title: Résolution du Parlement européen contenant les observations accompagnant la décision donnant décharge à la Commission sur l'exécution du budget de la Communauté européenne du charbon et de l'acier (CECA) pour l'exercice 1998

eurovoc_concepts:
ECSC
EP resolution
budgetary discharge
financial year

text: L 191/20 FR Journal officiel des CommunautØs europØennes 27. 7. 2000 R(cid:201)SOLUTION du Parlement europØen contenant les observations accompagnant la dØcision donnant dØcharge (cid:224) la Commission sur l’exØcution du budget de la CommunautØ europØenne du charbon et de l’acier (CECA) pour l’exercice 1998 LE PARLEMENT EUROP(cid:201)EN, vu le rapport de la Cour des comptes sur les Øtats financiers de la CECA au 31 dØcembre 1998 (1), vu le rapport annuel de la Cour des comptes relatif (cid:224) la CECA pour l’exercice 1998 (y compris la dØclara- tion d’assurance relative (cid:224) la CECA), accompagnØ des rØponses de la Commission (C5(cid:150)0153/2000) (2), vu le rapport spØcial no 3/99 de la Cour des comptes sur la gestion et le contr(cid:244)le des bonifications d’intØ- rŒts par les services de la Commission accompagnØ des rØponses de la Commission (3), vu l’article 78 octavo et l’article 97 du traitØ CECA, vu l’article 93 et l’annexe V de son rŁglement, vu le rapport de la commission du contr(cid:244)le budgØtaire (A5(cid:150)0092/2000), considØrant ce qui suit: A. B. C. D. E. F. L’article 2 du traitØ CECA assigne (cid:224) celle-ci les objectifs d’expansion Øconomique, de dØveloppement de l’emploi et de relŁvement du niveau de vie. En 1998, dans un climat de grande faiblesse des prix du marchØ, de marasme du marchØ du fret et de restructuration du secteur charbonnier en Allemagne, et sous l’effet de la libØralisation des mar- chØs de l’ØlectricitØ et du gaz au Royaume-Uni, la production communautaire de charbon a rØgressØ de 12 % par rapport (cid:224) l’annØe prØcØdente, tombant (cid:224) 107 millions de tonnes. la Cour des comptes Dans son rapport spØcial prØcitØ, et plus particuliŁrement au point 3. 11, conclut que, pour les mesures conditionnØes par des crØations d’emplois au titre de l’article 56 du traitØ CECA, les bonifications n’ont presque pas d’impact rØel et exercent plut(cid:244)t un effet d’aubaine pour les bØnØficiaires. En 1998, la baisse de la demande asiatique liØe (cid:224) la crise Øconomique a entra(cid:238)nØ un recul de la demande d’acier des secteurs de la construction automobile, mØcanique et Ølectrique et une lØgŁre amØlioration du secteur du b(cid:226)timent, ce qui s’est traduit par une production s’Øtablissant (cid:224) 160 mil- lions de tonnes. Le bilan de la CECA a reculØ de 903 millions d’euros par rapport (cid:224) l’annØe prØcØdente, tombant (cid:224) 5,027 milliards d’euros, les crØances reprØsentant 56,4 % et l’actif disponible 39,1 %. Il ressort du bilan que, par rapport (cid:224) l’annØe prØcØdente, les engagements hors bilan sont tombØs des 590 (cid:224) 372 millions d’euros, les engagements reculant de 712 (cid:224) 497 millions, cependant que les autres actifs sont tombØs de 87 (cid:224) 8 millions d’euros, dont 5,4 millions correspondant aux prŒts aux fonctionnaires, alors que les autres passifs sont passØs de 12 (cid:224) 29 millions, cependant que les provi- sions pour risques et charges passaient de 87 (cid:224) 122 millions. (1) JO C 240 du 25. 8. 1999, p. 24. (2) JO C 338 du 25. 11. 1999. (3) JO C 217 du 29. 7. 1999. 27. 7. 2000 FR Journal officiel des CommunautØs europØennes L 191/21 G. Le compte de profits et pertes accuse en recul de 264 millions par rapport (cid:224) l’annØe prØcØdente, (cid:224) les pertes provenant d’opØrations 588 millions, cependant que, en ce qui concerne les charges, financiŁres sont passØes de 15 (cid:224) 73 millions, les corrections de valeur (sur valeurs mobiliŁres) pas- sant de 9 (cid:224) 62 millions et les dotations aux provisions pour le financement du budget opØrationnel tombant de 274 (cid:224) 26 millions, cependant que, du c(cid:244)tØ des produits, les intØrŒts tombaient de 420 (cid:224) 345 millions et que les produits liØs au budget opØrationnel CECA tombaient de 301 (cid:224) 146 mil- lions. H. L’exØcution du budget accuse une baisse de 459 (cid:224) 184 millions, les amendes Øtant passØes de 0 (cid:224) 6 millions, et le solde net de l’exercice est tombØ de 109 (cid:224) 38 millions. I. J. K. L. M. N. O. P. Q. Depuis le 1er janvier 1998, la Commission a ramenØ le prØlŁvement frappant les produits de char- bon et d’acier (cid:224) 0 % et dØcidØ de rØpartir le produit de celui-ci sur l’aide sociale et l’aide (cid:224) la recher- che. (cid:192) l’approche de l’expiration du traitØ CECA, le 23 juillet 2002, le ratio de solvabilitØ est passØ de 28,3 % (cid:224) la fin de 1997 (cid:224) 32,8 %, une Øtape ayant ainsi ØtØ franchie dans la voie de l’objectif des 100 %, gr(cid:226)ce (cid:224) une augmentation du Fonds de garantie et (cid:224) une baisse notable du volume des crØances en cours. Il Øtait demandØ dans la rØsolution du Conseil europØen sur la croissance et l’emploi adoptØe (cid:224) Ams- terdam les 16 et 17 juin 1997 et dans la rØsolution du Conseil du 21 juin 1999 sur l’avenir de la CECA que le produit des rØserves soit utilisØ pour financer un Fonds de recherche en faveur des activitØs se rapportant aux secteurs du charbon et de l’acier. Selon les estimations actuelles, devraient se chiffrer (cid:224) 1,1 milliard en 2002. les rØserves de la CECA (cid:224) utiliser pour financer la recherche Les directions gØnØrales de l’Øconomie et des finances, de la recherche, de l’Ønergie et des transports, de l’emploi et du budget gŁrent ensemble le budget opØrationnel de la CECA, qui a reprØsentØ en 1998 un total de dØpenses de 185 millions d’euros, dont 84 