Aid for Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia and the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia

OBJECTIVE: To implement aid measures comprising projects, programmes and cooperation actions for rehabilitation and reconstruction of the Republics of Former Yugoslavia (Bosnia-Herzegovina, Croatia, the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia and Macedonia). SUBSTANCE: Council Regulation (EC) No. 1628/96 on aid to Bosnia-Herzegovina, Croatia, the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia and the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia. SUBSTANCE: The Community shall implement aid measures comprising projects, programmes and cooperation schemes, return of refugees and displaced persons and for economic and regional cooperation in the various Republics of Former Yugoslavia in accordance with criteria set out by the Council; - reference quantity of aid: Ecu 400 million for the period of 1996 to 1999 in the form of non-reimbursable aid; - democratic basis for assistance: assistance is based on the respect of democratic principles, the rule of law, human rights and fundamental freedoms. In addition, the conditions set out by the Council on 30 October 1995 as regards the implementation of cooperation with former Yugoslavia are considered essential; - cooperation partners: regional and international organizations, public and semi-public bodies, organizations providing support to businesses, private operators, non-commercial undertakings, NGOs; - measures: the actions shall cover the following fields: . regional cooperation and good neighbourliness projects, and transborder projects, . rebuilding of infrastructure and other individual or collective facilities damaged in the fighting, . consolidation of democracy and civil society, . return of refugees, . integration or reintegration of refugees, displaced persons and former soldiers into working life, . preparation of the production apparatus for economic recovery, . development of the private sector (notably SMEs) and promotion of investment, . strengthening of non-governmental organizations, cultural institutions and educational establishments. - financing: expenditure may cover the importation of goods and services, local expenditure necessary to complete projects (notably running and maintenance costs) and interest rebates on loans by the EIB. With regard to investment projects, Community financing shall be combined with other sources of funding. Community funding, including EIB loans, may not exceed 80% of the total cost of the investment. Taxes, duties and charges are excluded from Community financing. - transparency and complementarity: provision is made for the exchange of information between the Community and the Member States on their respective intentions as regards financing. - selection of projects: actions shall be subject to a selection process based on the assessment of potential recipients' requests, their urgency and the aid take-up capacity. Invitations to tender and contracts shall be open without discrimination to all natural and legal persons in the Community and recipient states. Service contracts shall be awarded by restricted invitations to tender with the exception of operations not exceeding Ecu 200.000 which may be awarded by private treaty; - commitology: the Commission shall be assisted by a management committee composed of representatives of the Member States. For financing decisions exceeding Ecu 2 m, the Commission shall take utmost account of the opinion of the Committee. The Committee shall also be informed of operations involving financing of less than Ecu 2 m and of all decisions revised by the Commission without requesting the Committee's opinion. The Commission shall implement aid expenditure in accordance with the financial regulation applicable to the EC Budget and, as from 1 January 1998, the Commission shall also comply with the rules set out in the annex governing the award of contract by means of restricted invitations to tender, notably for measures involving capital investments (infrastructure, private sector, ...). The annex may be modified by qualified majority voting on a proposal from the Commission. - information and assessment: the Commission shall carry out an evaluation of projects in order determine whether they conform to the objectives of the regulation. The Commission will regularly inform the Committee. The Commission shall inform the European Parliament and the Council quarterly of the implementation of the aid and shall submit a report on this subject to the European Parliament and to the Council by 30 April of each year at the latest. ENTRY INTO FORCE: 15 August 1996. The regulation shall apply until 31 December 1999.