PURPOSE: within the framework of the pre-accession strategy, opening the third Community programme in the field of SMEs to Bulgaria from 1997 to 2000.
COMMUNITY MEASURE: Council decision 1999/111/EC.
CONTENT: this decision (4/98) by the EC/Bulgaria Association Council of 23/11/98 lays down the conditions and requirements for this country's participation in the multiannual Community programme in the field of SMEs.
In particular, Bulgaria:
- will participate in the relevant activities of the programme according to the same provisions as for the Member States;
- will be required to include a minimum number of partners from the Member States in all transnational projects and activities it proposes;
- will annually pay a contribution to the general budget of the European Communities to cover the costs resulting from its participation in the programme (more precisiely, financial support from the programme to the participation of Bulgarian entities and supplementary administrative costs related to the Commission's management of the programme stemming from Bulgaria's participation). Bulgaria's annual contribution will be ECU 726,102 in 1998 and 1999, and ECU 833,102 in 2000. Subject to regular PHARE programming procedures, 100% of the costs of its participation will be paid by Bulgaria's annual PHARE allocation in 1998, around 86% in 1999 and around 64% in 2000. The remaining costs, including the supplementary adminiastrative costs will be paid from Bulgaria's national budget.
The Member States and Bulgaria will make every effort to facilitate the free movement and residence of those participating in the programme and moving between the Member States and Bulgaria.
Bulgaria will be involved in the monitoring of its participation in the programme in order to prepare for the Community decision-making process in the context of accession (in particular, by taking part in coordination meetings prior to regular meetings of the programme committee and will be kept informed of the results of the committee's meetings.
Bulgaria's participation is valid for the duration of the programme (until 31/12/2000).
ENTRY INTO FORCE: 01/12/1998.