28.3.2000 Official Journal of the European Communities L77/11 (Acts whose publication is not obligatory) COUNCIL COUNCIL DECISION of 20 March 2000 amending Decision 97/787[EC providing exceptional financial assistance for Armenia and Georgia in order to extend it to Tajikistan (2000/244/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 proposals from the Commission, Having regard to the opinion of the European Parliament ('), Whereas: 1) Council Decision 97/787[EC provides exceptional finan- cial assistance for Armenia and Georgia (). In parallel with its Decision to provide exceptional financial assistance for Armenia and Georgia, the Council agreed also to consider a similar operation for Tajikistan once circumstances allowed. Tajikistan is undertaking fundamental political and economic reforms and is making substantial efforts to implement a market economy model. In view of the initial results, particularly in terms of growth and control of inflation, these reforms should be continued with the primary aim of improving people's living conditions and creating jobs. Trade, commercial and economic links are expected to develop between the Community and Tajikistan. Tajiki- stan is eligible for a Partnership and Cooperation Agree- ment with the European Communities and their Member States and has formally requested to benefit from such an agreement as soon as possible. (') Opinion delivered on 17 December 1999 (not yet published in the Official Journal). () O] L 322, 25.11.1997, p. 37. (6) (10) (12) Tajikistan agreed with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) in June 1998 on a three-year enhanced structural adjustment facility. The Tajik authorities have formally undertaken to settle fully their outstanding financial obligations towards the Community and Tajikistan secures a minimum servicing of outstanding Community claims. The Tajik authorities have formally requested excep- tional financial support from the Community. Tajikistan is a low-income country and is facing particu- larly critical economic, social and political circum- stances. This country is eligible for highly concessional loans from the World Bank and the IMF. Concessional financial assistance from the Community in the form of a mix of a long-term loan and straight grants is an appropriate measure to help the beneficiary country at this critical juncture. This assistance, both the loan and the grant component, is highly exceptional and therefore in no way constitutes a precedent. The inclusion of a grant component in this assistance is without prejudice to the powers of the budgetary authority. This assistance should be managed by the Commission. The Commission is to ensure that financial assistance is used in accordance with the rules of budgetary control.