title: 2008/211/EC: Council Decision of 18 February 2008 on the principles, priorities and conditions contained in the European Partnership with Bosnia and Herzegovina and repealing Decision 2006/55/EC

text:
               19.3.2008

               EN

               Official Journal of the European Union

               L 80/18

      COUNCIL DECISION

   of 18 February 2008
   on the principles, priorities and conditions contained in the European Partnership with Bosnia and Herzegovina and repealing Decision 2006/55/EC
   (2008/211/EC)
   THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION,
   Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Community,
   Having regard to Council Regulation (EC) No 533/2004 of 22 March 2004 on the establishment of partnerships in the framework of the Stabilisation and Association Process (1), as amended, and in particular Article 2 thereof,
   Having regard to the proposal from the Commission,
   Whereas:

               (1)

               The Thessaloniki European Council of 19 and 20 June 2003 endorsed the introduction of the European Partnerships as a means to materialise the European perspective of the Western Balkan countries.

               (2)

               Regulation (EC) No 533/2004 provides that the Council is to decide on the principles, priorities and conditions to be contained in the partnerships, as well as any subsequent adjustments. It states also that the follow-up to the European Partnerships will be ensured through the mechanisms established under the Stabilisation and Association Process, notably by the annual progress reports.

               (3)

               On 30 January 2006 the Council adopted the second European Partnership with Bosnia and Herzegovina (2).

               (4)

               The Commission's Paper on enlargement strategy and main challenges 2006-2007 indicated that the partnerships would be updated at the end of 2007.

               (5)

               On 17 July 2007 the Council adopted Regulation (EC) No 1085/2006 (3) establishing an Instrument for Pre-accession Assistance (IPA), which renews the framework for financial assistance to pre-accession countries.

               (6)

               It is therefore appropriate to adopt a revised European Partnership which updates the current partnership in order to identify renewed priorities for further work, on the basis of the findings of the 2007 Progress Report on Bosnia and Herzegovina's preparations for further integration with the European Union.

               (7)

               In order to prepare for further integration with the European Union, the competent authorities in Bosnia and Herzegovina should develop a plan with a timetable and specific measures to address the priorities of this European Partnership.

               (8)

               Decision 2006/55/EC should therefore be repealed,

         HAS DECIDED AS FOLLOWS:
   Article 1
   The principles, priorities and conditions in the European Partnership with Bosnia and Herzegovina are set out in the Annex.
   Article 2
   The implementation of the European Partnership shall be examined through the mechanisms established under the stabilisation and association process, notably the annual progress reports presented by the Commission.
   Article 3
   Decision 2006/55/EC shall be repealed.
   Article 4
   This Decision shall take effect on the third day following its publication in the Official Journal of the European Union.

      Done at Brussels, 18 February 2008.

            For the Council

            The President

         D. RUPEL

      (1)  OJ L 86, 24.3.2004, p. 1. Regulation as amended by Regulation (EC) No 269/2006 (OJ L 47, 17.2.2006, p. 7).

      (2)  Council Decision 2006/55/EC of 30 January 2006 on the principles, priorities and conditions contained in the European Partnership with Bosnia and Herzegovina and repealing Decision 2004/515/EC (OJ L 35, 7.2.2006, p. 19).

      (3)  OJ L 210, 31.7.2006, p. 82.

      ANNEX
      BOSNIA AND HERZEGOVINA 2007 EUROPEAN PARTNERSHIP
      1.   INTRODUCTION
      The European Council endorsed the introduction of the European Partnerships as a means to realise the European perspective of the Western Balkan countries. The proposed revised partnership updates the second one, on the basis of the findings of the 2007 Commission Progress Report on Bosnia and Herzegovina. It identifies new and remaining priorities for action. The new priorities are adapted to the country's specific needs and stage of preparation and will be updated as necessary. Bosnia and Herzegovina is expected to develop a plan including a timetable and specific measures intended to address the European Partnership priorities. The partnership also provides guidance for financial assistance to the country.
      2.   PRINCIPLES
      The Stabilisation and Association Process remains the framework for the European course of the Western Balkan countries, all the way to their future accession. The priorities identified for Bosnia and Herzegovina relate to its capacity to meet the criteria defined by the Copenhagen European Council of 1993 and the conditions set by the stabilisation and association process, notably the conditions defined by the Council in its conclusions of 29 April 1997 and 21 and 22 June 1999, the final declaration of the Zagreb Summit of 24 November 2000 and the Thessaloniki Agenda.
      3.   PRIORITIES
      The priorities listed in this European Partnership have been selected on the basis that it is realistic to expect that Bosnia and Herzegovina can complete them or take them substantially forward over the next few years. A distinction is made between short-term priorities, which are expected to be accomplished within one to two years, and medium-term priorities, which are expected to be accomplished within three to four years. The priorities concern both legislation and its implementation.
      In view of the need to set priorities, clearly there are other tasks for Bosnia and Herzegovina to complete which may become priorities in any future partnership, also taking into account future progress made by Bosnia and Herzegovina.
      Among the short-term priorities, the key ones have been identified and grouped together at the beginning of the list. The order of these key priorities does not imply a ranking in their importance.
      3.1.   SHORT-TERM PRIORITIES
      Key priorities

                  —

                  Adopt and begin to implement police reform legislation at State and Entity levels in line with the three EU principles.

