Article 138 
1. The special financing facility provided for in Article 137 shall be aimed at OCT which export to the Community and which, during at least two of the four years preceding that of the request for aid, have derived either: (a) 15 % or more of their export earnings from one of the following products: copper (including cobalt), phosphates, manganese, bauxite and alumina, tin, iron ore, whether or not in agglomerate form, uranium; or (b)20 % or more of their export earnings from all mining products (excluding precious minerals other than gold, oil and gas). However, for least-developed OCT, the figure stipulated in (a) shall be 10 % and the figure stipulated in (b) shall be 12 %. For the calculation of the thresholds referred to in (a) and (b) earnings shall not include those from mining products not covered by the system. 2. Recourse to the special financing facility shall be possible where, in the light of the aims referred to above: (a)it is perceived or expected that the viability of one or more enterprises in the mining sector has been or is about to be seriously affected following temporary or unforeseeable difficulties - whether technical, economic or political - beyond the control of the country or territory or undertaking concerned, and where such damage to viability leads to or may lead to a significant fall in revenue for the country or territory concerned - assessed in particular on the basis of a drop in production or export capacities of the product in question of around 10 % - and/or a deterioration in its external trade balance. Foreseeable damage to viability shall be characterized by the onset of deterioration of the means of production and its impact on the economy of the country or territory; or (b)in cases under paragraph 1 (a), it is perceived that a substantial fall in export earnings from the mining product concerned, in relation to the average for the two years before that of the request, is seriously jeopardizing the completion of development projects and programmes under way. To be taken into consideration, such a fall in earnings must: - be caused by technical, economic or political difficulties and not artificially provoked, directly or indirectly, by policies and measures of the relevant authorities of the country or territory or the economic operators concerned, -result in a corresponding fall in total export earnings of approximately 10 % at least in the year before that of the request. The said difficulties shall refer to disruptions such as accidents, serious technical incidents, serious internal or external political events, major technological and economic changes or major changes in trade relations with the Community. 3. The relevant authorities of a country or territory may request financial aid under the special financing facility where the conditions set out in paragraphs 1 and 2 are met. Article 139 1. The aid referred to in Article 138 shall be used in pursuit of the aims of the facility as set out in Article 137 (2). Where maintenance or return to viability of the mining enterprise or enterprises affected is deemed possible and appropriate, the aid shall be used to finance projects or programmes, including the financial restructuring of the enterprise or enterprises concerned, with a view to maintaining, re-establishing or rationalizing at a viable level the production and export capacity concerned. Where it is not thought possible to maintain or restore viability, the aid shall be used to broaden the bases of economic growth through the financing of viable horizontal or vertical conversion or diversification projects or programmes. By common agreement, the aim of diversification may also be pursued where the economy is dependent on the mining product in question to a significant degree, even where viability can be re-established. Where Article 138 (2) (b) is applicable, the objective of diversification shall be pursued through financial assistance to aid the completion of development projects and programmes under way outside the mining sector which are in jeopardy. 2. Any decision to allocate funds to projects or programmes shall take due account of economic interests and the social implications of such aid in the country or territory concerned and in the Community and will be adapted to the economic restructuring needs of that country or territory. In the case of requests presented under Article 138 (1) (b), the Community and the relevant authorities of the country or territory concerned shall jointly and systematically seek to establish the scope and the terms of any aid accorded in such a way that such aid does not injure competing Community mining production. The consideration and appraisal of these factors shall be part of the analysis referred to in Article 140 (2). 3. Special attention shall be accorded to: - processing and transport operations, notably at regional level, and the proper integration of the mining sector in the overall economic and social development of the country or territory, -preventive operations to minimize any disruptive effects by adapting technology, improving the technical and managerial skills of local staff and adapting the skills of local staff to enterprise management techniques, -stepping up the OCT's scientific and technical capacity for the production of new materials. Article 140 1. The request for aid must include information on the nature of the problems encountered, the perceived or expected consequences of the disruption both at local level and at the level of the mining enterprise or enterprises affected and indications in the form of an identification sheet on the measures or actions undertaken or desired to remedy them. The request shall be made as soon as these consequences are identified and within a period not exceeding 12 months. 2. Prior to any Community decision a technical, economic and financial analysis shall be made systematically of the mining sector concerned in order to assess both the eligibility of the request and the project or programme to be undertaken to utilize the aid. That analysis, which shall be very detailed, shall, in order to identify the operation, take particular account of world market prospects and, without prejudice to the first paragraph of Article 139 (2), the situation of the Community market in the products concerned. It shall also include an analysis of the possible implications of such an operation for the competing mining products of Member States and the possible implications of its non-implementation for the country or territory concerned. Its objective shall be to ascertain: - whether the viability of the means of production concerned has been or is likely to be damaged and whether that viability can be restored, or whether recourse to diversification measures is more appropriate, or -whether the fall in export earnings referred to in Article 138 (2) (b) seriously jeopardizes the implementation of development projects and programmes under way. The analysis shall be carried out in accordance with the procedures for financial and technical cooperation. It shall require the close cooperation of the relevant authorities of the country or territory and the economic operators concerned. 