Article 1 
Objective of the programme A programme of financial assistance for innovatory and job-creating small and medium-sized enterprises is hereby set up with the aim of stimulating job-creation by facilitating and strengthening the establishment and growth of innovative SMEs (hereinafter 'the programme`) as defined in Commission Recommendation 96/280/EC, by supporting their investment activity through increased availability of finance. The programme shall be targeted at SMEs with growth and therefore employment creation potential. Article 2 Description of the programme The programme shall consist of three complementary facilities which shall be: a risk-capital scheme (ETF Start-up) managed by the European Investment Fund (EIF), a scheme for financial contributions supporting the creation of transnational joint-ventures by SMEs within the Community (Joint European Venture) managed by the Commission and a guarantee scheme (SME Guarantee Facility) managed by the EIF. Article 3 The ETF start-up facility 1. The Community shall provide risk-capital participation in SMEs primarily at their establishment and early stages and/or innovative SMEs through investments in relevant specialised venture-capital funds, where appropriate in cooperation with other participatory mechanisms established in Member States, particularly in smaller or newly established funds, funds operating regionally or funds focused on specific industries or technologies, or venture-capital funds financing the exploitation of R& D results, e.g. funds linked to research centres and science parks, avoiding duplication of existing EIB and EIF interventions and reduction of the risk on these instruments. 2. The EIF shall select, make and manage the investments into the venture-capital funds, where appropriate working with national schemes. The detailed terms and conditions for implementing the ETF start-up facility, including its monitoring and control, shall be laid down in a cooperation agreement between the Commission and the EIF. 3. The cooperation agreement shall take account of the indicative outline set out in Annex I. Article 4 Joint European Venture (JEV) 1. The Community shall provide financial contributions to SMEs for the setting-up of new transnational joint ventures within the European Union. The Community contribution is intended to cover a part of the expenses incurred in the conception and setting-up of transnational joint ventures. The maximum contribution per project shall be ECU 100 000 covering: (a) up to 50 % of the eligible expenses, with a maximum of ECU 50 000; (b) up to 10 % of the total amount of investment made in fixed assets. Particular attention shall be given to small enterprises with up to 100 employees. 2. Eligible expenses for the purposes of point (a) of paragraph 1 shall be those essential expenses related to the conception and setting-up of a transnational joint venture defined in point 6 of Annex II and created by European SMEs. 3. Applications for contributions shall be channelled to the Commission through a network of finance intermediaries. In the implementation of the JEV, the indicative outline set out in Annex II shall be taken into account. Article 5 The SME guarantee facility 1. The Community shall provide budgetary allocations for the purpose of covering the cost of guarantees and counter-guarantees issued by the EIF in order to promote an increase of loans to SMEs, by increasing the capacity of guarantee schemes operating in the Member States in the public or private sector, including mutual guarantee schemes; the scheme may also support any risk-sharing SME instruments the EIB or any other appropriate financial institutions may make available. Appropriate cooperation with Member States will be ensured by contacts between the EIF and national authorities before implementing the facility. 2. The budgetary allocation shall cover the full cost of the facility, including EIF's guarantee losses and any other eligible costs or expenses of the facility. The cost of the facility to the Community budget shall be capped so that it does not under any circumstances exceed the budgetary allocations made available to the EIF under this action; there shall be no contingent liability on the Community budget. 3. Priority shall be given to small enterprises with up to 100 employees. The guarantees issued by the EIF shall be partial guarantees; there shall always be a risk-sharing arrangement between the EIF and the financial intermediary. Whenever possible, in the implementation of this instrument, the EIF will work guarantee schemes set up primarily to help finance loans that the banking system would not readily provide without guarantee cover and to ensure that part of the risk is borne by the lender. 4. The detailed terms and conditions for implementing the SME guarantee facility, including its monitoring and control, shall be laid down in a cooperation agreement between the Commission and the EIF. 5. The cooperation agreement shall take into account the indicative outline set out in Annex III. Article 6 Management fees The management fees paid to the EIF shall be determined in accordance with the accepted market practice and may be debited to the appropriations devoted to the initiative. Article 7 Reporting and evaluation 1. The Commission shall report annually to the European Parliament and the Council on the implementation of this Decision and the different schemes under it, notably on this Decision's impact on the access to financing by SMEs, its immediate effects on the creation of employment, the prospects for the creation of employment in the long term and coherence between the financial allocation to the different schemes and the objectives of the programme. 2. The Commission shall within 48 months at most from the date of its adoption, provide an evaluation of the programme, notably as regards its overall utilisation, its immediate effects on the creation of employment and the prospects for the creation of employment in the long term. Article 8 Final provision Without prejudice to what is indicated in Annex I, point 5, Annex II, point 4 and Annex III, point 10, this programme shall come to an end on 31 December 2000. Article 9 This Decision shall be published in the Official Journal of the European Communities. It shall take effect on the day of its publication. Done at Brussels, 19 May 1998. For the Council The President G. BROWN (1) OJ C 108, 7. 4. 1998, p. 67. (2) OJ C 138, 4. 5. 1998. (3) Opinion delivered on 26 March 1998 (not yet published in the Official Journal). (4) Opinion delivered on 17 April 1998 (not yet published in the Official Journal). (5) OJ L 6, 10. 1. 1997, p. 25. (6) OJ L 310, 13. 11. 1997, p. 28. (7) OJ L 361, 31. 12. 1994, p. 101. (8) OJ L 107, 30. 4. 1996, p. 4. (9) OJ L 173, 7. 7. 1994, p. 12.
