Article 1 
1. A multiannual framework programme for Community actions in the field of energy, hereinafter referred to as the 'framework programme`, is hereby adopted for the period 1998-2002. 2. This framework programme shall primarily contribute to the balanced pursuit of the following priority objectives of energy policy: - security of supply, - competitiveness, - protection of the environment. 3. This framework programme shall continue to greater transparency, coherence and coordination of all the Community's actions and other measures in the field of energy, as well as to an efficient use of financial resources, and ensure that these measures combine effectively with the actions taken in the framework of other Community policies. Complementarity with relevant initiatives of the Member States, and Community initiatives conducted for example in the framework of research policy or trans-European networks, shall be sought. Article 2 1. This framework programme shall be implemented through six specific programmes of a horizontal or thematic nature corresponding to the following actions: (a) development, in cooperation with the Member States, of a programme for regular monitoring of the evolution of the energy markets and trends, so that policy decisions relating to energy can be taken on the basis of a shared analysis; (b) reinforcement, within the scope of this framework programme, of international cooperation in the energy field; (c) promotion of renewable energy sources; (d) encouragement of rational and efficient use of energy resources; (e) promotion of the use of environmentally compatible technologies in the solid fuels sector; (f) activities in the nuclear sector relating to safe transport of radioactive materials and also to safeguards and industrial cooperation in order to promote safety in nuclear facilities in countries included in the TACIS programme. 2. Each specific programme, the duration of which shall coincide with the period of application of this framework programme, shall set out the arrangements for its implementation. 3. Implementation of this framework programme may give rise, within its scope, to additional Community initiatives in accordance with the procedures of the Treaties. It may also lead to cooperation with third countries or international organisations. Article 3 1. The financial reference amount for the implementation of this framework programme shall be ECU 170 million. Of this amount, ECU 68 million is for the period 1998 to 1999. The financial reference amount for the period 2000 to 2002 shall be reviewed if the amount of ECU 102 million is not consistent with the financial perspective for that period. The annual appropriations shall be authorised by the budgetary authority within the limits of the financial perspective. Financial reference amounts shall also be established for each specific programme. 2. The detailed rules for financial participation by the Community in actions taken under this framework programme shall be laid down in accordance with the provisions of the Financial Regulation of 21 December 1977 applicable to the general budget of the European Communities (8). Article 4 1. The Commission shall be responsible for the implementation of this framework programme and for drafting guidelines applicable to the actions and measures to be taken under each of its specific programmes. These guidelines shall be adopted in accordance with the rules set out in paragraph 2. The Commission shall present annually a summary report on energy actions undertaken under the various Community policies to the Committee referred to in paragraph 2. 2. The Commission shall be assisted in the management of this framework programme by a Committee composed of representatives of the Member States and chaired by the representative of the Commission. The representative of the Commission shall submit to the Committee a draft of the measures to be taken. The Committee shall deliver its opinion on the draft within a time limit which the Chairman may lay down according to the urgency of the matter. The opinion shall be delivered by the majority laid down in Article 148(2) of the Treaty establishing the European Community in the case of decisions which the Council is required to adopt on a proposal from the Commission. The votes of the representatives of the Member States within the Committee shall be weighted in the manner set out in that Article. The Chairman shall not vote. The Commission shall adopt measures which shall apply immediately. However, if these measures are not in accordance with the opinion of the Committee, they shall be communicated by the Commission to the Council forthwith. In that event: the Commission shall defer application of the measures which it has decided for a