Proposal for aCouncil Decisionconcerning the Community position within the Association Council on the financial contribution of Bulgaria for participation in the Socrates programmein the years 2001 to 2006
Date: 2001-01-12
Institutions: European Commission
Subjects: Bulgaria, EU programme, financial agreement, teaching, youth exchange scheme

COMMISSION OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES

Brussels, 12.01.2001
COM(2001) 7 final

2001/0007 (ACC)

Proposal for a

COUNCIL DECISION

concerning the Community position within the Association Council on the financial
contribution of Bulgaria for participation in the Socrates programme
in the years 2001 to 2006

(presented by the Commission)

EXPLANATORY MEMORANDUM

The Helsinki European Council of December 1999 confirmed the enlargement process
launched at its meeting of December 1997 in Luxembourg. The enhanced Pre-Accession
Strategy defined in 1997 has been reiterated, which includes the participation of the 13
candidate States in Community programmes as an important part of such strategy.

As regards the ten candidate countries of Central and Eastern Europe (CEECs), participation
in Community programmes is provided in their respective Europe Agreements. Pursuant to
the Europe Agreements, the conditions and modalities of these countries’ participation are
defined by the respective Association Councils.

In the case of the education, training and youth programmes, all the CEECs have been
participating in 1999 in the first phase of the Leonardo da Vinci and of the Socrates
programmes, and in the Youth for Europe programme, which expired on 31 December 1999.
Their participation in these programmes has been an important element in these countries’
pre-accession process.

Moreover, Association Council decisions have already been adopted in 2000 to allow them to
participate in the second phase of Leonardo da Vinci and the second phase of Socrates, which
have taken the place of the previous programmes as from 2000. The CEECs have thus
participated in these new programmes since their beginning, and the activities undertaken
within the first generation of programmes have been able to continue within the successor
programmes without any interruption.

For the Socrates programme, the Association Council decisions adopted in 2000, which apply
until the end of the programme, establish the financial contribution to be paid by each CEEC
for participation in the year 2000, and specify that
their financial contribution for the
following years will be decided by the respective Association Councils in the course of the
year 2000. The Commission has calculated this contribution on the basis of the budget for the
programme. All the CEECs have confirmed their agreement, and indicated their willingness
to pay their financial contribution partly from their national budget, and partly from their
annual Phare allocation. As provided in the conclusions of the meeting of the European
Council in Luxembourg of 12 and 13 December 1997, these countries’ financial contributions
of their own are steadily increasing.

Therefore, the Commission now proposes to the Council to specify the financial contribution
of each CEEC to Socrates for the years 2001 to 2006 in a new decision, which will complete
the decision of the respective Association Councils adopting the terms and conditions for the
participation of these countries in the Socrates and Leonardo da Vinci programmes.

Accordingly, the Council is invited to adopt the annexed proposal for a Council Decision
concerning the Community position within the Association Council on the financial
contribution of Bulgaria for participation in the Socrates programme in the years 2001 to
2006.

2

20001/0007 (ACC)

Proposal for a

COUNCIL DECISION

concerning the Community position within the Association Council on the financial
contribution of Bulgaria for participation in the Socrates programme
in the years 2001 to 2006

THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION,

Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Community, and in particular Articles
149 and 150, in conjunction with Article 300(2) thereof,

Having regard to the proposal from the Commission,

Whereas:

(1)

(2)

Decision 3/2000 of 2 August 2000 of the Association Council between the European
Communities and their Member States, of the one part, and the Republic of Bulgaria,
of the other part1, has adopted the terms and conditions for the participation of the
Republic of Bulgaria in the second phase of the Leonardo da Vinci and Socrates
programmes, and it applies for the duration of these programmes.

Annex II, point 2 of Decision 3/2000 provide that the financial contribution to be paid
by Bulgaria to the budget of the European Union to participate in this programme in
the years 2001 to 2006 will be decided by the Association Council in the course of the
year 2000,

1

OJ L248, 3.10.2000, p. 23.

