L 29/28 Official Journal of the European Union 5.2.2003 COUNCIL DECISION of 1 February 2003 laying down the multiannual technical guidelines for the research programme of the Research Fund for Coal and Steel (2003/78/EC) THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION, Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Community, Having regard to the Protocol annexed to the Treaty estab- lishing the European Community on the financial consequences of the expiry of the ECSC Treaty and on the Research Fund for Coal and Steel, Having regard to Council Decision 2003/76/EC of 1 February 2003 establishing the measures necessary for the implementa- tion of the Protocol, annexed to the Treaty establishing the European Community, on the financial consequences of the expiry of the ECSC Treaty and on the Research Fund for Coal and Steel ("), and in particular Article 4(3) thereof, Having regard to the proposal from the Commission (), Having regard to the opinion of the European Parliament (), Whereas: (1)  The revenue from investments of the net worth of the assets of the ECSC in liquidation and, on completion of the liquidation, the Assets of the Research Fund for Coal and Steel, are being assigned to the Research Fund for Coal and Steel, which is intended exclusively to fund research projects outside the Research Framework Programme in the sectors related to the coal and steel industry. (2)  The Research Fund for Coal and Steel is to be managed by the Commission in accordance with principles similar to those governing the present ECSC coal and steel tech- nical research programmes and on the basis of multi- annual technical guidelines which should constitute an ideal extension of those ECSC programmes, providing a high concentration of research activities and ensuring that they supplement those of the Community frame- work programme for research and technological devel- opment. (3)  In the framework of these management activities, the Commission will be assisted by a management committee composed of representatives of Member States as well as advisory and technical groups repre- senting a wide range of interests of industries and other stakeholders, (") See page 22 of this Official Journal. () O] € 29, 30.1.2001, p. 254. () O] C 87, 11.4.2002, p. 19. HAS ADOPTED THIS DECISION: Atrticle 1 The multiannual technical guidelines for the research programme of the Research Fund for Coal and Steel (herein- after referred to as ‘technical guidelines’) are set out in the Annex. Atticle 2 The technical guidelines shall be reviewed or supplemented, if appropriate, every five years, first period ending on 31 December 2007. To this end, and at the latest in the first six months of the last year of each five-year period, the Commis- sion shall reassess the operation and the effectiveness of the technical guidelines and shall propose any appropriate amend- ments. If it sees fit, the Commission may carry out such reassessment and shall submit proposals for any appropriate amendments to the Council before the expiry of the five-year period. Atticle 3 This Decision shall take effect on the day following that of its publication in the Official Journal of the European Union. It shall apply from 24 July 2002. Atrticle 4 This Decision is addressed to the Member States. Done at Brussels, 1 February 2003. For the Council The President G. PAPANDREOU