COMMISSION OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES 
Brussels, 02.12.1997 
COM(97) 646 final 
97/0106 (SYN) 
Amended proposal for a 
COUNCIL DECISION 
concerning a multiannual programme for the promotion of renewable energy sources in 
the Community - ALTENERII 
(presented by the Commission pursuant to Article 189 a (2) 
of the EC-Treaty) 

EXPLANATORY MEMORANDUM 
On 12 March 1997 the Commission adopted a proposal for a Council Decision concerning a 
multiannual programme for the promotion of renewable energy sources in the Community 
(Altener H). The proposal is based on Article 130(s) of the Treaty which provides for the co­
operation procedure with the European Parliament. On 6 November 1997 the Parliament gave 
its opinion on the first reading. 24 amendments were voted and accepted. 
The principal preoccupations of the Parliament matched those of the Commission. Of the 24 
amendments proposed, the Commission accepted seven in their entirety and ten with re­
wording. 
Seven amendments have not been accepted, and one only partially (amendment n°20), by the 
Commission for the following reasons: 
- amendment n° 1 
It is inappropriate to refer to a publication of conference proceedings in a legal text. 
- amendment n° 3 
idem 
- amendment n° 4 
The question of taking account of indirect costs in tariff calculation falls within the scope not 
of this programme but rather of the proposals on a Community strategy for Renewables which 
the Commission will be presenting separately to Parliament and Council. 
- amendment n° 14 
The amount of financing will be decided in accordance with the normal budgetary procedure, 
during which the budgetary authorities take all relevant aspects into account, including 
questions concerning Renewables as well as greenhouse gases. 
- amendment n° 20 
The concepts included in indents 3, 4, and 5 are implicit in the first and third as originally 
drafted. 
- amendment n° 24 
Reporting procedure is already stipulated in art. 6. 
- amendment n° 26 
The Comitology rules are laid down formally and this text should not provide otherwise. 
- amendment n° 27 
idem 
The Council is requested to adopt its common position on the basis of the attached amended 
proposal. 
PROPOSAL FOR A COUNCIL 
DECISION AMENDED PROPOSAL FOR A 
COUNCIL DECISION 
concerning a multiannual programme for the concerning a multiannual programme for the 
promotion of promotion of 
renewable energy sources in the Community renewable energy sources in the Community 
ALTENER II ALTENER II 
THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN 
UNION, UNION, 
Having regard to the Treaty establishing the Having regard to the Treaty establishing the 
European Community, and in particular European Community, and in particular 
Article 13Os ( 1 ) thereof, Article 13Os ( 1 ) thereof, 
Having regard to the proposal from the Having regard to the proposal from the 
Commission, Commission, 
Having regard to the opinion of the Having regard to the opinion of the 
Economic and Social Committee, Economic and Social Committee, 
Having regard to the opinion of the Having regard to the opinion of the 
Committee of the Regions, Committee of the Regions, 
Acting in accordance with the procedure 
provided for in Article 189c of the Treaty, in 
cooperation with the European Parliament, 
1. Whereas Article 130r of the Treaty 
lays down that one of the objectives 
of the Community action is to ensure 
prudent and rational utilisation of 
natural resources; 
2. Whereas Article 129 of the Treaty 
lays down that health protection 
requirements shall form a constituent 
part of Community's other policies; 
whereas the Altener programme 
contributes to health protection; Acting in accordance with the procedure 
provided for in Article 189c of the Treaty, in 
cooperation with the European Parliament, 
1. Whereas Article 13Or of the Treaty 
lays down that one of the objectives 
of the Community action is to ensure 
prudent and rational utilisation of 
natural resources; 
2. Whereas Article 129 of the Treaty 
lays down that health protection 
requirements shall form a constituent 
part of Community's other policies; 
whereas the Altener programme 
contributes to health protection; 
5. Whereas, at its meeting on 29 3. 
October 1990, the Council 
announced its objective of stabilizing 
total C02 emissions by 2000 at the 
1990 level in the Community as a 
whole; 
Whereas a mechanism for 4. 
