Introductory text

THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION,

Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Community, and in particular Article 181a(2) thereof,

Having regard to the proposal from the Commission,

Having regard to the Opinion of the European Parliament^f1,

Whereas:

Community action to promote human rights and democratic principles as set out in the Communication of 8 May 2001 from the Commission to the European Parliament and the Council on the European Union's Role in Promoting Human Rights and Democratisation in Third Countries shall continue beyond 2004. Council Regulation (EC) No 975/1999 of 29 April 1999 laying down the requirements for the implementation of development cooperation operations which contribute to the general objective of developing and consolidating democracy and the rule of law and to that of respecting human rights and fundamental freedoms^f2 and Regulation (EC) No 976/1999^f3 proved to be adequate legal instruments for the implementation of the Community's technical and financial support for human rights and democratisation activities in developing and other third countries in pursuit of the overall objectives in this field. The period of validity of those Regulations, however, expires on 31 December 2004. It is, therefore, necessary to extend that period.

On the basis of the ratio of the financial reference amount included in Regulation (EC) No 976/1999 and the indicative human rights and democratisation appropriations until 2006, an extended financial reference amount, within the meaning of point 34 of the Interinstitutional Agreement of 6 May 1999 between the European Parliament, the Council and the Commission on budgetary discipline and improvement of the budgetary procedure^f4, is inserted in this Regulation for the extended duration of the programme, without the powers of the budgetary authority as defined by the Treaty being affected thereby.

The provisions of Regulation (EC) No 976/1999 on procedures for the implementation of aid should be aligned with the legal requirements of Council Regulation (EC, Euratom) No 1605/2002 of 25 June 2002 on the Financial Regulation applicable to the general budget of the European Communities^f5 in the implementation of EU Election Observation Missions.

The protection of the Community's financial interests and the fight against fraud and irregularities form an integral part of Regulation (EC) No 976/1999. In particular, agreements and contracts concluded pursuant to that Regulation should authorise the Commission to carry out the measures provided for in Council Regulation (EC, Euratom) No 2185/96 of 11 November 1996 concerning on-the-spot checks and inspections carried out by the Commission in order to protect the European Communities' financial interests against fraud and other irregularities^f6.

The measures necessary for the implementation of Regulation (EC) No 976/1999 should be adopted in accordance with Council Decision 1999/468/EC of 28 June 1999 laying down the procedures for the exercise of implementing powers conferred on the Commission^f7.

Regulation (EC) No 976/1999 should be amended accordingly,

HAS ADOPTED THIS REGULATION: