2004/746/EC:Council Decision of 18 October 2004 on the fulfilment of the conditions laid down in Article 3 of the Additional Protocol to the Europe Agreement establishing an association between the European Communities and their Member States, of the one part, and the Republic of Bulgaria, of the other part, with regard to an extension of the period foreseen in Article 9(4) of Protocol 2 to the Europe Agreement

The restructuring programme and business plan submitted to the Commission by Bulgaria pursuant to Article 2 of the Additional Protocol to the Europe Agreement establishing an association between the European Communities and their Member States, of the one part, and the Republic of Bulgaria, of the other part, with regard to an extension of the period laid down in Article 9(4) of Protocol 2 to the Europe Agreement, are in compliance with the requirements of Article 9(4) of Protocol 2.

The period during which Bulgaria may exceptionally, as regards steel products, grant public aid for restructuring purposes in accordance with the provisions of Article 9(4) of Protocol 2 is hereby extended by an additional period of eight years starting on 1 January 1998 or until the date of Bulgaria's accession to the European Union, whichever comes first, as foreseen by Article 1 of the Additional Protocol.