[pic] | KOMMISSIONEN FOR DE EUROPÆISKE FÆLLESSKABER |

Bruxelles, den 4.12.2006

KOM(2006) 724 endelig

MEDDELELSE FRA KOMMISSIONEN TIL RÅDET OG EUROPA-PARLAMENTET

om en generel strategi for at sætte naboskabspartnerlande i stand til at deltage i Fællesskabets agenturer og programmer

MEDDELELSE FRA KOMMISSIONEN TIL RÅDET OG EUROPA-PARLAMENTET

om en generel strategi for at sætte naboskabspartnerlande i stand til at deltage i Fællesskabets agenturer og programmer

Indledning

Et væsentligt kapitel i EU's naboskabspolitik vedrører naboskabspartnerlandenes mulighed for at deltage i visse fællesskabspolitikker og –programmer eller at indgå i et tættere samarbejde med dem. Det kan ske på to måder:

- Naboskabspartnerlandenes deltagelse eller observatørstatus i eller samarbejde med specifikke agenturer eller andre organer, der er involveret i forvaltningen af Fællesskabets politikker (f.eks. Det Europæiske Agentur for Søfartssikkerhed, Det Europæiske Miljøagentur, Det Europæiske Observationscenter for Racisme og Fremmedhad og Galileo-tilsynsmyndigheden).

- Inddragelse af naboskabspartnerlande i gennemførelsen af Fællesskabets politiker (f.eks. forskning og udvikling, forbrugerbeskyttelse, informationssamfundet, konkurrenceevne og innovation). Det vil være nødvendigt i forbindelse med hvert program at beslutte, om midlerne til finansieringen af ovennævnte bør komme fra naboskabspartnerlandene selv (som med medlemmer af Det Europæiske Økonomiske Samarbejdsområde) eller fra EU's budget (enten fra det relevante programs interne ressourcer, når dette er fastsat i retsgrundlaget, eller via midler, der er afsat hertil under naboskabs- og partnerskabsinstrumentet).

Kommissionen har iværksat en omfattende gennemgang af de eksisterende agenturer og programmer for at vurdere mulighederne for at gøre fremskridt på disse områder. På grundlag heraf fremsættes der i denne meddelelse forslag om to forskellige strategier, den ene for deltagelse i Fællesskabets agenturer og den anden for deltagelse i Fællesskabets programmer.

For så vidt angår den første vil det være nødvendigt at forhandle om individuelle aftaler mellem hvert naboskabspartnerland og hvert agentur. For så vidt angår sidstnævnte og for at undgå den besværlige procedure med at udarbejde et hav af samarbejdsråds- eller associeringsafgørelser, hvori de nærmere tekniske betingelser for hvert lands deltagelse i hvert program i hvert enkelt tilfælde fastsættes, planlægges der i stedet for i denne meddelelse en totrins strategi, der er inspireret af erfaringerne med førtiltrædelseslandene. Første trin er, at Kommissionen søger om mandat til at forhandle om en generel protokol til hver partnerskabs- og samarbejdsaftale eller associeringsaftale, idet der begyndes med de naboskabspartnerlande, med hvilke der allerede er indgået aftaler om handlingsplaner. Når protokollerne er blevet ratificeret, udgør de et sundt retsgrundlag for en langt enklere procedure med programspecifikke aftalememoranda med naboskabspartnerlandene, hvori de nærmere detaljer vedrørende deltagelse i programmer, der er i begge parters interesse, fastsættes. Det vil stadig være muligt at tage stilling i enkeltsager, men det vil blive forbeholdt prioriterede tilfælde.

Kommissionen har til hensigt at fremsætte henstillinger til specifikke mandater vedrørende supplerende protokoller til partnerskabs- og samarbejdsaftalerne eller associeringsaftalerne i foråret 2007.

Baggrund

I strategidokumentet om EU's naboskabspolitik af 12. maj 2004[1] blev det klart fastsat, at det politiske mål er at sætte de 16 naboskabspartnerlande (Algeriet, Armenien, Aserbajdsjan, Belarus, Egypten, Georgien, Libanon, Libyen, Israel, Jordan, Moldova, Marokko, Syrien, Den Palæstinensiske Myndighed, Tunesien og Ukraine) i stand til at deltage i relevante fællesskabsprogrammer. Det blev endvidere anført, at Kommissionen var "i gang med at undersøge, hvilke programmer nabolandene kan deltage i i deres egen og det udvidede EU's interesse". Det blev forklaret, at "EU's naboskabspolitik tilsigter en gradvis åbning af adgangen til forskellige fællesskabsprogrammer, hvor dette er i fælles interesse og ressourcerne tillader det", og at "flere lande har vist interesse i at deltage, eventuelt med observatørstatus, i forskellige regelformulerende og samarbejdsbaserede EF-fora". Rådet vedtog denne strategi den 14. juni 2004.

De handlingsplaner i forbindelse med EU's naboskabspolitik, der hidtil er indgået aftaler om, og som er trådt i kraft med ti naboskabspartnerlande (Armenien, Aserbajdsjan, Georgien, Israel, Jordan, Moldova, Marokko, Den Palæstinensiske Myndighed, Tunesien og Ukraine), eller som er ved at blive vedtaget (Egypten og Libanon) indeholder standardformuleringer, der indebærer, at EU's naboskabspolitik åbner op for nye partnerskabsperspektiver, herunder mulighederne for en gradvis åbning af eller et styrket samarbejde i forbindelse med relevante fællesskabsprogrammer. En af handlingsplanerne indeholder også en særlig formulering, der forpligter Det Europæiske Fællesskab til at foretage en overordnet undersøgelse af alle fællesskabsprogrammer og –organer med henblik på at åbne dem for deltagelse af naboskabspartnerlande.

Det konkrete valg af specifikke programmer og agenturer, som hver enkelt partner kan deltage i, afhænger af, om Det Europæiske Fællesskab, naboskabspartnerlandene og de respektive agenturer har sammenfaldende interesser, og af resultatet af program-, agentur- og landespecifikke forhandlinger.

Denne meddelelse indeholder kortfattede oplysninger om de agenturer og programmer, som naboskabspartnerlandene eventuelt kan deltage i, og har til formål at fastsætte en generel strategi for at nå ovennævnte politiske mål.

Begrundelse

Naboskabspartnerlandenes deltagelse i Fællesskabets agenturer og –programmer giver store muligheder for yderligere at styrke EU's naboskabspolitik.

Visse agenturer kan selv være interesseret i naboskabspartnerlandenes ekspertise, mens EU's mål om at fremme og støtte lovgivningsmæssige og administrative reformer og opbygning af institutioner i nabolande via naboskabspolitiken for andre agenturer først og fremmest vil være i Fællesskabets interesse. Det forhold, at forudsætningerne for at deltage i fællesskabsagenturernes aktiviteter – f.eks. tilnærmelse til fællesskabsretten eller oprettelse af relevante nationale institutioner med tilstrækkelig kapacitet – vil i mange tilfælde fungere som en katalysator og bane vejen for reform og modernisering i relevante sektorer. Det vil ofte også udgøre et effektivt middel til at fremme konvergensen mellem naboskabspartnerlandenes og EU's normer, standarder, bedste praksis og retlige krav. Strategien indeholder således automatisk positive betingelser. Naboskabspartnerlandenes deltagelse er i overensstemmelse med naboskabspolitikkens mål om at udbrede EU's interne politikker for at fremme velfærden, stabiliteten og sikkerheden i nabolandene.

Visse fællesskabsprogrammer, hvis retsgrundlag tillader det, er allerede blevet åbnet selektivt for kandidatlande og førkandidatlande samt EØS-lande og Schweiz. Tidligere erfaringer med ikke-medlemsstater har vist, at det kan have meget positive virkninger at deltage i fællesskabprogrammer. Politisk og lovgivningsmæssigt har en sådan deltagelse været med til at fremme udviklingen og vedtagelsen af strategier på en lang række politikområder i tilknytning til reform og overgangen til demokrati. Det har fået partnerlande til at vedtage nye former for høring og inddragelse af den private sektor. Det har givet beslutningstagere i tredjelande større adgang til specialiserede netværker og vist dem de praktiske aspekter af beslutningsprocessen i EU. I visse tilfælde har det ført til, at der er oprettet nye institutioner og i andre til en styrkelse af eksisterende institutioners administrative kapacitet og retlige beføjelser. Det har været afgørende i forbindelse med overførsel af bedste praksis. Derudover har deltagelsen gjort EU mere synlig i tredjelande.

Retlige forudsætninger

Forordningerne om oprettelse af agenturerne (deres vedtægt) har ofte givet mulighed for deltagelse af tredjelande.

Retsgrundlaget for fællesskabsprogrammer giver mulighed for deltagelse af tredjelande (dvs. indeholder en "åbningsbestemmelse").

Derudover er det nødvendigt med bindende aftaler i henhold til international ret, hvori de generelle betingelser for naboskabspartnerlandes deltagelse fastsættes.

Deltagelse i Det Europæiske Fællesskabs agenturer

Det Europæiske Fællesskab og Den Europæiske Union har med retshjemmel i forskellige bestemmelser under den første søjle hidtil oprettet 21 ikke-forvaltende agenturer på forskellige kompetenceområder. Der er ved at blive oprettet tre mere. Agenturerne finansieres over Fællesskabets budget. Nogle af dem er selvfinansierede. Tre andre agenturer har retshjemmel i bestemmelser under den anden søjle og kontrolleres af Rådet; deres budget finansieres udelukkende via nationale bidrag fra EU-landene. Endnu tre andre agenturer har hjemmel i bestemmelser under den tredje søjle. Alt i alt er der 30 forskellige organer og agenturer (se bilag A).

Et europæisk reguleringsorgan kan defineres som en uafhængig retlig enhed oprettet af lovgiveren for at hjælpe med til at regulere en særlig sektor på EU-plan og gennemføre en særlig fællesskabspolitik. Reguleringsorganet hjælper ved udførelsen af sine opgaver med at forbedre den måde, hvorpå regler anvendes i EU.

