L 26/34 Official Journal of the European Communities 1.2.1999 (Acts whose publication is not obligatory) COUNCIL COUNCIL DECISION of 22 December 1998 concerning the Fifth Framework Programme of the European Atomic Energy Community (Euratom) for research and training activities (1998 to 2002) (1999/64/Euratom) THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION, Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Atomic Energy Community, and in particular Article 7 thereof, Having regard to the proposal from the Commission (1), Having regard to the opinion of the European Parliament (?), Having regard to the opinion of the Economic and Social Committee (3), (1)  Whereas a multiannual framework programme covering all research  activities, including demonstration activities, and training activities in the field of nuclear energy, to be implemented by means of research and training programmes, can be adopted pursuant to Article 7 of the Treaty; (2)  Whereas it has been held appropriate to adopt, for the period 1998 to 2002, a new framework programme in order to ensure the continuity of research and training activities in the field of nuclear energy; (1) OJ C 173, 7.6.1997, p. 30, and OJ C 291, 25.9.1997, p. 16. () OJ C 14, 19.1.1998, p. 59. (%) OJ C 355, 21.11.1997, p. 38. (3) Whereas, in accordance with Article 4(2) of Council Decision 94/268/Euratom of 26 April 1994 concerning a framework programme of Community activities in the field of research and training for the European Atomic Energy Community (1994 to 1998) (*) the Commission is required to have an external assessment conducted into the management of, and progress with, Community activities carried out during the five years preceding that assessment, before presenting its proposal for the fifth framework programme; whereas that assessment, the conclusions thereof and the Commission’s comments have been communicated to the European Parliament, the Council and the Economic and Social Committee; (4)  Whereas European Atomic Energy Community research in the field of nuclear energy must reflect the current context of the need to develop safe and acceptable energy systems that respect standards and the environment and are competitive in terms of production costs; (5)  Whereas the fifth framework programme should focus on a limited number of topics; whereas these activities, in the context of indirect actions, should be implemented through: ‘key actions’, which bring together the activities (ranging from basic research through applied and generic research to (*) OJ L 115, 6.5.1994, p. 31. Decision as amended by Decision 96/253/Euratom (O] L 86, 4.4.1996, p. 7).