The Thessaloniki European Council of June 2003 approved the ‘Thessaloniki Agenda for the Western Balkans: moving towards European integration’, which provided for Community programmes to be opened up to the Stabilisation and Association Process (SAP) countries along the lines established for the participation of candidate countries.In its communication on ‘Preparing for the participation of the Western Balkan countries in Community programmes and agencies’, the Commission advocated concluding with Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia and Serbia and Montenegro framework agreements laying down the general principles governing ...[+++] each country’s participation in Community programmes.In accordance with the negotiating directives adopted by the Council on 29 April 2004, the Commission, on behalf of the Community, has negotiated a Framework Agreement with the Republic of Albania on the general principles for its participation in Community programmes.This Agreement was signed, on behalf of the Community, on 22 November 2004 in Brussels, subject to conclusion at a later date.With regard to some programmes covered by the Agreement, the Treaty does not provide for powers other than those under Article 308.The specific terms and conditions regarding the participation of the Republic of Albania in the Community programmes, including the financial contribution payable, should be determined by the Commission on behalf of the Community.

The Thessaloniki European Council of June 2003 approved the ‘Thessaloniki Agenda for the Western Balkans: moving towards European integration’, which provided for Community programmes to be opened up to the Stabilisation and Association Process (SAP) countries along the lines established for the participation of candidate countries.In its communication on ‘Preparing for the participation of the Western Balkan countries in Community programmes and agencies’, the Commission advocated concluding with Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia and Serbia and Montenegro framework agreements laying down the general principles governing ...[+++] each country’s participation in Community programmes.In accordance with the negotiating directives adopted by the Council on 29 April 2004, the Commission, on behalf of the Community, has negotiated a Framework Agreement with Serbia and Montenegro on the general principles for its participation in Community programmes.This Agreement was signed, on behalf of the Community, on 22 November 2004 in Brussels, subject to conclusion at a later date.With regard to some of the programmes covered by the Agreement, the Treaty does not provide for powers other than those under Article 308.The specific terms and conditions regarding the participation of Serbia and Montenegro in the Community programmes, including the financial contribution payable, should be determined by the Commission on behalf of the Community.

The Thessaloniki European Council of June 2003 approved the ‘Thessaloniki Agenda for the Western Balkans: moving towards European integration’, which provided for Community programmes to be opened up to the Stabilisation and Association Process (SAP) countries along the lines established for the participation of candidate countries.In its communication on ‘Preparing for the participation of the Western Balkan countries in Community programmes and agencies’, the Commission advocated concluding with Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia and Serbia and Montenegro framework agreements laying down the general principles governing ...[+++] each country’s participation in Community programmes.In accordance with the negotiating directives adopted by the Council on 29 April 2004, the Commission, on behalf of the Community, has negotiated a Framework Agreement with Croatia on the general principles for its participation in Community programmes.This Agreement was signed, on behalf of the Community, on 22 November 2004 in Brussels, subject to conclusion at a later date.With regard to some of the programmes covered by the Agreement, the Treaty does not provide for powers other than those under Article 308.The specific terms and conditions regarding the participation of Croatia in the Community programmes, including the financial contribution payable, should be determined by the Commission on behalf of the Community.

The Thessaloniki European Council of June 2003 approved the ‘Thessaloniki Agenda for the Western Balkans: moving towards European integration’, which provided for Community programmes to be opened up to the Stabilisation and Association Process (SAP) countries along the lines established for the participation of candidate countries.In its communication on ‘Preparing for the participation of the Western Balkan countries in Community programmes and agencies’, the Commission advocated concluding with Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia and Serbia and Montenegro framework agreements laying down the general principles governing ...[+++] each country’s participation in Community programmes.In accordance with the negotiating directives adopted by the Council on 29 April 2004, the Commission, on behalf of the Community, has negotiated a Framework Agreement with Bosnia and Herzegovina on the general principles for its participation in Community programmes.This Agreement was signed, on behalf of the Community, on 22 November 2004 in Brussels, subject to conclusion at a later date.With regard to some of the programmes covered by the Agreement, the Treaty does not provide for powers other than those under Article 308.The specific terms and conditions regarding the participation of Bosnia and Herzegovina in the Community programmes, including the financial contribution payable, should be determined by the Commission on behalf of the Community.

Common Line: The Common Line agreed by the General Affairs Council on 13 May 2002 (document 8304/02) sets out the basic positions of the Schengen acquis and provides for flexibilities including: issue of multiple-entry visas which could be valid for a substantial period of time. These include favourable treatment for certain professionals such as lorry drivers and could be issued on a case by case basis; before the lifting of internal border controls, flexibility on visa fees; visa exemption for certain categories of persons (e.g. holders of diplomatic and service passports and air and sea crew members).

Common Line: The Common Line agreed by the General Affairs Council on 13 May 2002 (document 8304/02) sets out the basic positions of the Schengen acquis and provides for flexibilities including: issue of multiple-entry visas which could be valid for a substantial period of time. These include favourable treatment for certain professionals such as lorry drivers and could be issued on a case by case basis; before the lifting of internal border controls, flexibility on visa fees; visa exemption for certain categories of persons (e.g. holders of diplomatic and service passports and air and sea crew members).