I mange tilfælde indeholder de forordninger, hvorved de oprettes, en standardbestemmelse om, at "organet er åbent for deltagelse af tredjelande, som har indgået aftaler med Det Europæiske Fællesskab, ifølge hvilke de pågældende lande vedtager og anvender fællesskabsretten på de områder, der er omfattet af basisretsakten. Inden for rammerne af disse aftaler udarbejdes der specifikke ordninger, der bl.a. præciserer arten af og de nærmere betingelser for disse landes deltagelse i organets arbejde, herunder bestemmelser vedrørende deltagelsen i visse interne organer, de finansielle bidrag og ansættelse af personale[2]". Det indebærer dog altid deltagelse uden stemmeret i de beslutningstagende organer. Deltagelse i et agenturs aktiviteter vil heller ikke automatisk føre til medlemskab af agenturet.

Da EU-lovgiveren opretter hvert agentur via den respektive afledte ret, hvorved der fastsættes særlige bestemmelser for hvert agentur, har lovgiveren fastsat forskellige betingelser for tredjelandes deltagelse afhængig af, i hvilken sektor agenturet er aktivt (se bilag B).

Fastlæggelse af en politik om deltagelse af naboskabspartnerlande

Det vil være nødvendigt at indkredse og forhandle om konkrete ordninger for deltagelse af individuelle naboskabspartnerlande i specifikke agenturer under afvejning af Fællesskabets og det enkelte partnerlands interesser. Det vil være nødvendigt gradvist og selektivt at medtage naboskabspartnerlande i de agenturer, hvori de vil kunne deltage, under hensyn til de gensidige fordele heraf samt forudsætningerne for at deltage i agenturernes aktiviteter. En forudsætning, der skal tages hensyn til, er et agenturs absorptionsevne. Kommissionen vil intensivere kontakten med alle naboskabspartnerlande for at vurdere deres muligheder for selektivt at deltage i fællesskabsagenturer, idet der tages udgangspunkt i, hvor højt hvert partnerland prioriterer det pågældende område og dets langsigtede engagement til understøttelse af deltagelsen. Ved hjælp af den regelmæssige dialog i forskellige organer, der er oprettet i medfør af partnerskabs- og samarbejdsaftaler eller associeringsaftaler (dvs. samarbejds- og associeringsråd, -udvalg og -underudvalg), vil naboskabspartnerlandene blive opfordret til at indkredse og redegøre for de områder, de har en konkret interesse i, og deres evne til at deltage i arbejdet i fællesskabsagenturer.

Parallelt med forberedelsen af de formelle aftaler, der vil gøre det muligt for naboskabspartnerlande at deltage i fællesskabsagenturer, kan det også være nødvendigt at udforske og fremme andre veje til gradvist at intensivere agenturernes tekniske samarbejde med nabolande og forberede deres eventuelle deltagelse. Det vil kræve, at de respektive agenturers bestyrelse behørigt involveres.

Uanset resultatet af de mere konkrete høringer vurderer Kommissionen, at følgende aktiviteter i fællesskabsagenturerne er de umiddelbart mest relevante for naboskabspartnerlande:

- Deltagelse i Det Europæiske Agentur for Net- og Informationssikkerhed (ENISA) vil gøre det nødvendigt at vedtage og anvende fællesskabsretten på området net- og informationssikkerhed, men alle interesserede naboskabspartnerlande vil kunne deltage. Naboskabspartnerlande, der har undertegnet Chicago-konventionen[3] og accepteret at vedtage og anvende fællesskabsretten på det pågældende område, kan deltage i Det Europæiske Luftfartssikkerhedsagentur (EASA). De tredjelande, der har indgået en sektoraftale med Det Europæiske Fællesskab, kan få særlig status som observatør i EASA. Nogle af disse tredjelande er allerede delvist involveret i samarbejdet som medlemmer af JAA (de fælles luftfartsmyndigheder), da EASA har været medlem af JAA siden 2003. Derudover kan europæiske naboskabspartnerlande, der ikke er medlemmer af JAA, og ikke-europæiske lande samarbejde med EASA via arbejdsordninger, der har form af administrative ordninger, og der er indgået aftale om mellem deres civile luftfartsmyndigheder og EASA, for at sikre mere effektive kontrolprocedurer og lette certificeringen af flymateriel. Desuden kan naboskabspartnerlande, der har en væsentlig produktion af flymateriel, indgå aftaler om gensidig anerkendelse med Det Europæiske Fællesskab om de respektive resultater af deres certificering og således nyde godt af en høj grad af retligt og administrativt samarbejde med EASA. Under forudsætning af at naboskabspartnerlande har indgået aftaler med Fællesskabet om vedtagelse og anvendelse af fællesskabsretten, kan der fastsættes bestemmelser om, at de deltager i Det Europæiske Agentur for Søfartssikkerhed (EMSA) og i Det Europæiske Jernbaneagentur (ERA). Naboskabspartnerlande kan ligeledes deltage i Den Europæiske Fødevaresikkerhedsautoritet på betingelse af, at de vedtager og anvender EU-retten i forbindelse med fødevare- og fodersikkerhed[4]. Det Europæiske Miljøagentur (EEA) – et fællesskabsagentur, der nu med Schweiz’ tiltrædelse har 32 medlemmer – er på nuværende tidspunkt ved at undersøge mulighederne for, at udvalgte naboskabspartnerlande kan deltage i visse af agenturets aktiviteter. Det prioriterer allerede samarbejdet med partnerlande i forbindelse med de regionale samarbejdsprocesser (f.eks. den UNECE-ledede "Miljø for Europa"-proces, miljørelaterede aktiviteter i forbindelse med Euro-Middelhavs-partnerskabet eller Sortehavskommissionen).

- På nuværende tidspunkt kan naboskabspartnerlande ikke deltage i visse fællesskabsagenturer, der støtter EU-medlemsstater i forbindelse med anvendelse af visse interne fællesskabspolitikker, f.eks. Det Europæiske Center for Udvikling af Erhvervsuddannelse (Cedefop), Kontoret for Harmonisering i Det Indre Marked (OHIM) og EF-Sortsmyndigheden.

Hovedformålet med andre agenturer er netop samarbejde med tredjelande, herunder partnerlande i EU's naboskabspolitik, således som det er tilfældet med Det Europæiske Erhvervsuddannelsesinstitut. Da naboskabspartnerlande er disse agenturers modpart, kan de ikke deltage i dem som observatører eller lignende.

Visse andre agenturer planlægger på nuværende tidspunkt kun at samarbejde selektivt med tredjelande som eksterne partnere i forbindelse med specifikke aktiviteter. De nærmere forhold omkring dette samarbejde besluttes af det relevante agenturs bestyrelse. Det forekommer f.eks. ønskeligt og muligt at lade naboskabspartnerlande deltage på ad hoc-basis i forskellige aktiviteter, f.eks. ekspertudvalg, seminarer og undersøgelser, i Det Europæiske Institut til Forbedring af Leve- og Arbejdsvilkårene (Eurofound). Der kan også forudses deltagelse i informationsaktiviteter i og nationale informationsnetværker under Det Europæiske Arbejdsmiljøagentur (EU-OSHA). Når agenturer som Det Europæiske Center for Forebyggelse af og Kontrol med Sygdomme (ECDC), der nu uformelt samarbejder med naboskabspartnerlande om udvalgte områder såsom fugleinfluenza, har afsluttet deres nuværende startfase, vil de være i stand til at tilbyde langt mere vidtrækkende deltagelse af naboskabspartnerlande. I henhold til forordningen om oprettelse af EF-Fiskerikontrolagenturet (CFCA) kan dette agentur samarbejde med tredjelande om fiskerikontrol og -inspektion.

Situationen med hensyn til partnerlandenes[5] deltagelse varierer således fra agentur til agentur.

Der vil i en række tilfælde være brug for at gå gradvist frem og begynde med at iværksætte samarbejdsprogrammer, således at naboskabspartnerlandene bliver fortrolige med agenturernes arbejde. Formålet hermed er at gennemføre de nødvendige forberedende foranstaltninger, hvor naboskabspartnerlandene skal vedtage fællesskabsretten og øge deres administrative kapacitet, når dette er en forudgående betingelse for deltagelse. Først derefter vil det på basis af erfaringerne fra samarbejdsprogrammerne være hensigtsmæssigt at se nærmere på, om der bør indgås en aftale om at deltage i de forskellige agenturers arbejde.

Selv om Den Europæiske Politienhed (Europol), Den Europæiske Enhed for Retligt Samarbejde (Eurojust) og Det Europæiske Agentur for Forvaltning af det Operative Samarbejde ved EU-medlemsstaternes Ydre Grænser (Frontex) tilbyder interessante muligheder for samarbejde med partnerlande i EU's naboskabspolitik, er de ikke åbne for medlemskab. Der er indgået samarbejdsaftaler med en række tredjelande, herunder Den Russiske Føderation, mens der med andre som f.eks. USA og Kroatien er indgået operationelle aftaler. Ved valget af partnerlande tages der hensyn til såvel prioriteringerne i forbindelse med EU's politik for forbindelser udadtil som prioriteringerne på grundlag af de operationelle behov.

Deltagelse i Det Europæiske Fællesskabs programmer

Kommissionen forvalter en række sektorspecifikke fællesskabsprogrammer (f.eks. Aeneas, Tempus og Eramus Mundus), der er specielt udformet med henblik på at støtte tredjelande, navnlig naboskabspartnerlande. Disse eksterne programmer er ikke omfattet af denne meddelelse.

Heri henvises der udelukkende til interne fællesskabsprogrammer, der blev oprettet til gavn for EU-medlemsstaterne og til støtte for Det Europæiske Fællesskabs interne politikker. Programmerne indgår som et integreret sæt foranstaltninger, som Det Europæiske Fællesskab har vedtaget med henblik på at fremme samarbejdet mellem dets medlemsstater på forskellige specifikke områder og over en årrække at nå de mål, Fællesskabet har sat sig. Principielt er de udformet udelukkende for medlemsstaterne på grundlag af specifikke bevillinger på EU's almindelige budget. Forordningerne om programmerne tillader imidlertid i mange tilfælde, at tredjelande deltager, forudsat at de opfylder visse betingelser. Afhængig af emnet har visse interne programmer desuden en ekstern dimension.

