The 1998 projects are at present ongoing and are receiving monitoring visits from the Commission. The 1999 deadline for proposals was 18 June and, following an evaluation by a group of external experts in September, the Commission has chosen the projects to be supported. These projects will be implemented during 2000. As a result of delays in the Council and Parliament Services, the Common Position was not finally adopted until 13 September. The EP is expected to adopt its Second Reading in November.
Informal contacts suggest that four amendments are likely to be adopted.
The Committee for the Programme will then meet. It is hoped that the Programme will begin in time in early 2000. The Programme will permit multi-annual projects, thereby avoiding annual applications. Certain matters, e.g. the annual programme, the selection criteria, etc. will be subject to the Management Committee structure, all others subject to the Advisory Committee structures. However, Article 152 will enable the projects supported under the Initiative to continue to be supported under the Programme.