contract.

Legal basis:Reference acts:Justification:Amendment presented by the Rapporteur on behalf of the Bureau.

To provide clarification in the light of the new Staff Regulations of Officials.=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-==-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-==-=-=-=-

Proposed modification 1072 === BUDG/2054===

Budget reference line : 1 2 2 0 << Tabled by Committee on Budgets >>

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Item 1 2 2 0 Allowances for staff retired in the interests of the service



Appropriations 580 000 580 000 0 0 0 0 860 000 860 000 860 000 860 000Reserves

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Item 1 2 2 2 Allowances for staff whose service is terminated and special retirement scheme for officials and temporary staff



Appropriations 8 100 000 8 100 000 0 0 0 0 6 000 000 6 000 000 6 000 000 6 000 000Reserves

Justification:In view of strengthening inter-institutional cooperation, the Parliament's Administration has signed an agreement delegating the implementation of expenditure on early retirement schemes in respect of its staff under Articles 41 and 50 of the Staff Regulations to the Paymaster's Office (PMO) of the Commission. As the practical arrangements for implementing the agreement had not been finalised at the time of the adoption of the budgetary estimates, the rapporteurs propose to enter the relevant appropriations into the Parliament's budget in order to preserve the institution's autonomy in applying Articles 41 and 50 of the Staff Regulations.

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Budget reference line : 1 4 0 0BUDG/4806 Compromise amendment between BUDG/2057, BUDG/2026 << Tabled by Committee on Budgets >>

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Item 1 4 0 0 Other staff



Appropriations 32 700 000 32 700 000 27 235 000 27 235 000 27 235 000 27 235 000 -544 700 -544 700 26 690 300 26 690 300Reserves

Heading:Other staff


Conditions of employment of other servants of the European Communities.

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This appropriation is mainly intended to cover the following:— the remuneration, including allocations and allowances,remuneration of other staff including contract and

local staff and special advisers (within the meaning of the Conditions of employment of other servants of the European Communities), employer's contributions to the various social security schemes and the impact of salary weightings applicable to the remuneration of these staff,

— fees of medical and paramedical staff paid under the arrangements for the provision of services and, in special cases, the employment of temporary agency staff.

Legal basis:Reference acts:Justification:The budget lines above have an important rate of unused appropriation at the end of the year and contribute to increase the volume of the mopping-up transfer. In order to limit this practice, as outlined in the guidelines' resolution (par. 27) and the estimates' resolution (para. 7), the rapporteur proposes to proceed to a reduction of 2%.

Transfer of expenditure on medical service providers from Item 1400 to Item 1650.

The Committee on Budgets has taken over and modified the amendments tabled by the rapporteur, Mr. Itälä.=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-==-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-==-=-=-=-



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Item 1 4 0 2 Conference interpreters



Appropriations 48 072 250 48 072 250 54 300 000 54 300 000 54 300 000 54 300 000 1 457 000 1 457 000 55 757 000 55 757 000Reserves 2 000 000 2 000 000 2 000 000 2 000 000 2 000 000 2 000 000

Justification:In order to enhance the linguistic support offered to Members, it is proposed to launch a pilot project. The pilot project will provide, for specific meetings such as coordinators meetings or meetings organised by rapporteurs or shadow rapporteurs, the opportunity to get individual linguistic support. The Bureau is invited to define the rules. As the pilot project will need some time before starting, the rapporteur proposes to allocate an amount of EUR 4 000 000 for its first year.

To encourage the administration to set up a budget based on real and justified needs, the rapporteur proposes to apply a horizontal cut of 1% on all running-cost lines (EUR -543 000).

Decides to introduce,(EUR 2 000 000) in reserve, part of the appropriation allocated to official meetings of parliament bodies. As stated in the EP Resolution of 7 June 2007 on Parliament's estimates of revenue and expenditure for the financial year 2008, priority should be given to more efficient linguistic support for

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Members at official meetings of Parliament bodies in order to prevent any shortcomings. Members should be treated fairly, irrespective of their native language.

The Committee on Budgets has taken over and modified the amendments tabled by the rapporteur, Mr. Itälä and by Mr. Manka (BUDG/2047, BUDG/2058 and BUDG/4314).

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Item 1 4 0 4 Graduate traineeships, grants and exchanges of officials




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Article 1 4 2 Outside services



Appropriations 16 590 000 16 590 000 9 785 000 9 785 000 9 785 000 9 785 000 -97 850 -97 850 9 687 150 9 687 150Reserves 1 000 000 1 000 000

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Item 2 0 2 6 Security and surveillance of buildings




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Item 2 0 2 8 Insurance


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Article 2 1 2 Furniture




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Article 2 3 0 Stationery, office supplies and miscellaneous consumables




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Article 2 3 1 Financial charges



Appropriations 670 000 670 000 685 000 685 000 685 000 685 000 -6 850 -6 850 678 150 678 150Reserves

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Article 2 3 2 Legal costs and damages




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Article 2 3 6 Postage on correspondence and delivery charges

Amend figures as follows:71


Appropriations 1 125 000 1 125 000 980 000 980 000 980 000 980 000 -9 800 -9 800 970 200 970 200Reserves

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Article 2 3 7 Removals




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Article 2 3 8 Other administrative expenditure




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Article 3 0 2 Entertainment and representation expenses




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Item 3 0 4 0 Miscellaneous expenditure on internal meetings




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Item 3 0 4 4 Miscellaneous expenditure on the organisation of the Parliamentary Conference on the WTO and other interparliamentary, ad hoc and WTO delegation meetings

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Item 3 0 4 6 Miscellaneous expenditure on the organisation of ACP-EU Joint Parliamentary Assembly meetings




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Item 3 0 4 8 Miscellaneous expenditure on the organisation of Euromed Parliamentary Assembly meetings



Appropriations 102 000 102 000 62 500 62 500 62 500 62 500 -625 -625 61 875 61 875Reserves

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Item 3 0 4 9 Expenditure on travel agency services




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Item 3 2 2 0 Documentation and library expenditure




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Item 3 2 2 2 Expenditure on archive resources

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Appropriations 1 520 000 1 520 000 1 801 000 1 801 000 1 801 000 1 801 000 -18 010 -18 010 1 782 990 1 782 990Reserves 250 000 250 000

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Item 3 2 4 1 Digital and traditional publications




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Item 3 2 4 9 Information exchanges with national parliaments




Justification:To encourage the administration to set up a budget based on real and justified needs, the rapporteur proposes to apply a horizontal cut of 1% on all running-cost lines.




