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32003D0396

2003/396/EC: Council Decision of 19 May 2003 on the principles, priorities, intermediate objectives and conditions contained in the Accession Partnership with Bulgaria

Official Journal L 145 , 12/06/2003 P. 0001 - 0020

Council Decisionof 19 May 2003on the principles, priorities, intermediate objectives and conditions contained in the Accession Partnership with Bulgaria(2003/396/EC)THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION,Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Community,Having regard to Council Regulation (EC) No 622/98 of 16 March 1998 on assistance to the applicant States in the framework of the preaccession strategy, and in particular on the establishment of Accession Partnerships(1), and in particular to Article 2 thereof,Having regard to the proposal from the Commission,Whereas:(1) The Luxembourg European Council stated that the Accession Partnership is a new instrument and the key feature of the enhanced preaccession strategy.(2) The Copenhagen European Council stated that following the conclusions of the European Council in Brussels and depending on further progress in complying with the membership criteria, the objective is to welcome Bulgaria as a member of the European Union in 2007. It endorsed the Commission's communication on a roadmap for Bulgaria, including the proposals for a significant increase in preaccession assistance, and stated that the high level of funding to be made available should be used in a flexible way, targeting the priorities identified, including in key areas such as justice and home affairs. It stated that further guidance in preaccession work would be provided by the revised Accession Partnerships to be presented to them next year.(3) Regulation (EC) No 622/98 sets out that the Council is to decide, by a qualified majority and following a proposal from the Commission, on the principles, priorities, intermediate objectives and conditions contained in the individual Accession Partnerships, as they will be submitted to each applicant State, as well as on subsequent significant adjustments applicable to them.(4) Community assistance is conditional on the fulfilment of essential elements, and in particular on the respect of the commitments contained in the Europe Agreements and on progress towards fulfilment of the Copenhagen criteria; where an essential element is lacking, the Council, acting by a qualified majority on a proposal from the Commission, may take appropriate steps with regard to any preaccession assistance.(5) The Luxembourg European Council decided that the implementation of the Accession Partnership and progress in adopting the acquis communautaire will be examined in the Europe Agreement bodies.(6) The Commission's 2002 regular report presents an objective analysis on Bulgaria's preparations for membership and identifies a number of priority areas for further work.(7) Bulgaria needs to ensure that the appropriate legal and administrative structures needed for the programming, coordination, management, control and evaluation of Community preaccession funds are in place,HAS DECIDED AS FOLLOWS:Article 1In accordance with Article 2 of Regulation (EC) No 622/98, the principles, priorities, intermediate objectives and conditions in the Accession Partnership for Bulgaria are set out in the Annex hereto, which forms an integral part of this Decision.Article 2The implementation of the Accession Partnership shall be examined in the Europe Agreement bodies and by the appropriate Council bodies on the basis of regular reports by the Commission to the Council.Article 3This Decision shall take effect on the third day following its publication in the Official Journal of the European Union.Done at Brussels, 19 May 2003.For the CouncilThe PresidentG. Papandreou(1) OJ L 85, 20.3.1998, p. 1.ANNEX1. INTRODUCTIONAt its meeting in Luxembourg in December 1997, the European Council decided that the Accession Partnership would be the key feature of the enhanced preaccession strategy, mobilising all forms of assistance to the candidate countries within a single framework. In this manner, the Community targets its assistance towards the specific needs of each candidate so as to provide support for overcoming particular problems with a view to accession.The first Accession Partnership for Bulgaria was decided in March 1998. As provided for in Regulation (EC) No 622/98 (Article 2), the Accession Partnership was updated a first time in December 1999, and a second time in January 2002(1), taking into account further developments in Bulgaria. In the Commission's communication on the roadmap for Bulgaria, it was stated that the Commission would propose revised Accession Partnerships for Bulgaria in the light of the findings of the 2002 regular reports and roadmap. The Communication also stated that short- and medium-term issues identified in the roadmap would be further developed in the revised Accession Partnership to be presented next year, and that the Accession Partnership would continue to be the basis for programming preaccession assistance, but that priorities for assistance would also be drawn from the regular reports, roadmap and revised national development plans to be prepared by each country in line with Structural Funds requirements. It was stated that the Accession Partnership would complement the roadmap and, taken together, would be the main tools guiding Bulgaria's work on preparation for accession to the EU.2. OBJECTIVESThe purpose of the Accession Partnership is to set out in a single framework the priority areas for further work identified in the Commission's 2002 regular report on the progress made by Bulgaria towards membership of the Union and the roadmap, the financial means available to help Bulgaria implement these priorities and the conditions which will apply to that assistance. The Accession Partnership provides the basis for a number of policy instruments which will be used to help the candidate States in their preparations for membership. These include, inter alia, the preaccession fiscal surveillance procedure, the preaccession economic programme, the preaccession pact on organised crime as well as the national development plans, the rural development plans, a national employment strategy in line with the European employment strategy, and sectoral plans necessary for the participation in the Structural Funds after membership and for the implementation of the instrument for structural policies for preaccession (ISPA) and the special accession programme for agriculture and rural development (Sapard) before accession. Each of these instruments is different in nature and is prepared and implemented according to specific procedures and may be supported by presaccession aid. They are not an integral part of this Partnership but the priorities they contain will be compatible with it.3. PRINCIPLESThe main priority areas identified for each candidate State relate to their ability to take on the obligations of meeting the Copenhagen criteria which state that membership requires:- that the candidate State has achieved stability of institutions guaranteeing democracy, the rule of law, human rights and respect for and protection of minorities,- the existence of a functioning market economy, as well as the capacity to cope with competitive pressure and market forces within the Union,- the ability to take on the obligations of membership, including adherence to the aims of political, economic and monetary union.At its meeting in Madrid in 1995, the European Council stressed the need for the candidate States to adjust their administrative structures to ensure harmonious operation of Community policies after accession. At Luxembourg, in 1997, it stressed that incorporation of the acquis into legislation is necessary, but not in itself sufficient, since it is also necessary to ensure that it is actually applied. The Feira and Gothenburg European Councils in 2000 and 2001 respectively confirmed the vital importance of the applicant countries' capacity to implement and enforce the acquis, and added that this required important efforts by the applicants in strengthening and reforming their administrative and judicial structures. The Copenhagen European Council in 2002 again underlined the importance of judicial and administrative reform, which would help bring forward Bulgaria 's overall preparation for membership.4. PRIORITIESThe Commission's regular reports have highlighted, besides the progress already made, the extent of the efforts which still have to be made in certain areas by candidate countries to prepare for accession. The 2002 regular reports concluded that Bulgaria continues to fulfil the political criteria and that it is a functioning market economy. However, it is not yet able to cope with competitive pressure and market forces within the Union. Bulgaria does not yet fully meet the acquis criteria. In order to complete its preparations successfully, Bulgaria needs to continue its efforts to transpose, implement and enforce the acquis. It also needs to continue the reform of public administration and the judiciary in order to have the necessary administrative and judicial capacity for this.The roadmap for Bulgaria, which covers the period up to accession, indicates the main steps that it needs to take to be ready for membership. It is based on the commitments made in the negotiations and on what needs to be done to fulfil the Copenhagen and Madrid criteria for membership. The roadmap aims to support Bulgaria's efforts to meet the remaining criteria for membership by identifying the tasks ahead and providing increased financial assistance. There is particular emphasis on administrative and judicial capacity necessary to implement the acquis and on economic reform. For the acquis chapters, the roadmaps provide benchmarks against which Bulgaria's progress can be monitored. These cover both alignment of legislation and development of administrative capacity.This revised Accession Partnership complements the roadmap and, taken together, these are the main tools guiding Bulgaria's work on preparation for accession to the EU. The Accession Partnership further develops the short and medium term issues identified in the roadmap, identifying priorities that it is realistic to expect that Bulgaria can complete or take forward substantially over the period 2003/2004. The priorities in the Accession Partnership have been set in cooperation with the countries concerned. The achievement of these will condition the degree of assistance granted. Within these priorities, issues that require particularly urgent action have been highlighted.It is also important that Bulgaria fulfils the commitments of legislative approximation and the implementation of the acquis in accordance with the commitments made under the Europe Agreement, and in the context of the negotiation process. It should be recalled that incorporation of the acquis into legislation is not in itself sufficient; it will also be necessary to ensure that it is actually applied to the same standards as those which apply within the Union. In all of the areas listed below there is a need for credible and effective implementation and enforcement of the acquis.Drawing on the basis of the analysis of the Commission's 2002 Regular Report and the roadmap, the following priorities and intermediate objectives have been identified for Bulgaria. These priorities are presented in accordance with the structure of the Regular Report(2).Political criteriaDemocracy and the rule of lawPublic administration- Prepare a fully comprehensive public administration reform strategy, including an action plan, in 2003. The strategy should involve a twin track approach combining: continuing to support institution building directly relevant to the acquis and management of Community funds; and horizontal reform designed to improve the effectiveness of the public administration more generally.