3

HAS DECIDED AS FOLLOWS:

The position to be taken by the Community within the Association Council established by the
Europe Agreement between the European Communities and their Member States, of the one
part, and the Republic of Bulgaria, of the other part, concerning the financial contribution of
Bulgaria for participation in the Socrates programme in the years 2001 to 2006, is the attached
draft decision of the Association Council.

Done at Brussels,

For the Council
The President

4

Draft

DECISION N° …/ 2001 OF THE ASSOCIATION COUNCIL

between the European Communities and their Member States, of the one part, and the
Republic of Bulgaria, of the other part

of .....

establishing the financial contribution of Bulgaria for participation in the Socrates
programme in the years 2001 to 2006

THE ASSOCIATION COUNCIL

Having regard to the Additional Protocol
to the Europe Agreement establishing an
Association between the European Communities and their Member States, of the one part,
and the Republic of Bulgaria, of the other, concerning Bulgaria’s participation in Community
programmes, and in particular Articles 1 and 2 thereof2;

Whereas :

(1)

(2)

Decision 3/2000 of 2 August 2000 of the Association Council between the European
Communities and their Member States, of the one part, and the Republic of Bulgaria,
of the other part3, has adopted the terms and conditions for the participation of the
Republic of Bulgaria in the second phase of the Leonardo da Vinci and Socrates
programmes, and it applies for the duration of these programmes.

Annex II, point 2 of Decision 3/2000 provide that the financial contribution to be paid
by Bulgaria to the budget of the European Union to participate in this programme in
the years 2001 to 2006 will be decided by the Association Council in the course of the
year 2000,

HAS DECIDED AS FOLLOWS:

Article 1

The financial contribution to be paid by Bulgaria to the budget of the European Union to
participate in the Socrates II programme in the years 2001 to 2006 will be the following
(in

):

€

Year 2001

Year 2002

Year 2003

Year 2004

Year 2005

Year 2006

4 594 000

4 712 000

4 821 000

4 957 000

5 111 000

5 310 000

2

3

OJ L317, 30.12.1995, p. 25.
OJ L248, 3.10.2000, p. 23.

5

PHARE funds will be requested according to the following schedule :

Article2

–

€

for the contribution to the Socrates II programme, the following yearly amounts
(in

)

Year 2001

Year 2002

Year 2003

Year 2004

Year 2005

Year 2006

4 044 000

3 730 000

3 340 000

3 190 000

3 037 000

2 630 000

The remaining part of the contribution of Bulgaria will be covered from the Bulgarian State
budget.

Article 3

This Decision shall enter into force the day of its adoption by the Association Council.

Done at Brussels,

For the Association Council
The President

6

FINANCIAL STATEMENT

1.

TITLE OF OPERATION

Participation of Bulgaria in Socrates in 2001-2006

2.

BUDGET HEADING INVOLVED

B7-030 Economic aid to the associated countries of Central and Eastern Europe
6091 Revenue accruing from the participation of the associated countries of central
Europe in Community programmes

3.

LEGAL BASIS

Treaty establishing the European Community, and in particular Articles 149 and 150,
in conjunction with Article 300(2) thereof ;

the Additional Protocol to the Europe Agreement with Bulgaria, providing for the
participation in Community programmes ;

Decisions 3/2000 of 2 August 2000 of the Association Council between the
European Communities and their Member States, of the one part, and the Republic of
Bulgaria, of the other part, and in particular annex II thereof;

4.

4.1

DESCRIPTION OF OPERATION

General objective

The Europe Agreement with Bulgaria provides for Bulgaria’s participation in
Community programmes in a wide range of areas, among which education.

the
Its participation will not only contribute towards the implementation of
provisions relating to economic and cultural cooperation in the Europe Agreement,
but will also enable Bulgaria to familiarise itself with the procedures and methods
used in Community programmes.

since 1 April 1999.

Bulgaria has been participating in the first phase of the Leonardo da Vinci and
Socrates programmes
In line with the Commission
communication “Agenda 2000” of 16.7.1997 and of the conclusions of the European
Council in Luxemburg, Bulgaria’s participation in these programmes has been part
of the reinforced preaccession strategy which assist this country in its preparation for
future accession to the Union.

