Decision No 4/2000 of the UE-Latvia Association Council of 9 October 2000 adopting the terms and conditions for the participation of the Republic of Latvia in the Community programme in the field of small and medium-sized enterprises
Date: 2000-10-09
Institutions: Provisional data
Subjects: EU programme, Latvia, association agreement (EU), small and medium-sized enterprises

31.10.2000

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

L 278/21

DECISION No 4/2000 OF THE UE-LATVIA ASSOCIATION COUNCIL

of 9 October 2000

adopting the terms and conditions for the participation of the Republic of Latvia in the Community
programme in the field of small and medium-sized enterprises

(2000/663/EC)

THE ASSOCIATION COUNCIL,

HAS DECIDED AS FOLLOWS:

Having regard to the Europe Agreement establishing an asso-
ciation between the European Communities and their member
States, of the one part, and the Republic of Latvia, of the other
part (1), and in particular Article 109 thereof,

Whereas:

(1)

(2)

(3)

According to Article 109 of the Europe Agreement,
framework
Latvia may participate
programmes, projects or other Community actions in
the fields laid down in Annex XVIII, which include the
field of small and medium-sized enterprises.

in Community

Council Decision 97/15/EC of 9 December 1996 on a
third multiannual programme for small and medium-
sized enterprises (SMEs) in the European Union (1997 to
2000) (2) adopts a programme for Community policy for
SMEs, including craft and very small enterprises, for a
period of four years from 1 January 1997, and Article
7(1) thereof provides that this programme is to be open
to the participation of the associated Central European
countries.

According to Article 109 of the Europe Agreement the
terms and conditions for the participation of Latvia in
the activities referred to in Annex XVIII are to be
decided by the Association Council,

Article 1

The Republic of Latvia shall participate in the Third Multi-
annual Programme for Small and Medium-sized Enterprises
(SMEs) in the European Union (1997 to 2000) in accordance
with the terms and conditions set out in Annexes I and II
which shall form an integral part of this Decision.

Article 2

This Decision shall apply for the duration of the programme.

Article 3

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

Done at Brussels, 9 October 2000.

For the Association Council

The President

H. VÉDRINE

(1) OJ L 26, 2.2.1998, p. 1.
(2) OJ L 6, 10.1.1997, p. 25.

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Official Journal of the European Communities

31.10.2000

ANNEX I

Terms and conditions for the participation of Latvia in the Third Multiannual Programme for Small and
Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs) in the European Union (1997 to 2000)

1. Latvia will participate in the activities of the Third Multiannual Programme for Small and Medium-sized Enterprises
(SMEs) in the European Union (1997 to 2000) (hereinafter called ‘the Programmes’) in conformity, unless otherwise
provided in this Decision, with the objectives, criteria, procedures and time limits laid down in Council Decision
(97/15/EC) of 9 December 1996 on a Third Multiannual Programme for Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs) in
the European Union (1997 to 2000) and in particular Article 7(1) thereof.

2. The terms and conditions for the submission, assessment and selection of applications related to eligible institutions,
organisations and individuals of Latvia will be the same as those applicable to eligible institutions, organisations and
individuals of the Community.

3. Where appropriate, in order to ensure the Community dimension of the Programme, transitional projects and activities
proposed by Latvia will be required to include a minimum number of partners from the Member States of the
Community. This minimum number will be decided in the framework of the implementation of the Programme,
taking into account the nature of the various activities, the number of partners in a given project, and the number of
countries participating in the Programme.

4. Latvia will pay each year a contribution to the general budget of the European Union to cover the costs resulting from
its participation in the Programme (see Annex II). The Association Committee is entitled to adapt this contribution
whenever necessary.

5. The Member States of the Community and Latvia will make every effort, within the framework of the existing
provisions, to facilitate the free movement and residence of all eligible persons to the Programme moving between
Latvia and the Member States of the Community for the purpose of participating in activities covered by the Decision.

6. Without prejudice to the responsibilities of the Commission and the Court of Auditors of the European Community in
relation to the evaluation of the Programme according to the Decision on a Third Multiannual Programme for Small
and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs) in the European Union (Article 6), the participation of Latvia in the Programme
will be continuously evaluated on a partnership basis involving Latvia and the Commission of the European
Communities. Latvia will submit the necessary reports to the Commission and take part in other specific activities set
out by the Community in that context.

7. Without prejudice to the procedures referred to in Article 4 of the Decision on a Third Multiannual Programme for
Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs) in the European Union, Latvia will be invited to coordination meetings on
any question concerning the implementation of this Decision prior to regular meetings of the Programme Committee.
The Commission will

inform Latvia about the results of such regular meetings.

8. The language to be used as regards the application process, contracts, reports to be submitted and other administrative

arrangements for the Programme, will be one of the official

languages of the Community.

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Official Journal of the European Communities

L 278/23

ANNEX II

Financial contribution of Latvia to the Third Multiannual Programme for Small and Medium-sized Enterprises
(SMEs) in the European Union (1997 to 2000)

1. The financial contribution of Latvia will cover:

(a) financial support from the Programme to the participation of Latvian entities in activities as defined in Annex I.1,

(b) supplementary costs of an administrative nature related to the management of the Programme by the Commission

stemming from Latvia's participation.

2. For every financial year, the aggregated amount of subsidies or any other financial support received from the
Programme by the Latvian beneficiaries will not exceed the contribution paid by Latvia, after deduction of the
supplementary administrative costs.

Should the contribution paid by Latvia to the general budget of the European Union, after deduction of the
supplementary administrative costs, be higher than the aggregated amount of subsidies or other financial support
received by the Latvian beneficiaries from the Programme, the Commission will transfer the balance to the next
budgetary exercise, and it will be deducted from the following year's contribution. Should such a balance be left when
the Programme comes to an end, the corresponding amount will be reimbursed to Latvia.

3. Latvia's annual contribution will be of EUR 479 360 from 1999. From this sum, an amount of EUR 31 360 will
cover supplementary administrative costs related to the management of the Programme by the Commission stemming
from Latvia's participation.

4. The financial regulations applicable to the general budget of

the European Union will apply, notably to the

management of the contribution of Latvia.

Upon entry into force of this Decision and at the beginning of each following year, the Commission will send to Latvia
a call for funds corresponding to its contribution to the costs under this Decision.

This contribution will be expressed in euro and paid into a euro bank account of the Commission.

Latvia will pay its contribution to the annual costs under this Decision according to the call for funds and at the latest
three months after the call for funds is sent. Any delay in the payment of the contribution shall give rise to the
payment of interest by Latvia on the outstanding amount from the due date. The interest rate corresponds to the rate
applied by the ECB, for the month of the due date, for its operations in euro, increased by 1,5 percentage points.

5. Latvia will pay the supplementary administrative costs referred to in paragraph 3 from its national budget.

6. Latvia will pay EUR 448 000 of the remaining costs of its participation in the Programme from its national budget.