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Item 1 6 1 0 Expenditure on recruitment



Appropriations 150 000 150 000 235 000 235 000 235 000 235 000 235 000 235 000

Reserves 58 000 58 000

Heading:Expenditure on recruitment

Remarks:

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After paragraph

Decision 2002/620/EC of the European Parliament, the Council, the Commission, ..........Communities Personnel Selection Office (OJ L 197, 26.7.2002, p. 56).


This appropriation is intended to cover:— expenditure on organising the competitions provided for in Article 3 of Decision 2002/621/EC and travel

and subsistence expenses for applicants called for interviews and medical examinations,

— the costs of organising procedures for selecting temporary and contract staff.

After paragraph

In cases duly justified by operating requirements, and after consulting ..........used for competitions organised by the institution on its own.

Delete following text:

The amount of assigned revenue in accordance with Article 18(1)(e) to (j) of the Financial Regulation is estimated at EUR 50 000.


To simplify the remark and take account of the fact that there is no assigned revenue against this item.=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-==-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-==-=-=-=-



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Item 1 6 5 0 Medical service



Appropriations 900 000 900 000 990 000 990 000 990 000 990 000 990 000 990 000

Reserves

Heading:Medical service

Remarks:

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After paragraph

This appropriation is intended to cover the operating costs of ..........by outside medical specialists deemed necessary by the medical officers.


It also covers expenditure involving the purchase of certain work tools deemed necessary on medical grounds, together with expenditure on medical or paramedical staff under service provision arrangements or on short-term stand-in assignment.grounds.


Transfer of expenditure on medical service providers from Item 1400 to Item 1650.=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-==-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-==-=-=-=-



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Item 2 0 0 0 Rent




Justification:It was requested on the draft general budget of the European Union for the financial year 2007 and on the guidelines for the 2008 budget that the agreement with the Commission on the management of acquisition of buildings including improvements, alterations and maintenance work, in the Information Houses in Member States, should be re-examined and reviewed, and that a principle of "paying according to use" should be put into place as no suitable answer has been given as yet it has decided that the amount of EUR 1 000 000 will be put into the reserve awaiting the conclusion of an agreement or the proposition of a solution that would ensure that Parliament's costs reflect the actual use of the Information Houses.

It is also proposed to give the appropriate resources (EUR 545 000) to make the rent of additional offices in Brussels (Wiertz building) possible.

New IT rooms will be rented in Luxembourg. It is proposed to revise the appropriation earmarked for this purpose (EUR -795 000) accordingly.

The Committee on Budgets has taken over and modified the amendments tabled by the rapporteur, Mr. Itälä and those tabled at the request of the Bureau and by Mr. Grech (BUDG/4258, BUDG/2015 and BUDG/2017).

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Item 2 0 0 7 Fitting-out of premises



Appropriations 17 422 800 17 422 800 27 008 000 27 008 000 27 008 000 27 008 000 -4 545 000 -4 545 000 22 463 000 22 463 000Reserves 1 869 200 1 869 200 3 000 000 3 000 000 3 000 000 3 000 000 -1 300 000 -1 300 000 1 700 000 1 700 000

Justification:Following the estimate produced by the architect regarding the fitting-out work to be done in two meeting rooms in Strasbourg (WIC 100 and WIC 200) in order to increase interpretation capacity. the cost of the fitting-out work has been revised(€ -250 000).

An amount of € 1 200 000 has been entered in reserve until sufficient classification and justification is given by the administration for the re-fitting and re-organisation of the WIC100 and WIC 200 meeting rooms.

An amount of € 500 000 is put in reserve until the Action plan on EMAS, including a cost-benefit analysis, an overview on the fitting-out work to be undertaken, needs in terms of staff and the timetable for the"EMAS actions" is presented. These appropriations could be released and adapted after the decisions of the competent bodies. This concerns items 2007 and 2024.

It is proposed to reduce by EUR 3 000 000 the appropriation allocated. The administration is invited to prioritise the projects it intends to undertake and to assess the sectors where savings can be found by a better use of the means available and set a mid-term plan for the realisation of the projects.

The fitting-out foreseen in view of the modernisation of the Sports Centre will be covered under Chapter 105.

It is also proposed to give the appropriate resources (€ 50 000) to make the rent of additional offices in Brussels (Wiertz building) possible.

New IT rooms will be rented in Luxembourg. It is proposed to revise the appropriation earmarked for this purpose and to provide the other funds needed in 2008 (€ 355 000).

The Committee on Budgets has taken over and modified the amendments tabled by the rapporteur, Mr. Itälä and those tabled at the request of the Bureau (BUDG/2016, BUDG/2015, BUDG/2017 and BUDG/2039).

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Item 2 0 0 8 Other expenditure on buildings


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Justification:It is proposed to give the appropriate resources to make possible the rent of additional offices in Brussels (Wiertz building).

To encourage the administration to set up a budget based on real and justified needs, the apporteur proposes to apply a horizontal cut of 1% on all running-cost lines

The Committee on Budgets has taken over and modified the amendments tabled by the rapporteur, Mr. Itälä, tabled at the request of the Bureau (BUDG/2015 and BUDG/2058.

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Item 2 0 2 2 Cleaning and maintenance




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Justification:Amendment presented by the Rapporteur at the request of the Bureau.

Due to the delay in the handover of the D5 building (May 2008 instead of January 2008), it is proposed to adjust the appropriation consequently.

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Justification:It is proposed to give the appropriate resources to make the rent of additional offices in Brussels (Wiertz building) possible (EUR +64 000).

New IT rooms will be rented in Luxembourg. It is proposed to revise the appropriation (EUR +104 000) earmarked for this purpose and to provide the other funds needed in 2008.

The appropriation intends to cover the cost of cleaning and maintenance. Due to the delay in the handover of the D5 building it is proposed to reduce the allocation by EUR 500 000.

Due to the delay in the handover of the D5 building (May 2008 instead of January 2008), it is proposed to adjust the appropriation (EUR -269 000) consequently.

The Committee on Budgets has taken over and modified the amendments tabled by the rapporteur, Mr. Itälä, and at the request of the Bureau (BUDG/2038, BUDG/2014, BUDG/2015 and BUDG/2017).

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Budget reference line : 2 0 2 4BUDG/4830 Compromise amendment between PPE//7581 << Tabled by Committee on Budgets >>

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Item 2 0 2 4 Energy consumption




Heading:Energy consumption


The amount of assigned revenue in accordance with Article 18(1)(e) ..........of the Financial Regulation is estimated at EUR 50 000.

