Small and medium-sized enterprises SMEs: participation of Lithuania in the Community programme

PURPOSE: in the framework of the pre-accession strategy, the opening up of participation in the Community's programme for small and medium sized businesses to Lithuania. CONTENT: The proposed EU-Lithuania Association Council decision lays down the conditions and means for the participation of Lithuania in the Third Multiannual Programme for SMEs. The decision shall apply for the duration of the Programme. More specifically, Lithuania will: - participate in actions of the Third Multiannual Programme for SMEs (1997-2000); conditions for submission, assessment and selection of applications will be the same as for Member States, up to the level of the country's financial contribution; - the financial contributions of Lithuania and the rules governing the contribution are defined in the Annex: Lithuania will make a financial contribution to the Community budget (384,130 euros per year for 1999 and 2000). This contribution will cover financial assistance granted to Lithuanian organisations and the supplementary administrative costs of managing the programme by the Commission (25,130 euros per year). Part of the total sum will come from Lithuania's national budget, the remainder being paid from Lithuania's Phare programme allocation. Lithuania will be closely involved in the evaluation of its participation in the programme; it will be invited to co-ordination meetings prior to the meetings of the Management Committee, and will be kept informed of its results. The Member States and Lithuania will make every effort, within the framework of the existing provisions, to facilitate the free movement and residence of all eligible persons in the Programme moving between Lithuania and the Member States for the purpose of participating in activities covered by the decision.