Romania to participate in LIFE From 1998, Romania will be the first Eastern European country to participate in LIFE, the EU's financial instrument for the environment. The possibility of the associated countries participating in internal EU programmes is explicitly mentioned in the Europe Agreements signed ... From 1998, Romania will be the first Eastern European country to participate in LIFE, the EU's financial instrument for the environment. The possibility of the associated countries participating in internal EU programmes is explicitly mentioned in the Europe Agreements signed by the EU and each applicant country. The Luxembourg European Council of December 1997 also stressed the participation of applicant countries in EU programmes as a key issue of the reinforced pre-accession strategy. Romania is the first Eastern European applicant to confirm its willingness to participate in LIFE and to provide sufficient information on how it envisages covering its financial contribution. This contribution will be paid each year into the EU budget to cover the costs resulting from its participation in LIFE. The terms and conditions for the participation in these activities will be decided by the next EU-Romania Association Council. Romania's annual contribution will be ECU 2.2 million per annum for 1998 and 1999, from which an amount of ECU 110,100 each year will cover administrative costs related to participation in LIFE. The participation of applicant countries in EU programmes may be part financed from up to 10% of their PHARE national allocation. Countries Romania