- Take steps to ensure application of transparent procedures for recruitment and promotion and to improve human resource management. Take steps towards ensuring sufficient qualified staff to ensure sustainability of reforms. Increase staff percentage with civil servants status. Protect staff, whatever their status, from unfair dismissal.- Improve (through simplification and clarification) the legal framework for administrative decision-making and procedures to ensure legal certainty. Take further steps to ensure accountability, openness and transparency of public service.- Strengthen administrative structures to ensure that it has the necessary capacity for fully effective use of and proper accounting for Community funds.- Strengthen capacity for strategic planning, policy analysis and evaluation at the centre of government and in line ministries.- Give more attention when the acquis communautaire is transposed, to how this can be implemented and enforced, including in the court system, at national, regional and local levels, in a way appropriate to the situation in Bulgaria.- Further improve the quality of consultation with affected parties (e.g. social and economic partners, civil society, and private sector) on preparation of new legislation.Judicial system- Take steps to continue the reform of the judicial system, including with a view to ensuring an impartial application of law.- Continue to implement the national reform strategy for the Bulgarian judicial system and action plan and adopt implementing legislation in line with EU practices.- Review the structure of the judiciary in line with EU best practices, including a review of the organisation of the pre-trial phase.- Review the degree of penal immunity of members of the judiciary to ensure this is in line with EU best practices.- Take steps to improve judicial proceedings in particular to reduce excessive length and ensure full implementation of fundamental rights in penal cases, in particular as regards legal aid.- Ensure the budget for the judiciary is adequate, including for the appropriate enforcement of judicial decisions.- Clearly distinguish between the roles of the Supreme Judicial Council and of the Ministry of Justice aiming to respect the independence of the judiciary.- Strengthen the administrative capacity of the Supreme Judicial Council to ensure its proper functioning as regards both strategic decision-making and management of the court system.- Take steps to improve the functioning of courts through increasing management training for Court Presidents, development of efficient administrative support at both central and local levels and through introduction of a transparent case distribution system.- Improve security and working conditions in courts and prosecution offices.- Establish a more open, fair and transparent system for recruitment, evaluation and promotion process based on merit within the judiciary.- Enhance professionalism in the judiciary by ensuring adequate state funding for the National Institute for the Judiciary allowing it to develop high quality training for judges, prosecutors and administrative staff.- Modernise management methods in the prosecution service in order to improve the transparency and efficiency of case handling.Anti-corruption measures- Continue to implement the national anti-corruption strategy and the action plan.- Take steps to ensure the legal framework for tackling corruption is implemented and enforced. Introduce the notion of criminal or administrative penal sanctions against legal persons in Bulgaria. Ratify the Council of Europe Civil Law Convention on Corruption.Human rights and the protection of minorities- Adopt and start to effectively implement comprehensive anti-discrimination legislation transposing the Community anti-discrimination acquis(3).- Complete reorganisation and modernisation of the police, continue efforts for police officers to respect basic human rights in all circumstances; broaden the use of community policing approaches, which improves relations with public, in particular minority groups.- Continue efforts to tackle trafficking in human beings, including prevention and social reintegration efforts.- Take further steps to bring all places of pre-trial detention, in particular police stations, into line with the basic requirements identified in the Council of Europe Committee for the Prevention of Torture report.- Ensure implementation and sufficient budgetary resources to ensure access to justice and legal aid.- Ensure the childcare system is reformed so as to systematically reduce the number of children in institutional care in particular through developing alternative social services aimed at children and families. Ensure the full implementation of the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child.- In need of particularly urgent action: Provide a legal framework which ensures the necessary safeguards against arbitrariness of detention and improve living conditions in the mental health care system. Adopt and implement a strategy and action plan with an adequate financial framework of substantial reform in the mental health care system.- Take concrete action to implement the Roma Framework Programme with particular attention to providing necessary financial support, significant strengthening the government body in charge of minority issues and ensuring equal access to health, housing, education and social security. Elaborate a concrete action plan and financial framework to the Roma Framework Programme which improves implementation.Economic criteriaThe high degree of macroeconomic stability achieved over recent years should be maintained and the implementation of the reform programme to remove remaining difficulties needs to be continued.Make further efforts in the following areas:- the privatisation programme,- developing small and medium-sized enterprises, in particular the number of start-ups,- implementing the programme to reduce and simplify licensing procedures,- reforming customs and tax administrations, including with a view to reducing the informal economy,- the efficiency of bankruptcy procedures,- developing and improving financial intermediation and the non-banking financial sector,- enforcing property rights,- the number of transactions and prices of agricultural land,- the volume and quality of public investment, including infrastructure, education environment and health,- the reduction of State aid, in particular in the energy and transport sectors.Ability to assume the obligations of membershipFree movement of goods- Take necessary horizontal and procedural measures.- Transpose 80 % of European standards including full transposition of European harmonised standards in the field of new approach directives.- Strengthen administrative capacity in the field of standardisation and support the development of the conformity assessment bodies and laboratories.- Ensure that the transposition of all new and old approach directives is completed and that the texts are fully in line with Community legislation.- Strengthen the administrative capacity in the fields of chemical substances and motor vehicles.- Transpose the acquis on chemical substances, motor vehicles, wood, the control of weapons and return of cultural goods.- Reach full compliance with the acquis concerning pharmaceuticals for human use as well as medicines for veterinary use, including as regards marketing authorisations.- Amend the Law on public health, in particular to render both sanitary permits for imported foodstuffs and health certificates for exports fully compatible with the acquis.- Continue efforts in food safety and foodstuffs.- Progressively align the legislation on the acquis on foodstuffs.- Develop administrative capacity, create a system of national training of inspectors and food operators, ensure proper application of the HACCP (hazard analysis of critical control points), accredit and reform the laboratories.- Ensure progress in non-harmonised areas. Integrate the principle of mutual recognition into relevant legislation on goods.- Complete the screening of the legislation in the non-harmonised area to check conformity with Articles 28 to 30 of the EC Treaty and eliminate non-compliant provisions.- Make further efforts to align legislation and to ensure its effective enforcement as regards public procurement.- Establish a State agency on public procurement.- Identify the constitutional changes required to transpose remedies system provisions.- Amend the Law on public procurement, including the removal of the national preference, the establishment of transparent procedures and effective remedies, including on public procurement tenders, to ensure full compatibility with the acquis.Free movement of persons- Continue legislative work on mutual recognition of professional qualifications and diplomas and ensure administrative structures are in place.- Make preparations to revise the Bulgarian Constitution to ensure compliance with the acquis on the right of vote, including special legislation on elections of the European Parliament.- Continue to align legislation with Community rules with respect to nationality, residence and language requirements, as well as equal treatment for migrant workers.- Continue preparatory work for participating in the EURES network.- Take preparatory measures to meet the financial and administrative obligations, which will result from application of the rules on coordination of social security.Freedom to provide services- Further uphold the right of establishment and freedom to provide services.- Amend further the law on foreigners to remove incompatibilities with the acquis.- Amend the Attorney Act, the law on gambling and the law on weapons and dual-use goods.- Fully align legislation on financial services with the acquis, including with the new directives or regulations adopted as part of the financial services action plan. Pursue the strengthening and independence of the financial supervisory bodies.- Transpose further the acquis in the field of insurance services, in particular, start to bring compensation progressively in line with EU minimum levels with regard to third party liability motor insurance.- Fully align Data Protection Act with the acquis and develop the necessary administrative capacity to implement it.- Fully transpose the acquis on conditional access and on technical standards.Free movement of capital- Finalise alignment on capital movements, except where transition periods have been granted.- Adopt all necessary amendments to the Foreign Exchange Law and shortly afterwards the regulations on its implementation.- Develop programmes in financial institutions against money laundering.- All relevant professions, particularly all credit and financial institutions, to cooperate fully with the authorities responsible for combating money laundering in accordance with the anti-money laundering Directive (91/308/EEC) well ahead of accession.- Reinforce administrative capacity of Bureau of Financial Intelligence.- Take further steps to complete alignment of legislation on payment systems.- Take further steps to complete alignment of legislation on money laundering.Company law- Fully align legislation on intellectual and industrial property rights with the acquis and improve its enforcement. Intensify measures to combat piracy and counterfeiting in particular through strengthening border controls, improving coordination between the customs, police and judiciary on enforcement of intellectual and industrial property rights and ensuring proper training of enforcement bodies, including judges and prosecutors.