                  —

                  Fully cooperate with the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia (ICTY), including by playing a proactive role in apprehending all ICTY indictees at large.

                  —

                  Adopt the required public broadcasting legislation at the level of the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina. Implement public broadcasting reform.

                  —

                  Implement the 2006 strategy for public administration reform and ensure that State-level ministries and institutions are adequately financed, operational and properly equipped, especially in terms of premises and staff.

                  —

                  Strengthen administrative capacity in preparation for implementing Stabilisation and Association Agreement (SAA) and Interim Agreement (IA) commitments.

                  —

                  Pursue efforts aimed at reconciliation between citizens of the countries in the region and enhance efforts to find definitive solutions to pending bilateral issues, in particular border issues.

                  —

                  Make substantial progress on creating a single economic space in Bosnia and Herzegovina supporting the free movement of goods, capital, services and persons.

                  —

                  Reduce structural rigidities that distort the functioning of the labour market, in particular the taxation of labour, levels of social transfers and wage-setting mechanisms in order to increase the participation and employment rates.

                  —

                  Take measures to achieve more functional and sustainable institutional structures and better respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms, including by agreeing and adopting changes to the constitution of Bosnia and Herzegovina, as necessary.

            Political criteria
      Democracy and the rule of law
      Constitution/governance

                  —

                  Take further steps to provide Bosnia and Herzegovina's parliamentary assembly with sufficient technical resources and personnel.

                  —

                  Ensure structured and institutionalised State/Entity coordination by establishing functioning mechanisms for political, legislative and technical coordination between the State and the Entities.

                  —

                  Ensure due follow-up to the reports issued by Bosnia and Herzegovina's supreme audit institutions and take measures against those responsible for irregularities.

            Parliament/elections

                  —

                  Amend electoral legislation regarding members of the Bosnia and Herzegovina Presidency and House of Peoples delegates to ensure full compliance with the European Convention on Human Rights and the Council of Europe post-accession commitments.

            Public administration

                  —

                  Provide the Public Administration Coordinator's Office with the human and material resources necessary to carry out its work.

                  —

                  Further improve recruitment procedures based on objective and merit-based criteria, ensuring transparency and prompt appointment of sufficiently qualified civil servants.

                  —

                  Harmonise the civil service laws in order to build an accountable, efficient civil service, based on professional career development criteria.

                  —

                  Complete the merger of the State and Entity ombudsmen and ensure that the State-level office has the resources necessary to function properly.

            Judicial system

                  —

                  Reinforce the independence and accountability of the judicial system and improve its effectiveness, including by reducing the backlog of cases.

                  —

                  Adopt and start implementing a strategy for development of the judicial sector.

                  —

                  Ensure adequate training of the judiciary, in particular as regards human rights legislation and issues related to implementation of the Stabilisation and Association Agreement.

            Anti-corruption policy

                  —

                  Adopt and implement a detailed action plan against corruption, based on the national anti-corruption strategy.

                  —

                  Implement the recommendations made by the Group of States against Corruption (GRECO) and the obligations resulting from international conventions on corruption.

                  —

                  Prosecute corruption vigorously and adopt a zero-tolerance policy towards corruption.

                  —

                  Ensure proper implementation of the law on conflict of interests.

            Human rights and protection of minorities

                  —

                  Remove provisions on the death penalty from the Republika Srpska constitution.

                  —

                  Improve implementation of the international conventions ratified by Bosnia and Herzegovina, including reporting requirements.

                  —

                  Enhance access to justice.

                  —

                  Strengthen the protection of the rights of women and children.

                  —

                  Agree on a comprehensive penitentiary reform and ensure construction of a State level prison.

                  —

                  Further improve the legal framework on minorities so that it fully meets the requirements of the Council of Europe Framework Convention on National Minorities and ensure implementation throughout Bosnia and Herzegovina.

                  —

                  Ensure proper operation of the Council of National Minorities of Bosnia and Herzegovina and the corresponding bodies at Entity level.

                  —

                  Develop and implement all the sectoral action plans under the national strategy for Roma as part of a comprehensive strategy on poverty alleviation and social inclusion.

                  —

                  Continue de-institutionalisation, community-based services and aid to dependent persons, including in the field of mental health.

            Regional issues and international obligations

                  —

                  Contribute to strengthening regional cooperation, reconciliation and good neighbourly relations, including by promoting the transition from the Stability Pact to a more regionally owned cooperation framework and effective implementation of the Central European Free Trade Agreement (CEFTA).

                  —

                  Enhance cooperation with neighbouring countries, notably on cross-border cooperation, the fight against organised crime, trafficking and smuggling, judicial cooperation and border management.

                  —

                  Contribute to solution of the outstanding border issues with neighbouring countries.

                  —

                  Ensure that the refugee return fund is properly funded and fully operational; contribute to full implementation of the Sarajevo Declaration; complete the process of refugee return and achieve significant progress towards their economic and social integration.

            Economic criteria

                  —

                  Strengthen macroeconomic stability by ensuring a sustainable fiscal stance and using prudential policy instruments to preserve financial stability in the light of rapid development in financial intermediation.

                  —

                  Accelerate the privatisation process, with the objective of transferring 5-10 % of the publicly owned capital to the private sector, with the Federation targeting the upper limit.

