Amended proposal for a COUNCIL DECISION on the adoption of a multiannual programme to promote the linguistic diversity of the Community in the information society
COMMISSION OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES Brussels, 02. 10. 1996 COM(96) 456 final 95/0263 (CNS) Amended proposal for a COUNCIL DECISION on the adoption of a multiannual programme to promote the linguistic diversity of the Community in the information society (presented by the Commission pursuant to Article 189 a (2) of the EC-Treaty) EXPLANATORY MEMORANDUM The Commission hereby presents a modified proposal for a Council decision amending COM(95)486 - The Multilingual Information Society (MLIS)- The modified proposal incorporates those amendments adopted by the European Parliament during its' plenary session on 21. 6. 96, which were accepted by the Commission. 1. Introduction a) Background The Commission adopted its' proposal on 8. 11. 95, and it was formally transmitted to the EP, the Council, the ESC and the COR on 23. 11. 1995. The Economic and Social Committee adopted a favourable opinion on 30. 5. 19961, the Committee of the Regions adopted a favourable opinion on 13. 6. 19962. The European Parliament adopted a favourable opinion on 21. 6. 19963 and proposed 56 amendments to the Commission's proposal4 b) Purpose of the Commission proposal The purpose of the proposal is the adoption of a Council decision for a 3-year programme (The Multilingual Information Society - MLIS) to promote the linguistic diversity of the Community in the Information Society 2. EP amendments accepted bv the Commission Of the 56 amendments adopted by the EP, 19 are accepted in full, 15 are accepted partially or in principle, making a total of 34. The Commission accepted those amendments that - - - are coherent with views elaborated in the Commission's Communication (MLIS) are coherent with Community policies, improve cohesion, synergy, transparency, management improve clarity and precision The short evaluation of the various amendments is presented in the annex to this memorandum ^ ES 692/96 2CDR 6/96 fin. 3PE 250. 124 4PE 250. 124 3. Amendments not accepted bv the Commission Of the 56 amendments, 22 could not be accepted. The main reasons for non-acceptance are : proposed change of the legal base (and the various amendments associated with it) duplication or overlap of arguments non-compliance with subsidiarity as interpreted by the Commission for this programme non-compliance with budget availability The short evaluation of the various amendments is presented in the annex to this memorandum. 4T Conclusion, In accordance with Art. 189a of the EU Treaty, the Commission amends its' initial proposal, incorporating the accepted and partially accepted amendments. Annex Position of the Commission on the amendments presented bv the European Parliament Amendment 1: Commission: To address proposal to the EP and the Council (in view of the proposed change of the legal base implying co-decision; see amendment 2) Not accepted as the change of the legal base is not accepted Amendment 2: Commission: Change the legal base to include Art 128 (1, 2), in addition to proposed Art 130(3) by the Commission Not accepted. The principal objective is to encourage industrial actions to provide multilingual services. This suffices to chose one legal base (130). There are cultural, social aspects or spin-offs, but that should not lead to a double legal base. Amendment 3: Commission: Reference is made to an EP resolution on minority languages Accepted as a recital instead of a citation Amendment 4: Commission: Reference to be made to an EP resolution on languages and Catalan Not accepted; the Decision text becomes unnecessarily long and mentioning one specific language does not reflect the intention to treat all languages on an equal footing. Amendment 5: Commission: Reference to be made to other EP resolutions regarding the IGC Not accepted, citations or recitals should have a direct link with the MLIS proposal Amendment 6: Commission: Citation to take into account the opinion of the CoR Accepted because the CoR makes a valuable contribution and the regions often have special interests for languages spoken there. Amendment 7. Commission: Recital to make reference to the promotion of linguistic diversity as a means to conserve the cultural linguistic heritage with reference to Art 128. This amendment is conceptually linked to the proposed change of the legal base. The Commission proposes an alternative making reference to the essential content of Art 128(4). Amendment 8: Commission: Recital comparing the importance of cultural, social and economic aspects Not accepted, the amendment does not really add value to all other texts already referring to cultural aspects. Amendment 9: Commission: Recital suggesting that there should be no discrimination between people on the basis of language and other personal circumstances. Accepted, reflects arguments in the MLIS Communication. Amendment 10: Commission: Recital; Europeans should have access in their vernacular language. Accepted goal of MLIS Amendment 11 : Commission: Recital; languages not used in the Information Society will degrade Accepted, one of the Commission messages since long. 4- Amendment 12: Recital, suggesting the IS will help the cultural and linguistic heritage to florish Commission: Not accepted, not because of disagreement but because the same arguments tend to be repeated too often, and this does not improve the transparency of the decision. Overlap with the Commission's 5th recital Amendment 13: Recital, to add a reference to G7 meetings about the Information Society. Accepted, but with a change of the order of the phrases Commission: Amendment 14: Recital ta replace the word "industry" by "language industry" Commission: The proposed narrowing does not conform to the intention to address the industry at large ; but "language industry" can be added in the recital as proposed by the Commission Amendment 15: Recital meant not too refer explicitly to "industry" Commission: Partially accepted by adding the phrase "all concerned players" to "industry" Amendment 16: Amendment meant to delete a Commission recital (linked to amendment 13) Commission: Not accepted for purely technical reasons Amendment 17: Amendment to delete the Commission's 5th recital (linked to amendment 12) Commission: Not accepted, because amendment 12 is not accepted. Amendment 18: Recital referring explicitly to non-official languages Commission: Not accepted, because languages should not be classified but rather treated as equal, at least in MLIS Amendment 19: Recital; in fact these are 2 amendments to one recital, referring to (1) the responsabilities of the EU for the protection of linguistic heritage and (2) improving cohesion in the EU Responsabilities of the EU in this matter are not so explicitly stated in the Treaty and are in any case subsidiary responsabilities. Improving cohesion is accepted Commission: Amendment 20: Recital referring to minority languages Commission: Sympathy for the amendment, but the MLIS is not capable to ensure survival of minority languages. Amendment 21: Recital referring to the duty of the Community to set up an infrastructure for Commission: language resources Partially accepted, but the wording "duty" is too strong Amendment 22: Recital, referring to cultural heritage Commission: No fundamental objection to the amendment, but it is really duplicating and overlaping other recitals Amendment 23: Recital, referring to the important role of SMEs Commission: Agrees, accepted Amendment 24: Recital referring to cooperation with other programmes, IDA in particular Commission: Accepted, this conforms to Commission intentions. Amendment 25: Recital suggesting some Member States to use structural funds to finance national (language) developments Commission: Welcomes the suggestion, which really adds value _ Amendment 26: Recital suggesting "structured" cooperation instead of mere cooperation Commission: Agrees, accepted Amendment 27: Recital, linking language learning actions to MLIS Commission: Accepts the importance and complementarity of language learning, but SOCRATES delà with language learning in schools. A recital in fact referring to SOCRATES should not appear in MLIS. Amendment 28: Recital suggesting to finance cooperation with third countries from the Commission: Community (MLIS ?) budget Not accepted; only small sums are available too facilitate cooperation, so no suggestions shall be made that substantial sums are available Amendment 29: Recital, suggesting to finance developments for minority languages Commission: Not accepted, this is a matter for Member States and moreover, there is no budget for this Amendment 30: Recital introducing interim programme evaluation Commission: Sympathises with the idea, but it must be practical. Evaluation in a too early stage makes no sense, so the modification is for an evaluation report 2 years after the start Amendment 31 : Commission: Article 1, amendment reflects the (proposed) change of the legal base. Not accepted as amendment 2 is not accepted Amendment 32: Commission: Article 2, a small addition to letter c) of the article, by referring to