- Make further progress in the alignment with the acquis on company law and accounting and pursue improvement of administrative capacity in this area, in particular with regard to law enforcement.Competition policy- Complete the legal antitrust framework, pursue training efforts and further develop record of effective implementation and enforcement of anti-trust rules.- Ensure that the antitrust legislation takes full account of the acquis, including the more recent block exemptions.- Ensure a more deterrent sanctions policy and emphasis on preventing serious distortions of competition.- Increase awareness of the rules, in particular with the business community and the judiciary.- Complete the legislative framework in relation to State aid.- Make further modifications to the substantive implementing rules.- Under the Europe Agreement mechanisms, adopt jointly with the Community a regional aid map in line with the acquis.- Upgrade expertise and improve the quality of State aid decisions, as well as State aid transparency.- Further strengthen (e.g. training and resources) the administrative capacity, including intensified cooperation between the Commission for protection of competition (CPC) and the State aid department of the Ministry of Finance.- Improve State aid transparency, ensuring that inventory and annual reports include all aid measures.- Increase awareness of the rules, among all market participants and aid grantors, in particular with the business community and the judiciary.- Improve State aid enforcement record, in particular by assessing existing schemes in Bulgaria under which State Aid is being granted, including indirect and cross aids and subsidisation, to bring them into line with the acquis and ensure that through the ex-ante control of all new aid measures, full compatibility with the acquis is assured.- Prepare an overall restructuring plan, along with individual plans, for the steel sector, in compliance with Protocol 2 of the Europe Agreement on ECSC products.Agriculture- Continue to upgrade the capacities to operate management mechanisms of the common agricultural policy (CAP), particularly the paying agency and the integrated administration and control system.- Continue to improve the efficiency of the implementation of Sapard.- With regard to horizontal issues, continue to upgrade the administrative structure in areas such as quality policy, organic farming, FADN (farm accountancy data network).- Continue implementation of common market organisations for all relevant products, including the setting-up of the vineyard register and the development of approved distilleries, development of capacities of intervention agencies, development of inter-branch organisations.- Upgrade administrative structures for design, implementation, management, monitoring, control and evaluation of Community funded rural development programmes and the EU forestry strategy.- Continue work on a national cadastre and property register to improve the situation of the land market.- Complete alignment of veterinary and phytosanitary legislation in order to enforce internal market control systems and imports from third countries fully and effectively; continue to implement veterinary, phytosanitary and food safety legislation, including animal disease control measures.- Continue the efforts of establishing the national database for bovine animals in order to make it fully operational by the end of 2003.- Continue the upgrading of food processing establishments, including the upgrading of old slaughterhouses.- Resource the NVS adequately and establish a programme of the National Veterinary Service for establishments to meet fully the EU requirements until the end of 2004.- Continue the process of upgrading or developing all proposed long-term veterinary border inspection posts, including training of relevant personnel in all procedures required to meet EU legislation.- Continue training for official veterinarians.- Continue implementation of Community legal requirements on animal movements with a view to a system in full conformity with acquis on identification and registration of animals.- Progress on transposing and implementing acquis on animal waste.Fisheries- Complete the establishment of adequate organisation, adequate institutional resources and equipment relating to inspection and controls, market and structural policy at central and regional levels.- Complete the fishing register in full compliance with Community requirements.- Develop a reliable system of fisheries statistics.- Implement recently adopted legislation governing the functioning of the main administrative structures.- Make additional staff available for the Fisheries Department within the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Forestry.- Strengthen control activities by putting more emphasis on training fisheries inspectors, providing appropriate equipment, and increasing the number of inspectors for controlling sea fisheries.- Preparation to implement the regulations concerning resources management and control.Transport policy- Continue legal alignment in road transport and its implementation, especially to adapt the fleet to technical and safety requirements (tachographs and speed limitation devices), social legislation, introduction and gradual increase of the financial standing requirements for access to the profession, transport of dangerous goods and alignment of the system of vehicle taxes and road charges.- Reinforce administrative capacity in road transport, especially in connection to transport of dangerous goods, social legislation (driving times and rest periods), market access, access to the profession and road-side checks.- Continue legal alignment, implementation and reinforce administrative capacity in the railways sector - including strengthening of the regulatory body, the notified body, independence of the railway infrastructure manager, the rail infrastructure charging scheme and financial stabilisation of the main operator, with a view to implementing the revised railway acquis; ensure complete transposition and implementation of the EU legislation on interoperability.- Ensure necessary administrative capacity to prepare for the significant investments needed in rail and road infrastructure, in anticipation to being able to benefit from EU structural funds; implement schedule to ensure the necessary investments for upgrading and rehabilitating the road network up to EU axle-weight norms, taking account of environmental protection legislation.- Complete full accession to the joint aviation authorities and continue legislative alignment and implementation of related secondary legislation on joint aviation requirements, implement a staged introduction of third package regulations and harmonisation of requirements and administrative procedures in the field of civil aviation, reinforce the qualification of the aviation administration personnel.- Complete alignment with EU maritime legislation in safety and non-safety areas; improve maritime safety, in particular improve the performance of maritime safety administrative institutions, firstly as a flag State, and then as a port State, and guarantee their independence; strengthen Bulgarian maritime administration; further align with EU maritime acquis in areas of safety through the Merchant Shipping Code and implementing legislation. Continue to improve the maritime safety record of the Bulgarian fleet under the Paris memorandum by adopting and implementing all appropriate measures.Taxation- Continue alignment of tax legislation in VAT and excise duties.- Ensure that future legislation complies with the principles of code of conduct for business taxation and revise existing harmful provisions.- Strengthen administrative capacity and control procedures including administrative cooperation and mutual assistance between different parts of tax and customs administrations, with a view to increasing tax compliance, improving the collection of revenues and the management of VAT refunds. Develop IT systems so as to allow for the exchange of electronic data with the Community and its Member States.Statistics- Strengthen administrative capacity, through particular attention to further staff development in the statistics administration and information technology capacity, notably in regional offices.- Further improve regional statistics in order that regional statistics, regional databases and the settlements register to be in line with EU requirements.- Further improve the quality and coverage of national accounts, short-term statistics and the quality and coverage of the business register.- Implement an agriculture census in 2003 in accordance with Eurostat methodology.- Start the preparations for the Intrastat system.Employment and social policy- Continue alignment of the acquis in the area of labour law in particular through amending the Labour Code and Employment Promotion Act and the respective by-laws. Strengthen the related administrative and enforcement structures including labour inspectorates and establish an independent guarantee fund for employees in the case of employer's insolvency.- Transpose and implement the EU legislation in the field of equal treatment for women and men and ensure its proper implementation.- Adopt legislation to transpose the anti-discrimination acquis. Establish a body for the promotion of equal treatment of all persons without discrimination on grounds of race or ethnic origin.- Complete transposition of the acquis on health and safety at work and develop implementation capacity, in particular of the General Labour Inspectorate. Undertake an assessment of financial impact of implementing health and safety directives. Abolish the compensation system for bad working conditions.- Implement the adopted National Action Plan for Employment, taking into account the revised European Guidelines and the priorities, commitments and recommendations identified in the joint assessment of employment policy priorities. Develop the capacity of the National Employment Agency to implement active labour measure and employment programmes and strengthen its regional and local structures.- Continue alignment of legislative framework and develop implementation capacity for the acquis on public health, including the acquis on tobacco control. Continue to establish a system for the surveillance and control of communicable diseases in line with Community requirements and for health monitoring and information in line with EU standards.- Continue efforts to strengthen the capacity to ensure access to and quality of health care in order to optimise the investment in health needed to improve the health status of the population.- Continue to support social partners' capacity-building efforts, in particular with a view to their future role in the elaboration and implementation of EU employment and social policy, including the European Social Fund. Promote autonomous social dialogue, especially at the enterprise and sectoral level, in order to improve its coverage.- Prepare a social inclusion and anti-poverty national strategy, including data collection, with a view to future participation in the European strategy on social inclusion.Energy- Implement the commitments taken for the progressive constitution of oil stocks as required by the acquis; strengthen and equip the State agency responsible for the management of these stocks; ensure the necessary financing for the constitution of stocks.- Implement the new energy strategy paying particular attention to the need for a pro-active and coordinated policy to reduce the energy intensity of the Bulgarian economy, at all stages of the energy cycle, with a view to enhancing rapidly support for improving energy efficiency, increasing energy savings and enhancing the use of renewable energy sources; ensure transposition of the energy efficiency acquis (labelling appliances, minimum efficiency standards).