period of not more than three months from the date of such communication, the Council, acting by qualified majority, may take a different decision within the time limit referred to in the previous subparagraph. Article 5 1. The Commission shall examine each year the state of implementation of this framework programme and its specific programmes. It shall assess the overall effectiveness of this framework programme, the scope of which is defined in Article 2(1), including improvements in coordination between actions with an energy component, and its contribution to the objectives of Community policy. It shall also assess whether the objectives, priorities and financial resources are still appropriate to the changing situation. The Commission shall report on the results of this assessment to the European Parliament and the Council and, if necessary, submit proposals to adapt or supplement this framework programme and/or its specific programmes. 2. In the third year of the period of application of this framework programme and at all events before submitting its proposals for the establishment of a subsequent framework programme, the Commission shall have an external assessment conducted by independent experts of the overall implementation of the Community actions carried out under this framework programme. The Commission shall communicate the conclusions thereof, together with its comments, to the European Parliament, the Council, the Economic and Social Committee and the Committee of the Regions. Before sending these conclusions and comments, the Commission shall consult the Committee referred to in Article 4(2). 3. The independent experts referred to in paragraph 2 shall be appropriately qualified and chosen by the Commission in a balanced manner. Article 6 Before the end of 2000, the Council, in accordance with the relevant provisions of the Treaty establishing the European Community and the Treaty establishing the European Atomic Energy Community, shall review this framework programme for the remaining period of its duration on the basis of a communication from the Commission taking into account the priorities of energy activities, and in particular of the SAVE (9) and Altener (10) programmes. Article 7 This Decision is addressed to the Member States. Done at Brussels, 14 December 1998. For the Council The President W. MOLTERER (1) OJ C 46, 11. 2. 1998, p. 7. (2) OJ C 328, 26. 10. 1998. (3) OJ C 214, 10. 7. 1998, p. 44. (4) OJ C 315, 13. 10. 1998, p. 1. (5) OJ C 224, 1. 8. 1996, p. 1. (6) OJ L 104, 22. 4. 1997, p. 1. Regulation as amended by Regulation (EC) No 2598/97 (OJ L 351, 23. 12. 1997, p.16) (7) OJ C 102, 4. 4. 1996, p. 4. (8) OJ L 356, 31. 12. 1977, p. 1. Regulation as last amended by Regulation (EC) No 2444/97 (OJ L 340, 11. 12. 1997, p. 1). (9) OJ L 335, 24. 12. 1996, p. 50. (10) OJ L 159, 3. 6. 1998, p. 53.
Article 2 
1. This framework programme shall be implemented through six specific programmes of a horizontal or thematic nature corresponding to the following actions: (a) development, in cooperation with the Member States, of a programme for regular monitoring of the evolution of the energy markets and trends, so that policy decisions relating to energy can be taken on the basis of a shared analysis; (b) reinforcement, within the scope of this framework programme, of international cooperation in the energy field; (c) promotion of renewable energy sources; (d) encouragement of rational and efficient use of energy resources; (e) promotion of the use of environmentally compatible technologies in the solid fuels sector; (f) activities in the nuclear sector relating to safe transport of radioactive materials and also to safeguards and industrial cooperation in order to promote safety in nuclear facilities in countries included in the TACIS programme. 2. Each specific programme, the duration of which shall coincide with the period of application of this framework programme, shall set out the arrangements for its implementation. 3. Implementation of this framework programme may give rise, within its scope, to additional Community initiatives in accordance with the procedures of the Treaties. It may also lead to cooperation with third countries or international organisations. Article 3 1. The financial reference amount for the implementation of this framework programme shall be ECU 170 million. Of this amount, ECU 68 million is for the period 1998 to 1999. The financial reference amount for the period 2000 to 2002 shall be reviewed if the amount of ECU 102 million is not consistent with the financial perspective for that period. The annual appropriations shall be authorised by the budgetary authority within the limits of the financial perspective. Financial reference amounts shall also be established for each specific programme. 