bothCommunity and Member States. Accepted Amendment 33: Commission: Article 3, introducing the budgetary reference amount for the programme (20 MECU); and minor changes Some sympathy, but cannot be accepted by the Commission because reference amounts should not be mentioned and the additional resources can at present not be found in the budget; minor change is an improvement. Amendment 34: Commission: Article 3 : the amendment refers to financial support for third countries and international organisations. Cannot be accepted, see also amendment 20. Amendment 35: Commission: Article 4, stating the Commission's responsability for coordination with other Community programmes Obvious, but useful to be mentioned explicitly Amendment 36: Commission: Article 4, the amendment limits the number of representatives per Member State in the Programme Committee Has sympathy with the idea to increase costftenefit, but the restriction is too rigid and not in agreement with the Comitology ruling Amendment 37: Commission: Article 5, sets the limit above which project proposals need voting by the programme Committee, to 1 MECU (EU contribution) Agrees, but wonders whether other Institutions will agree. Amendment 38: Commission: Article 6, introducing some concepts concerning programme evaluation Agrees with principles with some modification (see amendment 30) 6 Amendment 39: Annex I, 1, introducing the important role of SMEs Commission: Agrees Amendment 40: Annex I, 1, suggesting European actors should operate on the global market Commission: Agrees, but suggests a somewhat simplified phrase Amendment 41: Annex 1,1 ; to promote aspects of standardisation for language resources Commission: Fully agrees Amendment 42: Annex 1,1 ; proposes ELRA to report regularly to the Commission Commission: Not accepted, ELRA does not depend on the Commission and thus cannot be obliged by the Commission; moreover, this organisation will not be mentionned in the final text. Amendment 43: Annex 1,1 ; proposal to investigate support for databases with limited Commission: economic potential Agrees to investigate (not necessarily to support eventually) Amendment 44: Annex 1,1, proposal that standards implemented should be officially Commission: recognised in the Member States Agrees that standards should have some recognised status, but this issue is far too complex to refer to it in the way Parliament suggests. Amendment 45: Linguistic amendment, dropped from the list of amendments Amendment 46: Annex I, 2, proposal to finance lesser-used language projects in bi-lingual Commission: areas Does not want to commit to finance language-specific projects; the situation sketched is far too specific Amendment 47: Annex I, 2, introduces translation schools as actors Commission: Agrees, important, liaison with LEONARDO Amendment 48: Linguistic amendment, dropped out of the list of amendments Amendment 49: Annex I, 3, links the interoperability of information networks of the Commission: Community Institutions with MLIS. Has sympathy for the idea, but cannot accept that the MLIS is used as an instrument to achieve that goal Amendment 50: Annex I, 3, refers to pilot actions to be centred on lesser-used languages Commission: Does not agree to give the priority to certain languages, even if there is sympathy for the concern behind the proposal Amendment 51: Annex I, 3, links support for lesser-used languages to such support for the Commission: new official Community languages The reason for support for the new official languages in the context of the multilingual systems of the Community Institutions is obvious. To link this with lesser-used languages is not. Again,, the Commission has sympathy with the idea behind and may discuss with Member States concerned how this problem can be tackled. > Amendment 52; Annex I, 3 ; elaboration of synergies proposed between MLIS and other Commission: Amendment 53: Commission: Community initiatives Agrees Annex 11(2); small mainly textual changes ; elimination of the possibility to finance projects up to 100% is a very limited number of cases. Text changes accepted ; not accepted is the reference to projects financed up to 100% Amendment 54: Annex 11(5) ; proposal to emphasise promoting the use of advanced tools Commission: Accepted, improvement Amendment 55: Annex 11(6) ; proposal to be more precise in referring to the Financial Commission: Welcomes precision Regulation. Amendment 56 : with the views of national authorities. Commission: Annex 11(7) ; insists that support for (national) language observatories is in accordance Fully agrees, welcomes precision Amendment 57: Dropped, replaced by amendment 59 Amendment 58: Annex 11(2) introduces a new partitioning of the budget envelope (20 MECU) Commission: by action line and makes 5 MECU out of the 20 MECU to depend on the Financial Perspectives (supposedly in Florence). Cannot accept financial envelopes in this Decision (no co-decision). The Commission refers to it's budget allocation as contained in the Financial Statement that is not part of the Decision however. Amendment 59: Annex H, 7, proposes that all MLIS supported actions refer in their published Commission: reports to this support and bear the EU flag. Agrees with the principle, but considers the flag a bit overdone. 8 Amended proposal for a Council Decision on the adoption of a multiannual programme to promote the linguistic diversity of the Community in the information society Original version Modified version The Council of the European Union, The Council of the European Union, Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Community, and in particular Article 130(3) thereof, Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Community, and in particular Article 130(3) thereof, Having regard to the proposal from the Commission, Having regard to the proposal from the Commission, Having regard to the opinion of the European Parliament *, Having regard to the opinion of the European Parliament ^ , Having regard to the opinion of the Economic and Social Committee^ , Having regard to the opinion of the Economic and Social Committee^ , Having regard to the opinion of the Committee of the Regions3 Whereas the advent of the information society provides industry with new prospects for communication and trade on European and world markets which are marked by a rich linguistic and cultural diversity; Whereas the advent of the information society provides industry and in particular the language industry with new prospects for communication and trade on European and world markets which are marked by a rich linguistic and cultural diversity; Whereas industry must work out specific and adequate solutions to overcome the linguistic barriers if it is benefit fully from the advantages of the internal market and remain competitive on world markets; Whereas industry and all other players concerned must work out specific and adequate solutions to overcome the linguistic barriers if they are to benefit fully from the advantages of the internal market and remain competitive on world markets. OJNr. OJNr. OJ Nr. OJ Nr. 3 O. J. Nr °l Whereas the private sector in this field consists mainly of SMEs, which face considerable difficulties in addressing different language markets and must thus be supported, especially when considering their role as a source of employment. Whereas it is necessary to encourage the use of technologies, tools and methods which reduce the cost of transferring information between languages, while also assuring the quality of translations, particularly in the case of literary translation, which requires a specific creative effort; Whereas it is necessary to encourage the use of technologies, tools and methods which reduce the cost of transferring information between languages, while also assuring the quality of translations, particularly in the case of literary translation, which requires a specific creative effort; Whereas the European Council in Corfu on 24 and 25 June 1994 stressed the importance of the cultural and linguistic aspects of the information society, and whereas the European Council in Cannes on 26 and 27 June 1995, restated the importance to the European Union of its linguistic diversity; Whereas the European Council meeting in Corfu on 24 and 25 June 1994, stressed the importance of the cultural and linguistic aspects of the information society, and whereas the European Council meeting in Cannes on 26 and 27 June 1995, restated the importance to the Community of its linguistic diversity; whereas the G7 Conference of Ministers meeting in Brussels on 25 and 26 February 1995, drew attention to the importance of linguistic and cultural diversity in the global information society; Whereas the emergence of the information society could afford the citizens of Europe greater access to information and offer an outstanding opportunity to exploit the cultural and linguistic wealth and diversity of the Community; Whereas the emergence of the information society could afford citizens greater access to information and offer an outstanding opportunity to exploit the cultural and linguistic wealth and diversity of the Community; 10 Whereas language policies are a matter for the Member