millions affectØs (cid:224) l’aide (cid:224) la recherche, 43 millions (cid:224) l’aide au redØploiement et 27 millions aux mesures sociales en faveur du secteur char- bonnier. Il appara(cid:238)t que la Commission n’a pas encore intØgralement donnØ suite aux recommandations for- mulØes par le Parlement dans sa rØsolution du 4 mai 1999 sur la dØcharge relative (cid:224) l’exercice 1997 (1), dans laquelle il demandait que soient rØsolus les problŁmes juridiques touchant (cid:224) la cession d’immeubles acquis par la CECA avec des fonds excØdentaires (cid:224) Lisbonne et (cid:224) Milan en 1986, (cid:224) Canberra en 1987 et (cid:224) Windhoek en 1992. La derniŁre Øvaluation indØpendante du rendement financier direct des programmes de recherche sidØrurgique de la CECA rØalisØs entre 1981 et 1990 a ØtØ commandØe un juin 1994. Le rapport annuel sur la CECA au cours de l’exercice 1998 a ØtØ adoptØ par la Cour des comptes les 22 et 23 septembre 1999. Depuis l’adoption du traitØ de fusion, seule une faible partie (Øquivalant (cid:224) un montant forfaitaire) des dØpenses administratives liØes aux activitØs de la CECA est financØe par le budget en question, tandis que la majeure partie d’entre elles est (cid:224) la charge du budget gØnØral et que, en prØvision de l’expiration du traitØ, il importe de procØder (cid:224) une Øvaluation des besoins rØels en effectifs et (cid:224) une rØorganisation des services de la Commission. (1) JO C 279 du 1. 10. 1999, p. 135. L 191/22 FR Journal officiel des CommunautØs europØennes 27. 7. 2000 R. S. La Cour des comptes a conclu que les Øtats financiers de la CECA au 31 dØcembre 1998 reflŁtent avec exactitude le patrimoine, la situation financiŁre et le rØsultat des opØrations de l’exercice finan- cier qui a pris fin (cid:224) la mŒme date. La Cour des comptes indique que la lØgalitØ et la rØgularitØ des transactions sont dans l’ensemble suffisamment assurØes, proposant par consØquent une dØclaration d’assurance positive. (cid:201)valuation indØpendante de la plus-value de la CECA 1) 2) 3) se dØclare profondØment prØoccupØ par le fait que la Cour des comptes conclut dans son rapport spØcial sur la gestion et le contr(cid:244)le des bonifications d’intØrŒts par les services de la Commission que l’impact rØel des bonifications sur la crØation d’emplois dans le cadre des programmes lancØs au titre de l’article 56 du traitØ CECA est quasiment nul; demande (cid:224) la Commission d’Øvaluer avant l’expiration du traitØ CECA, le 23 juillet 2002, dans quelle mesure la CECA a atteint les objectifs d’expansion Øconomique, de dØveloppement de l’em- ploi et de relŁvement du niveau de vie ØnoncØs dans la traitØ; constate que la Commission, conformØment au traitØ CECA, a individualisØ les mesures d’aides sociales et les mesures d’aides (cid:224) la recherche; Approche prudente de la liquidation de la CECA 4) 5) invite la Commission (cid:224) lui donner l’assurance que des mesures ont ØtØ prises pour porter le ratio de solvabilitØ de 32,8 % au 31 dØcembre 1998 (cid:224) 100 % avant le 23 juillet 2002; constate la soliditØ du bilan de la CECA, qui s’est Øtabli (cid:224) 5,027 milliards d’euros (cid:224) la fin de 1998, mais se dØclare prØoccupØ par la gestion des crØances et par l’utilisation des actifs disponibles; Succession de la CECA 6) 7) 8) 9) fait observer que, en 1997, le Conseil europØen d’Amsterdam demandait que le produit des rØserves soit utilisØ pour financer la recherche aprŁs l’expiration du traitØ CECA, dØcision confirmØe dans la rØsolution adoptØe par le Conseil le 21 juin 1999; souligne, par consØquent, le nØcessitØ d’instaurer des systŁmes efficaces de contr(cid:244)le de la qualitØ des projets et des contrats dans le secteur du char- bon et de l’acier, en vue des activitØs du futur Fonds consacrØ (cid:224) la recherche; demande (cid:224) la Commission de fournir un rapport indØpendant d’Øvaluation des activitØs de recherche de la CECA, en vue de la poursuite de ces activitØs aprŁs l’ØchØance du traitØ CECA gr(cid:226)ce aux rØser- ves cumulØes de la CECA; invite la Commission (cid:224) publier les critŁres de sØlection, de contr(cid:244)le et d’Øvaluation des projets de recherche dans le secteur du charbon et de l’acier; rØclame un renforcement de la coordination entre les directions gØnØrales qui gŁrent conjointement le budget opØrationnel de la CECA ainsi qu’une rationalisation des services appelØs (cid:224) gØrer les fonds lorsque le traitØ viendra (cid:224) expiration; 27. 7. 2000 FR Journal officiel des CommunautØs europØennes L 191/23 10) rappelle (cid:224) la Commission les rØsolutions qu’il a adoptØes le 28 octobre 1999 sur le budget opØra- tionnel de la CECA (1) et sur le budget de l’Union europØenne (2), dans lesquelles il demandait (cid:224) l’exØcutif communautaire de procØder, en vue de l’expiration du traitØ CECA, (cid:224) une Øvaluation des besoins rØels en effectifs et, en consØquence, (cid:224) la rØorganisation des services des directions gØnØrales concernØes, ainsi que de prØsenter au Parlement un rapport (cid:224) ce sujet; Suites donnØes aux recommandations antØrieures 11) regrette l’absence de rØponse complŁte de la Commission aux recommandations contenues dans la rØsolution prØcitØe du Parlement sur la dØcharge relative (cid:224) l’exercice 1997, et demande (cid:224) la Com- mission de prendre toutes les mesures appropriØes et Ønergiques pour se conformer aux recomman- dations dans les dØlais les plus brefs; Liquidation de la CECA 12) 13) rappelle (cid:224) la Commission qu’il continuera de suivre l’utilisation des deniers du contribuable dans le cadre des opØrations de la CECA; charge sa prØsidente de transmettre la prØsente rØsolution (cid:224) la Commission, au Conseil, (cid:224) la Cour de justice, (cid:224) la Cour des comptes et (cid:224) la Banque europØenne d’investissement. (1) Textes adoptØs (cid:224) cette date, point 3. (2) Textes adoptØs (cid:224) cette date, points 1 et 2


