Education and training systems: eLearning programme 2004-2006 for integration of information technologies

The committee adopted the report by Mario MAURO (EPP-ED, I) approving the Council's common position under the 2nd reading of the codecision procedure, subject to just one amendment. Whereas the Council was proposing the figure of EUR 33 m for the programme's budget (which was lower than the Commission's original proposal of EUR 36m), the committee wanted to see it increased to EUR 44m. This amounted to a compromise with regard to Parliament's 1st reading report, which had suggested a figure of EUR 54m. Following constructive meetings with the Council, MEPs hoped that this new figure would be acceptable and that the codecision procedure could thus be concluded at 2nd reading without going to conciliation.