                  —

                  Develop fiscal surveillance mechanisms based on fiscal rules and institutional cooperation that promote fiscal discipline within Entities and between Entities and State institutions; ensure the adequate environment for institutional cooperation within the framework of a properly functioning National Fiscal Council.

                  —

                  Finalise the reconciliation of domestic claims in line with the repayment capacity of the budget and put public debt on a sustainable and declining trend.

                  —

                  Improve corporate governance by achieving substantial progress with the restructuring and liquidation of loss-making publicly owned enterprises.

                  —

                  Ensure that the commercial courts function properly and, in particular, enhance the capacity of courts to process corporate bankruptcy/liquidation procedures more efficiently.

                  —

                  Strengthen legal certainty for local and foreign economic operators and improve business environment.

            European standards
      Internal market
      Free movement of goods

                  —

                  Improve and implement the legal framework for standardisation, metrology, accreditation and certification of products to bring it into line with EU standards and best practice; further approximate technical regulations with those of the acquis; enhance the capacity of the quality infrastructure and institutions, and create the legal basis for conformity assessment procedures.

                  —

                  Ensure continuing progress in adopting European standards (ENs).

                  —

                  Establish an internal consultation and notification mechanism for new technical regulations prior to adoption of measures with an impact on trade.

                  —

                  Ensure that the market surveillance agency is fully functioning and continue to take steps to establish a market surveillance structure responding to the requirements of the acquis on free movement of goods.

                  —

                  Adopt the State law on pharmaceutical and medical devices and establish the State Pharmaceutical Agency.

            Movement of persons, services and right of establishment

                  —

                  Bring banking supervision to State level (together with the ancillary supervision activities) and ensure that this supervisory authority functions effectively, in line with the Basel core principles for effective banking supervision.

                  —

                  Adopt the State level laws on obligations.

                  —

                  Ensure that the insurance agency of Bosnia and Herzegovina functions properly and guarantees the existence of a single internal insurance market.

                  —

                  Create a consistent legislative and regulatory framework for the capital markets to ensure the existence of a single economic area and create an adequate institutional setting for coordination of capital markets policies and legislation.

            Free movement of capital

                  —

                  Make further progress on the elimination of restrictions on outward transfers of capital.

            Customs and taxation

                  —

                  Further approximate customs and tax legislation and procedures with the acquis and ensure that the Bosnia and Herzegovina tariff is timely updated on the basis of the most recent Combined Nomenclature.

                  —

                  Ensure that the legal framework for free zones is compatible with EU standards and guarantees adequate supervision of free zones.

                  —

                  Ensure proper implementation of rules of origin, including diagonal cumulation.

                  —

                  Implement customs valuation rules in accordance with international standards and practices.

                  —

                  Dismantle taxes with an effect equivalent to a customs duty (customs fees for the processing of customs declarations).

                  —

                  Further improve the administrative capacity to implement customs and tax legislation and to fight against corruption, cross-border crime and fiscal evasion.

                  —

                  Agree on a permanent formula for allocation of indirect tax revenue between the State, Entities and Brčko district.

                  —

                  Commit to the principles of the Code of Conduct for business taxation and ensure that new tax measures are in compliance with these principles.

            Competition

                  —

                  Improve existing anti-trust legislation in line with the requirements of the Stabilisation and Association Agreement and strengthen the administrative capacity of the Competition Council.

                  —

                  Accelerate preparations in the field of State aid, notably by adopting the necessary legislation, by establishing an operationally independent public State aid monitoring authority and by ensuring the transparency of all aid granted in Bosnia and Herzegovina.

            Public procurement

                  —

                  Ensure that the single public procurement system functions properly and implement public procurement legislation and procedures. Continue developing administrative capacity.

            Intellectual property law

                  —

                  Make the Institute for Intellectual Property fully operational so that it can carry out its tasks effectively and implement and enforce the current legal framework.

                  —

                  Prepare an action plan for building the necessary capacity to implement and enforce intellectual property laws, with particular focus on the need to provide specialised training for law enforcement bodies, judges, prosecutors and customs officials.

                  —

                  Improve cooperation among law enforcement bodies and between all relevant stakeholders with the aim of strengthening enforcement and start developing public awareness campaigns.

            Employment and social policies

                  —

                  Further develop social inclusion and social protection policies.

                  —

                  Develop mechanisms for a social dialogue.

                  —

                  Make further efforts improve the situation of persons with disabilities.

                  —

                  Develop adequate administrative structures and capacity in the field of consumer and health protection.

            Education and research

                  —

                  Implement the State level Law on higher education, paving the way for implementation of the main components of the Bologna process and the Lisbon Recognition Convention.

                  —

                  Resolve fragmentation of the educational system and the overlap of functions between different levels of organisation. Strengthen policy development and strategic planning to improve the quality of education.

                  —

                  Take measures to prevent segregation of children along ethnic lines at school.

                  —

                  Sign and ratify the UNESCO Convention on the Protection and Promotion of the Diversity of Cultural Expressions.

                  —

                  Start designing an integrated research policy.

            WTO issues

                  —

                  Continue the reforms necessary to comply with WTO rules and obligations and continue the work towards achieving WTO accession.

            Sectoral policies
      Industry and SMEs

                  —

                  Create a coherent legal and institutional framework for SMEs in order to implement the SME Charter properly.

