Proposal for a COUNCIL REGULATION (EC) ON ENVIRONMENTAL MEASURES IN DEVELOPING COUNTRIES IN THE CONTEXT OF SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT
Date: 1995-06-27
Institutions: European Commission
Subjects: EU aid, EU financing, action programme, developing countries, environmental protection, technical cooperation

COMMISSION  OF THE EUROPEAN  COMMUNITIES 

Brussels,  27.06.1995 
COM(95)  294  final 

95/0161 (SYN) 

Proposal  for a 

COUNCIL  REGULATION (EC) 

ON ENVIRONMENTAL MEASURES IN DEVELOPING 
COUNTRIES 
IN THE CONTEXT OF SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT 

(presented by the Commission) 

EXPLANATORY  MEMORANDUM 

CONCERNING THE PROPOSAL FOR A COUNCIL REGULATION ON 
ENVIRONMENTAL MEASURES IN DEVELOPING COUNTRIES IN THE 
CONTEXT OF SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT 

The  proposal  for  a  Regulation  on  environmental  measures  in  developing  countries 
(budget  heading B7-5040)  is  aimed  at  implementing  the  principle  of  sustainable 
development  and,  accordingly,  contributing  to  the  integration  of  an  environmental 
dimension  into  the  development  process  in  developing  countries,  thereby  helping  to 
improve living conditions for  local people. 

The measures to be carried  out under this budget instrument  fall  clearly  within  the new 
Community  and  international  context:  Article  130u  of  the  Treaty  on  European  Union 
states that Community policy in the sphere of development cooperation  "shall foster  the 
sustainable  economic  and  social  development  of  the  developing  countries'*  while 
Article  130r states that one of  the objectives  of  Community  policy  on  the environment 
"shall  be  to  contribute  to  promoting  measures  at  international  level  to  deal  with 
regional or worldwide environmental problems". 

These  provisions  form  the  basis  for  Community  financing  -  in  the  context  of  its 
relations  with  the developing  countries  -  of  undertakings  made  by  the  Community,  in 
particular  at  the  Rio  Conference.  In  the  context  of  the  United  Nations  Conference  on 
Environment  and  Development  (June  1992),  the  Community  has  put  its  name  to  the 
Biodiversity  Convention,  the  Climate  Change  Convention,  the Declaration  on  Forests, 
the Agenda 21 action programme and the Convention  to combat  Desertification. 

As  a  major  partner  of  the  developing  countries,  the  Community  can  play  a  role  in 
helping  them  implement  all  the  undertakings  they  have  made  by  means  of  assistance 
provided  in addition  to that contributed  by individual Member  States or  internationally, 
in particular via the Global Environment  Facility. 

The  purpose  of  such  assistance  will  be  to  help  create  the  right  conditions  for  the 
developing  countries  to  make  progress  on  sustainable  development,  in  particular 
through: 

-  a  strengthening  of  institutions  and  operational  capacity  at  regional,  national 

and local level; 

-  greater  awareness  of  the  need  to  improve  the  management  of  natural 
resources  and  protection  of  the  environment;  with  a  view  to  cultivating 
attitudes more receptive to this need,  emphasis will be placed  on the  specific 
role and experience of local, especially  indigenous population groups; 

-  better  knowledge  and  awareness  of  the  interaction  between  international 

trade and environmental protection  constraints; 

A 

-  wider  acceptance  of  environmental  technology  by  seeking  to attract  private 
investment  and  gain  recognition  for  technology  specific  to  developing 
countries, particularly in the sphere of agriculture. 

The  aim  of  Community  action  is  thus  to  help  developing  countries  resolve  their  own 
difficulties.  To meet this challenge,  the Community  must, on the one hand,  ensure that 
all the cooperation programmes carried out in partnership with developing countries are 
sensitive  to  the  environment  while  at  the  same  time  achieving  bettor  social  and 
economic  conditions  and,  on  the  other,  seek  to  maximize  the  capacity  of  existing 
budget  instruments  covering  environmental  cooperation,  in  particular  financial  and 
technical cooperation, to act as a catalyst 

The budget heading  "Environment in the Developing Countries" is therefore  designed: 

1. 

2. 

