Brussels, 26/07/2002 (Agence Europe) - On Friday, the European Commission announced that candidate countries will begin to take part in the EU enterprise policy programme, except Turkey, which will be "joining a little later". The Commission's decision to open the programme up to the Czech Republic, Latvia, Malta, Poland, Romania, Slovakia and Slovenia was taken on 17 May 2002, on 25 June for Cyprus, and on 19 July for Bulgaria, Estonia, Hungary and Lithuania. The decision relating to Turkey's participation is "not expected before September". The Commission explains that this decision was taken after candidate countries had approved the European Charter for Small Business during the Maribor conference (Slovenia) on 23 April. Participation in the programme will allow companies to benefit from the services provided by Euro Info Centres (51 are already open in candidate countries, nearly 25 others should soon open) and have access to the European Investment Fund, which supports the financing of companies in start-up phase and small enterprises. The multiannual 2001-2005 programme for businesses and the entrepreneurial spirit has a budget of EUR 450 million, of which 317 million is for aid, the rest being intended for the management of the Euro Info Centres.