2. The detailed rules for financial participation by the Community in actions taken under this framework programme shall be laid down in accordance with the provisions of the Financial Regulation of 21 December 1977 applicable to the general budget of the European Communities (8). Article 4 1. The Commission shall be responsible for the implementation of this framework programme and for drafting guidelines applicable to the actions and measures to be taken under each of its specific programmes. These guidelines shall be adopted in accordance with the rules set out in paragraph 2. The Commission shall present annually a summary report on energy actions undertaken under the various Community policies to the Committee referred to in paragraph 2. 2. The Commission shall be assisted in the management of this framework programme by a Committee composed of representatives of the Member States and chaired by the representative of the Commission. The representative of the Commission shall submit to the Committee a draft of the measures to be taken. The Committee shall deliver its opinion on the draft within a time limit which the Chairman may lay down according to the urgency of the matter. The opinion shall be delivered by the majority laid down in Article 148(2) of the Treaty establishing the European Community in the case of decisions which the Council is required to adopt on a proposal from the Commission. The votes of the representatives of the Member States within the Committee shall be weighted in the manner set out in that Article. The Chairman shall not vote. The Commission shall adopt measures which shall apply immediately. However, if these measures are not in accordance with the opinion of the Committee, they shall be communicated by the Commission to the Council forthwith. In that event: the Commission shall defer application of the measures which it has decided for a period of not more than three months from the date of such communication, the Council, acting by qualified majority, may take a different decision within the time limit referred to in the previous subparagraph. Article 5 1. The Commission shall examine each year the state of implementation of this framework programme and its specific programmes. It shall assess the overall effectiveness of this framework programme, the scope of which is defined in Article 2(1), including improvements in coordination between actions with an energy component, and its contribution to the objectives of Community policy. It shall also assess whether the objectives, priorities and financial resources are still appropriate to the changing situation. The Commission shall report on the results of this assessment to the European Parliament and the Council and, if necessary, submit proposals to adapt or supplement this framework programme and/or its specific programmes. 2. In the third year of the period of application of this framework programme and at all events before submitting its proposals for the establishment of a subsequent framework programme, the Commission shall have an external assessment conducted by independent experts of the overall implementation of the Community actions carried out under this framework programme. The Commission shall communicate the conclusions thereof, together with its comments, to the European Parliament, the Council, the Economic and Social Committee and the Committee of the Regions. Before sending these conclusions and comments, the Commission shall consult the Committee referred to in Article 4(2). 3. The independent experts referred to in paragraph 2 shall be appropriately qualified and chosen by the Commission in a balanced manner. Article 6 Before the end of 2000, the Council, in accordance with the relevant provisions of the Treaty establishing the European Community and the Treaty establishing the European Atomic Energy Community, shall review this framework programme for the remaining period of its duration on the basis of a communication from the Commission taking into account the priorities of energy activities, and in particular of the SAVE (9) and Altener (10) programmes. Article 7 This Decision is addressed to the Member States. Done at Brussels, 14 December 1998. For the Council The President W. MOLTERER (1) OJ C 46, 11. 2. 1998, p. 7. (2) OJ C 328, 26. 10. 1998. (3) OJ C 214, 10. 7. 1998, p. 44. (4) OJ C 315, 13. 10. 1998, p. 1. (5) OJ C 224, 1. 8. 1996, p. 1. (6) OJ L 104, 22. 4. 1997, p. 1. Regulation as amended by Regulation (EC) No 2598/97 (OJ L 351, 23. 12. 1997, p.16) (7) OJ C 102, 4. 4. 1996, p. 4. (8) OJ L 356, 31. 12. 1977, p. 1. Regulation as last amended by Regulation (EC) No 2444/97 (OJ L 340, 11. 12. 1997, p. 1). (9) OJ L 335, 24. 12. 1996, p. 50. (10) OJ L 159, 3. 6. 1998, p. 53.
