prop · GF03170 · 1991-12-31 00:00:00 — A conference of representatives of nafional sfafisficalorganizations of the Contracting Parties, the Statistical Office of Conununities () and the Office of the Statistical Adviser of the EFTA States (OSA EFTA) shall be creafed. The conference shall guide statistical cooperation, develop programmes and procedures for statistical cooperafion in close coordinafion with those of the Communify and monitor fheir implementa tion. The EFTA Stafes shall, from the entry into force of theAgreement, parfi cipate within the framework of plans for priority actions in the field ofstatis tical information.' The EFTA States shall confribute financially fo suchactions in accordance with Article 82' (a) of fhe Agreement and the FinancialRegulations thereto. The EFTA States shall participate fully in the ECcommittees which assist the EC Commission in the management or development ofsuch actions in so far the subjects dealt with are covered by the Agreement.' Statistical information from EFTA States relating tomatters covered by the Agreement shall be coordinated by the OSA EFTA andtransmitted through it fo . Storage and processing of data shall takeplace within . 2Eurostat andthe OSA EFTA shall ensure that EEA statistics are dissemi-nated to the varioususers and to the public. 3The EFTA Statesshall defray the addifional costs incurred by for storing, processingand disseminafing data from fheir countries according to fhe provisions of theAgreement. The amounts involved shall be fbced periodically by the EEA JointCommittee. 4Confidentialsfafisfical data may be used only for statistical purposes. Prop.1991/92:170 Bilaga 15 Protocol 30 ' I.e.future plans of the kind established by 389 Y 0628 (01) Council Resolution of19 1989 on the implementation of a plan for priority actions in the fieldof statistical information: Statistical programme of Communities1989 to 1992 (OJ No C161, 28.6.1989, p.l) ON COOPERATION IN SPECIFIC FIELDS OUTSIDE THE FOURFREEDOMS Research and technological development (a) The EFTA Stafes shall, from the entry into forceof the Agreement, participate in the implementation of fhe FrameworkProgramme of Communify activities in the field of research and technological development(1990 to 1994)' through parficipafion in ifs specific programmes. 2The EFTA Statesshall confribute financially to the activities referred to in subparagraph (a)in accordance with Article 82 (1) (a) of the Agreement. 3The EFTA Statesshall, in consequence of subparagraph (b), participate fully in all the ECcommittees which assist the EC Commission in the management or development ofthe said Framework Programme and ifs specific programmes. (d) Given the particular nature ofthe cooperafion foreseen in fhe field of research and technological development, representatives of fhe EFTA States shall in addition be associated with the work of the Scientific and () and other EC committees which the EC Commission consults in this field, to the extent necessary for the good functioning of that cooperation. 2In the case ofIceland, however, fhe provisions of paragraph 1 shall apply from 1 January1994. 3Evaluafion andmajor redirecfion of activities in the Framework Programme for Communityactivities in the field of research and fechnological devlopment (1990 to1994), after the entry into force of the Agreement, shall be governed by theprocedure referred to in Article 79 (3) of the Agreement. 4The Agreementshall be without prejudice, on the one hand, to fhe bilateral cooperafiontaking place under the Framework Programme for Communify activities in thefield of research and technological development (1987 to 1991) and, on theother hand, in so far as they concern cooperation which is not covered by theAgreement, to fhe bilateral framework agreements for scientific and technicalcooperation between the Community and the EFTA States. Prop.1991/92:170 Bilaga 15 Protocol 31 Artide 2 Information services shall, from the entry into forceof the Agreement, decide the terms and condifions for the parficipafion of theEFTA Sfa- ■390 D 0221: Council Decision 90/221/Euratom/EEC of (1990 to 1994)fOJNoLin, , p. 387 D 0516: Council Decision 87/516/Euratom/EEC of 28September 1987 (OJ No L 302, 24.10.1987, p. tesin the programmes esfablished under fhe decisions mentioned below,or deriving therefrom, in the field of information services: - 388 D 0524: Council Dedsion 88/524/EEC of 26 July1988 conceming fhe of a plan of action for setting up aninformation services markef( OJ No L 288, 21.10.1988, p. - 389 D 0286: Council Decision 89/286/EEC of 17 April1989 on the implementation at Community level of fhe main phase of strategicprogramme for innovation and technology transfer (1989 to 1993) (programme)( OJ No L 112, 25.4.1989, p. 1991/92:170 Bilaga15 Protocol 31 Cooperationin the field of environment shall be strengthened in the fra mework of the activities of fhe Community, in parficular in the following areas: policy and action programmes onthe environment; integration of environmentalprotection requirements into other policies; economic and fiscalinstruments; environmental questions whichhave transboundary implications; - major regional and global topics under discussionwithin infernational organizations. Thecooperation shall include, inter alia, regular meetings. 