Proposal for a Council Decision adopting a multiannual programme of studies, analyses, forecasts and other related work in the energy sector (1998-2002) (ETAP programme) (98/C 261/04) (Text with EEA relevance) COM(1998) 423 final - 98/0233(CNS)

(Submitted by the Commission on 15 July 1998)

THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION,

Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Community, and in particular Article 235 thereof,

Having regard to the proposal from the Commission,

Having regard to the opinion of the European Parliament,

Whereas the White Paper entitled 'An energy policy for the European Union` (1) proposes a new approach to the monitoring of energy trends based on cooperation with the Member States and which would give added benefits by establishing and encouraging the most effective methods, promoting a cooperative approach to studies and analyses and encouraging the exchange of know-how in the field in question;

Whereas in its resolution of 8 July 1996 (2) on the above-mentioned White Paper, the Council believes that energy decision making at Community level needs to be placed in the context of a shared analysis of the energy situation and of future trends and invites the Commission to organise cooperation between the Member States;

Whereas in its conclusions of 11 May 1998 on the Kyoto Protocol, the Council welcomed the Commission's presentation on energy policy options for responding to the climate change challenge and stressed the need to prepare a shared analysis of the economic impact of the greenhouse gas emission reductions;

Whereas, in its conclusions, the Cardiff European Council invited the Energy Council to give effect to environmental integration and sustainable development within its policy area and invited the Council and the Commission to keep under review the organisational arrangements necessary to carry this forward; whereas it is therefore necessary to develop appropriate indicators to monitor progress in this area;

Whereas the consolidation and monitoring of the internal energy market are priority tasks for the Community and for the Member States; whereas it is necessary in this connection for energy trends and questions to be analysed at Community level in collaboration with the energy sector;

Whereas provision should therefore be made within the multiannual framework programme for actions in the energy sector (1998-2002) for a specific programme of studies, analyses, forecasts and other related work in the energy sector;

Whereas it is desirable that these analyses, studies forecasts and other related work should not unnecessarily duplicate similar work carried out by other international organisations and by the Member States;

Whereas some of these activities should be open to participation by international organisations responsible for energy matters, such as the International Energy Agency, bodies representing industry and certain third countries, in accordance with the rules governing the Community's relations with those organisations and countries;

Whereas this set of actions should be coordinated with the other activities of the Community, the Member States, third countries and international organisations;

Whereas it is politically and economically desirable to open up the programme to associated Central and Eastern European countries, in accordance with the conclusions of the Copenhagen European Council in June 1994 and as stated in the Commission's communication to the Council on this subject in May 1994, as well as to Cyprus;

Whereas the Treaty establishing the European Community does not provide powers for the adoption of this programme other than those in Article 235;

HAS ADOPTED THIS DECISION:

Article 1

1. Within the framework programme for actions in the energy sector, a specific programme of studies analyses forecasts and other related work concerning the future development of European energy policy, hereinafter referred to as ETAP, shall be implemented by the Community for the period 1998-2002.

2. Apart from the priority objectives referred to in Article 1(2) of the Council Decision adopting a multiannual framework programme for actions in the energy sector, the objectives of the ETAP programme shall be:

- to establish at Community level a shared approach to studies, analyses, forecasts and other related work in the energy sector;

- to promote analysis of energy markets and policies at the level of the Community and the Member States;

- to analyse and evaluate energy and environment questions, particularly in relation to climate change;

- to analyse and evaluate energy market trends in Europe and the world;

- to help identify and transfer the best analysis methods and practices;

- to facilitate information networks in the energy field;

- to develop an active policy for the dissemination of the results obtained.

Article 2

The annual appropriations shall be determined by the budgetary authority within the constraints of the financial perspectives and budgetary discipline.

Article 3

In order to achieve the objectives referred to in Article 1(2), the Community may undertake and/or promote, directly or in cooperation with the interested parties, and/or contribute financially to the following measures:

1. observation, monitoring and the exchange of comparable information in the energy field as well as the completion of studies, analyses and forecasts on all energy aspects, including trends, markets and prices;

2. the provision of technical and methodological assistance to projects in order to identify and transfer the best practices in areas such as methods of analysis and forecasting, means of collecting energy data, access to and exchanges via electronic networks and any other measure which helps to achieve the general objective;

3. assistance for the development of links among energy producers and users and academic and administrative circles in order to promote research into the policy and economic aspects of energy;

4. the implementation of any initiative contributing to the dissemination of the results obtained, including the preparation and publication of reports and the organisation of workshops, seminars and conferences.

Article 4

1. The Commission shall be responsible for the financial execution and implementation of the ETAP programme.

2. For the purposes of implementing the programme, the Commission shall be assisted by the Committee referred to in Article 4 of the Council Decision adopting a multiannual framework programme for actions in the energy sector.

3. The Commission shall draw up each year a draft programme of actions to be undertaken during the following year, which will be submitted to the Committee referred to in paragraph 2.

Article 5

The examination and internal and external assessment of the implementation of this programme shall be carried out in accordance with Article 5 of the Council Decision adopting a multiannual framework programme for actions in the energy sector.

Article 6

The ETAP programme shall be open to participation by associated Central and Eastern European countries (CEEC) 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. The programme shall also 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 that country.

Article 7

This Decision shall enter into force on the 20th day following its publication in the Official Journal of the European Communities.

Article 8

This Decision is addressed to the Member States.

(1) COM(95) 682 of 13.12.1995.

(2) OJ No C 224, 1.8.1996.