Article 3 
1. The financial reference amount for the implementation of this framework programme shall be ECU 170 million. Of this amount, ECU 68 million is for the period 1998 to 1999. The financial reference amount for the period 2000 to 2002 shall be reviewed if the amount of ECU 102 million is not consistent with the financial perspective for that period. The annual appropriations shall be authorised by the budgetary authority within the limits of the financial perspective. Financial reference amounts shall also be established for each specific programme. 2. The detailed rules for financial participation by the Community in actions taken under this framework programme shall be laid down in accordance with the provisions of the Financial Regulation of 21 December 1977 applicable to the general budget of the European Communities (8). Article 4 1. The Commission shall be responsible for the implementation of this framework programme and for drafting guidelines applicable to the actions and measures to be taken under each of its specific programmes. These guidelines shall be adopted in accordance with the rules set out in paragraph 2. The Commission shall present annually a summary report on energy actions undertaken under the various Community policies to the Committee referred to in paragraph 2. 2. The Commission shall be assisted in the management of this framework programme by a Committee composed of representatives of the Member States and chaired by the representative of the Commission. The representative of the Commission shall submit to the Committee a draft of the measures to be taken. The Committee shall deliver its opinion on the draft within a time limit which the Chairman may lay down according to the urgency of the matter. The opinion shall be delivered by the majority laid down in Article 148(2) of the Treaty establishing the European Community in the case of decisions which the Council is required to adopt on a proposal from the Commission. The votes of the representatives of the Member States within the Committee shall be weighted in the manner set out in that Article. The Chairman shall not vote. The Commission shall adopt measures which shall apply immediately. However, if these measures are not in accordance with the opinion of the Committee, they shall be communicated by the Commission to the Council forthwith. In that event: the Commission shall defer application of the measures which it has decided for a period of not more than three months from the date of such communication, the Council, acting by qualified majority, may take a different decision within the time limit referred to in the previous subparagraph. Article 5 1. The Commission shall examine each year the state of implementation of this framework programme and its specific programmes. It shall assess the overall effectiveness of this framework programme, the scope of which is defined in Article 2(1), including improvements in coordination between actions with an energy component, and its contribution to the objectives of Community policy. It shall also assess whether the objectives, priorities and financial resources are still appropriate to the changing situation. The Commission shall report on the results of this assessment to the European Parliament and the Council and, if necessary, submit proposals to adapt or supplement this framework programme and/or its specific programmes. 2. In the third year of the period of application of this framework programme and at all events before submitting its proposals for the establishment of a subsequent framework programme, the Commission shall have an external assessment conducted by independent experts of the overall implementation of the Community actions carried out under this framework programme. The Commission shall communicate the conclusions thereof, together with its comments, to the European Parliament, the Council, the Economic and Social Committee and the Committee of the Regions. Before sending these conclusions and comments, the Commission shall consult the Committee referred to in Article 4(2). 3. The independent experts referred to in paragraph 2 shall be appropriately qualified and chosen by the Commission in a balanced manner. Article 6 Before the end of 2000, the Council, in accordance with the relevant provisions of the Treaty establishing the European Community and the Treaty establishing the European Atomic Energy Community, shall review this framework programme for the remaining period of its duration on the basis of a communication from the Commission taking into account the priorities of energy activities, and in particular of the SAVE (9) and Altener (10) programmes. Article 7 This Decision is addressed to the Member States. Done at Brussels, 14 December 1998. For the Council The President W. MOLTERER (1) OJ C 46, 11. 2. 1998, p. 7. (2) OJ C 328, 26. 10. 1998. (3) OJ C 214, 10. 7. 1998, p. 44. (4) OJ C 315, 13. 10. 1998, p. 1. (5) OJ C 224, 1. 8. 1996, p. 1. (6) OJ L 104, 22. 4. 1997, p. 1. Regulation as amended by Regulation (EC) No 2598/97 (OJ L 351, 23. 12. 1997, p.16) (7) OJ C 102, 4. 4. 1996, p. 4. (8) OJ L 356, 31. 12. 1977, p. 1. Regulation as last amended by Regulation (EC) No 2444/97 (OJ L 340, 11. 12. 1997, p. 1). (9) OJ L 335, 24. 12. 1996, p. 50. (10) OJ L 159, 3. 6. 1998, p. 53.
