Proposal for a Council Decision establishing a training, exchange and assistance programme for the protection of the euro against counterfeiting ("Pericles" programme)
Date: 2001-05-22
Institutions: European Commission
Subjects: EU programme, euro, fraud, industrial counterfeiting, paper money, technical cooperation, vocational training

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Official Journal of the European Communities

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Proposal for a Council Decision establishing a training, exchange and assistance programme for the
protection of the euro against counterfeiting ((cid:145)Pericles(cid:146) programme)

(2001/C 240 E/17)

COM(2001) 248 final (cid:151) 2001/0105(CNS)

(Submitted by the Commission on 22 May 2001)

THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION,

Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European
Community, and in particular the third sentence of Article
123(4) 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 European Central Bank,

Whereas:

(1) It

is one of

the Community’s objectives to establish
Economic and Monetary Union, and the Community’s
action includes a contribution to high-quality training.

(2) The Treaty calls on the Community to take all necessary
measures for the rapid introduction of the euro as the
single European currency.

(3) In order to protect the euro against counterfeiting, it will
be necessary to ensure that equivalent training is provided
to all the competent departments in the Member States
and to make provision for cooperation assistance.

(4) One of the aims of this programme is to facilitate access
to training and to promote exchanges of information and
professions
of
experience
concerned and exchanges of officials.

between members

the

(5) By virtue of

its objectives,

the Community promotes
cooperation with non-member countries and with the
international organisations responsible for protecting the
single currency against attacks on its credibility as a
fiduciary currency.

(6) In its recommendation of 7 July 1998 concerning the
adoption of certain measures designed to reinforce legal
protection of euro notes and coins (1),
the European
Central Bank calls on the Commission to establish coop-
eration between national police forces to combat counter-
the
feiting of euro notes and coins and suggests that
Council,
States
implement any viable measures to combat counterfeiting,
or give such measures careful consideration.

the Commission and the Member

(7) In the Commission communication to the Council, the
European Parliament and the European Central Bank of

(1) OJ C 11, 15.1.1999.

the euro (2),

launching a pilot

22 July 1998 on the protection of
the
Commission stated that it would examine the possibility
of
training scheme for all parties
involved in preventing, detecting and suppressing counter-
feiting. This measure would be designed to complement
training policies and should allow
national vocational
guidelines to be determined for training policy in the
coming years.

(8) Consultations and experience clearly show that a specific,
multidisciplinary supplementary programme organised at
Community level and carried out over the long term is
likely to be more effective than measures conducted at
level; accordingly, this programme will support
national
and complement the work done by the Member States.

(9) Beyond training in the strict sense of

the term and
exchanges of officials, a programme of that type should
also encompass assistance measures, particularly technical
and scientific assistance.

(10) The Commission’s Advisory Committee for the Coor-
dination of Fraud Prevention, which is the appropriate
forum, deals with all matters relating to the evaluation
of needs for the protection of the euro against counter-
feiting, particularly training needs,
including aspects
relating to implementation of this programme and partici-
pation by the applicant countries. This work is carried out
via the euro counterfeiting experts group.

(11) A Council

framework Decision designed to increase
protection by providing for criminal penalties and other
sanctions against counterfeiting in connection with the
introduction of the euro was adopted on 29 May 2000 (3).

(12) On 26 July 2000 the Commission presented a proposal
for a Council Regulation on protection of the euro against
counterfeiting (4), which
of
information,
assistance,
including external aspects of protection, and the with-
drawal obligations incumbent on financial institutions. It
should set up a comprehensive cooperation framework
before euro notes and coins are introduced in 2002.

and mutual

deals with

cooperation

exchanges

(13) Training measures designed to provide back-up for the
prevention of
and the detection of
counterfeit euro notes and coins should incorporate the
various aspects covered by the aforementioned legal
instruments.

counterfeiting

(2) COM(1998) 474 final.
(3) OJ L 140, 14.6.2000.
(4) OJ C 337 E, 28.11.2000.

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(14) This decision is without prejudice to initiatives which may
be taken pursuant
to the EU Treaty and within the
framework of existing or future programmes concerning
aspects of criminal law,

HAS DECIDED AS FOLLOWS:

Article 3

Measures

1.
The content of training and of operational support, based
shall
on a multidisciplinary and transnational approach,
embrace not only security issues but also the exchange of
information, in particular strategic information, and technical
and scientific back-up.

