The common position follows the Commission proposal, approved by the European Parliament, with the addition of derogations for Italy and Germany to enable them to make the technical preparations necessary to implement a continuous survey.
In the case of Italy, the derogation is for one year, until the end of 2003.
In the case of Germany, the derogation is for two years, until the end of 2004, on the condition that Germany provided quarterly substitute estimates for the main labour force sample survey aggregates as well as annual average estimates for some specified labour force sample survey aggregates. The provision of this information will protect the integrity of EU statistics during the transitional period in which Germany will not provide date from a continuous survey, by ensuring the availability of more frequent and more specific date than that currently provided under the annual survey.
The Council considers that the modifications introduced in its common position are fully in line with the objectives of the proposed Regulation and provide for full implementation of the Regulation as soon as possible.