Relations Union/Industrialised countries of North America, Far East and Australasia: trade relations and cooperation projects

The committee adopted the report by Erika MANN (PES, D) broadly approving the proposal under the consultation procedure, subject to a number of amendments. The committee welcomed the creation of a single budget line and the adoption of a single legal instrument, which it felt would allow for greater efficiency. The amendments sought to clarify the issues concerning individual projects and eliminate unnecessary and as yet untested actions or projects. The committee set a date for the expiry of the regulation (31 December 2005), in line with current practice in Community legislation in areas of this kind, but also called on the Commission to present proposals by September 2003 to build on the experience gained during its implementation. Other points raised were the need for funding to be allocated as transparently as possible (including the publication on the Internet of detailed information of the results of the invitation to tender), with suitable monitoring by Parliament, and for the Commission to provide comprehensive information on programmes and conditions of participation to all interested parties in the EU and in the partner countries. One amendment also sought to cut down on red tape, by stipulating that a report on the implementation of the regulation should be drawn up by the Commission every two years rather than annually.