EU-institutionerne er på nuværende tidspunkt ved at etablere nye fællesskabsprogrammer, der skal finansieres via de finansielle overslag for 2007-2013. Programmerne er delvis anført i Kommissionens meddelelse af 22. maj 2006[6], hvori der gives et resumé af en pakke af forslag til retsakter, der er fremsat med henblik på vedtagelse. Meddelelsen indeholder imidlertid ikke forslag til retsakter, der først blev opnået politisk enighed om efter 17. maj 2006. Der fås først lidt efter lidt et mere fuldstændigt billede af situationen, da lovgivningsproceduren vedrørende en række af disse programmer stadig pågår. Det er derfor kun muligt at udforme en foreløbig liste over de respektive retsgrundlag (bilag C), som stadig kan ændre sig.

I mange tilfælde vil disse nye fællesskabsprogrammer erstatte igangværende programmer, der udløber ved udgangen af 2006. I denne meddelelse vil der derfor kun blive fokuseret på programmer, der har virkning efter udgangen af året.

I mange retsgrundlag fastsættes det, at programmet er åbent for deltagelse af tredjelande, hvis der på grundlag af aftaler gives mulighed herfor. I nogle af disse "åbningsbestemmelser" fastsættes det specifikt, at tredjelande kan deltage (navnlig lande, der er omfattet af EU's naboskabspolitik) i overensstemmelse med betingelserne i de respektive aftaler om de generelle principper for deres deltagelse i fællesskabsprogrammer.

De eksisterende partnerskabs- og samarbejdsaftaler eller associeringsaftaler med naboskabspartnerlande indeholder ingen bestemmelser vedrørende fællesskabsprogrammer. Det synes derfor nødvendigt at indgå protokoller til disse aftaler i overensstemmelse med navnlig artikel 300 i traktaten om oprettelse af Det Europæiske Fællesskab og under henvisning til det interne retsgrundlag for de forskellige fællesskabsprogrammer. Protokollerne skal indeholde rammeaftaler med de generelle betingelser for naboskabspartnerlandenes deltagelse og tjene som grundlag for aftalememoranda, hvoraf de specifikke tekniske, finansielle og administrative ordninger for individuelle naboskabspartnerlandes deltagelse i specifikke programmer klart skal fremgå.

Fastlæggelse af en ensartet politik for inddragelse af naboskabspartnerlande

Naboskabspartnerlandenes deltagelse i de forskellige fællesskabsprogrammer vil være af varierende interesse og nytte for landene og Fællesskabet. En lille undersøgelse af politikområderne viser følgende:

- Rammeprogrammet for konkurrenceevne og innovation sammen med iværksætter- og innovationsprogrammet herunder udgør en markant ændring i støtten til iværksætteraktiviteter i Det Europæiske Fællesskab. Det vil være muligt for naboskabspartnerlande at deltage via bilaterale aftaler.

- Når forvaltningen af det nye supplerende underprogram til programmet "Intelligent Energi – Europa" er konsolideret, er der også mulighed for deltagelse heri via specifikke aftaler.

- Det samme gælder for det tredje element i rammeprogrammet for konkurrenceevne og innovation, nemlig støtteprogrammet for IKT-politik.

- De europæiske naboskabspartnerlande, der har ratificeret Europarådets konvention om grænseoverskridende fjernsyn, kan på forskellig vis blive involveret i Media 2007-programmet. En generel forudsætning for deltagelse i programmet er, at naboskabspartnerlandenes relevante lovgivning på medieområdet og i den audiovisuelle sektor er forenelig med fællesskabsretten, herunder dens eksterne dimension (f.eks. ratificeringen af UNESCO-konventionen om kulturel mangfoldighed). I forbindelse med alle former for deltagelse kræves der supplerende bevillinger og specifikke ordninger, der skal aftales, samt en aftale om deltagerlandets finansielle bidrag.

- Marco Polo-programmet om transport giver mulighed for, at nabolande kan deltage på grundlag af supplerende bevillinger i overensstemmelse med de procedurer, der skal aftales med de respektive lande.

- Det er ønskeligt, at naboskabspartnerlandene involveres mest muligt i SESAR-programmet, der udgør den teknologiske del af det fælles europæiske luftrum. Når tredjelande undertegner en generel aftale om luftfart – følgende naboskabspartnerlande har undertegnet eller er ved at undertegne en sådan: Aserbajdsjan, Georgien, Libanon, Moldova, Marokko og Ukraine – er de berettiget til at blive medlemmer af det fælles SESAR-foretagende.

- I folkesundhedsprogrammet for 2007-2013 kalkuleres der med eventuel deltagelse af tredjelande, navnlig naboskabspartnerlande.

- De samme gælder for det forbrugerpolitiske program for 2007-2013. Det vil være nødvendigt på grundlag af de fremskridt naboskabspartnerlandene gør for så vidt angår tilnærmelse til fællesskabsretten på dette område at afgøre, hvordan de specifikt kan deltage.

- I Kommissionens forslag vedrørende programmerne Told 2013 og Fiscalis 2013 er det fastsat, at de naboskabspartnerlande, der har nået en tilstrækkelig grad af tilnærmelse af deres relevante lovgivning og administrative metoder til fællesskabsretten og Fællesskabets metoder, kan deltage via indgåelse af rammeaftaler, forudat at der er indgået en rammeaftale herom.

- I Fællesskabets Pericles-program for udveksling, bistand og uddannelse med henblik på beskyttelse af euroen mod forfalskning fastsættes det, at det skal være åbent for ikke-medlemsstater i det omfang, der er disponible bevillinger hertil på Fællesskabets budget, og på en række betingelser samt i overensstemmelse med ordninger, der skal aftales med landene.

- I IDABC-programmet (interoperabel levering af paneuropæiske e-forvaltningstjenester til offentlige myndigheder, virksomheder og borgere) er der fastsat bestemmelser om internationalt samarbejde med tredjelande, herunder naboskabspartnerlande i overensstemmelse med bestemmelserne i artikel 14, stk. 2, i afgørelse 2004/387/EF om vedtagelse af dette program, uden at det påvirker andre bestemmelser i afgørelsen. Omkostningerne i forbindelse med tredjelandes deltagelse dækkes ikke af programmet.

Ud over disse strengt interne programmer, der på visse betingelser er åbne for deltagelse af naboskabspartnerlande, er visse fællesskabsprogrammer allerede udformet således, at de muliggør specifikke former for deltagelse af naboskabspartnerlande. De giver bestemte muligheder for at inddrage enkeltpersoner og organer fra naboskabspartnerlandene, uden at det kræves, at de generelle betingelser herfor fastsættes i rammeaftaler, der vedtages i protokoller til associerings- eller partnerskabs- og samarbejdsaftalerne:

- I det syvende rammeprogram for forskning er der allerede givet mulighed for finansiering til organisationer i naboskabspartnerlande.

- I programmet vedrørende livslang læring gives der mulighed for finansiering til partnere fra tredjelande, der deltager i et partnerskab, et projekt eller netværksforanstaltninger, med op til 1 % af programmets budget.

- Kulturprogrammet til fremme af kulturelt samarbejde mellem skabende kunstnere og kulturaktører og –institutioner er via supplerende bevillinger og specifikke procedurer åbent for samarbejde med (og ikke deltagelse af) tredjelande, der har indgået associerings- eller samarbejdsaftaler med Det Europæiske Fællesskab (f.eks. naboskabspartnerlande), der indeholder bestemmelser på kulturområdet.

- I programmet "Aktive unge" for perioden 2007-2013 er det fastsat, at der kan indledes samarbejde med tredjelande, der har undertegnet aftaler med Det Europæiske Fællesskab på ungdomsområdet (såkaldte "partnerlande"). Samarbejdsbetingelserne tillader således, at der inddrages deltagere fra naboskabspartnerlande i de fleste af de aktiviteter, der støttes via programmet.

- Hercule II-programmet tillader, at der afsættes midler til beskyttelse af Fællesskabets interesser i forbindelse med naboskabspartnerlandes deltagelse.

- I forbindelse med projekter under forskellige programmer på området retfærdighed, frihed og sikkerhed, der finansieres via rammeprogrammet om grundlæggende rettigheder og retfærdighed, er det muligt at associere tredjelande som f.eks. naboskabspartnerlande, hvis inddragelsen af disse lande tjener til at nå programmernes mål. Rammeprogrammet om sikkerhed og beskyttelse af frihedsrettigheder tillader også tredjelande at deltage i individuelle projekter.

- Herudover kan visse foranstaltninger uden for Det Europæiske Fællesskabs område finansieres af Den Europæiske Fond for Regionaludvikling (EFRU) inden for rammerne af det tværnationale eller interregionale samarbejde på tværs af grænserne.

Endelig er der visse fællesskabsprogrammer, der ikke synes egnet til, at naboskabspartnerlande deltager, f.eks. programmet "Europa for borgerne", der er med til at fremme et aktivt EU-borgerskab. Andre programmer såsom "eContent plus", "Safer Internet Plus" eller "Solidaritet og forvaltning af migrationsstrømme" er ikke åbne for nogen form for deltagelse af eller samarbejde med naboskabspartnerlandene. Det gælder også for fællesskabsprogrammet vedrørende beskæftigelse og social solidaritet (Progress), der sigter mod at støtte gennemførelsen af EU's mål på beskæftigelsesområdet og det sociale område som fastsat på den social- og arbejdsmarkedspolitiske dagsorden.

Metode

Den metode, der tillader naboskabspartnerlandes deltagelse varierer afhængig af de enkelte fællesskabsagenturer og -programmer.