Add following text:

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An amount of EUR 3 mio is put in reserve. This amount will be released upon presentation of proposals for the reduction of energy cost including the decrease in air-conditioning during summer time, as requested in the resolution on the Guidelines for the 2008 budget procedure ( par.37)

Add following text:

An action on EMAS is still expected by the Parliament. The amount will remain in reserve until the Action Plan including a cost-benefit analysis, an overview on the fitting-out work to be undertaken, needs in terms of staff and the timetable for the"EMAS actions" is presented (this has been already requested in the Estimates resolution). These appropriations could be released and adapted after the decisions of the competent bodies.

Legal basis:Reference acts:Justification:Proposals for reducing energy consumption including the reduction of air-conditioning have been already requested in the Guidelines 2008 and in the 2006 budget procedure. Until now, no such report has been presented

.

New IT rooms will be rented in Luxembourg. It is proposed to revise the appropriation earmarked for this purpose (EUR 76 000) accordingly. It is also proposed to give the appropriate resources (EUR 100 000) to make the rent of additional offices in Brussels (Wiertz building) possible.

The Committee on Budgets has taken over and modified the amendments tabled by the rapporteur, Mr. Itälä, and those at the request of the Bureau and by the EPP-ED Group (0688, BUDG/2061, BUDG/2058 and BUDG/2017).

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Item 2 1 0 0 Purchase, servicing and maintenance of equipment and software




Justification:In the guidelines resolution the Parliament asks for proposals for the rationalisation of the IT costs in the context of the amending letter. As no alternative proposal or justification has been made, a reduction of EUR 2

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000 000 is proposed.=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-==-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-==-=-=-=-



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Item 2 1 0 2 Outside assistance in connection with the operation, development and maintenance of software systems



Appropriations 30 137 000 30 137 000 35 839 000 35 839 000 35 839 000 35 839 000 -1 000 000 -1 000 000 34 839 000 34 839 000Reserves 2 000 000 2 000 000

Heading:Outside assistance in connection with the operation, development and maintenance of software systems


This appropriation is intended to cover the cost of outside assistance from service bureaux and data-processing consultants in connection with the operation of the data-processing centre and the network, the production and maintenance of applications, support for users, including Members and political groups, the carrying out of studies, and the drawing up and input of technical documentation. It is also intended to cover Parliament's share of the costs of the NAP payroll application help desk set up by common accord between the institutions.

Legal basis:Reference acts:Justification:Given the fact that no proposal has been made in the context of the amending letter to rationalise the IT costs, and that 13 posts have been allocated in order to reduce the number of key functions in the hand of external staff, it is proposed to reduce the appropriation for outside assistance by EUR 2 000 000.

The Committee on Budgets has taken over and modified the amendments tabled by the rapporteur, Mr. Itälä and those at the request of the Bureau.

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Budget reference line : 2 1 4BUDG/4838 Compromise amendment between BUDG/2021 << Tabled by Committee on Budgets >>

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Article 2 1 4 Technical equipment and installations



Appropriations 16 951 075 16 951 075 34 573 000 34 573 000 34 573 000 34 573 000 -3 533 460 -3 533 460 31 039 540 31 039 540Reserves 2 000 000 2 000 000 2 000 000 2 000 000 -2 000 000 -2 000 000 0 0

Justification:The budget appropriation of this year has made possible to revise downwards total appropriations required for 2008. It is proposed to delete the € 2 000 000 entered in reserve.

The latest costs of the audiovisual equipment for the D5 building show that lower funding is required. It is therefore proposed to reduce the appropriation by € 2 900 000.

The budget line has an important rate of unused appropriation at the end of the year and contribute to increase the volume of the mopping-up transfer. In order to limit this practice, as outlined in the guidelines' resolution (para.27) and the estimates' resolution (para.7), the rapporteur proposes to proceed to a reduction of 2%

(EUR -633 460).

The Committee on Budgets has taken over and modified the amendments tabled by the rapporteur, Mr. Itälä, and those tabled at the request of the Bureau (BUDG/2021, BUDG/2057 and BUDG/2013).

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Budget reference line : 2 1 6BUDG/4930 Compromise amendment between BUDG/2058, VERT/7329 << Tabled by Committee on Budgets >>

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Article 2 1 6 Vehicles




Heading:Vehicles




This appropriation is intended to cover the purchase, maintenance, use and repair of vehicles (fleet of cars and bicycles) and the hire of cars, taxis, coaches and lorries, with or without drivers, including the necessary

82

insurance cover. When replacing the car fleet or purchasing or hiring vehicles, preference will be given to cars that are the least polluting for the environment, such as hybrid cars.

Legal basis:Reference acts:Justification:To encourage the administration to set up a budget based on real and justified needs, the rapporteur proposes to apply a horizontal cut of 1% on all running-cost lines.

Reducing the carbon footprint of the Parliament.

The Committee on Budgets has taken over and modified the amendments tabled by the rapporteur, Mr. Itälä and the Greens Group.

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Budget reference line : 2 3 0 << Tabled by Salvador Garriga Polledo, László Surján, Valdis Dombrovskis, Group of the European People's Party (Christian Democrats) and European Democrats >>

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Article 2 3 0 Stationery, office supplies and miscellaneous consumables



Appropriations 3 191 800 3 191 800 1 925 000 1 925 000 1 925 000 1 925 000 -125 000 -125 000 1 800 000 1 800 000Reserves 125 000 125 000 125 000 125 000

Heading:Stationery, office supplies and miscellaneous consumables



Add following text:

The release of the reserve is subject to the presentation of a report for a list of Parliament's documents that should not be distributed automatically , for example the documents on the outcome of the votes in plenary. The report should present proposals for abolishing an automatic distribution of hard copies to Members and staff, allowing instead the provision of these documents upon request. Furthermore, the actions undertaken under EMAS with the aim of reducing the automatic print-out for a large distribution of Parliament's documents should be included as well as their related costs.


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Justification:Parliament should undertake efforts in saving paper and adopt an environment-friendly attitude in its daily work.

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Article 2 3 5 Telecommunications




Justification:The budget allocated to the telecommunications does not reflect the open market price in the sector. The best offer should be sought by the administration.

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Budget reference line : 3 0 0BUDG/4839 Compromise amendment between BUDG/2020, BUDG/2030 << Tabled by Committee on Budgets >>

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Article 3 0 0 Staff mission expenses



Appropriations 22 867 935 22 867 935 24 000 000 24 000 000 24 000 000 24 000 000 1 490 000 1 490 000 25 490 000 25 490 000Reserves 1 132 065 1 132 065 1 490 000 1 490 000 1 490 000 1 490 000 -1 490 000 -1 490 000 0 0

Heading:Staff mission expenses


Staff Regulations of officials of the European Communities, and in ..........thereof and Articles 11 to 13 of Annex VII thereto.


This appropriation is intended to cover, in relation to missions undertaken by staff of the institution and seconded national experts,cover expenditure on transport costs, the payment of daily mission allowances and

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the ancillary or exceptional expenses incurred in the performance of a mission, including ancillary costs relating to tickets and reservations.

