title: 2006/880/EC: Council Decision of 30 November 2006 providing exceptional Community financial assistance to Kosovo

text:
               6.12.2006

               EN

               Official Journal of the European Union

               L 339/36

      COUNCIL DECISION

   of 30 November 2006
   providing exceptional Community financial assistance to Kosovo
   (2006/880/EC)
   THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION,
   Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Community, and in particular Article 308 thereof,
   Having regard to the proposal from the Commission,
   Having regard to the opinion of the European Parliament (1),
   Whereas:

               (1)

               The United Nations Security Council adopted Resolution 1244 (1999) (UNSCR 1244 (1999)) on 10 June 1999 aiming at promoting the establishment, pending a final settlement, of substantial autonomy and self-government in Kosovo within the former Federal Republic of Yugoslavia.

               (2)

               The International Community, basing itself upon UNSCR 1244 (1999), has set up an international security presence (KFOR) and an interim civil administration — the United Nations Interim Mission in Kosovo (UNMIK). UNMIK consists of four components (pillars) and the European Union is funding the fourth pillar responsible for economic reconstruction and development. UNMIK, and particularly Pillar IV thereof, has achieved substantial progress in setting up an institutional, legal and policy framework conducive to the creation of a sound economy based on market principles.

               (3)

               Since its establishment, UNMIK has transferred significant areas of competence to the Provisional Institutions of Self Government (PISG). In particular, responsibility for the budget has been transferred from UNMIK to the Ministry of Economy and Finance within the PISG, with the Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General retaining the ultimate power of approving the budget.

               (4)

               On 24 October 2005, the UN Security Council approved the UN Secretary-General’s proposal to launch the political process to determine the future status of Kosovo.

               (5)

               The authorities of Kosovo entitled to receive Community assistance and responsible for agreeing to and fulfilling the financial and economic conditions attached to this assistance are therefore UNMIK and the PISG or, when the future status of Kosovo will have been determined, the institution or institutions designated to take on these tasks and responsibilities.

               (6)

               Within the stabilisation and association process, which is the framework for EU relations with the region, it is desirable to support efforts to sustain political and economic stabilisation in Kosovo, with a view to evolving towards the development of a full cooperation relationship with the Community making the European future of Kosovo more tangible.

               (7)

               The Community has already found it an appropriate measure to help ease Kosovo’s financial constraints in exceptionally difficult circumstances and, pursuant to Council Decision 2000/140/EC of 14 February 2000 providing exceptional Community assistance to Kosovo (2) and Council Decision 2001/511/EC of 27 June 2001 on further exceptional financial assistance to Kosovo (3), provided exceptional financial assistance in the form of straight grants amounting to EUR 35 million and EUR 30 million in 2000 and 2001 respectively. The last payment under such assistance was released in December 2002.

               (8)

               This exceptional financial assistance complements other Community assistance programmes for the western Balkans.

               (9)

               In November 2005 the authorities of Kosovo agreed with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) a Letter of Intent and a Memorandum of Economic and Financial Policies laying out a fiscal framework for 2006, including medium-term orientations. They completed in the beginning of March 2006 a medium-term expenditure framework. The framework identifies budget and off-budget financing needs in 2006 to 2008. Accordingly, it is estimated that budget external financial assistance of some EUR 81 million (EUR 14 million in 2006 and EUR 67 million in 2007, respectively) would be needed until the end of 2007.

               (10)

               Although economic activity resumed after the conflict, Kosovo is at a low level of economic development. Kosovo is not in a position to borrow either domestically or on the international financial market and under its current status it is not eligible for membership in the international financial institutions. It may therefore not benefit from lending assistance associated with their programmes.

               (11)

               In view of current arrangements under UNSCR 1244 (1999), given Kosovo’s relatively low level of economic development and its precarious public finance and external accounts, financial assistance from the Community in the form of straight grants, in liaison with other donors, continues to be the appropriate form of support.

