Νόμος 3095/2003

ΝΟΜΟΣ ΥΠ' ΑΡΙΘ. 3095

Κύρωση της Συμφωνίας για Πενταετές Αναπτυξιακής Συνεργασίας 2002 - 2006μεταξύ της Κυβέρνησης της Ελληνικής Δημοκρατίας και της Κυβέρνησης της Δημοκρατίας της Βουλγαρίας.

Ο ΠΡΟΕΔΡΟΣ ΤΗΣ ΕΛΛΗΝΙΚΗΣ ΔΗΜΟΚΡΑΤΙΑΣ

Εκδίδομε τον ακόλουθο νόμο που ψήφισε η Βουλή: Άρθρο πρώτο

Κυρώνεται και έχει την ισχύ, που ορίζει το άρθρο 28 παρ. 1 του Συντάγματος, η Συμφωνία μεταξύ της Κυβέρνησης της Ελληνικής Δημοκρατίας και της Κυβέρνησης της Δημοκρατίας της Βουλγαρίας για πενταετές πρόγραμμα αναπτυξιακής συνεργασίας 2002 - 2006, που υπογράφηκε στη Σόφια στις 28 Αυγούστου 2002, της οποίας το κείμενο σε πρωτότυπο στην αγγλική γλώσσα και σε μετάφραση στην ελληνική έχει ως εξής:

AGREEMENT ON A FIVE YEAR DEVELOPMENT COOPERATION PROGRAMME

2002-2006 between

THE GOVERNMENT OF THE HELLENIC REPUBLIC

and

THE GOVERNMENT OF THE REPUBLIC OF BULGARIA

The Government of the Hellenic Republic and the Government of the Republic of Bulgaria hereafter referred to as "the Parties",

TrJang into consideration the guidelines of the OECD's Development Assistance Committee (DAC),

Recalling the cooperative relationship between the European Union and the states of the region and the existing framework agreements,

Reaffirming the efforts of the international community in the area,

Noting that the Hellenic Republic has formulated and is ready to implement a five-year comprehensive development plan, which, complemented by international organisations, financial institutions and other bilateral donors, aims at the reconstruction and transition of recipient Balkan countries towards mutually agreed development goals,

Reiterating the importance of a regional development approach aiming at contributing to peace, security, prosperity and stability in the region,

Having in mind that the Hellenic Republic and the Republic of Bulgaria are eager to enter into an advanced contractual relationship, based on partnership and transparency, coupled w^;*h a development assistance programme; that the objectives of the present programme aim at contributing to the economic development and European orientation of the Republic of Bulgaria,

Have agreed as follows:

ARTICLE 1 Objectives

The target areas of this development assistance programme are the following:

(a) Modernisation of infrastructures, particularly in the energy and transportation sectors,

(b) Promotion of productive investments,

(c) Modernisation of public administration and self-government,

(d) Support of democratic institutions / cooperation of Parliaments,

(e) Support to the rule of law and the welfare state, (f> Addressing economic inequalities,

(g) Support to education and vocational training, to the administrative and scientific potential.

All projects related to the above mentioned target areas shall be incrementally integrated into Annex Β of this Agreement upon approval by the Greek side. Annex Β forms an integral part of this AgreementARTICLE 2 Allocation of development funds

(a) The development assistance by the Hellenic Republic to the Republic of Bulgaria, by virtue of the present Agreement, amounts to fifty four million two hundred ninety thousand euro (€ 54,290,000) for a five year period (2002-2006). The above amount will be allocated on an annual basis, in accordance with the present bilateral framework programme.

(b) Of the total amount, twenty per cent (20%) will be allocated by the Hellenic Ministry of Economy and Finance to private productive investments in the Republic of Bulgaria, which meet the objectives of this Agreement. Relevant applications could be submitted as of July 1^st, 2002.

(c) One of the main objectives of the bilateral assistance for the reconstruction process, economic, social, institutional and environmental in the Republic of Bulgaria is complementary to the overall development programmes of the European Union, international financial institutions and bilateral donors. The regional impact of the development assistance shall also be taken into consideration.

ARTICLE 3

Evaluation and monitoring procedures

The two Parties agree on an evaluation and monitoring procedure for the above development assistance.