Naboskabspartnerlandenes deltagelse i agenturer kræver, at der for hver enkelt land og agentur individuelt og særskilt udarbejdes bilaterale aftaler. Aftaler af denne art vil vedrøre spørgsmål såsom opfyldelse af de retslige eller administrative forudsætninger for deltagelse (f.eks. fuld tilpasning til fællesskabsretten), agenturernes tjenestemænds privilegier og immuniteter under tjenesterejser til naboskabspartnerlandene, arbejdstilladelser og socialsikringsbestemmelser samt andre spørgsmål om status i forbindelse med naboskabslandenes borgeres deltagelse i arbejdet i agenturerne, delegation af suveræne rettigheder i tilknytning til de respektive agenturer, agenturernes ret til at anvende fællesskabsretten i forbindelse med deres relationer med naboskabspartnerlande og bestemmelser vedrørende finanskontrol.

For så vidt angår fællesskabsprogrammer foreslår Kommissionen alt andet lige at følge den allerede fastlagte praksis i forbindelse med kandidat- og førkandidatlande[7] (den såkaldte "rammetilgang", der har været anvendt siden 2002). Denne metode omfatter to hovedfaser:

I retsgrundlaget for de relevante programmer opstilles der hyppigt betingelser for tredjelandes deltagelse, der skal fastlægges gennem aftaler mellem Fællesskabet og de respektive lande. På nuværende tidspunkt er partnerskabs- og samarbejdsaftalerne eller associeringsaftaler med alle naboskabspartnerlande på nær tre trådt i kraft (partnerskabs- og samarbejdsaftalen med Belarus er på nuværende tidspunkt sat i bero, associeringsaftalen med Syrien er endnu ikke undertegnet, og der er endnu ikke blevet forhandlet om en associeringsaftale med Libyen), men de indeholder ikke bestemmelser med henblik herpå. Det er derfor ønskeligt, at der med hver enkelt naboskabspartnerland udarbejdes en supplerende protokol vedrørende en rammeaftale[8], der skal indeholde de generelle principper for deltagelse, således at det kan deltage i de programmer, hvis retsgrundlag indeholder bestemmelser om, at de kan åbnes for deltagelse af naboskabspartnerlande (se bilag C).

Det forekommer hensigtsmæssigt at indlede forhandlingerne om sådanne protokoller med de naboskabspartnerlande, med hvilke der er indgået handlingsplaner. Da Algeriets associeringsaftale trådte i kraft i september 2005, kan der også indgås en protokol med landet, der gør det muligt at forhandle om aftalememoranda, når der er opnået enighed om handlingsplanen for dette land.

I protokollerne skal det også fastsættes, at der skal fastlægges mere detaljerede betingelser for deltagelse i de specifikke aftalememoranda for hvert program, idet der skal tages behørigt hensyn til den konkrete interesse på begge sider i deltagelsen. Der skal bl.a. fastsættes bestemmelser for deltagelsen, navnlig den krævede administrative kapacitet og det finansielle bidrag, mekanismerne for deltagelse i forvaltningen af programmet og bestemmelser om finanskontrol.

"Rammetilgangen" har den fordel, at det kun kræves, at en enkelt protokol for hvert naboskabspartnerland ratificeres; i den fastsættes en rammeaftale, der åbner op for indgåelse af programspecifikke aftalememoranda. Denne metode gør det muligt for Kommissionen, der handler på vegne af Fællesskabet, at udarbejde eller senere ændre de tekniske og administrative betingelser for de enkelte naboskabspartnerlandes deltagelse i specifikke programmer uden en besværlig procedure, der involverer samarbejds- og associeringsrådene i disse tekniske detaljer. Denne generelle strategi skal i prioriterede tilfælde af klar interesse, imidlertid ikke forhindre de kompetente organer i at træffe individuelle beslutninger, der gør det muligt for et bestemt naboskabspartnerland at deltage i et specifikt program, navnlig når der ikke findes en protokol.

Aftalememorandaene, der forhandles mellem Kommissionen og naboskabspartnerlandet, skal have samme standardformat som dem, der er udarbejdet i forbindelse med kandidatlande og potentielle kandidatlande. I forbindelse med de programmer, der forvaltes af forvaltende organer på Fællesskabets vegne (dele af CIP samt programmerne Marco Polo, intelligent energi, folkesundhed og Media), vil det være nødvendigt fuldt ud at inddrage dem i forhandlingerne.

Finansielle bidrag og fællesskabsbistand

Naboskabspartnerlande, der er interesseret i at deltage i fællesskabsagenturer og -programmer vil blive anmodet om at bidrage finansielt. Da det er nødvendigt at beregne deres finansielle bidrag ud fra de særlige karakteristika for hvert enkelt agentur eller program, er det umuligt på forhånd at fastlægge dem. Kriterierne for beregning af deltagerbidraget varierer fra agentur til agentur og fra program til program. I nogle tilfælde afhænger de af en BNP-baseret formel, i andre af agenturernes og programmernes opgaver. Beregningerne kan også påvirkes af karakteristika for de enkelte naboskabspartnerlande. Generelt vil erfaringerne med kandidatlande give visse retningslinjer for fastsættelse af de bidrag, der kan forventes af naboskabspartnerlandene.

Som nævnt ovenfor har fællesskabsprogrammer, der er oprettet med henblik på interne formål, kun sjældent et budget, der kan anvendes til at støtte samarbejde med tredjelande.

Som det er tilfældet med fællesskabsprogrammerne finansieres Fællesskabets agenturer som regel med midler fra interne budgetposter. Som følge heraf er det nødvendigt at få dækket ikke-medlemsstaters deltagelse i agenturer enten helt over Fællesskabets budget eller gennem samarbejdsprogrammer, der finansieres med fællesskabsbistand fra det europæiske naboskabs- og partnerskabsinstrument (ENPI) eller andre donorer.

Derudover er der på nuværende tidspunkt ikke som i forbindelse med kandidat- og førkandidatlandene planlagt generel støtte til naboskabspartnerlandenes deltagelse, da EU's naboskabspolitik er forskellig fra EU's udvidelsespolitik. EU's naboskabspolitik har dog til formål at støtte modernisering og reformprocesser, navnlig modernisering af institutionerne og kapacitetsopbygning i naboskabspartnerlandene.

En sådan støtte kan i hvert enkelt tilfælde således medtages som en del af den regelmæssige nationale programmering af fællesskabsstøtten fra det europæiske naboskabs- og partnerskabsinstrument. Denne støtte, der kan begrænses til et aftalt, på forhånd fastsat tidsrum, har til formål at gøre det lettere for et land, der nyder godt af naboskabs- og partnerskabsinstrumentet, at deltage i specifikke programmer og agenturer eller at hjælpe det med at forberede dets deltagelse ved at støtte opbygningen af administrativ kapacitet eller tilpasningen til fællesskabsretten og Fællesskabets politikker og bedste praksis. Støtten kan også være nyttig for at hjælpe modtagerlandene med fuldt ud at udnytte de muligheder, programmerne giver.

Rapportering

Kommissionen vil regelmæssigt rapportere til Rådet og Europa-Parlamentet om, hvor langt man er nået med gennemførelsen af EU's naboskabspolitik og med at fremme og gennemføre individuelle handlingsplaner i naboskabspartnerlandene. Rapporterne vil også indeholde oplysninger om deltagelse i agenturer og programmer. Kommissionen vil fremlægge den første statusrapport samtidig med denne meddelelse.

Næste skridt

En række naboskabspartnerlande har allerede givet udtryk for deres interesse i at deltage i udvalgte agenturer og programmer. De henviser desuden til forskellige handlingsplaner for naboskabspartnerlande, der forpligter begge sider til at udnytte mulighederne for deltagelse i agenturer og programmer.

Da det går fremad med vedtagelsen af retsgrundlaget for de forskellige fællesskabsprogrammer, der træder i kraft i forbindelse med de finansielle overslag for 2007-2013, er følgende forudsætninger opfyldt:

1. For så vidt angår fællesskabsagenturerne og –programmerne: et generelt tilsagn om inden for rammerne af EU's naboskabspolitik at åbne dem for deltagelse af naboskabspartnerlande.

2. For så vidt angår agenturer og programmer: specifikke naboskabspartnerlandes tilkendegivelse af deres interesse i at deltage i disses aktiviteter.

3. For så vidt angår programmer: afgørelser om oprettelse af fællesskabsprogrammer inden for rammerne af de finansielle overslag for 2007-2013 samt muligheden for at åbne disse for deltagelse af naboskabspartnerlande.

4. For så vidt angår iværksættelse af forhandlinger om de konkrete betingelser for landenes deltagelse, indgåelse af handlingsplaner med snart 12 ud af 16 naboskabspartnerlande og ikrafttrædelsen af associeringsaftalen med Algeriet.

På grundlag heraf forekommer det nu hensigtsmæssigt at indlede høringer:

(1) for selektivt og gradvis at enes om udvikling af individuelle naboskabspartnerlandes deltagelse i særlige fællesskabsagenturers arbejde og aktiviteter på grundlag af en konstateret fælles interesse og om opfyldelse af forudsætningerne herfor

(2) for at enes om en række protokoller i tilknytning til de relevante partnerskabs- og samarbejdsaftaler eller associeringsaftaler, hvori der fastsættes rammeaftaler med de 13 naboskabspartnerlande om deres deltagelse i fællesskabsprogrammer

(3) for at indlede tekniske høringer med henblik på at udforme detaljerede aftalememoranda på grundlag af rammeaftalerne, hvori de tekniske detaljer for landenes deltagelse i individuelle programmer fastsættes.

Kommissionens regelmæssige kontakter med de respektive naboskabspartnerlande, særlig inden for rammerne af samarbejds- og associeringsudvalgene samt de specifikke underudvalg, der oprettes i medfør af disse aftaler, baner vejen for at indlede målrettede tekniske høringer for at indkredse den konkrete gensidige interesse i landenes deltagelse og derefter fastsætte omfanget heraf og betingelserne herfor. Det kan også gøres ved hjælp af sektoraftaler på de relevante områder.

Konklusioner

Kommissionen opfordrer Rådet til at støtte den strategi, der beskrives i denne meddelelse, og at udarbejde en række konklusioner om gennemførelsen af dette aspekt af EU's naboskabspolitik.

På grundlag heraf har Kommissionen til hensigt at fremsætte henstillinger om bemyndigelse til at indlede forhandlinger med naboskabspartnerlande om udarbejdelse af nævnte protokoller.