               (12)

               Such assistance will provide crucial bridge support pending a settlement of Kosovo’s status. It would be unrelated to new status arrangements under negotiation and not pre empt further Community and international support likely to be required upon status resolution beyond 2007.

               (13)

               The release of this grant assistance is without prejudice to the powers of the budgetary authority.

               (14)

               This financial support should be provided after verifying whether the financial and economic conditions to be agreed with the authorities of Kosovo upon approval of this Decision can be satisfactorily fulfilled.

               (15)

               In order to ensure efficient protection of the Community’s financial interests linked to the present financial assistance, it is necessary to provide for appropriate measures by Kosovo in relation to the prevention of and fight against fraud and other irregularities linked to this assistance, as well as for controls by the Commission and audits by the Court of Auditors.

               (16)

               This assistance should be managed by the Commission in consultation with the Economic and Financial Committee.

               (17)

               The Treaty does not provide, for the adoption of this Decision, powers other than those of Article 308,

         HAS DECIDED AS FOLLOWS:
   Article 1
   1.   The Community shall make available to Kosovo an exceptional financial assistance in the form of a grant of up to EUR 50 million with a view to alleviating the financial situation in Kosovo, supporting the development of a sound economic and fiscal framework, facilitating the continuation and strengthening of essential administrative functions and addressing public investment needs.
   2.   This Community financial assistance shall be managed by the Commission in consultation with the Economic and Financial Committee and in a manner consistent with the agreements or understandings reached between the IMF and the authorities of Kosovo.
   3.   The Community financial assistance shall be made available for two years starting from the first day after the entry into force of the Memorandum of Understanding referred to in Article 2(1). However, if circumstances so require, the Commission, after consultation of the Economic and Financial Committee, may decide to extend the availability period by a maximum of one year.
   Article 2
   1.   The Commission is empowered to agree with the authorities of Kosovo, after consultation with the Economic and Financial Committee, the economic policy and financial conditions attached to this assistance, to be laid down in a Memorandum of Understanding. These conditions shall be consistent with the agreements or understandings referred to in Article 1(2).
   2.   Before proceeding with the actual implementation of the Community assistance, the Commission shall monitor the soundness of Kosovo's financial circuits, administrative procedures, as well as the internal and external control mechanisms which are relevant to this Community macro-financial assistance.
   3.   The Commission shall verify at regular intervals, in collaboration with the Economic and Financial Committee and in coordination with the IMF, that economic policies in Kosovo are in accordance with the objectives of this assistance and that the agreed economic policy and financial conditions are being satisfactorily fulfilled.
   Article 3
   1.   The assistance shall be made available by the Commission to Kosovo in two or, if appropriate, three instalments. The first instalment shall be released after the entry into force of the Memorandum of Understanding referred to in Article 2(1), and on the basis of a satisfactory assessment of the monitoring referred to in Article 2(2).
   2.   The second and any further instalments shall be released on the basis of a satisfactory compliance with the economic policy and financial conditions referred to in Article 2(1), satisfactory progress towards fulfilling the conditions set out in the Memorandum of Understanding provided for in Article 2(1), and not before three months have elapsed since the release of the previous instalment.
   3.   The funds shall be paid to the Ministry of Economy and Finance of the PISG, or when the future status of Kosovo will have been determined, to the institution designated to take on its tasks and responsibilities, exclusively in support of Kosovo's budgetary financing needs.
   Article 4
   The implementation of this assistance shall take place in accordance with the provisions of Council Regulation (EC, Euratom) No 1605/2002 of 25 June 2002 on the Financial Regulation applicable to the General Budget of the European Communities (4) and its implementing rules. In particular, the Memorandum of Understanding referred to in Article 2(1) shall provide for appropriate measures by Kosovo related to the prevention of and the fight against fraud, corruption and other irregularities linked to this assistance. It shall also provide for controls by the Commission, including the European Anti-Fraud Office (OLAF), with the right to perform on the spot checks and inspections, and for audits by the Court of Auditors and independent auditors, where appropriate, to be carried out on the spot.
   Article 5
   At least once a year, and before 15 September, the Commission shall submit to the European Parliament and to the Council a report, including an evaluation on the implementation of this Decision in the previous year.
   Article 6
   This Decision shall take effect on the day of its publication in the Official Journal of the European Union.

