Article 5 Participation of third countries in the LIFE Programme

The LIFE Programme shall be open to the participation of the following countries:

1. (a)

   European Free Trade Association (EFTA) countries which are parties to the Agreement on the European Economic Area (EEA);

2. (b)

   candidate countries, potential candidates and acceding countries to the Union;

3. (c)

   countries to which the European Neighbourhood Policy applies;

4. (d)

   countries which have become members of the European Environmental Agency in accordance with Council Regulation (EC) No 933/1999^f1.

Such participation shall be pursued in accordance with the conditions laid down in the respective bilateral or multilateral agreements establishing the general principles for those third countries' participation in Union programmes.