In this context, the overall responsibility for the monitoring and evaluation of the development assistance in the recipient Party is entrusted to the National Coordinator for the Implementation of the Hellenic Plan for the Economic Re-construction of the Balkans, hereafter called the HiPERB.

The modalities are provided for in the Annex (A), which constitutes an integral part of this Agreement.

ARTICLE 4 Joint Management Committee

A Joint Management Committee shall be established for the management and in-plementation of the development assistance programme.

Modalities concerning the composition, competence and functioning of the Joint Management Committee are provided for in Annex (A) to the present Agreement

ARTICLE 5

Compatibility with European Community Policies

In applying this Agreement, the Hellenic Republic shall respect its obligations arising from its membership to the European Union.

Projects and activities financed under the development assistance programme shall comply with European Community policies, including those concerning environmental protection, gender equality, transport, TransEuropean Networks (TREN), competition, as well as public procurement.

The HiPERB Monitoring Committee shall ensure coordination and coherence among projects financed under this Programme.

ARTICLE 6

Coherence and Synergy with other donors

Both Parties agree that other countries or international organisations and institutions of regional cooperation may participate to the financing support for the implementation expenditure of projects and activities under this Programme.

The co-financed expenditure concerns clearly visible parts. The accumulation of financial support under the HiPERB and other financing sources shall not exceed 90% of the cost of the project.

ARTICLE 7

Impediments and Overpowering Circumstances (force majeure)

In case of impediments to the implementation of this Agreement due to overpowering circumstances, recognised by the Parties, in practice (such as war, civil unrest or natural disasters) or in case of peril, the following provisions shall apply:

(aj In case the duration of the impediment to the implementation of this Agreement is less than 24 (twenty-four) months, the use of the funds for the implementation of the activities shall be suspended. Funding shall resume again, once the impediment has been overcome.

(b) In case the duration of the impediment to the implementation of this Agreement is more than twenty-four (24) months, the Parties shall hold discussions on the continuation of this Agreement. The residual funds shall be used only after an agreement has been reached between the two Parties.

Independently of the above, the Parties, in any event which may hamper the realisation of the objectives, for which this assistance has been provided for, or the fulfilment of the obligations established by this Agreement, shall take any action which may be necessary for the best use of this assistance.

ARTICLE 8 Denunciation or Suspension

This Agreement may be denounced or suspended at any time after due notification to the other Party. The denunciation shall come into effect in the following circumstances:

(a) Breach by one of the Parties of the terms and conditions of this Agreement, particularly in the case of prolonged and unjustified delays in the completion of the activities foreseen by this Agreement, as well as severe mismanagement of the funds.

(b) Adverse developments, which seriously hamper the realisation of this Agreement's objectives.

ARTICLE 9 Settlement of disputes

Disputes arising with respect to the implementation and/or the application of this Agreement shall be settled through diplomatic channels.

ARTICLE 10 Amendments

The Parties may amend this Agreement through an exchange of Notes. Any such amendment shall enter into force according to the procedure set forth in Article 11.

ARTICLE 11 Entry into force

This Agreement shall enter into force upon receipt of the last written notification, through diplomatic channels, of the fulfilment of both parties' internal procedures.

In witness thereof, the undersigned, duly authorised by their respective Governments, have signed this Agreement.

Done in Sofia, on August 28^th 2002, in two (2) original copies, written in English, both texts being equally authentic.

ANNEX Α

Article ΑΙ

Cooperation Programme - Eligible Actions

1. Within the HiPERB framework, a Programme of Bilateral Economic Cooperation for the Republic of Bulgaria shall be established by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Hellenic Republic for the period 2002-2006, based upon priorities defined in common and agreed upon between the two Parties. The Programme aims at defining, by order' of priority, the long-term objectives and the sectors in need of intervention. The Programme shall be evaluated by the HiPERB Monitoring Committee, approved by the Greek Minister for Foreign Affairs and may be reviewed, if so requested.

2. On the basis of the above Programme, an Annual Action Programme shall be established. In the Annual Action Programme, the objectives, the sectors of intervention and the allocated budget shall be clearly defined. These programmes shall include a detailed list of projects or activities to be financed and their corresponding costs.