      Done at Brussels, 30 November 2006.

            For the Council

            The President

         L. HYSSÄLÄ

      (1)  Opinion delivered on 12 October 2006 (not yet published in the Official Journal).

      (2)  OJ L 47, 19.2.2000, p. 28.

      (3)  OJ L 183, 6.7.2001, p. 42.

      (4)  OJ L 248, 16.9.2002, p. 1.


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32003D0019

2003/19/EC: Council Decision of 14 October 2002 on declassifying certain parts of the Sirene Manual adopted by the Executive Committee established by the Convention implementing the Schengen Agreement of 14 June 1985

Official Journal L 008 , 14/01/2003 P. 0034 - 0034

Council Decisionof 14 October 2002on declassifying certain parts of the Sirene Manual adopted by the Executive Committee established by the Convention implementing the Schengen Agreement of 14 June 1985(2003/19/EC)THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION,Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Community, and in particular Article 207 thereof,Whereas:(1) By its Decision of 14 December 1993 (SCH/Com-ex (93) 22 rev) and 23 June 1998 (SCH/Com-ex (98) 17), the Executive Committee established by the Convention implementing the Schengen Agreement of 14 June 1985, which was replaced by the Council pursuant to Article 2 of the Schengen Protocol, classified as "Confidential" the Sirene Manual, the final version of which was adopted by the Decision of the said Executive Committee on 28 April 1999 (SCH/Com-ex (99) 5).(2) The Sirene Manual and the Decisions of the Executive Committee on its classification form part of the Schengen acquis as defined by the Council in its Decision 1999/435/EC of 20 May 1999.(3) Certain parts of the Sirene Manual should be declassified.(4) Certain parts of the Sirene Manual should have their classification downgraded to "Restreint UE".(5) It is appropriate to repeal the Executive Committee decisions (SCH/Com-ex (93) 22 rev) and (SCH/Com-ex (98) 17) insofar as they relate to the classification of the Sirene Manual, so that future decisions on its classification may be taken in accordance with the normal rules on the classification of documents, as set out in Council Decision 2001/264/EC of 19 March 2001 adopting the Council's security regulations(1),HAS DECIDED AS FOLLOWS:Article 1The Sirene Manual shall be declassified, with the exception of section 2.3 and Annexes 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6.Article 2Section 2.3 of the Sirene Manual, as well as Annexes 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6 shall be classified "Restreint UE".Article 3The declassified parts of the Sirene Manual shall be published in the Official Journal of the European Communities.Article 41. The decisions of the Schengen Executive Committee of 14 December 1993 (SCH/Com-ex (93)22 rev.) and of 23 June 1998 (SCH/Com-ex (98) 17) shall be repealed insofar as they relate to the Sirene Manual.2. Future decisions on the classification of the Sirene Manual shall be taken in accordance with the provisions of Decision 2001/264/EC.Article 5This Decision shall take effect on the day of its publication in the Official Journal of the European Communities.Done at Luxembourg, 14 October 2002.For the CouncilThe PresidentL. Espersen(1) OJ L 101, 11.4.2001, p. 1.


