51997PC0488

Proposal for a Council Regulation (EC) extending the validity of the programme to promote international cooperation in the energy sector - Synergy programme - as established by Council Regulation (EC) No 701/97 (97/C 337/13) (Text with EEA relevance) COM(97) 488 final - 97/0251 (CNS)

(submitted by the Commission on 2 October 1997)

THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION,

Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Community, and in particular Article 235 thereof,

Having regard to the proposal from the Commission,

Having regard to the opinion of the European Parliament,

Whereas Council Regulation (EC) No 701/97 of 14 April 1997 adopting a programme to promote international cooperation in the energy sector - Synergy programme (1) - and in particular Article 3 thereof, provides for implementation of the Synergy programme to start on 1 January 1997 and end on 31 December 1997;

Whereas the declaration annexed to the Council minutes states that should it be impossible to adopt the framework energy programme provided for by Article 3 (3) of the abovementioned Regulation before the end of 1997, the Council will decide on the question of extension of the Synergy programme at the appropriate time;

Whereas the Commission communication entitled 'An overall view of energy policy and actions` concludes that an effort is needed to improve the transparency of Community energy policy and marks a first step towards a proposal for a framework energy programme;

Whereas the Council Presidency's conclusions of 27 May 1997 supported the Commission in its intention to continue with its analyses to define a pluriannual programme, covering all Community energy action, with a view to present proposals on the basis of the treaties and the allocation of responsibilities before the end of 1997;

Whereas it is necessary to extend the Synergy programme for one year, on a transitional basis, until the programme is incorporated into the new framework energy programme;

Whereas the Treaty provides no powers for adoption of this Regulation other than those provided by Article 235 of the EC Treaty,

HAS ADOPTED THIS REGULATION:

Sole Article

1. The provisions of Council Regulation (EC) No 701/97 of 14 April 1997 adopting a programme to promote international cooperation in the energy sector - Synergy programme - until 31 December 1997 shall be extended for one year from 1 January 1998 to 31 December 1998.

2. The budgetary authority shall determine the appropriation for 1998 in accordance with the financial perspectives and budget discipline.

3. This Regulation shall enter into force on the 20th day following its publication in the Official Journal of the European Communities.

This Regulation shall be binding in its entirety and directly applicable in all Member States.

(1) OJ L 104, 22. 4. 1997, p. 1.