Strasbourg, 14/06/2002 (Agence Europe) - By adopting the report by Imelda Mary Read (British, PES) on first reading on Tuesday, the European Parliament provided unreserved backing to the Commission's proposals aimed at amending the two decisions relating to trans-European networks for the electronic interchange of data between adminstrations which form the IDAII programme. Following an evaluation of the programme, initiated in 1999, the European Commission considered that progress remained to be made, especially in citizens' and companies' involvement and access to the exchange of data between administrations, in the simplification and rationalisation of procedures, in the synergy with other Community initiatives and in the work of follow-up and analysis. It thus proposes amending the decisions relating to IDA, providing, notably, for projects of common interest contributing to meeting the objectives of the "eEurope" initiative, especially the chapter on on-line public authorities, that telematic services also cover the sectors of justice and education and that, at their own cost, countries candidates for accession may use the IDA generic services, as long as data exchange with these countries is necessary to implement a Community policy. The backing provided in plenary session to the Read Report, which only comprised a small number of minor amendments, should enable the "Transport/Telecommunications" Council of 17 and 18 June to transform the general guideline it reached at its 25 and 26 March session into a common position.