Proposal for a COUNCIL DECISION on the Community position in relation to the establishment of a Joint Consultative Committee to be decided on by the Association Council established by the Association Agreement between the European Community and the Republic of Cyprus

(presented by the Commission)

EXPLANATORY MEMORANDUM

1. The Association Agreement between the European Economic Community and the Republic of Cyprus which entered into force on 1 June 1973, provides, in Article 14 (3) thereof, that the Association Council may decide to set up any committee that can assist it in the discharge of its tasks.

2. Though the establishment of a consultative mechanism for dialogue between the regional and local authorities of the two Parties is not explicitly provided for in the aforementioned Association Agreement, the Commission proposes that a Joint Consultative Committee representing the regional and the local authorities of both Parties be set up by the Association Council in support of the keen interest expressed in this respect by both sides, represented by the Committee of the Regions, on the part of the Community, and by the Cypriot Liaison Committee for Co-operation with the Committee of the Regions of the European Community, on the part of the Republic of Cyprus.

3. The proposed Joint Consultative Committee is intended to constitute a forum for dialogue and co-operation between the regional and local authorities in the European Community and local authorities in the Republic of Cyprus, which can make a major contribution to the development of their relations and to the integration of Europe. The dialogue and co-operation will prepare for future work with the Committee of the Regions and for membership of the European Union; it will facilitate exchanging information on current issues of mutual interest, in particular by providing an up-to-date state of play on the EC regional policy and accession process; encourage information exchange in practical implementation of the principle of subsidiarity in all aspects of life on the regional and local levels; and allow discussion of other relevant matters proposed by any side. The Association Council may also consult the proposed Joint Consultative Committee before taking decisions in areas of obvious regional interest. Consultation of the Committee remains, however, at the discretion of the Association Council.

4. The establishment of the proposed Joint Consultative Committee does not have any financial impact on the Community budget, the Cypriot participants being responsible for their own expenses and the expenses on the Community side being covered by the budget of the Committee of the Regions.

5. The text of the proposal for a Council decision on the position to be taken by the Community in the Association Council, as provided for by Article 3 of the Council Regulation (EEC) No 1246/73, of 14 May 1973, on the conclusion of the aforementioned Association Agreement, is attached hereto. The Council is asked to adopt this text after consultation of the European Parliament.

Proposal for a COUNCIL DECISION on the Community position in relation to the establishment of a Joint Consultative Committee to be decided on by the Association Council established by the Association Agreement between the European Community and the Republic of Cyprus

THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION,

Having regard to the Treaty establishing a European Community, and in particular Article 300, paragraph 2, second and third indent, thereof,

Having regard to Article 3 of Council Regulation (EEC) No 1246/73, of 14 May 1973, on the conclusion of an Agreement establishing an Association between the European Economic Community and the Republic of Cyprus,

Having regard to the Commission proposal [1],

[1] OJ C , , p. .

Whereas:

(1) Article 14 (3) of the said Association Agreement provides that the Association Council may decide to set up any special committee that can assist it in the discharge of its tasks,

(2) Dialogue and co-operation between regional and local authorities in the European Union and in the Republic of Cyprus can make a major contribution to the full implementation of the Association Agreement,

(3) It seems appropriate that such co-operation should be between the members of the Committee of the Regions of the European Community and of the Cypriot Liaison Committee for Co-operation with the Committee of the Regions of the European Community,

HAS DECIDED AS FOLLOWS:

The position to be adopted by the Community within the Association Council established by Article 14 (3) of the Agreement establishing an Association between the European Economic Community and the Republic of Cyprus in relation to the establishment of a Joint Consultative Committee shall be based on the draft decision of the said Association Council which is annexed to the present decision.

Done at Brussels,

For the Council

The President

ANNEX

.