3. A single decision shall be taken on eligibility and the financing proposal. The necessary steps will be taken to expedite appraisal of requests so that the appropriate action may be taken swiftly. Article 141 1. If necessary, technical assistance for setting up and supervising the project may be financed under the special financing facility provided for in Article 142. 2. The procedures applicable to such assistance and the detailed rules for its implementation shall be those laid down for development finance cooperation. Article 142 1. For the purposes specified in Article 137 and for the period laid down in Article 154, the Community shall allocate the overall amount provided for in paragraph 1 (a) (iv) of that Article to cover all its commitments under this special financing facility. The amount allocated to the facility shall be managed by the Commission. 2. Before expiry of the period laid down in Article 154, the Council shall decide, on a proposal from the Commission, on the allocation of any balances remaining from the overall amount. 3. The amount of the aid provided for in Article 138 shall be determined by the Commission in the light of the funds available under the special financing facility, the nature of the relevant projects and programmes, the possibilities for cofinancing and the relative importance of the mining industry concerned for the economy of the country or territory. 4. Aid accorded to a country or territory under the special financing facility may be on-lent to the final borrower on different financial terms which shall be established in the financing decision and shall result from an analysis of the aid project conducted on the basis of the usual economic and financial criteria for the type of project planned. 5. The analysis referred to in Article 140 shall be financed from resources of the facility. 6. In exceptional circumstances arising out of an emergency, confirmation and proof of which will have to be provided initially by the analysis, a country or territory which so requests may be granted an advance by way of partial pre-financing of the project or programme which it precedes.
Article 139 
1. The aid referred to in Article 138 shall be used in pursuit of the aims of the facility as set out in Article 137 (2). Where maintenance or return to viability of the mining enterprise or enterprises affected is deemed possible and appropriate, the aid shall be used to finance projects or programmes, including the financial restructuring of the enterprise or enterprises concerned, with a view to maintaining, re-establishing or rationalizing at a viable level the production and export capacity concerned. Where it is not thought possible to maintain or restore viability, the aid shall be used to broaden the bases of economic growth through the financing of viable horizontal or vertical conversion or diversification projects or programmes. By common agreement, the aim of diversification may also be pursued where the economy is dependent on the mining product in question to a significant degree, even where viability can be re-established. Where Article 138 (2) (b) is applicable, the objective of diversification shall be pursued through financial assistance to aid the completion of development projects and programmes under way outside the mining sector which are in jeopardy. 2. Any decision to allocate funds to projects or programmes shall take due account of economic interests and the social implications of such aid in the country or territory concerned and in the Community and will be adapted to the economic restructuring needs of that country or territory. In the case of requests presented under Article 138 (1) (b), the Community and the relevant authorities of the country or territory concerned shall jointly and systematically seek to establish the scope and the terms of any aid accorded in such a way that such aid does not injure competing Community mining production. The consideration and appraisal of these factors shall be part of the analysis referred to in Article 140 (2). 3. Special attention shall be accorded to: - processing and transport operations, notably at regional level, and the proper integration of the mining sector in the overall economic and social development of the country or territory, -preventive operations to minimize any disruptive effects by adapting technology, improving the technical and managerial skills of local staff and adapting the skills of local staff to enterprise management techniques, -stepping up the OCT's scientific and technical capacity for the production of new materials. Article 140 1. The request for aid must include information on the nature of the problems encountered, the perceived or expected consequences of the disruption both at local level and at the level of the mining enterprise or enterprises affected and indications in the form of an identification sheet on the measures or actions undertaken or desired to remedy them. The request shall be made as soon as these consequences are identified and within a period not exceeding 12 months. 2. Prior to any Community decision a technical, economic and financial analysis shall be made systematically of the mining sector concerned in order to assess both the eligibility of the request and the project or programme to be undertaken to utilize the aid. That analysis, which shall be very detailed, shall, in order to identify the operation, take particular account of world market prospects and, without prejudice to the first paragraph of Article 139 (2), the situation of the Community market in the products concerned. It shall also include an analysis of the possible implications of such an operation for the competing mining products of Member States and the possible implications of its non-implementation for the country or territory concerned. Its objective shall be to ascertain: - whether the viability of the means of production concerned has been or is likely to be damaged and whether that viability can be restored, or whether recourse to diversification measures is more appropriate, or -whether the fall in export earnings referred to in Article 138 (2) (b) seriously jeopardizes the implementation of development projects and programmes under way. The analysis shall be carried out in accordance with the procedures for financial and technical cooperation. It shall require the close cooperation of the relevant authorities of the country or territory and the economic operators concerned. 