Proposal for a Council Decision on Community support for actions in favour of older people

(95/C 115/06)

COM(95) 53 final - 95/0062(CNS)

(Submitted by the Commission on 3 March 1995)

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,

Having regard to the opinion of the Economic and Social Committee,

Whereas the constant improvement of living and working conditions and the harmonious development of economies are an aim of the European Community;

Whereas the Economic and Social Committee adopted its opinion on older people in society on 25 November 1993 (1);

Whereas the Council adopted its declaration of 6 December 1993 to mark the end of the European Year of the elderly and of solidarity between generations, in which note was taken of the Commission's intention to present a proposal in this field (2);

Whereas the European Parliament adopted its resolution of 24 February 1994 on measures for older people in the European Community (3);

Whereas the declaration on cooperation with charitable associations annexed to the Treaty on European Union stresses the importance of cooperation with charitable associations and foundations as institutions responsible for social welfare establishments and services;

Whereas current demographic developments tend towards a major increase in the numbers of older people in the population, whereas this trend will have considerable economic and social implications, in particular for the empoloyment market, social security and social expenditure;

Whereas cooperation and consultation on measures affecting older people between the Commission, the Member States and representatives of older people are important for the development of solidarity within the European Union;

Whereas the measures to be carried out at European level are intended to make known and to complement the different types of measures carried out in Member States at various levels;

Whereas the European year of older people and solidarity between generations, 1993, served to show in a practical way the value of exchange of information and experience in the matter of ageing in Europe;

Whereas the conditions created by the European year of older people and solidarity between generations justify a special, one-off follow-up initiative at European level to build on the achievements of the year;

Whereas the Treaty does not provide, for the measure concerned, powers others than those of Article 235,

HAS DECIDED AS FOLLOWS:

Article 1

A framework for Community support for actions in Member States aiming at meeting the challenges of an ageing population in the European Union is hereby established for the period 1 September 1995 to 31 December 1999.

Article 2

The actions referred to in Article 1 shall have the following objetives:

1. to identify ways to develop the role and potential of the active retired population;

2. to promote best practice in relation to:

(a) improving the situation of older women;

(b) management of an ageing workforce;

(c) transition from work to retirement;

(d) care and access to care for dependent older people;

3. to strengthen solidarity between generations and the integration of older people in danger of isolation.

Article 3

The measures designed to attain the objectives referred to in Article 2 shall be as follows:

(a) specific projects which fulfil the criteria in the Annex to this Decision;

(b) comparative studies and transnational initiatives designed to exchange information and experience and to promote best practice in relation to the priority themes of the action, in partnerships involving the public or private sectors, professional or voluntary organizations;

(c) the drawing up of regular comparative reports on the socio-economic situation of older people throughout the European Union by a team of independent scientific experts (to be know as the 'European observatory on ageing and older people`).

Article 4

1. The Commission shall be responsible for the implementation of this Decision.

2. Decisions on the funding of specific actions shall be taken by the Commission following consultation of the committee provided for in Article 6.

3. The Commission may also consult the committee provided for in Article 6 in relation to other practical aspects of the implementation of the Decision.

Article 5

1. Applications for the funding of actions may be made by organizations and individual persons. Applications shall be addressed to the Commission.

2. The level of Community contribution towards actions approved for support under this Decision shall not exceed 75 % of the total cost, except in the case of studies which are especially commissioned by the Commission in pursuit of the objectives of this Decision.

Article 6

The Commission shall be assisted by a committee of an advisory nature, hereinafter referred to as 'the committee`, composed of two representatives of the Government of each Member State and chaired by a representative of the 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 opinion shall be recorded in the minutes, in addition, each Member State shall have the right to ask to have its position recorded in the minutes.

The Commission shall take the utmost account of the opinion delivered by the committee. It shall inform the committee of the manner in which its opinion has been taken into account.

The committee shall adopt its own rules of procedure.

Article 7

The dissemination and exchange of information and knowledge concerning the programme shall be organized under the responsibility of the Commission.

Article 8

Before 31 December 2000 the Commission shall present to the Council and the European Parliament a report on the implementation and results of the actions.

Article 9

This decision shall be published in the Official Journal of the European Communities.

(1) OJ No C 34, 2. 2. 1994, p. 61.

(2) OJ No C 343, 21. 12. 1993, p. 1.

(3) OJ No C 77, 14. 3. 1994, p. 24.