52000PC0416

Proposal for a COUNCIL DECISION concerning the conclusion of an agreement between the Community and Malta adopting the terms and conditions for the participation of Malta in Community programmes in the fields of training, education and youth

(presented by the Commission)

EXPLANATORY MEMORANDUM

The Helsinki European Council of December 1999 confirmed the enlargement process launched at its meeting of December 1997 in Luxembourg. The enhanced Pre-Accession Strategy defined in 1997 has been reiterated, which includes the participation of the 13 candidate States in Community programmes as an important part of such strategy.

In the case of the training, education and youth programmes, the participation of Malta was already foreseen in the decisions establishing the first phase of the Leonardo da Vinci and Socrates programmes, and in the decision establishing the Youth for Europe programme. This participation did not take place, due to the decision of the Maltese Government formed in the wake of the October 1996 elections to put Malta's application for EU membership on ice. The Leonardo da Vinci, Socrates and Youth for Europe programmes expired on 31 December 1999.

The second phase of Leonardo da Vinci, the second phase of Socrates, and a new Youth programme, are succeeding the previous programmes. Now Malta has rejoined the pre-accession strategy (see Council Regulation (EC) No 555/2000 of 13 March 2000), and the decisions establishing these new programmes provide that the programmes shall be open to the participation of Malta.

As the participation of Malta in Community programmes is not provided in its Association Agreement, the conditions and modalities of its participation are to be defined in an agreement with the Community. The competent departments of the Commission conducted negotiations with Malta on the basis of the Directives adopted by the Council on 14 February 2000.

Malta has confirmed its willingness to participate in the second phase of Leonardo da Vinci, and the second phase of Socrates as from 2000, and in the Youth programme from 2001, and to pay its financial contribution partly from its national budget, and partly from the pre-accession funds. Due to the late availability of the pre-accession funds (Council Regulation on the implementation of operations in the framework of the pre-accession strategy for the Republic of Cyprus and the Republic of Malta having only been adopted on 13 March 2000), Malta will pay its contribution to Socrates and Leonardo da Vinci in 2000 entirely from its national budget. For the following years, it will use partly the pre-accession funds. As provided in the conclusions of the meeting of the European Council in Luxemburg of 12 and 13 December 1997, the part of its financial contribution coming from its national budget will be steadily increasing from 2001 to 2006.

The main issues addressed in the proposed Agreement, initialled on 16 June 2000, are the following :

* Projects and initiatives submitted by participants from Malta shall be subject to the same conditions, rules and procedures pertaining to these programmes as are applied to Member States, regarding in particular the submission, assessment, and selection of applications and projects, the responsibilities of the national structures in the implementation of the programmes, and the activities related to the monitoring of their participation in the programmes ;

* Malta will pay each year a contribution to the programmes, as established in the Agreement. This contribution will not be reimbursed to Malta if, at the end of the year, the results fall short of the contribution paid ;

* By analogy with the guidelines laid down by the Luxembourg European Council in respect of the other applicant countries, Malta will be invited to attend the Programme Committees as observer, for the points which concern it ;

* The Agreement will apply for the duration of the Leonardo da Vinci II and Socrates II programmes starting on 1 January 2000 and, in the case of the Youth programme, from 1 January 2001 to the end of the programme.

Because of the transnational nature of these programmes, it is in the interests of all Parties that the agreement enter into force by theAutumn, so that projects involving Malta which have already been submitted can be taken into account in the selection process.

The early adoption of the Agreement would allow Malta to participate in the second phase of the Leonardo da Vinci and Socrates programmes as of its beginning, and to be fully integrated in Community networks and other activities in the fields of vocational training, education and youth.

Accordingly, the Council is invited to adopt the annexed proposal for a Decision concerning the conclusion of the Agreement as soon as possible and to notify the Maltese authorities that the procedures necessary for the entry into force of the Agreement have been completed on behalf of the European Community.

2000/0176 (CNS)

Proposal for a COUNCIL DECISION concerning the conclusion of an agreement between the Community and Malta adopting the terms and conditions for the participation of Malta in Community programmes in the fields of training, education and youth

THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION,

Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Community, and in particular Articles 149 and 150, in conjunction with Article 300(2) and the first sub-paragraph of Article 300(3) thereof,

Having regard to the proposal from the Commission [1],

[1] OJ C ...,..., p....

Having regard to the opinion of the European Parliament [2],

[2] OJ C ...,..., p....