3. The Programme, according to the vertical classification of the Bilateral Development Assistance (per sector of destination), may grant aid to the following sectors, on condition that the HiPERB objectives be served:

social infrastructure and social services i.e. activities aiming at the development of living standards and human resources of Bulgaria

economic infrastructure and services i.e. activities aiming at the development of networks, infrastructure and services, which shall foster economic activity production sectors i.e. activities that contribute to the whole range of productive sectors horizontal projects i.e. programmes that shall coverjnore than one sector

Article A2 Financial Resources

1. For the period 2002-2006 the total budget available for the Republic of Bulgaria is € 54.29 million, in 2002 prices.

2. Twenty percent (20%) of the above funds shall be allocated for the purpose of private productive investments. The relevant Hellenic authorities will, upon application from private enterprises, decide on the inclusion and financing of private investments according to procedures defined in Greek national legislation.

3. One percent (1%) of the above funds shall be put at the disposal of the Greek Embassy in Sofia for establishing a Small Projects Fund. This Fund may, in particular, provide support to small and mainly technical projects, of an emergency nature and with direct impact on the local society, at a cost not exceeding € 50.000. The allocation of resources shall be approved by the Head of the Greek Embassy in Sofia, who shall retain responsibility for the evaluation of priorities and the monitoring of the implementation of the actions as well as for reporting to the HiPERB Monitoring Committee in the framework of the Annual Reports as provided in Article All of the present document.

4. With the consent of both parties the allocation of the above funds can be reviewed in order to ensure a more efficient fulfillment of the Agreement's objectives.

RULES AND PROCEDURES

Article A3 Definitions

Instruments for the implementation of the present Programme shall be the following:

a) The HiPERB Monitoring Committee: the instrument responsible for the monitoring and evaluation of the HiPERB. The Secretary General for International Economic Relations of the Greek Ministry of Economy and Finance chairs the Committee. Members of this Committee are the Secretary Generals of the following Greek Ministries: Investment and Development of the Ministry of National Economy, Ministry of Foreign Affairs', Ministry of Development, Ministry of Environment, Ministry of Spatial Planning and Public Works, Ministry of Transport and Ministry of Macedonia-Thrace.

b) The Secretariat to the HiPERB Monitoring Committee (hereinafter the Secretariat): the supporting mechanism to the Monitoring Committee, set up by officials of the central office of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and of the regional office of International Relations of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Thessaloniki.

c) The National Coordinator of the Programme of Bilateral Economic Cooperation (hereinafter National Coordinator): a high official of the public administration of the Republic of Bulgaria, proposed by the Republic of Bulgaria as its official representative and approved by the Hellenic Republic in order to ensure the overall coordination and transparency regarding the use of HiPERB funds and appropriate financial management.

d) The Joint Management Committee: a joint committee set up in arrangement between the Hellenic Republic and the Republic of Bulgaria under the chairmanship of the representative of the competent office of the Greek Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the National Coordinator of the Republic of Bulgaria. In this Committee, also participate representatives of Greek Ministries who participate in the HiPERB Monitoring Committee and representatives of the competent authorities of the Republic of Bulgaria (National Coordinator, Ministry of Public Works and/or line ministries, regional and local authorities responsible for the implementation of the projects) as well as desk managets of each partner country to the HiPERB Monitoring Committee. The Joint Management Committee reports to the HiPERB Monitoring Committee.

e) The Special Account: a single interest-bearing account in a commercial bank with presence in the Republic of Bulgaria denominated in Euro, to which the Hellenic Republic transfers the resources of the Programme following a specific request by the National Coordinator with the indication 'Five year Development Cooperation Program'

Article A4 Joint Management Committee

The Joint Management Committee, as provided in Article A3 § d of the present document, shall be responsible for the application, the management and the implementation of the Development P". gramme and more specifically:

a) the implementation and the physical and economic progress of the approved works of the Programme and related technical matters which eventually concern the Development Programme as well as the provision of related information to the HiPERB Monitoring Committee,

ΦΕΚ 11

b) the examination of Progress Reports of the Development Programme and the approval of Annual Reports before these are submitted to the HiPERB Monitoring Committee. The Annual Report shall include an Annex concerning the inflow of private productive investments in the Republic of Bulgaria under the terms of this Agreement

c) the application of guidelines and decisions of the HiPERB Monitoring Committee,

d) the proposals submitted to the HiPERB Monitoring Committee regarding the necessity of applying appropriate measures

Article A5

Approval of Projects - Selection Criteria ofprojects /activities

1. The official project proposals shall be submitted by the National Coordinator on the basis of a standard 'Application Form'. The projects must be of a sufficient scale with a significant impact on the priority areas. The total cost of a project shall, in principle, be no less than € 150,000. Exceptionally, the total cost of a project may be less than € 150,000.