Article 1

Establishment of the programme

1.
This decision establishes a Community action programme
to support and supplement the measures undertaken by the
Member States in the field of counterfeiting, in particular as
regards protection of the euro.

2.
The action programme shall be known as the (cid:145)Pericles(cid:146)
programme. It shall run from 1 January 2002 to 31 December
2005.

3.
Programme implementation and evaluation shall be
carried out in accordance with the provisions of Articles 5
and 8.

Article 2

Objectives of the programme

The Community programme seeks, by the measures set out in
Article 3, to protect the euro against counterfeiting. It shall
take account of transnational and multidisciplinary aspects. It
shall concentrate on promoting convergence of the substance
of measures so as to ensure equivalent levels of protection on
the basis of mutually agreed best practice while also respecting
the distinct traditions of each Member State.

In particular, its remit shall encompass:

(cid:151) raising awareness of the staff concerned of the Community
dimension of the new currency (also as a reserve currency
and a currency for international transactions);

(cid:151) acting as a catalyst

staff

concerned,

to encourage closer cooperation
between the
the development of a
climate of mutual trust and satisfactory mutual knowledge,
inter alia of action methods and difficulties, by promoting
various appropriate measures such as placements, specialist
workshops or the involvement of guest speakers in national
training and staff exchanges;

setting-up of

exchanges of

The content of training at Community level shall cover
2(a)
the
information, particularly
strategic information, operation of databases, use of detection
tools with computer back-up, scientific assistance (in particular
scientific databases and technology watch/monitoring of new
developments), operation of early warning systems, related
matters,
the obligation to provide
information and the protection of personal data, the different
aspects of cooperation, the protection of the euro outside the
Union and research activities and provision of specific oper-
ational expertise.

the scope of

such as

2(b)
This training policy shall be reflected in a variety of
measures including the organisation of workshops, meetings
and seminars, and a targeted policy of placements and indi-
vidual exchanges.

(handbook of EU legislation,

3.
Technical, scientific and operational support shall concern
any measure which establishes teaching resources at European
information bulletins,
level
practical manuals, glossaries and lexicons, databases, especially
in the area of scientific assistance or technology watch) or
software support applications but also studies with a multidis-
ciplinary and transnational dimension and the development of
to facilitate
technical
detection activities at European level.

and methods

instruments

support

Article 4

Programme access

1.

Target group:

The measures shall target the following groups:

(cid:151) staff of agencies (police, customs,

tax authorities, etc.)

engaged in detecting and combating counterfeiting;

(cid:151) intelligence personnel;

(cid:151) promoting convergence of

training for trainers in ways
which are compatible with national operational strategies;

(cid:151) representatives of the national central banks, the mints and
commercial banks (particularly as regards the obligations of
financial institutions);

(cid:151) expanding general knowledge of Community and inter-

national law and instruments.

(cid:151) judicial officers and specialist lawyers;

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(cid:151) any other group of specialists concerned (chambers of
structures

commerce
providing access to craftsmen and traders, hauliers, etc).

comparable

industry

and

or

2.

Contributions and expertise:

The following parties shall contribute their respective areas of
expertise to the objectives of the Community programme:

(cid:151) the ESCB (1), and the ECB, especially as

regards

the

technical database (CSM);

(cid:151) national analysis centres (2);

(cid:151) the ETSC (3) and the national mints;

(cid:151) the Commission, Europol and Interpol;

(cid:151) the national central anti-counterfeiting offices referred to in

Article 12 of the Geneva Convention;

(cid:151) specialist bodies concerned, for instance, by duplication and

certification technologies, printers and engravers;

(cid:151) Cyprus, Malta, Turkey and the EFTA countries on the basis
of additional appropriations, in accordance with procedures
to be agreed with those countries;

(cid:151) on the basis of

joint financial
with other third countries can also be envisaged.

involvement, cooperation

Article 7

Financial provisions

1.
The workshops, meetings and seminars provided for in
Article 3(2(b)) may be organised jointly with other bodies such
as Europol, Interpol or the ECB, provided the related expenses
are divided on a proportional basis or those bodies provide at
least a substantial contribution in kind. In any event, each body
shall bear the travel and accommodation costs of its guest
speakers.

Where such events are not organised on a joint basis with
other bodies,
shall be borne by the
Community:

the following costs

(cid:151) the travel and accommodation expenses of personnel taking
part
in workshops, meetings and seminars in another
Member State, and the general overheads associated with
organising these events;

(cid:151) any other body offering specific expertise, including, where
third countries and in particular applicant

appropriate,
countries.