Whereas:

(1) The participation of Malta in Community programmes is an important element of the pre-accession strategy for Malta as set out in the Council Regulation (EC) No 555/2000 of 13 March 2000 on the implementation of operations in the framework of the pre-accession strategy for the Republic of Cyprus and the Republic of Malta [3].

[3] OJ L 68, 16.3.2000 p.3.

(2) Council Decision (1999/382/EC) of 26 April 1999 establishing the second phase of the Community vocational training action programme "Leonardo da Vinci" [4], and in particular Article 10 thereof, Decision (253/2000/EC) of 24 January 2000 of the European Parliament and the Council establishing the second phase of the Community action programme in the field of education "Socrates" [5], and in particular Article 12 thereof, and Decision (1031/2000/EC) of 13 April 2000 of the European Parliament and the Council establishing the "Youth" Community action programme [6], and in particular Article 11 thereof, provide that these programmes shall be open to the participation of Malta.

[4] OJ L 146, 11.6.1999, p. 33.

[5] OJ L 28, 3.2.2000, p.1.

[6] OJ L 117, 18.5. 2000, p.1.

(3) In conformity with the negotiating guidelines adopted by the Council on 14 February 2000, the Commission has negotiated, on behalf of the European Community, an agreement to enable Malta to participate in these programmes.

(4) This Agreement should be approved,

HAS DECIDED AS FOLLOWS:

Article 1

The Agreement between the European Community and Malta adopting the terms and conditions for the participation of Malta in Community programmes in the fields of training, education and youth is hereby approved on behalf of the European Community.

The text of the Agreement is attached to this Decision.

Article 2

The President of the Council is hereby authorised to appoint the person(s) empowered to sign the Agreement in order to bind the Community.

Article 3

The President of the Council shall, on behalf of the Community, give the notifications provided for in Article 4 of the Agreement.

Article 4

This Decision shall be published in the Official Journal of the European Communities.

Done at Brussels,

For the Council

The President

DRAFT AGREEMENT between the European Community and Malta

adopting the terms and conditions for the participation of Malta in Community programmes in the fields of training, education and youth

THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITY,

of the one part, and

MALTA,

of the other part,

Whereas :

(1) Council Decision (1999/382/EC) of 26 April 1999 establishing the second phase of the Community vocational training action programme "Leonardo da Vinci" [7], and in particular Article10 thereof, and Decision (253/2000/EC) of 24 January 2000 of the European Parliament and the Council establishing the second phase of the Community action programme in the field of education "Socrates" [8], and in particular Article 12 thereof, and Decision (1031/2000/EC) of 13 April 2000 of the European Parliament and the Council establishing the "Youth" Community action programme [9], and in particular Article 11 thereof, provide that these programmes shall be open to the participation of Malta.

[7] OJ L 146, 11.06.0999, p. 33.

[8] OJ L 28, 3.2.2000, p.1.

[9] OJ L 117, 18.5.2000, p. 1.

(2) Malta has expressed the wish to participate in these programmes.

(3) The participation of Malta in these programmes constitutes a significant step in the pre-accession strategy of Malta as set out in the Council Regulation (EC) No 555/2000 of 13 March 2000 on the implementation of operations in the framework of the pre-accession strategy for the Republic of Cyprus and the Republic of Malta [10],

[10] OJ L 68, 16.3.2000 p.3.

HAVE AGREED AS FOLLOWS:

Article 1

Malta shall participate, from 2000, in the second phase of the European Community programmes Leonardo da Vinci and Socrates ("Leonardo da Vinci II" and "Socrates II") and, from 2001, in the "Youth" Community action programme ("Youth") according to the terms and conditions set out in Annexes I and II which shall form an integral part of this Agreement.

Article 2

This Agreement shall apply for the duration of Leonardo da Vinci II and Socrates II, starting on 1 January 2000 and, in the case of Youth, from 1 January 2001 to the end of the programme.

Article 3

This Agreement shall apply, on the one hand, to the territories in which the Treaty establishing the European Community is applied and under the conditions laid down in that Treaty and, on the other, to the territory of Malta.

Article 4

This Agreement shall enter into force on the day of the notification by the Contracting Parties of the completion of their respective procedures.

Article 5

This Agreement is drawn up in duplicate in the Danish, Dutch, English, French, Finnish, German, Greek, Italian, Portuguese, Spanish and Swedish languages, each of these texts being equally authentic.