States, taking account of Community law; whereas, however, promoting the development of modern language processing tools and their use is a field of activity in which Community action is justified in order to achieve substantial economies of scale by stimulating suitable cooperation between those involved in the various language areas; whereas the measures to be taken at Community level must be commensurate with the objectives to be attained and concern only those fields which are likely to produce an added value for Europe; Whereas language policies are a matter for the Member States, taking account of Community law; whereas, however, promoting the development of modern language processing tools and their use is a field of activity in which Community action is justified in order to achieve substantial economies of scale by stimulating suitable cooperation between those involved in the various language areas insofar as this may create an added value for the Community or contribute to the social and economic cohesion of the Union; whereas the measures to be taken at Community level must be commensurate with the objectives to be attained and concern only those fields which are likely to produce an added value for the Community; Whereas the Member States could envisage using the structural funds within the present regulatory framework to protect and develop their linguistic heritage within the Information Society. Whereas the European Parliament adopted the resolution4 on measures in favour of minority languages and cultures ; whereas the Council of Europe adopted the European Charter of regional or minority languages signed on 5 November 1992. Whereas the Community should take into account the cultural and linguistic aspects of the Information Society. Whereas efforts must be made to ensure tfiat all European citizens have equal opportunities to participate in the information society, irrespective of their social, cultural, linguistic or geographical situation. Whereas it is essential to provide citizens with equitable access to information, for the latter to be available to them in their European vernacular language. 4 O. J. NrC68, 14. 3. 1983 W Whereas languages that would remain excluded from the information society would run the risk of a more or less rapid marginalisation. Whereas access to information using a vernacular language should be enriched by the citizens' knowledge of other languages; whereas, consequently, this programme shall be supplemented by appropriate initiatives of the Community to expand the teaching of other Community languages in schools. Whereas it is in the interests of the Community to support efforts to set up an infrastructure encouraging the creation and exploitation of the language resources required to improve language services and tools and give a boost to R&D work; Whereas the Community should support efforts to set up an infrastructure encouraging the creation and exploitation of the language resources required to improve language services and tools and give a boost to R&D work; Whereas the Community should also mobilise the language industries and help create an environment which is conducive to their expansion; Whereas the Community should also mobilize the language industries and help create an environment which is conducive to their expansion; Whereas the information and communications technology industries should be encouraged to draw up standards which take account of linguistic diversity and incorporate them in their products and applications; Whereas the information and communications technology industries should be encouraged to draw up standards which take account of linguistic diversity and incorporate them in their products and applications; Whereas it is useful for the European institutions and the administrations concerned in the Member States to collaborate more closely in order to reduce the cost of developing and using the language tools required to carry out their tasks; Whereas the actions to be carried out in implementing this programme should be coordinated closely with initiatives implemented under other Community programmes with a view to setting up a multilingual information society; Whereas it is useful for the Community institutions and the administrations concerned in the Member States to collaborate more closely in order to reduce the cost of developing and using the language tools required making full use of the facilities of this programme and the Community's IDA programme of information exchange between administrations. Whereas the actions to be carried out in implementing this programme should be coordinated closely and in a structured fashion with all Community initiatives implemented under other programmes with a view to setting up a multilingual information society. \L Whereas mutual benefits can be obtained by involving international organisations and legal entities from third countries in the implementation of all or part of the programme, while respecting the general policies of the Community towards these organisations, Whereas mutual benefits can be obtained by involving international organizations and legal entities from non-member countries in the implementation of all or part of the programme, while respecting the general policies of the Community towards these organizations, Has adopted this decision Has adopted this decision »3 Article 1 Article 1 A Community programme which aims to: A Community programme which aims to: encourage the use of (a) technologies, tools and methods which reduce the cost of transferring information between languages and the development of multilingual services, encourage the use of (a) technologies, tools and methods which reduce the cost of transferring information between languages and the development of multilingual services, (b) the languages industries, stimulate the expansion of (b) the languages industries, stimulate the expansion of (c) of multilingual services, promote the development (c) of multilingual services, promote the development promote the linguistic (d) diversity of the European Union in the global information society, promote the linguistic (d) diversity of the Community in the global information society, is adopted for the period running from the date upon which this Decision takes effect until 31 December 1998. is adopted for the period running from the date upon which this Decision takes effect until 31 December 1998. Article 2 Article 2 The following actions shall be undertaken under the responsibility of the Commission and in accordance with the action lines contained in Annex I and the procedures for implementing the programme set out in Annex II: The following actions shall be undertaken under the responsibility of the Commission and in accordance with the action lines set out in Annex I and the procedures for implementing the programme set out in Annex II: support for attempts to construct an infrastructure for European language resources and encouragement for those involved, support for attempts to construct (a) an infrastructure for Community language resources and encouragement for those involved, the mobilisation and expansion of the language industries by encouraging the use of modern language technologies and tools and their incorporation into computer applications, the mobilization and expansion of (b) language industries by encouraging the use of modern language technologies and tools and their incorporation into computer applications, promotion of the use of advanced language tools in the European public sector. promotion of the use of advanced (c) language tools in the Community and Member States public sector. "V None of these actions should duplicate the work being carried out in these fields under Community or national programmes. None of these actions should duplicate the work being carried out in these fields under Community or national programmes. Article 3 Article 3 1. The budgetary authority shall determine the appropriations for each financial year, subject to the availability of resources within the context of the financial outlook. 1. The budgetary authority shall determine the appropriations for each financial year, subject to their utilization in the previous financial year and the availability of resources within the context of the financial outlook. The Community's financial 2. contribution to the shared-cost projects shall, as a general rule, be 50%. The Community's financial 2. contribution to the shared-cost projects shall, as a general rule, be 50%. Article 4 Article 4 1. The Commission shall be responsible for the implementation of the programme. The Commission shall be 1. responsible for the implementation of the programme and its coordination with other Community programmes and actions underway. 2. The Commission shall be assisted by a comittee of an advisory nature composed of representatives of the Member States and chaired by the representative of the Commission. The Commission shall be assisted 2. by a committee of an advisory nature composed of representatives of the Member States and chaired by the representative of the Commission. 