KAROLUS programme: exchange of national officials between administrations (amend. Dec. 92/481/EEC)

OBJECTIVE: to extend for a further two years the Karolus programme and extend the programme to the associated countries of Central and Eastern Europe, the EEA countries and Cyprus. COMMUNITY MEASURE: European Parliament and Council Decision 889/98/EC amending Council Decision 92/481/EEC on the adoption of an action plan for the exchange between Member State administrations of national officials who are engaged in the implementation of Community legislation required to achieve the internal market (Karolus programme). SUBSTANCE: The purpose of the present Decision is to extend the Karolus programme by two years (from 01.01.1998 to 31.12.1999) before the programme is completely revised. This extension is being made without increasing the budget, as the amount provided for in Decision 92/481/EEC setting up Karolus has not been completely exhausted. However, a new budgetary schedule is proposed, as follows: 1) from 1993 to 1997, the appropriations for Karolus are set at ECU 7.7 m, 2) from 1998 to 1999, they are set at ECU 4.5 m. The cumulative amount of ECU 12.2 m corresponds to an overall figure of 1340 participants. The Decision also extends the programme: -to the associated countries of Central and Eastern Europe, in accordance with the conditions laid down in the additional protocols to the Association Agreements relating to participation by these countries in Community programmes, -to EFTA countries which are members of the EEA and Cyprus, on the basis of additional appropriations, details to be agreed with these countries. ENTRY INTO FORCE: 07.04.1998.