Proposal for a Council Decision concerning the Community position within the Association Council on the participation of the Czech Republic in the Community programmes in the fields of health and social policy

(1999/C 110/08)

COM(1999) 97 final - 1999/0064(CNS)

(Submitted by the Commission on 8 March 1999)

THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION,

Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Community, and in particular Article 129 and Article 235, in conjunction with Article 228, paragraph 3, first alinea thereof,

Having regard to the proposal from the Commission,

Having regard to the opinion of the European Parliament,

Whereas the additional Protocol to the Europe Agreement establishing an association between the European Communities and their Member States, of the one part, and the Czech Republic, of the other part, has been concluded by Decision of the Council and the Commission of 4 December 1995,

Whereas, according to Article 1 of the Additional Protocol, the Czech Republic may participate in Community framework programmes, specific programmes, projects or other actions notably in the fields of health and social policy and, pursuant to Article 2, the terms and conditions of the Czech Republic's participation in the activities referred to in Article 1 shall be decided by the Association Council,

Whereas Decision No 645/96/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 29 March 1996 adopting a programme of Community action on health promotion, information, education and training within the framework for action in the field of public health (1996 to 2000)(1) and in particular Article 6(2) thereof, Decision No 646/96/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 29 March 1996 adopting an action plan to combat cancer within the framework for action in the field of public health (1996 to 2000)(2) and in particular Article 6(2) thereof, Decision No 647/96/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 29 March 1996 adopting a programme of Community action on the prevention of AIDS and certain other communicable diseases within the framework for action in the field of public health (1996 to 2000)(3) and in particular Article 6(2) thereof, Decision No 102/97/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 16 December 1996 adopting a programme of Community action on the prevention of drug dependence within the framework for action in the field of public health (1996 to 2000)(4) and in particular Article 6(2) thereof, and Council Decision 95/593/EC of 22 December 1995 on a medium-term Community action programme on equal opportunities for men and women (1996 to 2000)(5) and in particular Article 6(1) thereof, provide that these programmes shall be open to the participation of associated central European countries in accordance with the conditions set out in the additional Protocols to the Association Agreements on participation in Community programmes,

HAS DECIDED AS FOLLOWS:

The position to be taken by the Community within the Association Council established by the Europe Agreement between the European Communities and their Member States, of the one part, and the Czech Republic, of the other part, concerning the participation of the Czech Republic in Community programmes in the fields of health and social policy is that set out in the attached draft decision of the Association Council.

(1) OJ L 95, 16.4.1996, p. 1.

(2) OJ L 95, 16.4.1996, p. 9.

(3) OJ L 95, 16.4.1996, p. 16.

(4) OJ L 19, 22.1.1997, p. 25.

(5) OJ L 335, 30.12.1995, p. 37.