No L 293/28 Official Journal of the European Communities 27. 11. 93 COMMISSION REGULATION (EC) No 3253/93 of 26 November 1993 laying down detailed rules for the application of Council Regulation (EEC) No 2019/93 as regards the support measures for local products for the smaller Aecgean islands in the fruit, vegetable and flower sectors THE COMMISSION OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES, Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Community, Having regard to Council Regulation (EEC) No 2019/93 of 19 July 1993 introducing specific measures for the smaller Aegean islands concerning certain agricultural products (!), and in particular Article 7 (5) thereof, Whereas Regulation (EEC) No 2019/93 introduces an aid scheme for the implementation of programmes of initi- . atives for the benefit of the smaller Aegean islands in respect of fruit, vegetables and flowers ; whereas detailed rules should be adopted for the application of the scheme ; whereas the rules concern the specification of the work which may be included in the programmes, the definition of the measures to be adopted as part of the technical assistance for producer groups and organiza- tions, the procedure for accepting the programmes of initiatives and their monitoring and implementation ; Whereas any fraud should be penalized ; Whereas the measures provided for in this Regulation are in accordance with the opinion of the Management Committee for Fruit and Vegetables, HAS ADOPTED THIS REGULATION : Article 1 The purpose of the programmes of initiatives provided for in Article 7 of Regulation (EEC) No 2019/93 shall be the development and/or diversification of production and/or the improvement of the quality of fruit, vegetables and flowers falling within Chapters 6, 7 and 8 of the combined nomenclature, with the exception of potatoes for human consumption falling within CN codes 0701 90 51, 0701 90 59 and 0701 90 90, seed potatoes falling within CN code 0701 10 00 and tomatoes falling within code 0702. The programmes shall relate to one or more of the following measures : — the development of production, in particular by new planting or new crops, — varietal improvements to increase productivity and bring about adjustments to environmental conditions and market demand, () OJ No L 184, 27. 7. 1993, p. 1. — the adoption of cultivation techniques specific to the climatic and physical conditions in the region, — the planting and cultivation of experimental crops in conjunction with research centres. Article 2 The additional aid provided for in Article 7 (3) of Regula- tion (EEC) No 2019/93 shall be paid where programmes of initiatives : ‘ — are submitted by a producer group or organization recognized under Council Regulations (EEC) No 1360/78 (3 and (EEC) No 1035/72 (%) respectively, and — are drawn up and implemented with the assistance, or under the supervision, of technical specialists in the crops in question who are not members of the above- mentioned groups or organizations. Assistance shall cover in particular one or more of the following objec- tives : — adaptation of crop production, — selection of the most appropriate varieties, — cultivation techniques suitable for local crops and conditions. Article 3 1.  Draft programmes of initiatives shall be submitted each year to the departments designated by the compe- tent authorities before a date to be determined by the latter. They shall be submitted in accordance with the model set out in Annex I and shall be accompanied by all appropriate information required. 2. The competent authorities shall ensure that: — the programme of initiatives complies with the objec- tives of Regulation (EEC) No 2019/93 and with the provisions of this Regulation, — the draft programme is economically consistent and of high technical quality and that the estimates, finan- cing plan and programming of its implementation are sound, — the information contained in the draft programme is accurate. The departments shall carry out all appropriate checks, including, where necessary, on-site inspections. () OJ No L 166, 23. 6. 1978, p. 1. () OJ No L 118, 20. 5. 1972, p. 1.