L 9/24 Official Journal of the European Communities 13.1.2000 COUNCIL DECISION of 22 December 1999 granting a Community guarantee to the European Investment Bank against losses under loans for projects outside the Community (Central and Eastern Europe, Mediterranean countries, Latin America and Asia and the Republic of South Africa) (2000/24/EC) 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 European Council meeting in Madrid on 15 and 16 December 1995 confirmed the importance of the Euro- pean Investment Bank, hereinafter referred to as ‘the EIB, as an instrument of cooperation between the Community and Latin America and called on the EIB to intensify its activities in the region; whereas these projects should be of interest to both the Community and the countries concerned; The European Council meeting in Florence on 21 and 22 June 1996 welcomed the results of the Asia-Europe summit, which marked a turning-point in relations between the two continents; The European Council meeting in Amsterdam on 16 and 17 June 1997 welcomed the conclusions adopted at the Second Euro-Mediterranean Conference, which was held at Valletta, Malta, on 15 and 16 April 1997 and reaffirmed the principles and objectives agreed at Barce- lona in 1995; The European Council meeting in Luxembourg on 12 and 13 December 1997 launched the enlargement process with the Central and Eastern European countries and Cyprus; The European Council meeting in Cardiff on 15 and 16 June 1998 welcomed the efforts which the Republic of South Africa was making to modernise its economy and integrate it into the world trading system; The EIB is completing the current loan programmes for Central and Eastern Europe, the Mediterranean region, Asia and Latin Amercia and the Republic of South Africa pursuant to Decision 97/256/EC (}), as well as the lending that is governed by the Protocol on Financial Cooperation with the Former Yugoslav Republic of () O] C 145, 26.5.1999, p. 10. (¥ Opinion delivered on 19 November 1999 (not yet published in the Official Journal). () O] L 102, 19.4.1997, 98/729/EC (O] L 346, 22.12.1998, p. 54). p. 33. Decision as last amended by Decision (10) (11) (13) () 0) 0] 0] Macedonia, Council 348/EC (4); according  to Decision 98| The Council has invited the EIB to start operations in Bosnia and Herzegovina; these operations may be continued, subject to a positive report being drawn up as stipulated in Decision 98/729[EC (°); Although Bosnia-Herzegovina and FYROM have been included in the Central and Eastern Europe region since the adoption of Decision 97/256/EC, the EIB's total lending effort to applicant countries within this region should increase given the importance of the pre-acces- sion facility the EIB plans to create for EIB lending for projects in these countries without a guarantee from the Community budget or Member States; In these circumstances, the EIB should ensure that its guaranteed lending within the Central and Eastern Europe mandate will finance particularly projects in those countries which have fewer projects suitable for financing from the pre-accession facility or projects in non-applicant countries; The Cooperation Agreements between the European Community and Nepal, between the European Community and Lao PDR and between the European Community and Yemen entered into force on 1 June 1996, 1 December 1997 and on 1 July 1998 respec- tively; the Cooperation Agreement between the Euro- pean Community and South Korea was signed on 28 October 1996; whereas Nepal, Yemen, Lao PDR and South Korea should become beneficiaries of EIB funding under the EIB's mandate for Asia and Latin America; It is appropriate to make certain improvements in the programmes of operations in respect of duration and country coverage; it is appropriate to adjust the blanket guarantee rate and the portion of lending for which the EIB is invited to cover the commercial risk from non- sovereign guarantees; The Council is calling on the EIB to continue its opera- tions in support of investment projects carried out in those countries by offering it the guarantee provided for in this Decision; In June 1996, the Commission, in agreement with the EIB, presented to the Council a proposal for a new guarantee system for EIB lending to third countries; L 155, 29.5.1998, p. 53. L 346, 22.12.1998, p. 54.