3. 

to  take  account  of  the  environmental  dimension  in  development  cooperation 
through  training  schemes  and  by  studying  the  impact  on  aie  environment  of 
Community cooperation  projects; 

to  help  developing  country  partners  to  acquire  the  necessary  institutional 
capacity  to draw  up and implement better  projects,  taking particular  account of 
initiatives  proposed  by  local  population  groups  which,  by  dint  of  their 
experience, have an awareness of environmental  concerns; 

to  use  these  pilot  projects  to  test  and  promote  innovatory  methods  and 
approaches  relevant,  for  example,  to  the urban  environment,  coastal/moisture-
retentive  ecosystems,  or  to  situations  in  which  typical  North-South  problems 
arise  over  compatibility  between  the environment  and  international  trade  rules 
(e.g.  wood pulp and tropical forest products). 

Programming  of  these  activities  will  need  to  be  tailored  to  individual  geographical 
situations  and  priorities,  with  greater  emphasis  being  placed  on  strengthening 
operational  capacity  (particularly  in  Latin  America),  conserving fragile  ecosystems  (in 
Asia and Africa) and combating pollution  (in the Mediterranean and Asia). 

At  the end  of  each  financial  year,  the Commission  will  present  a  report  to  Parliament 
and  the  Council describing  the areas  selected  for  priority  assistance over  the  year  and 
summarizing  the projects  financed.  The  report  will  also contain  an  evaluation  of  their 
implementation. 

PROPOSAL FOR A COUNCIL REGULATION NO  ... 
OF... 

ON ENVIRONMENTAL MEASURES 
IN DEVELOPING COUNTRIES IN THE CONTEXT OF 
SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT 

THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION, 

Having  regard  to  the  Treaty  establishing  the  European  Community,  and  in  particular 
Articles  130s and  130w thereof, 

Having regard to the proposal from  the Commission, 

In cooperation  with the European  Parliament, 

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

Convinced  of  the  need  to  implement  sustainable  development  by  contributing  to  the 
genuine integration of an environmental dimension  into the development process, 

Whereas  the creation  of  suitable  instruments  and  the  implementation  of  pilot  schemes 
will be the cornerstones of that integration  in all the fields  concerned; 

Taking  account  of  the resolution  adopted  by  the European  Parliament  on  14 May  1992 
on the environment and development  cooperation; 

Whereas the Community  and  its Member  States were signatories  to the Rio declaration 
and the Agenda 21 action programme; 

Whereas  the  Community  and  it  Member  States  ratified  the  Convention  on  Biological 
Diversity  and  Climate Change,  and  have  signed  the Convention  on  Desertification  and 
are thus committed  to take into account  the common  but differing  responsibilities  from 
developed parties and developing parties on the subject; 

Referring  to the resolution  of  the Council and the representatives  of  the Member  States 
of  1 February  1993 on a Community policy  and action programme on  the environment 
and  sustainable development; 

Whereas  it  is  important  to  integrate  the  internal  and  external  aspects  of  the  European 
Community's  environment  policy  in  order  to  have  a  coherent  answer  to  the  problems 
set  out  at  UNCED,  in  particular  the  effects  of  global  environmental  changes  on  the 
state of the environment  within the Community; 

Whereas  ,  in  particular  where  climate  change  and  the conservation  of  biological  and 
genetic  diversity  and  resources  (including  the  seas,  coasts  and  soils)  are  concerned, 
local  effects  have  undeniable  consequences  for  die  whole  earth  and  for  future 
generations and consequently  for the well-being,  health and security  of  the citizens of 
the Community,  notably as far as access to genetic resources is concerned; 

Whereas  the  Community  and its  Member  States  signed  the  convention  on  combating 
desertification; 

Whereas  the financial instruments  available  to  the  Community  for  conservation  and 
sustainable development could be usefully supplemented; 

Whereas measures need to be taken to finance the activities covered by this Regulation; 

Whereas  detailed  rules  for  implementation,  and  in  particular  the  form  of  action,  the 
recipients of the aid and the decision-making procedure should be laid down, 

ADOPTS THIS REGULATION 

Article 1 

The Community  shall provide financial  assistance and technical expertise  for  activities 
aimed at facilitating  the integration of  an environmental  dimension  into the sustainable 
development process in the developing countries. 