Draft

DECISION No. .../2001 OF THE ASSOCIATION COUNCIL

between the European Community and the Republic of Cyprus

Amending, through the setting up of a Joint Consultative Committee between the Committee of the Regions and the Cypriot Liaison Committee for Co-operation with the Committee of the Regions, Decision No 1/73 adopting the rules of procedures of the Association Council

THE ASSOCIATION COUNCIL

Having regard to the Agreement establishing an Association between the European Economic Community and the Republic of Cyprus and in particular Article 14 (3) thereof;

(1) Whereas dialogue and co-operation between the regional and local authorities in the European Community and those in the Republic of Cyprus can make a major contribution to the development of their relations and to the integration of Europe;

(2) Whereas it seems appropriate that such co-operation should be organized at the level of the Committee of the Regions of the one part, and of the Cypriot Liaison Committee for Co-operation with the Committee of the Regions, of the other part, by setting up of a Joint Consultative Committee;

(3) Whereas this means that the rules of procedure of the Association Council, adopted by Decision No 1/73, need to be amended accordingly;

HAS DECIDED AS FOLLOWS:

Article 1

The following Articles shall be added to the rules of procedure of the Association Council:

«Article 20

A Joint Consultative Committee (hereinafter referred to as the "Committee") is hereby established with the task of assisting the Association Council with a view to promoting dialogue and co-operation between the regional and local authorities in the European Community and those in the Republic of Cyprus. Such dialogue and co-operation shall be aimed in particular at:

1. preparing Cypriot local authorities for activity in the framework of future membership of the European Union;

2. preparing Cypriot local authorities for their participation in the work of the Committee of the Regions after accession of the Republic of Cyprus;

3. exchanging information on current issues of mutual interest, in particular on up-to-date state of play concerning EU regional and environmental policies and accession process as well as preparation of Cypriot local authorities for these policies;

4. encouraging multilateral structured dialogue between a) Cypriot local authorities and b) regions and local authorities from EU Member States, including through networking in specific areas where direct contacts and co-operation between them might prove the most effective way of solving particular problems;

5. providing regular exchange of information on inter-regional co-operation between regional and local authorities from the Republic of Cyprus and Member States;

6. encouraging exchange of experience and knowledge in the field of regional and environmental policies and structural interventions, between a) Cypriot local authorities and b) regions and local authorities from EU Member States, in particular know-how and techniques concerning preparation of regional and local development plans or strategies and most efficient use of Structural Funds;

7. assisting Cypriot local authorities by means of information exchange in practical implementation of the principle of subsidiarity in all aspects of life on regional and local level;

8. discussing any other relevant matters proposed by any side, as they can arise in the context of implementation of the Association Agreement and in the framework of the Pre-accession strategy.

Article 21

The Committee shall comprise eight representatives of the Committee of the Regions of the European Community, on the one hand, and eight representatives of the Cypriot Liaison Committee for Co-operation with the Committee of the Regions, on the other hand. An equal number of alternate members shall be appointed.

The Committee shall carry out its activities on the basis of consultation by the Association Council or, as concerns the promotion of the dialogue between the regional and local authorities, on its own initiative.

The Committee may make recommendations to the Association Council.

Members shall be chosen to ensure that the Committee is as faithful a reflection as possible of the various levels of regional and local authorities in both the European Union and the Republic of Cyprus.

The Committee shall adopt its own Rules of Procedure.

The Committee shall meet at intervals, which it shall itself determine in its Rules of Procedure.

The Committee shall be co-chaired by a member of the Committee of the Regions of the European Community and a member of the Cypriot Liaison Committee for Co-operation with the Committee of the Regions.

Article 22

The Committee of the Regions of the European Community, on the one hand, and the Cypriot Liaison Committee for Co-operation with the Committee of the Regions on the other hand, shall each defray the expenses they incur by reason of their participation in the meetings of the Committee with regard to staff, travel and subsistence expenditure and to postal and telecommunications expenditure.

Expenditure in connection with interpreting at meetings, translation and reproduction of documents in any EU official languages shall be borne by the Committee of the Regions,

Other expenditure relating to the material organization of meetings shall be borne by the Party which hosts the meetings. »

Article 2

This Decision shall enter into force on the first day of the second month following the date of its adoption.

Done at Brussels,

For the Association Council

The Chairman:

The Secretaries:

For the Cypriot side

For the European Community