Done at Brussels,

For the European Community

For Malta

ANNEX I Terms and conditions for the participation of Malta in Leonardo da Vinci II, Socrates II and Youth

1. Malta will participate in Leonardo da Vinci II, Socrates II and Youth ("the Programmes") in conformity, unless otherwise provided in this Agreement, with the objectives, criteria, procedures and deadlines as defined in Council Decision (1999/382/EC) of 26 April 1999, Decision (253/2000/EC) of 24 January 2000 of the European Parliament and of the Council, and Decision (1031/2000/EC) of 13 April 2000 of the European Parliament and of the Council establishing these Community action programmes. It will participate in all the activities of the Programmes, with the exception of certain activities within Youth which are devoted to cooperation with third countries which are not full participants in that programme.

2. In conformity with the terms of respective Articles 5 of the Decisions on Leonardo da Vinci II, Socrates II and Youth, and with the provisions relating to the responsibilities of the Member States and of the Commission of the European Communities concerning the Leonardo da Vinci, Socrates and Youth National Agencies adopted by the Commission, Malta shall establish the appropriate structures for the coordinated management of the implementation of the programme actions at national level and take the measures needed to ensure the adequate funding of these Agencies, which will receive programme grants for their activities. Malta will take all other necessary steps for the efficient running of the Programmes at national level.

3. To participate in the Programmes, Malta will pay each year a contribution to the general budget of the European Union according to the modalities described in Annex II.

If necessary in order to take into account programme developments, or the evolution of Malta's absorption capacity, the Association Council is entitled to adapt this contribution, so as to avoid budgetary imbalance in the implementation of the programmes.

4. The terms and conditions for the submission, assessment and selection of applications related to eligible institutions, organisations and individuals of Malta will be the same as those applicable to eligible institutions, organisations and individuals of the Community.

Maltese experts may be taken into consideration by the Commission when appointing independent experts according to the relevant provisions of the decisions establishing the programmes to assist it in the project evaluation.

5. With a view to ensuring the Community dimension of the Programmes, to be eligible for Community financial support, projects and activities will have to include at least a partner from one of the Member States of the Community.

6. For the mobility activities referred to in Annex I, section III.1 of the Leonardo da Vinci II decision, and for the actions to be managed on a decentralised basis within Socrates and Youth, as well as for financial support to the activities of the National Agencies set up in accordance with point 2 above, funds will be allocated to Malta on the basis of the annual programme budget breakdown decided at Community level and Malta's contribution to the programme. The maximum amount of financial support to the activities of the National Agencies will not exceed 50 % of the budget for the National Agencies' work programmes.

7. The Member States of the Community and Malta will make every effort, within the framework of existing provisions, to facilitate the free movement and residence of students, teachers, trainees, trainers, university administrators, young people and other eligible persons moving between Malta and the Member States of the Community for the purpose of participating in activities covered by this Agreement.

8. Activities covered by this Agreement shall be exempt from imposition by Malta of indirect taxes, customs duties, prohibitions and restrictions on imports and exports in respect of goods and services intended for use under such activities.

9. Without prejudice to the responsibilities of the Commission of the European Communities and the Court of Auditors of the European Communities in relation to the monitoring and evaluation of the programmes pursuant to the decisions concerning Leonardo da Vinci II, Socrates II and Youth (Articles 13, 14 and 13 respectively), the participation of Malta in the programmes will be continuously monitored on a partnership basis involving the Commission of the European Communities and Malta. Malta will submit to the Commission relevant reports and take part in other specific activities set out by the Community in that context.

10. In conformity with the Community's financial regulations, contractual arrangements concluded with, or by, entities of Malta shall provide for controls and audits to be carried out by, or under the authority of, the Commission and the Court of Auditors. As far as financial audits are concerned, they may be carried out with the purpose of controlling such entities' income and expenditures, related to the contractual obligations towards the Community. In a spirit of cooperation and mutual interest, the relevant authorities of Malta shall provide any reasonable and feasible assistance as may be necessary or helpful under the circumstances to perform such controls and audits.

The provisions relating to the responsibilities of the Member States and of the Commission concerning the Leonardo da Vinci, Socrates and Youth National Agencies adopted by the Commission will apply to the relations between Malta, the Commission and the Maltese National Agencies. In the event of irregularity, negligence or fraud imputable to the Maltese National Agencies, the Maltese authorities shall be responsible for the funds not recovered.

11. Without prejudice to the procedures referred to in Article 7 of the Decision on Leonardo da Vinci II and respective Articles 8 of the Decisions on Socrates II and Youth, representatives of Malta will participate as observers in the Programme Committees, for the points which concern them. These committees shall meet without the presence of representatives of Malta for the rest of the points, as well as at the time of voting.