monitoring C02 and other 
greenhouse gas emissions was 
established by Council Decision 
93/389/EEC; 
Whereas C02 emissions from energy 5. 
consumption in the Community are 
likely to increase by about 3% 
between 1995 and 2000, assuming 
normal economic growth; whereas it 
is, therefore, essential to .adopt 
additional measures; Whereas, at its meeting on 29 
October 1990, the Council 
announced its objective of stabilizing 
total C02 emissions by 2000 at the 
1990 level in the Community as a 
whole; 
Whereas a mechanism for 
monitoring C02 and other 
greenhouse gas emissions was 
established by Council Decision 
93/389/EEC1; 
Whereas C02 emissions from energy 
consumption in the Community are 
likely to increase by about 3% 
between 1995 and 2000, assuming 
normal economic growth; whereas it 
is, therefore, essential to adopt 
additional measures; 
6. Whereas, at its meeting on 25-26 6. 
June 1996, the Council noted that in 
the framework of negotiations 
seeking a protocol according to the 
Berlin Mandate, the Second 
Assessment Report of the 
Intergovernmental Panel on Climate 
Change (IPCC) had concluded that 
the balance of evidence suggests that 
there is a discernible human influence 
on global climate change and had 
stressed the need for urgent action at 
the widest possible level, noted that 
significant "no-regrets" opportunities 
were available and requested the 
Commission to identify which 
measures have to be taken at 
Community level; Whereas, at its meeting on 25-26 
June 1996, the Council noted that in 
the framework of negotiations 
seeking a protocol according to the 
Berlin Mandate, the Second 
Assessment Report of the 
Intergovernmental Panel on Climate 
Change (IPCC) had concluded that 
the balance of evidence suggests that 
there is a discernible human influence 
on global climate change and had 
stressed the need for urgent action at 
the widest possible level, noted that 
significant "no-regrets" opportunities 
were available and requested the 
Commission to identify which 
measures have to be taken at 
Community level; 
Whereas with the Green Paper of 11 7. 
January 1995 and the White Paper of 
13 December 1995 the Commission 
communicated to the European 
Parliament and the Council its views 
on the future of energy policy in the 
Community and on the role that 
renewable energy sources should Whereas with the Green Paper of 11 
January 1995 and the White Paper 
of 13 December 19953 the 
Commission communicated to the 
European Parliament and the Council 
its views on the future of energy 
policy in the Community and on the 
role that renewable energy sources 
play; should play; 
10. Whereas in its resolution of 4 July 
1996 the European Parliament calls 
on the Commission to implement a 
Community action plan to promote 
renewable energy sources; 
Whereas with the Green Paper of 20 
November 1996, Energy for the 
Future. Renewable sources of 
energy, the Commission started a 
process to develop and further 
implementation of a Community 
strategy and an action plan on 
renewable energy sources (RES); 
Whereas in its resolution of 14 
November 1996 on the White Paper 
of the Commission "An energy 
policy for the European Union" the 
European Parliament calls on the 
Commission to establish a financial 
programme aimed at promoting 
sustainable energy; 8. Whereas in its resolution of 4 July 
1996 the European Parliament calls 
on the Commission to implement a 
Community action plan to promote 
renewable energy sources; 
9. Whereas with the Green Paper of 20 
November 1996 , Energy for the 
Future: Renewable sources of 
energy, the Commission started a 
process to develop and further 
implementation of a Community 
v strategy and an action plan on 
renewable energy sources (RES); 
10. Whereas in its resolution of 14 
November 1996 on the White Paper 
of the Commission "An energy 
policy for the European Union" the 
European Parliament calls on the 
Commission to establish a financial 
programme aimed at promoting 
sustainable energy; whereas, in its 
resolution of 15 May 19977 on the 
communication from the 
Commission on Energy for the 
Future: Renewable Sources of 
Energy - Green Paper for a 
Community Strategy, the European 
Parliament considers that it is 
essential to adopt as soon as possible 
a strengthened Altener II 
programme; 
11. Whereas Article 130a of the Treaty 
provides that the Community shall 
develop and pursue its actions 
leading to the strengthening of its 
economic and social cohesion and 
that, in particular, it shall aim at 
reducing disparities between the 
various regions and especially the 
backwardness of the least-favoured 
regions; whereas those actions cover 
inter alia the energy sector; 11. Whereas Article 130a of the Treaty 
provides that the Community shall 
develop and pursue its actions 
leading to the strengthening of its 
economic and social cohesion and 
that, in particular, it shall aim at 
reducing disparities between the 
various regions and especially the 
backwardness of the least-favoured 
regions; whereas those actions cover 
inter alia the energy sector; 