7

The decision-making process for the opening-up of programmes involves a decision
by the Association Council between the Union and Bulgaria. The decision of the
Association Council establishing the participation of Bulgaria in the first generation
of programmes in the field of training, education and youth has expired on 31
December 1999. Another Association Council decision has been adopted in 2000 to
allow the Bulgarian participation to be carried on in the new generation of
programmes, starting from 2000. This Association Council decision established the
financial contribution of Bulgaria to Socrates for the year 2000, but not for the years
2001 to 2006.

A new Association Council decision is thus needed to complete the former one.

4.2

Period covered and arrangements for renewal

Until the end of the Community programme concerned, i.e. 31.12.2006.

5.

5.1

5.2

5.3

CLASSIFICATION OF EXPENDITURE OR REVENUE

Non-compulsory expenditure

Differentiated appropriations

Type of revenue involved

Since Article 3 of the Additional Protocol to the Europe Agreement stipulates that
Bulgaria itself will meet the costs resulting from its participation, it will be invited to
pay a contribution for participating in the programme. As the same article states that
the Community may supplement Bulgaria’s contribution, Bulgaria will contribute
only part from its national budget. The remaining part of its contribution will be
taken from its PHARE National Programme. The required PHARE funds will be
charged to heading B7-030, and transferred to Bulgaria by means of a separate
Financing Memorandum. Together with the part coming from Bulgaria’s State
budget, these funds will constitute Bulgaria’s national contribution, out of which it
will make payments in response to annual calls for funds from the Commission. The
total contribution, once paid by Bulgaria, will be transferred to item 6091 of the EU’s
budget receipts.

6.

TYPE OF EXPENDITURE OR REVENUE

– 100% subsidy

– Subsidy for joint financing with other sources in the public and/or private sector

– No provision for all or part of the Community contribution to be reimbursed

– As far as revenue is concerned, provision for Bulgaria’s contribution to cover the
cost of its participation is made under item 6091. The revenue will be allocated to
the items for expenditure on the programme in question and, where appropriate, to
the relevant items of operating expenditure. The total revenue expected is given
under item 7.4.

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7.

7.1

FINANCIAL IMPACT

Method of calculating total cost of operation (relation between individual and
total costs)

Based on the Europe Agreement with Bulgaria,
arrangements for
contribution takes into account two elements :

the programme concerned are as

the financial and budgetary
the Bulgaria’s

follows:

- the foreseeable operational costs, which have been calculated on the basis of the
programme budget,
the country’s estimated take-up capacity, and previous
experience of its participation in the first phase of the Socrates programme,

- the foreseeable administrative costs, corresponding to the meetings and missions.
These estimated administrative costs amount yearly to 50 000

€

.

Bulgaria will use part of its national PHARE annual programme as a complement to
its state budget to finance its contribution to the operational costs.

7.2

Itemised breakdown of cost (in

€
)

2001

2002

2003

2004

2005

2006

Total

Socrates

4 594 000

4 712 000

4 821 000

4 957 000

5 111 000

5 310 000

29 505 000

Origin: National budget

550 000

982 000

1 481 000

1 767 000

2 074 000

2 680 000

9 534 000

of which administrative
costs Part B (see point 7.3)

of which administrative
costs Part A (see point 10)

127 000

130 000

133 000

137 000

141 000

147 000

815 000

50 000

50 000

50 000

50 000

50 000

50 000

300 000

Origin: PHARE funds

4 044 000

3 730 000

3 340 000

3 190 000

3 037 000

2 630 000

19 971 000

7.3

Operational expenditure for studies, experts etc. included in Part B of the
budget

p.m. : up to a maximum in proportion to the appropriations of that kind in the
EUR 15 allocations for Socrates, but within the limits allowed by the part of the
contribution which comes from the country's national budget.

7.4

Schedule of commitment and payment appropriations

Amounts to be charged to item B7-030

2000

2001

2002

2003

2004

2005

2006

TOTAL

Comm.
App.

4 044 000 3 730 000 3 340 000 3 190 000 3 037 000 2 630 000

19 971 000

Pay. app.

