The committee adopted the report by Timothy KIRKHOPE (EPP-ED, UK) approving the initiative under the consultation procedure, subject to a small number of amendments. As regards the crimes which may be investigated by a joint team, the committee wanted the proposal to state explicitly that the scope of the Framework Decision corresponds to that of the EU Convention on Mutual Assistance in Criminal Matters (Article 3). It also wanted to add organised crime to the main areas of concern singled out in the proposal, while stressing that the scope of the various crimes should not be defined restrictively. Another amendment sought to emphasise that the activities of the joint investigation teams must respect the principles of human rights and fundamental freedoms on which the EU was founded. Lastly, the committee called for the Council to inform Parliament, during the annual debate on the area of freedom, security and justice, of the use that has been made of joint investigation teams and how effective their work has been. �