12. Whereas by Decision 93/500/EEC 12. 
the Council adopted a Community 
programme for the promotion of 
renewable energy sources 
'ALTENER' aimed at reducing C02 
emissions by increasing the market 
share of renewable energy sources 
and its contribution to overall 
primary energy production in the 
Community; whereas that 
programme ends on 31 December 
1997; Whereas by Decision 93/500/EEC8 
the Council adopted a Community 
programme for the promotion of 
renewable energy sources 
'ALTENER' aimed at reducing C02 
emissions by increasing the market 
share of renewable energy sources 
and its contribution to overall 
primary energy production in the 
Community; whereas that 
programme ends on 31 December 
1997; 
13. Whereas the Community has 
recognised that the ALTENER 
programme represents an important 
element of the Community strategy 
for reducing C02 emissions; 13. Whereas the Community has 
recognised that the ALTENER 
programme represents an important 
element of the Community strategy 
for reducing C02 emissions; 
14. Whereas European Parliament and 
Council Decision 1110/94/EC, as 
amended by Decision No 
616/96/EC, has established a fourth 
framework programme for research, 
technological development and 
demonstration projects; whereas 
policy in the field of renewable 
energy sources is an important 
instrument for the use and 
promotion of the new energy 
technologies that the framework 
programme will develop; whereas 
the ALTENER II programme is an 
instrument which complements that 
programme; 14. Whereas European Parliament and 
Council Decision 1110/94/EC9, as 
amended by Decision No 
616/96/EC10, has established a 
fourth framework programme for 
research, technological development 
and demonstration projects; 
whereas policy in the field , of 
renewable energy sources is an 
important instrument for the use and 
promotion of the new energy 
technologies that the framework 
programme will develop; whereas 
the ALTENER II programme is an 
instrument which complements that 
programme; 
14a Whereas, furthermore, the Fifth 
Framework Programme of Research, 
Technological Development and 
Demonstration should devote special 
attention to energy and whereas 
Altener II should again be an 
important complementary instrument 
to this programme; 
14b Whereas renewable energy sources 
are an important energy source for 
the Community with considerable 
commercial potential and whereas 
their development should therefore be 
supported through a specific strategy 
and targeted actions to make them 
both viable and competitive and thus 
create a favourable environment for 
investment; 
15. Whereas the increased use of 
renewable energy sources will have 
a positive effect both on the 
environment and on security of 
energy supplies; whereas a high 
degree of international co-operation 
is desirable to achieve the best 
results; 15. Whereas the increased use of 
renewable energy sources will have 
a positive effect both on the 
environment and on security of 
energy supplies; whereas only the 
free and large-scale development of 
renewable energy sources will make 
it possible fully to exploit their 
economic and employment potential; 
whereas a high degree of 
international co-operation is 
desirable to achieve the best results; 
16. Whereas a strengthened ALTENER 
II programme represents an essential 
instrument for developing the 
potential of renewable energy 
sources; 16. Whereas a strengthened ALTENER 
II programme represents an essential 
instrument for developing the 
potential of renewable energy 
sources; whereas renewable energy 
sources should account for a 
reasonable percentage of the 
European internal energy market; 
16a Whereas the development of 
renewable energy sources can help 
create a competitive energy system 
for the whole of Europe and 
develop a European renewable 
energy sources industry, with vast 
opportunities for the export of 
know-how and for investment in 
third countries involving Community 
participation; 
17. Whereas in implementing the 
programme, there should be close 
co-operation with other Community 
actions and programmes also 
concerned with promoting 
renewable energy sources; 17. Whereas in implementing the 
programme, there should be close 
co-operation with other Community 
actions and programmes also 
concerned with promoting 
renewable energy sources; 
Whereas it is politically and 18. 