Legal basis:Reference acts:Justification:It is proposed to release the appropriation entered in reserve.

To extend the scope of this expenditure to institution officials and seconded national experts.

The Committee on Budgets has taken over and modified the amendments tabled by the rapporteur, Mr. Itälä, and those at the request of the Bureau.

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Budget reference line : 3 0 2 << Tabled by Ville Itälä, rapporteur, on behalf of the Bureau >>

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Article 3 0 2 Entertainment and representation expenses





It is proposed to reinforce the appropriation allocated to this item.=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-==-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-==-=-=-=-



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Item 3 0 4 2 Meetings, congresses and conferences




Heading:Meetings, congresses and conferences

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Remarks:After list beginning with :

This appropriation is intended to cover in particular:expenditure connected with ..........Secretaries-General of Parliaments, Twelve Plus Group within the Interparliamentary Union). — ..........

and ending with :

affiliation fees in respect of international organisations to which the ..........Secretaries-General of Parliaments, Twelve Plus Group within the Interparliamentary Union).

Add following text:

The amount of assigned revenue in accordance with Article 18(1)(e) to (j) of the Financial Regulation is estimated at EUR 20 000.

Legal basis:Reference acts:Justification:To provide for the use of assigned revenue.

To encourage the administration to set up a budget based on real and justified needs, the rapporteur proposes to apply a horizontal cut of 1% on all running-cost lines.

The Committee on Budgets has taken over and modified the amendments tabled by the rapporteur, Mr. Itälä and those tabled at the Bureau's request.

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Add: 3 0 4 7 —


Amend type: NDA


Appropriations 97 000 97 000 97 000 97 000

Reserves

Heading:Miscellaneous expenditure on the organisation of Eurolat Parliamentary Assembly meetings.


86

This appropriation is intended to cover expenditure, other than that covered by Chapter 10 and Article 300, connected with the organisation of meetings of the Eurolat Parliamentary Assembly, its committees and its bureau.


-------------------------------


Chapter 10 1 CONTINGENCY RESERVE

Amend figures as follows:10 1 Budget 2007 PDB 2008 DB 2008 AMENDMENT DB+AMENDMENT



Justification:Amendment presented by the Rapporteur on behalf of the Bureau.

It is proposed to allocate € 97 000 to the Eurolat Parliament Assembly in 2008. Bureau decision of 11 October 2006.

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Article 3 2 0 Acquisition of expertise



Appropriations 8 869 600 8 869 600 10 672 000 10 672 000 10 672 000 10 672 000 -500 000 -500 000 10 172 000 10 172 000Reserves 500 000 500 000

Justification:An increase of 20% is foreseen in the estimates. The rapporteur proposes to reduce this item by EUR 500 000.

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Budget reference line : 3 2 3 << Tabled by Ville Itälä, rapporteur, on behalf of the Bureau >>

-------------------------------


Add: 3 2 3 —


87



Appropriations 360 000 360 000 360 000 360 000

Reserves

Heading:Relations with parliaments of third countries and support for parliamentary democracy.


Conclusions, EU Speakers Conference, Copenhagen 2006 and Bratislava 2007

Add following text:

Bureau decision of 18 June 2007

Add following text:

Geographical area covered: countries outside the European Union with the exception of European Union candidateand pre-candidate countries.

Add following text:

This appropriation is intended to cover:

Add following text:

-the expenditure committed for promoting relations between the European Parliament and democratically elected national parliaments from third countries as well as with corresponding regional parliamentary organisations. It relates notably to activities aimed at strengthening the parliamentary capacity in new and emerging democracies, and promoting the use of new IC technologies by parliaments.


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Item 3 2 4 9 Information exchanges with national parliaments




Heading:Information exchanges with national parliaments


88

Conferences of Speakers of European Parliamentary Assemblies (June 1977) and of European Union Parliaments (September 2000, March 2001). Geographical area covered: European Union countries and European Union candidate and pre-candidate countries.


This appropriation is intended to cover: — expenditure committed for promoting relations between the European Parliament and national parliaments.

It relates to parliamentary relations other than those covered by Chapters 1 0 and 3 0, exchanges of information and documentation, and assistance in the analysis and management of that information, including exchanges with the European Centre for Parliamentary Research and Documentation (ECPRD),

— strengthening of cooperation between the European Parliament and the democratically elected parliaments of southeastern and eastern Europe, the former USSR and the Mediterranean Basin. The parliaments of future Member States of the Union will enjoy favoured-status collaboration,

— funding of cooperation programmes and training schemes for officials of the aforementioned parliaments and, in general, activities to strengthen their parliamentary capacities.parliaments.

Training schemes include study visits to the European Parliament in Brussels, Luxembourg and Strasbourg; the appropriation is intended to cover all or part of the expenditure incurred by participants, in particular travelling costs, travel expenses, accommodation and daily allowances,

— cooperation measures, including those linked to legislative work, and measures linked to documentation, analysis and information, including those carried out by the ECPRD.


Bureau decision of 18 June 2007.=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-==-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-==-=-=-=-



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Item 3 2 4 0 Official Journal




Justification:The number of pages foreseen to be published next year on the Official Journal has been reduced. Therefore the rapporteur proposes to adjust the appropriation accordingly.

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89



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Item 3 2 4 1 Digital and traditional publications



Appropriations 1 823 000 1 823 000 1 955 000 1 955 000 1 955 000 1 955 000 1 955 000 1 955 000

Reserves

Heading:Digital and traditional publications




This appropriation is intended to cover:— all costs for digital publishing (Intranet sites) and traditional publishing (miscellaneous documents and

printed matter subcontracted out), including distribution,

— upgrading and evolutive and corrective maintenance of DG TRED editorial and translation systems, including the Intranet site.


To make the remark more precise.=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-==-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-==-=-=-=-


Budget reference line : 3 2 4 2BUDG/4836 Compromise amendment between BUDG/2060, CULT/5800 << Tabled by Committee on Budgets >>

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Item 3 2 4 2 Expenditure on publication, information and participation in public events

Amend remarks and figures as follows:

90


Appropriations 12 853 000 12 853 000 15 025 000 15 025 000 15 025 000 15 025 000 -800 000 -800 000 14 225 000 14 225 000Reserves 7 300 000 7 300 000 7 300 000 7 300 000 800 000 800 000 8 100 000 8 100 000

Heading:Expenditure on publication, information and participation in public events


This appropriation is intended to cover expenditure on information publications, ..........the accession countries, including updating of the Legislative Observatory (OEIL).