title: Proposal for a Council Decision concerning the Community position within the Association Council on the participation of Estonia in Community programmes in the fields of training and education

eurovoc_concepts:
EU programme
Estonia
Member States' contribution
education
vocational training

formats: html pdf

text: COMMISSION OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES Brussels, 13. 04. 2000 COM(2000) 208 final 2000/0086(ACC) Proposal for a COUNCIL DECISION concerning the Community position within the Association Council on the participation of Estonia in Community programmes in the fields of training and education (presented by the Commission) EXPLANATORY MEMORANDUM The Helsinki European Council of December 1999 confirmed the enlargement process launched at its meeting of December 1997 in Luxembourg. The enhanced Pre-Accession Strategy defined in 1997 has been reiterated, which includes the participation of the 13 candidate States in Community programmes as an important part of such strategy. As regards the ten candidate countries of Central and Eastern Europe (CEECs), participation in Community programmes is provided in their respective Europe Agreements. Pursuant to the Europe Agreements, the conditions and modalities of these countries’ participation are defined by the respective Association Councils. In the case of the education, training and youth programmes, all the CEECs have been participating in 1999 in the first phase of the Leonardo da Vinci and of the Socrates programmes, and in the Youth for Europe programme. For some of them, participation in these programmes started already in 1997, others joined the programmes in 1998 and others in 1999. Their participation in these programmes has been an important element in these countries’ pre-accession process. The Association Council decisions setting out the arrangements for this participation expired on 31 December 1999, as did the decisions establishing the programmes themselves. The second phase of Leonardo da Vinci, the second phase of Socrates, and a new Youth programme, are succeeding the previous programmes. The decisions establishing the second phase of Leonardo da Vinci and of Socrates provide that the programmes shall be open to the participation of the CEECs. A similar provision is included in the draft decision of the European Parliament and of the Council establishing the Community action programme Youth, which is in the process of adoption. All the CEECs have confirmed their willingness to participate in the new programmes as from 2000, and to pay their financial contribution partly from their national budget, and partly from their annual Phare allocation. As provided in the conclusions of the meeting of the European Council in Luxembourg of 12 and 13 December 1997, these countries’ financial contributions of their own are steadily increasing. Because of the transnational nature of these programmes, it is in the interests of all parties that the activities undertaken within the first generation of programmes could continue within the successor programmes without any interruption. So as to allow the CEECs to participate in these new programmes since their beginning, the Commission has tabled a proposal for the adoption of two decisions of each Association Council, one for the two programmes already in force, Leonardo da Vinci II and Socrates, and one for the Youth programme. So the proposed decisions concerning Leonardo da Vinci II and Socrates II could be adopted first, and the proposed decisions concerning Youth could be adopted as soon as the decision establishing the programme will enter into force. The main issues addressed in the proposed draft Decisions of the Association Councils are the following : 2 • projects and initiatives submitted by participants from the CEECs shall be subject to the same conditions, rules and procedures pertaining to these programmes as are applied to Member States, regarding in particular the submission, assessment, and selection of applications and projects, in the implementation of the programmes, and the activities related to the monitoring of their participation in the programmes ; the responsibilities of the national structures • the CEECs will pay each year a contribution to the programmes, as established in the Association Council decisions. This contribution will not be reimbursed to the CEEC if, at the end of the year, the results fall short of the contribution paid ; • as provided in the conclusions of the meeting of the European Council in Luxembourg, the CEECs will be invited to attend the Programme Committees as observers, for the points which concern them ; • the decisions will apply for the duration of the programmes and will enter into force the day of their adoption. The early adoption of Association Council decisions would allow the candidate countries to continue being integrated in Community networks and other activities in the fields of education, vocational training and youth without any interruption. Accordingly, the Council is invited to adopt the annexed proposal for a Council Decision concerning the Community position within the Association Council on the participation of Estonia in Community programmes in the fields of training and education. 