In line with the conclusions of the Luxembourg European Council of December 1997 and of the Thessaloniki European Council of June 2003, candidate countries and the Western Balkan countries involved in the Stabilisation and Association Process, as well as countries to which the European Neighbourhood Policy applies, should be eligible to participate in Union programmes, in accordance with the conditions laid down in the relevant bilateral or multilateral agreements concluded with those countries.
I gcomhréir le conclúidí na Comhairle Eorpaí i Lucsamburg i Nollaig 1997, agus na Comhairle Eorpaí in Thessaloniki i Meitheamh 2003, ba cheart go mbeadh na tíortha is iarrthóirí agus tíortha na mBalcán Thiar atá rannpháirteach sa Phróiseas Cobhsaíochta agus Comhlachais, mar aon le tíortha lena mbaineann Beartas Comharsanachta na hEorpa, incháilithe chun a bheith rannpháirteach i gcláir an Aontais, i gcomhréir leis na coinníollacha a leagtar síos sna comhaontuithe ábhartha déthaobhacha nó iltaobhacha arna gcur i gcrích leis na tíortha sin.