Council Decision of 20 December 2000 on a multiannual programme for enterprise and entrepreneurship, and in particular for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) (2001-2005) (2000/819/EC)

Article 1 U.K.

A programme for Community policy for enterprise and entrepreneurship, in particular for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), hereinafter referred to as ‘this programme’, is hereby adopted for a period of five years from 1 January 2001.

Article 2 U.K.

1. This programme shall have the following objectives:

(a) to enhance the growth and competitiveness of business in a knowledge-based internationalised economy;

(b) to promote entrepreneurship;

(c) to simplify and improve the administrative and regulatory framework for business so that research, innovation and business creation in particular can flourish;

(d) to improve the financial environment for business, especially SMEs;

(e) to give business easier access to Community support services, programmes and networks and to improve the coordination of these facilities.

2. These objectives shall be implemented mainly via the areas of action described in Annex I.

3. Furthermore, by its very nature, this programme shall be used as a means of progressing towards the objectives set by the European Charter for Small Enterprises.

Article 3 U.K.

1. The Commission shall be assisted by the Enterprise Programme Management Committee, (hereinafter referred to as the ‘Committee’).

2. Where reference is made to this paragraph, Articles 4 and 7 of Decision 1999/468/EC shall apply.

The period laid down in Article 4(3) of Decision 1999/468/EC shall be set at three months.

3. The Committee shall adopt its Rules of Procedure.

Article 4 U.K.

1. The measures and actions necessary for implementing this programme relating to the matters referred to below shall be adopted in accordance with the management procedure referred to in Article 3(2):

• the annual working programme and the corresponding budget allocations;

• the criteria and content of invitations to tender exceeding EUR 100 000;

• the performance indicators for evaluating the actions needed to achieve the objectives set out in Article 2.

2. The Committee shall, moreover, be kept regularly informed of any other question concerning this programme, in particular of the annual implementation report and the evaluation reports mentioned in Article 5(1).

Article 5 U.K.

[F1 1. The Commission shall submit to the European Parliament and to the Council an annual report on the implementation of the financial instruments of this programme for 2004 as well as a similar end report for 2005 (the final year).]

2. These reports shall examine whether the objectives of this programme have been achieved. They shall undertake a cost-benefit analysis of the measures and actions implemented, particularly on the basis of the performance indicators referred to in the third indent of Article 4(1).

Textual Amendments

F1 Substituted by Decision No 593/2004/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 21 July 2004 amending Council Decision 2000/819/EC on a multiannual programme for enterprise and entrepreneurship, and in particular for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) (2001-2005) (Text with EEA relevance).

Article 6 U.K.

This programme shall be open to the participation of:

• the EFTA/EEA countries in accordance with the conditions established in the EEA agreement;

• the associated central and eastern European countries (CEEC) in accordance with the conditions established in the Europe Agreements, in the additional protocols thereto and in the decisions of the respective Association Councils;

• [F2 . . . . .]

• [F2 Malta and ]Turkey, funded by additional appropriations, in accordance with the provisions of the Treaty;

• other countries, when agreements and procedures so allow.

Textual Amendments

F2 Deleted by Act concerning the conditions of accession of the Czech Republic, the Republic of Estonia, the Republic of Cyprus, the Republic of Latvia, the Republic of Lithuania, the Republic of Hungary, the Republic of Malta, the Republic of Poland, the Republic of Slovenia and the Slovak Republic and the adjustments to the Treaties on which the European Union is founded.

Article 7 U.K.

1. The financial reference amount for the implementation of this programme shall be [F3 EUR 538 500 000].

2. The annual appropriations shall be authorised by the budgetary authority within the limits of the financial perspective.

Textual Amendments

F3 Substituted by Decision No 1776/2005/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 28 September 2005 amending Council Decision 2000/819/EC on a multiannual programme for enterprise and entrepreneurship, and in particular for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) (2001 to 2005) (Text with EEA relevance).

Article 8 U.K.

This Decision shall take effect on 1 January 2001 and shall cover the period to [F3 31 December 2006].

Textual Amendments

F3 Substituted by Decision No 1776/2005/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 28 September 2005 amending Council Decision 2000/819/EC on a multiannual programme for enterprise and entrepreneurship, and in particular for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) (2001 to 2005) (Text with EEA relevance).

Article 9 U.K.

This Decision is addressed to the Member States.