                  —

                  Adopt the proposed country-wide strategy on SMEs and set in place the required minimal capabilities at the State level to ensure a coherent and coordinated SME policy in the whole country, including a national SME Agency and a forum for dialogue and consultation with SMEs.

                  —

                  Develop a comprehensive industrial policy.

            Agriculture and fisheries

                  —

                  Adopt the Law on Agriculture, Food and Rural Development and ensure an adequate legal framework for harmonised implementation of agricultural, food and rural development policies. Develop a comprehensive agricultural strategy at State level.

                  —

                  Strengthen administrative capacity at State level as regards agriculture, food and rural development in order effectively to coordinate implementation of market and rural development policies throughout the whole country. Work towards the establishment of a State level Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Development with sufficient resources to implement its tasks.

                  —

                  Ensure adoption of legislation compliant with the European standards in the food safety, veterinary and phytosanitary sectors and start to implement it.

                  —

                  Enhance laboratory and inspection capacity in the food safety, veterinary and phytosanitary sectors, establish reference laboratories and develop sampling procedures in compliance with EU requirements.

                  —

                  Improve the system for identification of bovines and registration of their movements and start identification of pigs, sheep and goats and registration of their movements.

            Environment

                  —

                  Adopt a State environmental law to create the framework for nationwide harmonised environmental protection.

                  —

                  Further implement legislation on environmental impact assessment.

                  —

                  Ratify and start implementing relevant international conventions, including the Aarhus and Espoo Conventions.

                  —

                  Establish and ensure proper functioning of the State Environment Agency.

                  —

                  Further strengthen the administrative capacity of the environment-related institutions, in particular at State level, and improve communication and coordination between those institutions.

            Energy

                  —

                  Fulfil the obligations arising from the Energy Community Treaty since 1 July 2007 as regards the full implementation of the acquis on the internal gas and electricity market and on cross-border exchanges in electricity.

                  —

                  Develop and adopt a comprehensive energy strategy.

            Transport policy

                  —

                  Continue the implementation of the requirements of the Memorandum of Understanding on the Development of the South East Europe Core Regional Transport Network, including the Addendum on a SEE Rail Transport Area Coordinate and consolidate at State and Entities level the transport infrastructure planning in view of a consistent prioritisation of transport projects along the South East Europe Core Regional Transport Network.

                  —

                  Approximate to the road transport acquis (technical and safety standards, social rules and access to the market).

                  —

                  Fully implement the State Law on Railways. Prepare railway network statement for open access to infrastructure use.

                  —

                  Implement commitments taken under the first transitional phase of the European Common Aviation Area Agreement, including the implementation of the relevant aviation legislation.

            Information society and media

                  —

                  Adopt the Law on the Information Society Agency and establish the Agency.

                  —

                  Implement and enforce the regulations on telecommunications/electronic communications aiming at a fully liberalised and competitive market. Introduce the necessary competitive safeguards in the market.

                  —

                  Maintain the independent position of the Communications Regulatory Authority. Strengthen its administrative capacity.

            Financial control

                  —

                  Develop and adopt a public internal financial control strategy.

                  —

                  Adopt and implement legislation on public-sector internal control and audit.

            Statistics

                  —

                  Implement the agreement between the Entities in the statistical system on improvement of the work of the Central Statistical Agency in Bosnia and Herzegovina and improve the range and quality of statistics, in particular at State level.

                  —

                  Improve the collection and processing of agriculture statistics in line with EU standards and methodology.

                  —

                  Improve the quality and coverage of statistics on consolidated government accounts.

                  —

                  Establish the legislative framework necessary for carrying out the population census. Agree on a target date for the census and start preparations for implementing it.

            Justice, freedom and security
      Visa, border control, asylum and migration

                  —

                  Provide adequate staffing for the migration section within the Ministry of Security and adequate facilities, equipment, staffing and training for the Department for Foreigners Affairs.

                  —

                  Adopt a State level migration strategy and the new Law on movements and stays of aliens.

                  —

                  Implement the EC/Bosnia and Herzegovina readmission agreement and negotiate readmission agreements with the countries of origin of transiting migrants.

                  —

                  Ensure that reception centres meet international standards and assume full ownership of their financing and management.

                  —

                  Adopt and implement the revised national strategy on integrated border management (IBM), based on the IBM guidelines for the Western Balkans, plus the corresponding national action plan.

                  —

                  Further improve border crossing points.

            Money laundering

                  —

                  Fully staff the Financial Intelligence Unit.

                  —

                  Further improve legislation against money-laundering, including implementation and enforcement.

            Drugs

                  —

                  Develop a State level drugs policy in compliance with European standards.

                  —

                  Ensure full functioning of a State level office for narcotics.

            Police

                  —

                  Further strengthen the State Investigation and Protection Agency, notably by completing recruitment of its staff.

            Fighting organised crime and terrorism

                  —

                  Prepare and implement all the action plans provided for by the national strategy to combat organised crime.

                  —

                  Update and implement the national action plan for combating trafficking of human beings.

                  —

                  Ratify the Council of Europe Convention on action against trafficking in human beings.

                  —

                  Reinforce the fight against organised crime and international cooperation with law enforcement agencies.

                  —

                  Take additional measures to protect victims of trafficking and ensure adequate implementation of the witness protection legislation.