3. The representative of the Commission shall submit to the committee a draft of the measures to be taken. The committee shall deliver its opinion on the draft within a time limit which the chairman may lay down according to the urgency of the matter, if necessary by taking a vote. The representative of the Commission shall submit to the committee a draft of the measures to be taken. The committee shall deliver its opinion on the draft within a time limit which the chairman may lay down according to the urgency of the matter, if necessary by taking a vote. The opinion shall be recorded in the minutes; in addition, each Member State shall have the right to request that its position be recorded in the minutes. The opinion shall be recorded in the minutes; in addition, each Member State shall have the right to request that its position be recorded in the minutes. The Commission shall take the utmost account of the opinion delivered by the committee. It shall inform the committee of the manner in which its opinion has been taken into account. The Commission shall take the utmost account of the opinion delivered by the committee. It shall inform the committee of the manner in which its opinion has been taken into account. lb Article 5 Article 5 The procedure laid down in Article 4 (3) shall apply to: The procedure laid down in Article 4(2) shall apply to: (a) the work programme for carrying out the action lines set out in Annex I, the work programme for carrying (a) out the action lines set out in Annex I, (b) the content of the calls for proposals, the content of the calls for (b) proposals, the selection of the actions proposed (c) for Community financing and the estimated amount of this financing for each action, where this amount is equal to or exceeds ECU 0. 5 million, (c) the selection of the actions proposed for Community financing and the estimated amount of this financing for each action, where this amount is equal to or exceeds ECU 1 million, the procedures for evaluating the (d) results of the programme, the procedures for evaluating the (d) results of the programme, (e) adaptation of the procedures for carrying out the programme laid down in Annex II, adaptation of the procedures for (e) carrying out the programme laid down in Annex II, the decision to allow the (f) participation of legal entities from third countries. the decision to allow the (f) participation of international organizations and legal entities from non-member countries. Article 6 Article 6 Upon completion of the programme, the Commission shall present to the European Parliament, the Council and the Economic and Social Committee an evaluation report on the results obtained through implementing the actions referred to in Article 2. Within 2 years after the start and upon completion of the programme, the Commission shall present to the European Parliament, the Council, the Economic and Social Committee and the Committee of the Regions, an evaluation report on the results obtained through implementing the actions referred by to in Article 2, based upon an analysis by independent experts. The evaluation reports will also contain a detailed appraisal of the effective presence of European Union languages in the principal information netwoks used in the Community. Article 7 Article 7 This Decision is addressed to the Member States. This Decision is addressed to the Member States. ANNEX I, Action lines ANNEX I, Action lines 1. Action Line 1: Supporting the construction of an infrastructure for European language resources 1. Action Line 1: Supporting the construction of an infrastructure for European language resources Language resources such as dictionaries, terminological databanks, grammar books, collections of texts and voice recordings are an essential raw material for linguistic research, the development of language- processing tools integrated into data processing systems and for improving translation services. Considerable amounts of money have already been invested by the Member States, the Commission and some private companies on producing language resources of varying size and complexity. The full utilisation of these resources is currently being hampered by the fact that they are mainly monolingual and their basic specifications sometimes differ, thus limiting their wider use. In addition, they are often difficult to locate. The aim of this action line is to support efforts to construct a European infrastructure for multilingual language resources. Language resources such as dictionaries, terminological databanks, grammar books, collections of texts and voice recordings are an essential raw material for linguistic research, the development of language- processing tools integrated into data processing systems and for improving translation services. Considerable amounts of money have already been invested by the Member States, the Commission and some private companies on producing language resources of varying size and complexity. The full utilization of these resources is currently being hampered by the fact that they are mainly monolingual and their basic specifications sometimes differ, thus limiting their wider use. In addition, they are often difficult to locate. The aim of this action line is to support efforts to construct a European infrastructure for multilingual language resources. Most of the enterprises operating in this sector are SMEs, which are often innovative and efficient, but whose financial means are insufficient in view of the level of investments required. 1. 1 The Commission will lend its support for the starting up of the activities of the European language resources association (ELRA), whose aims are to: 1. 1 The Commission will lend its support for the starting up of the activities of the European language resources association (ELRA), whose aims are to: - compile an inventory of the language resources available in the Community, - compile an inventory of the language resources available in the Community, - introduce mechanisms to ensure that they are disseminated throughout the Community, - introduce mechanisms to ensure that they are disseminated throughout the Community, i> - promote the application of common standards to ensure their compatibility and enable quality certification. - to promote and safeguard high standards and high quality of the language resources available in the Community. 1. 2 The work in the field of terminology covers a vast range of activities with important implications for trade, science, the cultural sector and technology and the implementation of Community decisions, directives and regulations. This work is being undertaken by a very wide range of public and private operators who often lack the means to coordinate their actions with those of their counterparts in other Member States. The Commission will encourage the launch of concerted actions between interested bodies in the different Member States in areas which have priority in attaining the objectives of Community policies. To this end, it will, where necessary, make financial contributions to expenditure involved in the introduction of concerted European action among the bodies concerned, particularly addressing standards, dissemination of information and networking. This support will also concern the exploitation of the linguistic know-how of the Community operators on the global market 1. 2 The work in the field of terminology covers a vast range of activities with important implications for trade, science, the cultural sector and technology and the implementation of Community decisions, directives and regulations. This work is being undertaken by a very wide range of public and private operators who often lack the means to coordinate their actions with those of their counterparts in other Member States. The Commission will encourage the launch of concerted actions between interested bodies in the different Member States in areas which have priority in attaining the objectives of Community policies. To this end, it will, where necessary, make financial contributions to expenditure involved in the introduction of concerted European action among the bodies concerned, particularly addressing standards, dissemination of information and networking. The Commission will investigate with the Member States the feasibility of encouraging developments for databases of languages with limited economic potential. i%- 1. 3 The availability of lexicographical databanks and voice recordings which are suited to the development of data processing applications and cover all the Community languages is essential in order for a European language industry to emerge. Most of the resources currently available in Europe are monolingual and mutually incompatible, which makes them impossible to use for the production of multilingual tools. In this field too, the Commission will encourage the launch of concerted actions between public and private sector operators in the different Member States with the aim of developing compatible vocal and lexicographical resources which conform to generally- accepted standards. 1. 