Public health: prevention of AIDS and other communicable diseases, Community action programme 1996-2000

In its opinion following on from Parliament's opinion at second reading, the Commission took over several of the amendments put forward by the EP, including those concerning: - the importance of promoting the utilisation and proper use of condoms as a means of preventing the transmission of AIDS and other communicable diseases (through publicity campaigns on the utilisation of condoms or the promotion of good-quality condoms with instructions for use); - the coordination of studies and information concerning those at risk and the exchange of information relating to HIV testing practices with a proposal, if necessary, for a code of good practice on the matter; - the fact that the programme should help to contain the spread of AIDS by promoting cooperation between prevention policies and programmes and supporting the activities of NGOs, including organisations for those affected by HIV; - the fact that the Commission (as opposed to the Commission and the Member States) must guarantee consistency and complementarity with Community actions in this area; - the fact that as regards international cooperation, support should be provided for cooperation with the relevant NGOs. However, it did not accept the amendments relating to comitology. Indeed, having indicated reservations on this point in its assessment of the Council's common position, the Commission maintained its position on the article referring to this matter (Article 5). Similarly, it did not accept certain amendments concerning actions to be planned within the framework of the programme (for example, the safety of blood products) on the pretext that they went beyond the framework of this measure. �