Add following text:

Part of this budget line should be used for the EU's participation in the EXPO 2008 Saragossa "Water and sustainable development", following the decision of the interinstitutional working group on information at its meeting of 22 May 2007, and in order to present at this major international event Parliament's efforts in the fight against climate change.

Legal basis:Reference acts:Justification:The rapporteur proposes to enter an amount of EUR 800 000 in order to receive from the external information offices latest by December 2007, their annual work programme for 2008 presenting the strategy, the tools and the actions they intend to use for engaging effectively in the information and communication with the citizens and how they intend to involve Members in particular in view of the forthcoming elections.

EU's participation in the EXPO 2008 Saragossa "Water and sustainable development" should be a political priority for Parliament. The participation is financed through equal commitments from Council, Commission and EP which were agreed upon by the interinstitutional working group on information at its meeting of 22 May 2007. The subject is closely related to climate change which is a priority for the EP. Participation at the EXPO would ensure that the efforts undertaken by Parliament, including the work of the temporary committee on climate change, could be presented at this major international event.

The Committee on Budgets has taken over and modified the amendments tabled by the rapporteur, Mr. Itälä and the CULT Committee.

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Budget reference line : 3 2 4 4BUDG/4870 Compromise amendment between BUDG/2033, PSE//8451 << Tabled by Committee on Budgets >>

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Item 3 2 4 4 Organisation and reception of groups of visitors, Euroscola programme and invitations to opinion multipliers from third countries


91


Appropriations 26 618 000 26 618 000 28 550 000 28 550 000 28 550 000 28 550 000 28 550 000 28 550 000

Reserves

Heading:Organisation and reception of groups of visitors, Euroscola programme and invitations to opinion multipliers from third countries


This appropriation is intended to cover subsidies granted for group ..........deflator that takes into account movements in GNI and prices.


The maximum subsidisable number of visitors should be substantially increased. Each Member of the European Parliament should have the right to invite a maximum of five groups each calendar year for a total of 100 visitors. The number of participants present for any given visit may vary between a minimum of 10 and a maximum of 100.

After paragraph

The subsidy granted shall be increased in order to be ..........conditions. The services provided for visitors should also be improved.


An evaluation as to whether the new rules take into account specific requirements and restrictions relating to the origin of visitors, proposals for an area to be set aside in the new Visitors Centre for political groups and a report concerning access by visitors groups to the new Visitors Centre and the visit to plenary, availability of meeting rooms and staffing needs for its operation have to be provided.


To remove remarks specific to 2007.

The amendment is aimed to increase further flexibility for the visitors groups invited by Members. It proposes to reduce the minimum of participants allowed for each group but limiting at same time the total number of groups allowed for each member to 5 (sponsored visitors whom Members are intitled to invite annually will remain unchanged). This should avoid supplementary costs linked to the increase of the number of subsidised Members' groups per year.

The Committee on Budgets has taken over and modified the amendments tabled by the Rapporteur and the PSE group.

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92


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Item 3 2 4 5 Organisation of seminars, symposia and cultural activities



Appropriations 1 650 000 1 650 000 2 093 000 2 093 000 2 093 000 2 093 000 2 093 000 2 093 000

Reserves 1 000 000 1 000 000 1 000 000 1 000 000 1 000 000 1 000 000

Heading:Organisation of seminars, symposia and cultural activities


This appropriation is intended to cover expenditure or subsidies connected with the organisation of national and multinational symposia and seminars for opinion multipliers from the Member States and the accession countries, the cost of organising parliamentary symposia and seminars, and the financing of cultural projects of European interest, such asin particular the Sakharov Prize and the European Parliament Cinema Prize. A maximum of EUR 300 000 of this appropriation is intended to cover expenditure on special events in the Chamber in Strasbourg and Brussels in accordance with the annual programme adopted by the Bureau.


To amend the remark.=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-==-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-==-=-=-=-



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Item 3 2 4 6 Parliamentary television channel (Web TV)



Appropriations p.m. p.m. p.m. p.m. p.m. p.m. p.m. p.m.

Reserves

Heading:

93

Parliamentary television channel (Web TV)


This appropriation is intended to finance the parliamentary television channel (Web TV).


An evaluation of the prototype will be made. It will have to take into consideration the content and the cost of the project, including the structures and level of participation of political groups and the definition of programme content.


To remove remarks specific to 2007.=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-==-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-==-=-=-=-


Budget reference line : 3 2 4 7BUDG/4807 Compromise amendment between PSE//8457 << Tabled by Committee on Budgets >>

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Item 3 2 4 7 Expenditure on information about the Debate on the Future of Europe



Appropriations p.m. p.m. p.m. p.m. p.m. p.m. 500 000 500 000 500 000 500 000Reserves

Justification:With reform treaty ratification during 2008 resources are needed for information and communication in this subject.

The Committee on Budgets has taken over and modified the amendments tabled by the PSE Group.=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-==-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-==-=-=-=-



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Item 3 2 4 8 Expenditure on audiovisual information

94



Appropriations 10 033 900 10 033 900 14 300 000 14 300 000 14 300 000 14 300 000 0 0 14 300 000 14 300 000Reserves 2 000 000 2 000 000 2 000 000 2 000 000 -2 000 000 -2 000 000 0 0

Justification:The budget allocated to this item has increased considerably. It is proposed to reduce it by EUR 2 000 000 and to release the reserve.

Amendment tabled by the rapporteur, Mr. Itälä and modified by the Committee on Budgets.=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-==-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-==-=-=-=-


Budget reference line : 4 0 3BUDG/4809 Compromise amendment between AFCO/6503 << Tabled by Committee on Budgets >>

-------------------------------


Add: 4 0 3 —





Reserves 5 000 000 5 000 000 5 000 000 5 000 000

Heading:Contributions to European Political Foundations


This line will serve to contribute to the financing of European political foundations after the entry into force of the legal base proposed in COM(2007)364. This proposal was requested by Parliament in its resolution of 23 March 2006, which called on the Commission to submit proposals on how European political foundations can be supported in order to assist European political parties in their work of political information and education.

Legal basis:Reference acts:Justification:The creation and funding of European political foundations will be an important instrument to establish political debates at the European level and to educate and train European citizens in issues of common European interest. It will also enable European political parties to carry out their tasks more effectively.

The Committee on Budgets has taken over and modified the amendments tabled by the AFCO Committee.=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-==-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-==-=-=-=-

95


Budget reference line : 4 2 2 0BUDG/4829 Compromise amendment between PPE//7591 << Tabled by Committee on Budgets >>

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Item 4 2 2 0 Parliamentary assistance




Heading:Parliamentary assistance


This appropriation is intended to cover expenses relating to the recruitment and employment of one or more assistants.