12. The language to be used in all contacts with the Commission, as regards the application process, contracts, reports to be submitted and other administrative arrangements for the programmes, will be one of the official languages of the Community.

13. The Community and Malta may terminate activities under this Agreement at any time upon twelve months' notice in writing. Projects and activities in progress at the time of termination shall continue until their completion under the conditions laid down in this Agreement.

ANNEX II Financial contribution of Malta to Leonardo da Vinci II, Socrates II and Youth

1. Leonardo da Vinci

The financial contribution to be paid by Malta to the budget of the European Union to participate in the Leonardo da Vinci II programme will be the following (in EUR) :

>TABLE POSITION>

2. Socrates

The financial contribution to be paid by Malta to the budget of the European Union to participate in the Socrates II programme will be the following (in EUR) :

>TABLE POSITION>

3. Youth

The financial contribution to be paid by Malta to the budget of the European Union to participate in theYouth programme will be the following (in EUR) :

>TABLE POSITION>

4. Malta will pay the contribution mentioned above entirely from the Maltese national budget in 2000, and for the following years partly from the Maltese national budget, and partly from Malta's pre-accession funds. Subject to a separate programming procedure within the framework of the Council Regulation on the implementation of the pre-accession strategy for the Republic of Cyprus and the Republic of Malta, the requested pre-accession funds will be transferred to Malta by means of a separate Financing Memorandum. Together with the part coming from Malta's State budget, these funds will constitute Malta's national contribution, out of which it will make payments in response to annual calls for funds from the Commission.

5. The pre-accession funds will be requested according to the following schedule :

- for the contribution to the Leonardo da Vinci II programme, the following yearly amounts (in EUR)

>TABLE POSITION>

- - for the contribution to the Socrates II programme, the following yearly amounts (in EUR)

>TABLE POSITION>

- - for the contribution to the Youth programme, the following yearly amounts (in EUR)

>TABLE POSITION>

The remaining part of the contribution of Malta will be covered from the Maltese State budget.

6. The financial regulation applicable to the general budget of the European Union will apply, notably to the management of the contribution of Malta.

Travel costs and subsistence costs incurred by representatives and experts of Malta for the purposes of taking part as observers in the work of the committees referred to in Annex I, Point 11 or other meetings related to the implementation of the Programmes shall be reimbursed by the Commission on the same basis as and in accordance with the procedures currently in force for nongovernmental experts of the Member States of the European Union.

7. After the entry into force of this Agreement and at the beginning of each following year, the Commission will send to Malta a call for funds corresponding to its contribution to each of the respective programmes under this Agreement.

This contribution shall be expressed in Euros and paid into an Euro bank account of the Commission.

Malta will pay its contribution according to the call for funds :

- by 1 May for the part financed from its national budget, provided that the call for funds is sent by the Commission before 1 April, or at the latest one month after the call for funds is sent if later ;

- by 1 May for the part financed from the pre-accession funds, provided that the corresponding amounts have been sent to Malta by this time, or at the latest in a period of 30 days after these funds have been sent to Malta.

Any delay in the payment of the contribution shall give rise to the payment of interest by Malta on the outstanding amount from the due date. The interest rate corresponds to the rate applied by the European Central Bank, on the due date, for its operations in EURO, increased by 1.5 percentage points.

FINANCIAL STATEMENT

1. Title of operation

Participation of Malta in Leonardo da Vinci, Socrates and Youth

2. Budget headings involved

B7-040 Pre-accession strategy for Malta 6091 Revenue accruing from the participation of candidate countries in Community programmes

3. Legal basis

Treaty establishing the European Community, and in particular Articles 149 and 150, in conjunction with Article 300 thereof ;

Council Decision (1999/382/EC) of 26 April 1999 establishing the second phase of the Leonardo da Vinci programme, and in particular Article 10 thereof;

Decision of the European Parliament and of the Council (253/2000/EC) of 24 January 2000 establishing the second phase of the Socrates programme, and in particular Article 12 thereof;

Decision of the European Parliament and of the Council (1031/2000/EC) of 13 April 2000 establishing the Youth programme, and in particular Article 11 thereof.

4. Description of operation

4.1 General objective

In line with the Commission communication "Agenda 2000" of 16.7.1997 and of the conclusions of the European Council in Luxemburg, the participation of the candidate countries in these programmes is part of the reinforced preaccession strategy which assist these countries in their preparation for future accession to the Union.

The decision-making process for the opening-up of programmes involves an agreement to be concluded between the Community and Malta.

