L 339/36 Official Journal of the European Union 6.12.2006 (Acts whose publication is not obligatory) COUNCIL COUNCIL DECISION of 30 November 2006 providing exceptional Community financial assistance to Kosovo (2006/880/EC) THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION, Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Community, and in particular Article 308 thereof, Having regard to the proposal from the Commission, Having regard to the opinion of the European Parliament ('), Whereas: The United Nations Security Council adopted Resolution 1244 (1999) (UNSCR 1244 (1999)) on 10 June 1999 aiming at promoting the establishment, pending a final settlement, of substantial autonomy and self-government in Kosovo within the former Federal Republic of Yugo- slavia. The International Community, basing itself upon UNSCR 1244 (1999), has set up an international security presence (KFOR) and an interim civil administration — the United Nations Interim Mission in Kosovo (UNMIK). UNMIK consists of four components (pillars) and the European Union is funding the fourth pillar responsible for economic reconstruction and development. UNMIK, and particularly Pillar IV thereof, has achieved substantial progress in setting up an institutional, legal and policy (") Opinion delivered on 12 October 2006 (not yet published in the Official Journal). framework conducive to the creation of a sound economy based on market principles. Since its establishment, UNMIK has transferred significant areas of competence to the Provisional Institutions of Self Government (PISG). In particular, responsibility for the budget has been transferred from UNMIK to the Ministry of Economy and Finance within the PISG, with the Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General retaining the ultimate power of approving the budget. On 24 October 2005, the UN Security Council approved the UN Secretary-General's proposal to launch the political process to determine the future status of Kosovo. The authorities of Kosovo entitled to receive Community assistance and responsible for agreeing to and fulfilling the financial and economic conditions attached to this assistance are therefore UNMIK and the PISG or, when the future status of Kosovo will have been determined, the institution or institutions designated to take on these tasks and responsibilities. Within the stabilisation and association process, which is the framework for EU relations with the region, it is desirable to support efforts to sustain political and economic stabilisation in Kosovo, with a view to evolving towards the development of a full cooperation relationship with the Community making the European future of Kosovo more tangible.