2. The official project proposal shall include the following information:

the body responsible for the implementation of the project the nature of the investment and a description thereof

the estimated cost and location of the project including, where applicable, a reference to projects of common interest

an indicative timetable of the implementation of the project

where appropriate, a cost-benefit analysis including the direct effects on employment and an assessment of the environmental impact information on public contract rules

the financing plan including, where possible, indications about the economic sustainability of the project and

the total financing the Republic of Bulgaria is seeking from the Programme.

compatibility and correlation of the projects with European Community policies and with

eventual other complemented financial assistance

all relevant information, proving that the projects comply with selection criteria provided in the present document, and in particular that the medium term economic and social benefits be commensurate with the resources deployed.

3. In order to ensure the high quality of the projects, the following selection criteria shall be used in the appraisal of the official project proposals:

compatibility with the priorities set out in arrangement with the Republic of Bulgaria (nature and type of project),

feasibility and economic viability of the projects,

contribution of projects to the implementation of European Community policies, soundness of project (soundness of physical object and operability of the project), ensuring financing (from the same or other Programmes or other sources of funding) for other projects with synergy or complementary effects to the said projects, maturity of necessary tendering conditions

The above selection criteria shall be subject to further specification by the HiPERB Monitoring

Committee.

4. The HiPERB Monitoring Committee shall make recommendations to the Greek Minister for Foreign Affairs on the grant of assistance under the Programme, provided that the conditions

contained in this article are met, within three months from the day of receipt of the relevant official project proposal.

Article A6

Financial Provisions - Expenditure Eligibility

Expenditure shall be eligible for support from the date of the relative approval decision by the HiPERB Monitoring Committee.

The final date for eligibility of expenditure shall be the 31.12.2006. Payment claims may be submitted until 30.06.2007.

The expenditure eligibility of individual Projects and activities is defined in the DAC Guidelines.

Expenditure for the purchase of land or buildings or eventual land expropriations shall not - in any way - be eligible for support under this Programme.

Article A7 Contracting Procedures

The procedures for the tendering and contracting of services, procurement and project contracts, financed under the HiPERB, shall be made according to the procedures of European Community Programmes Phare and ISPA.

The calls for tender, the contract awarding and the signing of contracts shall be carried out by Awarding Authorities of the Republic of Bulgaria.

Article A8 Commitments

The HiPERB budgetary commitments shall be made on the basis of decisions of the Minister for Foreign Affairs of the Hellenic Republic, by which the related actions project, stage of project, group of projects, studies, or technical support measures are approved. The commitments shall be valid for a period, the duration of which depends on the nature and the special conditions for the implementation of the action.

Article A9 Payments

1. The payment of financial support shall be made according to the commitments in the budget of the Bilateral Economic Cooperation Programme and shall be transferred to the HiPERB National Coordinator of the Republic of Bulgaria. The payments may take the form of advance payments or intermediate payments or payments of the final balance.

2. Payments shall be made as follows:

a) an advance payment which may reach 20% of the budget and shall be paid following the issue of a financing decision

b) intermediate payments may be transferred on condition that the project progresses satisfactorily towards its completion and that at least two thirds of the expenditure, which corresponds to the previous payment, has been realised

c) the total amount of the payments made under a) and b) may not exceed 80% of the total assistance granted. For significant projects and in duly justified cases the percentage may be increased up to 90%

d) the balance of Greek assistance shall be paid provided that:

the project, or stage of project or group of projects has been carried out according to its objectives,

the HiPERB National Coordinator has submitted to the HiPERB Monitoring Committee an application for payment within six months from the physical completion of the project or the stage of projects,

- the Final Report, referred to in Article All § 2, has been submitted to the HiPERB Monitoring Committee,

the Republic of Bulgaria has sent to the HiPERB Monitoring Committee a declaration certifying that the information given in the application for payment is correct.

