THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION,

Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Community, and in particular Article 308 thereof,

Having regard to the proposal from the Commission [Note: OJ C 99, 21.4.1992, p. 17 and OJ C 236, 31.8.1993, p. 17.],

Having regard to the opinion of the European Parliament [Note: OJ C 42, 15.2.1993, p. 75 and opinion delivered on 14 May 2003 (not yet published in the Official Journal).],

Having regard to the opinion of the European Economic and Social Committee [Note: OJ C 223, 31.8.1992, p. 42.],

Whereas:

(1) The European Parliament adopted resolutions on 13 April 1983 on cooperatives in the European Community [Note: OJ C 128, 16.5.1983, p. 51.], on 9 July 1987 on the contribution of cooperatives to regional development [Note: OJ C 246, 14.9.1987, p. 94.], on 26 May 1989 on the role of women in cooperatives and local employment initiatives [Note: OJ C 158, 26.6.1989, p. 380.], on 11 February 1994 on the contribution of cooperatives to regional development [Note: OJ C 61, 28.2.1994, p. 231.] and on 18 September 1998 on the role of cooperatives in the growth of women's employment [Note: OJ C 313, 12.10.1998, p. 234.].