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1. Mandatory programmes and the General Budget are established through the adoption of a Programme Resolution by the Council in accordance with Article 5.2(a), to which a detailed Programme Definition, containing all necessary programmatic, technical, financial, contractual, legal and other elements is attached.
2. Optional programmes are established through the adoption of a Programme Declaration by the Member States interested in accordance with Article 5.3(a) to which a detailed Programme Definition, containing all necessary programmatic, technical, financial, contractual, legal and other elements is attached. Any optional programme shall fall within the objectives of EUMETSAT and be in accordance with the general framework of the Convention and the rules agreed by the Council for its application. The Programme Declaration shall be approved by the Council in an Enabling Resolution in accordance with Article 5.2(d) iii.
Any Member State shall have the opportunity to participate in the preparation of a draft Programme Declaration and may become a Participating State of the optional programme within the time frame set out in the Programme Declaration.
Optional programmes take effect once at least one third of all EUMETSAT Member States have declared their participation by signing the Declaration within the time frame set out and the subscriptions of these Participating States have reached 90% of the total financial envelope.