Add following text:

The administration is asked to strengthen internal control system in order to ensure that the recruitment of Members' assistants is clear and transparent guarantying that the fiscal and social regulations (salaries and social rights, etc…) are respected.

Legal basis:Reference acts:Justification:The expenses and allowances provided to Members should translate the need to efficiently respond to their increasing obligations and facilitate the accomplishment of their duties, as expressed in the Guidelines' Resolution ( P6_TA(2006) 0570)). In addition, it should be ensured that the recruitment of Members' assistants is clear and transparent guarantying that the fiscal and social regulations (salaries and social rights, etc…) are respected.

The Committee on Budgets has taken over and modified the amendments tabled by the EPP-ED Group.=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-==-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-==-=-=-=-


Budget reference line : 10 1BUDG/4932 Compromise amendment between BUDG/2053 << Tabled by Committee on Budgets >>

-------------------------------



96




Justification:A final amount of 5 000 000 in the contingency reserve (taking into account EP's amendments adopted) is estimated to be sufficient to cover the unforeseen events of the year.



Budget reference line : 10 4 << Tabled by Ville Itälä, rapporteur, on behalf of the Bureau >>

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Chapter 10 4 RESERVE FOR INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION POLICY




-------------------------------







It is proposed to transfer the appropriation earmarked for Web TV from Chapter 10 1 ("Contingency appropriation") to Chapter 10 4 ("reserve for information and communication").

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Budget reference line : 10 4 << Tabled by Committee on Budgets >>

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Chapter 10 4 RESERVE FOR INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION POLICY

97



Appropriations 22 400 000 22 400 000 p.m. p.m. p.m. p.m. 300 000 300 000 300 000 300 000Reserves

Justification:It is proposed to enter an amount of EUR 300 000 in view to finance the second period of “Citizen Agora”. The amount will be released after the assessment of the first trial period and the decision of the Bureau to proceed.

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Chapter 10 5 PROVISIONAL APPROPRIATION FOR BUILDINGS

Amend remarks and figures as follows:10 5 Budget 2007 PDB 2008 DB 2008 AMENDMENT DB+AMENDMENT



Heading:PROVISIONAL APPROPRIATION FOR BUILDINGS


This appropriation is intended to cover property investments and fitting-out works made by the institution.

Add following text:

It includes the works relating to the extension of the Sports centre in Brussels which should not commence until a favourable outcome of the call for expressions of interest concerning the management of the Sports Centre has been secured"

Legal basis:Reference acts:Justification:Due to the future constrains on Parliament’s budget, it is important that this reserve may also be accessible for all kind of expenses on buildings, including the fitting-out of the Sports Centre, and not only for property investment.

The Committee on Budgets has taken over and modified the amendment.=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-==-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-==-=-=-=-

98


Budget reference line : 1 2BUDG/4841 Compromise amendment between BUDG/2201, BUDG/2200 << Tabled by Committee on Budgets >>

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SECTION IV - COURT OF JUSTICE





A standard abatement of 3.7%4 % has been applied to the appropriations entered in this chapter.

Add following text:

Establishment plan: creation of 8 temporary posts (AD 10) for the Advocates General, one temporary post (AD 10) for the President of the Civil Service Tribunal, one AD5 (data protection) and one AST3 (SAP expert).


-------------------------------


Item 1 2 0 0 Remunerations and allowances




-------------------------------


Item 1 2 0 4 Rights connected with entering the service, transfer and leaving the service




Justification:

99

To face the workload, it is proposed to reinforce by one post the number of staff in the cabinet of the eight Advocate Generals and in the cabinet of the President of the Civil Service Tribunal.

Regarding the administration, it is proposed to create one AD 5 to allow for the recruitment of a lawyer to cope with the increasing "data protection" requirements and one AST 3 for the implementation of the interinstitutional SAP project.

The Court of Justice proposed a standard abatement of 3.7% instead of the 3% requested in the PDB and the 4.5% decided in first reading by the Council.

The Committee on Budgets has taken over and modified the amendments tabled by the rapporteur, Mr. Itälä (BUDG/2200 and BUDG/2201).

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Article 1 2 9 Provisional appropriation




Justification:This increase corresponds to a technical adjustment following the modification of the standard abatement rate and the creation of 9 new temporary posts and two posts for the administration.

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Item 1 4 0 6 External services in the linguistic field




Justification:The restoration of the PDB is requested in order to avoid any reduction of the Court productivity.

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Budget reference line : 1 6 1 2

100

<< Tabled by Committee on Budgets >>-------------------------------


Item 1 6 1 2 Further training




Justification:The increase in training expenditure is in large part brought about by the need to ensure staff ability to translate judgements and opinions into 21 languages for the day of judgement. Any reduction would directly impact on the Court's objectives. It is proposed to restore the PDB.

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Item 2 0 0 1 Lease/purchase




Justification:The Court of Justice proposes to reduce the contribution to the lease-purchase to be paid in 2008 for the New Palais thanks to a mopping-up transfer to be done by the end of 2007. By doing so, the Court reduces the financial impact of the New Palais in its 2008 budget and the corresponding amount of interest.

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101

Justification:Due to the handover of the New Palais, the item on "cleaning and maintenance" needs to be reinforced.

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Item 2 0 2 4 Consumption of energy




Justification:Due to the handover of the New Palais, the item on "energy consumption" needs to be reinforced.

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Justification:Due to the handover of the New Palais, the item on "security and surveillance of buildings" needs to be reinforced.

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102



Justification:Due to the handover of the New Palais, the item on "insurance" needs to be reinforced.

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Item 2 1 0 0 Purchase, servicing and maintenance of equipment and software




Justification:Due to the handover of the New Palais, EUR 600 000 are required to install the essential IT and telephone/data network infrastructure in the new building. Moreover part of the cut made by the Council needs to be restored in order to insure a continuity in the IT plan.

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Item 2 1 0 2 External services for operation, creation and servicing of software and systems




Justification:Due to the handover of the New Palais, the item on "external services for operation, creation and servicing of software systems" needs to be restored at the PDB level.

=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-==-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-==-=-=-=-


103


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Item 2 1 0 3 Telecommunications



Appropriations 926 000 926 000 1 072 000 1 072 000 889 380 889 380 182 500 182 500 1 071 880 1 071 880Reserves

Justification:Due to the handover of the New Palais, the item on "telecommunications" needs to be restored at the PDB level. EUR 100 000 are related to the equipment of the New Palais.

=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-==-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-==-=-=-=-



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Article 2 1 2 Furniture




Justification:Due to the handover of the New Palais, the item on "furniture" needs to be reinforced.