3. A single decision shall be taken on eligibility and the financing proposal. The necessary steps will be taken to expedite appraisal of requests so that the appropriate action may be taken swiftly. Article 141 1. If necessary, technical assistance for setting up and supervising the project may be financed under the special financing facility provided for in Article 142. 2. The procedures applicable to such assistance and the detailed rules for its implementation shall be those laid down for development finance cooperation. Article 142 1. For the purposes specified in Article 137 and for the period laid down in Article 154, the Community shall allocate the overall amount provided for in paragraph 1 (a) (iv) of that Article to cover all its commitments under this special financing facility. The amount allocated to the facility shall be managed by the Commission. 2. Before expiry of the period laid down in Article 154, the Council shall decide, on a proposal from the Commission, on the allocation of any balances remaining from the overall amount. 3. The amount of the aid provided for in Article 138 shall be determined by the Commission in the light of the funds available under the special financing facility, the nature of the relevant projects and programmes, the possibilities for cofinancing and the relative importance of the mining industry concerned for the economy of the country or territory. 4. Aid accorded to a country or territory under the special financing facility may be on-lent to the final borrower on different financial terms which shall be established in the financing decision and shall result from an analysis of the aid project conducted on the basis of the usual economic and financial criteria for the type of project planned. 5. The analysis referred to in Article 140 shall be financed from resources of the facility. 6. In exceptional circumstances arising out of an emergency, confirmation and proof of which will have to be provided initially by the analysis, a country or territory which so requests may be granted an advance by way of partial pre-financing of the project or programme which it precedes.
Article 140 
1. The request for aid must include information on the nature of the problems encountered, the perceived or expected consequences of the disruption both at local level and at the level of the mining enterprise or enterprises affected and indications in the form of an identification sheet on the measures or actions undertaken or desired to remedy them. The request shall be made as soon as these consequences are identified and within a period not exceeding 12 months. 2. Prior to any Community decision a technical, economic and financial analysis shall be made systematically of the mining sector concerned in order to assess both the eligibility of the request and the project or programme to be undertaken to utilize the aid. That analysis, which shall be very detailed, shall, in order to identify the operation, take particular account of world market prospects and, without prejudice to the first paragraph of Article 139 (2), the situation of the Community market in the products concerned. It shall also include an analysis of the possible implications of such an operation for the competing mining products of Member States and the possible implications of its non-implementation for the country or territory concerned. Its objective shall be to ascertain: - whether the viability of the means of production concerned has been or is likely to be damaged and whether that viability can be restored, or whether recourse to diversification measures is more appropriate, or -whether the fall in export earnings referred to in Article 138 (2) (b) seriously jeopardizes the implementation of development projects and programmes under way. The analysis shall be carried out in accordance with the procedures for financial and technical cooperation. It shall require the close cooperation of the relevant authorities of the country or territory and the economic operators concerned. 3. A single decision shall be taken on eligibility and the financing proposal. The necessary steps will be taken to expedite appraisal of requests so that the appropriate action may be taken swiftly. Article 141 1. If necessary, technical assistance for setting up and supervising the project may be financed under the special financing facility provided for in Article 142. 2. The procedures applicable to such assistance and the detailed rules for its implementation shall be those laid down for development finance cooperation. Article 142 1. For the purposes specified in Article 137 and for the period laid down in Article 154, the Community shall allocate the overall amount provided for in paragraph 1 (a) (iv) of that Article to cover all its commitments under this special financing facility. The amount allocated to the facility shall be managed by the Commission. 2. Before expiry of the period laid down in Article 154, the Council shall decide, on a proposal from the Commission, on the allocation of any balances remaining from the overall amount. 3. The amount of the aid provided for in Article 138 shall be determined by the Commission in the light of the funds available under the special financing facility, the nature of the relevant projects and programmes, the possibilities for cofinancing and the relative importance of the mining industry concerned for the economy of the country or territory. 4. Aid accorded to a country or territory under the special financing facility may be on-lent to the final borrower on different financial terms which shall be established in the financing decision and shall result from an analysis of the aid project conducted on the basis of the usual economic and financial criteria for the type of project planned. 5. The analysis referred to in Article 140 shall be financed from resources of the facility. 6. In exceptional circumstances arising out of an emergency, confirmation and proof of which will have to be provided initially by the analysis, a country or territory which so requests may be granted an advance by way of partial pre-financing of the project or programme which it precedes.