Annex A

List of EC and EU agencies (non-executive, regulatory)

Community agencies (1st pillar) | Seats | Founding acts |

1 | CEDEFOP* (European Centre for the Development of Vocational Training) * Centre européen pour le Développement de la Formation Professionnelle | Thessalonica/GR | Regulation (EEC) No 337/75 of the Council of 10 February 1975 establishing a European Centre for the Development of Vocational Training, OJ L 39, 13.2.1975, p. 1 |

2 | EUROFOUND (European Foundation for the Improvement of Living and Working Conditions) | Dublin/IE | Regulation (EEC) No 1365/75 of the Council of 26 May 1975 on the creation of a European Foundation for the improvement of living and working conditions, OJ L 139, 30.5.1975, p. 1 |

3 | EEA (European Environment Agency) | Copenhagen/DK | Council Regulation (EEC) No 1210/90 of 7 May 1990 on the establishment of the European Environment Agency and the European Environment Information and Observation Network, OJ L 120, 11.5.1990, p. 1 |

4 | ETF (European Training Foundation) | Turin/IT | Council Regulation (EEC) No 1360/90 of 7 May 1990 establishing a European Training Foundation, OJ L 13, 23.5.1990, p. 1 |

5 | EMCDDA (European Monitoring Centre for Drugs and Drug Addiction) | Lisbon/PT | Council Regulation (EEC) No 302/93 of 8 February 1993 on the establishment of a European Monitoring Centre for Drugs and Drug Addiction, OJ L 36, 8.2.1993, p. 1 Note: In July 2006, a political agreement was reached between the European Parliament and the Council on a recast of the EMCDDA regulation. This recast is expected to enter into force still in 2006 and will replace Council Regulation (EEC) No 302/93. |

6 | EMEA (European Agency for the Evaluation of Medicinal Products) | London/GB | Council Regulation (EEC) No 2309/93 of 22 July 1993 laying down Community procedures for the authorisation and supervision of medicinal products for human and veterinary use and establishing a European Agency for the Evaluation of Medicinal Products, OJ L 214, 24.8.1993, p. 1 |

7 | OHIM (Office for Harmonisation in the Internal Market) | Alicante/ES | Council Regulation (EC) No 40/94 of 20 December 1993 on the Community trade mark (See Art. 2), OJ L 11, 14.1.1994, p. 1 |

8 | OSHA (European Agency for Safety and Health at Work) | Bilbao/ES | Council Regulation (EC) No 2062/94 of 18 July 1994 establishing a European Agency for Safety and Health at Work, OJ L 216, 20.8.1994, p. 1 |

9 | CPVO (Community Plant Variety Office) | Angers/FR | Council Regulation (EC) No 2100/94 of 27 July 1994 on Community plant variety rights (see Art. 4), OJ L 227, 1.9.1994, p. 1 |

10 | CdT* (Translation Centre for the bodies of the EU) * Centre de traduction des organes de l’UE | Luxembourg/LU | Council Regulation (EC) No 2965/94 of 28 November 1994 setting up a Translation Centre for bodies of the European Union, OJ L 314, 7.12.1994, p. 1 |

11 | EUMC (European Monitoring Centre on Racism and Xenophobia) | Vienna/AT | Council Regulation (EC) No 1035/97 of 2 June 1997 establishing a European Monitoring Centre on Racism and Xenophobia, OJ L 151, 10.6.1997, p. 1. Due to be replaced by a European Agency for Fundamental Rights (see infra, proposed EC agencies, No 3) |

12 | EAR (European Agency for Reconstruction) | Thessalonica/GR | Council Regulation (EC) No 2454/1999 of 15 November 1999 amending Regulation (EC) No 1628/96 relating to aid for Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia and the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, in particular by the setting up of a European Agency for Reconstruction, OJ L 299, 20.11.1999, p. 1 |

13 | EFSA (European Food Safety Authority) | Parma/IT | Regulation (EC) No 178/2002 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 28 January 2002 laying down the general principles and requirements of food law, establishing the European Food Safety Authority and laying down procedures in matters of food safety, OJ L 31, 1.2.2002, p. 1 |

14 | EMSA (European Maritime Safety Agency) | Lisbon/PT | Regulation (EC) No 1406/2002 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 27 June 2002 establishing a European Maritime Safety Agency, OJ L 208, 5.8.2002, p. 1 |

15 | EASA (European Aviation Safety Agency) | Cologne/DE | Regulation (EC) No 1592/2002 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 15 July 2002 on common rules in the field of civil aviation and establishing a European Aviation Safety Agency, OJ L 240, 7.9.2002, p. 1 |

16 | ENISA (European Network and Information Security Agency) | Heraklion/GR | Regulation (EC) No 460/2004 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 10 March 2004 establishing the European Network and Information Security Agency, OJ L 77, 13.3.2004, p. 1 |

17 | ECDC (European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control) | Stockholm/SE | Regulation (EC) No 851/2004 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 21 April 2004 establishing a European Centre for disease prevention and control, OJ L 142, 30.4.2004, p. 1 |

18 | ERA (European Railway Agency) | Lille-Valenciennes/FR | Regulation (EC) No 881/2004 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 29 April 2004 establishing a European railway agency (Agency Regulation), OJ L 164, 30.4.2004, p. 1 |

19 | European GNSS Supervisory Authority (GALILEO) | Not decided | Council Regulation (EC) No 1321/2004 of 12 July 2004 on the establishment of structures for the management of the European satellite radio-navigation programmes (see Art. 1), OJ L 246, 20.7.2004, p. 1 |

20 | FRONTEX* (European Agency for the Management of Operational Cooperation at the External Borders of the Member States of the EU) * Frontières Extérieures | Warsaw/PL | Council Regulation (EC) No 2007/2004 of 26 October 2004 establishing a European Agency for the Management of Operational Cooperation at the External Borders of the Member States of the European Union, OJ L 349, 25.1.2004, p. 1 |

21 | CFCA (Community Fisheries Control Agency) | Vigo/ES | Council Regulation (EC) No 768/2005 of 26 April 2005 establishing a Community Fisheries Control Agency and amending Regulation (EEC) No 2847/93 establishing a control system applicable to the common fisheries policy, OJ L 128, 21.5.2005, p. 1 |

Community agencies proposed/under inter-institutional negotiation (1st pillar) | Seats | Commission proposals |

1 | ECA (European Chemicals Agency) | Helsinki/FI | COM(2003) 644, 29.10.2003: Proposal for a Regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council concerning the Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation and Restriction of Chemicals (REACH), establishing a European Chemicals Agency and amending Directive 1999/45/EC and Regulation (EC) on Persistent Organic Pollutants, not published in OJ |

2 | European Gender Institute | Not decided | COM(2005) 81, 8.3.2004: Proposal for a Regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council establishing a European Institute for Gender Equality, not published in OJ |

3 | EFRA (European Union Agency for Fundamental Rights) | Vienna/AT | COM(2005) 280, 30.6.2005: Proposal for a Council Regulation establishing a European Union Agency for Fundamental Rights, not published in OJ |

EU agencies (2nd and 3rd pillars) | Seats | Founding acts |

1 | ISS (European Institute for Security Studies) | Paris/FR | Council Joint Action of 20 July 2001 on the establishment of a European Union Institute for Security Studies, OJ L 200, 25.7.2001, p. 1 |

2 | EUSC (European Union Satellite Centre) | Torrejón de Ardoz/ES | Council Joint Action of 20 July 2001 on the establishment of a European Union Satellite Centre, OJ L 200, 25.7.2001, p. 5 |

3 | EDA (European Defence Agency) | Brussels/BE | Council Joint Action 2004/551/CFSP of 12 July 2004 on the establishment of the European Defence Agency, OJ L 245, 17.7.2004, p. 17 |

4 | EUROPOL (European Police Office) | The Hague/NL | Council Act of 26 July 1995 drawing up the Convention on the establishment of a European Police Office (Europol Convention), OJ C 316, 27.11.1995, p. 1. |

5 | EUROJUST (The European Union’s Judicial Cooperation Unit) | The Hague/NL | Council Decision 2002/187/JHA of 28 February 2002 setting up Eurojust with a view to reinforcing the fight against serious crime, OJ L 63, 6.3.2002, p. 1 |

6 | CEPOL* (European Police College) * Collège européen de police | Bramshill//UK | Council Decision 2005/681/JHA of 20 September 2005 establishing the European Police College (CEPOL) and repealing Decision 2000/820/JHA, OJ L 256, 1.10.2005, p. 63 |

Annex B

List of Agencies – “openness” to ENP partners

Agency | Seat | Potentially open to ENP partners | Relevant legal provisions |

CEDEFOP (European Centre for the Development of Vocational Training) | Thessalonica | No | Regulation (EEC) No 2337/75 of 10 February 1975 |

EUROFOUND (European Foundation for the Improvement of Living and Working Conditions) | Dublin | Yes | Regulation (EEC) No 1365/75 of 26 May 1975, Article 3(2): The Foundation shall cooperate as closely as possible with specialised institutes, foundations and bodies in the Member States or at international level. |

EEA (European Environment Agency) | Copenhagen | Yes | Regulation (EEC) No 1210/90 of 7 May 1990 Preamble: Whereas it is desirable to provide for the Agency to be open to other countries which share the concern of the Community and the Member States for the objectives of the Agency under agreements to be concluded between them and the Community; Article 2: For the purposes of achieving its objective, the tasks of the Agency shall be: (v) to promote the incorporation of European environmental information into international environment monitoring programmes such as those established by the United Nations and its specialised agencies; (vi) to ensure the broad dissemination of reliable environmental information. Article 19: The Agency is open to countries which are not members of the European Communities but which share the concerns of the Communities and the Member States for the objectives of the Agency under agreements concluded between them and the Community following the procedure in Article 228 of the Treaty. Article 20: No later than two years after the entry into force of this Regulation, the Council shall decide on further tasks for the Agency in particular in the following areas: ... promoting environmentally friendly technologies and processes and their use and transfer within the Community and in third countries. |