economically desirable to open the 
ALTENER II programme to the 
associated Central and Eastern 
European countries in accordance 
with the conclusions of the 
European Council meeting in 
Copenhagen on 21 and 22 June 
1993, and as outlined in the 
communication on this subject 
presented to the Council by the 
Commission in May 1994, and also 
to Cyprus; Whereas it is politically and 
economically desirable to open the 
ALTENER II programme to the 
associated Central and Eastern 
European countries in accordance 
with the conclusions of the 
European Council meeting in 
Copenhagen on 21 and 22 June 
1993, and as outlined in the 
communication on this subject 
presented to the Council by the 
Commission in May 1994, and also 
to Cyprus; 
HAS ADOPTED THIS DECISION: HAS ADOPTED THIS DECISION: 
Article 1 Article 1 
A five-year programme of measures 1 
and actions to promote renewable 
energy sources in the Community, 
called ALTENER II, hereinafter 
referred to as 'the programme' is 
hereby established A five-year • programme of measures 
and actions to promote renewable 
energy sources in the Community, 
called ALTENER II, hereinafter 
referred to as 'the programme' is 
hereby established 
The objectives of this programme shall 
be to: The objectives of this programme shall 
be to: 
(a) help create the necessary 
conditions for the implementation 
of a Community action plan for 
renewable energy sources, and in 
particular the legal, socio­
economic and administrative 
conditions, and to (a) help create the necessary 
conditions for the implementation 
of a Community action plan for 
renewable energy sources, and in 
particular the legal, socio­
economic and administrative 
conditions, and to 
(b) encourage private and public 
investments in the production and 
use of energy from renewable 
sources. (b) encourage private and public 
investments in the production and 
use of energy from renewable 
sources. 
The objectives contribute to achieving 
the overall Community objectives and 
concerns of limiting C02 emissions; 
increasing the share of renewable 
energy sources in the energy balance; 
reducing energy import dependence, The objectives contribute to achieving 
the overall Community objectives and 
concerns of limiting C02 emissions, 
increasing the share of renewable 
energy sources in the energy balance 
in accordance with the Community 
ensuring the security of energy supply, 
and fostering economic development, 
economic and social cohesion and 
regional and local development. Strategy for renewable energy 
sources, reducing energy import 
dependence, ensuring the security of 
energy supply, fostering economic 
development, economic and social 
cohesion and regional and local 
development, creating new jobs and 
promoting European industry. 
(a) Community financial support shall be 2. 
granted under the programme for 
actions meeting the objectives set out 
in paragraph 1. 
3. The annual appropriations for the 
implementation of the programme 
shall be authorised by the budget 
authority within the limits of the 
financial perspectives. 
Article 2 
The following actions and measures 1 
relating to renewable energy sources 
shall be financed under the 
(a) Community financial support shall be 
granted under the programme for 
actions meeting the objectives set out 
in paragraph 1. 
The annual appropriations for the 
implementation of the programme 
shall be authorised by the budget 
authority within the limits of the 
financial perspectives. 