Article 2 
Description of the programme The programme shall consist of three complementary facilities which shall be: a risk-capital scheme (ETF Start-up) managed by the European Investment Fund (EIF), a scheme for financial contributions supporting the creation of transnational joint-ventures by SMEs within the Community (Joint European Venture) managed by the Commission and a guarantee scheme (SME Guarantee Facility) managed by the EIF. Article 3 The ETF start-up facility 1. The Community shall provide risk-capital participation in SMEs primarily at their establishment and early stages and/or innovative SMEs through investments in relevant specialised venture-capital funds, where appropriate in cooperation with other participatory mechanisms established in Member States, particularly in smaller or newly established funds, funds operating regionally or funds focused on specific industries or technologies, or venture-capital funds financing the exploitation of R& D results, e.g. funds linked to research centres and science parks, avoiding duplication of existing EIB and EIF interventions and reduction of the risk on these instruments. 2. The EIF shall select, make and manage the investments into the venture-capital funds, where appropriate working with national schemes. The detailed terms and conditions for implementing the ETF start-up facility, including its monitoring and control, shall be laid down in a cooperation agreement between the Commission and the EIF. 3. The cooperation agreement shall take account of the indicative outline set out in Annex I. Article 4 Joint European Venture (JEV) 1. The Community shall provide financial contributions to SMEs for the setting-up of new transnational joint ventures within the European Union. The Community contribution is intended to cover a part of the expenses incurred in the conception and setting-up of transnational joint ventures. The maximum contribution per project shall be ECU 100 000 covering: (a) up to 50 % of the eligible expenses, with a maximum of ECU 50 000; (b) up to 10 % of the total amount of investment made in fixed assets. Particular attention shall be given to small enterprises with up to 100 employees. 2. Eligible expenses for the purposes of point (a) of paragraph 1 shall be those essential expenses related to the conception and setting-up of a transnational joint venture defined in point 6 of Annex II and created by European SMEs. 3. Applications for contributions shall be channelled to the Commission through a network of finance intermediaries. In the implementation of the JEV, the indicative outline set out in Annex II shall be taken into account. Article 5 The SME guarantee facility 1. The Community shall provide budgetary allocations for the purpose of covering the cost of guarantees and counter-guarantees issued by the EIF in order to promote an increase of loans to SMEs, by increasing the capacity of guarantee schemes operating in the Member States in the public or private sector, including mutual guarantee schemes; the scheme may also support any risk-sharing SME instruments the EIB or any other appropriate financial institutions may make available. Appropriate cooperation with Member States will be ensured by contacts between the EIF and national authorities before implementing the facility. 2. The budgetary allocation shall cover the full cost of the facility, including EIF's guarantee losses and any other eligible costs or expenses of the facility. The cost of the facility to the Community budget shall be capped so that it does not under any circumstances exceed the budgetary allocations made available to the EIF under this action; there shall be no contingent liability on the Community budget. 3. Priority shall be given to small enterprises with up to 100 employees. The guarantees issued by the EIF shall be partial guarantees; there shall always be a risk-sharing arrangement between the EIF and the financial intermediary. Whenever possible, in the implementation of this instrument, the EIF will work guarantee schemes set up primarily to help finance loans that the banking system would not readily provide without guarantee cover and to ensure that part of the risk is borne by the lender. 4. The detailed terms and conditions for implementing the SME guarantee facility, including its monitoring and control, shall be laid down in a cooperation agreement between the Commission and the EIF. 5. The cooperation agreement shall take into account the indicative outline set out in Annex III. Article 6 Management fees The management fees paid to the EIF shall be determined in accordance with the accepted market practice and may be debited to the appropriations devoted to the initiative. Article 7 Reporting and evaluation 1. The Commission shall report annually to the European Parliament and the Council on the implementation of this Decision and the different schemes under it, notably on this Decision's impact on the access to financing by SMEs, its immediate effects on the creation of employment, the prospects for the creation of employment in the long term and coherence between the financial allocation to the different schemes and the objectives of the programme. 