- Adopt new framework legislation and start to implement a schedule to establish conditions for a full implementation of the EU internal market for electricity and gas and for the staged opening of the electricity market and gas market, analyse long term contracts and power purchases agreements in view of possible "stranded costs" according to the current acquis; eliminate remaining price distortions in the energy sector, in particular for household electricity and heating prices. Continue to strengthen the role and administrative capacity of the State Energy Regulatory Commission in enforcement of these rules, notably its financial independence. Prepare for further market opening and liberalisation under forthcoming new EU internal market acquis.- Continue to implement the restructuring plans (including privatisation) in the energy sector, including the action plan for restructuring of the solid fuel sector.- Continue to implement all recommendations contained in the 2001 Council report on "Nuclear Safety in the Context of Enlargement", and its subsequent Peer Review Status Report of June 2002, with due regard to the priorities assigned in the reports.- Prepare to implement commitments taken as regards the early closure of Units 3 and 4 in 2006 at the latest, advance the preparation for and, as appropriate, start to address the early closure's economic, social, financial, technical and environmental consequences.- Focus on strengthening the independence, resources and capabilities of the national regulatory authority for nuclear safety.- Continue to ensure a high level of nuclear safety at Units 5 and 6 of the Kozloduy nuclear power plant and maintain a high level of nuclear safety through the decommissioning phases of Units 1 to 4.- Improve management of radioactive waste and adopt a strategy plan on safety and effective nuclear fuel cycle management.Small and medium-sized enterprises- Implement the European Charter for Small Enterprises.Science and research- Reinforce research-related administrative capacity and infrastructure, in order to increase the benefits from association with the relevant Community Framework Programmes including the Sixth Framework Programme (2002 to 2006).Education and training- Prepare for full implementation of the Directive on education of children of migrant workers by the date of accession.Telecommunications and information technologies- Complete the transposition of the telecommunications acquis and implement it effectively, especially the promotion of competition and applying those aspects of the legislation which apply to operators with significant market power.- Enhance the capacity of the telecommunications regulator, especially addressing the ability to enforce the acquis. Improve its financial independence.- In preparation for a fully open telecommunications market, inter alia, develop a more commercially oriented approach in the incumbent operator.- Prepare the transposition and implementation of the new acquis by the time of accession; reinforce capacity of regulator as needed to cope with new responsibilities.- Strengthen the regulatory framework for postal services. Adopt and implement further legislation to achieve full compatibility with the acquis (including new second directive and in particular, with a view to ensuring a financially viable provision of universal service at the appropriate level of quality). Continue work for appropriate licensing and authorisation mechanisms.- Implement a clear postal price policy regime to put in place precisely after its market is completed deregulated by 2003.Culture and audiovisual policy- Strengthen the administrative capacity of the national regulatory body in the field of broadcasting.- Establish the conditions for a predictable, transparent and effective implementation of the new regulatory framework in the field of audiovisual policy.Regional policy and coordination of structural instruments- Make progress in implementing the Bulgarian national strategy for preparation on Structural Funds and the Cohesion Fund. Continue to adopt the framework legislation needed to implement the acquis under this chapter.- Further elaborate the arrangements to ensure interministerial coordination as well as the definition of the tasks to be performed by the bodies involved in the preparation and implementation of Structural Funds and the Cohesion Fund at the national and regional level.- Further adopt legislation which ensures compatibility of operations financed by the Structural Funds and Cohesion Fund with Community policies and legislation, including rules on competition, on the award of public contracts, on environmental protection, on elimination of inequalities and promotion of equality between men and women.- Elaborate a legislative framework allowing for multi-annual budget programming with a view to provide the national co-financing for the Structural and Cohesion Funds assistance and allowing for sufficient flexibility for financial adjustment.- Bring administrative capacity of the units within the ministries designated or to be designated as future managing or paying authorities up to the level required for efficient and correct implementation of Structural Funds assistance (in terms of recruitment, career profiles and training).- Accelerate efforts in improving the quality of the National Development Plan (NDP). Bulgaria needs to put serious efforts in strengthening its strategic capability and operational capacity to improve and implement the National Development Plan, in order to transform it into a comprehensive national planning tool (further integration of the NDP into the national budgetary and policy making process).- Continue to develop the capacity to discuss, prepare and select development priorities and projects both at the national and regional level to be financed by the different structural funds, FEDER, ESF, EAGGF.- Finalise preparations for extended decentralisation (EDIS).- Make progress in ensuring compliance with acquis requirements for monitoring and evaluation of the Structural Funds, in particular for ex ante evaluation and for the collection of the relevant statistical information and indicators.- Elaborate a general legal and institutional framework for financial control and audit.- Make progress in establishing appropriate systems and procedures for financial management and control, in particular in relation to the structure of the managing and paying authorities, in order to fulfil the specific requirements of the Structural Funds regulations. Specific attention is to be given to an adequate separation of functions within the whole implementation structure.Environment- Update the overall assessment of the situation in the environment sector, including regarding the transposition of the acquis, in order to identify gaps to be filled in.- Continue transposition of the acquis, including implementing legislation, with particular emphasis on environmental impact assessment, access to information, waste management, industrial pollution and risk management, nature protection, chemicals and genetically modified organisms, and nuclear safety and radiation protection. Ensure full consultation with all relevant stakeholders (other ministries, economic operators, NGOs).- Develop implementation plans, together with financing strategies, to outline the steps needed to ensure full implementation of the acquis in the medium and longer term; these plans should take into account all available resources and institutional training and further elaborate mechanisms to monitor effective implementation, with particular emphasis on air quality, waste management, water quality, industrial pollution and risk management. Focus on planning, identification and availability of financial resources to prepare for the significant investments needed to ensure implementation of the acquis. Ensure the involvement of stakeholders in the planning phase of implementation.- Continue implementation of the acquis with particular emphasis on access to information, air quality, waste management, water quality, nature protection, industrial pollution and risk management as well as nuclear safety and radiation protection. Ensure that the environmental acquis, particularly the Environmental Impact Assessment Directive, is properly implemented in preparing large-scale infrastructure projects.- Ensure and reinforce the administrative structures necessary for the full implementation, monitoring and enforcement of the acquis, in particular through further strengthening of regional inspectorates, municipalities and other public bodies at the local level, with an emphasis on water quality, industrial pollution and risk management, as well as waste management. Reinforce staffing of the Ministry and other public bodies. Ensure adequate training and staff development plans.- Continue integration of environmental protection requirements into the definition and implementation of all other sectoral policies so as to promote sustainable development, including in the energy sector. Improve interministerial coordination on environmental issues.Consumers and health protection- Continue alignment of legislation in particular in the field of sales of consumer goods and associated guarantees, injunctions for the protection of consumer interests, timeshare, consumer credit, distance contracts, comparative advertising, general product safety and product liability.- Ensure effective implementation of legislation, in particular through an efficient market surveillance mechanism.- Further promote the capacity of consumer organisations to play an active role in the area of consumer protection.- Better integrate consumer concerns into other policy areas.Cooperation in the fields of justice and home affairs- Adopt and implement the new legislation on border security as well as an integrated border management strategy covering all borders of Bulgaria. Particular attention should be given to the gradual modernisation of the border infrastructure and equipment, the necessary training for professional border guards and customs officers, especially as regards the use of risk analysis methods and strengthening their intelligence functions and for the coordination and practical cooperation between authorities; develop an integrated sea surveillance system.- Continue to implement and update on a regular basis the Schengen Action Plan, continue preparation for full participation in SIS II by developing national databases and registers.- Continue alignment with the EU positive and negative visa lists; continue to upgrade the administrative capacity of the Visa Centre and continue to provide all diplomatic and consular offices with technical equipment for detecting forged and falsified documents.- Bring the Asylum and Refugees Act fully in line with the acquis, especially as regards its Articles 13 and 16; increase the capacity of the reception centres for asylum seekers and refugees; further improve the administrative capacity of the Agency of Refugees; accelerate screening procedures and improve the conditions for integration of refugees and prepare the infrastructure to ensure the full implementation of the Regulations relating to "EURODAC" and "Dublin II" upon accession.- Continue efforts to combat efficiently illegal immigration, through and from Bulgaria, with special attention to criminal organisations facilitating the illegal entry into EU Member States (in particular of women and children); ensure assistance for victims of trafficking; adopt new legislation on migration in line with the current acquis; establish a national coordination body.