Commission releases proposal for Hungary's participation in SAVE II
The European Commission has published a proposal for Hungary to participate in the European Union's SAVE II programme. The proposal is for a Council Decision concerning the Community position within the Association Council on the participation of Hungary in the multiannual Community programme for energy efficiency (SAVE II). Hungary should participate in all aspects of the SAVE II programme under the same terms and conditions as those for Member States, according to the annex draft. Hungary will need only the minimum number of research partners from EC Member States for all transnational projects it proposes. To cover the cost of its participation in the programme, Hungary will need to pay an annual contribution, financed partly from its own budget and partly from its PHARE allocation (Council Regulation (EEC) on economic aid to certain countries of Central and Eastern Europe). Hungary will also participate in monitoring the project, and be invited to coordination meetings preceding meetings of the SAVE committee. The European Council sees it as important for candidate countries preparing for accession to the EU to participate in Community programmes so that they can become familiar with the Union's policies and working methods. The SAVE Community action on energy efficiency aims to enable all the countries participating in the programme to achieve a cost-effective, cautious, and rational use of energy resources. It hopes to help reduce environmental damage and contribute towards securing future energy supplies and sustainable economic development. The opinion of the Association Council should be adopted this month and enter into force in March 1999, according to the schedule for this Decision.