2. The Commission shall within 48 months at most from the date of its adoption, provide an evaluation of the programme, notably as regards its overall utilisation, its immediate effects on the creation of employment and the prospects for the creation of employment in the long term. Article 8 Final provision Without prejudice to what is indicated in Annex I, point 5, Annex II, point 4 and Annex III, point 10, this programme shall come to an end on 31 December 2000. Article 9 This Decision shall be published in the Official Journal of the European Communities. It shall take effect on the day of its publication. Done at Brussels, 19 May 1998. For the Council The President G. BROWN (1) OJ C 108, 7. 4. 1998, p. 67. (2) OJ C 138, 4. 5. 1998. (3) Opinion delivered on 26 March 1998 (not yet published in the Official Journal). (4) Opinion delivered on 17 April 1998 (not yet published in the Official Journal). (5) OJ L 6, 10. 1. 1997, p. 25. (6) OJ L 310, 13. 11. 1997, p. 28. (7) OJ L 361, 31. 12. 1994, p. 101. (8) OJ L 107, 30. 4. 1996, p. 4. (9) OJ L 173, 7. 7. 1994, p. 12.
Article 3 
The ETF start-up facility 1. The Community shall provide risk-capital participation in SMEs primarily at their establishment and early stages and/or innovative SMEs through investments in relevant specialised venture-capital funds, where appropriate in cooperation with other participatory mechanisms established in Member States, particularly in smaller or newly established funds, funds operating regionally or funds focused on specific industries or technologies, or venture-capital funds financing the exploitation of R& D results, e.g. funds linked to research centres and science parks, avoiding duplication of existing EIB and EIF interventions and reduction of the risk on these instruments. 2. The EIF shall select, make and manage the investments into the venture-capital funds, where appropriate working with national schemes. The detailed terms and conditions for implementing the ETF start-up facility, including its monitoring and control, shall be laid down in a cooperation agreement between the Commission and the EIF. 3. The cooperation agreement shall take account of the indicative outline set out in Annex I. Article 4 Joint European Venture (JEV) 1. The Community shall provide financial contributions to SMEs for the setting-up of new transnational joint ventures within the European Union. The Community contribution is intended to cover a part of the expenses incurred in the conception and setting-up of transnational joint ventures. The maximum contribution per project shall be ECU 100 000 covering: (a) up to 50 % of the eligible expenses, with a maximum of ECU 50 000; (b) up to 10 % of the total amount of investment made in fixed assets. Particular attention shall be given to small enterprises with up to 100 employees. 2. Eligible expenses for the purposes of point (a) of paragraph 1 shall be those essential expenses related to the conception and setting-up of a transnational joint venture defined in point 6 of Annex II and created by European SMEs. 3. Applications for contributions shall be channelled to the Commission through a network of finance intermediaries. In the implementation of the JEV, the indicative outline set out in Annex II shall be taken into account. Article 5 The SME guarantee facility 1. The Community shall provide budgetary allocations for the purpose of covering the cost of guarantees and counter-guarantees issued by the EIF in order to promote an increase of loans to SMEs, by increasing the capacity of guarantee schemes operating in the Member States in the public or private sector, including mutual guarantee schemes; the scheme may also support any risk-sharing SME instruments the EIB or any other appropriate financial institutions may make available. Appropriate cooperation with Member States will be ensured by contacts between the EIF and national authorities before implementing the facility. 2. The budgetary allocation shall cover the full cost of the facility, including EIF's guarantee losses and any other eligible costs or expenses of the facility. The cost of the facility to the Community budget shall be capped so that it does not under any circumstances exceed the budgetary allocations made available to the EIF under this action; there shall be no contingent liability on the Community budget. 3. Priority shall be given to small enterprises with up to 100 employees. The guarantees issued by the EIF shall be partial guarantees; there shall always be a risk-sharing arrangement between the EIF and the financial intermediary. Whenever possible, in the implementation of this instrument, the EIF will work guarantee schemes set up primarily to help finance loans that the banking system would not readily provide without guarantee cover and to ensure that part of the risk is borne by the lender. 