Article 141 
1. If necessary, technical assistance for setting up and supervising the project may be financed under the special financing facility provided for in Article 142. 2. The procedures applicable to such assistance and the detailed rules for its implementation shall be those laid down for development finance cooperation. Article 142 1. For the purposes specified in Article 137 and for the period laid down in Article 154, the Community shall allocate the overall amount provided for in paragraph 1 (a) (iv) of that Article to cover all its commitments under this special financing facility. The amount allocated to the facility shall be managed by the Commission. 2. Before expiry of the period laid down in Article 154, the Council shall decide, on a proposal from the Commission, on the allocation of any balances remaining from the overall amount. 3. The amount of the aid provided for in Article 138 shall be determined by the Commission in the light of the funds available under the special financing facility, the nature of the relevant projects and programmes, the possibilities for cofinancing and the relative importance of the mining industry concerned for the economy of the country or territory. 4. Aid accorded to a country or territory under the special financing facility may be on-lent to the final borrower on different financial terms which shall be established in the financing decision and shall result from an analysis of the aid project conducted on the basis of the usual economic and financial criteria for the type of project planned. 5. The analysis referred to in Article 140 shall be financed from resources of the facility. 6. In exceptional circumstances arising out of an emergency, confirmation and proof of which will have to be provided initially by the analysis, a country or territory which so requests may be granted an advance by way of partial pre-financing of the project or programme which it precedes.
Article 142 
1. For the purposes specified in Article 137 and for the period laid down in Article 154, the Community shall allocate the overall amount provided for in paragraph 1 (a) (iv) of that Article to cover all its commitments under this special financing facility. The amount allocated to the facility shall be managed by the Commission. 2. Before expiry of the period laid down in Article 154, the Council shall decide, on a proposal from the Commission, on the allocation of any balances remaining from the overall amount. 3. The amount of the aid provided for in Article 138 shall be determined by the Commission in the light of the funds available under the special financing facility, the nature of the relevant projects and programmes, the possibilities for cofinancing and the relative importance of the mining industry concerned for the economy of the country or territory. 4. Aid accorded to a country or territory under the special financing facility may be on-lent to the final borrower on different financial terms which shall be established in the financing decision and shall result from an analysis of the aid project conducted on the basis of the usual economic and financial criteria for the type of project planned. 5. The analysis referred to in Article 140 shall be financed from resources of the facility. 6. In exceptional circumstances arising out of an emergency, confirmation and proof of which will have to be provided initially by the analysis, a country or territory which so requests may be granted an advance by way of partial pre-financing of the project or programme which it precedes.