                  —

                  Enhance the capacity of the State Investigation and Protection Agency in the fight against terrorism and reinforce international cooperation in this area, including by means of proper implementation of international conventions.

            Protection of personal data

                  —

                  Establish an independent supervisory authority (data protection agency) with sufficient powers and sufficient financial and human resources.

            3.2.   MEDIUM-TERM PRIORITIES
      Political criteria
      Democracy and the rule of law
      Constitution/governance

                  —

                  Continue the process to agree on and adopt changes to the constitution of Bosnia and Herzegovina that will contribute to creating more functional and fiscally sustainable institutional structures, improving respect for human and fundamental rights and supporting the process of European integration.

                  —

                  Ensure continued progress with taking full national responsibility for policy formulation and decision-making.

            Public administration

                  —

                  Implement the public administration reform and ensure its sustainability. Increase the capacity for progressive legal harmonisation and implementation of the acquis.

            Judicial system

                  —

                  Implement the strategy for development of the justice sector, consolidate an independent, reliable and efficient judiciary that guarantees the rule of law and equal access of citizens to justice and guarantee that courts have the technical equipment and financial means necessary to impart justice efficiently and properly.

            Human rights and protection of minorities

                  —

                  Ensure that the national legislation is fully compatible with the European Convention for Human Rights.

                  —

                  Ensure protection of minorities in accordance with EU and international standards; fully implement the national strategy for Roma and its sectoral action plans; develop data that can serve as sound basis to foster further developments of social inclusion strategies, action plans and their evaluation.

            Regional issues and international obligations

                  —

                  Further promote regional dialogue, stability, good neighbourliness and cooperation.

                  —

                  Bring the agreement concluded with the USA regarding the conditions of surrender of people to the International Criminal Court into line with the EU guiding principles adopted by the European Council in September 2002.

            Economic criteria

                  —

                  Improve the quality of public finances by reducing public expenditure relative to GDP, restructuring spending towards growth-enhancing categories and strengthening the economic policy planning capacity.

                  —

                  Complete the privatisation process and liquidate the remaining loss-making publicly owned enterprises that cannot be sold.

                  —

                  Improve participation in the formal economy by reducing social contribution rates and reforming the pension system and facilitate the mobility of labour across the country.

                  —

                  Step up the unbundling of network industries in order to open up the electricity, gas and telecommunications markets to additional suppliers with a view to increasing competition and efficient allocation of resources.

                  —

                  Continue reforms in the areas of registration of property, enforcement of contracts, bankruptcy procedures, registration, taxation and licensing of businesses in order to improve the business environment and promote entrepreneurship. Eliminate overlapping regulations imposed by different levels of government and inter-entity double taxation for companies.

            European standards
      Internal market
      Free movement of goods

                  —

                  Continue with the establishment of the quality infrastructure, with the approximation of the legislation in the areas of standards, certification, metrology, accreditation and conformity assessment to the acquis, and with the transposition of new and global approach and old approach directives.

                  —

                  Make further progress in adopting European standards and speed up efforts to become a full member of the European Committee for Standardisation, of the European Committee for Electro-technical Standardisation and the European Telecommunications Standards Institute.

                  —

                  Establish a market surveillance system compliant with European standards.

            Customs and taxation

                  —

                  Ensure continued approximation of customs and taxation legislation to the acquis and further increase administrative capacity to implement this legislation and to fight corruption, cross-border crime and fiscal evasion.

                  —

                  Improve the transparency and exchange of information within the region and with the EU in order to facilitate enforcement of measures preventing avoidance or evasion of taxes.

            Competition

                  —

                  Implement State aid legislation and ensure that the State aid monitoring authority functions effectively.

                  —

                  Produce a comprehensive State aid inventory.

            Public procurement

                  —

                  Ensure that the legal framework for public procurement is compatible with the acquis and that public procurement procedures are implemented properly.

            Employment and social policies

                  —

                  In the area of mental health, develop community-based services as an alternative to institutionalisation, taking into account allocation of sufficient financial resources for mental health care.

            Education and research

                  —

                  Take measures to improve the education system, including primary education, and to create a modern vocational education and training system.

                  —

                  Promote the regional cooperation in the field of higher education.

            Statistics

                  —

                  Develop reliable economic statistics and build up institutional capacity to produce and publish basic statistical data harmonised with European standards, in particular in the areas of national accounts, agricultural, macro-economic and business statistics, and social statistics, including education, labour and health statistics.

                  —

                  Carry out the population census.

            Sectoral policies
      Industry and SMEs

                  —

                  Ensure implementation of the SME Charter.

                  —

                  Ensure implementation of the industrial policy.

            Agriculture and fisheries

                  —

                  Implement the comprehensive State level agricultural strategy throughout the whole country.

                  —

                  Further strengthen the State level capacity for coordination and harmonisation of agricultural, food and rural development policy, reinforce implementation mechanisms and further approximate with the acquis.

                  —

                  Continue adoption of compliant legislation in the food safety, veterinary and phytosanitary sectors and develop an effective system of controls.

                  —

                  Assess the compliance of agri-food establishments with EU requirements and prepare and start a programme for upgrading those establishments.

            Environment

                  —

                  Continue work on progressive transposition of the acquis, with particular emphasis on waste management, water quality, air quality, nature protection and integrated pollution prevention and control.