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31996D0087

96/87/Euratom, ECSC, EC: Commission Decision of 8 January 1996 adjusting the weightings applicable from 1 June 1994 to the remuneration of officials of the European Communities serving in third countries

Official Journal L 020 , 26/01/1996 P. 0075 - 0076

COMMISSION DECISION of 8 January 1996 adjusting the weightings applicable from 1 June 1994 to the remuneration of officials of the European Communities serving in third countries (96/87/Euratom, ECSC, EC)THE COMMISSION OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES,Having regard to the Treaty establishing a Single Council and a Single Commission of the European Communities,Having regard to the Staff Regulations of the Officials of the European Communities and the conditions of employment of other servants of the Communities laid down by Regulation (EEC, Euratom, ECSC) No 259/68 (1), as last amended by Regulation (ECSC, EC, Euratom) No 3161/94 (2), and in particular the second paragraph of Article 13 of Annex X thereto,Whereas, pursuant to the first paragraph of Article 13 of Annex X to the Staff Regulations, Council Regulation (EC, Euratom, ECSC) No 2356/95 (3) laid down the weightings to be applied from 1 January 1994 to the remuneration of officials serving in third countries, payable in the currency of their country of employment;Whereas the Commission has made a number of adjustments to these weightings in recent months, pursuant to the second paragraph of Article 13 of Annex X to the Staff Regulations (4);Whereas some of these weightings should be adjusted with effect from 1 June 1994 given that the statistics available to the Commission show that in certain third countries the variation in the cost of living measured on the basis of the weighting and the corresponding exchange rate has exceeded 5 % since weightings were last laid down,HAS DECIDED AS FOLLOWS:Sole Article With effect from 1 June 1994 the weightings applicable to the remuneration of officials serving in third countries payable in the currency of their country of employment are adjusted as shown in the Annex.The exchange rates for the calculation of such remuneration shall be those used for implementation of the general budget of the European Union for the month preceding the date referred to in the first paragraph.Done at Brussels, 8 January 1996.For the CommissionHans VAN DEN BROEKMember of the Commission(1) OJ No L 56, 4. 3. 1968, p. 1.(2) OJ No L 335, 23. 12. 1994, p. 1.(3) OJ No L 241, 10. 10. 1995, p. 1.(4) OJ No L 263, 4. 11. 1995, pp. 20 to 28.ANNEX >TABLE>


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32004D0294

2004/294/EC: Council Decision of 8 March 2004 authorising the Member States which are Contracting Parties to the Paris Convention of 29 July 1960 on Third Party Liability in the Field of Nuclear Energy to ratify, in the interest of the European Community, the Protocol amending that Convention, or to accede to it

