Participation in the Programme shall be open to:

1. (a)

   the countries of the European Free Trade Association participating in the European Economic Area, in accordance with the conditions established in the Agreement on the European Economic Area;

2. (b)

   third countries, in particular acceding and candidate countries as well as potential candidates, and countries to which the European Neighbourhood Policy applies, in accordance with the general principles and general terms and conditions for their participation in Union programmes established in the respective Framework Agreements, Association Council Decisions or similar agreements.