Article 4 
1. The Commission shall be responsible for the implementation of this framework programme and for drafting guidelines applicable to the actions and measures to be taken under each of its specific programmes. These guidelines shall be adopted in accordance with the rules set out in paragraph 2. The Commission shall present annually a summary report on energy actions undertaken under the various Community policies to the Committee referred to in paragraph 2. 2. The Commission shall be assisted in the management of this framework programme by a Committee composed of representatives of the Member States and chaired by the representative of the Commission. The representative of the Commission shall submit to the Committee a draft of the measures to be taken. The Committee shall deliver its opinion on the draft within a time limit which the Chairman may lay down according to the urgency of the matter. The opinion shall be delivered by the majority laid down in Article 148(2) of the Treaty establishing the European Community in the case of decisions which the Council is required to adopt on a proposal from the Commission. The votes of the representatives of the Member States within the Committee shall be weighted in the manner set out in that Article. The Chairman shall not vote. The Commission shall adopt measures which shall apply immediately. However, if these measures are not in accordance with the opinion of the Committee, they shall be communicated by the Commission to the Council forthwith. In that event: the Commission shall defer application of the measures which it has decided for a period of not more than three months from the date of such communication, the Council, acting by qualified majority, may take a different decision within the time limit referred to in the previous subparagraph. Article 5 1. The Commission shall examine each year the state of implementation of this framework programme and its specific programmes. It shall assess the overall effectiveness of this framework programme, the scope of which is defined in Article 2(1), including improvements in coordination between actions with an energy component, and its contribution to the objectives of Community policy. It shall also assess whether the objectives, priorities and financial resources are still appropriate to the changing situation. The Commission shall report on the results of this assessment to the European Parliament and the Council and, if necessary, submit proposals to adapt or supplement this framework programme and/or its specific programmes. 2. In the third year of the period of application of this framework programme and at all events before submitting its proposals for the establishment of a subsequent framework programme, the Commission shall have an external assessment conducted by independent experts of the overall implementation of the Community actions carried out under this framework programme. The Commission shall communicate the conclusions thereof, together with its comments, to the European Parliament, the Council, the Economic and Social Committee and the Committee of the Regions. Before sending these conclusions and comments, the Commission shall consult the Committee referred to in Article 4(2). 3. The independent experts referred to in paragraph 2 shall be appropriately qualified and chosen by the Commission in a balanced manner. Article 6 Before the end of 2000, the Council, in accordance with the relevant provisions of the Treaty establishing the European Community and the Treaty establishing the European Atomic Energy Community, shall review this framework programme for the remaining period of its duration on the basis of a communication from the Commission taking into account the priorities of energy activities, and in particular of the SAVE (9) and Altener (10) programmes. Article 7 This Decision is addressed to the Member States. Done at Brussels, 14 December 1998. For the Council The President W. MOLTERER (1) OJ C 46, 11. 2. 1998, p. 7. (2) OJ C 328, 26. 10. 1998. (3) OJ C 214, 10. 7. 1998, p. 44. (4) OJ C 315, 13. 10. 1998, p. 1. (5) OJ C 224, 1. 8. 1996, p. 1. (6) OJ L 104, 22. 4. 1997, p. 1. Regulation as amended by Regulation (EC) No 2598/97 (OJ L 351, 23. 12. 1997, p.16) (7) OJ C 102, 4. 4. 1996, p. 4. (8) OJ L 356, 31. 12. 1977, p. 1. Regulation as last amended by Regulation (EC) No 2444/97 (OJ L 340, 11. 12. 1997, p. 1). (9) OJ L 335, 24. 12. 1996, p. 50. (10) OJ L 159, 3. 6. 1998, p. 53.