3. The Authorising Officer of the Special Account for the Republic of Bulgaria shall be the HiPERB National Coordinator who is also responsible for the issue of certificates referred to in §2, points b) and d). Applications for payments shall be sent twice a year and shall be accompanied by standard semester Monitoring fiches.

4. Payments shall be transferred on a six-month basis to the National HiPERB Coordinator of the . Republic of Bulgaria, two months, the latest, after receipt of an acceptable application for

payment. The payments for each project and each final beneficiary of the Republic of Bulgaria shall be deposited in the Special Account, through which all payments of works shall be realised and eventual revenues (interests etc) shall be deposited.

5. The payment orders shall be accompanied by a certificate of execution of the physical object which shall be assessed following an on the site control.

6. Interest generated by the Special Account shall cover various needs of the Programme.

Article A10 Monitoring and Evaluation

1. The HiPERB National Coordinator shall have overall responsibility for the monitoring of the Programme in the Republic of Bulgaria.

2. The Hellenic Republic and the Republic of Bulgaria shall ensure that the execution of works inside the HiPERB framework be subject to monitoring and evaluation.

3. In order to ensure the efficiency of the financial support, the Hellenic Republic and the Republic of Bulgaria shall proceed to systematic assessment and evaluation of the programmes.

4 During the execution of the projects and following their completion the Hellenic Republic and the Republic of Bulgaria shall proceed to an evaluation of their execution and the impact of their implementation so as to assess whether the foreseen targets already have, or may be, achieved. This assessment includes, inter alia, the environmental impact of the projects, according to the European Community rules.

5. During the examination of individual requests for grant support, the Hellenic Republic shall take into account the results of the assessment and evaluation realised according to the provisions of the present article.

6. Monitoring shall be ensured through the reports set up according to article All.

7. The National HiPERB Coordinator shall send a report on the progress achieved (Annual Report), three months before the end of each full implementation year. The Final Report shall be submitted, at the latest, 6 months after the final expenditure eligibility date,

8. On the basis of monitoring results.and'taking mto account the comments of the HiPERB Monitoring Committee, following^proposaljby/the Republic of Bulgaria, the amount and the conditions of the financial assistance, as initially approved, as well as the financing plan of the said assistance may be adjusted/

9. In order to increase the HiPERB's effectiveness, particular attention shall be given management transparency.

10. The application for assistance submitted by the Republic of Bulgaria shall be examined by the HiPERB Monitoring Committee in order, particularly, to verify that the administrative and financial mechanisms are adequate for the effective implementation of the projects.

11. The HiPERB Monitoring Committee shall assess the projects in order to determine their anticipated impact in terms of the HiPERB objectives", which are defined on the basis of appropriate quantified indicators. The Republic of Bulgaria shall provide all necessary information referredto to in Article A9 § 3, including the results of the feasibility studies and the ex-ante appraisals. In order to make this assessment as effective as possible, the Republic of Bulgaria shall also provide the results of the environmental impact assessment, when appropriate, and eventually an indication of alternatives as well as coordination possibilities with other projects of common interest in the same intervention area.

Article All Reports

Within the monitoring framework, reports that are carried out, include the following information:

a) significant socio- economic developments, or modification in of national, regional or sector policies,

b) the progress of implementation or the HiPERB priorities and measures, proceeding to a quantified definition of the material indicators of their result and impact

c) the financial execution of projects with a list of overall expenditure paid by the Hellenic Republic and quantified definition of financial indicators,

d) measures taken by the HiPERB Monitoring Committee to ensure the quality and effectiveness of implementation,

e) measures taken to ensure compatibility with European Community policies

The reports that shall be submitted to the HiPERB Monitoring Committee are the following:

1. Annual Reports, submitted three months before the end of each full calendar year of implementation, which include the following information:

a) a description of the projects undertaken, accompanied by physical indicators, expenditure per category of projects and, eventually, the measures taken as regards the specific clauses contained in the decision to grant assistance

b) information related to all publicity actions

c) certification of the conformity of the project to the decision granting assistance

d) a first assessment of the extent, to which the expected result have been achieved, mcluding notably: ·

the effective date of implementation of the project ,

the way in which the project shall be managed once completed

a confirmation, eventually, of financial forecasts, particularly regarding operating costs and expected revenues

corifirmation of socio-economic forecasts, especially the expected.costs and benefits indication of measures taken to ensure environmental protection and of their cost.