                  —

                  Implement strategic plans, including investment strategies, and increase investments in environmental infrastructure, with particular emphasis on waste water collection and treatment, drinking water supply and solid waste management.

                  —

                  Ensure integration of environmental protection requirements into definition and implementation of other sectoral policies.

            Transport policy

                  —

                  Create the conditions for competition on the railway track, including rail regulatory and safety institutions.

                  —

                  Ensure further approximation of legislation to the transport acquis, notably as regards technical and safety standards (including the implementation of the digital tachograph), social standards and market liberalisation.

                  —

                  Implement commitments taken under the second transitional phase of the European Common Aviation Area Agreement.

            Energy

                  —

                  Accelerate the reform of energy utilities, in particular in the power and gas sectors, implement the Entities' action plans for restructuring the power sector, develop and implement concomitant plans regarding reform of the coal sector, establish a transmission system operator and distribution system operators in the gas sector and develop the internal gas market.

                  —

                  Ensure a consolidated system of regulation of power and gas, ready to include other energy sectors, in line with the Energy Community Treaty and, in parallel, ensure that issues related to socially vulnerable customers are addressed.

            Information society and media

                  —

                  Fully implement public broadcasting legislation and complete the structural reform of the public broadcasting sector.

                  —

                  Align legislation with the EU regulatory framework for electronic communication networks and services and ensure implementation and enforcement.

                  —

                  Align with the European Convention on Trans-frontier Television and the Television without Frontiers directive.

            Financial control

                  —

                  Implement the public internal financial control policy paper and action plan.

                  —

                  Strengthen the operational and functional capacity and financial independence of the supreme audit institutions.

                  —

                  Develop procedures and administrative capacity to ensure effective protection of the EU's financial interests.

            Justice, freedom and security
      Visa, border control, asylum and migration

                  —

                  Implement visa, asylum and migration policies in compliance with EU standards.

                  —

                  Further improve border management, with special emphasis on border infrastructure and surveillance of the green border.

            Money laundering

                  —

                  Ensure continued improvement of the enforcement record regarding money laundering.

            Drugs

                  —

                  Ensure that law enforcement bodies are properly equipped to fight drug trafficking. Achieve satisfactory inter-agency and international cooperation, leading to considerably improved results in this area.

            Police

                  —

                  Fully implement police reform.

            Fighting organised crime and terrorism

                  —

                  Achieve significant results against organised crime, all types of trafficking and terrorism and ensure proper prosecution.

            Protection of personal data

                  —

                  Implement the national law on personal data protection in line with the acquis and ensure efficient monitoring and enforcement.

            4.   PROGRAMMING
      Community assistance under the stabilisation and association process to the Western Balkan countries will be provided under the existing financial instruments, in particular by Regulation (EC) No 1085/2006 (IPA), and for programmes adopted before 2007, Regulation (EC) No 2666/2000 (CARDS Regulation) (1). The financing agreements serve as legal basis for the implementation of the concrete programmes. Accordingly, this Decision will have no financial implications. Bosnia and Herzegovina can have access to funding from multi-country and horizontal programmes.
      5.   CONDITIONALITY
      Assistance to the Western Balkan countries is conditional on progress on satisfying the Copenhagen criteria and on meeting the specific priorities of this European Partnership. Failure to respect these conditions could lead the Council to take appropriate measures on the basis of Article 21 of Regulation (EC) No 1085/2006 or, in the case of pre-2007 programmes, on the basis of Article 5 of Council Regulation (EC) No 2666/2000. The assistance is also subject to the conditions defined by the Council in its conclusions of 29 April 1997, in particular as regards the recipients' undertaking to carry out democratic, economic and institutional reforms. Specific conditions are also included in individual annual programmes. The financing decisions will be followed by a financing agreement signed with Bosnia and Herzegovina.
      6.   MONITORING
      Implementation of the European Partnership will be examined by the mechanisms established under the Stabilisation and Association Process, notably the annual reports presented by the Commission.

         (1)  OJ L 306, 7.12.2000, p. 1. Regulation as last amended by Regulation (EC) No 2112/2005 (OJ L 344, 27.12.2005, p. 23).


title: 2006/810/EC,Euratom: Decision of the European Parliament of 27 April 2006 on the discharge for implementation of the European Union general budget for the financial year 2004, Section I — European Parliament

text:
               6.12.2006

               EN

               Official Journal of the European Union

               L 340/29

      DECISION OF THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT

   of 27 April 2006
   on the discharge for implementation of the European Union general budget for the financial year 2004, Section I — European Parliament
   (2006/810/EC, Euratom)
   THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT,

               —

               having regard to the European Union general budget for the financial year 2004 (1),

               —

               having regard to the revenue and expenditure account and balance sheet in respect of the financial year 2004 (C6-0357/2005),

               —

               having regard to the Internal Auditor's annual report,

               —

               having regard to the Annual Report of the Court of Auditors on the Implementation of the Budget, together with the institutions' replies (2),

               —

               having regard to the statement of assurance as to the reliability of the accounts and the legality and regularity of the underlying transactions provided by the Court of Auditors pursuant to Article 248 of the EC Treaty (3),

               —

               having regard to Articles 272(10) and 275 of the EC Treaty and Article 179a of the Euratom Treaty,

               —

               having regard to Council Regulation (EC, Euratom) No 1605/2002 of 25 June 2002 on the Financial Regulation applicable to the general budget of the European Communities (4), and in particular Articles 145, 146 and 147 thereof,