Article 143 
The objectives of development finance cooperation shall be, through the provision of adequate financial resources and appropriate technical assistance, to: (a) support and promote the efforts of the OCT to achieve long-term, self-determined, self-reliant and self-sustained integrated social, cultural and economic development, on the basis of mutual interest and in a spirit of interdependence; (b)help raise the standard of living and improve the well-being of the peoples of the OCT; (c)promote measures likely to mobilize the capacity for initiative of communities and the participation of those concerned in the design and implementation of development projects; (d)contribute to the fullest participation of the population in the benefits of development; (e)contribute to the development of the capacity of the OCT to innovate, adapt and transform technology; (f)contribute to optimal and judicious exploration, conservation, processing, working and exploitation of the OCT's natural resources in order to enhance the efforts of the OCT to industrialize and to achieve economic diversification; (g)provide support for and promote the optimal development of human resources in the OCT; (h)facilitate an increase in the financial flows to the OCT which are responsive to the evolving needs of the OCT and support the efforts of the OCT to harmonize international cooperation for their development through cofinancing of operations with other financing agencies or third parties; (i)seek new approaches to direct private investment promotion in the OCT; support the development of a healthy, prosperous and dynamic OCT private sector and encourage local, national and foreign private investment flows into the productive sectors in the OCT; (j)encourage intra-OCT and OCT-ACP cooperation and regional cooperation among them; (k)permit the establishment of more balanced economic and social relations and better understanding between the OCT, ACP States, Member States of the Community and the rest of the world, with a view to achieving a new international economic order; (l)enable the OCT faced with serious economic and social difficulties of an exceptional nature resulting from natural disasters or extraordinary circumstances having comparable effects to benefit from emergency assistance; (m)help the least-developed OCT to overcome the specific obstacles which hamper their development efforts.
Article 144 
Development finance cooperation shall: (a) be implemented on the basis of and be consistent with the development objectives, strategies and priorities established by the relevant authorities of the OCT, at local and regional levels, with due regard to their respective geographical, social and cultural characteristics, as well as their specific potential; (b)be provided on highly concessional terms; (c)ensure that resource flows are accorded on a more predictable and continuous basis; (d)ensure participation by the OCT in the management and utilization of financial resources and ensure effective decentralization of decision-making powers; (e)strengthen and utilize, as much as possible, the OCT's human resources and existing administrative structures; (f)be flexible and appropriate to the situation in each country or territory as well as adapted to the specific nature of the project or programme concerned; (g)be carried out with a minimum of administrative formalities using simple and rational procedures so that projects and programmes may be implemented rapidly and efficiently; (h)ensure that technical assistance is provided only upon the request of the relevant authorities of the country or territory concerned and is of the stipulated quality, relevant, cost-effective and includes arrangements for rapid and effective training of local replacement personnel.
Article 145 
1. Operations financed under this Decision shall be implemented by the relevant authorities of the OCT and the Community in close cooperation, the concept of equality between the partners being recognized. 2. The relevant authorities of the OCT shall be responsible for: (a) defining the objectives and priorities on which the indicative programmes are based; (b)choosing projects and programmes; (c)preparing and presenting the dossiers of projects and programmes; (d)preparing, negotiating and concluding contracts; (e)implementing and managing projects and programmes; (f)maintaining projects and programmes. 3. The relevant authorities of the OCT and the Community shall be jointly responsible for: (a)establishing, where necessary, guidelines for development finance cooperation in the framework of the partnership referred to in Part Five; (b)adopting the indicative programmes; (c)appraising projects and programmes; (d)ensuring equality of conditions for participation in invitations to tender and contracts; (e)monitoring and evaluating the effects and results of projects and programmes; (f)ensuring the proper, prompt and efficient execution of projects and programmes. 4. The Community shall be responsible for taking financing decisions on projects and programmes. Article 146 Unless otherwise provided in this Decision, all decisions requiring the approval of a party to the association shall be approved, or be deemed approved, within 60 days of notification by the other party.
Article 146 
Unless otherwise provided in this Decision, all decisions requiring the approval of a party to the association shall be approved, or be deemed approved, within 60 days of notification by the other party.