This Agreement lays down conditions, notably as concerns Malta's financial contribution, and practical arrangements for participating in these programmes.

4.2 Period covered and arrangements for renewal

Until the end of the Community programmes concerned, i.e. 31.12.2006.

5. Classification of expenditure or revenue

5.1 Non-compulsory expenditure

5.2 Differentiated appropriations

5.3 Type of revenue involved

Malta will be invited to pay a contribution for participating in the programmes. Malta will contribute only part from its national budget. The remaining part of its contribution will be taken from the financial instrument devoted to the pre-accession strategy for Malta. The required pre-accession funds will be charged to heading B7-040, and transferred to Malta by means of a separate Financing Memorandum. Together with the part coming from Malta's State budget, these funds will constitute Malta's national contribution, out of which it will make payments in response to annual calls for funds from the Commission. The total contribution, once paid by Malta, will be transferred to item 6091 of the EU's budget receipts.

6. Type of expenditure or revenue

- 100% subsidy

- Subsidy for joint financing with other sources in the public and/or private sector

- No provision for all or part of the Community contribution to be reimbursed

- As far as revenue is concerned, provision for Malta's contribution to cover the cost of its participation is made under item 6091. The revenue will be allocated to the items for expenditure on the three programmes in question and, where appropriate, to the relevant items of operating expenditure. The total revenue expected is given under item 7.4.

7. Financial impact

7.1 Method of calculating total cost of operation (relation between individual and total costs)

The financial and budgetary arrangements for the three programmes concerned are as follows: the Malta's contribution takes into account two elements:

- the foreseeable operational costs, which have been calculated on the basis of the programme budgets, the country's estimated take-up capacity, and previous experience of the participation of the other candidate countries in the first generation of programmes,

- the foreseeable administrative costs, corresponding to the meetings and missions. These estimated administrative costs amount yearly to 24 000 EUR for Leonardo da Vinci, 50 000 EUR for Socrates, and 19 000 EUR for Youth.

- Malta will use part of its pre-accession funds as a complement to its state budget to finance its contribution to the operational costs.

7.2 Itemised breakdown of cost (in EUR).

>TABLE POSITION>

7.3 Operational expenditure for studies, experts etc. included in Part B of the budget

p.m.: in proportion to the appropriations of that kind in the EUR 15 allocations for Leonardo da Vinci, Socrates and Youth, and within the limits allowed by the part of the contribution which comes from the country's national budget.

7.4 Schedule of commitment and payment appropriations

Amounts to be charged to item B7-040

>TABLE POSITION>

The foreseeable annual receipts are as follows:

>TABLE POSITION>

8. Fraud prevention measures

All the Commission's contracts, agreements and other legal commitments provide for on-the-spot checks by the Commission and Court of Auditors. Among other things, the beneficiaries of the operations are obliged to file reports and financial statements. These are analysed from the point of view of their content and the eligibility of the expenditure in line with the objective of Community financing.

The anti-fraud provisions of the basic budget headings apply to this heading too when adapted to the case of Malta.

9. Elements of cost-effectiveness analysis

9.1 Specific and quantified objectives; target population

The aim of opening up the Leonardo da Vinci II, Socrates II and Youth programmes to Malta is to bring about similar benefits as for Member States of the Community. The essential aim of Community action on training, education and youth is to enable all European citizens to achieve their full potential and to display initiative and creativity so that they can participate fully in society and in the building of Europe. This objective is based on the gradual establishment of an open European area for training, education and youth.

In the field of vocational training, the principal aim of the Leonardo da Vinci programme is to implement a vocational training policy which supports and supplements the action of the Member States. The main objectives of the programme are to:

- support the improvement of the vocational-training systems and arrangements in the Member States by: improving the quality of initial vocational training and the transition of young people to working life, improving the quality of the Member States' continuing vocational training arrangements, supporting vocational information and guidance, promoting equal opportunities for men and women in vocational training, improving the quality of vocational training arrangements for persons disadvantaged on the labour market, for example owing to socio-economic, geographical or ethnic factors or by physical or mental disabilities or a lack of qualifications or insufficient qualifications such that they are at risk of social exclusion;

- support for the improvement of vocational training measures including university/industry cooperation, concerning undertakings and workers: innovation in vocational training, with a view to taking into account technological change and its impact on work and the necessary qualifications and skills, investment in continuing vocational training for workers, the transfer of technological innovation in the context of cooperation between undertakings and universities in the field of continuing vocational training, the promotion of equal opportunities for men and women;

- support for the development of language skills, knowledge and the dissemination of innovation in the field of vocational training.