3 The availability of lexicographical databanks and voice recordings which are suited to the development of data processing applications and cover all the Community languages is essential in order for a European language industry to emerge. Most of the resources currently available in Europe are monolingual and mutually incompatible, which makes them impossible to use for the production of multilingual tools. In this field too, the Commission will encourage the launch of concerted actions between public and private sector operators in the different Member States with the aim of developing compatible vocal and lexicographical resources which conform to generally- accepted standards. Standards will be those recognised in accordance with Community policy. 1. 4 The Commission will ensure that the concerted actions receiving its support have appropriate links with international work in this field. 1. 4 The Commission will ensure that the concerted actions receiving its support have appropriate links with international work in this field. «*\ 2. Action Line 2: Mobilising and expanding the language industries 2. Action Line 2: Mobilizing and expanding the language industries It is the private sector's role to produce and market modern tools facilitating the development of multilingual data processing applications and information transfer between languages. Europe has a solid scientific and technological base in this field which has been strengthened by Community research and development programmes, in particular the programmes relating to information and communications technologies and telematic systems of general interest. However, the European market lags behind when it comes to exploiting the advances made by research in the area of language engineering. A concentrated effort needs to be made to speed up the process of getting new language processing technology onto the market, particularly as part of the actions for disseminating and exploiting the results of research carried out under the framework programme and the specific programmes. All the action lines proposed in the present programme seek to create an environment which is conducive to the expansion of the language industries such as language engineering and translation industries. It is the private sector's role to produce and market modern tools facilitating the development of multilingual data processing applications and information transfer between languages. Europe has a solid scientific and technological base in this field which has been strengthened by Community research and development programmes, in particular the programmes relating to information and communications technologies and telematic systems of general interest. However, the European market lags behind when it comes to exploiting the advances made by research in the area of language engineering. A concentrated effort needs to be made to speed up the process of getting new language processing technology onto the market, particularly as part of the actions for disseminating and exploiting the results of research carried out under the framework programme and the specific programmes. All the action lines proposed in the present programme seek to create an environment which is conducive to the expansion of the language industries such as language engineering and translation industries. The aim of this action line is to spur the language industries into action by stimulating technology transfer and demand through a limited number of shared-cost demonstration projects which could act as a catalyst in certain key sectors. The aim of this action line is to spur the language industries into action by stimulating technology transfer and demand through a limited number of shared-cost demonstration projects which could act as a catalyst in certain key sectors. Xo 2. 1 A number of industries has experimented with controlled language to facilitate drafting of technical documents and user support information. This approach improves general document management and allows effective use of machine-translation. A limited number of shared cost projects will demonstrate the cost-effectiveness of integrating controlled language, authoring and translation tools, in operational document management systems for different industrial and business environments. 2. 1 A number of industries has experimented with controlled language to facilitate drafting of technical documents and user support information. This approach improves general document management and allows effective use of machine-translation. A limited number of shared cost projects will demonstrate the cost-effectiveness of integrating controlled language, authoring and translation tools, in operational document management systems for different industrial and business environments. 2. 2 Localization of multimedia software, including translation of the spoken and written word, is becoming increasingly in demand in the Information Society, to stimulate professionalism andto improve competitiveness of the localisation and the multimedia industries, a call will be issued to launch a small number of shared cost projects, demonstrating the integration of localisation methodology and tools, training of localisation staff and developing best practice guidelines of particular importance for SME's. 2. 2 Localization of multimedia software, including translation of the spoken and written word, is becoming increasingly in demand in the Information Society, to stimulate professionalism and to improve competitiveness of the localization and the multimedia industries, a call will be issued to launch a small number of shared cost projects, demonstrating the integration of localization methodology and tools, training of localization staff and developing best practice guidelines of particular importance for SME's. 2. 3 The Commission will promote the use of networks by the translation and interpretation industries. These give access to advanced tools, including electronic dictionaries, improve logistics, allow integration with other functions, and generally improve the functioning of the translation market. A call for proposals will ask for the definition and implementation of European translation directory services, the definition of an open translation environment in Europe, and for pan-European tele-translation and tele-interpretation demonstrators with the involvement of the translation industry and profession. 2. 3 The Commission will promote the use of networks by the translation and interpretation industries. These give access to advanced tools, including electronic dictionaries, improve logistics, allow integration with other functions, and generally improve the functioning of the translation market. A call for proposals will ask for the definition and implementation of European translation directory services, the definition of an open translation environment in Europe, and for pan-European tele-translation and tele-interpretation demonstrators with the involvement of the translation industry and profession. In consultation with the performers concerned, including translation schools, the Commission shall examine the measures to be taken to stimulate modernization of this profession and to speed up its networking to increase its efficiency and bring it closer to potential users. i\ 3. Action Line 3: Promoting the use of advanced language tools in the European public sector 3. Action Line 3: Promoting the use of advanced language tools in the European public sector On account of their linguistic obligations, the European institutions, and the Commission in particular, have had to spend a substantial amount on acquiring and perfecting advanced tools which have become indispensable for the efficient processing of an increasing volume of translations and multilingual documents. In addition, through their daily translation activities they are also helping to compile important multilingual language resources in the various fields of Community activity. With the introduction of the Single Market and the removal of internal frontiers, there will be an increase in the transfer of information between administrations in the different Member States. These will be faced with an increasing number of situations where they will need advanced language tools in order to make communication with their counterparts in other Member States easier and cheaper. Transferring the experience acquired by the European institutions in the processing of rnuitilingualism to the administrations in the Member States and sharing the language resources which each produces can help achieve economies of scale and reduce the cost of multilingual communication. On account of their linguistic obligations, the European institutions, and the Commission in particular, have had to spend a substantial amount on acquiring and perfecting advanced tools which have become indispensable for the efficient processing of an increasing volume of translations and multilingual documents. In addition, through their daily translation activities they are also helping to compile important multilingual language resources in the various fields of Community activity. With the introduction of the Single Market and the removal of internal frontiers, there will be an increase in the transfer of information between administrations in the different Member States. These will be faced with an increasing number of