3 Proposal for a COUNCIL DECISION concerning the Community position within the Association Council on the participation of Estonia in Community programmes in the fields of training and education THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION, Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Community, and in particular Articles 149 and 150, in conjunction with Article 300(2) thereof, Having regard to the proposal from the Commission, Whereas: (1) (2) (3) (4) The Europe Agreement establishing an association between the European Communities and their Member States, of the one part, and the Republic of Estonia, of the other part, entered into force on 1 February 1998 ; According to Article 108 of the Europe Agreement and to its Annex X, Estonia may participate in Community framework programmes, specific programmes, projects or other actions notably in the fields of training and education, and the terms and conditions for the participation of Estonia in these activities shall be decided by the Association Council ; Following the Decision 3/98 of 29 October 1998 of the Association Council between the European Communities and their Member States, of the one part, and the Republic of Estonia, of the other part1, Estonia has been participating in the first phase of the Leonardo da Vinci and Socrates programmes since 1 November 1998 ; Council Decision (1999/382/EC) of 26 April 1999 establishing the second phase of the Community vocational training action programme “Leonardo da Vinci”2, and in particular Article10 thereof, and Decision (253/2000/EC) of 24 January 2000 of the European Parliament and the Council establishing the second phase of the Community action programme in the field of education “Socrates”3, and in particular Article 12 thereof, provide that these programmes shall be open to the participation of associated Central and Eastern European countries in accordance with the conditions set out in the Europe Agreements, and in the decisions of the respective Association Councils, 1 2 3 OJ L 307, 17. 11. 1998, p. 19 OJ L 146, 11. 6. 1999, p. 33. OJ L 28, 3. 2. 2000, p. 1. 4 HAS DECIDED AS FOLLOWS: The position to be taken by the Community within the Association Council established by the Europe Agreement between the European Communities and their Member States, of the one part, and the Republic of Estonia, of the other part, concerning the participation of Estonia in Community programmes in the fields of training and education, is the attached draft decision of the Association Council. Done at Brussels, For the Council The President 5 Draft DECISION N° …/ 2000 OF THE ASSOCIATION COUNCIL between the European Communities and their Member States, of the one part, and the Republic of Estonia, of the other part of. adopting the terms and conditions for the participation of the Republic of Estonia in Community programmes in the fields of training and education THE ASSOCIATION COUNCIL Having regard to the Europe Agreement between the European Communities and their Member States, of the one part, and the Republic of Estonia, of the other, and in particular Article 108 thereof 4 ; Whereas : (1) (2) (3) According to Article 108 of the Europe Agreement and its Annex X, Estonia may participate in Community framework programmes, specific programmes, projects or other actions notably in the fields of training and education ; According to the same Article the terms and conditions for the participation of Estonia in these activities shall be decided by the Association Council ; Following the Decision 3/98 of 29 October 1998 of the Association Council between the European Communities and their Member States, of the one part, and the Republic of Estonia, of the other part 5, Estonia has been participating in the first phase of the Leonardo da Vinci and Socrates programmes since 1 November 1998, and has expressed the wish to participate in the second phase of the programmes. HAS DECIDED AS FOLLOWS: Article 1 Estonia shall participate in the second phase of the European Community programmes Leonardo da Vinci and Socrates (hereinafter called Leonardo da Vinci II and Socrates II) according to the terms and conditions set out in Annexes I and II which shall form an integral part of this Decision. 4 5 OJ L 68, 9. 3. 1998, p. 3. OJ L 307, 17. 11. 1998, p. 19. 6 This Decision shall apply for the duration of the Leonardo da Vinci II and Socrates II programmes, starting from 1 January 2000. Article 2 Article 3 This Decision shall enter into force the day of its adoption by the Association Council. Done at Brussels, For the Association Council The President 7 ANNEX I Terms and conditions for the participation of the Republic of Estonia in the Leonardo da Vinci II, and Socrates II programmes 1. Estonia will participate in the activities of the Leonardo da Vinci II and Socrates II programmes (hereinafter called “the Programmes”) in conformity, unless otherwise provided in this Decision, with the objectives, criteria, procedures and deadlines as defined in Council Decision (1999/382/EC) of 26 April 1999 and Decision (253/2000/EC) of 24 January 2000 of the European Parliament and of the Council establishing these Community action programmes. 2. In conformity with the terms of Articles 5 of the Decisions on Leonardo da Vinci II and Socrates II and with the provisions relating to the responsibilities of the Member States and of the Commission concerning the Leonardo da Vinci and Socrates National Agencies adopted by the Commission, Estonia shall establish the appropriate structures for the coordinated management of the implementation of the programme actions at national level, and take the measures needed to ensure the adequate funding of these Agencies, which will receive programme grants for their activities. Estonia will take all other necessary steps for the efficient running of the Programmes at national level. 