16.3.2000 Official Journal of the European Communities L 68/3 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 THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION, Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Community, and in particular Article 308 thereof, Having regard to the proposal from the Commission, Having regard to the Opinion of the European Parliament ('), Whereas: (1) The Councils of March and April 1995 decided that accession negotiations with Cyprus and Malta would begin six months after the end of the Intergovernmental Conference. (2)  The Luxembourg European Council of December 1997 established a specific pre-accession strategy for Cyprus and considered that the accession of Cyprus should benefit both communities and contribute to civil peace and reconciliation. (3)  Following the Vienna European Council of December 1998, which welcomed Malta's decision to reactivate its application for accession to the European Union, in February 1999 the Commission submitted an updated version of its 1993 opinion. (4 The Council of March 1999 called on the Commission to present appropriate suggestions as soon as possible for defining a specific pre-accession strategy for Malta. (5) It is necessary to establish Accession Partnership instru- ments for Cyprus and Malta in accordance with the procedures set out in Regulation (EC) No 622/98 () for the applicant States of central and eastern Europe, so that Community assistance can be concentrated on accession priorities and objectives. (6)  The provisions of this Regulation are based on the polit- ical criteria established by the Copenhagen European Council of 1993, in particular respect for democratic principles, the rule of law, human rights and funda- mental freedoms, and compliance with international law, which are essential elements of the policies of the Euro- pean Union and its Member States. (7)  The financial protocols concluded with Cyprus and Malta expired on 31 December 1999. (8)  This Regulation replaces the financial protocols for Cyprus and Malta from 2000 for a period of five years. (Y) Opinion delivered on 17 February 2000 (not yet published in the Official Journal). (3 Council Regulation (EC) No 622/98 of 16 March 1998 on assi- stance to the applicant States in the framework of the pre-accession strategy, and in particular on the establishment of Accession Part- nerships (O] L 85, 20.3.1998, p. 1 ). (99 Cyprus and Malta are eligible in respect of operations of regional interest for financing under the MEDA budget heading. (10)  The measures necessary for the implementation of this Regulation should be adopted in accordance with Council Decision 1999/468/EC of 28 June 1999 laying down the procedures for the exercise of implementing powers conferred on the Commission (). (11) A financial reference amount within the meaning of point 34 of the Interinstitutional Agreement of 6 May 1999 between the European Parliament, the Council and the Commission on budgetary discipline and improve- ment of the budgetary procedure (%), is included in this Regulation for its entire duration, without thereby affecting the powers of the budgetary authority as they are defined by the Treaty. (12)  Implementing this Regulation should contribute to the achievement of Community objectives. The Treaty does not provide, for the adoption of this Regulation, powers other than those of Article 308, HAS ADOPTED THIS REGULATION: Article 1 1. The European Union's pre-accession strategy for Cyprus and Malta shall be based in particular on: — the establishment of Accession Partnerships with Cyprus and Malta, — support for priority operations to prepare for accession, as defined within the accession partnerships with Cyprus and Malta on the basis of analyses of their economic situations, taking account of the political and economic criteria and the obligations incumbent upon a Member State of the European Union as defined by the European Council, — participation in certain Community programmes and agen- cies. 2. Acting on a proposal from the Commission, the Council shall decide by qualified majority on the principles, priorities, intermediate objectives and conditions contained in the indi- vidual Accession Partnerships to be submitted to Cyprus and Malta, as well as on subsequent significant adjustments to them. () O] L 184, 17.7.1999, p. 23. (% O] C 172, 18.6.1999, p. 1.