2The necessary decisions shall be takenas soon as possible after the entry into force of the Agreement, to ensure thepartieipation of the EFTA States in , once thisAgency has been established by the Community, to fhe extent that this matterhas not been sefOed prior to that date. 3Where it has been decided by fhe that cooperation shall take the form of parallel legislation ofidenrical or similar content by the Confracring Parties, the proceduresreferred to in Artide 79 (3) of the Agreement shall thereafter apply to thepreparafion of such legislation in the field in question. Education,training and youth 2The EFTA States shall, from the entryinto force of the Agreement, participate in fhe Communify programme Youth forEuropé in accordance with Part VI. 3The EFTA States shall, as from 1January 1995, parficipate subject to the provisions of Part VI, in all programmes of the Community in the field of education, trainingand youth then in force or adopted. The planning and development of programmesof fhe Community in this field shall, as from fhe entry into force of theAgreement, be subject to the procedures referred to in Part VI, in particular Arficle 79 (3). 2The EFTA Stafesshall confribute financially in accordance with Arficle 82 (1) (a) to theprogrammes referred to in paragraphs 1 and 2 . 3The EFTA Statesshall, as from the start of cooperation in programmes to which they confributefinancially in accordance with Arficle 82 (1) (a), participate fully in all theEC committees which assist fhe EC Commission in the management or developmentof these prograitunes. 4The EFTA Statesshall, from fhe entry into force of the Agreement, participate in the variousactivities of the Community involving the exchange of information including,where appropriate, contacts and meetings of experts, seminars and conferences.The Contracting Parties shall, furthermore, through orotherwise, take any other initiafives which may appear appropriate in thisregard. 5The ContracfingParties shall encourage appropriate cooperation between the competentorganizations, institutions and other bodies in fheir respective territorieswhere this would confribute to the strengthening and broadening of cooperation.This shall apply in particular to matters covered by the activities of theEuropean ()' Article 5 Social policy 2In fhe field ofsocial policy, fhe dialogue referred fo in Article 79 (1) of the Agreementshall comprise, inter alia, the holding of meetings, including contacts betweenexperts, the examination of questions of mutual interest in specific fields,the exchange of information on activities of the Contracfing Parties,stockfaking of the state of cooperafion and the carrying ouf, in common, ofactivities such as seminars and conferences. 3The ContractingParfies shall seek in parficular to sfrengthen cooperation in the framework ofCommunity activities which may resulf from the following Community acts: - 388 Y 0203: CoundI Resolutionof on safety, hygiene and healfh at work ( OJ No C 28, , p. -391 Y 0531:Council Resolution of 21 1991 on fhe third mediumterm Community actionprogramme on equal opporfunities for women and men (1991-1995) (OJ No C142,31.5.1991, p. -390 Y 627(06):CoundI Resolution of 29 1990 on action to assist the long-term unemployed(OJ No C 157, 27.6.1990, p. -386 X 0379: CoundI Recommendation86/379/EEC of 24 1986 on the Prop.1991/92:170 Bilaga 15 Protocol 31 375 R0337: Council Regulation (EEC) No 337/75 of 10 February 1975 establishing aEuropean (OJ No L 39,, p.l), as amended by: -1 79 H: Actconceming the Conditions of Accession and Adjustments fo the Treaties -Accession of the Hellenic Republic (OJ No L 291, 19.11.1979, p.99) -1 85 I: Actconceming the Conditions of Accession and Adjustment to the Treaties Accessionof the Kingdom of and the Portuguese Republic (OJ No L 302, 15.11.85,p.l70) employmentof disabled people in the Community (OJ No L 225, , p. 43) - 389 D0457: Council Dedsion 89/457/EEC of 18 1989 establishing a medium-termCommunity action programme conceming the economic and social integration of fheeconomically and sodally less privileged groups in the sodety (OJ No L 224,p. The EFTA States shall, from the entry into force of fheAgreement, parti cipate within fhe framework of the Community actions for the elderiy*. The EFTA Stafes shall confribute financially in accordancewith Arficle 82 (1) (b) of the Agreement. The EFTA States shall parficipate fully in fhe ECcommittees which assist the EC Commission in the management or development offhe programme except for matters relating to the distribution of EC financialresources between Member Stafes of fhe Communify. 