EP: decision of the committee responsible, 1st reading/single reading
The committee adopted the report by Vincent PEILLON (PES, FR) broadly approving the proposal under the consultation procedure, subject to a number of amendments which took account of the text of the political agreement reached by the Council on 19 November 2004:
- approval of 'host' research organisations should not be granted for an unlimited period, but instead for a renewable period of 5 years. However, Member States may grant approval for a longer period;
- to guard against abuses, research organisations should be required to bear any costs arising from unlawful stays by researchers for a period of 6 months after the expiry of the agreement;
- to simplify administrative formalities, Member States should issue a residence permit for the duration of the hosting agreement rather than issuing it for one year at a time and renewing it;
- whereas the Council wanted certain measures on family reunification to be optional for Member States, such as the right for direct family members (spouse or partner, children under 21 or dependent parents) to join the researcher, the committee added a new Article 7a making such provisions mandatory. It added that the host Member State should be free to apply more favourable conditions;
- as mobility is an essential factor in the transfer of knowledge and formation of scientists’ networks, the visa holder should be allowed to conduct part of his/her research work in another Member State. However if the researcher wishes to stay there for more than three months, the second Member State may require a new hosting agreement.