(cid:151) publication and translation costs for the teaching materials

used,

Article 5

Coherence and complementarity

1.
This programme shall be implemented and coordinated
by the Commission and the Member States, working closely
together.

This

coordination shall

2.
account of measures
undertaken by other organisations, in particular the ECB and
Europol.

take

Article 6

International cooperation

The programme shall be open to the following countries,
taking account of
for distributing euro
notes and coins, operational requirements, evaluation of the
threat and risk analysis, and in so far as agreements and
procedures permit:

the arrangements

(cid:151) the associated countries of Central and Eastern Europe

(CEECs);

(1) European System of Central Banks.
(2) For notes and coins.
(3) European Technical and Scientific Centre, set up on a provisional

basis at the Paris Mint

and the following costs shall be borne by the Member States:

(cid:151) the costs associated with initial and continuing training of
their personnel, particularly as regards technical training;

(cid:151) certain logistical costs in connection with the workshops,
meetings and seminars organised on their territory with
Community funding (internal transfers, rental of premises,
provision of interpreting facilities, etc.).

2.

Staff exchanges:

The costs of participation by staff from Member States in the
placements or exchanges provided for in Article 3(2(b)) shall be
borne by the Commission, in so far as those activities are in
keeping with the objectives referred to in Article 2.

The costs of participation by staff
from Member States in
placements or exchanges which are not covered by the afore-
mentioned objectives shall be borne by the Member States.

3.

Assistance:

The Commission shall bear up to 70 % of the cost of the
operational support referred to in Article 3(3) by way of
co-financing, in particular:

(cid:151) the design and production costs of technical resources and
instruments with a

technical

computer applications or
European dimension;

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(cid:151) the costs of studies, particularly comparative law studies, on

(cid:151) complementarity with other previous, current or future

the protection of the euro against counterfeiting.

projects;

Exceptionally, where Commission initiatives are concerned,
such operational support measures may be financed up to
100 %.

All expenses relating to the non-Community elements of these
teaching resources and computer applications, together with
the distribution costs of co-financed teaching resources and
the operating costs of co-financed computer applications
based on the territory of the Member States, shall be borne
by the Member States.

4.

External protection measures:

In accordance with the conditions set out in Article 6, apart
from bearing the cost of participation of officials from third
countries in the workshops, meetings and seminars provided
for in paragraph 3, the Commission may co-finance up to 70 %
of
third
countries and operational support measures in those countries.

training measures on the territory of

the cost of

(cid:151) the organiser’s capacity to implement the project;

(cid:151) the intrinsic quality of the project;

(cid:151) the amount of aid requested and whether it is commen-

surate with the anticipated results;

(cid:151) the impact of the anticipated results on the programme’s

objectives.

The beneficiaries of the selected programmes shall send

2.
an annual report to the Commission.

On completion of

the Commission shall
the projects,
3.
evaluate the way in which they have been implemented and
the impact
they have had in order to gauge whether the
objectives set at the outset have been achieved.

Article 8

Implementation, follow-up and evaluation

be

1.
Actions under the programme may be proposed by the
Member States or by the Commission; those which best meet
in Article 2 shall be selected. The
the objectives set out
for managing
Commission
and
shall
in cooperation with the
implementing the programme
Member States, which may present to it no more than one
training project per
the workshops,
meetings and seminars referred to in Article 3(2(b)). Projects
in connection with placements, exchanges or assistance may
also be presented.

(concerning

responsible

year

the purpose of

implementing the programme,

For
the
Commission shall evaluate and select projects presented by
the Member States, and projects devised on its own initiative,
on the basis of the following criteria:

4.
The Commission shall send to Parliament and the Council
by 31 December 2004 an outside report evaluating the
relevance,
the
and
programme.

effectiveness of

efficiency

the

the

5.
On completion of the programme and by no later than
30 June 2006, the Commission shall send to Parliament and
the Council a detailed report on the implementation and the
results of the programme setting out in particular the value
added of the Community financial assistance.

The Commission shall also present a communication on
whether this programme should be continued and adapted,
accompanied by an appropriate proposal, by 30 June 2005.

Article 9

Entry into force

(cid:151) compliance with the programme’s objectives;

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

(cid:151) the European dimension,
with Europol and the ECB;

including cooperation aspects

It shall apply from 1 January 2002.