Official Journal L 097 , 08/03/2004 P. 0053 - 0054

Council Decisionof 8 March 2004authorising the Member States which are Contracting Parties to the Paris Convention of 29 July 1960 on Third Party Liability in the Field of Nuclear Energy to ratify, in the interest of the European Community, the Protocol amending that Convention, or to accede to it(2004/294/EC)THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION,Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Community, and in particular Article 61(c), Article 67, in conjunction with the first subparagraph of Article 300(2) and the second subparagraph of Article 300(3) thereof,Having regard to the proposal from the Commission,Having regard to the assent of the European Parliament(1),Whereas:(1) The Protocol amending the Convention of 29 July 1960 on Third Party Liability in the Field of Nuclear Energy, amended by the Additional Protocol of 28 January 1964 and by the Protocol of 16 November 1982 (hereinafter referred to as the Paris Convention) was negotiated with a view to improving compensation for victims of damage caused by nuclear accidents. It provides for increasing liability amounts and extending the system of nuclear third party liability to environmental damage.(2) In accordance with the Council's negotiating directives of 13 September 2002, the Commission negotiated the Protocol of amendment to the Paris Convention for matters falling within the jurisdiction of the European Community. However, the Council's negotiating directives did not provide for negotiating a clause allowing the accession of the Community to the Protocol.(3) The Protocol was finally adopted by the Contracting Parties to the Paris Convention. The text of the Protocol complies with the Council's negotiating directives.(4) The Community has exclusive jurisdiction with regard to amending Article 13 of the Paris Convention where such amendment would affect the rules laid down in Council Regulation (EC) No 44/2001 of 22 December 2000 on jurisdiction and the recognition and enforcement of judgments in civil and commercial matters(2). The Member States retain their jurisdiction for matters covered by the Protocol which do not affect Community law. Given the subject matter and the aim of the Protocol of amendment, acceptance of the provisions of the Protocol which come under Community jurisdiction cannot be dissociated from the provisions which come under the jurisdiction of the Member States.(5) The Protocol of amendment to the Paris Convention is particularly important, in the light of the interests of the Community and its Member States, because it improves compensation for damage caused by nuclear accidents.(6) The Protocol was signed by the Member States which are Contracting Parties to the Paris Convention, on behalf of the European Community, on 12 February 2004, subject to its possible conclusion at a later date, in accordance with Council Decision 2003/882/EC of(3).(7) The Paris Convention and its Protocol of amendment are not open to participation by regional organisations. As a result, the Community is not in a position to sign or ratify the Protocol, or to accede to it. Under these circumstances, it is justified, on a very exceptional basis, that the Member States ratify or accede to the Protocol in the interest of the Community.(8) However, three of the Member States, namely Austria, Ireland and Luxembourg, are not Parties to the Paris Convention. Given that the Protocol amends the Paris Convention, that Regulation (EC) No 44/2001 authorises the Member States bound by that Convention to continue to apply the rules on jurisdiction provided for in it and that the Protocol does not substantially amend the rules on jurisdiction of the Convention, it is objectively justified that this Decision should be addressed only to those Member States that are Parties to the Paris Convention. Accordingly, Austria, Ireland and Luxembourg will continue to base themselves on the Community rules contained in Regulation (EC) No 44/2001 and to apply them in the area covered by the Paris Convention and by the Protocol amending that Convention.(9) The Member States which are Contracting Parties to the Paris Convention, should therefore ratify the Protocol amending the Paris Convention, or accede to it, in the interest of the European Community, subject to the conditions laid down in this Decision. Such ratification or accession is without prejudice to the position of Austria, Ireland and Luxembourg.(10) Consequently, the provisions of the Protocol, as regards the European Community, will be applied only by those Member States which are currently Contracting Parties to the Paris Convention and is without prejudice to the position of Austria, Ireland and Luxembourg.(11) The United Kingdom and Ireland are bound by Council Regulation (EC) No 44/2001 and are therefore taking part in the adoption of this Decision.(12) In accordance with Articles 1 and 2 of the Protocol on the position of Denmark annexed to the Treaty on European Union and to the Treaty establishing the European Community, Denmark does not take part in the adoption of this Decision, and is not bound by it or subject to its application,HAS ADOPTED THIS DECISION:Article 11. Without prejudice to the Community's powers, the Member States which are currently Contracting Parties to the Paris Convention shall ratify the Protocol amending the Paris Convention, or accede to it, in the interest of the European Community. Such ratification or accession shall be without prejudice to the position of Austria, Ireland and Luxembourg.2. The text of the Protocol amending the Paris Convention is attached to this Decision.3. For the purposes of this Decision, the term "Member State" shall mean all Member States with the exception of Austria, Denmark, Ireland and Luxembourg.Article 21. Member States which are Contracting Parties to the Paris Convention shall take the necessary steps to deposit simultaneously their instruments of ratification of the Protocol, or accession to it, with the Secretary-General of the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development within a reasonable time and, if possible, before 31 December 2006.2. Member States which are Contracting Parties to the Paris Convention shall exchange information with the Commission within the Council before 1 July 2006 on the date on which they expect their parliamentary procedures required for ratification or accession to be completed. The date and arrangements for simultaneous deposit shall be determined on that basis.Article 3When ratifying or acceding to the Protocol amending the Paris Convention, Member States shall inform the Secretary-General of the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development in writing that ratification or accession has taken place in accordance with this Decision.Article 4This Decision is addressed to the Member States in accordance with the Treaty establishing the European Community.Done at Brussels, 8 March 2004.For the CouncilThe PresidentD. Ahern(1) Assent of 26 February 2004 (not yet published in the Official Journal).(2) OJ L 12, 16.1.2001, p. 1.(3) OJ L 338, 23.12.2003, p. 32.