situations where they will need advanced language tools in order to make communication with their counterparts in other Member States easier and cheaper. Transferring the experience acquired by the European institutions in the processing of rnuitilingualism to the administrations in the Member States and sharing the language resources which each produces can help achieve economies of scale and reduce the cost of multilingual communication. The aim of this action line is to encourage cooperation between administrations in the Member States and the European institutions in order to reduce the cost of multilingual communication in the European public sector in particular by using advanced language tools. In this way, the European institutions can act as powerful catalysts for the development of the European language industry in the form of a public demand based on common standards or technical sp cific'rtions, The aim of this action line is to encourage cooperation between administrations in the Member States and the European institutions in order to reduce the cost of multilingual communication in the European public sector in particular by using advanced language tools. In this way, the European institutions can act as powerful catalysts for the development of the European language industry in the form of a public demand based on common standards or technical specifications 3. 1 The long-term goal is the provision of an efficient multilingual processing service which satisfies the requirements of the Institutions and the administrative services concerned in the Member States. This will favour the establishment of an infrastructure enabling each party to use the different linguistic tools available in the Community institutions and the different administrations without any loss of their current functions, whilst encouraging convergence in future dsvelopments. Calls for tender will be issued for the development of tools and systems which help reduce translation time by making it easier to locate and re use texts or sections of documents which have already been translated, as well as on access to terminological databanks. Particular attention will also be devoted to tools and applications which make the task of interpreting easier. 3. 1 The long-term goal is the provision of an efficient multilingual processing service which satisfies the requirements of the Institutions and the administrative services concerned in the Member States. This will favour the establishment of an infrastructure enabling each party to use the different linguistic tools available in the Community institutions and the different administrations without any loss of their current functions, whilst encouraging convergence in future developments. Calls for tender will be issued for the development of tools and systems which help reduce translation time by making it easier to locate and re use texts or sections of documents which have already been translated, as well as on access to terminological databanks. Particular attention will also be devoted to tools and applications which make the task of interpreting easier. 3. 2 Work will continue on shared-cost cooperation projects conducted with certain Member States in order to improve terminological tools and existing compter-assisted translation systems, and will be extended to include other interested Member States. 3. 2 Work will continue on shared-cost cooperation projects conducted with certain Member States in order to improve terminological tools and existing compter- assisted translation systems, and will be extended to include other interested Member States. 3. 3 A special effort will be made to bring the language tools for the new official Community languages up to the level of the others. 3. 3 A special effort will be made to bring the language tools for the new official Community languages up to the level of the others. While taking care to avoid duplication, synergies shall be sought between the present programme and the other programmes relating to the information society, in particular the Fourth Framework Research and Development Programme, the integrated programme for SMEs and craft industries, and with IDA: "TEN-Telecom applications, INFO 2000, SOCRATES, LEONARDO, MEDIA and the proposed ARIANE programme". 4. Accompanying measures 4. Accompanying measures 23 Achieving the multilingual information society calls for the devising of converging strategies on the part of the public authorities, associations and institutions working to develop language resources and tools, the experimental users and the market operators producing and disseminating the information services or providing language processing tools, services and systems. To help in this, the Commission will carry out the following accompanying measures: Achieving the multilingual information society calls for the devising of converging strategies on the part of the public authorities, associations and institutions working to develop language resources and tools, the experimental users and the market operators producing and disseminating the information services or providing language processing tools, services and systems. To help in this, the Commission will carry out the following accompanying measures: organising concertation and coordination between the principal operators involved in developing a multilingual information society, organizing concertation and coordination between the principal operators involved in developing a multilingual information society, assessing progress made towards multilingual information society, and identifying remaining barriers; assessing progress made towards multilingual information society, and identifying remaining barriers; promoting technical standards which meet the linguistic needs of users; promoting technical standards which meet the linguistic needs of users; launching promotional activities and user awareness campaigns and supporting the exchange of best practice; launching promotional activities and user awareness campaigns and supporting the exchange of best practice; exploring the possibilities for fruitful collaboration with third countries and multilingual international organisations. exploring the possibilities for fruitful collaboration with third countries and multilingual international organizations. ANNEX II ANNEX II PROCEDURES FOR IMPLEMENTING THE PROGRAMME PROCEDURES FOR IMPLEMENTING THE PROGRAMME 1. The Commission shall implement the 1. programme in accordance with the technical specifications set out in Annex I. The Commission shall implement the programme in accordance with the technical specifications set out in Annex I. Where appropriate, the action lines in the programme shall be carried out by means of shared-cost in the case of projects, except developments exclusively for the institutions of the EU, in which case the rate may be up to 100%. The Community's financial contribution will not normally be more than 50% of the cost of the projects, this proportion decreasing the closer the to being marketed. project Universities and other institutes which do not have cost accounting systems shall be reimbursed at 100% of their additional costs. is The selection of shared-cost projects is, in principle, based on the normal procedure for calls for proposals published in the Official Journal of the European Communities. The objectives shall be set out in work plans compiled in close cooperation with the market operators and the committee referred to in Article 4 of the Decision. In principle, the action lines in the programme shall be implemented by means of projects, shared-cost except in the case of developments exclusively for the institutions of the EU, in which case the rate may be up to 100%. The Community's financial contribution to shared cost projects will not be more than 50% of the cost of the projects, this proportion decreasing the closer the project is to the market. Universities, institutes and other non-profit making research centres which do not have cost be systems accounting reimbursed their at additional costs. shall 100% of The selection of shared-cost projects is, in principle, based on the normal procedure for calls for proposals published in the Official Journal of the European Communities. The objectives shall be set out in work plans compiled in close cooperation with the market operators and the committee referred to in Article 4 of the Decision. to in- Article 4, In exceptional cases, having received 4. the opinion of the committee the referred Commission may consider proposals for projects which have not been requested but which might involve particularly promising and important developments the objectives of the programme and which could not be submitted under the normal procedure for calls for proposals. for achieving to the in Article 4, In exceptional cases, having received the opinion of committee the referred Commission may consider proposals for projects which have not been requested but which might involve particularly promising and important developments the for objectives of the programme and which could not be submitted under the normal procedure for calls for proposals. achieving 2<T Support for attempts to