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Article 2 7 2 Documentation, library and archiving expenditure



Appropriations 992 600 992 600 1 072 000 1 072 000 980 880 980 880 91 000 91 000 1 071 880 1 071 880Reserves

Justification:

104

It is proposed to restore the PDB in order to allow proper updating of this important working tool for lawyers.=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-==-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-==-=-=-=-


Budget reference line : 1 2BUDG/4840 Compromise amendment between BUDG/2302, BUDG/2303, BUDG/2304, BUDG/2305, BUDG/2306, BUDG/2307 << Tabled by Committee on Budgets >>

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SECTION V - COURT OF AUDITORS





A flat-rate reduction of 4.82% has been applied to the appropriations in this chapter.

Add following text:

Establishment plan: Creation of 2 AST1 (Human resources division), Downgrading of AD12T to AD11T

Add following text:

Establishment plan: Creation of 1 AD5 (accounting division).

Add following text:

Establishment plan: Transformation of three AST3 into AD5 (IT division).

Add following text:

Establishment plan: Creation of an AD5 post (organisation and procedures).

Add following text:

Establishment plan: Transformation of an AD 12T post into AD14T.


-------------------------------






105

Justification:The Court of Auditors proposed a standard abatement at 4.82%. As a result of the increase of the standard abatement following the Council’s reading to 6.07%, the Court would need to leave vacant the new posts created and in particular the 18 AD audit posts. As the reinforcement of the audit sector is a priority for the discharge authority, it is proposed to restore the level of the standard abatement to 4.82%.

In the 2007 preliminary draft budget, the Court requested five AST posts in order to replace temporary and contractual staff in sensitive posts in its human resources division with permanent staff. In the Parliament's resolution of 26 October 2006, Parliament has decided" the creation of 2 posts for the human resources unit to ease the modernisation of management staff and to commit itself to create a further two posts needed in the 2008 financial year". In order to limit the financial impact of the creation of the two posts (+€ 82 845) it is proposed to downgrade one temporary post (AD12 into AD11) underused (€-17 763). The posts are funded for 6 months.

Together with the Council and the Court of Justice, the Court is preparing to launch the new accrual accounting system based on SAP software. To be able to use all the possibility offered by the new system in terms of simplifying procedures and improving internal control, the recruitment of one AD specialist in SAP is needed. The post is funded for 6 months.

In the 2007 budget three AST3 posts were created for the IT division. Due to the difficulties encountered in recruiting IT specialists at that level, the Court requested, in the PDB, the transformation of these three posts into AD6. To limit their financial impact, the Court is now proposing to recruit IT specialists at the AD5 level. The transformation will have a cost of +€ 42 303.

The Organisation and Procedures team needs to be reinforced in order to implement an action plan in documenting and simplifying procedures that resulted from the Court self-assessment done last year.

The post is funded for 6 months.

The transformation of one temporary post is requested in order to allow the Court to recruit a senior advisor.




-------------------------------


Item 2 0 0 7 Fitting-out of premises




Justification:The "mise en conformité" of the K1 building is a legal requirement under Luxembourg law, so that the building conforms to national health, safety and environmental requirements. The full amount necessary for this work was included in the Court's preliminary draft budget. The Council has cut € 1.474.248 which should be restored

106

to make the Court of Auditors in conformity with the Luxembourg Law. It is a one-shot action which does not require any further investment.

The Court’s meeting room was originally designed for a college of 12 Members (K1 building). Since the last two enlargements the room needs to be renovated, modernised and extended. In order to limit the financial impact of this renovation, the work will be done at the same time as the work for the “mise en conformité” of the K1 building (EUR 857 655).

It is proposed to restore the cut made by the Council in its first reading.


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Section VOL7 - SECTION VI – EUROPEAN ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL COMMITTEE





Former Chapters 1 1 (in part) and 1 2

Add following text:

Establishment plan: creation of 4 AD5 and 1 AST3.


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-------------------------------




107



Justification:In its PDB, the Economic and Social Committee has requested 10 new posts in order to fulfill its new tasks. The Council did not agree to the creation of the new posts. The rapporteur considers that the reinforcement of the establishment plan with four AD 5 and one AST 3 will be sufficient to achieve the Economic and Social Committee's targets.

=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-==-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-==-=-=-=-



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Item 1 4 0 4 Graduate traineeships, grants and exchanges of officials




Justification:Following the decision taken by the Economic and Social Committee to strengthen the program on seconded national experts in 2007, an additional amount of EUR 112 500 is needed in order to pursue it.

This reinforcement was initially announced in 2007 in transfer request n° inf/2007.=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-==-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-==-=-=-=-



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Item 1 6 3 0 Social welfare




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Item 2 0 0 8 Other expenditure on buildings

108




-------------------------------






Justification:

To limit the increase of the 2008 budget, the ESC has proceed to a further analysis of its budget lines. It appears that an amount of € 54 000 can be taken out of the four items mentioned above.



Budget reference line : 2BUDG/4943 Compromise amendment between BUDG/2406 << Tabled by Committee on Budgets >>

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Title 2 BUILDINGS, FURNITURE, EQUIPMENT AND MISCELLANEOUS OPERATING EXPENDITURE


Heading:BUILDINGS, FURNITURE, EQUIPMENT AND MISCELLANEOUS OPERATING EXPENDITURE

Overall objective:Remarks:Add following text:

In 2007, the joint service of the two committees, under title 2, represents an amount of EUR 23 024 010 for the Economic and Social committee and EUR 14 893 039 for the Committee of Regions.

Add following text:

It is proposed to enter in Chapter 10 0 ("provisional appropriation") 10% of the 2007 amount of the Joint Service supported by the ESC pending the transmission of the new cooperation agreement to the Parliament.

109


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Item 2 0 0 1 Annual lease payments and similar expenditure




-------------------------------






Justification:On several occasions the Parliament encouraged the two Committees to renew their cooperation agreement. In its resolution on the guidelines, the Parliament "expects to receive a clear signal on the nature of the future collaboration between the two Committees from 2008 onwards by the time of the presentation of the estimates".

Until now the two committees have not been able to present such a signal. Information is expected by the Budgetary authority to release the 10% of the Joint Service cost on items 2001 and 2102 i.e.EUR 1 602 401 for the ESC's budget.




-------------------------------





Overall objective:

110



Add following text:



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Until now the two committees have not been able to present such a signal. Information is expected by the Budgetary authority to release the 10% of the Joint Service cost on item 2022 i.e.EUR 500 000 for the ESC's budget.

Following a further analysis of the "cleaning and maintenance costs the ESC considered that a supplementary amount of € 177 390 is needed which is € 33 360 less than their PDB.