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31992D0413

92/413/EEC: Council Decision of 29 June 1992 concerning the conclusion of a Cooperation Agreement between the European Economic Community and the Kingdom of Sweden on research and technological development in the field of renewable raw materials: forestry and wood products (including cork) (Forest) and the recycling of waste (Reward)

Official Journal L 228 , 11/08/1992 P. 0040

COUNCIL DECISION of 29 June 1992 concerning the conclusion of a Cooperation Agreement between the European Economic Community and the Kingdom of Sweden on research and technological development in the field of renewable raw materials: forestry and  wood products (including cork) (Forest) and the recycling of waste (Reward) (92/413/EEC)THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES,  Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Economic Community, and in particular Article 130q (2) thereof,  Having regard to the proposal from the Commission(1) ,  In cooperation with the European Parliament(2) ,  Having regard to the opinion of the Economic and Social Committee(3) ,  Whereas by Decision 89/626/EEC(4) , the Council adopted a specific research and technological development programme of the European Economic Community in the fields of raw materials and recycling (1990 to 1992); whereas Article 8 of this Decision  authorizes the Commission to negotiate agreements with specified third countries, including those European countries having concluded framework agreements for scientific and technical cooperation with the Community, with a view to associating them  wholly or partly with the programme;  Whereas by Decision 87/177/EEC(5) , the Council approved the conclusion, on behalf of the European Economic Community, of the Framework Agreement for scientific and technical cooperation between the European Communities and, among others, the Kingdom of  Sweden;  Whereas the Government of Sweden has asked to participate in two subprogrammes of the abovementioned Communtiy research programme, relating to both forestry and wood products (including cork) as a renewable raw material (Forest) and the recycling of  waste (Reward);  Whereas the Community and Sweden expect to obtain mutual benefit from cooperation and whereas this Agreement should be approved HAS DECIDED AS FOLLWOS:  Article 1  The Cooperation Agreement between the European Economic Community and the Kingdom of Sweden on research and technological development in the fields of renewable raw materials and recycling: forestry and wood products (including cork) (Forest)  and the recycling of waste (Reward) is hereby approved on behalf of the Community.  The text of the Agreement is attached to this Decision.  Article 2  The President of the Council shall give the notification as provided for in Article 10 of the Agreement(6) .  Done at Luxembourg, 29 June 1992.  For the Council The President Carlos BORREGO    (1) OJ No C 316, 6. 12. 1991, p. 10.  (2) OJ No C 194, 13. 4. 1992, p. 161 and Decision of 10 June 1992 (not yet published in the Official Journal).  (3) OJ No C 106, 27. 4. 1992, p. 13.  (4) OJ No L 359, 8. 12. 1989, p. 16.  (5) OJ No L 71, 14. 3. 1987, p. 29.  (6) The date of entry into force of the Agreement will be published in the Official Journal of the European Communities by the General Secretariat of the Council.


title: Council Decision of 8 February 1977 on the Community financing of certain expenditure relating to food aid supplied under the 1976 programme