4 044 000 3 730 000 3 340 000 3 190 000 3 037 000 2 630 000 19 971 000

The foreseeable annual receipts are as follows:

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Item 6091

2001

2002

2003

2004

2005

2006

TOTAL

Operational
part

Administrati
ve part

4 544 000

4 662 000

4 771 000 4 907 000

5 061 000 5 260 000

29 205 000

50 000

50 000

50 000

50 000

50 000

50 000

300 000

TOTAL

4 594 000

4 712 000

4 821 000 4 957 000

5 111 000 5 310 000

29 505 000

8.

FRAUD PREVENTION MEASURES

All the Commission’s contracts, agreements and other legal commitments provide
for on-the-spot checks by the Commission and Court of Auditors. Among other
things, the beneficiaries of the operations are obliged to file reports and financial
statements. These are analysed from the point of view of their content and the
eligibility of the expenditure in line with the objective of Community financing.

The anti-fraud provisions of the basic budget headings apply to this heading too
when adapted to the case of the countries of Central Europe.

9.

9.1

ELEMENTS OF COST-EFFECTIVENESS ANALYSIS

Specific and quantified objectives; target population

The essential aim of Community action on education is to enable all European
citizens to achieve their full potential and to display initiative and creativity so that
they can participate fully in society and in the building of Europe.

The target population comprises students, teachers, pupils, educational institutions,
decision-makers in the field of educational policies.

9.2

Grounds for the operation

– Need for Community financial aid

In view of the high cost of participation in the programme and Bulgaria’s precarious
budgetary situation, assistance from PHARE is essential.

– Choice of ways and means

With a contribution from the national budget, supplemented by one from PHARE,
Bulgaria’s integration in the programme will allow its citizens to cooperate with their
counterparts in the current EU Member States. The integration of Bulgarian nationals
in Community networks will make a definite contribution to preparing Bulgaria for
future membership

– Main factors of uncertainty which could affect the specific results of the operation

10

Since projects will be selected according to qualitative criteria,
it will only be
possible to measure the real impact on the basis of Bulgarian institutions’ capacity to
respond to the calls for proposal launched by the Commission under the programme.

9.3

Monitoring and evaluation of the operation

The monitoring and evaluation procedures included in the Socrates II programme
(notably in respect of evaluation, as included in the decision establishing the
programme) will also cover operations financed for Bulgarian beneficiaries.

10.

ADMINISTRATIVE EXPENDITURE (SECTION III, PART A OF THE BUDGET)

Actual mobilization of the necessary administrative resources will depend on the
Commission’s annual decision on the allocation of resources, taking into account the
number of staff and additional amounts authorized by the budgetary authority.

10.1

Effect on the number of posts

Type of post

Staff to be assigned to managing
the operation

Source

Duration

Permanent
posts

Temporary
posts

A
B
C

Officials or
temporary staff

Other resources

Total

1

1

Additional
resources

2001-2006

Existing
resources in
the DG or
department
concerned

1

1

10.2

Overall financial impact of the human resources

Amounts

Method of calculation (total cost for the period 2001-2006)

EUR

Officials (*)

648 000

1 man x 6 years x 108 000

Temporary staff

Other resources

Total

648 000

(*) By using existing resources required to manage the operation (Calculation based on titles
A1, A2, A4, A5 and A7)

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10.3

Increase in other administrative expenditure as a result of the operation

EUR

Budget heading

Amounts Method of calculation (yearly cost of the action)

A 7010 -missions

9 000

1100 EURO x 8 yearly missions

A 7031 -committees

18 000

Travel allowance and subsistence allowance for19 participants in
two-days meetings*

A 7030 - other meetings

18 000

Travel allowance and subsistence allowance for 19 participants in
two-days meetings*

5 000

Travel allowance and subsistence allowance for Bulgarian experts
participating in 2 meetings of 7 days in average

Total

50 000

* 2 representatives in 8 committee and subcommittee meetings, and 1 representative in 3
subcommittee meetings

1 participant in 19 Socrates meetings

The above expenditure will be met from the receipts (article 4 par.2, third indent of the
financial regulation) received from Bulgaria (see point 5.3 and 7.4 of the financial statement).

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*
*
*