2.3.2002 Official Journal of the European Communities L61/27 (Acts whose publication is not obligatory) COUNCIL COUNCIL DECISION of 17 December 2001 concerning the conclusion of a Framework Agreement between the European Community and the Republic of Turkey on the general principles for the participation of the Republic of Turkey in Community programmes (2002/179/EC) THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION, Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Community, and in particular Articles 13, 61, 95, 129, 137, 149(4), 150(4), 151(5), 152(4), 153(4), 156, 157, 166, 175(1) and 308, in conjunction with the second sentence of the first subparagraph of Article 300(2), the second subparagraph of Article 300(3), and Article 300(4) thereof, Having regard to the proposal from the Commission ('), Having regard to the assent of the European Parliament (%), Whereas: 1) The Resolution of the EU-Turkey Association Council of 6 March 1995 looked forward to initiatives being taken in a number of fields to broaden the scope of EU-Turkey cooperation, including possible participation in certain Community programmes. The European Council in Luxembourg in December 1997 made participation in the Community programmes a way of stepping-up the enhanced pre- accession strategy for candidate countries, such partici- pation being determined case-by-case. At the same time, a European Strategy for the Republic of Turkey was established which allowed the same possibility for that country. Following the European Council meetings in Helsinki in December 1999 and, in particular, in Nice in December 2000, the case-by-case approach in this field could be shifted to a more far-reaching one embracing most of the Community programmes. The Helsinki European Council stated that the Republic of Turkey is a candidate country destined to join the Union on the basis of the same criteria applied to the () OJ C 304 E of 20.10.2001, p. 342. (3 Opinion delivered on 11.12.2001 (not yet published in the Official Journal). other candidate countries, and that, building on the existing European Strategy, the Republic of Turkey, like other candidate States, will benefit from a pre-accession strategy to stimulate and support its reforms and that the Republic of Turkey will also have the opportunity to participate in Community programmes and agencies and in meetings between candidate countries and the Union in the context of the accession process. () In accordance with the negotiating directives adopted by the Council on 5 June 2001, the Commission has nego- tiated on behalf of the Community a Framework Agree- ment with the Republic of Turkey on the general princi- ples for its participation in Community programmes. (5)  With regard to some of the programmes covered by the Agreement, the Treaty provides for no powers other than those under Article 308. (6)  The specific terms and conditions regarding the partici- pation of the Republic of Turkey in the Community programmes, in particular the financial contribution payable, should be determined by the Commission on behalf of the Community. For that purpose the Commis- sion should be assisted by a special committee appointed by the Council. (7)  The Republic of Turkey may apply for financial assis- tance for participation in Community programmes under Council Regulation (EC) No 1488/96 of 23 July 1996 on financial and technical measures to accompany (MEDA) the form of economic and social structures in the framework of the Euro-Mediterranean partner- ship (*), under Council Regulation (EC) No 764/2000 of 10 April 2000 regarding the implementation of () OJ L 189, 30.7.1996, p. 1. Regulation as last amended by Regula- tion (EC) No 2698/2000 (O] L 311, 12.12.2000, p. 1).