2003/464/EC: Decision No 1/2003 of the Association Council, association between the European Communities and their Member States, of the one part, and the Republic of Estonia, of the other part of 28 February 2003 amending, through the setting up of a Joint Consultative Committee between the Committee of the Regions and the Estonian Liaison Committee for Cooperation with the Committee of the Regions, Decision No 1/98 adopting the Rules of Procedure of the Association Council
Date: 2003-02-28
Institutions: EC–Estonia Association Council
Subjects: Estonia, European Committee of the Regions, advisory committee (EU), association agreement (EU), cooperation policy, rules of procedure

L 156/46

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

25.6.2003

DECISION No 1/2003 OF THE ASSOCIATION COUNCIL, ASSOCIATION BETWEEN THE
EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES AND THEIR MEMBER STATES, OF THE ONE PART, AND THE
REPUBLIC OF ESTONIA, OF THE OTHER PART

of 28 February 2003

amending, through the setting up of a Joint Consultative Committee between the Committee of
the Regions and the Estonian Liaison Committee for Cooperation with the Committee of the
Regions, Decision No 1/98 adopting the Rules of Procedure of the Association Council

(2003/464/EC)

THE ASSOCIATION COUNCIL,

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 Estonia, of the other
part (1), and in particular Article 114 thereof,

Whereas:

(1)

(2)

(3)

Dialogue and cooperation between regional and local
authorities in the European Community and those in the
Republic of Estonia can make a major contribution to
the development of their relations and to the integration
of Europe.

It seems appropriate that such cooperation should be
organised at the level of the Committee of the Regions,
of the one part, and of the Estonian Liaison Committee
for Cooperation with the Committee of the Regions, of
the other part, by the setting up of a Joint Consultative
Committee.

This means that the Rules of Procedure of the Associa-
tion Council, adopted by Decision 1/98, need to be
amended accordingly,

HAS DECIDED AS FOLLOWS:

Article 1

The following Articles shall be added to the Rules of Procedure
of the Association Council:

‘Article 18

A Joint Consultative Committee (hereinafter referred to as
Committee) is hereby established with the task of assisting
the Association Council with a view to promoting dialogue
and cooperation between the regional and local authorities
in the European Community and those in the Republic of
Estonia. Such dialogue and cooperation shall be aimed in
particular at:

1. preparing Estonian regions and local authorities for
activity in the framework of future membership of the
European Union;

2. preparing Estonian regions and local authorities for
their participation in the work of the Committee of the
Regions after accession of the Republic of Estonia;

(1) OJ L 68, 9.3.1998, p. 3.

3. exchanging information on current

issues of mutual
in particular on up-to-date state of play
interest,
concerning EU regional policy and accession process as
well as preparation of Estonian regions and local autho-
rities for these policies;

4. encouraging multilateral structured dialogue between (a)
Estonian regions and local authorities and (b) regions
and local authorities from EU Member States, including
through networking in specific areas where direct
contacts and cooperation between regions and local
from the Republic of Estonia and EU
authorities
Member States might prove the most effective way of
solving particular problems;

5. providing regular exchange of

information on inter-
regional cooperation between regional and local autho-
rities from the Republic of Estonia and Member States;

6. encouraging exchange of experience and knowledge in
the field of regional policy and structural interventions,
between (a) Estonian regions and local authorities and
(b) regions and local authorities from EU Member States,
in particular know-how and techniques concerning
preparation of regional and local development plans or
strategies and most efficient use of Structural Funds;

7. assisting Estonian regional and local authorities by
means of information exchange in practical implemen-
tation of the principle of subsidiarity in all aspects of life
on regional and local level;

8. discussing any other relevant matters proposed by any
side, as they can arise in the context of implementation
of the Europe Agreement and in the framework of the
Pre-accession Strategy.

Article 19

The Committee shall comprise eight representatives of the
Committee of the Regions, on the one hand, and eight
representatives of
the Estonian Liaison Committee for
Cooperation with the Committee of the Regions, on the
other hand. An equal number of alternate members shall
be appointed.

The Committee shall carry out its activities on the basis of
consultation by the Association Council or, as concerns the
promotion of the dialogue between the regional and local
authorities, on its own initiative.

The Committee may make recommendations to the Asso-
ciation Council.

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Official Journal of the European Union

L 156/47

Members shall be chosen to ensure that the Committee is
as faithful a reflection as possible of the various levels of
regional and local authorities
in both the European
Community and the Republic of Estonia.

The Committee shall adopt its own Rules of Procedure.

The Committee shall meet at intervals, which it shall itself
determine in its Rules of Procedure.

The Committee shall be co-chaired by a member of the
Committee of the Regions of the European Community
and a member of
the Estonian Liaison Committee for
Cooperation with the Committee of the Regions.

Article 20

The Committee of the Regions, on the one hand, and the
Estonian Liaison Committee for Cooperation with the
Committee of the Regions, on the other hand, shall each
defray the expenses they incur by reason of their participa-
tion in the meetings of the Committee with regard to staff,
travel and subsistence expenditure and to postal and tele-
communications expenditure.

Expenditure in connection with interpreting at meetings,
translation and reproduction of documents shall be borne
by the Committee of the Regions, with the exception of
expenditure in connection with interpreting or translation
into or from Estonian, which shall be borne by the Esto-
for Cooperation with the
nian Liaison Committee
Committee of the Regions.

Other expenditure relating to the material organisation of
meetings shall be borne by the Party which hosts the meet-
ings.’

Article 2

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

Done at Brussels, 28 February 2003.

For the Association Council

The Chairman

K. OJULAND