4. The detailed terms and conditions for implementing the SME guarantee facility, including its monitoring and control, shall be laid down in a cooperation agreement between the Commission and the EIF. 5. The cooperation agreement shall take into account the indicative outline set out in Annex III. Article 6 Management fees The management fees paid to the EIF shall be determined in accordance with the accepted market practice and may be debited to the appropriations devoted to the initiative. Article 7 Reporting and evaluation 1. The Commission shall report annually to the European Parliament and the Council on the implementation of this Decision and the different schemes under it, notably on this Decision's impact on the access to financing by SMEs, its immediate effects on the creation of employment, the prospects for the creation of employment in the long term and coherence between the financial allocation to the different schemes and the objectives of the programme. 2. The Commission shall within 48 months at most from the date of its adoption, provide an evaluation of the programme, notably as regards its overall utilisation, its immediate effects on the creation of employment and the prospects for the creation of employment in the long term. Article 8 Final provision Without prejudice to what is indicated in Annex I, point 5, Annex II, point 4 and Annex III, point 10, this programme shall come to an end on 31 December 2000. Article 9 This Decision shall be published in the Official Journal of the European Communities. It shall take effect on the day of its publication. Done at Brussels, 19 May 1998. For the Council The President G. BROWN (1) OJ C 108, 7. 4. 1998, p. 67. (2) OJ C 138, 4. 5. 1998. (3) Opinion delivered on 26 March 1998 (not yet published in the Official Journal). (4) Opinion delivered on 17 April 1998 (not yet published in the Official Journal). (5) OJ L 6, 10. 1. 1997, p. 25. (6) OJ L 310, 13. 11. 1997, p. 28. (7) OJ L 361, 31. 12. 1994, p. 101. (8) OJ L 107, 30. 4. 1996, p. 4. (9) OJ L 173, 7. 7. 1994, p. 12.
Article 4 
Joint European Venture (JEV) 1. The Community shall provide financial contributions to SMEs for the setting-up of new transnational joint ventures within the European Union. The Community contribution is intended to cover a part of the expenses incurred in the conception and setting-up of transnational joint ventures. The maximum contribution per project shall be ECU 100 000 covering: (a) up to 50 % of the eligible expenses, with a maximum of ECU 50 000; (b) up to 10 % of the total amount of investment made in fixed assets. Particular attention shall be given to small enterprises with up to 100 employees. 2. Eligible expenses for the purposes of point (a) of paragraph 1 shall be those essential expenses related to the conception and setting-up of a transnational joint venture defined in point 6 of Annex II and created by European SMEs. 3. Applications for contributions shall be channelled to the Commission through a network of finance intermediaries. In the implementation of the JEV, the indicative outline set out in Annex II shall be taken into account. Article 5 The SME guarantee facility 1. The Community shall provide budgetary allocations for the purpose of covering the cost of guarantees and counter-guarantees issued by the EIF in order to promote an increase of loans to SMEs, by increasing the capacity of guarantee schemes operating in the Member States in the public or private sector, including mutual guarantee schemes; the scheme may also support any risk-sharing SME instruments the EIB or any other appropriate financial institutions may make available. Appropriate cooperation with Member States will be ensured by contacts between the EIF and national authorities before implementing the facility. 2. The budgetary allocation shall cover the full cost of the facility, including EIF's guarantee losses and any other eligible costs or expenses of the facility. The cost of the facility to the Community budget shall be capped so that it does not under any circumstances exceed the budgetary allocations made available to the EIF under this action; there shall be no contingent liability on the Community budget. 3. Priority shall be given to small enterprises with up to 100 employees. The guarantees issued by the EIF shall be partial guarantees; there shall always be a risk-sharing arrangement between the EIF and the financial intermediary. Whenever possible, in the implementation of this instrument, the EIF will work guarantee schemes set up primarily to help finance loans that the banking system would not readily provide without guarantee cover and to ensure that part of the risk is borne by the lender. 4. The detailed terms and conditions for implementing the SME guarantee facility, including its monitoring and control, shall be laid down in a cooperation agreement between the Commission and the EIF. 5. The cooperation agreement shall take into account the indicative outline set out in Annex III. Article 6 Management fees The management fees paid to the EIF shall be determined in accordance with the accepted market practice and may be debited to the appropriations devoted to the initiative. Article 7 Reporting and evaluation 1. The Commission shall report annually to the European Parliament and the Council on the implementation of this Decision and the different schemes under it, notably on this Decision's impact on the access to financing by SMEs, its immediate effects on the creation of employment, the prospects for the creation of employment in the long term and coherence between the financial allocation to the different schemes and the objectives of the programme. 