text:
11 . 2. 77                           Official Journal of the European Communities                            No L 40/23
                                                             II
                                        (Acts whose publication is not obligatory)
                                                    COUNCIL
                                                 COUNCIL DECISION
                                                   of 8 February 1977
              on the Community financing of certain expenditure relating to food aid
                                         supplied under the 1976 programme
                                                       (77/ 130/ EEC)
THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN                                       HAS DECIDED AS FOLLOWS .
COMMUNITIES,
                                                                                Sole Article
Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European             Within    the   framework    of   Community   food-aid
Economic Community,                                               measures set off against the 'Sahel' reserve under the
Having regard to Council Regulation (EEC) No                      1976 programme, Community financing shall cover
1703/72 of 3 August 1972 amending Regulation                      forwarding costs incurred beyond delivery to the port
(EEC) No 2052/69 on the Community financing of                    of shipment, in accordance with the following arrange
                                                                  ments :
expenditure arising from the implementation of the
Food Aid Convention of 1967, and laying down rules                — for the Gambia and Mauritania : financing shall
for the Community financing of expenditure arising                    cover expenditure incurred between the fob stage
from the implementation of the Food Aid Convention                    and the cif stage ;
of 1971 ('), and in particular Articles 8 ( 1 ) and 10 ( 1 )      — for Upper Volta : financing shall cover expenditure
thereof,                                                              incurred between the fob stage and the free at
Having regard to the proposal from the Commission,                    destination stage.
Whereas certain of the Sahel countries in receipt of
food aid in the form of cereals from the ' Sahel ' reserve        Done at Brussels, 8 February 1977.
under the 1976 programme would have difficulty,
                                                                                For the Council
given their economic and financial situation , in
covering forwarding costs beyond the fob stage ;                                                The President
whereas such costs should consequently be borne by
the Community,                                                                               Anthony CROSLAND
(') OJ No L 180 , 8 . 8 . 1972, p. 1


title: Political and Security Committee Decision (CFSP) 2015/1917 of 20 October 2015 on the acceptance of Switzerland's contribution for the European Union CSDP mission in Mali (EUCAP Sahel Mali) (EUCAP Sahel Mali/4/2015)

text:
               24.10.2015

               EN

               Official Journal of the European Union

               L 280/30

         POLITICAL AND SECURITY COMMITTEE DECISION (CFSP) 2015/1917
   of 20 October 2015
   on the acceptance of Switzerland's contribution for the European Union CSDP mission in Mali (EUCAP Sahel Mali) (EUCAP Sahel Mali/4/2015)
   THE POLITICAL AND SECURITY COMMITTEE,
   Having regard to the Treaty on European Union, and in particular the third paragraph of Article 38 thereof,
   Having regard to Council Decision 2014/219/CFSP of 15 April 2014 on the European Union CSDP mission in Mali (EUCAP Sahel Mali) (1),
   Whereas:

               (1)

               Pursuant to Article 10(3) of Decision 2014/219/CFSP, the Council authorised the Political and Security Committee (‘PSC’) to take relevant decisions on the acceptance of the proposed contributions to EUCAP Sahel Mali by third States.

               (2)

               Following the recommendation of the Civilian Operations Commander, the PSC should accept the proposed contribution from Switzerland to EUCAP Sahel Mali and should consider the contribution as significant.

               (3)

               Therefore, Switzerland should be exempted from financial contributions to the operational budget of EUCAP Sahel Mali,

         HAS ADOPTED THIS DECISION:
   Article 1
   Third States' contributions
   1.   The contribution from Switzerland to EUCAP Sahel Mali is accepted and is considered to be significant.
   2.   Switzerland is exempted from financial contributions to the operational budget of EUCAP Sahel Mali.
   Article 2
   Entry into force
   This Decision shall enter into force on the date of its adoption.

      Done at Brussels, 20 October 2015.

            For the Political and Security Committee

            The Chairperson

         W. STEVENS

      (1)  OJ L 113, 16.4.2014, p. 21.


title: Decision of the Bureau of the European Parliament of 12 December 2016 amending the Implementing Measures for the Statute for Members of the European Parliament

text:
               24.12.2016

               EN

               Official Journal of the European Union

               C 484/19

         DECISION OF THE BUREAU OF THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT
   of 12 December 2016
   amending the Implementing Measures for the Statute for Members of the European Parliament
   (2016/C 484/06)
   THE BUREAU OF THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT,
   Having regard to the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union, and in particular Article 223(2) thereof,
   Having regard to the Statute for Members of the European Parliament (1),
   Having regard to Rules 10 and 25 of the Rules of Procedure of the European Parliament,
   Whereas:

               (1)

               In accordance with Article 69(1) of the Implementing Measures for the Statute for Members of the European Parliament (2) (‘the Implementing Measures’), the amounts of the reimbursable travel expenses, daily subsistence allowance and general expenditure allowance may be index-linked annually by the Bureau, up to a maximum increase equal to the annual inflation rate in the European Union in October of the previous year, as published by Eurostat.

