Decision No 1/2002 of the EU-Bulgaria Association Council

of 5 June 2002

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

(2002/912/EC)

THE ASSOCIATION COUNCIL,

Having regard to the Additional Protocol to the Europe Agreement establishing an association between the European Communities and their Member States, of the one part, and the Republic of Bulgaria, of the other part(1), concerning Bulgaria's participation in Community programmes, and in particular Articles 1 and 2 thereof,

Whereas:

(1) According to Article 1 of the Additional Protocol, Bulgaria may participate in Community framework programmes, specific programmes, projects or other actions dealing with a wide range of fields. It also provides for the addition of other Community fields.

(2) According to Article 2 of the said Protocol, the terms and conditions for the participation of Bulgaria 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 Bulgaria,

HAS DECIDED AS FOLLOWS:

Article 1

Bulgaria 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

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

Article 3

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

Article 4

Projects and initiatives submitted by participants from Bulgaria 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 Bulgaria in each particular programme shall be determined between the Commission and the competent authorities of Bulgaria. Should Bulgaria 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 Bulgaria 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, 5 June 2002.

For the Association Council

The President

S. Passy

(1) OJ L 317, 30.12.1995, p. 25.

(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).