Article 147 
Within the framework of the Decision, development finance cooperation shall cover: (a) capital projects and programmes; (b)rehabilitation of projects and programmes; (c)sectoral-type programmes; (d)technical cooperation programmes; (e)deployment of flexible resources in support of the efforts of grassroots communities; (f)recurrent costs (including current administrative, operating, and maintenance costs, both local and foreign) of new, on-going and completed projects and programmes; (g)on a case-by-case basis, supplementary expenses borne by the OCT arising out of, and strictly relating to, the administration and the supervision of projects and programmes financed by the European Development Fund, hereinafter referred to as the 'Fund'; (h)credit lines, and support of regional payment mechanisms and export credit operations in the OCT; (i)equity participation; (j)a combination of all or some of the above components integrated into sectoral development programmes. Article 148 Sectoral import programmes shall be provided, upon request, from the resources of the indicative programme to support the measures taken by the relevant authorities of the country or territory concerned in the sector or sectors for which the assistance is requested in accordance with Article 187. The purpose of import programmes is to contribute to the optimal functioning of the productive sectors of the economy, to assist in the expansion of production and export capacity, to facilitate the transfer or development of technology and to help meet basic human needs. Import programmes may include the financing of inputs to the productive system such as capital and intermediate goods, raw materials, spare parts, fertilizers, insecticides and supplies to improve health and education services and standards. Article 149 Counterpart funds generated from various Community instruments shall, except where otherwise provided for, be used in a targeted way for the financing of local expenditure under: (a) fund projects and programmes within the indicative programme; (b)other agreed projects and programmes; (c)specific budget headings under public expenditure programmes of the OCT such as those relating to health, education, training, job creation and protection of the environment. Article 150 1. Recurrent cost financing (to cover current administrative, maintenance and operating expenses) may be granted to a country or territory in order to ensure that full use is made of investments which are of special importance for the economic and social development of the country or territory concerned and the running of which temporarily constitutes a burden for the country or territory or other eligible beneficiaries. Such support may, for new, ongoing or past projects and programmes, cover current administrative, maintenance and operating expenses such as: (a) expenditure incurred in the start-up period, for setting up, launching and operating the capital projects or programmes in question; (b)the cost of operating, maintaining and/or managing capital projects and programmes implemented earlier. 2. Special treatment shall be accorded to the financing of recurrent costs in the least-developed OCT. Article 151 The funds provided under this Decision may be used to cover the total costs of both the local and foreign expenditure of projects and programmes.
Article 148 
Sectoral import programmes shall be provided, upon request, from the resources of the indicative programme to support the measures taken by the relevant authorities of the country or territory concerned in the sector or sectors for which the assistance is requested in accordance with Article 187. The purpose of import programmes is to contribute to the optimal functioning of the productive sectors of the economy, to assist in the expansion of production and export capacity, to facilitate the transfer or development of technology and to help meet basic human needs. Import programmes may include the financing of inputs to the productive system such as capital and intermediate goods, raw materials, spare parts, fertilizers, insecticides and supplies to improve health and education services and standards. Article 149 Counterpart funds generated from various Community instruments shall, except where otherwise provided for, be used in a targeted way for the financing of local expenditure under: (a) fund projects and programmes within the indicative programme; (b)other agreed projects and programmes; (c)specific budget headings under public expenditure programmes of the OCT such as those relating to health, education, training, job creation and protection of the environment. Article 150 1. Recurrent cost financing (to cover current administrative, maintenance and operating expenses) may be granted to a country or territory in order to ensure that full use is made of investments which are of special importance for the economic and social development of the country or territory concerned and the running of which temporarily constitutes a burden for the country or territory or other eligible beneficiaries. Such support may, for new, ongoing or past projects and programmes, cover current administrative, maintenance and operating expenses such as: (a) expenditure incurred in the start-up period, for setting up, launching and operating the capital projects or programmes in question; (b)the cost of operating, maintaining and/or managing capital projects and programmes implemented earlier. 2. Special treatment shall be accorded to the financing of recurrent costs in the least-developed OCT. Article 151 The funds provided under this Decision may be used to cover the total costs of both the local and foreign expenditure of projects and programmes.
Article 149 
Counterpart funds generated from various Community instruments shall, except where otherwise provided for, be used in a targeted way for the financing of local expenditure under: (a) fund projects and programmes within the indicative programme; (b)other agreed projects and programmes; (c)specific budget headings under public expenditure programmes of the OCT such as those relating to health, education, training, job creation and protection of the environment. Article 150 1. Recurrent cost financing (to cover current administrative, maintenance and operating expenses) may be granted to a country or territory in order to ensure that full use is made of investments which are of special importance for the economic and social development of the country or territory concerned and the running of which temporarily constitutes a burden for the country or territory or other eligible beneficiaries. Such support may, for new, ongoing or past projects and programmes, cover current administrative, maintenance and operating expenses such as: (a) expenditure incurred in the start-up period, for setting up, launching and operating the capital projects or programmes in question; (b)the cost of operating, maintaining and/or managing capital projects and programmes implemented earlier. 2. Special treatment shall be accorded to the financing of recurrent costs in the least-developed OCT. Article 151 The funds provided under this Decision may be used to cover the total costs of both the local and foreign expenditure of projects and programmes.