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Heading:

111

BUILDINGS, FURNITURE, EQUIPMENT AND MISCELLANEOUS OPERATING EXPENDITURE



Add following text:



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Article 2 1 4 Technical equipment and installations



Appropriations 1 184 620 1 184 620 1 116 171 1 116 171 1 116 171 1 116 171 -257 000 -257 000 859 171 859 171Reserves 200 000 200 000 200 000 200 000


Until now the two committees have not been able to present such a signal. Information is expected by the Budgetary authority to release the 10% of the Joint Service cost on item 214 i.e.EUR 200 000 for the ESC's budget.

To limit the increase of the 2008 budget, the ESC has proceeded to a further analysis of its budget lines. It appears that an amount of € 57 000 can be taken out of the item mentioned above.


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Item 2 0 2 6 Security and surveillance


112



Justification:The modernisation of the security system which is to be realised by the end of 2007, will make further savings not foreseen when drawing up the estimates. It is therefore proposed to reduce accordingly the item 2026.

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Item 2 5 4 8 Interpreting



Appropriations 9 500 000 9 500 000 10 000 000 10 000 000 9 000 000 9 000 000 500 000 500 000 9 500 000 9 500 000Reserves 300 000 300 000

Justification:In its first reading the Council cut € 1 Million. Based on the current implementation, it is proposed to restore half of this amount in order to ensure sufficient appropriation for interpretation in 2008.

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SECTION VII — COMMITTEE OF THE REGIONS





A standard abatement of 4% has been applied to the appropriations entered in this chapter

Add following text:

113

Establishment plan: creation of 10 posts (5 AST3 and 5 AST1) related to the enlargement to Bulgaria and Romania and creation of a new Director's post through upgrading of an available AD14 post into an AD15 post.


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Justification:The Committee of regions proposed a standard abatement of 4% instead of the 3% requested in the PDB and 7% decided in first reading by the Council. It is proposed to create 10 new posts related to the enlargement in addition to the 15 posts already created by the Council in its first reading. The posts are funded for 4 months.

It is also proposed to create 1 AD15 post for the new Directorate for Communication and Press through upgrading the existing AD14 post to an AD15 post.

The Communication, Press and Protocol unit, in reality consist of two units (one subordinated to the other) and its size is similar to that of the Directorate of Planning. From the point of view of good operational management and human resources, it becomes appropriate to convert it in Directorate.

To implement this internal structural change for the least possible cost, the Committee of the Regions proposes to proceed by the way of a simple upgrading of one vacant AD 14 post. The estimated cost of this upgrading is approximately 8,687 Euros for 2008 (4 months) and approximately 26,000 Euros per year (12 months) as of 2009.

The Committee on Budgets has taken over and modified the amendments tabled by the rapporteur, Mr. Itälä and by Ms. Jensen (BUDG/2502, BUDG/2503, BUDG/2504, BUDG/4129, BUDG/4130 and BUDG/4128).

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114







Add following text:

It is proposed to enter in Chapter 10 0 ("provisional appropriation") 10% of the 2007 amount of the Joint Service supported by the COR pending the transmission of the new cooperation agreement to the Parliament.


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Item 2 0 0 1 Annual lease payments




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Justification:

115

On several occasions the Parliament encouraged the two Committees to renew their cooperation agreement. In its resolution on the guidelines, the Parliament "expects to receive a clear signal on the nature of the future collaboration between the two Committees from 2008 onwards by the time of the presentation of the estimates".

Reiterates the importance and benefits of interinstitutional cooperation. A final proposition for a new agreement for the joint administrative service of the European Economic and Social Comittee and the Committee of the Regions which was expected to be delivered by July 2007 has not yet been submitted.

Information is expected by the Budgetary authority to release the 10% of the Joint Service's cost i.e. EUR 1 089 304 for the Committee of the Region's budget by no later than December 2007.

The Committee on Budgets has taken over and modified the amendments tabled by the rapporteur, Mr Itälä and the PSE group (BUDG/2508 and 0814).

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Add following text:

It is proposed to enter in Chapter 10 0 ("provisional appropriation") 10% of the 2007 amount of the Joint Service supported by the COR pending the transmission of the new cooperation agreement to the Parliament.


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116



Justification:Following a further analysis of the "cleaning and maintenance costs the Committee of Regions considered that a supplementary amount of € 118 260 is needed which is € 22 240 less than their PDB.

On several occasions the Parliament encouraged the two Committees to renew their cooperation agreement. In its resolution on the guidelines, the Parliament "expects to receive a clear signal on the nature of the future collaboration between the two Committees from 2008 onwards by the time of the presentation of the estimates".

Until now the two committees have not been able to present such a signal. Information is expected by the Budgetary authority to release the 10% of the Joint Service's cost on item 2022 i.e. EUR 400 000 for the Committee of the Region's budget.


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Justification:The modernisation of the security system which is to be realised by the end of 2007, will make further savings not foreseen when drawing up the estimates. It is therefore proposed to reduce accordingly the item 2026.

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Item 2 6 0 0 Expenditure on publishing, dissemination of information and participation in public events



Appropriations 450 000 450 000 479 000 479 000 429 000 429 000 21 000 21 000 450 000 450 000

117


Reserves

Justification:The Council has cut the appropriation. The Committee of regions proposes to restore the appropriation at the level of the 2007 budget.

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Item 2 6 0 2 General publications




Justification:The Council has cut the appropriation. The Committee of regions proposes to restore the appropriation at the level of the 2007 budget.

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SECTION VIII - EUROPEAN OMBUDSMAN





Justification:The Council has applied an efficiency gain of 2% which is not justified taking into account the size of the institution. The amendment restores the PDB.

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118


Article 2 3 1 Translation and interpretation




Justification:To take into account the price's increase of the translation, it is important to restore the PDB.

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Item 3 2 1 0 General publications




Justification:All decisions taken by the Ombudsman have to be published in the Official Journal. Consequently the amendment proposes to restore the PDB.

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SECTION IX - EUROPEAN DATA-PROTECTION SUPERVISOR

Item 1 0 1 1 Mission expenses, travel expenses and other ancillary expenditure




Justification:This item is a priority for the EDPS, it is therefore proposed to restore the PDB.

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119


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Chapter 1 1 STAFF OF THE INSTITUTION


Heading:STAFF OF THE INSTITUTION


Establishment plan: creation of one AST3.


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Justification:The Council has agreed to the creation of 3 posts out of the four requested. It is proposed to create the additional posts but at an AST3 level instead of AST9 as requested in the estimates. All posts are funded for 6 months.

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Item 1 1 2 0 Mission expenses, travel expenses and other ancillary expenditure




120


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Item 1 1 2 2 Further training





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Item 2 0 1 5 Expenditure in connection with the activities of the institution





121

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