Council's Common Position on the Fourth Framework Programme: Interinstitutional discussion
On 14 January 1994 the Common Position on the Fourth Framework Programme of EC research, technological development and demonstration (1994-1998) was adopted by the Council of the European Union. The Council incorporated over half the 110 amendments voted by the European Parliament at its first reading. However, the Council has not agreed with Parliament on points including the overall funding for the programme, certain aspects of the financial breakdown and the role given to the Joint Research Centre. This document must now be read and voted on for a second time by the European Parliament (under the co-decision procedure) before the Council can undertake the final deliberations required to adopt the "Decision of the European Parliament and of the Council" on the Fourth Framework Programme. Together with the formal, legislative procedure, informal discussions are also undertaken between the Council, the Commission and the European Parliament in order to reach a satisfactory overall agreement between the three institutions. At its January 14 meeting, the Council also confirmed the political approach on the EAEC Framework Programme in the field of research and training (1994-1998). This will be formally adopted in parallel with the Decision on the EC Framework Programme.