- Enhance combating corruption, in law enforcement bodies by (i) adopting and implementing a code of ethics for magistrates, (ii) developing a corrupt practices prevention programme as well as a code of ethics for officials in Ministry of Interior, in particular traffic and border police and (iii) providing specialised training and equipment, including an information system, to the officials who are directly involved in countering corruption.- Continue efforts to align Bulgarian legislation with the acquis in the field of criminal-law protection of the Communities' financial interests (PIF convention and its protocols); assure that there is no overlap in activities between the Public Internal Financial Control Agency (PIFCA) and the anti-fraud structure that will be set up by the Ministry of Interior.- Fully align with the acquis on the criminal law protection of the Euro against counterfeiting.- Adopt and implement the strategy on the fight against crime, with special attention for various forms of transborder and organised crime such as trafficking in drugs, human beings, etc., and for the coordination and practical cooperation between law enforcement bodies.- Adopt an action plan to implement the National Drugs Strategy, including a realistic budget. Strengthen the administrative and coordinating capacity of the National Drugs Council; (i) establish a national focal point; (ii) further develop a drugs information system; (iii) adopt the necessary legal framework for the National Drugs Intelligence Unit; (iv) increase level of cooperation with the EU Member States by seconding liaison officers in them as well as in other strategic countries in terms of drug enforcement.- Improve the capacity of the Bureau of Financial Intelligence to enforce the existing legislation and improve its cooperation with other law enforcement agencies active in the area of combating money laundering.- Prepare to take further measures to ensure implementation of the Community instruments in the area of judicial cooperation in civil matters, notably as regards mutual recognition and enforcement of judicial decisions.- Prepare to make legislative amendments necessary in order to accede to and implement the EU Convention on Mutual Assistance in Criminal Matters upon accession and take the necessary steps to prepare for full implementation upon accession of the instrument applying the principle of mutual recognition and in execution of orders freezing property or evidence.Customs union(4)- Make further legislative alignment with the Community customs acquis.- Make further amendments to the customs legislation, including the harmonisation of the legislation on free zones as well as the adoption of the rules on duty suspensions and tariff quotas.- Prepare the conditions for operating the Taric (Community integrated tariff) and include in the Taric measures related to the protection of intellectual property rights.- Fully align the legislation with the acquis on the control of cultural goods.- Strengthen the operational and administrative capacity of the customs administration, particularly as regards information technology and human resource policy.- Improve the human resources management and the stability and professional conduct of customs staff and management and increasingly grant civil servant status to customs inspectors.- Develop and implement Phase One of the BTMS (Bulgarian transit management system) as the national module of the NCTS (new computerised transit system); continue the preparation for the secure CCN/CSI (common communication network/common system interface).- Upgrade customs laboratories as well as infrastructure and equipment at customs clearance points.- Enhance the application of risk analysis method and post-clearance control.- Further strengthen cooperation with customs authorities of neighbouring and other countries.- Implement the Strategy for rationalisation of border operations.- Take steps to prepare for implementation, at the time of accession, of customs measures and provisions that will not be introduced until then.External relations- Undertake an analysis of all international treaties and agreements in order to ensure that preparations are made so that those which are incompatible with the acquis are terminated or renegotiated in due time.Financial control- Implement public internal financial control legislation and make further amendments to implement the strategy paper and the operational plan for the PIFC Agency.- Delegate internal auditors to remaining Ministries.- Further public internal financial control manuals and audit trails to be elaborated.- Strengthen further the administrative capacity of the PIFC institutions.- Ensure the professional criteria for and functional independence of the PIFC Agency leadership in compliance with commitments.- Upgrade external audit functions, especially in terms of systems-based and performance audits, and enhancing training efforts.- Rules on financial management and control of the NAO and any interaction with Parliament to be adopted and implemented.- Standard of audit of EU funds and programmes, code of ethics and amended general standards to be adopted and implemented.- Audit manual to be finalised.- Continue to strengthen the capacity of the national fund, the CFCU and other implementing agencies dealing with pre-accession funds in preparation for the extended decentralisation of Phare and ISPA implementation.- Ensure the correct implementation of the provisions with regard to the treatment of irregularities under Phare, Sapard and ISPA- Establish a well-functioning and operationally independent anti-fraud coordinating service (AFCOS), responsible for the coordination of all legislative, administrative and operational activities related to the protection of the Communities' financial interests.- Implement effective cooperation with OLAF through this service.- Take the necessary steps to prepare for implementation of the acquis on the protection of the Euro against counterfeiting.Financial and budgetary provisions(5)- Further develop the treasury single account, the financial management information system and the system for electronic budgetary payments, and continued strengthening of the drafting procedure for the annual State budget.- Treasury system to be implemented.- Financial management information system to be established.- Develop standards and instructions for the application of the chart of accounts.- Bank accounts regime to be improved.- Further develop an adequately staffed and equipped coordinating body in the area of own resources.- Continue efforts to bring the budgetary principles and rules into line with those standards generally applicable in the Community.- GNP documentation to be kept in compliance with Community legislation.- Further steps to be taken to reduce the number of extra-budgetary funds.- Special attention to be paid to multi-annual budgeting.- Macroeconomic forecasting to be further developed.- Effective evaluation and monitoring procedures for projects and programmes to be developed.- Improve compliance of national account statistics with ESA 95 standard and enhance their exhaustiveness.- Start to build up technical and administrative capacity as regards operational management of own resources and to collect and transfer future EC all own resources to the Community budget in a timely manner. Make progress on accounts for traditional own resources so these are in place on date of accession.- Take steps to prepare for implementation, at the time of accession, of the commitments in the areas of collection and control of Community own resources and management of the aspects of the common agricultural policy (control of export refunds, etc.).- Start action on the organisational aspects and associated administrative capacity as regards sugar levies.- Further strengthen efforts to set up effective instruments to combat fraud relating to VAT and customs duties.5. PROGRAMMING- For the period 2000 to 2006, in addition to Phare, financial assistance to Bulgaria comprises support for pre-accession measures for agriculture and rural development through the preaccession instrument Sapard (Council Regulation (EC) No 1268/1999, OJ L 161, 26.6.1999, p. 87); and support for infrastructure projects in the fields of environment and transport through the structural instrument ISPA (Council Regulation (EC) No 1267/1999, OJ L 161, 26.6.1999, p. 73), which gives priority to measures similar to the cohesion fund in the preaccession period. Under these national allocations, Bulgaria can also fund part of its participation in Community programmes including the Research and Technological Development Framework Programmes and programmes in the areas of education and enterprise. In the same period, Bulgaria will benefit from substantial EC financial support in the area of nuclear decommissioning and nuclear safety. In addition Bulgaria will have access to funding from multi-country and horizontal programmes directly related to the acquis. Joint financing by the candidate countries is systematically required for all investment projects. Since 1998 the Commission has worked with the European Investment Bank and the International Financial Institutions, in particular the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development and the World Bank, with a view to facilitating the co-financing of projects relating to preaccession priorities.6. CONDITIONALITY- Community assistance for financing projects through the three preaccession instruments Phare, ISPA and Sapard is conditional on respect by Bulgaria of its commitments under the Europe Agreement, further steps towards satisfying the Copenhagen criteria and in particular progress in meeting the specific priorities of this revised Accession Partnership as well as of a coordinated use of the three preaccession instruments. Failure to respect these general conditions could lead to a decision by the Council on the suspension of financial assistance on the basis of Article 4 of Regulation (EC) No 622/98.7. MONITORING- The implementation of the Accession Partnership and the roadmap is monitored in the framework of the Europe Agreement. As underlined by the European Council in Luxembourg, it is important that the institutions of the Europe Agreement continue to be the framework within which the adoption and implementation of the acquis can be examined. The Europe Agreement subcommittees provide the possibility to review implementation of the Accession Partnership priorities as well as progress as regards legal approximation, implementation and enforcement. The Association Committee discusses overall developments, progress and problems in meeting the Accession Partnership's priorities as well as more specific issues referred to it from the subcommittees.The Phare Management Committee ensures that actions financed under all three preaccession instruments, Phare, ISPA, and Sapard, are compatible with each other as well as with the Accession Partnerships as laid down in the Coordinating Regulation (Council Regulation (EC) No 1266/1999, OJ L 161, 26.6.1999, p. 68). The Accession Partnership will continue to be amended as necessary in accordance with Article 2 of Regulation (EC) No 622/98.(1) Council Decision 2002/83/EC of 28 January 2002 on the principles, priorities, intermediate objectives and conditions contained in the Accession Partnership with Bulgaria (OJ L 44, 14.2.2002, p. 1).(2) The order of presentation is that used in the 2002 regular report and Roadmap.(3) See also the chapter on employment and social policy.(4) See also chapter "Financial and budgetary provisions" for the collection of own resources.(5) Certain actions agreed in negotiations under chapter 29 overlap with actions under other chapters and have therefore been omitted.


