Decision No 3/2002 of the Association Council between the European Communities and their Member States, of the one part, and the Republic of Estonia, of the other part

of 27 February 2002

adopting the general terms and conditions for the participation of the Republic of Estonia in Community programmes

(2002/851/EC)

THE ASSOCIATION COUNCIL,

Having regard to the Europe Agreement establishing an association between the European Communities and their Member States, of the one part, and the Republic of Estonia, of the other part(1), and in particular Article 108 thereof,

Whereas:

(1) According to Article 108 of the Europe Agreement and Annex X thereto, Estonia may participate in Community framework programmes, specific programmes, projects or other actions dealing with a wide range of fields. They also provide for the addition of other Community fields.

(2) According to the said Article 108, the terms and conditions for the participation of Estonia in these activities should be decided by the Association Council.

(3) The specific participating conditions, including financial implications, in each Community programme should be determined between the Commission of the European Communities and the competent authorities of Estonia,

HAS DECIDED AS FOLLOWS:

Article 1

Estonia may participate in all Community programmes opened to participation of candidate countries of central and eastern Europe, in accordance with the provisions adopting these programmes.

Article 2

Estonia shall contribute financially to the European Union's general budget corresponding to the specific programmes in which Estonia participates.

Article 3

Estonia's representatives shall be allowed to take part, as observers and for the points which concern Estonia, in the management committees responsible for monitoring the programmes to which Estonia contributes financially.

Article 4

Projects and initiatives submitted by participants from Estonia shall be subject, as far as possible, to the same conditions, rules and procedures pertaining to the programmes concerned as are applied to Member States.

Article 5

The specific terms and conditions, including financial contribution, regarding the participation of Estonia in each particular programme shall be determined between the Commission and the competent authorities of Estonia. Should Estonia apply for Community external assistance pursuant to Council Regulation (EEC) No 3906/89 of 18 December 1989 on economic aid to certain countries of central and eastern Europe(2), such specific terms and conditions may be determined on the basis of a Financing Memorandum.

Article 6

This Decision shall apply for an indeterminate period.

It may be denounced by either Party by giving six months' notice in writing.

Article 7

No later than three years after the date of the entry into force of this Decision, and every three years thereafter, the Association Council may review the implementation of this Decision on the basis of actual participation of Estonia in one or more Community programmes.

Article 8

This Decision shall enter into force on the first day of the month following its adoption by the Association Council.

Done at Brussels, 27 February 2002.

For the Association Council

The President

J. Piqué i Camps

(1) OJ L 68, 9.3.1998, p. 3.

(2) OJ L 375, 23.12.1989, p. 11. Regulation as last amended by Regulation (EC) No 2666/2000 (OJ L 306, 7.12.2000, p. 1).