3. To participate in the Programmes, Estonia will pay each year a contribution to the general budget of the European Union according to the modalities described in Annex II. If necessary in order to take into account programme developments, or the evolution of Estonia’s absorption capacity, this contribution, so as to avoid budgetary imbalance in the implementation of the programmes. the Association Committee is entitled to adapt 4. The terms and conditions for the submission, assessment and selection of applications related to eligible institutions, organisations and individuals of Estonia will be the same as those applicable to eligible institutions, organisations and individuals of the Community. Estonian experts may be taken into consideration by the Commission when appointing independent experts according to the relevant provisions of the decisions establishing the programmes to assist it in the project evaluation. 5. With a view to ensure the Community dimension of the Programmes, to be eligible for Community financial support, projects and activities will have to include at least a partner from one of the Member States of the Community. 6. For the mobility activities referred to in Annex I, section III. 1 of the Leonardo da Vinci II decision, and for the Socrates decentralised actions, as well as for financial support to the activities of the National Agencies set up in accordance with point 2 above, funds will be allocated to Estonia on the basis of the annual programme budget breakdown decided at Community level and the Estonia’s contribution to the programme. The maximal amount of financial support to the activities of the National Agencies will not exceed 50 % of the budget for the National Agencies’ work programmes. 7. The Member States of the Community and Estonia will make every effort, within the to facilitate the free movement and residence of framework of existing provisions, students, teachers, trainees, trainers, university administrators, young people and other 8 eligible persons moving between Estonia and the Member States of the Community for the purpose of participating in activities covered by this Decision. 8. Activities covered by this Decision shall be exempt from imposition by Estonia of indirect taxes, customs duties, prohibitions and restrictions on imports and exports in respect of goods and services intended for use under such activities. 9. Without prejudice to the responsibilities of the Commission of the European Communities and the Court of Auditors of the European Communities in relation to the monitoring and evaluation of the programmes pursuant to the decisions concerning Leonardo da Vinci II and Socrates II (Articles 13 and 14 respectively), the participation of Estonia in the programmes will be continuously monitored on a partnership basis involving the to the Commission of the European Communities and Estonia. Estonia will submit Commission relevant reports and take part in other specific activities set out by the Community in that context. 10. In conformity with the Community’s Financial Regulations, contractual arrangements concluded with, or by, entities of Estonia shall provide for controls and audits to be carried out by, or under the authority of, the Commission and the Court of Auditors. As far as financial audits are concerned, they may be carried out with the purpose of controlling such entities’ income and expenditures, related to the contractual obligations towards the Community. In a spirit of cooperation and mutual interest, the relevant authorities of Estonia shall provide any reasonable and feasible assistance as may be necessary or helpful under the circumstances to perform such controls and audits. The provisions relating to the responsibilities of the Member States and of the Commission concerning the Leonardo da Vinci and the Socrates National Agencies adopted by the Commission will apply to the relations between Estonia, the Commission and the Estonian National Agencies. In the event of irregularity, negligence or fraud imputable to the Estonian National Agencies, the Estonian authorities shall be responsible for the funds not recovered. 11. Without prejudice to the procedures referred to in Articles 7 of the Decision on Leonardo da Vinci II and Article 8 of the Decision on Socrates II, representatives of Estonia will participate as observers in the Programme Committees, for the points which concern them. These committees shall meet without the presence of representatives of Estonia for the rest of the points, as well as, at the time of voting. 12. The language to be used in all sorts of contacts with the Commission, as regards the application process, contracts, to be submitted and other administrative arrangements for the programmes, will be one of the official languages of the Community. reports 13. The Community and Estonia may terminate activities under this Decision at any time upon twelve months’ notice in writing. Projects and activities in progress at the time of termination shall continue until their completion under the conditions laid down in this Decision. 9 ANNEX II Financial contribution of the Republic of Estonia to Leonardo da Vinci II and Socrates II 1. Leonardo da Vinci The financial contribution to be paid by Estonia to the budget of the European Union to participate in the Leonardo da Vinci II programme will be the following (in ) : € Year 2000 Year 2001 Year 2002 Year 2003 Year 2004 Year 2005 Year 2006 837 000 859 000 916 000 956 000 996 000 1 047 000 1 087 000 2. Socrates The financial contribution to be paid by Estonia to the budget of the European Union to participate in the Socrates II programme in 2000 will be 659 000 €. The contribution to be paid by Estonia for the following years of the programme will be decided by the Association Council in the course of the year 2000. 