51997PC0393

Proposal for a European Parliament and Council Decision amending Decision 92/481/EEC of 22 September 1992 on the adoption of an action plan for the exchange between Member States administrations of national officials who are engaged in the implementation of Community legislation required to achieve the internal market (Karolus programme) (97/C 274/11) COM(97) 393 final - 97/0214(COD)

(Submitted by the Commission on 24 July 1997)

THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION,

Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Community, and in particular Article 100a thereof,

Having regard to the proposal from the Commission,

Having regard to the opinion of the Economic and Social Committee,

Having regard to the opinion of the Committee of the Regions,

Acting in accordance with the procedure laid down in Article 189b of the Treaty,

Whereas the Karolus programme, introduced by Council Decision 92/481/EEC of 22 September 1992, expires on 31 December 1997;

Whereas the usefulness of the programme has been proven in terms of strengthening cooperation between the Member States by exchanging experience gained in the implementation of Community legislation required to complete the internal market;

Whereas the programme should be extended for two years pending the proposal for a new programme following in-depth consultations;

Whereas the programme should be opened up to participation by the Central and Easter European countries (CEECs), in accordance with the terms laid down in the Europe Agreements or in the additional Protocols annexed to them regarding participation in Community programmes;

Whereas the programme should be opened up to participation by the EFTA countries which are members of the EEA and by Cyprus, the latter on the basis of additional funds, subject to the same rules as those applying to those countries, in accordance with procedures to be agreed with Cyprus, the arrangements for this participation to be agreed between the parties concerned at the appropriate time;

Whereas extension is possible without exceeding the financial resources originally estimated as necessary in Article 11 of Decision 92/481/EEC,

HAVE ADOPTED THIS DECISION:

Article 1

Decision 92/481/EEC is hereby amended as follows:

1. Paragraph 1 of Article 11 is replaced by:

'1. The programme shall last seven years and its execution shall start with the 1993 budget year`.

2. Article 11a is hereby inserted:

'Article 11a

The programme shall be open to participation by the Central and Eastern European countries (CEECs), in accordance with the terms laid down in the Europe Agreements or in the additional Protocols annexed to them regarding participation in Community programmes.

The programme shall be open to participation by the EFTA countries that are EEA members and by Cyprus, the latter on the basis of additional funds, subject to the same rules as those applying to those countries, in accordance with procedures to be agreed with Cyprus.

The arrangements for this participation shall be agreed between the parties concerned at the appropriate time`.

Article 2

This Decision is addressed to the Member States.