Estonian and Cypriot participation in EU research programmes
The legal texts - which have already entered into force -setting out the terms and conditions of Estonian and Cypriot participation in Community research programmes have now been published in the Official Journal. These are in line with the European Council's 1997 decision to open up EU research programmes to the candidate countries now negotiating to join the EU. Both Estonia and Cyprus may participate in all of the specific programmes of the Fifth Framework Programme. However researchers from both countries will not have automatic rights to participate in nuclear research activities, as will be the case with other candidate countries. These countries will contribute to the budget of FP5, on a proportional basis calculated from their GDP in relation to that of the EU Member States. However they will not pay the full sum due until 2002, the final year of FP5, so as to facilitate their participation. EU researchers may participate in equivalent Cypriot research activities, but must cover their own costs. The EU and Estonia have also agreed to explore the opening of Estonian programmes to EU researchers. The decision concerning Estonia, which entered into force on 1 June 1999, can be found in OJ No L 181 of 16.7.1999 p. 24. The decision concerning Cyprus, which entered into force on 20 May 1999, may be found in OJ No L 180 of 15.7.1999 p. 35.
Kraje
Cyprus, Estonia