1. 

The activities to be carried out under mis Regulation shall centre on: 

Article 2 

preserving  biological  diversity  through  the conservation  of  the ecosystems  and 
habitats  necessary  to  maintain  the  diversity  of  species  and  the  survival  of 
endangered species and by identifying  and assessing biodiversity resources; 

improving  the  environment,  especially  the  urban  environment, 
through 
management  plans  for  waste,  waste  water  and  air  pollution  in  the  context  of 
regional planning; 

preserving  coastal  areas  by  reducing  sources  of  pollution  and  supporting 
initiatives for the sustainable management of marine ecosystems; 

applying  and  transferring  technologies  adapted  to  environmental  constraints, 
particularly in the field of energy; 

improving practices for soil conservation and management in livestock  farming, 
forest protection and the fight against desertification; 

adapting  production  processes  in  developing  countries  and  making  economic 
operators  aware  of  the  environmental  constraints  that  may  have  an  impact  on 
trade with developing countries (e.g.  standards,  labels,  certification). 

2. 

Projects eligible for financing include: 

pilot  schemes  in  the  field  likely  to  contribute  to  sustainable  development, 
environmental protection  and long-term  management of natural resources; 

establishment  of  guidelines  and  instruments  aimed  at  promoting  sustainable 
development  and  environmental  integration,  particularly  in  the  form  of  plans 
and programmes; 

analysis 
programmes,  strategies and policies in developing countries. 

(impact  assessment)  of  the  environmental  effects  of  projects, 

3. 

Particular attention  will be given to: 

schemes to build  up the institutions of developing countries at national,  regional 
and local level; 

the  involvement  of  local  people  in  identifying,  planning  and  implementing 
projects. 

Article 3 

Aid  recipients  and  cooperation  partners  shall  include  not  only  states  and  regions  but 
also  decentralized  departments,  regional  bodies,  public  agencies,  traditional  and  local 
communities,  private  operators  and  industries,  including  cooperatives  and  non 
governmental organizations and associations representing  local people. 

Article 4 

1. 

2. 

Community  assistance  in  the  implementation  of  the  operations  referred  to  in 
Article 2  shall  include  studies,  technical  assistance,  training  or  other  services, 
supplies and works, and evaluation and monitoring missions and audits. 

According  to  the  needs  of  the  operations  concerned,  Community  financing  may 
cover both capital investment, other than the purchase of real estate, and operating 
costs  in  foreign  or  local  currency.  However,  with  the  exception  of  training 
programmes,  operating  costs  may  normally  be  covered  only  during  the  start-up 
phase and on a degressive basis. 

3. 

4. 

5. 

A  systematic  effort  shall  be  made  *o  obtain  a  contribution,  and  in  particular  a 
local 
financial  contribution, 
communities,  firms  or  others),  according  to  their  means  and  the  nature  of  the 
operation concerned. 

the  ultimate  beneficiaries 

(countries, 

from 

Opportunities shall be sought for cofinancing,  in particular with the Member  States 
or with multilateral,  regional  or other  organizations.  The  requisite  measures  shall 
be  taken  to  highlight  the  Community  character  of  aid  granted  under  this 
Regulation. 

The  Commission  shall  take  all  coordination  measures  necessary  to  maximize 
overall  efficiency  by enhancing the consistency  and complementarity  of  operations 
financed by the Community and the Member States, and in particular: 

(a) 

(b) 

the  setting-up  of  a  standard  system  for  exchanges  of  information  on  the 
operations financed  or considered  for financing  by the  Community  and the 
Member States; 

on-the-spot  coordination  of  operations  through  regular  meetings  and 
exchanges  of  information  between  the  representatives  of  the  Commission 
and the Member States in the recipient country. 

Article  5 

Financial support under this Regulation shall take the form of grants. 

Article  6 

1. 

2. 

3. 

4. 

The  Commission  shall  be  responsible  for  appraising,  approving  and  managing 
operations covered by this Regulation in accordance with the budgetary  and other 
procedures  in force,  and in particular  those  laid  down  in the Financial  Regulation 
applicable to the general budget of the European Communities. 