Article 2 
The following actions and measures 
relating to renewable energy sources 
shall be financed under the 
programme: 
studies and other actions, intended to 
implement and complement 
Community measures taken to develop 
the potential of renewable energy 
sources. These include the 
development of sectoral and market 
strategies, the development of norms 
and standards, grouped procurement, 
comparative studies of the 
environmental impact and long-term 
costs and benefits, and the analysis of 
the legal, socio-economic and 
administrative conditions which are 
more favourable to the market 
penetration of renewable energies and 
the preparation of appropriate 
legislation; 
(b) pilot actions aimed at creating or (b) pilot actions aimed at creating or 
extending infrastructures and extending infrastructures and 
instruments for the development of instruments for the development of 
renewable energy sources in: renewable energy sources in: programme: 
studies and other actions, intended to 
implement and complement 
Community measures taken to develop 
the potential of renewable energy 
sources. These include the 
development of sectoral and market 
strategies, the development of norms 
and standards, grouped procurement 
and the analysis of the legal, socio­
economic and administrative 
conditions which are more favourable 
to the market penetration of renewable 
energies and the preparation of 
appropriate legislation; 
- local and regional planning, 
- the tools for planning, design and 
evaluation, 
new financial and market 
instruments, 
- information, 
- education and training; - local and regional planning, 
- the tools for planning, design and 
evaluation, 
new financial and market 
instruments, 
- information, 
- education and training; 
(c) measures proposed by the Commission 
to encourage the exchange of 
experience and know-how aimed at 
improving co-ordination between 
international, Community, national, 
regional and local activities; 
establishment of a centralised system 
for collecting, prioritising and 
circulating information and know-how 
on renewable energy sources; 
(d)—measures to encourage the exchange 
ef—experience and know how, 
proposed by an entity other than the 
Commission; (c) measures to encourage the exchange 
of experience and know-how aimed at 
improving co-ordination between 
international, Community, national, 
regional and local activities; 
establishment of a centralised system 
for collecting, prioritising and 
circulating information and know-how 
on renewable energy sources; 
(d) Deleted 
(e) targeted actions facilitating the market (e) targeted actions facilitating the market 
penetration of renewable energy 
sources and encouraging investment, 
by assisting the preparation and 
presentation of implementation 
projects . penetration of renewable energy 
sources and related know-how, 
supporting the transition between 
demonstration and commercialisation. 
and encouraging investment, by 
assisting the preparation and 
presentation of implementation 
projects . 
(f) actions intended to: (f) actions intended to: 
monitor the implementation of the 
Community strategy and action 
plan for the development of 
renewable energy sources; 
support initiatives taken in 
implementing the action plan, 
particularly with a view to 
promoting better co-ordination and 
greater synergy between actions, 
including—aH—Community—funded monitor the implementation of the 
Community strategy and action 
plan for the development of 
renewable energy sources; 
support initiatives taken in 
implementing the action plan, 
particularly with a view to 
promoting better co-ordination and 
greater synergy between actions, 
such as those funded by the 
activities; 
monitor the progress achieved by 
the Community and its Member 
States with regard to the 
development of renewable energy 
sources; 
evaluate the impact and cost 
effectiveness of measures 
undertaken under this programme. 
This evaluation will also take into 
account the environmental and 
social aspects. Community, including the 
European Investment Bank. 
- monitor the progress achieved by 
the Community and its Member 
States with regard to the 
development of renewable energy 
sources; 
- evaluate the impact and cost 
effectiveness of measures 
undertaken under this programme. 
This evaluation will also take into 
account the environmental and 
social aspects, including job 
creation. 
The aim of the targeted actions 2. 
referred to in point (e) of paragraph 1 
is to facilitate and accelerate 
investment in new operational 
capacity for the production of energy 
from renewable sources by providing 
financial support in order to reduce 
the peripheral and service costs of 
renewable energy projects, and thus 
overcome the non technical obstacles 
present. 
This action shall promote, inter alia, 
access to specialised advice, analysis 
of market prospects, choice of 
location of projects, application for 
construction and operation permits, 
establishment of financing plan, 
preparation of calls for tender, training 
of operators, and plant commissioning. The aim of the targeted, actions 
referred to in point (e) of paragraph 1 
is to facilitate and accelerate 
investment in new operational 
capacity for the production of energy 
from renewable sources by providing 
financial support in order to reduce 
the peripheral and service costs of 
renewable energy projects, and thus 
overcome the non technical obstacles 
present. 
