30.4.2004 |
EN |
Official Journal of the European Union |
C 112/39 |
Opinion of the European Economic and Social Committee on the ‘proposal for a Council Directive imposing an obligation on Member States to maintain minimum stocks of crude oil and/or petroleum products (codified version)’
(COM(2004) 35 final – 2004/0004 (CNS))
(2004/C 112/10)
On 10 March 2004 the Council decided to consult the European Economic and Social Committee, under Article 100 of the Treaty establishing the European Community, on the above-mentioned proposal
The Section for Transport, Energy, Infrastructure and the Information Society, which was responsible for preparing the Committee's work on the subject, adopted its opinion on 2 March 2004. The rapporteur was Mr Wilkinson.
At its 407th plenary session, held on 31 March and 1 April 2004, (meeting of 31 March 2004), the European Economic and Social Committee adopted the following opinion by 98 votes to 1 with 2 abstentions.
1. |
Because the clarity and transparency of Community law are important, the Council, the European Parliament and the Commission have stressed the need to codify frequently amended legislative texts under an agreed and rapid procedure. In this process no changes of substance may be made (1). |
2. |
The Committee approves and encourages the work to simplify the acquis communautaire, and especially the procedures for consolidating and codifying existing legislation. This work contributes to good democratic governance by making it easier to understand the acquis communautaire and apply it properly. |
Brussels, 31 March 2004.
The President
of the European Economic and Social Committee
Roger BRIESCH
(1) For the opinion of the EESC on the substance of this subject see OJ C 133/4 of 6.6.2003.