construct an 5. infrastructure for European linguistic resources could take the form of concerted actions to coordinate the multilingual development of linguistic particularly resources, through "concertation networks". financial The Community's to contribution could cover up 100% of the coordinating costs. Support for attempts to construct an infrastructure for European linguistic resources and/or the promotion of the use of advances linguistic tools in the European public sector, could take the form of concerted actions to coordinate of resources, multilingual through "concertation particularly networks". Community's The financial contribution could cover up to 100% of the coordinating costs. the development linguistic for shall be Projects financed entirely by the Commission under study and service implemented contracts in tenders through a call accordance with the Commission's financial regulations. Transparency will be ensured by the publication and regular dissemination of the to professional work programme associations and other interested bodies. shall contracts through a call the Commission Projects financed entirely from the Community budget under study and be service for implemented tenders by in accordance with the provisions of the Financial Regulation and the Regulation laying down provisions of the current Financial Regulation. Transparency will be ensured by the publication and dissemination of the work programme and the projects selected to professional associations and other interested bodies. To implement the programme, the Commission shall also carry out activities drawn up in accordance with the general objectives of the programme and the specific aims of each action line. Such activities shall include seminars, workshops, conferences, studies, publications, awareness training campaigns, courses, participation in cooperative projects with the administrations in the Member States, the European international institutions and organizations, national language observatories and specific support for the development of language tools and resources for those Community languages most in need of such assistance. helping To implement the programme, the Commission shall also carry out activities drawn up in accordance with the general objectives of the programme and the specific aims of each action line. Such activities shall include seminars, workshops, conferences, studies, publications, awareness training campaigns, courses, participation in cooperative projects with the administrations in the Member States, the European institutions international and organizations, support for national in language consultation with national authorities and specific support for the development of language tools and resources for those Community languages most in need of such assistance. observatories the financial All activities support must, appropriate occasions, show acknowledgement of European Union funding. receiving at 2G FINANCIAL STATEMENT 1. TITLE OF OPERATION Promotion of the multilingual information society (MLIS): muitiannual action programme to preserve and exploit linguistic diversity in Europe. 2. BUDGET HEADING INVOLVED B5-403 3. LEGAL BASIS Treaty on European Union, Article 130 (3). 4. DESCRIPTION OF OPERATION 4. 1 GENERAL OBJECTIVE The programme is based on the experience acquired by the Commission of the European Communities in managing research programmes in the field of language engineering and the development, for its own requirements, of language tools which facilitate translation and reduce its cost. This new programme has four principal objectives: • to stimulate the use of technologies, tools and methods which reduce the cost of transferring information between languages and the development of multilingual services, • to encourage the strengthening of the language industries, • to encourage the development of multilingual services, • to promote the linguistic diversity of the European Union in the global information society. The technological revolutions which are profoundly modifying the form and modes of human communication have an impact on the evolution of languages and their use. The appearance on the scene of a global information society is a challenge to linguistic cohesion and diversity in Europe. Economic pressures (the cost of rnuitilingualism) will tend to encourage the use of dominant languages through the networks. Those citizens who are not in a position to express themselves easily in those languages risk missing out on the benefits of the information society. However, the progress achieved in language engineering and language processing technologies means that there are now tools available which reduce the cost of translation and rnuitilingualism and make it easier to learn languages. The principal lines of action of the new programme are as follows: 1\ • • • to support efforts to set up the infrastructure of European language resources and to encourage the operators involved, to mobilise and reinforce the language industries by promoting the use of modern language technologies and tools and their incorporation in computer applications, to promote the use of advanced language tools, in particular in the European public sector. 4. 2 PERIOD COVERED AND ARRANGEMENTS FOR RENEWAL Three years, covering the period from 1. 1. 1996 to 31. 12. 1998. 5. CLASSIFICATION OF EXPENDITURE OR REVENUE 5. 1 NCE 5. 2 DA 5. 3 Type of revenue Any revenue will be reemployed in accordance with Article 27 of the Financial Regulation of 21 December 1977, as most recently amended by Regulation 610/90 of 13 March 1990. 6. TYPE OF EXPENDITURE/REVENUE INVOLVED 6. 1 Provision of services Projects financed in whole by the Commission under study and services contracts will be implemented through calls for tender in accordance with the financial regulations of the Commission. These services will generally concern studies, the organisation of coordination meetings, workshops and demonstrations of language tools for the European institutions. They will derive, in particular, from the implementation of action lines 2 and 3 and the accompanying measures. Transparency will be ensured by publishing the work programme and communicating it to commercial associations and other interested bodies. 5. 2 Subsidy for joint funding with other sources in the public and private sectors Shared-cost projects and joint projects will normally be selected following the usual procedures of calls for proposals published in the Official Journal of the European Communities. This type of funding applies, in particular, to the activities provided for in the three action lines for joint development projects. The content ©f the calls for proposals will be drawn up in doss consultation with market operators and the programme committee. The principal criterion for supporting projects through im calls for proposals will be their potential contribution to attaining the objectives of the programme. The Community's financial contribution to shared-cost projects will not normally exceed 50%. The Community's financial involvement may of course be as high as 100% in the case of projects involving exclusively the institutions of the 2£ European Union. Specific supplementary bonuses may also be granted to encourage the development of a European language resources infirastructure, the participation of SMEs and initiativss concerning those Community languages for which the advanced language tools are least developed. The Community's financial contribution to the projects involved may cover up to 100% of the coordination costs. 7. FINANCIAL IMPACT 7. 1 Method of calculating total cost of operation (relationship between individual costs and the total cost) The volume of appropriations required to finance the Community contribution to implementing the MLIS programme takes account of the financial parameters derived from previous experience and activities and the nature of the actions proposed with a view to achieving the specific objectives set out in point 9. 1. 7. 2 Itemised breakdown of costs Commitment by line of action (current costs in million ecus): I Supporting the construction of an infrastructure for European language resources Mobilising and expanding the 1 language industries rPromoting the use of advanced | language tools in the European public j sector Accompanying measures TOTAL 1996 0. 5 1997 0. 5 1998 1. 0 TotaT"! 1 2. 0 1. 0 2. 0 0. 5 4. 0 1. 9 2. 5 1. 0 5. 0 1. 5 2. 5 3. 5 7. 0 1. 0 6. 0 2,5 15 1 j I j FRAUD PREVENTION MEASURES (AND RESULTS OF MEASURES TAKEN) Overall monitoring will be exercised by a committee composed of delegates of the Member States. Specific monitoring criteria and procedures will be laid down at the start of the programme and applied periodically during the implementation phase of the programme. The Commission officials, if necessary assisted by independent experts, will verify the proper implementation of the projects and studies before payment, taking into account the contractual obligations and principles of good management. Administrative checks will be carried out by the Commission. Verification will be by the Court of Auditors under the terms of the Treaty. At the and of the programme an evaluation report will be drawn up by independent experts on the results obtained in implementing the lines of action. ELEMENTS OF COST-EFFECTIVENESS ANALYSIS 9. 