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Brussels, 10.10.2005

SEC(2005) 1236 final

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Draft

DECISION OF THE EEA JOINT COMMITTEE

amending Protocol 31 to the EEA Agreement, on cooperation in specific fields outside the four freedoms

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- Draft common position of the Community -(presented by the Commission)

EXPLANATORY MEMORANDUM

1. Protocol 31 to the EEA Agreement contains specific provisions on the cooperation between the Community and the EEA EFTA States outside the four freedoms.

2. The attached draft Decision of the EEA Joint Committee incorporating DecisionNo 854/2005/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 11 May 2005 into the Agreement aims to modify Protocol 31 to extend cooperation in the field ofthe Information Society, by establishing a multiannual Community Programme on promoting safer use of the Internet and new online technologies. The EFTA States shall participate in the projects and activities of the multiannual programme, with effect from 1 January 2005. .

3. Article 1.3(b) of Council Regulation (EC) No 2894/94 concerning the arrangements for implementing the EEA Agreement envisages that the Council establishthe Community position for such Decisions on a proposal from the Commission.

4. The draft decision of the EEA Joint Committee is submitted for the approval ofthe Council, after which the Commission will put forward the position ofthe Community in the EEA Joint Committee at the earliest possible occasion.

Draft

DECISION OF THE EEA JOINT COMMITTEE

amending Protocol 31 to the EEA Agreement, on cooperation in specific fields outside the four freedoms

THE EEA JOINT COMMITTEE,

Having regard to the Agreement on the European Economic Area, as amended by the Protocol adjusting the Agreement on the European Economic Area, hereinafter referred to as ‘the Agreement’, and in particular Articles 86 and 98 thereof,

Whereas:

1. Protocol 31 to the Agreement was amended by Decision of the EEA Joint Committee No…/… of …[1].

2. It is appropriate to extend the cooperation of the Contracting Parties to the Agreement to include Decision No 854/2005/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 11 May 2005 on establishing a multiannual Community Programme on promoting safer use of the Internet and new online technologies [2].

3. Protocol 31 to the Agreement should therefore be amended in order to allow for this extended cooperation to take place with effect from 1 January 2005,

HAS DECIDED AS FOLLOWS:

Article 1

The following indent shall be added in Article 2(5) of Protocol 31 to the Agreement:

‘- 32005 D 0854: Decision No 854/2005/EC of the European Parliament and ofthe Council of 11 May 2005 on establishing a multiannual Community Programme on promoting safer use of the Internet and new online technologies (OJ L 149, 11.6.2005, p. 1).’

Article 2

This Decision shall enter into force on the day following the last notification to the EEA Joint Committee under Article 103(1) of the Agreement*.

It shall apply from 1 January 2005.

Article 3

This Decision shall be published in the EEA Section of, and in the EEA Supplement to,the Official Journal of the European Union .

Done at Brussels, […]

For the EEA Joint Committee

The President

The Secretaries to the EEA Joint Committee

[1] OJ C […], […], p. […].

[2] OJ L 149, 11.6.2005, p. 1.

* [No constitutional requirements indicated.] [Constitutional requirements indicated.]