Article 3
1. The specific measure shall be implemented in the form of a special programme (hereinafter referred to as "the special programme") submitted to the Commission by the Member State concerned. 2. The purpose of the special programme shall be to reinforce the economic structures and create employment in the regions referred to in Article 2. To this end, it shall aim at developing small and medium-sized undertakings and craft industries, particularly by facilitating their access to markets, on the basis of market analyses, by adapting and developing both their production facilities and the surrounding infrastructures and by improving their management. It shall also aim to promote innovation, to boost the potential for tourism and to improve communications between the islands and mainland Greece and between the islands themselves. 3. The special programme shall be drawn up and implemented in close coordination with national and Community policies and financial instruments, in particular with EAGGF Guidance Section, the Social Fund, the European Investment Bank and the new Community instrument. 4. The special programme shall fall within the framework of the regional development programmes referred to in Article 6 of the Fund Regulation. 5. The special programme shall contain the necessary information as specified in Article 7 relating to analysis of the situation and needs relative to the objectives stated in paragraph 2, the operations proposed, the timetable for carrying them out and, more generally, all aspects which will enable its consistency with regional development objectives to be assessed. 6. The duration of the special programme shall be five years starting from the 60th day following the date on which this Regulation enters into force. 7. The special programme shall be approved by the Commission after involvement of the Fund Committee in accordance with the procedure laid down in Article 16 of the Fund Regulation. 8. When approving the special programme, the Commission shall satisfy itself that the programme is compatible with Article 20 of the Fund Regulation. 9. The Commission shall inform the European Parliament of the amounts decided upon for the regions when the special programme is approved. 10. When it has been approved, the special programme shall be published for information by the Commission.