Avis juridique important

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32001D0923

2001/923/EC: Council Decision of 17 December 2001 establishing an exchange, assistance and training programme for the protection of the euro against counterfeiting (the "Pericles" programme)

Official Journal L 339 , 21/12/2001 P. 0050 - 0054

Council Decisionof 17 December 2001establishing an exchange, assistance and training programme for the protection of the euro against counterfeiting (the "Pericles" programme)(2001/923/EC)THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION,Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Community, and in particular the third sentence of Article 123(4) thereof,Having regard to the proposal from the Commission(1),Having regard to the opinion of the European Parliament(2),Having regard to the opinion of the European Central Bank(3),Whereas:(1) The Treaty calls on the Community to take the measures necessary for the rapid introduction of the euro as the single currency.(2) In its Recommendation of 7 July 1998 regarding the adoption of certain measures to enhance the legal protection of euro banknotes and coins(4), the European Central Bank (ECB) called on the Commission to establish cooperation to combat the counterfeiting of euro banknotes and coins. It also suggested that the Council, the Commission and the Member States consider implementing any possible measures to improve the combating of counterfeiting.(3) In its communication of 22 July 1998 to the Council, the European Parliament and the European Central Bank on the protection of the euro, the Commission said it would examine the possibility of launching a scheme for all those involved in the system for preventing, detecting and suppressing currency counterfeiting, which should allow guidelines to be determined for future planning.(4) On 28 June 2001 the Council adopted Regulation (EC) No 1338/2001 laying down measures necessary for the protection of the euro against counterfeiting(5) which deals with exchanges of information, cooperation and mutual assistance, including external aspects of protection of the euro, and the withdrawal obligations incumbent on financial establishments. Its object is also to set up a comprehensive cooperation framework applicable before euro banknotes and coins are introduced in 2002. On the same day the Council also adopted Regulation (EC) No 1339/2001 extending the effects of Regulation (EC) No 1338/2001 laying down measures necessary for the protection of the euro against counterfeiting to those Member States which have not adopted the euro as their single currency(6).(5) Consultations and experience show that a specific, multidisciplinary supplementary programme organised at Community level and carried out over the long term is likely to be more effective than measures conducted at national level. The two abovementioned Regulations should accordingly be supplemented by the adoption of an action programme, the aim of which is to raise the awareness of all the persons concerned with the protection of the euro against counterfeiting through the implementation of measures involving in particular the exchange of information and staff and technical and scientific back-up and training measures. This programme will support and complement the work done by Member States in compliance with the principle of subsidiarity provided for in Article 5 of the Treaty.(6) It should be ensured that this Community action programme, which is geared to the protection of the euro against counterfeiting, is consistent with, and complementary to, other existing or future programmes and activities.(7) Without prejudice to the ECB's role in the protection of the euro against counterfeiting, the Commission will carry out all consultations concerning the evaluation of needs for the protection of the euro with the principal parties involved (in particular the competent national authorities designated by the Member States, the ECB and Europol) within the appropriate advisory committee provided for in Regulation (EC) No 1338/2001, particularly as regards exchanges, assistance and training, for the purpose of implementing this programme.(8) The Community should promote cooperation with non-member countries in the protection of the euro against counterfeiting.(9) A financial reference amount, within the meaning of point 34 of the Interinstitutional Agreement of 6 May 1999 between the European Parliament, the Council and the Commission on budgetary discipline and improvement of the budgetary procedure(7), will be included in this Decision for the entire duration of the programme without thereby affecting the powers of the budgetary authority as defined by the Treaty.(10) This Decision is without prejudice to initiatives which may be taken pursuant to the Treaty on European Union with a view to the establishment of programmes concerning aspects of criminal law,HAS DECIDED AS FOLLOWS:Article 1Establishment of the programme1. This Decision establishes a Community action programme to support and supplement the measures undertaken by the Member States and programmes established or to be established in order to protect the euro against counterfeiting.2. This action programme shall be known as the Pericles programme. It shall run from 1 January 2002 to 31 December 2005.3. Programme implementation and evaluation shall be carried out in accordance with Articles 5 to 13.Article 2Objectives of the programme1. The Community action programme shall, through the various measures provided for in Article 3, seek to protect the euro against counterfeiting. It shall take account of transnational and multidisciplinary aspects. It shall concentrate on promoting convergence of the substance of measures so as to guarantee equivalent levels of protection on the basis of consideration of best practice while also respecting the distinct traditions of each Member State.2. In particular, its remit shall encompass:(a) raising awareness of the staff concerned of the Community dimension of the new currency (also as a reserve currency and a currency for international transactions);(b) acting as a catalyst to encourage closer cooperation between the structures and staff concerned, the development of a climate of mutual trust and satisfactory knowledge, inter alia of methods of action and difficulties, by promoting various appropriate measures such as placements, specialist workshops or the involvement of guest speakers in national training and staff exchanges;(c) promoting convergence of high-level training activities for trainers in ways which are compatible with national operational strategies;(d) expanding general knowledge, in particular of relevant Community and international law and instruments.Article 3Measures1. The content of training and of operational support, based on a multidisciplinary and transnational approach, shall embrace not only security aspects but also the exchange of information, in particular technical and strategic information, and technical and scientific back-up.2. The setting-up of exchanges of information at Community level particularly shall involve methodologies of control and analysis for evaluating:(a) the economic and financial impact of counterfeiting;(b) the operation of databases;(c) the use of detection tools with computer back-up;(d) enquiry and investigation methods;(e) scientific assistance (in particular scientific databases and technology watch/monitoring of new developments);(f) operation of early warning systems;(g) related matters, such as the scope of the obligation to provide information;(h) the protection of personal data;(i) the different aspects of cooperation;(j) the protection of the euro outside the European Union;(k) research activities, and(l) the provision of specific operational expertise.Such exchanges of information may be reflected in a variety of measures such as the organisation of workshops, meetings and seminars, and a targeted policy of placements and exchanges of staff.3. Technical, scientific and operational back-up shall concern in particular:(a) any measure which establishes teaching resources at Community level (handbook of EU legislation, information bulletins, practical manuals, glossaries and lexicons, databases, especially in the area of scientific assistance or technology watch) or computer support applications (such as software);(b) studies with a multidisciplinary and transnational dimension; and(c) the development of technical support instruments and methods to facilitate detection activities at Community level.Article 4Target group for actions and contributions1. The measures shall target the following groups:(a) staff of agencies engaged in detecting and combating counterfeiting (in particular police forces and financial administrations depending on their specific functions at national level);(b) intelligence personnel;(c) representatives of the national central banks, the mints and other financial intermediaries (particularly as regards the obligations of financial institutions);(d) representatives of the commercial banks (in particular as regards the obligations of financial institutions);(e) judicial officers and specialist lawyers in this field;(f) any other group of specialists concerned (such as chambers of commerce and industry or comparable structures capable of providing access to small and medium-sized enterprises, traders and hauliers).2. In addition to the Commission's contribution, the following parties shall be invited to contribute to the attainment of the objectives of the Community action programme using their respective areas of expertise:(a) the national central banks and the ECB, inter alia as regards the Counterfeit Monitoring System (CMS);(b) the National Analysis Centres (NAC) and the Coin National Analysis Centres (CNAC);(c) the European Technical and Scientific Centre (ETSC) and the national mints;(d) Europol and Interpol;(e) the national central anti-counterfeiting offices provided for in Article 12 of the International Convention for the Suppression of Counterfeiting Currency signed at Geneva on 20 April 1929(8) and other agencies specialising in the prevention, detection and law-enforcement in connection with counterfeiting;(f) specialist bodies concerned, for instance, by duplication and certification technologies, printers and engravers;(g) any other body offering specific expertise, including, where appropriate, third countries and in particular accession candidate countries.Article 5Consistency and complementarity1. The programme shall be implemented and coordinated by the Commission and the Member States, working closely together.This coordination shall take account of measures undertaken elsewhere, in particular by the ECB and Europol.2. The Commission shall, in particular with an eye to sound financial management, seek to ensure consistency and complementarity between this Community action programme, geared to the protection of the euro against counterfeiting, and other existing and future programmes and activities.Article 6Reference amountThe financial reference amount for the implementation of the Community programme of action for the period referred to in Article 1(2) is hereby set at EUR 4 million.The annual appropriations shall be authorised by the budgetary authority within the limits of the financial perspective.Article 7International cooperationIn the light of the arrangements for distributing euro banknotes and coins, operational requirements, evaluation of the threat and risk analysis, the programme shall be open to the associated accession candidate countries, in accordance with the conditions laid down in the association agreements and the additional protocols thereto concerning participation in Community programmes concluded or to be concluded with those countries.In addition, the programme shall, if necessary, be open to non-member countries in so far as appropriations are available in the Community budget, under conditions and in accordance with arrangements to be agreed with those countries.Article 8Financial provisions for workshops, meetings and seminars1. As regards the workshops, meetings and seminars provided for in the second subparagraph of Article 3(2) and organised by the Commission:(a) the following costs shall be borne by the Community:(i) the travel and accommodation expenses in another Member State of staff taking part and the general overheads associated with organising these events;(ii) publication and translation costs for the teaching materials used;(b) the following costs shall be borne by the Member States:(i) the costs associated with initial and continuing training of their staff, particularly as regards technical training;(ii) certain logistical costs in connection with the workshops, meetings and seminars organised on their territory with Community funding (such as internal transfers, rental of premises, provision of interpreting facilities).2. Where the workshops, meetings and seminars provided for in the second subparagraph of Article 3(2) are organised jointly with other partners such as the ECB, Europol or Interpol, the ensuing expenses shall be divided between them. The contribution of those partners may be a contribution in kind provided it is substantial. In any event, each partner shall bear the travel and accommodation costs of its own guest speakers.Article 9Financial provisions for staff exchanges1. The costs of participation by staff from Member States in the placements or exchanges provided for in the second subparagraph of Article 3(2) shall be borne by the Community, in so far as those activities are in keeping with attainment of the objectives referred to in Article 2.2. However, the costs of participation by staff from Member States in placements or exchanges which are not covered by the programme shall be borne by the Member States.Article 10Financial provisions for assistance1. The Community shall bear up to 70 % of the cost of the operational support referred to in Article 3(2) by way of co-financing, in particular:(a) the design and production costs of teaching resources and computer applications or technical instruments with a European dimension;(b) the costs of studies, e.g. comparative law studies, on the protection of the euro against counterfeiting.Exceptionally, where Commission initiatives are concerned, such operational support measures may, however, be financed up to 100 %.2. However, all expenses relating to the non-Community components of teaching resources and of communications and information-exchange systems, namely the national databases that form part of those systems, the network connections between the Community and the non-Community components, and such software and hardware as each Member State shall deem appropriate for the full operation of those systems throughout its administration, shall be borne by the Member States.Article 11Financial provisions for external measuresIn accordance with the conditions set out in Article 7, apart from bearing the cost of participation of officials from third countries in the workshops, meetings and seminars provided for in Article 8, the Community may co-finance up to 70 % of the cost of training measures on the territory of non-member countries and operational support measures in those countries.Article 12Presentation and selection of projects1. Projects under the programme may emanate from the Member States' competent authorities or from the Commission.Member States may present no more than one project a year (concerning the workshops, meetings and seminars referred to in the second subparagraph of Article 3(2)). Projects in connection with placements, exchanges or assistance may also be presented.2. The Commission shall select projects presented by the Member States, and projects devised on its own initiative, on the basis of the following criteria:(a) compliance with the programme's objectives as defined in Article 2;(b) the European dimension, including in particular aspects concerning cooperation with the ECB and Europol;(c) complementarity with other previous, current or future projects;(d) the organiser's capacity to implement the project;(e) the intrinsic quality of the project and its cost-effectiveness ratio;(f) the amount of aid requested and whether it is commensurate with the anticipated results;(g) the impact of the anticipated results on the attainment of the programme's objectives.The projects which best meet the objectives set out above shall be selected.3. The Commission shall be responsible for managing and implementing the programme in cooperation with the Member States.Article 13Follow-up and evaluation1. The beneficiaries of each project selected shall submit an annual report to the Commission.2. On completion of the projects, the Commission shall evaluate the way in which they have been implemented and the impact they have had in order to gauge whether the objectives set at the outset have been achieved.3. The Commission shall send to the European Parliament and the Council:(a) by 30 June 2005 a report, which shall be independent of the programme manager, evaluating the relevance, the efficiency and the effectiveness of the programme and a communication on whether this programme should be continued and adapted, accompanied by an appropriate proposal;(b) on completion of the programme and no later than 30 June 2006, a detailed report on the implementation and the results of the programme setting out in particular the added value of the Community's financial assistance.Article 14ApplicabilityThis Decision shall be effective in those Member States which have adopted the euro as the single currency.Article 15Operational dateThis Decision shall take effect on the day of its publication in the Official Journal of the European Communities.It shall apply from 1 January 2002.Done at Brussels, 17 December 2001.For the CouncilThe PresidentA. Neyts-Uyttebroeck(1) OJ C 240 E, 28.8.2001, p. 120.(2) Opinion delivered on 13 November 2001 (not yet published in the Official Journal).(3) OJ C 293, 19.10.2001, p. 3.(4) OJ C 11, 15.1.1999, p. 13.(5) OJ L 181, 4.7.2001, p. 6.(6) OJ L 181, 4.7.2001, p. 11.(7) OJ C 172, 18.6.1999, p. 1.(8) League of Nations Treaty Series No 2623 (1931), p. 372.