This action shall promote, with 
particular reference to SMEs, inter 
alia\ access to specialised advice, 
analysis of market prospects, choice of 
location of projects, application for 
construction and operation permits, 
establishment of financing plan, 
preparation of calls for tender, training 
of operators, and plant commissioning 
The targeted actions will concern 
projects carried out in the following 
areas : The targeted actions will concern 
projects carried out in the following 
areas : 
- biomass, including energy crops, fire 
wood, residues from forestry and 
agriculture, municipal waste, liquid 
biofuels and biogas, 
- thermal and photovoltaic solar 
systems, 
- passive and active solar systems in - biomass, including energy crops, fire 
wood, residues from forestry and 
agriculture, non-recyclable municipal 
waste, liquid biofuels and biogas, 
- thermal and photovoltaic solar 
systems, 
- passive and active solar systems in 
buildings, 
- small scale (< 10 MW) hydroelectric 
projects, 
- wind power, 
- geothermal energy; buildings, 
- small scale (< 10 MW) hydroelectric 
projects, 
- wind power, 
- geothermal energy; 
Article 3 
All costs relating to the actions and 1. 
measures referred to in points (a), (c) 
and (f) of Article 2(1) shall be borne 
by the Community. 
The level of funding under this 2. 
programme for the actions and 
measures referred to in points (b) and 
(ë) of Article 2(1) may not exceed 
50% of their total cost, the balance 
being made up from either public or 
private sources or a combination of 
the two. Article 3 
All costs relating to the actions and 
measures referred to in points (a), (c) 
and (f) of Article 2(1) shall be borne 
by the Community. 
The level of funding under this 
programme for the actions and 
measures referred to in point (b) of 
Article 2(1) may not exceed 50% of 
their total cost, the balance being 
made up from either public or private 
sources or a combination of the two. 
The level of funding under this 3 
programme for the actions and 
measures referred to in Article 2(e) 
shall be established annually for each 
of the targeted actions in accordance 
with Article 4.(2). The level of funding under this 
programme for the actions and 
measures referred to in Article 2(e) 
shall be established annually for each 
of the targeted actions in accordance 
with Article 4.(2). 
Article 4 Article 4 
The Commission shall be responsible 1 
for the implementation of the 
programme. 
The conditions and guidelines 2 
applicable to funding for the actions 
and measures referred to in Article 2 
(1) shall be defined annually, regard 
being had to: 
(a) the priorities set out by the 
Community and the Member States 
in their programmes for the 
promotion of renewable energy 
sources; The Commission shall be responsible 
for the implementation of the 
programme. 
The conditions and guidelines 
applicable to funding for the actions 
and measures referred to in Article 2 
(1) shall be defined annually, regard 
being had to: 
(a) the priorities set out by the 
Community and the Member States 
in their programmes for the 
promotion of renewable energy 
sources; 
10 
(b) criteria relating to the profitability 
and development potential of 
renewable energy sources and their 
effects on employment and the 
environment, in particular the 
reduction of C02 emissions; 
(c) for the actions referred to in point 
(e) of Article 2 (1), the relative cost 
of the assistance, the new production 
capacity expected to arise and the 
extent of transregional and /or 
transnational benefit (b) criteria relating to the profitability 
and development potential of 
renewable energy sources and their 
effects on employment and the 
environment, in particular the 
reduction of C02 emissions; 
(c) for the actions referred to in point 
(e) of Article 2 (1), the relative cost 
of the assistance, the long-term 
commercial viability. the new 
production capacity expected to arise 
and the extent of transregional and /or 
transnational benefit; 
(d) the principles established in Article 
92 of the Treaty and the relevant 
Community guidelines on State aid 
for environmental protection. 
The Committee referred to in Article 5 
shall assist the Commission in defining 
these conditions and guidelines. (d) the principles established in Article 
92 of the Treaty and the relevant 
Community guidelines on State aid 
for environmental protection. 
The Committee referred to in Article 5 
shall assist the Commission in defining 
these conditions and guidelines. 
Article 5 Article 5 
The Commission shall be assisted by an The Commission shall be assisted by an 
advisory committee composed of advisory committee composed of 
representatives of the Member States and representatives of the Member States and 
chaired by the representative of the chaired by the representative of the 
Commission. Commission. 
