Article 1 
The Community statistical programme for the period from 1998 to 2002 (hereinafter 'the programme`) is hereby set up. The programme is annexed hereto. It defines the approaches, the main fields and the objectives of the actions envisaged during that period. Article 2 Taking account of the available resources of the national authorities and the Commission, the programme shall cover the principal Community policy priorities of: - economic and monetary union, - competitiveness, growth and employment, - European Union enlargement, and shall also ensure the continuation of existing statistical support for decisions in current policy areas and the additional requirements arising from new Community policy initiatives. Article 3 The programme shall be implemented in accordance with the rules and principles laid down in Regulation (EC) No 322/97. Article 4 During the third year of implementation of the programme the Commission shall prepare an intermediate report showing its stage of development and present it to the Statistical Programme Committee. At the end of the period covered by the programme the Commission, after consulting the Statistical Programme Committee, shall present an appropriate evaluation report on the implementation of the programme, taking into account the views of independent experts. That report is to be completed by the end of 2003 and subsequently submitted to the European Parliament and the Council. Article 5 This Decision is addressed to the Member States. Done at Brussels, 22 December 1998. For the Council The President C. EINEM (1) OJ C 328, 26.10.1998, p. 227. (2) OJ C 235, 27.7.1998, p. 60. (3) OJ L 52, 22.2.1997, p. 1. (4) OJ L 181, 28.6.1989, p. 47.
Article 2 
Taking account of the available resources of the national authorities and the Commission, the programme shall cover the principal Community policy priorities of: - economic and monetary union, - competitiveness, growth and employment, - European Union enlargement, and shall also ensure the continuation of existing statistical support for decisions in current policy areas and the additional requirements arising from new Community policy initiatives. Article 3 The programme shall be implemented in accordance with the rules and principles laid down in Regulation (EC) No 322/97. Article 4 During the third year of implementation of the programme the Commission shall prepare an intermediate report showing its stage of development and present it to the Statistical Programme Committee. At the end of the period covered by the programme the Commission, after consulting the Statistical Programme Committee, shall present an appropriate evaluation report on the implementation of the programme, taking into account the views of independent experts. That report is to be completed by the end of 2003 and subsequently submitted to the European Parliament and the Council. Article 5 This Decision is addressed to the Member States. Done at Brussels, 22 December 1998. For the Council The President C. EINEM (1) OJ C 328, 26.10.1998, p. 227. (2) OJ C 235, 27.7.1998, p. 60. (3) OJ L 52, 22.2.1997, p. 1. (4) OJ L 181, 28.6.1989, p. 47.
Article 3 
The programme shall be implemented in accordance with the rules and principles laid down in Regulation (EC) No 322/97. Article 4 During the third year of implementation of the programme the Commission shall prepare an intermediate report showing its stage of development and present it to the Statistical Programme Committee. At the end of the period covered by the programme the Commission, after consulting the Statistical Programme Committee, shall present an appropriate evaluation report on the implementation of the programme, taking into account the views of independent experts. That report is to be completed by the end of 2003 and subsequently submitted to the European Parliament and the Council. Article 5 This Decision is addressed to the Member States. Done at Brussels, 22 December 1998. For the Council The President C. EINEM (1) OJ C 328, 26.10.1998, p. 227. (2) OJ C 235, 27.7.1998, p. 60. (3) OJ L 52, 22.2.1997, p. 1. (4) OJ L 181, 28.6.1989, p. 47.
Article 4 
During the third year of implementation of the programme the Commission shall prepare an intermediate report showing its stage of development and present it to the Statistical Programme Committee. At the end of the period covered by the programme the Commission, after consulting the Statistical Programme Committee, shall present an appropriate evaluation report on the implementation of the programme, taking into account the views of independent experts. That report is to be completed by the end of 2003 and subsequently submitted to the European Parliament and the Council. Article 5 This Decision is addressed to the Member States. Done at Brussels, 22 December 1998. For the Council The President C. EINEM (1) OJ C 328, 26.10.1998, p. 227. (2) OJ C 235, 27.7.1998, p. 60. (3) OJ L 52, 22.2.1997, p. 1. (4) OJ L 181, 28.6.1989, p. 47.
Article 5 
This Decision is addressed to the Member States. Done at Brussels, 22 December 1998. For the Council The President C. EINEM (1) OJ C 328, 26.10.1998, p. 227. (2) OJ C 235, 27.7.1998, p. 60. (3) OJ L 52, 22.2.1997, p. 1. (4) OJ L 181, 28.6.1989, p. 47.