title: 2014/506/EU: Council Decision of 23 July 2014 appointing a German member and two German alternate members of the Committee of the Regions

text:
               30.7.2014

               EN

               Official Journal of the European Union

               L 224/8

         COUNCIL DECISION
   of 23 July 2014
   appointing a German member and two German alternate members of the Committee of the Regions

      (2014/506/EU)

   THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION,
   Having regard to the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union, and in particular Article 305 thereof,
   Having regard to the proposal of the GermanGovernment,
   Whereas:

               (1)

               On 22 December 2009 and on 18 January 2010, the Council adopted Decisions 2009/1014/EU (1) and 2010/29/EU (2) appointing the members and alternate members of the Committee of the Regions for the period from 26 January 2010 to 25 January 2015 (1). On 10 July 2012, by Council Decision 2012/377/EU (3), Dr Zsuzsa BREIER was appointed as member until 25 January 2015.

               (2)

               A member's seat has become vacant following the end of the term of office of Dr Zsuzsa BREIER.

               (3)

               An alternate member's seat has become vacant following the end of the term of office of Mr Michael REUTER.

               (4)

               An alternate member's seat will become vacant following the appointment of Mr Mark WEINMEISTER as member of the Committee of the Regions.

         HAS ADOPTED THIS DECISION:
   Article 1
   The following are hereby appointed to the Committee of the Regions for the remainder of the current term of office, which runs until 25 January 2015:

               a)

               as member:

                           —

                           Mr Mark WEINMEISTER, Staatssekretär für Europaangelegenheiten (Land Hessen)

                     and

               b)

               as alternate members:

                           —

                           Ms Ursula HAMMANN, Mitglied des Hessischen Landtags

                           —

                           Ms Sabine WASCHKE, Mitglied des Hessischen Landtags.

         Article 2
   This Decision shall enter into force on the day of its adoption.

      Done at Brussels, 23 July 2014.

            For the Council

            The President

         S. GOZI

      (1)  OJ L 348, 29.12.2009, p. 22.

      (2)  OJ L 12, 19.1.2010, p. 11.

      (3)  OJ L 182, 13.7.2012, p. 40.


title: 2005/160/EC: Commission Decision of 27 October 2004 approving the exchange of letters between the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (UNOCHA) and the Commission of the European Communities concerning their cooperation in the framework of disaster response (in case of simultaneous interventions in a country affected by a disaster) (Text with EEA relevance)

text:
               25.2.2005

               EN

               Official Journal of the European Union

               L 52/42

         COMMISSION DECISION
   of 27 October 2004
   approving the exchange of letters between the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (UNOCHA) and the Commission of the European Communities concerning their cooperation in the framework of disaster response (in case of simultaneous interventions in a country affected by a disaster)
   (Text with EEA relevance)
   (2005/160/EC)
   THE COMMISSION OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES,
   Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Community, and in particular Article 302 thereof,
   Whereas:

               (1)

               The establishment of cooperation with the United Nations Office for Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (UNOCHA) in the field of civil protection and humanitarian affairs is a reflection of a consistent policy of seeking a stronger relationship and co-operation with the United Nations, as underlined in the Commission’s Communication to the Council and the European Parliament on ‘Building an effective partnership with the United Nations in the fields of Development and Humanitarian Affairs’ of 2 May 2001 (1), as well as the Commission’s Communication to the Council and the European Parliament on ‘the European Union and the United Nations: The choice of multilateralism’ of 10 September 2003 (2),

               (2)

               Past experience emphasised the need to establish the basic principles for further cooperation and coordination between UNOCHA (including its emergency response system and coordination tools) and the European Commission (in the framework of the activities of the Community Civil Protection Mechanism as set up by the Council Decision 2001/792/EC, Euratom (3) and the activities of ECHO- the European Community Humanitarian Department (4)) when both simultaneously provide or facilitate assistance to a country affected by a natural or man-made disaster, in an attempt to cooperate efficiently, maximise the use of available resources and avoid any unnecessary duplication of effort.

               (3)

               The Commission and UNOCHA have negotiated a text of an exchange of letters concerning their cooperation in the framework of disaster response (in case of simultaneous interventions in a country affected by a disaster), which is proposed for approval,

         HAS DECIDED AS FOLLOWS:
   Single Article
   1.   The exchange of letters between the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (UNOCHA) and the Commission of the European Communities concerning their cooperation in the framework of disaster response (in case of simultaneous interventions in a country affected by a disaster), contained in the Annex, is hereby approved.
   2.   The Member of the Commission responsible for Environment and the Member of the Commission responsible for Development and Humanitarian Aid, or the persons designated by them for this purpose, are authorised to sign the exchange of letters on behalf of the Commission of the European Communities.

      Done at Brussels, 27 October 2004.

            For the Commission

         Margot WALLSTRÖM

            Member of the Commission

      (1)  COM(2001) 231, 2.5.2001.

      (2)  COM(2003) 526, 10.9.2003.

      (3)  OJ L 297, 15.11.2001, p. 7.

