The Commission accepted totally, in part or in principle, 17 out of the 25 amendments proposed by the European Parliament in the first reading.
Out of these 17amendments, 10 have now been incorporated, either verbatim or in spirit, in the Common Position. The Council has rejected the other amendments.
Three further amendments of the Parliament regarding the contract thresholds, rejected by the Commission are reflected in the common position.
The Common position changes the financial framework from EUR 115 million for the period 2003-2007 which is equivalent to EUR 85 million for the period 2003 - 2006 as proposed by the Commission, to EUR 75 million for the period 2003-2006.
Since neither approach nor aims of the proposal are fundamentally altered the Commission can support the common position adopted unanimously.