Protection of the euro against counterfeiting, Pericles programme 2002-2005

2001/0105(CNS)
PURPOSE: To establish a training programme aimed at protecting the euro from counterfeiting; to be known as the Pericles programme. COMMUNITY MEASURE: Council Decision 2001/923/EC establishing an exchange, assistance and training programme for the protection of the euro against counterfeiting (the "Pericles" programme) CONTENT: Following concerns raised by the ECB in 1998 the European Commission was asked to prepare measures to combat euro counterfeiting. Based on past experiences the Commission recommended the launching of a multi-disciplinary action programme. Hence, the establishment of the Pericles programme, which will run from 1 January 2002 to 31 December 2005. The main objective of the action programme is to protect the euro against counterfeiting. The attainment of these objectives should be achieved largely through an increased exchange of information at Community level with all the relevant parties. Such exchanges of information will largely take the form of workshops, meetings, seminars and a targeted policy of placements and exchanges of staff. Technical, scientific and operational back-up could include, for example, a hand-book of EU legislation, information bulletins, practical manuals, glossaries and lexicons, data-bases and computer applications such as software. The above listed measures will target groups including staff of agencies engaged in detecting and combating counterfeiting (police force etc.), intelligence personnel, representatives of commercial banks, judicial officers, specialist lawyers, chambers of commerce or industry. Institutions including inter alia the ECB, Europol and Interpol and/or national central anti-counterfeiting offices should help contribute to the attainment of Pericles' objectives. The financial reference for the implementation of the programme will be set at EUR 4 million. In terms of presentation and selection of projects, the Commission will be responsible for the selection and awarding of projects with Member States being allowed to submit one project a year only. By 30 June 2005 an evaluation Report will advise on whether or not the programme should be continued. ENTRY INTO FORCE: Decision shall take effect from 21/12/01 and apply as from 01/01/02. �