ETF (European Training Foundation) | Turin | No | Regulation (EEC) No 1360/90 of 7 May 1990, Article 16 - Participation of third countries: 1. The Foundation shall be open to the participation of countries which are not members of the European Community and which share the commitment of the Community and the Member States to the provision of aid in the training field to the eligible countries defined in Article 1. Note: As ENP partner countries are beneficiaries of the ETF, this provision does not apply to them. |

EMCDDA (European Monitoring Centre for Drugs and Drug Addiction) | Lisbon | Yes | Regulation (EEC) No 302/93 of 8 February 1993, Article 13 - Non-Community countries: 1. The Centre shall be open to the participation of those non-Community countries which share the Community's interests and those of its Member States in the Centre's objectives and work, on the basis of agreements entered into between them and the Community on the basis of Article 235 of the Treaty. 2. The management board may take a decision on the involvement of experts proposed by non-Community countries in the ad hoc working parties provided for in Article 2(2), subject to an undertaking from the interested parties to observe the rules referred to in Article 6. Note: In July 2006, a political agreement was reached between the European Parliament and the Council on a recast of the EMCDDA regulation. This recast is expected to enter into force still in 2006 and will replace Regulation (EEC) No 302/93. The relevant article will then read: Article 21 - Participation of third countries - The Centre shall be open to the participation of any third country that shares the interest of the Community and of its Member States in the Centre's objectives and work, on the basis of agreements entered into between such third countries and the Community on the basis of Article 300 of the Treaty. |

EMEA (European Agency for the Evaluation of Medicinal Products) | London | No | Regulation (EEC) No 2309/93 of 22 July 1993 |

OHIM (Office for Harmonisation in the Internal Market) | Alicante | No | Regulation (EC) No 40/94 of 20 December 1993 Regulation (EC) No 6/2002 of 12 December 2001 |

EU-OSHA (European Agency for Safety and Health at Work) | Bilbao | Yes | Regulation (EC) No 2062/94 of 18 July 1994, Article 9 - Observers: The Administrative Board may, after consulting the Commission, invite representatives of non-member countries, of Community institutions and bodies and of international organisations as observers. |

CPVO (Community Plant Variety Office) | Angers | No | Regulation (EC) No 2100/94 of 27 July 1994 |

CDT (Translation Centre for the bodies of the EU) | Luxembourg | No | Regulation (EC) No 2965/94 of 28 November 1994 |

EUMC (European Monitoring Centre on Racism and Xenophobia) | Vienna | Yes | Regulation (EC) No 1035/97 of 2 June 1997 Article 4 - European Racism and Xenophobia Information Network (Raxen): 3. The Centre may also enter into contractual relations, on an ad hoc basis and for specific tasks, with bodies that are not part of Raxen. Article 7 - Cooperation with national and international organisations: 1. To help it carry out its tasks, the Centre shall cooperate with organisations in the Member States or international, governmental or non-governmental organisations competent in the field of racist and xenophobic phenomena. 3.Should agreements with other international organisations or with third countries prove necessary for the Centre to carry out its tasks efficiently, the Community shall, following the same procedure as mentioned above, enter into such agreements, on behalf of the Centre. |

EAR (European Agency for Reconstruction) | Thessalonica | No | Regulation (EC) No 2454/1999 of 15 November 1999 |

EFSA (European Food Safety Authority) | Parma | Yes | Regulation (EC) No 178/2002 of 28 January 2002 Article 49 - Participation of third countries: The Authority shall be open to the participation of countries, which have concluded agreements with the European Community by virtue of which they have adopted and apply Community legislation in the field covered by this Regulation. Arrangements shall be made under the relevant provisions of those agreements, specifying in particular the nature, extent and manner in which these countries will participate in the Authority's work, including provisions related to participation in the networks operated by the Authority, inclusion in the list of competent organisations to which certain tasks may be entrusted by the Authority, financial contributions and staff. Article 50 - Rapid alert system: 6. Participation in the rapid alert system may be opened up to applicant countries, third countries or international organisations, on the basis of agreements between the Community and those countries or international organisations, in accordance with the procedures defined in those agreements. The latter shall be based on reciprocity and shall include confidentiality measures equivalent to those applicable in the Community. |

EMSA (European Maritime Safety Agency) | Lisbon | Yes | Regulation (EC) No 1406/2002 of 27 June 2002, Article 17 - Participation of third countries: 1. The Agency shall be open to the participation of third countries, which have entered into agreements with the European Community, whereby they have adopted and are applying Community law in the field of maritime safety and prevention of pollution by ships. 2. Under the relevant provisions of these agreements, arrangements will be developed which shall, inter alia, specify the nature and the extent of the detailed rules for the participation of these countries in the work of the Agency, including provisions on financial contributions and staff. |

EASA (European Aviation Safety Agency) | Cologne | Yes | Regulation (EC) No 1592/2002 of 15 July 2002, Article 18(2) - International relations: The Agency may cooperate with the aeronautical authorities of third countries and the international organisations competent in matters covered by this Regulation in the framework of working arrangements concluded with those bodies, in accordance with relevant provisions of the Treaty. The Regulation differentiates between “participation” and “cooperation”: Participation in EASA: Article 55 is relevant only for Ukraine and potentially, Moldova, Georgia, Armenia, and Azerbaijan (JAA membership required) Cooperation with EASA: Articles 9 and 18 relevant for all ENP partners save for the Palestinian Authority which is not a Contracting Party to the Chicago Convention. |

ENISA (European Network and Information Security Agency) | Heraklion | Yes | Regulation (EC) No 460/2004 of 10 March 2004, Article 24 - Participation of third countries: 1. The Agency shall be open to the participation of countries, which have concluded agreements with the European Community by virtue of which they have adopted and applied Community legislation in the field covered by this Regulation. 2. Arrangements shall be made under the relevant provisions of those arrangements, specifying in particular the nature, extent and manner in which these countries will participate in the Agency's work, including provisions related to participation in initiatives undertaken by the Agency, financial contributions and staff. |

ECDC (European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control) | Stockholm | Yes | Regulation (EC) No 851/2004 of 21 April 2004, Article 30 - Participation of third countries: 1. The Centre shall be open to the participation of countries, which have concluded agreements with the Community by virtue of which they have adopted and apply legislation of equivalent effect to Community legislation in the field covered by this Regulation. 2. Arrangements shall be made under the relevant provisions of those agreements, specifying in particular the nature, extent and manner in which those countries are to participate in the Centre's work, including provisions relating to participation in the networks operated by the Centre, inclusion in the list of competent organisations to which certain tasks may be entrusted by the Centre, financial contributions and staff. |

ERA (European Railway Agency) | Lille-Valenciennes | Yes (European partners) | Regulation (EC) No 881/2004 of 29 April 2004, Article 36 - Participation by third countries: 1. The Agency shall be open to participation by European countries which have concluded agreements with the Community, whereby the countries concerned have adopted and are applying Community legislation in the field covered by this Regulation. 2. In accordance with the relevant provisions of the above-mentioned agreements, arrangements shall be made which shall specify the detailed rules for participation by these countries in the work of the Agency, in particular the nature and extent of such participation. These arrangements shall include, inter alia, provisions on financial contributions and staff. They may provide for representation, without vote, on the Administrative Board. |

FRONTEX (European Agency for the Management of Operational Cooperation at the External Borders of the Member States of the EU) | Warsaw | Yes | Regulation (EC) No 2007/2004 of 26 October 2004, Article 14 - Facilitation of operational cooperation with third countries and cooperation with competent authorities of third countries: In matters covered by its activities and to the extent required for the fulfilment of its tasks, the Agency shall facilitate the operational cooperation between Member States and third countries, in the framework of the European Union external relations policy. The Agency may cooperate with the authorities of third countries competent in matters covered by this Regulation in the framework of working arrangements concluded with these authorities, in accordance with the relevant provisions of the Treaty. |

GALILEO-European GNSS Supervisory Authority | to be determined | Yes | Regulation (EC) No 1321/2004 of 12 July 2004, Article 21 - Participation of third countries: 1. The Authority shall be open to the participation of third countries, which have entered into agreements with the European Community to this effect. 2. Under the relevant provisions of these agreements, arrangements shall be developed specifying, in particular, the nature, extent and manner in which these countries will participate in the work of the Authority, including provisions relating to participation in the initiatives undertaken by the Authority, financial contributions and staff. 3. The participation of any third country in the Authority shall be submitted for approval to the Council. |

CFCA (Community Fisheries Control Agency) | Vigo | Yes (cooperation as described in Article 4) | Council Regulation (EC) No 768/2005 of 26 April 2005 Article 4 with provisions on tasks relating to the international obligations of the Community relating to control and inspections allows the Agency, at the request of the Commission, to assist the Community and Member States in their relations with third countries and regional international fisheries organisations of which the Community is a member. The Agency may, at the request of the Commission, cooperate with the competent authorities of third countries in matters relating to control and inspection in the framework of agreements concluded between the Community and such countries. The Agency may, with its field of competence, carry out on behalf of Member States tasks under international fisheries agreements to which the Community is party. |

EU 2st and 3rd pillar agencies |

ISS (European Institute for Security Studies) | Paris | Yes | Council Joint Action of 20 July 2001, Article 17 - Visiting researchers: Visiting researchers may for limited time periods be seconded to the Institute by Member States and Third States, after agreement by the Director, to participate in the activities of the Institute in accordance with Article 2. |

EUSC (European Union Satellite Centre) | Torrejón de Ardoz | Yes (limited eligibility) | Council Joint Action of 20 July 2001, Article 21 - Association of third States: Non-EU European NATO members and other States which are candidates for accession to the EU shall be entitled to be involved in the Centre's activities in accordance with the Provisions set out in the Annex. |

EDA (European Defence Agency) | Brussels | Yes | Council Joint Action 2004/551/CSFP of 12 July 2004, Article 23 - Participation of third parties: 1. Third parties may contribute to a particular ad hoc project or programme, established in accordance with Articles 20 or 21, and to the budget associated with it. The Steering Board shall, acting by qualified majority, approve as necessary ad hoc arrangements between the Agency and third parties for each particular project or programme. 2. For projects established under Article 20, the contributing Member States meeting with the Steering Board shall approve any necessary modalities with the relevant third parties relating to their contribution. 3. For projects established under Article 21, the contributing Member States shall decide any necessary modalities with the relevant third parties relating to their contribution. 4. Where the Community contributes to an ad hoc project or programme, the Commission shall participate in the decisions referred to in paragraphs 2 and 3. |

