JOINT ACTION of 30 April 1998 adopted by the Council on the basis of Article J.3 of the Treaty on European Union in support of the Government of Montenegro (98/301/CFSP)

THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION,

Having regard to the Treaty on European Union and, in particular, Articles J.3 and J.11 thereof,

Having regard to the general guidelines contained in the conclusions adopted by the European Council in Dublin on 13 and 14 December 1996,

Whereas a new President took office in the Republic of Montenegro on 15 January 1998;

Whereas the European Union recognises that the Government needs the full support of the international community to pursue political and economic reform;

Whereas the Council on 27 April 1998 welcomed the continuing commitment shown by President Djukanovic to political and economic reform in Montenegro, agreed that the European Union should send a clear and immediate signal of its support for the formed process and agreed to allocate an initial amount of ECU 3 million in financial assistance to the Montenegrin Government to help it meet outstanding social welfare payments;

Whereas the Council notes that the Government of Montenegro intends to disburse the relevant social welfare payments as soon as possible and in any case no later than 31 May 1998;

Whereas it is important to ensure appropriate visibility for such Union support; and

Whereas in order to ensure the consistency of the Union's external activities European Community additional measures in support of the reform process, such as in the field of independent media, should also be assessed further in the near future to go beyond this first step, notably on the occasion of the Troika visit of 5 May 1998,

HAS ADOPTED THIS JOINT ACTION:

Article 1

This joint action aims to provide, on an exceptional basis, rapid short-tem assistance to the new Government of Montenegro. The aim of the Union's assistance is to help the Government of Montenegro to continue its programme of economic and political reform.

Article 2

1. To this end, an initial amount of ECU 3 million shall be charged to the general budget of the European Communities for 1998.

2. The amount referred to in paragraph 1 shall be managed in accordance with the European Community procedures and rules applicable to the budget.

3. The amount referred to in paragraph 1 shall be made available immediately to the account specified by the Government of Montenegro

Article 3

The Presidency shall report to the Council on the progress made by the Government of Montenegro in political and economic reform.

Article 4

The Council notes that the Commission in support of the objectives of this joint action intends to come forward where appropriate with proposals for project assistance in support of the Government of Montenegro.

Article 5

The European Union will encourage the international community to consider assistance in support of the objectives of this joint action.

Article 6

This joint action shall enter into force on the day of its adoption. It shall apply as from 1 March 1998.

Article 7

This joint action shall be published in the Official Journal.

Done at Luxembourg, 30 April 1998.

For the Council

The President

T. JOWELL