Protocol No 6

on special provisions for Objective 6 in the framework of the Structural Funds in Finland, Norway and Sweden

THE HIGH CONTRACTING PARTIES,

Having regard to requests by Finland, Norway and Sweden for special Structural Fund support for their least densely populated regions,

Whereas the Union has proposed a new complementary priority Objective 6,

Whereas this transitional arrangement will also be re-evaluated and revised simultaneously with the main framework Regulation (EEC) No 2081/93 on structural instruments and policies in 1999,

Whereas the criteria and the list of regions eligible for this new Objective have to be decided upon,

Whereas additional resources will be made available for this new Objective,

Whereas the procedures applying to this new Objective have to be defined,

HAVE AGREED AS FOLLOWS:

Article 1

Until 31 December 1999, the Structural Funds, the Financial Instrument for Fisheries Guidance (FIFG) and the European Investment Bank (EIB) shall each contribute in an appropriate fashion to a further priority Objective in addition to the five referred to in Article 1 of Council Regulation (EEC) No 2052/88, as amended by Council Regulation (EEC) No 2081/93, which Objective shall be:

- to promote the development and structural adjustment of regions with an extremely low population density (hereinafter referred to as 'Objective 6`).

Article 2

Areas covered by Objective 6 shall in principle represent or belong to regions at NUTS level II with a population density of 8 persons per km2 or less. In addition, Community assistance may, subject to the requirement of concentration, also extend to adjacent and contiguous smaller areas fulfilling the same population density criterion.

Such regions and areas, referred to in this Protocol as 'regions` covered by Objective 6, are listed in Annex 1.

Article 3

For the period 1995 to 1999 the sum of ECU 1 109 million, at 1995 prices, shall be considered the appropriate amount of Community resources to be committed by the Structural Funds and the FIFG in the regions covered by Objective 6 listed in Annex 1. Annex 2 sets out the breakdown of resources by year and Member State. Those resources shall be in addition to the funds already scheduled for payment from the Structural Funds and the FIFG pursuant to Council Regulation (EEC) No 2052/88, as amended by Council Regulation (EEC) No 2081/93.

Article 4

Subject to Articles 1, 2 and 3 above, the provisions of the undernoted Regulations, in particular the provisions applying to Objective 1, shall apply to Objective 6:

- Council Regulation (EEC) No 2080/93;

- Council Regulations (EEC) Nos 2052/88, 4253/88, 4254/88, 4255/88 and 4256/88, as amended by Council Regulations (EEC) Nos 2081/93, 2082/93, 2083/93, 2084/93 and 2085/93.

Article 5

The provisions of this Protocol, including the eligibility of the regions listed in Annex 1 for assistance from the Structural Funds, shall be re-examined in 1999 simultaneously with the framework Regulation (EEC) No 2081/93 on structural instruments and policies and in accordance with the procedures laid down in that Regulation.

ANNEX 1

Regions covered by Objective 6

Finland:

The northern and eastern NUTS level II regions made up of the 'Maakunta` (NUTS level III region) of Lappi and the three 'Maakunnat` of Kainuu, Pohjois-Karjala and Etelae-Savo and including the following adjacent areas:

- in the 'Maakunta` of Pohjois-Pohjanmaa: the 'Seutukunnat` of Ii, Pyhaentae, Kuusamo and Nivala

- in the 'Maakunta` of Pohjois-Savo: the 'Seutukunta` of Nilsiae

- in the 'Maakunta` of Keski-Suomi: the 'Seutukunnat` of Saarijaervi and Viitasaari

- in the 'Maakunta` of Keski-Pohjanmaa: the 'Seutukunta` of Kaustinen.

Norway:

The NUTS level II region of northern Norway made up of the 'Fylke` (NUTS level III region) of: Finnmark, Troms, Nordland and Nord-Troendelag.

Sweden:

The NUTS level II region of northern Sweden made up of the 'laen` (NUTS level III region) of Norrbotten, Vaesterbotten and Jaemtland, excluding the following areas:

- in Norrbotten: the 'kommun` of Luleaa, the 'foersamling` of OEverluleaa in the 'kommun` of Boden and the 'kommun` of Piteaa (except the 'folkbokfoeringsdistrikt` of Markbygden)

- in Vaesterbotten: the 'kommuner` of Nordmaling, Robertsfors, Vaennaes and Umeaa and the 'foersamlingar` of Boliden, Bureaa, Burtraesk, Byske, Kaagedalen, Loevaanger, Sankt Olov, Sankt OErjan and Skellefteaa in the 'kommun` of Skellefteaa

but including the following adjacent areas:

- in the 'laen` of Vaesternorrland: the 'kommuner` of AAnge and Sollefteaa, the 'foersamlingar` of Holm and Liden in the 'kommun` of Sundsvall, and the 'foersamlingar` of Anundsjoe, Bjoerna, Skorped and Trehoerningsjoe in the 'kommun` of OErnskoeldsvik

- in the 'laen` of Gaevleborg: the 'kommun` of Ljusdal

- in the 'laen` of Kopparberg: the 'kommuner` of AElvdalen, Vansbro, Orsa and Malung and the 'foersamlingar` of Venjan and Vaamhus in the 'kommun` of Mora

- in the 'laen` of Vaermland: the 'kommun` of Torsby.

The references to NUTS in this Annex do not prejudge the final definitions of NUTS levels in the abovementioned regions and areas.

ANNEX 2

Indicative commitment appropriations for Objective 6

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These figures include, in addition to appropriations allocated to Objectives 3, 4 and 5a, where relevant, commitment appropriations for pilot projects, innovative actions, studies and Community initiatives under Articles 3 and 12 (5) of Council Regulation (EEC) No 2052/88, as amended by Council Regulation (EEC) No 2081/93.