32001D0161

Council Decision

of 26 February 2001

extending Decision 91/482/EEC on the association of the overseas countries and territories with the European Community

(2001/161/EC)

THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION,

Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Community,

Having regard to Decision 91/482/EEC(1), and in particular Article 240(4), second subparagraph thereof,

Having regard to the proposal from the Commission,

Whereas:

(1) Pending the entry into force of a new Council Decision on the association of the overseas countries and territories (OCT) with the European Community, the applicable provisions under Decision 91/482/EEC should be extended until the entry into force of the new Decision, but not beyond 1 December 2001.

(2) For the purpose of continuing participation by OCT nationals, account should be taken on a transitional basis of new Community programmes which succeed those which have lapsed or which are established in the interim period,

HAS DECIDED AS FOLLOWS:

Article 1

Decision 91/482/EEC is amended as follows:

1. Article 233c, shall be amended as follows:

(a) the introductory wording shall be replaced by the following:"The following programmes, and any programmes succeeding them, shall apply to OCT nationals, in accordance with the conditions applicable for their Member State.";

(b) the following paragraph shall be added:"The Commission may modify this list at the request of an OCT or a Member State or on its own initiative, in order to include any relevant new future programmes."

2. Article 240(1) shall be replaced by the following:

"1. This Decision shall apply until 1 December 2001."

Article 2

This Decision shall take effect on the day of its publication in the Official Journal of the European Communities.

It shall apply from 1 March 2001.

Done at Brussels, 26 February 2001.

For the Council

The President

A. Lindh

(1) OJ L 263, 19.9.1991, p. 1. Decision as last amended by Decision 2000/169/EC (OJ L 55, 29.2.2000, p. 67).