Decisions  relating  to  grants  of  more  than ECU 2 million  for  individual  operations 
financed  under this  Regulation  and  any  changes  resulting  in  an  increase  of  more 
than  20%  in  the  sum  initially  approved  for  such  an  operation  shall  be  adopted 
under the procedure laid down in Article 7. 

All  financing  agreements  or  contracts  concluded  under  this  Regulation  shall 
provide  for  the  Commission  and  the  Court  of  Auditors  to  conduct  on-the-spot 
checks  according to  the usual  procedures  laid down by the Commission  under the 
rules in force,  and in particular those  of the Financial  Regulation  applicable to  the 
general budget of the European Communities. 

Where operations are the subject of financing  agreements between the  Community 
and  the  recipient  country,  such  agreements  shall  stipulate  that  the  payment  of 
taxes,  duties or any other charges is not to be covered by the Community. 

5. 

6. 

1. 

Participation  in invitations to  tender  and the award^of contracts  shall  be  open  on 
equal terms to natural and legal persons of the Member  States and of the recipient 
country.  It may be extended to other developing countries. 

Supplies  shall  originate  in  the  Member  States,  the  recipient  country  or  other 
developing countries.  In exceptional cases, where circumstances warrant,  supplies 
may originate elsewhere. 

Article  7 

The  Commission  shall  be  assisted  by  an  advisory  committee  made  up  of 
representatives  from  the  Member  States  and  chaired  by  a  representative  of  the 
Commission, namely, depending on the recipient country or region: 

in the case of the ACP countries, the EDF Committee set up by Article 21 
of Internal  Agreement  91/401/EEC on the financing  and  administration  of 
Community  aid  under 
the  fourth  Lomé  Convention,  adopted  on 
16 July  1990 by the representatives of the Member States meeting with the 
Council; 
in the case of the Mediterranean  countries, the Mill) Committee  set  up by 
Article 6 of Council Regulation (EEC) No  1762/92 of 29 June 1992; 
in the case of the Asian and Latin American countries, the ALA Committee 
set  up  by  Article  15  of  Council  Regulation  (EEC)  No  443/92  of  25 
February 1992. 

2. 

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

3. 

The  committee  shall  meet  once  a  year,  during  a  joint  meeting  of  the  three 
committees  mentioned  in  the  first  paragraph,  to  discuss  general  guidelines 
presented by the Commission representative for operations in the year ahead. 

Article 8 

At the end of each budget year, the Commission  shall present  a report  to Parliament  and 
the Council summarizing the operations financed  in the course of that year and evaluating 
the implementation of this Regulation over that period. 

The  summary  shall  in  particular  contain  information  about  those  with  whom  contracts 
have been concluded. 

r-

The  report  shall  also  summarize  any  independent  evaluations  conducted  of  specific 
operations. 

Article  9 

This  Regulation  shall  enter  into  force  on  the  third  day  following  its  publication  in  the 
Official  Journal of the European Communities. 

This  Regulation  shall  be  binding  in  its  entirety  and  directly  applicable  in  all  Member 
States. 

Done at Brussels,... 

For the Council 
The President 

HN^MANCIAL STATEMENT 

Heading: B7-5040 "Environment in the Developing Countries" 

1.  Title of operation: 

Environment in the Developing  Countries 

2.  Budget heading involved: 

B7-5040 

3.  Legal basis: 

Treaty  on European  Union,  Articles  130r and  130s (Environment)  and 
130u and  I30w  (Development) 
Proposal  (June  1995)  for  a  Council  Regulation  on  environmental 
measures in the developing countries. 

4.  Description  of  operation 

4.1  General  objective 

The  appropriations  in  this  budget  heading  are  intended  to  finance 
schemes  aimed  at  integrating  an  environmental  dimension  into  the 
development  process  with  a  view  to  achieving  sustainable  economic 
and  social  development 
to  be 
accomplished  through  the initiation of new policies and the consequent 
generation of action programmes. 

in  developing  countries, 

this 

The instruments employed  and projects  undertaken  will focus on: 

-  preservation  of biological  diversity 
- 

improvement  of  the  environment,  particularly  in  urban  areas, 
through  the  implementation  of  management  plans  concerning 
waste, waste water and air pollution, etc. 