               —

               having regard to Article 13 of the Internal Rules for the implementation of the European Parliament's budget (5),

               —

               having regard to Article 147(1) of the Financial Regulation, pursuant to which each Community institution is required to take all appropriate steps to act on the observations accompanying the European Parliament's discharge decision,

               —

               having regard to Rules 71 and 74(3) of and Annex V to its Rules of Procedure,

               —

               having regard to the report of the Committee on Budgetary Control (A6-0119/2006),

               A.

               whereas the Court of Auditors pointed to weaknesses in supervisory and control systems (paragraph 9.16), albeit mostly of a formal nature; whereas, according to the Court, the errors did not materially affect the legality and regularity of the transactions underlying administrative expenditure (paragraph 9.27),

               B.

               whereas the Financial Regulation and Parliament's Rules of Procedure as amended on 23 October 2002 (6) apply with effect from 1 January 2003 as regards the procedural rules governing the discharge,

               C.

               whereas Parliament's Rules of Procedure were amended on 23 October 2002 to provide that discharge is to be given to the President rather than to the Secretary-General,

               1.

               Postpones the decision to grant its President discharge for implementation of the budget for the financial year 2004;

               2.

               Instructs its President to forward this decision to the Council, the Commission, the Court of Justice, the Court of Auditors and the European Ombudsman and to have it published in the Official Journal of the European Union (L series).

            The President

         Josep BORRELL FONTELLES

            The Secretary-General

         Julian PRIESTLEY

      (1)  OJ C 105, 30.4.2004.

      (2)  OJ C 301, 30.11.2005, p. 1.

      (3)  OJ C 302, 30.11.2005, p. 100.

      (4)  OJ L 248, 16.9.2002, p. 1.

      (5)  PE 349.540.

      (6)  OJ C 300 E, 11.12.2003, p. 303.


title: 2012/261/EU: Decision of the European Parliament and of the Council of 19 April 2012 on the mobilisation of the European Globalisation Adjustment Fund in accordance with point 28 of the Interinstitutional Agreement of 17 May 2006 between the European Parliament, the Council and the Commission on budgetary discipline and sound financial management (application EGF/2011/006 ES/Comunidad Valenciana Construction of buildings from Spain)

text:
               17.5.2012

               EN

               Official Journal of the European Union

               L 130/21

         DECISION OF THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND OF THE COUNCIL
   of 19 April 2012
   on the mobilisation of the European Globalisation Adjustment Fund in accordance with point 28 of the Interinstitutional Agreement of 17 May 2006 between the European Parliament, the Council and the Commission on budgetary discipline and sound financial management (application EGF/2011/006 ES/Comunidad Valenciana Construction of buildings from Spain)
   (2012/261/EU)
   THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION,
   Having regard to the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union,
   Having regard to the Interinstitutional Agreement of 17 May 2006 between the European Parliament, the Council and the Commission on budgetary discipline and sound financial management (1), and in particular point 28 thereof,
   Having regard to Regulation (EC) No 1927/2006 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 20 December 2006 establishing the European Globalisation Adjustment Fund (2), and in particular Article 12(3) thereof,
   Having regard to the proposal from the European Commission,
   Whereas:

               (1)

               The European Globalisation Adjustment Fund (EGF) was established to provide additional support for workers made redundant as a result of major structural changes in world trade patterns due to globalisation and to assist them with their reintegration into the labour market.

               (2)

               The scope of the EGF was broadened for applications submitted from 1 May 2009 to include support for workers made redundant as a direct result of the global financial and economic crisis.

               (3)

               The Interinstitutional Agreement of 17 May 2006 allows the mobilisation of the EGF within the annual ceiling of EUR 500 million.

               (4)

               Spain submitted an application on 1 July 2011 to mobilise the EGF in respect of 1 138 redundancies in 513 enterprises operating in the NACE Revision 2 Division 41 (‘Construction of buildings’) in the NUTS II region of Comunidad Valenciana (ES52), and supplemented it by additional information up to 25 November 2011. This application complies with the requirements for determining the financial contributions as laid down in Article 10 of Regulation (EC) No 1927/2006. The Commission, therefore, proposes to mobilise an amount of EUR 1 642 030.

               (5)

               The EGF should, therefore, be mobilised in order to provide a financial contribution for the application submitted by Spain,

         HAVE ADOPTED THIS DECISION:
   Article 1
   For the general budget of the European Union for the financial year 2012, the European Globalisation Adjustment Fund shall be mobilised to provide the sum of EUR 1 642 030 in commitment and payment appropriations.
   Article 2
   This Decision shall be published in the Official Journal of the European Union.

      Done at Strasbourg, 19 April 2012.

            For the European Parliament

            The President

         M. SCHULZ

            For the Council

            The President

         N. WAMMEN

      (1)  OJ C 139, 14.6.2006, p. 1.