2The EEA JointCommittee shall take fhe necessary decisions in order to facilifafe cooperationbetween the Confracting Parties in future programmes and activities of fheCommunity in the social field. 3The ContracringParfies shall encourage appropriate cooperafion between the competentorganizarions, insritutions and other bodies in their respective territorieswhere this would confribute to fhe strengthening and broadening of cooperation.This shall apply in particular to matters covered by fhe activities of theEuropean .' Prop.1991/92:170 Bilaga 15 Protocol 31 Artide 6 Consumer protection 2In the field ofconsumer protection the Contracting Parties shall sfrengthen the dialoguebetween them by all appropriate means, with a view to identifying areas andactivities where closer cooperation could confribute to the attainment of theirobjectives. 3The ConfractingParfies shall seek to sfrengthen cooperation in the framework of Communityactivities, which may resulf from fhe following Community acts, in particularin ensuring consumer influence and parficipafion: 389 Y 1122(01): CoundI Resolution of onfuture priorities for relaunching consumer protection policy (OJ C 294,22.11.1989, p. 590 DC 0098: Three Year Action Plan of Consumer Policy infhe EEC (1990- "391 D 0049: Council Decision 91/49/EEC of 26November (OJ No L28, , p. ' 375 R 1365: Regulation (EEC) No 1365/75 of the Councilof 26 1975 on the creation of a ofLiving and Working Conditions (OJ No L 139, 30.5.1975, p.l), as amended by: -1 79 H: Actconceming the Conditions of Accession and Adjustments to the Treaties -Accession of the Hellenic Republic (OJ No L 291, 19.11.1979, p.lll) -1 851: Actconceming the Conditions of Accession and Adjustments to the Treaties-Accession of the Kingdom of and the Portuguese Republic (OJ No L 302,15.11.85, p.l70) 388Y 1117(01): CoundI Resolution of on fhe improvement ofconsumer involvemenf in standardisafion (OJ C 293,17.11.1988, p. 1991/92:170 Bilaga15 Protocol 31 Thecooperafion in fhe field of small and medium-sized enterprises shall in particular be promoted within the framework of actions of the Commu nify: - to remove undue administrative, financial and legalconstraints on business; - to inform and assist enterprises, and in parficularsmall and medium-sized enterprises, on policies and programmes which might beof relevance to them; - to encourage cooperation and partnership betweenenterprises, and in particular small and medium-sized enterprises, fromdifferent regions of Economic Area. TheContraeting Parties shall seek in particular to strengthen cooperation in the framework of Community activities which may resulf from the follo wing Community acts: - 388 Y 0727(02): Council Resolution on theimprovement of the business environment and action to promote the developmentof enterprises, especially small and medium-sized enterprises, in the Community(OJ C 197, 27.7.1988, p. - 389 D 0490: Council Decision 89/490/EEC of 28 July1989 on the improvement of fhe business environment and the promotion of thedevelopment of enterprises, in particular small and medium-sized enterprises,in the Community (OJNoL239, , p. - 389 Y 1007(01): Council Resolution of 26 September1989 in the development of subcontracfing in the Community (OJ C 254,7.10.1989, p. - 390 X 0246: CouncilRecommendation of 28 1990 relating to the implementation of a policy ofadministrative simplificafion in favour of SMEs in fhe Member States (OJ No L141, , p. - 391 Y 0605: Council Resolution of 27 1991 onthe action programme for small and medium-sized enterprises including craffindusfry enterprises (OJNoC146, , p. - 391 D 0319: CoundI Decision 91/319/EEC of 18 June1991 revising the programme on the improvement of the business environment andthe promotion of fhe development of enterprises, in particular small andmedium-sized enterprises in the Community (OJ L 175, , p. shall, from the entry into force of the Agree ment, take fhe appropriate decisions conceming the modalities, including those conceming any financial contributions by EFTA States, which shall ap ply in respect of the cooperafion in the framework of the Community's activi- ties in implementing the Council Decision on theimprovement of fhe busi- Pföp. ness environment and the promotion of development ofenterprises, in parf i- Bilaga 15 cular small and medium-sized enterprises in the Communify*and