-  preservation of coastal areas 
-  use of environment-friendly  technologies in the energy  sphere 
improvement of  soil conservation  methods and  management. 
- 

4.2  Period  covered and  arrangements  for  renewal  or  extension 

Pending  adoption  of  the  Regulation  establishing  the  legal  basis,  the 
measures will be specific and renewable annually. 

5.  Classification  of  expenditure 

Non-compulsory  expenditure/Differentiated  appropriations 

6.  Type of  expenditure 

Subsidy covering up to  100% of costs.  However: 

3 

a systematic effort  will be made to obtain.a contribution,  particularly  a 
financial  one,  from  the project  beneficiaries. 

cofinancing  arrangements  with  Member  States  and  multilateral 
organizations (regional or other) will be investigated. 

7.  Financial impact 

7.1  Method of calculating total cost of  operation 

The average amount of  the  EC contribution  to  each  measure  included 
in  this  operation  will  be  in  excess  of  ECU 500 000  based  on  the 
following costs: 

Services provided (unit price) 
Supply of equipment  (cost price) 
Operating expenditure (total price) 

7.2  Itemised breakdown of cost 

An equal  distribution  between eligible geographic  regions  is envisaged.  This  may  vary 
according  to demand and/or priorities. 

(million ECU) 

™"',j  •••  •  "  '  i'ii 

-*—--—«P.»  |, HI 

•if,,,.,  "i 

, mi 

rr 

"*'  " — • • ' •- 

- 

•••••' 

" ~ ~T 

Breakdown 
Instruments 
Projects 

|

1  1995 
1  3.3 
]  9.9 

1996 
4 
11 

7.3 Breakdown by Subject Area in 1995 

"" 

"' 

" "' 

' 

"M 

~"  ~ ' W » l . ^ - - — « - — *—  •••'  "— 

M  • ••  — 

I. 

•— 

• • . • • • • I .— 

— 

- •- 

. — - I. 

.••• 

I 

- 

•! 

!•«-••••_••..•••—•—.• 

••-

Themes 
Preservation  of biological diversity  - conservation  of 

% 
36.5 

ecosystems 

Management of urban environment:  waste management 

I Management of urban environment:  waste water management  17.5 

Preservation  of coastal  areas 
Soil conservation and  management 
Use of environmentally  friendly  technologies 

4 
18.75 
7 

16.25 

7.3 

Indicative schedule of commitment  appropriations 

(million ECU) 

I  1995 
B7-5040  1 13.2 

I  1996 
|  15 

^ 

8.  Fraud prevention  measures 

Technical checks by Commission  officials,  assisted by independent experts. 

taking 

The Commission,  prior  to payment,  verifies  the subsidies and  the receipt of 
services  and  preparatory  studies,  feasibility  studies  and  evaluation  reports 
into  account  contractual  obligations  and  applying 
requested, 
recognized 
financial/general 
management.  Fraud prevention  measures (audits,  submission  of reports, etc) 
are  included 
the 
Commission and payment recipients. 

in  all  agreements  or  contracts  concluded  between 

principles  of 

economics 

sound 

and 

9.  Elements of cost-effectiveness  analysis 

9.1  *  Specific  and quantified  objectives; targeted  population 

(a) Support 

in 

for  governmental 

organizations 
the  decision-making  process 

and  Community 
institutions 
regarding 
integration  of  the  environment  into  development  cooperation 
policies  and  programmes.  This  support  will  involve  the 
preparation  of  environmental  impact  studies,  strategic  policy 
positions  and  guidelines  and  the  evaluation. of  policies  and 
light  of 
programmes  as  regards 
sustainable development  objectives. 

their  suitability 

the 

in 

living  conditions  of 

(b) Promotion  of  efficient  and  prudent  management  of  natural 
resources  as  a  means  towards  improving  the  social  and 
economic 
in 
developing  countries.  In  practice,  this  involves  support  for 
projects  implemented  either  directly  by  local  people  (local 
communities,  indigenous groups,  NGOs, etc) or in  the form  of 
technical  assistance.  A  financing  guide  was  prepared  in  1995 
and  distributed  to  potential  partners;  it  explains  the  objectives 
sought and the procedures and criteria used. 

local  population 

the 

Since  1994,  an  interdepartmental  technical  committee  has  assisted 
in the preselection  of  projects. 