2. The Commission shall within 48 months at most from the date of its adoption, provide an evaluation of the programme, notably as regards its overall utilisation, its immediate effects on the creation of employment and the prospects for the creation of employment in the long term. Article 8 Final provision Without prejudice to what is indicated in Annex I, point 5, Annex II, point 4 and Annex III, point 10, this programme shall come to an end on 31 December 2000. Article 9 This Decision shall be published in the Official Journal of the European Communities. It shall take effect on the day of its publication. Done at Brussels, 19 May 1998. For the Council The President G. BROWN (1) OJ C 108, 7. 4. 1998, p. 67. (2) OJ C 138, 4. 5. 1998. (3) Opinion delivered on 26 March 1998 (not yet published in the Official Journal). (4) Opinion delivered on 17 April 1998 (not yet published in the Official Journal). (5) OJ L 6, 10. 1. 1997, p. 25. (6) OJ L 310, 13. 11. 1997, p. 28. (7) OJ L 361, 31. 12. 1994, p. 101. (8) OJ L 107, 30. 4. 1996, p. 4. (9) OJ L 173, 7. 7. 1994, p. 12.
Article 5 
The SME guarantee facility 1. The Community shall provide budgetary allocations for the purpose of covering the cost of guarantees and counter-guarantees issued by the EIF in order to promote an increase of loans to SMEs, by increasing the capacity of guarantee schemes operating in the Member States in the public or private sector, including mutual guarantee schemes; the scheme may also support any risk-sharing SME instruments the EIB or any other appropriate financial institutions may make available. Appropriate cooperation with Member States will be ensured by contacts between the EIF and national authorities before implementing the facility. 2. The budgetary allocation shall cover the full cost of the facility, including EIF's guarantee losses and any other eligible costs or expenses of the facility. The cost of the facility to the Community budget shall be capped so that it does not under any circumstances exceed the budgetary allocations made available to the EIF under this action; there shall be no contingent liability on the Community budget. 3. Priority shall be given to small enterprises with up to 100 employees. The guarantees issued by the EIF shall be partial guarantees; there shall always be a risk-sharing arrangement between the EIF and the financial intermediary. Whenever possible, in the implementation of this instrument, the EIF will work guarantee schemes set up primarily to help finance loans that the banking system would not readily provide without guarantee cover and to ensure that part of the risk is borne by the lender. 4. The detailed terms and conditions for implementing the SME guarantee facility, including its monitoring and control, shall be laid down in a cooperation agreement between the Commission and the EIF. 5. The cooperation agreement shall take into account the indicative outline set out in Annex III. Article 6 Management fees The management fees paid to the EIF shall be determined in accordance with the accepted market practice and may be debited to the appropriations devoted to the initiative. Article 7 Reporting and evaluation 1. The Commission shall report annually to the European Parliament and the Council on the implementation of this Decision and the different schemes under it, notably on this Decision's impact on the access to financing by SMEs, its immediate effects on the creation of employment, the prospects for the creation of employment in the long term and coherence between the financial allocation to the different schemes and the objectives of the programme. 2. The Commission shall within 48 months at most from the date of its adoption, provide an evaluation of the programme, notably as regards its overall utilisation, its immediate effects on the creation of employment and the prospects for the creation of employment in the long term. Article 8 Final provision Without prejudice to what is indicated in Annex I, point 5, Annex II, point 4 and Annex III, point 10, this programme shall come to an end on 31 December 2000. Article 9 This Decision shall be published in the Official Journal of the European Communities. It shall take effect on the day of its publication. Done at Brussels, 19 May 1998. For the Council The President G. BROWN (1) OJ C 108, 7. 4. 1998, p. 67. (2) OJ C 138, 4. 5. 1998. (3) Opinion delivered on 26 March 1998 (not yet published in the Official Journal). (4) Opinion delivered on 17 April 1998 (not yet published in the Official Journal). (5) OJ L 6, 10. 1. 1997, p. 25. (6) OJ L 310, 13. 11. 1997, p. 28. (7) OJ L 361, 31. 12. 1994, p. 101. (8) OJ L 107, 30. 4. 1996, p. 4. (9) OJ L 173, 7. 7. 1994, p. 12.
