30.12.2003 Official Journal of the European Union L 342/53 COUNCIL DECISION of 22 December 2003 establishing a Community action programme for bodies promoting reciprocal understanding of relations between the European Union and certain regions in the world (2003/911/EC) THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION, Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Com- munity, and in particular Article 308 thereof, Having regard to the proposal from the Commission, Having regard to the opinion of the European Parliament ('), Whereas: (1)  The Community maintains relations with certain coun- tries and regions, in particular by providing substantial assistance under the ALA (3, MEDA (°), TACIS (*) and CARDS (°) Regulations. ) The European Council has, on at least two occasions (°), underlined the importance it attaches to relations between the European Union and its partners. (3)  Special attention should be given to the regional dimen- sion of Community assistance, taking account of the divergence of needs and priorities among the main regions covered by the aforementioned Regulations and stepping up regional cooperation in a balanced and coordinated manner. (4)  Increased reciprocal knowledge and understanding between the European Union and partners receiving assistance from it should be promoted. (5)  Strengthening reciprocal knowledge and understanding between the European Union and its partners will be assisted by the work of bodies specialising in the analysis of relations between the European Union and the regions concerned. (6)  Several budget lines are designed to support institutes, bodies or networks with a view to reinforcing relations between the European Union and other regions in the world. (") Opinion delivered on 20 November 2003 (not yet published in the Official Journal). (%) Regulation (EEC) No 443/92 (OJ L 52, 27.2.1992, p. 1). (’) Regulation (EC) No 148896 (O] L 189, 30.7.1996, p. 1). (*) Regulation (EC, Euratom) No 99/2000 (O] L 12, 18.1.2000, p. 1). (’) Regulation (EC) No 26662000 (OJ L 306, 7.12.2000, p. 1). (°) Cannes European Council, 26-27 June 1995 and Lisbon European Council, 23-24 March 2000. (7)  Council Regulation (EC, Euratom) No 1605/2002 of 25 June 2002 on the Financial Regulation applicable to the general budget of the European Communities () (herein- after referred to as the ‘Financial Regulation’) requires a legal basis to be established for existing support actions. (8)  The geographical scope of the programme which is the subject of this Decision should be extended to all the regions covered by the ALA, MEDA, TACIS and CARDS Regulations and to the candidate countries. (9)  The operations covered by this Decision are not coop- eration measures falling directly under the policies of development cooperation or cooperation with other third countries and yet are necessary to achieve one of the Community's objectives. (10) A financial reference amount, within the meaning of point 34 of the Interinstitutional Agreement of 6 May 1999 between the European Parliament, the Council and the Commission on budgetary discipline and improve- ment of the budgetary procedure (¥), is inserted in this Decision for the entire duration of the programme, without the powers of the budgetary authority as defined by the Treaty being affected thereby. (11)  For the adoption of this Decision, the Treaty does not provide powers of action other than those laid down in Article 308 thereof, HAS DECIDED AS FOLLOWS: Atrticle 1 Objective of the programme 1. A Community action programme is hereby established for the promotion of centres, institutes and networks specia- lising in the analysis of relations between the European Union and certain regions. () OJ L 248, 16.9.2002, p. 1. () O] C 172, 18.6.1999, p. 1. Agreement as amended by Decision 2003/429/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council (O] L 147, 14.6.2003, p. 25).