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II SÉRIE-A — NÚMERO 28

Article 2 Objectives, activities and programmes

1 — The primary objective of EUMETSAT is to establish, maintain and exploit European systems of operational meteorological satellites, taking into account as far as possible the recommendations of the World Meteorological Organization.

A further objective of EUMETSAT is to contribute to the operational monitoring of the climate and the detection of global climatic changes.

2 — The definition of the initial system is contained in annex i; further systems shall be established as defined in article 3.

4 — For the purpose of achieving its objectives EUMETSAT shall, as far as possible, and in conformity with meteorological tradition, cooperate with the governments and national organisations of the Member States, as well as with Non-Member States and governmental and non-governmental international scientific and technical organisations whose activities are related to its objectives. EUMETSAT may conclude agreements to that end.

5 — The General Budget comprises activities not linked to a specific programme. They shall represent the basic technical and administrative infrastructure of EUMETSAT including basic staff, buildings and equipment as well as preliminary activities authorised by the Council in preparation of future programmes not yet approved.

6 — The programmes of EUMETSAT shall include mandatory programmes in which all Member States participate and optional programmes with participation by those Member States mat agree so to do.

7 — Mandatory programmes are:

a) The METEOSAT Operational Programme (MOP) as defined in annex t of the Convention;

b) The basic programmes required to continue the provision of observations from geostationary and polar orbits;

c) Other programmes as defined as such by the Council.

8 — Optional programmes are within the objectives of EUMETSAT agreed as such by the Council.

9 — EUMETSAT may, outside the programmes referred to in paragraphs 6, 7 and 8 above but not in conflict with the objectives of EUMETSAT, carry out activities requested by third parties and approved by the Council in accordance with article 3.2, a). The cost of such activities shall be borne by the third party concerned.

Article 3

Article 3 of the Convention is deleted and replaced by the following:

Article 3

Adoption of programmes and the General Budget

1 — Mandatory programmes and the General Budget are established through the adoption of a programme resolution by the Council in accordance with

article 5.2, a), to which a detailed programme definition, containing all necessary programmatic, technical, financial, contractual, legal and other elements is attached.

2 — Optional programmes are established through the adoption of a programme declaration by the Member States interested in accordance with article 5.3, a), to which a detailed programme definition, containing all necessary programmatic, technical, financial, contractual, legal and other elements is attached. Any optional programme shall fall within the objectives of EUMETSAT and be in accordance with the general framework of the Convention and the rules agreed by the Council for its application. The programme declaration shall be approved by die Council in an enabling resolution in accordance with article 5.2, d), iii).

Any Member State shall have the opportunity to participate in the preparation of a draft programme declaration and may become a Participating State of the optional programme within the time frame set out in the programme declaration.

Optional programmes take effect once at least one third of all EUMETSAT Member States have declared their participation by signing the declaration within the time frame set out and the subscriptions of these Participating States have reached 90% of the total financial envelope.

Article 4

Article 4 of the Convention is amended as follows:

In paragraphe 1 the words «delegate of his country's meteorological service» are replaced by «delegate of the country's national meteorological service».

In paragraph 4 the words «objectives of EUMETSAT» are replaced by «objectives and programmes of EUMETSAT».

Article 5

Article 5 of the Convention is amended as follows:

Paragraph 2 is replaced by the following; A new paragraph 3 is inserted; Paragraphs 3 and 4 become paragraphs 4 and 5 and are amended.

2 — The Council shall in particular be empowered:

a) By a unanimous vote of all the Member States:

i) To decide on the accession of States referred to in article 16, and on the terms and conditions governing such accession;

it) To decide on the adoption of mandatory programmes and General ^a>X as referred to in article 3.1;

iit) To decide on the ceiling of contributions for the General Budget for a period of five years one year before the end of the period or to revise sudv ceiling;