In the field of education, the principal aim of the Socrates II programme is to contribute to the development of quality education by encouraging cooperation between Member States. The specific aims of the programme are:

- to develop the European dimension in education at all levels so as to strengthen the spirit of European citizenship, drawing on the cultural heritage of each Member State;

- to promote a quantitative and qualitative improvement of the knowledge of the languages of the European Union, and in particular those which are least widely used and least taught, leading to greater understanding and solidarity between the peoples of the European Union, and to promote the intercultural dimension of education;

- to promote wide-ranging and intensive cooperation between institutions at all levels of education, enhancing their intellectual and teaching potential;

- to encourage the mobility of teachers, so as to promote a European dimension in studies and to contribute to the qualitative improvement of their skills;

- to encourage mobility for students, enabling them to complete part of their studies in another Member State, so as to contribute to the consolidation of the European dimension in education;

- to encourage contacts among pupils in the European Union, and to promote the European dimension in their education;

- to encourage the academic recognition of diplomas, periods of study and other qualifications, with the aim of facilitating the development of an open European area for education;

- to encourage open and distance education in the context of the activities of this programme;

- to foster exchanges of information and experience so that the diversity and specificity of the educational systems in the Member States become a source of enrichment and of mutual stimulation.

In the field of youth, the overall objective of the Youth programme is to contribute to the educational process of all young people through activities which complement those taking place in the Member States or provided at Community level in the fields of education and training. The specific objectives of the programme are to:

- promote youth exchanges for young people aged 15 to 25 living in one or several Member States;

- support initiatives and innovative projects of Community interest or of a transnational nature set up by young people for young people, which allow them to play an active and acknowledged role in society and to develop their personal abilities, creativity, sense of solidarity and independence;

- create favourable conditions for meetings of a high standard and ensure the high quality of all measures taken under the programme;

- support the training of youth leaders to enable young people to benefit from high-quality common measures related to the general objectives of the programme;

- step up cooperation among Member States and between them and the Commission through exchanges of experience and joint initiatives at Community level, and thus to support Member States in their endeavours to improve the quality of services and measures for young people, in particular through activities aimed at providing young people with information about the objectives of the programme;

- aim at reinforce the sense of solidarity, promoting the active participation and integration in the society of young people and stimulating the acquisition of new skills and competencies by young people through an informal learning experience by means of participating to transnational European Voluntary Service activities for the benefit of local communities.

9.2 Grounds for the operation

- Need for Community financial aid

In view of the high cost of participation in the programmes and Malta's precarious budgetary situation, assistance from pre-accession funds is essential.

- Choice of ways and means

With a contribution from the national budget, supplemented by one from the pre-accession funds, Malta's integration in the programmes concerned will allow its citizens to cooperate with their counterparts in the current EU Member States. The integration of Maltese nationals in Community networks will make a definite contribution to preparing Malta for future membership

- Main factors of uncertainty which could affect the specific results of the operation

Since projects will be selected according to qualitative criteria, it will only be possible to measure the real impact on the basis of Maltese firms' and institutions' capacity to respond to the calls for proposal launched by the Commission under the three programmes.

9.3 Monitoring and evaluation of the operation

The monitoring and evaluation procedures included in the Leonardo da Vinci II, Socrates II and Youth programmes (notably in respect of evaluation, as included in the decisions establishing the three programmes) will also cover operations financed for Maltese beneficiaries.

10. Administrative expenditure (Section III, Part A of the budget)

Actual mobilisation of the necessary administrative resources will depend on the Commission's annual decision on the allocation of resources, taking into account the number of staff and additional amounts authorised by the budgetary authority.

10.1 Effect on the number of posts

>TABLE POSITION>

10.2 Overall financial impact of the human resources

EUR

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(*) By using existing resources required to manage the operation (Calculation based on titles A1, A2, A4, A5 and A7)

10.3 Increase in other administrative expenditure as a result of the operation

EUR

>TABLE POSITION>

* 2 representatives in 14 committee and subcommittee meetings (8 for Socrates, 4 for Leonardo da Vinci and 2 for Youth), and 1 representative in 3 Socrates subcommittee meetings

** 2 representatives in 5 Leonardo da Vinci and 4 Youth meetings, and 1 participant in 19 Socrates meetings

The above expenditure will be met from the receipts (article 4 par.2, third indent of the financial regulation) received from Malta (see point 5.3 and 7.4 of the financial statement).