EUROPOL (European Police Office) | The Hague | Yes | Council Act of 26 July 1995 drawing up the Convention on the establishment of a European Police Office (Europol Convention); Council Act of 3 November 1998 laying down rules governing Europol's external relations with third States and third bodies |

EUROJUST (The European Union’s Judicial Cooperation Unit) | The Hague | Yes | Council Decision of 28 February 2002 Setting up Eurojust |

CEPOL (European Police College) | Bramshill | Yes | Council Decision of 22 December 2000 establishing a European Police College, and Council Decision 2005/681/JHA of 20 September 2005- Article 8 paragraph 2 & 3: CEPOL may co-operate with national training institutes of non-MS of the EU, [...] The Governing Board may authorise the Director of CEPOL to negotiate co-operation agreements with [...] the above-mentioned bodies. Such co-operation agreements may be concluded only with the authorisation of the Governing Board. And [...] those with bodies of non-MS can only be concluded after the approval of the Council has been obtained. |

Community agencies proposed or under inter-institutional negotiation |

ECA (European Chemicals Agency) | Helsinki | Commission proposal COM(2003) 644 |

European Gender Institute | to be determined |

EFRA (European Union Agency for Fundamental Rights) | Vienna | Commission proposal COM(2005) 280 |

Annex C

List on the potential for ENP partners to participate in Community programmes

Policy area | Title | Provisions for opening up to ENP countries | Possibilities for participation of/cooperation with ENP partners |

Financial control | HERCULE II | Yes | Proposal for a Decision of the European Parliament and the Council for the amendment and extension of Decision 804/2004/EC on the Hercule programme The Hercule programme finances actions aimed at improving the protection of the Community’s financial interests. It finances training, seminars, dissemination of best practices, associations involved in protection of the EC’s financial interests, etc. The programme provides that, in order to promote activities combating fraud and any other illegal activities detrimental to the Community’s interests outside the territory of the European Union, including the fight against cigarette smuggling and counterfeiting, expenditure relating to the participation of certain other third countries and the countries covered by the European Neighbourhood Policy is also considered eligible. |

Pericles | Yes | Proposal for a Council Decision amending and extending Decision 2001/923/EC establishing an exchange, assistance and training programme for the protection of the Euro against counterfeiting (the “Pericles” programme) Pericles, the Community programme for exchange, assistance and training in the protection of the Euro against counterfeiting, is designed to support and supplement the measures undertaken by the Member States and in existing programmes to protect the Euro against counterfeiting. Such measures include information exchange (seminars, workshops, meetings and conferences), placements and exchanges of staff, as well as technical, scientific and operational back-up. The proposal for extension covers the period 2007-2013. Projects under the programme may emanate from the Member States’ competent authorities or from the Commission. In addition, the programme foresees that it shall, if necessary, be open to non-member countries in so far as appropriations are available in the Community budget, under conditions and in accordance with arrangements to be agreed with those countries. |

Trade-related, market and regulatory reform, innovation | Customs 2013, Fiscalis 2013 | Yes | Commission proposals on the Community programmes Customs 2013 and Fiscalis 2013 - COM(2006) 201 and 202 The objectives of these two programmes include: Customs 2013: to improve cooperation between the customs authorities of the Community and third countries, in particular the partner countries of the European Neighbourhood Policy Fiscalis 2013: to improve cooperation with the tax authorities of third countries, in particular the partner countries of the European Neighbourhood Policy. Respective Articles 3(3): The programme may also be open to the participation of certain partner countries of the European Neighbourhood Policy if these countries have reached a sufficient level of approximation of the relevant legislation and administrative methods to those of the Community and in accordance with provisions to be determined with those countries following the establishment of framework agreements concerning their participation in Community programmes. |

Competitiveness and Innovation Framework Programme | Yes | Proposal establishing a Competitiveness and Innovation Framework Programme - COM(2005) 121 The Framework Programme shall have the following objectives: (a) to foster the competitiveness of enterprises and in particular SMEs; (b) to promote innovation including eco-innovation. The objectives of the Framework Programme shall be pursued through the implementation of the following specific programmes established in Title II, hereinafter “the specific programmes”: (a) the Entrepreneurship and Innovation programme; (b) … Article 4: The Framework Programme shall be open to the participation of: (d) other third countries, when agreements so allow. |

Employment | Community Programme for Employment and Social Solidarity - PROGRESS | No | Decision No …/2006/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 24 October 2006 establishing a Community Programme for Employment and Social Solidarity - Progress Article 16: only open to EFTA/EEA countries, candidate countries and western Balkan countries included in the stabilisation and association process |

Consumer protection | Programme of Community Action in the field of Consumer Policy | Yes | Proposal establishing a Programme of Community Action in the field of Consumer Policy 2007-2013 - COM(2006) 235 The objective of the programme is to complement and support policies of the Member States in this field. Article 10: The programme shall be open to the participation of third countries, in particular countries covered by the European Neighbourhood Policy, in accordance with conditions laid down in the respective bilateral or multilateral agreements establishing the general principles for their participation in Community programmes. |

Agriculture and fisheries | European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development | No | Proposal on support for rural development by the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development - COM(2005) 490 |

Common Agricultural Policy | No | Proposal on the financing of the Common Agricultural Policy - COM(2005)489 |

European Fisheries Fund | No | Proposal on the European Fisheries Fund - COM(2005 )497 |

Common Fisheries Policy, Law of the Sea | No | Proposal establishing Community financial measures for the implementation of the Common Fisheries Policy and in the area of the Law of the Sea |

Justice, freedom and security | Fundamental Rights and Justice | Yes (only as associate in individual projects) | Communication and legislative proposals establishing for the period 2007-2013 a Framework Programme on Fundamental Rights and Justice - COM(2005) 122 The programme comprises five specific programmes covering the following fields: Fight against violence (Daphne) Drugs prevention and information Fundamental rights and citizenship Criminal justice Civil justice Projects may associate candidate countries not participating in this programme where this would contribute to their preparation for accession, or other third countries not participating in this programme where this serves the objectives of the projects. |

Solidarity and the Management of Migration Flows | No | Communication and legislative proposals establishing a Framework Programme for Solidarity and the Management of Migration Flows for the period 2007-2013 - COM(2005) 123 |

Security and Safeguarding Liberties | Yes (only as partner in individual projects) | Communication and legislative proposals establishing a Framework Programme on Security and Safeguarding Liberties for the period 2007-2013 - COM(2005) 124 The programme addresses two challenges: Prevention, preparedness and consequence management of terrorism Prevention of and fight against crime As regards trans-national projects, third countries and international organisations may participate as partners but are not permitted to submit projects. |

Transport | Marco Polo | Yes | Proposal establishing a second “Marco Polo” programme for granting Community financial assistance to improve the environmental performance of freight transport systems (“Marco Polo II”) - COM(2004) 478 The Marco Polo programme supports actions in the freight transport, logistics and other relevant markets. These actions should contribute to maintaining the distribution of freight between the various modes of transport at 1998 levels by helping to shift the expected aggregate increase in international road freight traffic to short sea shipping, rail and inland waterways or to a combination of modes of transport in which road journeys are as short as possible. Among the funding criteria the proposals mention “European dimension – undertakings”: An action must be submitted by at least two independent undertakings established on the territories of two different Member States, or on the territories of one Member State and a close third country. |

TEN financing (transport) | No | Proposal determining the general rules for the granting of Community financial aid in the field of Trans-European Transport and Energy Networks and amending Council Regulation (EC) No 2236/95 - COM(2005) 475 The focus of this proposal is on funding internal EC infrastructure. It will therefore not be open to third countries. However, the High Level Group dealing with TEN issues is preparing a report on extending major Trans-European Transport Axes to the ENP partner countries and neighbouring regions. |

GALILEO programme | Yes | Proposal on the implementation of the deployment and commercial operating phases of the European Programme on Satellite Radio Navigation - COM(2005) 477 The Galileo Joint Undertaking is open to the participation of ENP partners and other third countries (for instance, Matimop of Israel is a member of the Galileo Joint Undertaking). |

SESAR programme and Joint Undertaking | Yes | Proposal for a Council Regulation establishing the SESAR Joint Undertaking - COM(2005) 602 SESAR aims at developing a new generation air traffic management system. The Joint Undertaking will have two founding members: the European Community, represented by the Commission, and Eurocontrol. Participation will also be open to any other private or public entity, including third countries. A third country can become a member if that country has, at least, signed a horizontal agreement in the field of air transport. To date, Azerbaijan, Georgia, Lebanon, Moldova, Morocco, and Ukraine have either already signed or are in the process of signing such agreements. |

Energy | TEN financing (energy) | No | Proposal determining the general rules for the granting of Community financial aid in the field of Trans-European Transport and Energy Networks and amending Council Regulation (EC) No 2236/95 - COM(2005) 475 Due to its focus on internal EC energy networks, no third party participation is envisaged. However, the Commission proposal includes the notion that studies may be supported on the basis of a project as a whole, including its elements outside the territory of the EC. |

Intelligent Energy-Europe programme | Yes | Proposal establishing a Competitiveness and Innovation Framework Programme - COM(2005) 121 The Framework Programme shall have the following objectives: (d) to promote energy efficiency and new and renewable energy sources in all sectors including transport. The objectives of the Framework Programme shall be pursued through the implementation of the following specific programmes established in Title II, hereinafter “the specific programmes”: (c) the Intelligent Energy-Europe programme Article 4: The Framework Programme shall be open to the participation of: (d) other third countries, when agreements so allow. |

Information society | ICT Policy Support programme | Yes | Proposal establishing a Competitiveness and Innovation Framework Programme - COM(2005) 121 The Framework Programme shall have the following objectives: (c) to accelerate the development of a competitive, innovative and inclusive information society. The objectives of the Framework Programme shall be pursued through the implementation of the following specific programmes established in Title II, hereinafter “the specific programmes”: (b) the ICT Policy Support programme. Article 4: The Framework Programme shall be open to the participation of: (d) other third countries, when agreements so allow. |