(c) Types  of  actions  financed  which  contribute 

to 

the  general 

objectives 

of the budget line: 

Preservation of biological  diversity 

Activities: 

-  Protection and sustainable use of natural resources 

-  Creation of decision-making  tools, such as databases, action plans, 

.research studies and seminars. 

-Improvement  of the environment,  in particular urban 
environment, trough the implementation of management  plans 
concerning waste,  waste water and air pollution 

Activity: 

Formulation and Implementation of a management plan  for domestic, 
hospital and toxic waste in a capital city. 

Preservation of coastal zones 

Activity; 

Creation of protected areas 

Improvement  of conservation practices and soil management 

Activities: 

-  Demonstration projects on sustainable production  techniques 

-  Actions in the area of prevention  of soil degradation 

-  Environmental impact study on the effect  of mining  contamination. 

Use of environmentally  friendly  technologies 

Activity: 

Information  on the use of  solar energy  in the framework  of  sustainable 
development. 

9.2  Grounds for the operation 

(a) Need for Community  financial  aid 

Budget  heading  B7-5040  was  created  in  1982  at  the  instigation  of 
Parliament  which,  along  with  the Council,  had  stated  frequently  in 
resolutions  the need  to integrate  the environment  into  development 
operations.  This principle  was incorporated  in  the declarations  and 
conventions  drawn  up at  the  June  1992  Rio  Conference 
(Agenda 
21,  Biodiversity Convention,  Climate Change Convention,  etc) and 
adopted by the Community. 

Al~ 

The  measures  covered  by  heading.  B7-5040  are  designed  to 
.facilitate  the  integration  process  through  the  creation  of  suitable 
instruments  and  the  undertaking  of  pilot  projects  with  a  multiplier 
effect,  compatible  with  larger-scale  operations  undertaken  with 
ALA,  MED or EDF  financing. 

The budget line aims at strengthening coherence and 

Community and 
States in the area of  environment. 

complementarity  between 

the  actions 

the 
the  actions  financed  by  Member 

financed  by 

The results of pilot actions facilitate  more important long term 
interventions in the areas concerned. 

(b) Choice of ways and means: 

by contract,  directly (NGOs) or 
by  contract,  following  invitation  to  tender  (provision  of  services, 
equipment). 

9.3  Monitoring and evaluation of the operation 

-  The logical framework  exercise is integrated  in the preparation, 

supervision and evaluation of  projects. 

-  Monitoring  and  evaluation  indicators  are  selected  and  applied  in 
the case of each operation.  A specific  evaluation  of certain  projects 
is undertaken; 

-  Several  interim  reports  are  requested  during  the  duration  of  these 
the  European 

the  delegations  of 

projects. 
In  many  cases 
Commission ensure local  supervision. 

-  An  overall  evaluation  of  operations  financed  since  1990  from  this 
budget  heading  will  be  undertaken  in  1995  together  with  the 
Evaluation  Unit  (DG  VIII/A/2)  in  accordance  with  the  "Logical 
Framework"  approach.  This  evaluation  will  serve  as  a  tool  to 
confirm  the  indicators  used  in  the  evaluation  and  supervision  of 
projects. 

9.4  Coherence  with  financial  programming 

9.4.1 

the  operation 

Is 
in 
programming  for  the  relevant  years? 

incorporated 

the  DG's 

financial 

Yes 

9.4.2  To  which  broader  objective  defined  in  the  DG's  financial 
programming  does  the  objective  of  the  proposed  operation 
correspond? 

ii 

The  objective  of  the  operation -falls  within  the 

lifirjy  set  out  in  the  Tratèy  on  Eurqpean Union 

ISSN 0254-1475 

COM(95) 294  final 

DOCUMENTS 

EN 

11  14 

Catalogue number  : CB-CO-95-330-EN-C 

ISBN 92-77-91035-6 

Office for Official Publications of the European Communities 

L-2985 Luxembourg 

AS'