Brussels, 25/09/2002 (Agence Europe) - On Monday, the EU Council of Ministers adopted formally and without debate two decisions that update the IDA programme (interchange of data between administrations). The Fifteen accepted all the amendments voted on by the European Parliament on first reading. Since 1999, the IDA programme has rested on two decisions, one defining a series of guidelines and projects of common interest, the other providing for a series of actions and measures in order to ensure interoperability of and access to the IDA networks. The amendments made by the decisions adopted on Monday relate to: - the introduction of a financial reference for the period 2002-2004, namely EUR 39.8 million for the "guidelines" decision and 34.2 million euro for the "interoperability" decision; - extension of the programme to certain non-Community countries, especially countries candidates for accession; - account being taken of new initiatives such as the eEurope Action Plan; and adaptation of committee procedure.