activities ProtöGÖl 31 following therefrom. In the field of tourism, the dialogue referred fo inArticle 79 (1) of the Agreement shall aim af identifying areas and actionswhere closer cooperation could contribute fo the promotion of fourism and fothe improvement of fhe general conditions of the tourisf indusfry in theterritories of the Contracting Parties. Article 9 Audiovisual sector The necessary decisions shall be taken as soon as possibleafter the entry into force of the Agreement, to ensure fhe partieipation by theEFTA Stafes in the programmes established under 390 D 0685 Council Decision90/685/EÉG of conceming the implementation of an action programmeto promote the development of fhe European audiovisual indusfry (MEDL\) (1991to 1995) (OJ No L 380, 31.12.1990, p. 37) to the extent this matter has notbeen settled prior fo that date. Article 10 Civil protection 2The ContractingParties shall seek to sfrengthen cööperatiöii iii the framework of Communityactivities which may resulf fronfi (489 Y 0223) Resolution of the Council andthe Representatives of the Membéf Stätés, meefing within the Council, of 13February 1989 on fhe new dévelopitiénts in Community cooperadon oh civilprotection (OJ No C 44, 23.2.1989* p: 3) 3The EFTA StatesshäJl ensure that the number 112 is intrödiiced within tiieir territories asthe siiiglé European emergency call nurhber iii accordance with the provisionsof (391 Ö 0396) Council Decision of 29 1991 on the iiitifoducrion of asirigle European emergency call number (OJ No L 217, 6:8:1991, p. 389 D0490: Council Decision 89/490/EEC of 28 1989 (OJ C 239, , p. ON FINANCIAL MODALITIES FOR IMPLEMENTATION OF ARTICLE 82 Procedurefor fhe determinafion of fhe financial partieipation of the EFTA States 2The procedure for fhe calculafion offhe financial partieipation of the EFTA States in Community activities shall bethat set out in fhe following paragraphs. 3The EC Commission shall communicate tothe together with relevant background material af thelafesf on 30 of each financial year: 3fhe amounts entered "forinformation", in commifment appropriafions and payment appropriafions, inthe statement of expenditure of the preliminary draff general budget of theEuropean Communities, corresponding to the activities in which the EFTA Statestake part and calculated in accordance with fhe provisions of Article 82; 4the estimated amount of thecontributions, entered for information in fhe statement of revenue of thepreliminary draff budget, corresponding fo the parficipafion of fhe EFTAStafes in these activities. 1991/92:170 Bilaga15 Protocol 32 2The shall, before1 each year, confirm that the amounts referred to in paragraph 2 are inaccordance with fhe provisions of Article 82 of the Agreement. 3The amounts "forinformation" corresponding to fhe partieipation of the EFTA Stafes, bothin commifment appropriations and in payment appropriafions, as well as fheamount of the contributions, shall be adjusted when fhe budget is adopted bythe budgefary authority, in order to respect the provisions of Arficle 82. 4As soon as the general budget has beenfinally adopted by the budgefary authorify fhe EC Commission shall communicateto the amounts which are entered therein "forinformafion" both in the statement of revenue and of expenditurecorresponding to the partieipation of the EFTA States. shall, within a period of15 days following that communication, confirm that these amounts are inaccordance with the provisions of Arficle 82. By1 January at the latest of each financial year, shall inform the EC Commission of the final breakdown of fhe confribution for each . This breakdown shall be ofa binding character for each . Should this informafion not beprovided by 1 January, fhe breakdown of the previous year shall apply on aprovisional basis. Making available the contributions of the EFTA States On fhe basis of fhe information transmitted by fheStanding pursuant fo fhe provisions of Article1(6) above, fhe EC Commission shall esfablish: Prop.1991/92:170 Bilaga 15 Protocol 32 pursuantto Article 28.1 of the Financial Regulation' a proposal for a claim,corresponding to fhe amount of fhe partieipation of the EFTA Stafes, calculatedon fhe basis of the commifment appropriations. The drawing up of fhe proposalfor a claim shall give rise to fhe for-mal opening by fhe EC Commission of thecommifment appropriations on the budgefary lines concerned within fheframework of the budgefary sfructure creafed fo this end. If thebudget has not been adopted by the opening of the financial year, theprovisions of Arficle 9 of fhe Financial Regulation shall apply. pursuantto Article 28(2) of fhe Financial Regulation, a call for funds corresponding tothe amount of the confribufions of the EFTA States, calculated on the basis ofthe payment