8. Calls on the Council to restart work on the proposed revision of the Council directive amending Directive 77/388/EEC as regards the special scheme for travel agents (COM(2002)0064); reiterates its support for the objectives of simplifying this special VAT scheme and maintaining the competitive position of operators established in the European Union vis-à-vis operators from third countries; calls on the Council urgently to conclude the decision-making process on the proposal for a Council Directive of 23 July 2003 amending Directive 77
/388/EEC as regards reduced rates of value added tax (COM(2003)0397), so as to enable all Member Sta
...[+++]tes to apply in a structured way reduced VAT rates for restaurants as already exists for other tourism-related activities, such as for example holiday accommodation, renting of plots on campsites, hotels and amusement parks;