Article 5 
1. The Commission shall examine each year the state of implementation of this framework programme and its specific programmes. It shall assess the overall effectiveness of this framework programme, the scope of which is defined in Article 2(1), including improvements in coordination between actions with an energy component, and its contribution to the objectives of Community policy. It shall also assess whether the objectives, priorities and financial resources are still appropriate to the changing situation. The Commission shall report on the results of this assessment to the European Parliament and the Council and, if necessary, submit proposals to adapt or supplement this framework programme and/or its specific programmes. 2. In the third year of the period of application of this framework programme and at all events before submitting its proposals for the establishment of a subsequent framework programme, the Commission shall have an external assessment conducted by independent experts of the overall implementation of the Community actions carried out under this framework programme. The Commission shall communicate the conclusions thereof, together with its comments, to the European Parliament, the Council, the Economic and Social Committee and the Committee of the Regions. Before sending these conclusions and comments, the Commission shall consult the Committee referred to in Article 4(2). 3. The independent experts referred to in paragraph 2 shall be appropriately qualified and chosen by the Commission in a balanced manner. Article 6 Before the end of 2000, the Council, in accordance with the relevant provisions of the Treaty establishing the European Community and the Treaty establishing the European Atomic Energy Community, shall review this framework programme for the remaining period of its duration on the basis of a communication from the Commission taking into account the priorities of energy activities, and in particular of the SAVE (9) and Altener (10) programmes. Article 7 This Decision is addressed to the Member States. Done at Brussels, 14 December 1998. For the Council The President W. MOLTERER (1) OJ C 46, 11. 2. 1998, p. 7. (2) OJ C 328, 26. 10. 1998. (3) OJ C 214, 10. 7. 1998, p. 44. (4) OJ C 315, 13. 10. 1998, p. 1. (5) OJ C 224, 1. 8. 1996, p. 1. (6) OJ L 104, 22. 4. 1997, p. 1. Regulation as amended by Regulation (EC) No 2598/97 (OJ L 351, 23. 12. 1997, p.16) (7) OJ C 102, 4. 4. 1996, p. 4. (8) OJ L 356, 31. 12. 1977, p. 1. Regulation as last amended by Regulation (EC) No 2444/97 (OJ L 340, 11. 12. 1997, p. 1). (9) OJ L 335, 24. 12. 1996, p. 50. (10) OJ L 159, 3. 6. 1998, p. 53.
Article 6 
Before the end of 2000, the Council, in accordance with the relevant provisions of the Treaty establishing the European Community and the Treaty establishing the European Atomic Energy Community, shall review this framework programme for the remaining period of its duration on the basis of a communication from the Commission taking into account the priorities of energy activities, and in particular of the SAVE (9) and Altener (10) programmes. Article 7 This Decision is addressed to the Member States. Done at Brussels, 14 December 1998. For the Council The President W. MOLTERER (1) OJ C 46, 11. 2. 1998, p. 7. (2) OJ C 328, 26. 10. 1998. (3) OJ C 214, 10. 7. 1998, p. 44. (4) OJ C 315, 13. 10. 1998, p. 1. (5) OJ C 224, 1. 8. 1996, p. 1. (6) OJ L 104, 22. 4. 1997, p. 1. Regulation as amended by Regulation (EC) No 2598/97 (OJ L 351, 23. 12. 1997, p.16) (7) OJ C 102, 4. 4. 1996, p. 4. (8) OJ L 356, 31. 12. 1977, p. 1. Regulation as last amended by Regulation (EC) No 2444/97 (OJ L 340, 11. 12. 1997, p. 1). (9) OJ L 335, 24. 12. 1996, p. 50. (10) OJ L 159, 3. 6. 1998, p. 53.
Article 7 
This Decision is addressed to the Member States. Done at Brussels, 14 December 1998. For the Council The President W. MOLTERER (1) OJ C 46, 11. 2. 1998, p. 7. (2) OJ C 328, 26. 10. 1998. (3) OJ C 214, 10. 7. 1998, p. 44. (4) OJ C 315, 13. 10. 1998, p. 1. (5) OJ C 224, 1. 8. 1996, p. 1. (6) OJ L 104, 22. 4. 1997, p. 1. Regulation as amended by Regulation (EC) No 2598/97 (OJ L 351, 23. 12. 1997, p.16) (7) OJ C 102, 4. 4. 1996, p. 4. (8) OJ L 356, 31. 12. 1977, p. 1. Regulation as last amended by Regulation (EC) No 2444/97 (OJ L 340, 11. 12. 1997, p. 1). (9) OJ L 335, 24. 12. 1996, p. 50. (10) OJ L 159, 3. 6. 1998, p. 53.