13.1.1999 Official Journal of the European Communities L7/31 COUNCIL DECISION of 14 December 1998 adopting a multiannual programme (1998 to 2002) of actions in the nuclear sector, relating to the safe transport of radioactive materials and to safeguards and industrial cooperation to promote certain aspects of the safety of nuclear installations in the countries currently participating in the TACIS programme (1999/25/Euratom) THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION, Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Atomic Energy Community, and in particular Article 203 thereof, Having regard to the proposal from the Commission ('), Having regard to the opinion of the European Parlia- ment (%), 1) ) Whereas the desire to promote safeguards for the use of nuclear materials and a high degree of safety is one of the fundamental objectives of Community energy actions in the nuclear field and these are important priority areas for the negotiations on enlargement of the European Union; Whereas provision should therefore be made within the multiannual framework programme for actions in the energy sector (1998 to 2002) adopted by Decision 1999/21/EC, Euratom (®), for a specific programme of actions in the nuclear sector, relating to the safe transport of radioactive mate- rials and to safeguards and industrial cooperation to promote certain aspects of the safety of nuclear installations in countries currently participating in the TACIS programme; Whereas the use of nuclear energy to produce elec- tricity and the increasing use of radioactive ma- terials in the health sector, industry and research mean that more radioactive materials are being transported; whereas the desire to maintain and, where reasonably practical, to increase the high level of safety in the entire nuclear field at the highest reasonably achievable level must therefore lead to a review and, if necessary, harmonisation of the conditions under which radioactive materials are transported; Whereas the Community cannot disregard the situation prevailing in the nuclear sector in the countries participating in the TACIS programme; () OJ C 261, 19. 8. 1998, p. 8. @) O] C 328, 26. 10. 1998. ( %) See page 16 of this Official Journal. whereas it can help to improve nuclear safeguards in those countries by passing on the benefits of its experience and to promote a high degree of safety in the design and operation of nuclear equipment by encouraging industrial cooperation; Whereas, in order to ensure that Community aid is used efficiently and duplication of work avoided, the Commission should ensure that projects are subject to thorough prior appraisal; whereas it should systematically monitor and evaluate the progress and results of supported projects; Whereas it is politically and economically desirable to open up this programme to the associated central and east European countries, in accordance with the conclusions of the Copenhagen European Council of 21 and 22 June 1993 and as outlined in the Commission communication on that subject in May 1994; whereas it should also be open to Cyprus; Whereas it is important to improve public informa- tion in the areas covered by this programme and to inform the European Parliament and the Council regularly on its implementation; Whereas a financial reference amount within the meaning of point 2 of the Declaration by the Euro- pean Parliament, the Council and the Commission of 6 March 1995 (%) is included in this Decision for the entire duration of this programme, without thereby affecting the powers of the budgetary authority as they are defined by the Treaty; whereas account should be taken of the fact that a new financial perspective will be negotiated during the course of this programme; Whereas the Treaty does not provide powers for the adoption of this Decision, other than those in Atrticle 203 thereof, () OJ C 102, 4. 4. 1996, p. 4.