Article 150 
1. Recurrent cost financing (to cover current administrative, maintenance and operating expenses) may be granted to a country or territory in order to ensure that full use is made of investments which are of special importance for the economic and social development of the country or territory concerned and the running of which temporarily constitutes a burden for the country or territory or other eligible beneficiaries. Such support may, for new, ongoing or past projects and programmes, cover current administrative, maintenance and operating expenses such as: (a) expenditure incurred in the start-up period, for setting up, launching and operating the capital projects or programmes in question; (b)the cost of operating, maintaining and/or managing capital projects and programmes implemented earlier. 2. Special treatment shall be accorded to the financing of recurrent costs in the least-developed OCT. Article 151 The funds provided under this Decision may be used to cover the total costs of both the local and foreign expenditure of projects and programmes.
Article 151 
The funds provided under this Decision may be used to cover the total costs of both the local and foreign expenditure of projects and programmes.
Article 152 
1. Within the framework of the priorities established by the relevant authorities of the OCT concerned at local, national and regional level, support may be given to projects and programmes in every sector or area referred to in this Decision and may, inter alia, be in: (a) agricultural and rural development, and in particular food self-sufficiency and food security programmes; (b)industrialization, artisanal activities, energy, mining and tourism; (c)economic and social infrastructure; (d)structural improvement of the productive sectors of the economy; (e)preservation and protection of the environment; (f)prospecting for, exploration and exploitation of, natural resources; (g)education and training programmes, basic and applied scientific research and technology, technological adaptation or innovation and the transfer of technology; (h)industrial promotion and information; (i)marketing and trade promotion; (j)promotion, development and reinforcement of small and medium-sized local, national and regional enterprises; (k)support for local, national and regional development banks and financial institutions, and for clearing and payment institutions which are designed to promote regional trade; (l)microprojects for grassroots development; (m)transport and communications, including promotion of sea and air transport; (n)fisheries development; (o)development and optimal utilization of human resources, special account being taken of the role of women in development; (p)improvement of social and cultural infrastructure and services including health, housing, water supply, etc.; (q)assisting OCT, OCT-ACP and OCT-ACP-EEC professional and business organizations with the aim of improving production and marketing of products on external markets; (r)investment promotion and support measures; (s)support for development operations put forward by economic, cultural, social and educational organizations in the framework of decentralized cooperation, in particular where they combine the efforts and resources of OCT organizations and of their Community counterparts. 2. The projects and programmes may also concern operations on specific themes, such as: (a) protection of natural resources; (b)disaster prevention and preparedness, including prediction and early-warning systems, with a view to reducing the consequences of disasters; (c)control of endemic human diseases and epidemics; (d)hygiene and primary health care; (e)control of endemic livestock diseases; (f)measures to save energy; (g)long-term operations, in general, which extend beyond any specific time-scale.
Article 153 
1. The following entities or bodies shall be eligible for financial support provided under this Decision: (a) OCT; however, Greenland shall not be eligible for financial aid as an OCT for the period of application of the Protocol on fisheries signed on 16 July 1990 by the European Economic Community on the one hand and the Government of Denmark and the local Government of Greenland on the other; (b)regional or inter-State bodies to which one or more OCT belong and which are authorized by their relevant authorities; (c)joint bodies set up by the Community and the OCT to pursue certain specific objectives. 2. Subject to the agreement of the relevant authorities of the country/countries or territory/territories concerned, the following shall also be eligible for financial support: (a)local, national and/or regional public or semi-public agencies, departments or local authorities of the OCT and in particular their financial institutions and development banks; (b)companies and firms of the OCT; (c)enterprises of a Community Member State to enable them, in addition to their own contribution, to undertake productive projects in the territory of a country or territory; (d)OCT or Community financial intermediaries providing financing to small and medium-sized enterprises, as well as financial institutions promoting and financing private investments in the OCT; (e)groups of producers who are nationals of the OCT; (f)award holders and trainees; (g)OCT as well as Community local communities, cooperatives, trade unions, non-governmental organizations, and teaching and research institutions to enable them to undertake economic, cultural, social and educational projects and programmes in the OCT in the context of decentralized cooperation.