3. Estonia will pay the contribution mentioned above, partly from the Estonian national budget, and partly from Estonia’s PHARE National Programme. Subject to a PHARE separate programming procedure, the requested PHARE funds will be transferred to Estonia by means of a separate Financing Memorandum. Together with the part coming from Estonia’s State budget, these funds will constitute Estonia’s national contribution, out of which it will make payments in response to annual calls for funds from the Commission. 4. PHARE funds will be requested according to the following schedule : € - 305 000 for the contribution to the Socrates II programme in 2000 ; - for the contribution to the Leonardo da Vinci II programme, the following yearly amounts (in € ) Year 2000 Year 2001 Year 2002 Year 2003 Year 2004 Year 2005 Year 2006 337 000 359 000 416 000 356 000 296 000 247 000 237 000 The remaining part of the contribution of Estonia will be covered from the Estonian State budget. 5. The financial regulation applicable to the general budget of the European Union will apply, notably to the management of the contribution of Estonia. Travel costs and subsistence costs incurred by representatives and experts of Estonia for the purposes of taking part as observers in the work of the committees referred to in Annex I, Point 11 or other meetings related to the implementation of the Programmes shall 10 be reimbursed by the Commission on the same basis as and in accordance with the procedures currently in force for nongovernmental experts of the Member States of the European Union. 6. After the entry into force of this Decision and at the beginning of each following year, the Commission will send to Estonia a call for funds corresponding to its contribution to each of the respective programmes under this Decision. This contribution shall be expressed in Euros and paid into an Euro bank account of the Commission. Estonia will pay its contribution according to the call for funds : - by 1 May for the part financed from its national budget, provided that the call for funds is sent by the Commission before 1 April, or at the latest one month after the call for funds is sent if later ; - by 1 May for the part financed from PHARE, provided that the corresponding amounts have been sent to Estonia by this time, or at the latest in a period of 30 days after these funds have been sent to Estonia. Any delay in the payment of the contribution shall give rise to the payment of interest by Estonia on the outstanding amount from the due date. The interest rate corresponds to the rate applied by the European Central Bank, on the due date, for its operations in EURO, increased by 1. 5 percentage points. 11 FINANCIAL STATEMENT 1. TITLE OF OPERATION Participation of Estonia in Leonardo da Vinci and Socrates 2. BUDGET HEADING INVOLVED B7-030 Economic aid to the associated countries of Central and Eastern Europe 6091 Revenue accruing from the participation of the associated countries of central Europe in Community programmes 3. LEGAL BASIS Treaty establishing the European Community, and in particular Articles 149 and 150, in conjunction with Article 300(2) thereof ; the Europe Agreement with Estonia (Article 108), providing for the participation in Community programmes ; Council Decision (1999/382/EC) of 26 April 1999 establishing the second phase of the Leonardo da Vinci programme, and in particular Article 10 thereof; the European Parliament and of Decision of (253/2000/EC) of 24 January 2000 establishing the second phase of the Socrates programme, and in particular Article 12 thereof. the Council 4. 4. 1 DESCRIPTION OF OPERATION General objective The Europe Agreement with Estonia provides for Estonia’s participation in Community programmes in a wide range of areas, among which education, and vocational training. the Its participation will not only contribute towards the implementation of provisions relating to economic and cultural cooperation in the Europe Agreement, but will also enable Estonia to familiarise itself with the procedures and methods used in Community programmes. Estonia has been participating in the first phase of the Leonardo da Vinci and Socrates programmes since 1 November 1998. In line with the Commission communication “Agenda 2000” of 16. 7. 1997 and of the conclusions of the European Council in Luxembourg, Estonia’s participation in these programmes has been part of the reinforced preaccession strategy which assist this country in its preparation for future accession to the Union. 12 The decision-making process for the opening-up of programmes involves a decision by the Association Council between the Union and Estonia. The decision of the Association Council of 29 October 1998 establishing the participation of Estonia in the first phase of these programmes has expired on 31 December 1999. This new draft Association Council Decision aims at allowing the Estonian participation to be carried on and to ensure continuity between the first and the second phase of these programmes. Like the first one, it lays down conditions, notably as concerns Estonia’s financial contribution, and practical arrangements for participating in these programmes. 4. 2 Period covered and arrangements for renewal Until the end of the Community programmes concerned, i. e. 31. 12. 2006. 5. 5. 1 5. 2 5. 