The representative of the Commission shall 
submit to the committee a draft of the 
measures to be taken The committee shall 
deliver its opinion on the draft within a time 
limit which the chairman may lay down 
according to the urgency of the matter, if 
necessary by taking a vote. The representative of the Commission shall 
submit to the committee a draft of the 
measures to be taken. The committee shall 
deliver its opinion on the draft within a time 
limit which the chairman may lay down 
according to the urgency of the matter, if 
necessary by taking a vote. 
The opinion shall be recorded in the The opinion shall be recorded in the 
minutes: in addition, each Member State minutes: in addition, each Member State 
shall have the right to ask to have its shall have the right to ask to have its 
position recorded in the minutes. position recorded in the minutes. 
The Commission shall take the utmost The Commission shall take the utmost 
account of the opinion delivered by the account of the opinion delivered by the 
committee. It shall inform the committee of committee. It shall inform the committee of 
11 
the manner in which its opinion has been the manner in which its opinion has been 
taken into account. taken into account. 
Article 6 Article 6 
During the course of the second year of 
the programme, the Commission shall 
present a report to the European 
Parliament, the Council, the Economic 
and Social Committee and the Committee 
of the Regions, on the measures taken to 
promote renewable energy sources at the 
level of the Community and of the 
Member States, with reference in 
particular to the objectives set out in 
Article 1. This report shall be 
accompanied by proposals for any 
amendments to the programme which 
may be necessary in the light of those 
results. 1. During the course of the second year of 
the programme, the Commission shall 
present a report to the European 
Parliament, the Council, the Economic 
and Social Committee and the Committee 
of the Regions, on the measures taken to 
promote renewable energy sources at the 
level of the Community and of the 
Member States, with reference in 
particular to the objectives set out in 
Article 1. This report shall be 
accompanied by proposals for any 
amendments to the programme which 
may be necessary in the light of those 
results. 
2. On expiry of the programme, the 
Commission shall assess the results 
obtained from the application of this 
Decision and the consistency of national 
and Community actions. It shall present a 
report thereon to the European 
Parliament, the Council, the Economic 
and Social Committee and the Committee 
of the Regions. 
Article 7 2. On expiry of the programme, the 
Commission shall assess the results 
obtained from the application of this 
Decision and the consistency of national 
and Community actions. It shall present a 
report thereon to the European 
Parliament, the Council, the Economic 
and Social Committee and the Committee 
of the Regions. 
Article 7 
This programme shall be open to 
participation by associated Central and 
Eastern European Countries (CEECs) in 
accordance with the conditions, including 
financial provisions, laid down in the 
additional protocols to the Association 
Agreements or in the Association 
Agreements themselves, relating to 
participation in Community programmes. 
This programme shall be open to 
participation by Cyprus on the basis of 
additional appropriations under the same 
rules as those applied to EFTA/EEA 
countries, in accordance with procedures to 
be agreed with this country. This programme shall be open to 
participation by associated Central and 
Eastern European Countries (CEECs) in 
accordance with the conditions, including 
financial provisions, laid down in the 
additional protocols to the Association 
Agreements or in the Association 
Agreements themselves, elating to 
participation in Community programmes. 
This programme shall be open to 
participation by Cyprus on the basis of 
additional appropriations under the same 
rules as those applied to EFTA/EEA 
countries, in accordance with procedures to 
be agreed with this country. 
12 
Article 8 Article 8 
This Decision shall apply from 1 January This Decision shall apply from 1 January 
1998 to 31 December 2002. 1998 to 31 December 2002. 
Article 9 Article 9 
This Decision is addressed to the Member This Decision is addressed to the Member 
States. States. 
OJNoL 167, 9.7.1993, p. 31. 
COM (94) 659 of 11.01.1995 
COM (95) 682 of 13.12. 1995 
OJNoC211, 22.7.1996, p. 27. 
COM (96) 576 final of 20.11.1996 
OJ No C 362, 2.12.1996, p. 279. 
OJNoC 167, 2.6.1997, p. 160. 
OJNoL235, 18.9.1993, p.41. 
OJNoL 126, 18.5.1994, p. 1. 
OJN0L86, 4.4.1996, p. 69. 
13 

ISSN 0254-1475 
COM(97) 646 final 
DOCUMENTS 
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