      (4)  Council Regulation (EC) No 1257/96 (OJ L 163, 2.7.1996, p. 1). Regulation as amended by Regulation (EC) No 1882/2003 of the European Parliament and of the Council (OJ L 284, 31.10.2003, p. 1).
   ANNEX
   Exchange of letters between the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (UNOCHA) and the Commission of the European Communities concerning their cooperation in the framework of disaster response (in case of simultaneous interventions in a country affected by a disaster)
   Dear Sir,
   The European Commission (Directorate General for Environment and the Community Humanitarian Aid Office, ECHO) welcomes the existing cooperation between the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (UNOCHA) and the European Commission in the area of humanitarian assistance and disaster relief.
   The United Nations have a central role in providing leadership and coordinating efforts of the international community in delivering international humanitarian assistance in accordance with the global mandate entrusted by the General Assembly (as per G.A. Resolution 46/182 its annexe and preceding G.A. Resolutions as referred to therein).
   The Community Civil Protection Mechanism reflects the collective will to facilitate reinforced cooperation between the European Community and its Member States in civil protection assistance interventions to respond to disaster situations.
   The recent Communication from the Commission entitled ‘The European Union and the United Nations: the choice of multilateralism’ (COM(2003) 526 final) highlighting ‘the importance of enhancing cooperation with the UN, and of strengthening the EU’s voice in the UN’, the Communication from the Commission entitled ‘Building an Effective Partnership with the United Nations in the fields of Development and Humanitarian Affairs’ (COM(2001) 231 final), and the EU Guidelines on Children and Armed Conflict adopted in December 2003 confirm the importance which the Commission attaches to close cooperation with the UN generally and in particular in the area of response to natural and man-made disasters. Furthermore, the Secretary-General of the United Nations, in a policy document (1) addressed on 8 January 2002 to the President of the European Commission, recommends the two parties to work together to support the UN’s role in ensuring a coherent coordination framework for the provision of humanitarian assistance.
   UNOCHA has, for several years, enjoyed a close relationship with ECHO (2), inter alia, through the so-called ‘Strategic Programming Dialogue’. The establishment of the Community Civil Protection Mechanism in October 2001 (3) calls for further cooperation with UNOCHA in the field of civil protection. It is important for the two systems, in the spirit of the Fribourg Process (4), to operate in a coherent and complementary manner in supporting States and populations affected by disasters and emergencies.
   This Exchange of letters aims at establishing the basic principles for further cooperation and coordination between, on the one hand, UNOCHA (including its emergency response system and coordination tools) and, on the other hand, the European Commission (in the framework of the Community Civil Protection Mechanism and ECHO) when both simultaneously provide or facilitate assistance to a country affected by a natural or man-made disaster, in an attempt to cooperate efficiently, maximise the use of available resources and avoid any unnecessary duplication of effort. UNOCHA and the European Commission are of the opinion that a coordinated approach will best serve the victims of any disaster. Therefore, they acknowledge the following:

               1.

               Providing protection and assistance to its citizens, in times of disasters and emergencies, is the fundamental responsibility of each State. However, when relief needs are beyond the response capacity of the affected State, the international community must be prepared and able to assist.

               2.

               National and international assets available for disaster response are limited and it is important that the UNOCHA and the European Commission cooperate fully to optimise their use.

               3.

               Further practical steps should be taken to build on the momentum of the positive cooperation between the UNOCHA and the European Commission. Thus, both will regularly exchange information, maintain a continued dialogue at policy and operational levels and aim to ensure, as far as possible, complementarity between their respective training and exercise activities, as well as in the planning for and delivery of disaster relief assistance.

         To this end, UNOCHA and the European Commission agree on the Standard Operational Procedures (SOPs) annexed to the present Exchange of letters and will implement them to facilitate effective coordination. The SOPs may be further developed and/or adapted at technical level in the light of the experience, where necessary.
   The present Exchange of letters shall not affect the role assigned to the Member State entrusted with the Presidency of the Council of the European Union by Article 6, paragraph 2, of Council Decision 2001/792/EC.
   Furthermore, it shall not affect the arrangements for cooperation and co-ordination such as those between the UNOCHA and ECHO, which go wider than the matters described in the attached SOPs (Annex 2).
   We would like to propose that this letter with the SOPs, and the letter with your reply, would be regarded as approval by both sides of measures mentioned above.

         Margot Wallström

         Poul Nielson

      (1)  A Vision of Partnership: The United Nations and the European Union in Humanitarian Affairs and Development, New York, December 2001.

      (2)  ECHO’s legal mandate derives from Council Regulation (EC) No 1257/96 concerning humanitarian aid of 20 June 1996.

      (3)  Council Decision 2001/792/EC, Euratom of 23 October 2001 establishing a Community Mechanism to facilitate reinforced co-operation in Civil Protection Assistance Interventions (OJ L 297, 15.11.2001, p. 5).

      (4)  Communiqué and Framework for Action of the Fribourg Forum, Switzerland, 15-16 June 2000.
   Annex 1 SOPs for Civil Protection aspects
   UNOCHA — Community Mechanism for Civil Protection
   Joint Standard Operating Procedures for coordination in disaster response
   I.   Preparedness Phase (i.e. the period between disasters)
   UNOCHA and the European Commission will:

               —

               work according to a jointly developed and agreed upon methodology and terminology, building on internationally accepted concepts, especially those agreed upon in the UN framework (1). This will be of particular importance insofar as field coordination structures are concerned.

               —

               ensure regular information exchanges. This should include alert notification, policy and operational issues, as well as scheduled meetings and workshops.

               —

               ensure mutual participation in and contribution to training, exercises and lessons learnt workshops organised by each party and organisation of joint exercises, where necessary;

               —

               agree upon generic Terms of Reference for assessment/coordination teams and experts.

         II.   Response Phase — Headquarters Level:
   UNOCHA and the European Commission will:

               —

               alert each other as a disaster emerges and provide information on their intended response. When the activation of the Mechanism is envisaged for disasters occurring outside the EU, and where the UN and EC response systems might both be deployed, the European Commission and UNOCHA will exchange views at the earliest possible stage on the preliminary assessment of situation, relief needs and intended response, with an aim to maximize the use of available resources and ensure a coordinated approach based on the concepts and framework referred to above.

               —

               ensure and sustain information exchanges during the response phase on the following issues:

                           —

                           Situation reports and situation updates

                           —

                           Identification of priority needs and resource requirements

                           —

                           Planned and scheduled deployment of resources

                           —

                           Resource mobilization (including support modules) to avoid overlap and duplication of efforts.

                           —

                           Details of the coordinators and assets which could be available

                           —

                           Any updates to Terms of Reference for assessment/coordination teams being deployed.

                           —

                           Information policy vis-à-vis the media.

         III.   Response Phase — in the Field:
   UNOCHA and the European Commission agree that:

               —

               all international responders should be encouraged to coordinate their activities in the On Site Operations Coordination Centre (OSOCC) in support of the national/local emergency management authorities.

               —

               the UNOCHA and European Commission coordinators are to assist the national/local emergency management authorities with the coordination of international responders according to the existing methodology as defined in the INSARAG Guidelines.

      (1)  Such as the ‘International Search and Rescue Advisory Group (INSARAG) Guidelines’ and the ‘OSLO Guidelines on The Use of Military and Civil Defence Assets in Disaster Relief’, May 1994, etc.
   Annex 2 SOPs for Humanitarian aspects
   UN/OCHA — Community Humanitarian Aid Office ECHO
   Joint Standard Operating Procedures for coordination in disaster response
   1.   Preparedness/Routine phase (i.e. the period between the disasters)
   UNOCHA and the European Commission will:

               —

               continue ongoing strategic dialogue on the preparation for emergencies to develop close co-operation to improve overall response capacity to emergencies. This includes both operational and financial aspects.

               —

               ensure mutual inclusion of staff from the two parties in training schemes and seminars organised by ECHO and OCHA.

               —

               organise lessons learnt exercises whenever appropriate, possibly leading to improvement of co-operation schemes (SOPs).

               —

               ensure regular exchange of information on standard methodology used with respect to need-assessment and co-ordination of aid with a view to improve their coherence and convergence.

               —

               conduct regular joint review of and update on respective Emergency duty systems (organisation, contact points, co-ordinates) to ensure connectivity and compatibility at all times.

               —

               exchange of background and reflection papers, stock-taking analyses concerning emergencies.

         2.   Response/Emergency phase
   2.1.   Headquarters level
   UNOCHA and the European Commission will:

               —

               ensure exchange of information on the dispatching of assessment teams to the scene of an emergency (inclusion of ECHO in the UNDAC e-mail alert list (messages M1 to M3); setting-up of fixed communication/contact points at HQ level — like ECHO Emergency e-mail box — as well as field level).

               —

               ensure the liaison between ECHO and UNDAC in the field.

               —

               ensure exchange of reports and briefings on ongoing emergencies (including ECHO access to OSOCC).

         2.2.   At field level
   UNOCHA and the European Commission will:

               —

               facilitate the participation of ECHO teams in the co-ordination mechanism set up by OCHA/UNDAC.

               —

               ensure exchange of information at field level on findings and ongoing or planned actions.

               —

               ensure that, whenever possible and appropriate, the teams will share analyses and draft reports and provide joint recommendations to the respective HQs.

               —

               ensure that, whenever possible, ECHO and UNDAC conduct joint assessments and promote information sharing amongst the different actors in the emergency (by setting up HIC centres).

               —

               to the best of their abilities, share or provide access to logistical facilities (e.g. transport, communication).