The committee adopted the report by Stefano ZAPPALA (EPP-ED, I) broadly
approving the proposal under the codecision procedure (1st reading),
subject to a few amendments. The chief demand contained in the report was
for a 88%-100% increase in the thresholds proposed by the Commission (i.e.
the amount above which a public contract will be subject to Community
rules). The report also sought to revise the scope of the existing
legislation in the light of the gradual liberalisation of the water, energy,
transport and telecommunications sectors. Lastly, the committee adopted a
large number of technical amendments aimed at clarifying and strengthening
the proposal on issues such as the definition of public works contracts,
the central purchasing groups, the framework agreements, the need for
confidentiality etc.