However, without prejudice to paragraph 4, the Member State which is competent in accordance with the two indents in the first subparagraph may not require export licences for the cultural goods specified in the first and second indents of category A1 of the Annex where they are of limited archaeological or scientific interest, and provided that they are not the direct product of excavations, finds and archaeological sites within a Member State, and that their presence on the market is lawful.

The mechanism is intended to help ensure better protection, primarily of people but also of the environment and property, including cultural heritage, in the event of major emergencies, i.e. natural, technological, radiological or environmental accidents occurring inside or outside the Community, including accidental marine pollution, as provided for in Decision No 2850/2000/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 20 December 2000 setting up a Community framework for cooperation in the field of accidental or deliberate marine pollution(9).

The Commission has since undertaken a further analysis under Article 12(2) of Regulation (EC) No 1266/1999 in respect of Measures 1.2.1 "Wholesale markets", 1.4 "Forestry and afforestation of agricultural areas, investment in forestry holdings, processing and marketing of forestry products", 1.5 "Setting up producer groups", 2.2 "Renovation and development of villages, protection and conservation of rural heritage and cultural traditions", 2.3 "Development and improvement of rural infrastructure", 3.1 "Improvement of vocational training" and 4.1 "Technical assistance" as provided for in the Sapard.

preparatory studies and technical assistance for the preservation of the cultural heritage;

preparatory studies and technical assistance in the preservation of cultural heritage;

activities - studies and training schemes - aimed at protecting the cultural heritage.

the common cultural heritage and the close historical, political and economic ties which unite them;

CONSIDERING their common cultural heritage and the close historical, political and economic ties which unite them;

conscious of their common cultural heritage and the deep historical, political and economic ties which unite them,

The Contracting Parties will cooperate in the field of information, culture and communication, both to create better mutual understanding and to strengthen cultural ties between them, such as preparatory studies and technical assistance for the preservation of cultural heritage.

Such meetings will be organized periodically in particular in the fields of legal affairs, social and health matters, education and culture, and heritage and environment, without prejudice to the possibility of convening similar meetings in other fields of mutual interest.