Decision No 2/98 of the Association Council between the European Communities and their Member States, of the one part, and the Republic of Bulgaria, of the other part, of 29 October 1998 adopting the terms and conditions for the participation of Bulgaria in the Community programme in the field of youth
L 340/30 EN Official Journal of the European Communities 16. 12. 98 II (Acts whose publication is not obligatory) COUNCIL DECISION No 2/98 OF THE ASSOCIATION COUNCIL between the European Communities and their Member States, of the one part, and the Republic of Bulgaria, of the other part adopting the terms and conditions for the participation of Bulgaria in the Community programme in the field of youth of 29 October 1998 (98/714/EC) THE ASSOCIATION COUNCIL, HAS DECIDED AS FOLLOWS: Having regard to the Europe Agreement establishing an association between the European Communities and their Member States, of the one part, and the Republic of Bulgaria, of the other part (1), Having regard to the Additional Protocol to the Europe Agreement establishing an association between the Euro- pean Communities and their Member States, of the one part, and the Republic of Bulgaria, of the other part (2) concerning Bulgaria’s participation in Community programmes, and in particular Articles 1 and 2 thereof, Whereas according to Article 1 of the said Additional Protocol, Bulgaria may participate in Community frame- work programmes, specific programmes, projects or other actions notably in the field of youth; Whereas pursuant to Article 2 of the said Additional Protocol the terms and conditions for the participation of Bulgaria in the activities referred to in Article 1 are to be decided by the Association Council, Article 1 Bulgaria shall participate in the European Community programme ‘Youth for Europe' according to the terms and conditions set out in Annexes I and II which shall form an integral part of this Decision. Article 2 This Decision shall apply for the duration of the Youth for Europe programme. Article 3 This Decision shall enter into force on the first day of the month following that of its adoption. Done at Brussels, 29 October 1998. For the Association Council The President N. MIHAILOVA (1) OJ L 358, 31. 12. 1994, p. 2. (2) OJ L 317, 30. 12. 1995, p. 25. 16. 12. 98 EN Official Journal of the European Communities L 340/31 ANNEX I TERMS AND CONDITIONS FOR THE PARTICIPATION OF BULGARIA IN THE YOUTH FOR EUROPE PROGRAMME 1. Bulgaria will participate in all actions of the Youth for Europe programme (hereinafter called ‘the programme') in conformity, unless otherwise provided in this Decision, with the objectives, criteria, procedures and time limits laid down in Decision No 818/95/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 14 March 1995 adopting the third phase of the Youth for Europe programme (1). 2. The terms and conditions for the submission, assessment and selection of applications by eligible institu- tions, organisations and individuals of Bulgaria shall be the same as those applicable to eligible institutions, organisations and individuals of the Community. Language preparation and training activities concern the official languages of the Community. In excep- tional circumstances, other languages could be accepted if the implementation of the programme so requires. 3. To ensure the Community dimension of the programme, transnational projects and activities proposed by Bulgaria will be required to include a minimum number of partners from the Member States of the Community. This minimum number will be decided in the framework of the implementation of the programme, taking into account the nature of the various activities, the number of partners in a given project, and the number of countries participating in the programme. Projects and activities carried out solely between Bulgaria and EFTA States which are parties to the EEA Agreement or any other third countries, including those with an association agreement with the Community, to which participation in the programme is open, are not eligible for Community financial support. 4. In conformity with the terms of the relevant provisions of the Decision on the Youth for Europe programme, Bulgaria will lay down the appropriate structures and mechanisms at national level and will take all other necessary steps to ensure national coordination and organisation of the implementation of the programme. 5. Bulgaria will pay each year a contribution to the general budget of the European Communities to cover the costs resulting from its participation in the programme (see Annex II). The Association Committee is entitled to adapt this contribution whenever necessary. 6. The Member States of the Community and Bulgaria will make every effort within the framework of the existing provisions, to facilitate the free movement and residence of young people and other eligible persons moving between Bulgaria and the Community for the purpose of participating in activities covered by this Decision. 7. Without prejudice to the responsibilities of the Commission and the Court of Auditors of the European Communities in relation to the monitoring and evaluation of the programme pursuant to the Decision concerning the Youth for Europe programme (Article 9), the participation of Bulgaria in the programme will be continuously monitored on a partnership basis involving Bulgaria and the Commission of the European Communities. Bulgaria will submit the necessary reports to the Commission and take part in other specific activities undertaken by the Community in that context. 8. Without prejudice to the procedures referred to in Article 6 of the Decision on Youth for Europe, Bulgaria will be invited to coordination meetings on any question concerning the implementation of this Decision prior to the regular meetings of the Committee. The Commission will inform Bulgaria about the results of such regular meetings. 9. The language to be used as regards the application process, contracts, reports to be submitted and other administrative arrangements for the programme, will be one of the official languages of the Community. (1) OJ L 87, 20. 4. 1995, p. 1. L 340/32 EN Official Journal of the European Communities 16. 12. 98 ANNEX II FINANCIAL CONTRIBUTION OF BULGARIA TO THE YOUTH FOR EUROPE PROGRAMME 1. The financial contribution of Bulgaria will cover: — subsidies or any other