2. Final Report submitted six months/at the latek,'after the final expenditure eligibility date, which includes information on the following:

a) financial assistance committed and paid by the Hellenic Republic to the Republic of Bulgaria by category of projects of supported sectors

b) The HiPERB's socio-economic impact in the Republic of Bulgaria, including its impact on the employment sector

c) a summary on the mformation concerning the programmes implemented in the Republic of Bulgaria

d) the HiPERB's contribution to the efforts of the Republic of Bulgaria as regards the application of policies in the supported sectors

e) information on 'measures taken to ensure coordination and coherence among projects financed under the HiPERB, the investment efforts of the Republic of Bulgaria in the supported sectors, the undertaken preparatory studies, the results of appraisal, monitoring and evaluation of projects and information on any adjustment of projects, in conformity with the said results

f) summary information on the results of controls carried out, the irregularities found, and the administrative or judicial proceedings in progress

The Annual Report is submitted before the HiPERB Monitoring Committee and is examined and approved by the Joint Management Committee.

If, within two months after receipt of the Annual Report, the HiPERB Monitoring Committee does not send justified declaration of insufficiency of this report, the said report shall be considered acceptable. In the case of the Final Report this period is of five months.

Article A12 Control

The Republic of Bulgaria shall establish, in the framework of its national legislation, the mechanisms of financial control inform the Hellenic Republic accordingly and communicate information to the HiPERB Monitoring Committee and to the Hellenic Republic on the range, timetable and conclusions of the controls as regards projects financed under the HiPERB.

The HiPERB Monitoring Committee reserves its right to carry out, through the Secretariat or independent experts, in cooperation with the national control mechanisms of the Republic of Bulgaria:

on the spot monitoring visits to final beneficiaries and to projects in progress

verification controls with the form of financial audit

In case of assessed irregularities as regards the information provided by the Final Beneficiary, through the reports or the applications for payment, the HiPERB Monitoring Committee may decide to proceed to corrective measures regarding the Final Beneficiary. In case corrective measures fail to

apply properly, mis may lead the HiPERB.. Monitoring Committee to reduce, suspend and/or cancel existence. Any reduction or cancellation of the assistance is to give rise to recovery of the sums paid. The size of correction shall be determined by the Greek side whilst the HiPERB National Coordinator shall be responsible for the coordination of the procedure to offset or recover sums paid.

Article A13 Publicity and Information

The Republic of Bulgaria shall ensure that adequate publicity is given for projects financed under the HiPERB and, particularly, shall inform: ^-^"7 JT^T"' >.

potential Final Beneficiaries for the'possibilities^f co^fmancing,

the general public, as regards*me^:role played by the Hellenic Republic in relation with the said-projects and the results produced by them

The responsibility of informing the general public about the projects shall be borne by the competent final beneficiaries of the projects, who shall publicise the content of actions and inform thereof the mass media (press, radio, television) in the most appropriate manner (press release, articles, websites, leaflets, brochures etc).

The information and publicity measures, as regards public opinion, shall include the following elements: ' .

the setting of billboards on construction sites - .the setting of permanent commemorative plaques of infrastructures accessible to the general

public

Billboards and commemorative plaques shall include the Greek national emblem and an indication of the financial participation of the Hellenic Republic. Iir-'the case of publications (invitations, communications etc), the participation of the Hellenic Republic shall be clearly indicated. Any communication regarding the granting of assistance to beneficiaries from the competent authorities shall mention the sum or the percentage of the Greek participation. A visible indication of the Greek participation as well as the Greek emblem shall be contained in the other information material (leaflets, printed material, information bulletins etc).

The Republic of Bulgaria' shall inform the HiPERB Monitoring Committee, through the Annual Reports, on the initiatives undertaken in order to ensure the publicity of the works co-financed under HiPERB.

