No L 201/2 Official Journal of the European Communities 24. 7. 91 COUNCIL REGULATION (EEC, EURATOM) No 2157/91 of 15 July 1991 concerning the provision of technical assistance to economic reform and recovery in the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN: COMMUNITIES, Having regard to the Treaty esﬁablishing the European Economic Community, and in particular Article 235 thereof, Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Atomic Energy Community, and in particular Article 203 thereof, Having regard to the proposal from the Commission o) Having regard to the opinion of the European Par- liament (), Whereas the European Economic Community and the European Atomic Energy Community have concluded an Agreement on trade and commerciai and economic cooperation with the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics ; Whereas the European Council, at its meetings in Dublin and Rome in 1990, expressed its will to back the steps undertaken by the Soviet authorities to bring about the reform and recovery of the Soviet economy ; whereas to that end it decided to provide as soon as possible tech- nical assistance in the fields of public and private sector management training, financial services, energy, transport and foodstuffs distribution ; Whereas that aid should go towards projects that benefit the final recipients in the various republics of the Soviet Union ; . Whereas the implementation of such technical assistance should enable conditions favourable to private investment to be established ; Whereas the European Council at its meeting in Rome also stressed the importance of effective coordination by the Commission of the efforts made in the Soviet Union by the Community and its Member States acting indivi- dually ; Whereas it is appropriate that the Commission be assisted in the implementation of Community aid by a committee made up of Member States’ representatives ; Whereas this technical assistance will be the subject of a practical programme geared to specific projects, and will be eligible for overall support of ECU 400 million in 1991 and a sum yet to be determined in 1992, to be released in tranches as projects actually materialize ; Whereas the implementation of these operations is such as to contribute to the attainment of the Community’s objectives, and the Treaties have not provided, for the () OJ No C 140, 30. 5. 1991, p. 10. () OJ No C 183, 15. 7. 1991. adoption of this Regulation, powers other than those of Article 235 of the EEC Treaty and Article 203 of the EAEC Treaty, HAS ADOPTED THIS REGULATION : Article 1 An operation to assist economic reform and recovery in the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics shall be imple- mented by the Community in 1991 and 1992 in accord- ance with the criteria laid down in this Regulation. This assistance shall be concentrated on sectors and geogra- phical areas where it can play a key role in the continua- tion of the reform process. Article 2 The amount of Community funding for the implementa- tion of the operation set up by this Regulation shall total ECU 400 million for the financial year 1991. The funds estimated as necessary for the financial year 1992 shall be decided at a later stage by the Council, acting unani- mously. The budget authority shall determine the appropriations available for 1992, taking into account the principles of sound financial management referred to in Article 2 of the Financial Regulation applicable to the general budget of the European Communities and with due regard for the financial outlook. ’ Article 3 1. The aid referred to in Article 1 shall take the form of technical assistance for the economic reforms under way in the Soviet Union, for measures aimed at bringing - about the transition to a market economy and for related projects. It shall also cover reasonable costs of supplies required for the implementation of these operations. The costs of the projects in local currency shall be covered by the Community only to the extent strictly necessary. 2. The appropriations referred to in Article 2 shall cover costs relating to the preparation, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of the execution of these operations. 3. Technical assistance shall give priority to the fields of public and private-sector management training, finan- cial services, enetgy, transport and foodstuffs distribution.