PURPOSE: to revise the financial contribution from Norway to the European Monitoring Centre for Drugs and Drug Addiction.

LEGISLATIVE ACT: Council Decision 2006/914/EC concerning the conclusion of the Agreement between the European Community and Kingdom of Norway on the revision of the amount of the financial contribution from Norway provided for in the Agreement between the European Community and the Kingdom of Norway on the participation of Norway in the work of the European Monitoring Centre for Drugs and Drug Addiction (EMCDDA).

CONTENT: according to Article 13 of Council Regulation 302/93/EEC on the establishment of a European Monitoring Centre for Drugs and Drug Addiction provides that the Centre is to be open to the participation of non-Community countries which share the Community's interests and those of its Member States in the Centre's objectives and work.

The Agreement between the European Community and the Kingdom of Norway on the participation of Norway in the work of the European Monitoring Centre for Drugs and Drug Addiction was signed on 19 October 2000 and entered into force on 1 January 2001. The Agreement sets out the financial contribution from Norway to the work of the European Monitoring Centre for Drugs and Drug Addiction (EMCDDA).

Following the negotiations with the Commission, an Agreement was made with Norway on the revision of the amount of the financial contribution from Norway in the work of the European Monitoring Centre for Drugs and Drug Addiction.

In order to take account of possible future enlargement of the European Union and to avoid further adjustments, the formula for the calculation of Norway's contribution will be as set out in the initial proposal. The financial contribution from Norway must not be less than EUR 271 000 (2004 prices) irrespective of the number of Member States of the Union. This amount corresponds to the cost of enlargement per country as estimated by the EMCDDA in 2001. That amount will be subject to a technical adjustment each year based on price trends and gross national income (GNI) in the European Union.

The European Parliament adopted the resolution drafted by Frieda BREPOELS (EPP-ED, BE) and approved the conclusion of the agreement between the EC and Norway by 522 votes in favour to 3 against with 35 abstentions.

The committee adopted the report by Frieda BREPOELS (EPP-ED, BE) approving - under the consultation procedure - the conclusion of the proposed agreement between the EC and Norway.

PURPOSE: the conclusion of an Agreement between the European Community and Norway on the financial contribution from Norway regarding its participation on the European Monitoring Centre for Drugs and Drug Addiction (EMCDDA).

PROPOSED ACT: Council Decision.

CONTENT: in July 2005, the European Commission was authorised by the Council to begin negotiations with the Kingdom of Norway in order to revise the latter’s financial contributions to the European Monitoring Centre for Drugs and Drug Addiction, (EMCDDA). Prior to beginning the negotiations it was specified that the calculation should be such that Norway’s contribution can automatically be adjusted after each enlargement of the EU. A minimum financial participation clause should be included, which sets a minimum amount that must be adhered to irrespective of the number of Member States to the Union.

FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS:

Accordingly, the Commission has come to a draft agreement with Norway, which revises Article 5 of the 2001 EU/Norway Agreement on the EMCDDA. The new financial agreement is stated in Annex to the proposed Decision. The Annex specifies that in order to take account of future enlargements and in order to avoid further adjustments a new formula for the calculation of Norway’s contribution is to be set.

The formula is as follows :

the amount of the Community subsidy excluding Reitox financing/ [(Number of Member States of the European Union + 1) – 10%]. the financial contribution from Norway must not be less than EUR 271 000 (2004 prices).irrespective of the number of Member States of the Union. This amount corresponds to the cost of enlargement per country as estimated by the EMCDDA in 2001. That amount will be subject to a technical adjustment each year based on price trends and gross national income (GNI) in the European Union.

Norway will pay a financial contribution to the EMCDDA’a budget in accordance with this formula as from the beginning of the year in which the agreement enters into force. The EMCDDA’s budget will be adjusted accordingly.

PURPOSE: the conclusion of an Agreement between the European Community and Norway on the financial contribution from Norway regarding its participation on the European Monitoring Centre for Drugs and Drug Addiction (EMCDDA).

PROPOSED ACT: Council Decision.

CONTENT: in July 2005, the European Commission was authorised by the Council to begin negotiations with the Kingdom of Norway in order to revise the latter’s financial contributions to the European Monitoring Centre for Drugs and Drug Addiction, (EMCDDA). Prior to beginning the negotiations it was specified that the calculation should be such that Norway’s contribution can automatically be adjusted after each enlargement of the EU. A minimum financial participation clause should be included, which sets a minimum amount that must be adhered to irrespective of the number of Member States to the Union.

FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS:

Accordingly, the Commission has come to a draft agreement with Norway, which revises Article 5 of the 2001 EU/Norway Agreement on the EMCDDA. The new financial agreement is stated in Annex to the proposed Decision. The Annex specifies that in order to take account of future enlargements and in order to avoid further adjustments a new formula for the calculation of Norway’s contribution is to be set.

The formula is as follows :

the amount of the Community subsidy excluding Reitox financing/ [(Number of Member States of the European Union + 1) – 10%]. the financial contribution from Norway must not be less than EUR 271 000 (2004 prices).irrespective of the number of Member States of the Union. This amount corresponds to the cost of enlargement per country as estimated by the EMCDDA in 2001. That amount will be subject to a technical adjustment each year based on price trends and gross national income (GNI) in the European Union.

Norway will pay a financial contribution to the EMCDDA’a budget in accordance with this formula as from the beginning of the year in which the agreement enters into force. The EMCDDA’s budget will be adjusted accordingly.