Article 154 
1. For the purposes set out in Chapter 1 of this Title, and for a period of five years commencing on 1 March 1990, the overall amount of the Community's financial assistance shall be ECU 165 million. This amount shall comprise: (a) ECU 140 million from the Fund, allocated as follows: (i) for the purposes set out in Articles 143, 144 and 147, ECU 106,5 million in the form of grants; (ii)for the purposes set out in Articles 143, 144 and 147, ECU 25 million in the form of risk capital; (iii)for the purposes set out in Articles 114 to 136, ECU 6 million in the form of grants under the Stabex facility; (iv)for the purposes set out in Articles 137 to 142, ECU 2,5 million in the form of grants under the Sysmin facility; (b)for the purposes set out in Articles 143, 144 and 147, ECU 25 million from the Bank in the form of loans from own resources in accordance with the terms and conditions provided for by its statute. These loans shall be subject to the provisions of Article 157 on interest rate subsidies. 2. The amount referred to in paragraph 1 (a) (i) shall be allocated as follows: (a)ECU 86 million to finance projects and programmes, which shall be broken down as follows: (i)United Kingdom OCT: ECU 15,5 million; (ii)French OCT:ECU 40,2 million; (iii)Dutch OCT:ECU 30,3 million; (b)ECU 11,5 million to finance regional projects and programmes in the OCT, including regional programmes to develop trade and services under Article 85; (c)ECU 6 million to finance the interest rate subsidies referred to in Article 157; (d)a special allocation of ECU 3 million, of which: (i)ECU 2,5 million for emergency aid as provided for in Article 164, and (ii)ECU 0,5 million to aid refugees, returnees and displaced persons as provided for in Article 165; (iii)should the appropriations provided for under one of the Articles referred to above be exhausted before the expiry of this Decision, transfers may be made from the appropriations provided for in the other Article; (iv)on the expiry of this Decision, appropriations not committed for emergency assistance or aid for refugees, returnees and displaced persons shall be returned to the Fund for the purpose of financing other operations coming within the scope of development finance cooperation, unless the Council decides otherwise; (v)should all the special appropriations be used before the expiry of this Decision, the Council shall adopt, on a proposal from the Commission, appropriate measures to deal with the situations referred to in Articles 164 and 165. 3. The Bank shall administer loans from its own resources, including interest rate subsidies, and risk capital. All other financial resources provided for in this Decision shall be administered by the Commission. 4. Further amounts of Community financing shall be adopted for the second five-year period covered by this Decision.
Article 157 
on interest rate subsidies. 2. The amount referred to in paragraph 1 (a) (i) shall be allocated as follows: (a)ECU 86 million to finance projects and programmes, which shall be broken down as follows: (i)United Kingdom OCT: ECU 15,5 million; (ii)French OCT:ECU 40,2 million; (iii)Dutch OCT:ECU 30,3 million; (b)ECU 11,5 million to finance regional projects and programmes in the OCT, including regional programmes to develop trade and services under Article 85; (c)ECU 6 million to finance the interest rate subsidies referred to in Article 157; (d)a special allocation of ECU 3 million, of which: (i)ECU 2,5 million for emergency aid as provided for in Article 164, and (ii)ECU 0,5 million to aid refugees, returnees and displaced persons as provided for in Article 165; (iii)should the appropriations provided for under one of the Articles referred to above be exhausted before the expiry of this Decision, transfers may be made from the appropriations provided for in the other Article; (iv)on the expiry of this Decision, appropriations not committed for emergency assistance or aid for refugees, returnees and displaced persons shall be returned to the Fund for the purpose of financing other operations coming within the scope of development finance cooperation, unless the Council decides otherwise; (v)should all the special appropriations be used before the expiry of this Decision, the Council shall adopt, on a proposal from the Commission, appropriate measures to deal with the situations referred to in Articles 164 and 165. 3. The Bank shall administer loans from its own resources, including interest rate subsidies, and risk capital. All other financial resources provided for in this Decision shall be administered by the Commission. 4. Further amounts of Community financing shall be adopted for the second five-year period covered by this Decision.