Interoperable Delivery of European eGovernment services to Administrations, Businesses and Citizens (IDABC programme) | Yes (co-operation) | Decision 2004/387/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 21 April 2004 on interoperable delivery of pan-European eGovernment services to public administrations, businesses and citizens (IDABC) The objective of the IDABC programme is to identify, support and promote the development and establishment of pan-European eGovernment services and the underlying interoperable telematic networks supporting the Member States and the Community in the implementation, within their respective areas of competence, of Community policies and activities, achieving substantial benefits for public administrations, businesses and citizens. Article 14(2) Cooperation with other third countries, in implementing projects of common interest and horizontal measures, shall be encouraged, notably with public administrations in Mediterranean countries, the Balkans and eastern European countries. Particular attention shall also be given to international cooperation in support of development and economic cooperation. Related costs shall not be covered by the IDABC programme. A bilateral agreement, such as a memorandum of understanding, would be necessary to ensure participation of ENP partner countries in the IDABC programme. Following this agreement, the ENP partners can participate in projects of common interest and make use of horizontal measures. |

LIFE + | No | Proposal concerning the Financial Instrument for the Environment (LIFE+) - COM(2004) 621 The objective is to provide a more streamlined and simplified instrument for environment protection. LIFE+ aims to contribute to the development, implementation, monitoring, evaluation and communication of Community environment policy and legislation as a contribution to promoting sustainable development in the EU. Third country participation is possible for EFTA, candidate as well as Suth-East European pre-candidate countries, only. |

Crisis response | Rapid Response | Yes | Proposal establishing a Rapid Response and Preparedness Instrument for major emergencies - COM(2005) 113 The proposal aims to provide a new legal basis for granting Community assistance to civil protection actions in the contexts of preparedness and rapid response. It will supplement the efforts of Member States to protect people, the environment and property by contributing to the effectiveness of systems for responding to major emergencies and the public health effects arising from such emergencies. In principle, as regards funding, the proposed instrument applies to activities within the EU (leaving external crisis response activities of the Community Civil Protection Mechanism to be covered by the Stability Instrument). Article 8: States which are not Member States of the European Union may participate in this Instrument where agreements and procedures so allow. |

European Union Solidarity Fund | No | Proposal establishing the European Union Solidarity Fund - COM(2005) 108 The proposal is based on the current EU Solidarity Fund Regulation for providing post-disaster assistance in the aftermath of major crises. The proposal enlarges its scope to cover not only such events resulting from natural disasters but also to include industrial/technological disasters, public health threats and acts of terrorism. Article 1: The scope of participants is limited to Member States and countries negotiating their accession to the EU. |

People-to-people issues | Public Health | Yes | Proposal establishing a Programme of Community Action in the field of Health 2007-2013 - COM(2006) 234 The programme shall complement, support and add value to the policies of the Member States and shall contribute to protecting and promoting human health and safety and improving public health. The Commission proposes that the programme be open to third countries, in particular countries in the European neighbourhood in accordance with conditions laid down in the respective bilateral or multilateral agreements establishing the general principles for their participation in Community programmes. |

Lifelong Learning | No | Decision No …/2006/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 15 November 2006 establishing an action programme in the field of lifelong learning This programme aims to foster interchange, cooperation and mobility between education and training systems within the Community so that they become a world quality reference. Article 7(2): Key activity 1 of the Jean Monnet Programme referred to in Article 3(3)(a) shall also be open to higher education institutions in any other third country. Article 8: Under the Lifelong Learning Programme, and in accordance with Article 9, the Commission may cooperate with third countries and with the competent international organisations, in particular the Council of Europe, the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) and the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO). Article 14(2): Up to 1% of the allocations under the Lifelong Learning Programme may be used to support the participation in partnership, project and network actions under the Lifelong Learning Programme of partners from third countries which do not participate in the Lifelong Learning Programme under the provisions of Article 7. |

Culture | No (only cooperation) | Proposal establishing the Culture 2007 programme (2007-2013) - COM(2004) 469 The programme aims to enhance the cultural area common to Europeans through the development of cultural cooperation between creative artists, cultural players and cultural institutions of the countries taking part in the programme, through inter alia trans-national mobility, circulation of works and cultural and artistic products and inter-cultural dialogue. Article 5(2): The programme shall also be open to cooperation with other third countries which have concluded Association and Cooperation Agreements with the European Community which include cultural clauses, on the basis of supplementary appropriations and specific procedures to be laid down. Special actions: Support may also be given in this context to cooperation with third countries and international organisations, as set out in Articles 5(2) and 6 of the Decision. |

European Audiovisual Sector (MEDIA 2007) | Yes (subject to conditions) | Proposal concerning the implementation of a programme of support for the European audiovisual sector (MEDIA 2007) - COM(2004) 470 The global objectives of the programme are to preserve and enhance European cultural diversity and its cinematographic and audiovisual heritage and promote inter-cultural dialogue, increase the circulation of European audiovisual works inside and outside the European Union and strengthen the competitiveness of the European audiovisual sector. Article 8(2): The programme is also open to the participation of States which are parties to the Council of Europe Convention on Trans-frontier Television …, assuming that supplementary appropriations are received in compliance with the conditions to be agreed upon between the parties concerned. Article 8(3): Opening up of the programme to European third countries covered by paragraphs 1 and 2 may be subject to prior examination of the compatibility of their national legislation with Community legislation, including Article 6(1)(5) of Directive 89/552/EEC, as amended by Directive 97/36/EC. This provision does not apply to actions under Article 3. Article 8(4): The programme is also open to cooperation with other third countries which have concluded Association and Cooperation Agreements with the European Union incorporating clauses on the audiovisual sector and on the basis of supplementary appropriations and specific arrangements to be agreed upon (comment: at present none of the Partnership and Cooperation Agreements between the EU and the European ENP countries). Further comment: for southern Mediterranean ENP partners, participation in the (external) Euro-Med Audiovisual programme is better tailored to their needs. |

Youth in Action | No (only cooperation) | Decision No…/2006/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 15 November 2006 establishing the “Youth in Action programme” for the period 2007-2013 The general objectives of the programme are to promote young people’s active citizenship, to develop solidarity and promote tolerance among young people, to foster mutual understanding between young people in different countries, to contribute to developing the quality of support systems for youth activities and the capabilities of civil society organisations as well as to promote European cooperation in the youth field. Article 5(2): The actions in points 2[9] and 3[10] of the Annex shall be open to cooperation with third countries that have signed agreements with the Community relevant to the youth field, hereinafter referred to as “partner countries”. This cooperation shall be based, where relevant, on additional appropriations from partner countries to be made available in accordance with procedures to be agreed with these countries.[11] |

Europe for Citizens | No | Proposal creating the Citizens for Europe Programme for the period 2007-2013 - COM(2005) 116 Article 5: open only to EFTA/EEA countries; candidate countries benefiting from a pre-accession strategy, in accordance with the general principles and the general terms and conditions laid down in the framework agreements concluded with these countries for their participation in Community Programmes, and the countries of the Western Balkans, in accordance with the arrangements to be established with these countries under the framework agreements on the general principles for their participation in Community programmes. |

Research and development | Research | - | Communication from the Commission on Science and technology, the key to Europe’s future – Guidelines for future European Union policy to support research - COM(2004 )353 Only Communication setting out guidelines; no legislative proposal. |

Knowledge for Growth | - | Communication on building the European Research Area (ERA) of knowledge for growth - COM(2005) 118 Only Communication; no legislative proposal. |

Seventh Framework Programme for Research | Yes | Proposals concerning the Seventh Framework Programme of the European Community for research, technological development and demonstration activities (2007-2013) and of the European Atomic Energy Community (Euratom) for nuclear research and training activities (2007–2011) - COM(2005) 119 The Framework Programme provides for third country participation. |

Regional policy | European Regional Development Fund | Yes | Regulation (EC) No 1080/2006 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 5 July 2006 on the European Regional Development Fund and repealing Regulation (EC) No 1783/1999 Article 21(3): In the context of cross-border, trans-national and interregional cooperation, the ERDF may finance expenditure incurred in implementing operations or parts of operations on the territory of countries outside the European Community up to a limit of 10% of the amount of its contribution to the operational programme concerned, where they are for the benefit of the regions of the Community. |

[1] Meddelelse KOM(2004) 373 endelig.

[2] Denne standardbestemmelse findes også i artikel 24 i Kommissionens forslag til interinstitutionel aftale om rammer for europæiske reguleringsorganer, meddelelse af 25.2.2005, KOM(2005) 59 endelig.

[3] Konventionen af 7.12.1944 angående international civil luftfart (Chicago-konventionen).

[4] 375 direktiver om fødevare- og fodersikkerhed, 95 direktiver om dyrevelfærd, 84 direktiver om plantesundhed samt ca. 400 forordninger og adskillige afgørelser, beslutninger og henstillinger.

[5] Udtrykket "partnerlande" i denne meddelelse omfatter også Den Palæstinensiske Myndighed.

[6] SEK(2006) 665.

[7] Se f.eks. meddelelse fra Kommissionen til Rådet og Europa-Parlamentet af 3.12.2003 - Forberedelse af de vestlige Balkanlandes deltagelse i Fællesskabets programmer og agenturer, KOM(2003) 748 endelig.

[8] Eksempler på sådanne rammeaftaler og protokoller til stabiliserings- og associeringsaftalerne med visse vestlige Balkanlande kan ses i EUT L 192 af 22.7.2005.

[9] Action 2 is European Voluntary Service.

[10] Point 3, entitled “Youth of the world”, covers cooperation with the neighbouring countries of the enlarged Europe (ENP countries) and other third countries.

[11] Comment: A special scheme has been introduced for the Mediterranean countries – the Euro-Med Youth programme: projects submitted by EU organisations are funded by the programme budget (including ENP costs), whereas projects submitted by organisations from ENP countries are funded from external support instruments.