1 Specific and quantifiable objectives; target population Specific objectives t% Supporting the construction of an infrastructure for European language resources Language resources such as dictionaries, terminological databanks, grammar books, collections and the like are an essential raw material for linguistic research, for the development of operational language processing tools and the improvement of computer-assisted translation systems. Considerable sums have already been invested by the Member States, the Commission and certain private companies in an effort to produce language resources of varying scale and complexity. Exploitation of these resources is currently hampered by the fact that they are mainly monolingual, their basic specifications are sometimes disparate - which limits their use - and they are often difficult to locate. The objective of this line of action is to support the efforts being undertaken by producers and users, with a view to facilitating their identification, structuring, distribution and utilisation at Community level. Mobilising and expanding the language industries This line of action will essentially involve promoting the modern language processing tools in those sectors of activity to which they are particularly well-suited and in which they are likely to considerably reduce translation costs: product labelling, controlled-language drafting and computer-assisted translation of documentation and' user notices, adapting software to different language markets, etc. It will also aim to promote the use of language tools and means of communication to strengthen the efficiency and competitiveness of the European translation industry and interpreting services. Promoting the use of advanced language tools in the European public sector This line of action aims to exploit the Commission's prior investment, for its own requirements, in the field of machine translation and multilingual tools, and to act as a catalyst for the development of the market through public demand. The objective is to allow the other European institutions and the civil services of the interested Member States to use these tools and to set up cooperation projects to share the development costs needed to cover the Community's new working languages. Accompanying measures In addition to the measures to strengthen coordination of the suitable initiatives in the language field undertaken under various Community programmes, and to speed up their impact, the accompanying measures will involve the organisation of strategic coordination meetings with the principal market operators, launching studies and strategic surveys so as to monitor the development of the market and evaluate the impact of the programme, stimulating standardisation work, launching promotion measures and measure to increase user awareness, and encouraging cooperation and the exchange of best practice in public and private bodies which are taking steps to adapt to a multilingual society and market. These measures will also involve examining opportunities for advantageous cooperation with third countries and multilingual international organisations. Target population 3a The target groups comprise: - - the national language departments or institutions with strategic and executive responsibilities in the Member States and regions, language "professionals": translators, terminologists, publishers of grammar books and dictionaries, teachers of languages and specialised bodies and institutes in the Member States, - creators of language resources and the specialised bodies which process them to give them a structure, - computer service companies and software publishers specialised in the production of language processing tools, - major groups of users of these tools (export-oriented industries, providers of information services and international communications, software publishers, administrations and institutions which need to communicate in several languages, etc. ). 9. 2 Grounds for the operation Subsidiarity Language policies are the responsibility of the Member States. Nevertheless, promoting the development of modern language processing tools and their use is a field of activity where Community action is justified in order to achieve substantial economies of scale through promoting suitable cooperation between the operators involved in the various language zones. The activities under the programme will be commensurate with the objectives to be achieved and will involve only those fields likely to achieve an added value at European level. Choice of ways and means The costs will be reduced as much as possible through competition by means of calls for tenders and proposals. The Commission contribution to shared-cost projects will coordination meetings should avoid any duplication of effort and promote synergy. The choice of ways and means takes account of the guidelines set out in the Bangemann report and in the Commission action plan COM (94) 347, as well as of the consultations held with industry, users and the representatives of the Member States in preparing the programme. Spin-oft and multiplier effects expected Promoting the development of the language industries and the use of modern language tools has spin-off benefits of great interest to the Community: promotion of an industry and services which create jobs, reduction in the cost of translating and transferring information between languages (the number of pages translated in the Community in 1988 was estimated at 100 million), new outlets offered by linguistic adaptation, of products and services to local markets, strengthening of the cohesion of the Community in its linguistic diversity, preservation of the cultural and linguistic diversity of the Community in the global information society. The Community's means of action - shared-cost projects and support for joint projects have a multiplier effect through the supplementary funding contributed by the partners taking part in these projects. Moreover, they achieve a fiirther multiplier effect by encouraging investment by the market operators. Factors of uncertainty The main factors of uncertainty which might affect the specific results of the programme concern the readiness of the private sector to invest in the development of modern language processing tools before the market for such products has taken off. 9. 3 Monitoring and evaluation of the operation Some of the projects will be devoted to developing indicators for monitoring the rnuitilingualism market in Europe, in terms of both developing the supply of products and the industry and demand. In the very first year of the programme, a methodological framework will be laid down for the systematic collection of data in the various fields. An analysis of these annually-updated indicators will allow an assessment of the effectiveness of the measures taken in the course of the programme. Before the end of the programme an evaluation report will be drawn up on the results achieved in implementing the lines of action. 10. ADMINISTRATIVE EXPENDITURE (PART A OF SECTION 3 OF THE GENERAL BUDGET) The expenditure is calculated per year. 10. 1 Additional staff in the Commission Implementation of the proposed action will require the additional allocation of 2 officials (1 A-grade post and 1 C-grade post, cost = ECU 160 000). Effective mobilisation of the necessary administrative resources will depend on the Commission's annual decision on the allocation of resources, taking account in particular of the additional staff and sums approved by the budgetary authority. Additional requests can in no way prejudice the decision which the Commission will have to take on the allocation of resources. 10. 2 Amount of staff and administrative expenditure involved The annual amounts of administrative expenditure are as follows: 10. 2. 1 National experts seconded A-1520 Total expenditure: ECU 70 000 31 Two national officials will have to be seconded to coordinate the MLIS projects between the EU and the national/regional levels. 10. 2. 2 Meetings of experts A-250 Total expenditure: ECU 120 000 To prepare the work programme, the Commission will consult outside experts and representatives of users, industry administrations and research. 9 meetings are planned, with 1 participant per Member State (cost = 880 x 15 x 9 = 118 800, rounded up to ECU 120 000). 10. 2. 3 Meetings of the Committee A-2510 Total expenditure: ECU 40 000 The MLIS programme committee mentioned in the Council Decision will hold an average of 3 meetings per year, with 1 participant per Member State (cost: 880 x 15 3 - 39 600, rounded up to ECU 40 000). 10. 2. 4 Official travel A-130 Total expenditure: ECU 50 000 Total official travel costs for Commission staff and the seconded national experts are estimated at ECU 50 000 and will be taken from the overall amount allocated toDGXm. *>3> ISSN 0254-1475 COM(96) 456 final DOCUMENTS EN 15 16 01 Catalogue number : CB-CO-96-465-EN-C ISBN 92-78-08914-1 Office for Official Publications of the European Communities L-2985 Luxembourg M