Article 6 
Management fees The management fees paid to the EIF shall be determined in accordance with the accepted market practice and may be debited to the appropriations devoted to the initiative. Article 7 Reporting and evaluation 1. The Commission shall report annually to the European Parliament and the Council on the implementation of this Decision and the different schemes under it, notably on this Decision's impact on the access to financing by SMEs, its immediate effects on the creation of employment, the prospects for the creation of employment in the long term and coherence between the financial allocation to the different schemes and the objectives of the programme. 2. The Commission shall within 48 months at most from the date of its adoption, provide an evaluation of the programme, notably as regards its overall utilisation, its immediate effects on the creation of employment and the prospects for the creation of employment in the long term. Article 8 Final provision Without prejudice to what is indicated in Annex I, point 5, Annex II, point 4 and Annex III, point 10, this programme shall come to an end on 31 December 2000. Article 9 This Decision shall be published in the Official Journal of the European Communities. It shall take effect on the day of its publication. Done at Brussels, 19 May 1998. For the Council The President G. BROWN (1) OJ C 108, 7. 4. 1998, p. 67. (2) OJ C 138, 4. 5. 1998. (3) Opinion delivered on 26 March 1998 (not yet published in the Official Journal). (4) Opinion delivered on 17 April 1998 (not yet published in the Official Journal). (5) OJ L 6, 10. 1. 1997, p. 25. (6) OJ L 310, 13. 11. 1997, p. 28. (7) OJ L 361, 31. 12. 1994, p. 101. (8) OJ L 107, 30. 4. 1996, p. 4. (9) OJ L 173, 7. 7. 1994, p. 12.
Article 7 
Reporting and evaluation 1. The Commission shall report annually to the European Parliament and the Council on the implementation of this Decision and the different schemes under it, notably on this Decision's impact on the access to financing by SMEs, its immediate effects on the creation of employment, the prospects for the creation of employment in the long term and coherence between the financial allocation to the different schemes and the objectives of the programme. 2. The Commission shall within 48 months at most from the date of its adoption, provide an evaluation of the programme, notably as regards its overall utilisation, its immediate effects on the creation of employment and the prospects for the creation of employment in the long term. Article 8 Final provision Without prejudice to what is indicated in Annex I, point 5, Annex II, point 4 and Annex III, point 10, this programme shall come to an end on 31 December 2000. Article 9 This Decision shall be published in the Official Journal of the European Communities. It shall take effect on the day of its publication. Done at Brussels, 19 May 1998. For the Council The President G. BROWN (1) OJ C 108, 7. 4. 1998, p. 67. (2) OJ C 138, 4. 5. 1998. (3) Opinion delivered on 26 March 1998 (not yet published in the Official Journal). (4) Opinion delivered on 17 April 1998 (not yet published in the Official Journal). (5) OJ L 6, 10. 1. 1997, p. 25. (6) OJ L 310, 13. 11. 1997, p. 28. (7) OJ L 361, 31. 12. 1994, p. 101. (8) OJ L 107, 30. 4. 1996, p. 4. (9) OJ L 173, 7. 7. 1994, p. 12.
Article 8 
Final provision Without prejudice to what is indicated in Annex I, point 5, Annex II, point 4 and Annex III, point 10, this programme shall come to an end on 31 December 2000. Article 9 This Decision shall be published in the Official Journal of the European Communities. It shall take effect on the day of its publication. Done at Brussels, 19 May 1998. For the Council The President G. BROWN (1) OJ C 108, 7. 4. 1998, p. 67. (2) OJ C 138, 4. 5. 1998. (3) Opinion delivered on 26 March 1998 (not yet published in the Official Journal). (4) Opinion delivered on 17 April 1998 (not yet published in the Official Journal). (5) OJ L 6, 10. 1. 1997, p. 25. (6) OJ L 310, 13. 11. 1997, p. 28. (7) OJ L 361, 31. 12. 1994, p. 101. (8) OJ L 107, 30. 4. 1996, p. 4. (9) OJ L 173, 7. 7. 1994, p. 12.
Article 9 
This Decision shall be published in the Official Journal of the European Communities. It shall take effect on the day of its publication. Done at Brussels, 19 May 1998