[Fsfe-ie] McCreevy: Commission will take "utmost account" of Parliament amendments

[Adam Moran]

Hi,

I've just stumbled across this letter from Charlie McCreevy to the Chair 
of Committee on Legal Affairs [1] and wonder as to its meaning.

It seems to be saying that the Parliament can decide to *reject* the 
proposal, and that if this should happen then he would 'not propose to 
submit a new directive'. I'm not sure what to make of it.


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Letter from:

Charlie McCreevy
Member of the European Commission


Letter to:

Mr Giuseppe Gargami
Member of the European Parliament
Chairman
Committee on Legal Affairs
European Parliament
Rue Wiertz
1047 Brussels

Dated 9th March 2005

Dear Chairman,

Following the formal adoption by the Council of its common position on 
the proposal for the directive on the patentability of computer 
implemented inventions on Monday 7 March, the Commission has today 
forwarded to the European Parliament its communication on the Council's 
common position in accordance with normal procedures.

You will recall that I attended the Committee on Legal Affairs on 2 
February to debate this proposal with the Committee. I also attended the 
meeting of the Conference of Presidents on 3 March and made a statement 
in the plenary session of the European Parliament on 8 March. I have 
listened carefully to the views expressed in the European Parliament 
during the past month. I understand that a *new wind* is blowing.

The matter is now in your hands, The Parliament can *reject* or 
*substantially amend* the proposal. As I said in the plenary on 8 March, 
if the Parliament decides to reject the common position, the Commission 
will respect your wishes. I will not propose to the Commission to submit 
a new directive.

I should like to underline, in accordance with what President Barroso 
indicated in his letter to President Borrell of 25 February, that the 
Commission stands ready to review all the arguments and positions 
expressed and to work constructively with the Parliament and the Council 
to find a solution in the interests of all. Should you decide to propose 
commitments under the framework agreement. Any modifications will need 
to be careful evaluated given the complexity of the subject matter. You 
will understand, of course, that the Commission cannot speak on behalf 
of the Council and I would urge the Parliament to engage constructively 
with the Council in the future on this dossier. I am ready to help in 
any way.

Yours Sincerely

Charlie Mc

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--
Adam M

[1] http://wiki.ffii.org/Com050311En