3 CLASSIFICATION OF EXPENDITURE OR REVENUE Non-compulsory expenditure Differentiated appropriations Type of revenue involved Since Article 108 of the Europe Agreement stipulates that Estonia itself will meet the costs resulting from its participation, it will be invited to pay a contribution for participating in the programmes. As the same article states that the Community may supplement Estonia’s contribution, Estonia will contribute only part from its national budget. The remaining part of its contribution will be taken from its PHARE National Programme. The required PHARE funds will be charged to heading B7- 030, and transferred to Estonia by means of a separate Financing Memorandum. these funds will Together with the part coming from Estonia’s State budget, constitute Estonia’s national contribution, out of which it will make payments in response to annual calls for funds from the Commission. The total contribution, once paid by Estonia, will be transferred to item 6091 of the EU’s budget receipts. 6. TYPE OF EXPENDITURE OR REVENUE – 100% subsidy – Subsidy for joint financing with other sources in the public and/or private sector – No provision for all or part of the Community contribution to be reimbursed – As far as revenue is concerned, provision for Estonia’s contribution to cover the cost of its participation is made under item 6091. The revenue will be allocated to the items for expenditure on the two programmes in question and, where appropriate, to the relevant items of operating expenditure. The total revenue expected is given under item 7. 4. 13 7. 7. 1 FINANCIAL IMPACT Method of calculating total cost of operation (relation between individual and total costs) Based on the Europe Agreement with Estonia, arrangements for the two programmes concerned are as follows: contribution takes into account two elements: the financial and budgetary the Estonia’s - the foreseeable operational costs, which have been calculated on the basis of the programme budgets (the provisional yearly breakdown of the Leonardo da Vinci budgetary envelope, and the draft preliminary budget for Socrates for 2000), the country’s estimated take-up capacity, and previous experience of its participation in the first phase of the Leonardo da Vinci and Socrates programmes, - the foreseeable administrative costs, corresponding to the meetings and missions. These estimated administrative costs amount yearly to 24 000 for Leonardo da Vinci, and 50 000 for Socrates. € € Estonia will use part of its national PHARE annual programme as a complement to its state budget to finance its contribution to the operational costs. 7. 2 Itemised breakdown of cost (in € ) 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 Total of which Estonia of which Phare Leonardo da Vinci 837 000 859 000 916 000 956 000 996 000 1 047 000 1 087 000 6 698 000 4 450 000 2 248 000 Socrates 659 000 659 000 354 000 305 000 TOTAL 1 496 000 859 000 916 000 956 000 996 000 1 047 000 1 087 000 7 357 000 4 804 000 2 553 000 7. 3 Operational expenditure for studies, experts etc. included in Part B of the budget p. m. : up to a maximum in proportion to the appropriations of that kind in the EUR 15 allocations for Leonardo da Vinci and Socrates, but within the limits allowed by the part of the contribution which comes from the country's national budget. 14 7. 4 Schedule of commitment and payment appropriations Amounts to be charged to item B7-030 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 TOTAL Comm. app. 642 000 359 000 416 000 356 000 296 000 247 000 237 000 2 553 000 Pay. app. 642 000 359 000 416 000 356 000 296 000 247 000 237 000 2 553 000 The foreseeable annual receipts are as follows: Item 6091 operational part administrative part 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 TOTAL 1 422 000 835 000 892 000 932 000 972 000 1 023 000 1 063 000 7 139 000 74 000 24 000 24 000 24 000 24 000 24 000 24 000 218 000 TOTAL 1 496 000 859 000 916 000 956 000 996 000 1 047 000 1 087 000 7 357 000 8. FRAUD PREVENTION MEASURES All the Commission’s contracts, agreements and other legal commitments provide for on-the-spot checks by the Commission and Court of Auditors. Among other things, the beneficiaries of the operations are obliged to file reports and financial statements. These are analysed from the point of view of their content and the eligibility of the expenditure in line with the objective of Community financing. The anti-fraud provisions of the basic budget headings apply to this heading too when adapted to the case of the countries of Central Europe. 9. 9. 1 ELEMENTS OF COST-EFFECTIVENESS ANALYSIS Specific and quantified objectives; target population The aim of opening up the Leonardo da Vinci II and Socrates II programmes to Estonia is to bring about similar benefits as for Member States of the Community. The essential aim of Community action on education and training is to enable all European citizens to achieve their full potential and to display initiative and creativity so that they can participate fully in society and in the building of Europe. This objective is based on the gradual establishment of an open European area for education and training. 15 In the field of education, the principal aim of the Socrates II programme is to development of quality education by encouraging cooperation contribute to the between Member States. The specific aims of the programme are: – – – – – – – – – to develop the European dimension in education at all levels so as to strengthen the spirit of European citizenship, drawing on the cultural heritage of each Member State; to promote a quantitative and qualitative improvement of the knowledge of the languages of the European Union, and in particular those which are least widely used and least taught, leading to greater understanding and solidarity between the peoples of the European Union, and to promote the intercultural dimension of education; to promote wide-ranging and intensive cooperation between institutions at all levels of education, enhancing their intellectual and teaching potential; to encourage the mobility of teachers, so as to promote a European dimension in studies and to