30. 7. 96 Official Journal of the European Communities No L 189/1 (Acts whose publication is obligatory) COUNCIL REGULATION (EC) No 1488/96 of 23 July 1996 on financial and technical measures to accompany (MEDA) the reform of economic and social structures in the framework of the Euro-Mediterranean partnership THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION, Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Community, and in particular Article 235 thereof, Having regard to the proposal from the Commission ('), Having regard to the opinion of the European Parli- ament (%), Whereas the European Council at its meetings in Lisbon, Corfu and Essen stressed that the Mediterranean constit- utes a priority area for the European Union and adopted the aim of establishing a Euro-Mediterranean partnership; Whereas the Cannes European Council meeting on 26 and 27 June 1995 reaffirmed the strategic importance it attached to adding a new dimension to the European Union’s relations with its Mediterranean partners by buil- ding on the Council report of 12 June 1995 prepared on the basis, in particular, of the Commission communica- tions of 19 October 1994 and 8 March 1995 on strengthe- ning the Mediterranean policy of the European Union; Whereas it is necessary to pursue efforts to ensure that the Mediterranean becomes an area of political stability and security and whereas the Community’s Mediterranean policy must play a part in achieving the general objective of respect of human rights and fundamental freedoms and of the promotion of good-neighbourly relations, while respecting international law and the territorial integrity and external frontiers of the Member States and Mediter- ranean non-member countries; Whereas the ultimate establishment of a Euro- Mediterranean free-trade area is likely to foster stability and prosperity in the Mediterranean region; - () OJ No C 232, 6. 9. 1995, p. § and OJ No C 150, 24. 5. 1996, 15 p. 15. () OJ No C 17, 22. 1. 1996, p. 184 and Opinion delivered on 20 June 1996 (O] No C 198, 8. 7. 1996). Whereas for the Mediterranean partners the establishment of a free-trade area may involve profound structural reforms; Whereas it is therefore necessary to support the efforts that have been or will be undertaken by the Mediterran- ean partners to reform their economic, social and admi- nistrative structures; Whereas the dialogue between cultures and between civil societies should be developed, notably by encouraging training activities, development and decentralized co- operation; Whereas intensified regional cooperation and in particular the development of economic links and trade flows between Mediterranean territories and partners which are conducive to reform and economic restructuring should be encouraged; Whereas the bilateral protocols on financial and technical cooperation concluded by the Community with Mediter- ranean partners provided a useful initial basis for coopera- tion; whereas it is now necessary to build on the ex- perience which has been acquired and to embark on a new stage of relations, in the framework of partnership; Whereas rules for the administration of such partnership have to be determined, while ensuring the transparency and overall consistency of action undertaken using budget appropriations; Whereas to this end this Regulation will apply to the range of measures which came under Council Regulation (EEC) No 1762/92 of 29 June 1992 on the implementa- tion of the protocols on financial and technical coopera- tion concluded by the Community with Mediterranean non-member countries () and Council Regulation (EEC) No 1763/92 of 29 June 1992 concerning financial co- operation in respect of all Mediterranean non-member countries (*) for measures whose scope extended beyond the scope of a single country; () OJ No L 181, 1. 7. 1992, p. 1. () O] No L 181, 1. 7. 1992, p. 5.