appropriations. This order shall provide for fhe payment, by each EFTAState, of its confribution in two stages: -six twelfths ofifs confribution not låter than 20 January - six twelfths of its confributionnot låter than 15 . However, the six twelfths fo be paid at the latest on 20January are calculated on the basis of the amount, "for information"set out in the statement of revenue of the preliminary draff budget: fheregularization of the amounts thus paid shall occur with the payment of thetwelfths falling due on 15 . If the budget is not adopted before30 , fhe second payment shall also take place on the basis of the amountforeseen "for information" in the preliminary draff budget. Theregularization shall take place three months after the complefion of theprocedures provided for in Article 1(5). The collecfions corresponding fofhe payment by the EFTA States of fheir confribufions shall give rise fo theformål opening of payment appropriafions on fhe budgefary lines concernedwithin the framework of fhe budgefary strucfure creafed to this end withoutprejudice fo the application of fhe provisions of Arficle 9 of the FinancialRegulation. 4Contributionsshall be expressed and paid in ecu. 5To this end,each open with its Treasury or fhe body if shall designate forthis purpose an account in ecus on behalf of the EC Commission. ' Financial Regulation of applicable tothe general budget of Communities (OJ L No L 355, 31.12.1977, p.1), as modified by Council Regulafion (Euratom,ECSC,EEC) No 610/90 of 13 March1990 (OJ No L 70, , p. 1), hereinafter referred to as the FinancialRegulation. delay in fheentries in fhe account referred fo in paragraph 4 in relation fo the deadlinesset ouf in paragraph 2 shall give rise to the payment, by fhe EFTA Stateconcerned, of interest at a råte equal to fhe råte applied by the to ifs operations in ecus, plus 1,5 of a percenfagepoinf, for fhe month of the expiration dafe and published each month in fheOfficial Journal of fhe European Communifies, series C. 1991/92:170 Bilaga15 Protocol 32 Adjustmentsin fhe light of implementation 2The amounts of fhe parficipafion ofthe EFTA Stafes, defermined for each budgefary line concerned, in accordancewith fhe provisions of Article 82 of fhe Agreement shall normally remainunchanged during the financial year in question. 3The EC Commission, at the time of fheclosure of the accounts relating fo each financial year (n), within fheframework of the of the revenue and expenditure account, shallproceed fo the regularization of fhe accounts with respect to the parficipafionof fhe EFTA States, taking into consideration: - modifications which have taken place, either bytransfer or by supplemenfaty budget during the financial year; - fhe final implementation of the appropriations forthe financial year, taking into account possible cancellations and carry-overs; - any sums covering Community relafed expenditurewhich fhe EFTA States cover individually or payments made by EFTA States inkind, e.g. administrative support. This regularization shall occur in the framework ofthe of the budget for the following year (n -t- 2). 9However, in excepfional circumsfancesduly justified, and in so far as fhe proportionality facfor has to besafeguarded, the EC Commission may request, from fhe EFTA States, afterapproval by , an addifional confribution during fhe samefinancial year as that during which the variation has occurred. Such addifionalcontributions shall be registered on the accounts referred fo in Arficle 2(4)on a date to be fbted by fhe and which shall as far aspossible coindde with fhe regularization foreseen in Article 2(2). In the eventof delay in these regi-strafions, the provisions of Arficle 2(5) shall apply. 10 Complementary rules for fhe implementation ofparagraphs 1 to 3 shall be adopted as necessary by fhe . This shall apply in particular as regards themanner in which account shall be taken of any sums covering Community relafedexpenditure which fhe EFTA Stafes cover individually or payments made by EFTAStafes in kind. - Article 2(1); - Artide 2(2); ' Artide 3(2); and - Artide3(3); shallbe reviewed before 1 January 1994 by and amended asappropriate in the light of experience of their implementation and in the lightof Community decisions affecting the Financial Regulation and/or thepresentation of fhe general budget. 1.The utilizafion of the appropriations arising from the parficipafion of fheEFTA States shall take place in accordance with the provisions of the FinancialRegulation. 2However, with regard to the rules relating to tendering procedures, calls fortender shall be open to all EC Member Stafes as well as to all EFTA States inso far as they involve financing on budgetary lines in respect of which theEFTA States are participating.