Article A14 Use of Euro

1. The financing plan, the requests for support, the expenditure declarations, applications for . payments and disbursement shall be expressed in Euro.

2. The payments of financial support transferred by the Greek side shall be expressed in Euro.

3. The conversion rate to be used shall be the one published by the European Central Bank on the date the declaration of expenditures is registered in the accounting documents of the authorities competent for the financial management of the project / Programme. In case this information is not available, the conversion rate to be used shall be the one published by the Financial Times of London the first working day of the month during which the declaration of expenditures is registered in the accounting documents of the responsible authorities for the financial

management of the project / Programme. In case this information is not available the conversion rate shall be decided in arrangement with the International Monetary Fund.

Article A15 Final Provisions

1. The Programme shall enter into force upon the entry into force of the Agreement on a five year Development Cooperation Programme by both sides and remain into force until the last payment of the last year of the Programme.

2. Reports referred to in Article All as well as documents exchanged between the Parties will be written in the English language.

3. Any amendments to the present Annex shall be made in accordance with Article 10 of the Agreement

ΣΥΜΦΩΝΙΑ ΓΙΑ ΠΕΝΤΑΕΤΕΣ ΠΡΟΓΡΑΜΜΑ ΑΝΑΠΤΥΞΙΑΚΗΣ ΣΥΝΕΡΓΑΣΙΑΣ

2002 - 2006

μεταξύ

ΤΗΣ ΚΥΒΕΡΝΗΣΗΣ ΤΗΣ ΕΛΛΗΝΙΚΗΣ ΔΗΜΟΚΡΑΤΙΑΣ και

ΤΗΣ ΚΥΒΕΡΝΗΣΗΣ ΤΗΣ ΔΗΜΟΚΡΑΤΙΑΣ ΤΗΣ ΒΟΥΛΓΑΡΙΑΣ

Η Κυβέρνηση της Ελληνικής Δημοκρατίας και η Κυβέρνηση της Δημοκρατίας της Βουλγαρίας οι οποίες κατωτέρω χάριν συντομίας ονομάζονται «οι Συμβαλλόμενοι», Λαμβάνοντας υπόψη τις κατευθυντήριες γραμμές τις Επιτροπής Αναπτυξιακής Βοήθειας (ΕΑΒ) του ΟΟΣΑ, Αναφερόμενοι στη σχέση συνεργασίας μεταξύ της Ευρωπαϊκής Ένωσης και των κρατών της περιοχής καθώς και τις υφιστάμενες συμφωνίες πλαίσιο, Επιβεβαιώνοντας τις προσπάθειες της Διεθνούς Κοινότητας στην περιοχή,

Σημειώνοντας ότι η Ελληνική Δημοκρατία έχει διαμορφώσει και είναι έτοιμη να εφαρμόσει πενταετές συνολικό αναπτυξιακό σχέδιο, το οποίο, συμπληρούμενο από διεθνείς οργανισμούς, χρηματοοικονομικά ιδρύματα και άλλους διμερείς δωρητές, αποσκοπεί στην ανασυγκρότηση και την μετάβαση των ληπτριών Βαλκανικών χωρών προς αμοιβαία συμπεφωνημένους αναπτυξιακούς στόχους, Επαναλαμβάνοντας την σπουδαιότητα μιας προσέγγισης με την μορφή της περιφερειακής ανάπτυξης η οποία έχει ως σκοπό την συνεισφορά στην ειρήνη, την ασφάλεια, την ευημερία και την σταθερότητα στην περιοχή,

Έχοντας υπόψη ότι η Ελληνική Δημοκρατία και η Δημοκρατία της Βουλγαρίας έχουν έντονο ενδιαφέρον να συνάψουν προωθημένη συμβατική σχέση βασιζόμενη στην συνεργασία και τη διαφάνεια, σε συνδυασμό με το πρόγραμμα αναπτυξιακής βοήθειας, (και επίσης) ότι οι αντικειμενικοί σκοποί του παρόντος προγράμματος αποβλέπουν στην συνεισφορά στην οικονομική ανάπτυξη και τον Ευρωπαϊκό προσανατολισμό της Δημοκρατίας της Βουλγαρίας,

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