contribute to the qualitative improvement of their skills; to encourage mobility for students, enabling them to complete part of their studies in another Member State, so as to contribute to the consolidation of the European dimension in education; to encourage contacts among pupils in the European Union, and to promote the European dimension in their education; to encourage the academic recognition of diplomas, periods of study and other qualifications, with the aim of facilitating the development of an open European area for education; to encourage open and distance education in the context of the activities of this programme; to foster exchanges of information and experience so that the diversity and specificity of the educational systems in the Member States become a source of enrichment and of mutual stimulation. In the field of vocational training, the principal aim of the Leonardo da Vinci programme is to implement a vocational training policy which supports and supplements the action of the Member States. The main objectives of the programme are to: – support the improvement of the vocational-training systems and arrangements in the Member States by: improving the quality of initial vocational training and the transition of young people to working life, improving the quality of the training arrangements, supporting Member States’ continuing vocational vocational information and guidance, promoting equal opportunities for men and women in vocational training, improving the quality of vocational training arrangements for persons disadvantaged on the labour market, for example owing to socio-economic, geographical or ethnic factors or by physical or mental disabilities or a lack of qualifications or insufficient qualifications such that they are at risk of social exclusion; 16 – – for concerning undertakings the improvement of vocational training measures including support and workers: university/industry cooperation, innovation in vocational training, with a view to taking into account technological change and its impact on work and the necessary qualifications the and skills, transfer of technological innovation in the context of cooperation between undertakings and universities in the field of continuing vocational training, the promotion of equal opportunities for men and women; in continuing vocational training for workers, investment support dissemination of innovation in the field of vocational training. the development of language skills, knowledge and the for 9. 2 Grounds for the operation – Need for Community financial aid In view of the high cost of participation in the programmes and Estonia’s precarious budgetary situation, assistance from PHARE is essential. – Choice of ways and means With a contribution from the national budget, supplemented by one from PHARE, Estonia’s integration in the programmes concerned will allow its citizens to cooperate with their counterparts in the current EU Member States. The integration of Estonian nationals in Community networks will make a definite contribution to preparing Estonia for future membership – Main factors of uncertainty which could affect the specific results of the operation Since projects will be selected according to qualitative criteria, it will only be impact on the basis of Estonian firms’ and possible to measure the real launched by the institutions’ capacity to respond to the calls for proposal Commission under the two programmes. 9. 3 Monitoring and evaluation of the operation The monitoring and evaluation procedures included in the Leonardo da Vinci II and Socrates II programmes (notably in respect of evaluation, as included in the decisions establishing the two programmes) will also cover operations financed for Estonian beneficiaries. 10. ADMINISTRATIVE EXPENDITURE (SECTION III, PART A OF THE BUDGET) Actual mobilisation of the necessary administrative resources will depend on the Commission’s annual decision on the allocation of resources, taking into account the number of staff and additional amounts authorised by the budgetary authority. 17 10. 1 Effect on the number of posts Type of post Staff to be assigned to managing the operation Source Duration Permanent posts Temporary posts A B C Officials or temporary staff Other resources Total 1 1 2 Additional resources 2000-2006 Existing resources in the DG or department concerned 1 1 2 10. 2 Overall financial impact of the human resources Amounts Method of calculation (total cost for the period 2000-2006) EUR Officials (*) 1 512 000 2 men x 7 years x 108 000 Temporary staff Other resources Total 1 512 000 (*) By using existing resources required to manage the operation (Calculation based on titles A1, A2, A4, A5 and A7) 18 10. 3 Increase in other administrative expenditure as a result of the operation EUR Budget heading Amounts Method of calculation (yearly cost of the action) A 7010 -missions 13 000 1100 EURO x 12 yearly missions A 7031 -committees 26 000 Travel allowance and subsistence allowance for 27 participants in two-days meetings* A 7030 - other meetings 28 000 Travel allowance and subsistence allowance for 29 participants in two-days meetings* Total 7000 74 000 Travel allowance and subsistence allowance for Estonian experts participating in 4 meetings of 7 days in average * 2 representatives in 12 committee and subcommittee meetings (8 for Socrates, and 4 for Leonardo da Vinci), and 1 representative in 3 Socrates subcommittee meetings 2 representatives in 5 Leonardo da Vinci meetings, and 1 participant in 19 Socrates meetings The above expenditure will be met from the receipts (article 4 par. 2, third indent of the financial regulation) received from Estonia (see point 5. 3 and 7. 4 of the financial statement). 19 * * *