               (2)

               The inflation rate for the period from 1 November 2015 to 31 October 2016, as notified by Eurostat on 17 November 2016, stands at 0,5 %. The new amounts resulting from the adjustment needed in order to take that inflation rate into account should apply from 1 January 2017 and the Implementing Measures should be amended accordingly.

               (3)

               Pursuant to Article 69(2) of the Implementing Measures, the maximum amount of parliamentary assistance costs defrayable in respect of the personal staff referred to in Article 33(4) of those measures is, where appropriate, index-linked annually on the basis of data established pursuant to Article 65 of the Staff Regulations of Officials of the European Union laid down by Council Regulation (EEC, Euratom, ECSC) No 259/68 (3).

               (4)

               In that connection, the Commission has fixed the adjustment rate for 2016 at 3,3 %. Accordingly, the maximum monthly amount defrayable for parliamentary assistance expenses should be increased to EUR 24 164 with effect from 1 July 2016,

         HAS ADOPTED THIS DECISION:
   Article 1
   The Implementing Measures are amended as follows:

               (1)

               In Article 15, point (c) is replaced by the following:

                           ‘(c)

                           in the event of travel by car, with a reimbursement ceiling of 1 000 km per outward or inward journey: EUR 0,51/km, plus the cost of any ferry crossing or similar transportation required.’;

               (2)

               In Article 20(1), point (a) is replaced by the following:

                           ‘(a)

                           for the part of the journey between 0 and 50 km: EUR 22,73;’;

               (3)

               Article 22 is amended as follows:

                           (a)

                           paragraph 1 is replaced by the following:
                           ‘1.   The maximum annual amount which may be reimbursed in respect of travel expenses incurred in the cases referred to in Article 10(1), point (b) shall be EUR 4 286.’;

                           (b)

                           the first subparagraph of paragraph 3 is replaced by the following:
                           ‘The maximum annual amount which may be reimbursed in respect of the travel expenses actually incurred by committee or subcommittee chairs travelling to attend conferences or events which deal with a matter of European interest falling within the sphere of responsibility of their committee or subcommittee and which have a parliamentary dimension shall be EUR 4 286. Such participation shall require prior authorisation from the President of Parliament, following verification that appropriations up to the maximum amount indicated above are available.’;

               (4)

               In Article 24, paragraph 2 is replaced by the following:
               ‘2.   If the official activity takes place on the territory of the Union, a Member shall receive a lump-sum allowance of EUR 307.’;

               (5)

               In Article 26, paragraph 2 is replaced by the following:
               ‘2.   The monthly amount of the allowance under Article 25 shall be EUR 4 342.’;

               (6)

               In Article 33, paragraph 4 is replaced by the following:
               ‘4.   The maximum monthly amount defrayable in respect of all the personal staff referred to in Article 34 shall be EUR 24 164.’.

         Article 2
   This Decision shall enter into force on the day following that of its publication in the Official Journal of the European Union.
   This Decision shall apply from 1 January 2017, with the exception of Article 1(6), which shall apply from 1 July 2016.

      (1)  Decision 2005/684/EC, Euratom of the European Parliament of 28 September 2005 adopting the Statute for Members of the European Parliament (OJ L 262, 7.10.2005, p. 1).

      (2)  Decision of the Bureau of the European Parliament of 19 May and 9 July 2008 concerning implementing measures for the Statute for Members of the European Parliament (OJ C 159, 13.7.2009, p. 1).

      (3)  OJ L 56, 4.3.1968, p. 1.