      (2)  OJ L 406, 30.12.2006, p. 1.


title: Council Decision (CFSP) 2017/1428 of 4 August 2017 in support of the implementation of the Maputo Action Plan for the implementation of the 1997 Convention on the Prohibition of the Use, Stockpiling, Production and Transfer of Anti-Personnel Mines and on their Destruction

text:
               5.8.2017

               EN

               Official Journal of the European Union

               L 204/101

         COUNCIL DECISION (CFSP) 2017/1428
   of 4 August 2017
   in support of the implementation of the Maputo Action Plan for the implementation of the 1997 Convention on the Prohibition of the Use, Stockpiling, Production and Transfer of Anti-Personnel Mines and on their Destruction
   THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION,
   Having regard to the Treaty on European Union, and in particular Articles 28 and 31(1) thereof,
   Having regard to the proposal of the High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy,
   Whereas:

               (1)

               The European Union should work towards a high degree of cooperation in all fields of international relations, in order, inter alia, to preserve peace, prevent conflicts and strengthen international security, in accordance with the purposes and principles of the United Nations Charter.

               (2)

               On 12 December 2003 the European Council adopted a European Security Strategy identifying global challenges and threats, and calling for a rule-based international order based on effective multilateralism and well-functioning international institutions.

               (3)

               The Convention on the Prohibition of the Use, Stockpiling, Production and Transfer of Anti-Personnel Mines and on Their Destruction (‘the Convention’) entered into force on 1 March 1999. It constitutes the only comprehensive international instrument dealing with all aspects of anti-personnel landmines, including their use, stockpiling, production, trade, clearance and victim assistance. Since 1 June 2013, all Member States are party to the Convention and on 1 September 2016, 162 states have expressed their consent to be bound by it.

               (4)

               On 23 June 2008, the Council adopted Joint Action 2008/487/CFSP (1) in support of the universalisation and implementation of the Convention.

               (5)

               On 3 December 2009, at the second Review Conference of the Convention, the States Parties to the Convention adopted the Cartagena Action Plan 2010-2014 on the universalisation and implementation of all aspects of the Convention. They also adopted the ‘Directive of the States Parties to the Implementation Support Unit’ in which the States Parties agreed that the Convention's Implementation Support Unit (‘ISU’) should provide advice and technical support to States Parties on the implementation and universalisation of the Convention, facilitate communication among the States Parties, and promote communication and information sharing regarding the Convention both to non-party States and to the public. At their 14th meeting in 2015, the States Parties adopted a decision on strengthening financial governance and transparency within the ISU, setting out the conditions for the ISU to undertake activities or projects that do not feature in its yearly budget, including at the invitation of States Parties and non-signatory states.

               (6)

               On 13 November 2012 the Council adopted Decision 2012/700/CFSP (2) in support of the implementation of the Cartagena Action Plan 2010-2014.

               (7)

               At the Third Review Conference of the Convention held in Maputo, Mozambique, in June 2014, the States Parties adopted the Maputo Action Plan aiming to make significant and sustainable progress towards implementation of the Convention in the period before the next Review Conference (2014-2019) and made a joint declaration to aspire to meet the goals of the Convention ‘to the fullest extent possible by 2025’.

               (8)

               In its conclusions of 16 and 17 June 2014 at the Third Review Conference of the Convention, the Council of the European Union recalled the Union's unity in pursuing the objectives of the Convention, with all 28 Member States now States Parties, and that the Union and its Member States have a long history of support for mine clearance and the destruction of stockpiled anti-personnel mines, as well as for assistance to victims of antipersonnel mines. The conclusions reiterated the Union's unwavering support to States Parties in their full and effective implementation of the Convention, and its commitment to promote universalisation of the Convention, to provide resources to fund mine action, and concrete and sustainable assistance to anti-personnel mine victims, their families and communities,

         HAS ADOPTED THIS DECISION:
   Article 1
   1.   To contribute to human security by supporting the implementation of the Maputo Action Plan 2014-2019 adopted by the States Parties at the Third Review Conference of the 1997 Convention on the Prohibition of the Use, Stockpiling, Production and Transfer of Anti-Personnel Mines and on Their Destruction (‘the Convention’), in the framework of the European Security Strategy and in accordance with relevant decisions of the international community, the European Union pursues the following objectives:

               (a)

               support efforts of States Parties to the Convention to implement the mine clearance aspects of the Maputo Action Plan;

               (b)

               support efforts of States Parties to the Convention to implement the victim assistance aspects of the Maputo Action Plan;

               (c)

               promotion of the universalisation of the Convention;

               (d)

               support efforts of States Parties to the Convention to implement the stockpile destruction aspects of the Maputo Action Plan;

               (e)

               demonstrate the ongoing commitment of the Union and its Member States to the Convention and their resolve to cooperate with and extend assistance to those States that need support in meeting their commitments under the Convention, and enhance the leading role of the Union in pursuing the Convention's vision of a conclusive end to the suffering and casualties caused by anti-personnel mines.

         2.   All the objectives referred to in paragraph 1 shall be pursued in such a way that they reinforce the Convention's tradition of partnership and collaboration between States, non-governmental and other organisations, including representatives from mine-affected communities. All actions will incorporate gender and diversity aspects at the design, management and implementation levels.
   3.   In order to achieve the objectives referred to in paragraph 1, the Union shall support the following projects:

               (a)

               mine clearance: providing support for the implementation of Action III of the Maputo Action Plan, including by means of facilitating and strengthening national planning and reporting in up to five affected States Parties that have upcoming mine clearance deadlines in 2018, 2019, 2020 and beyond;

               (b)

               victim assistance: providing support for the implementation of the Victim Assistance actions of the Maputo Action Plan in up to five affected States Parties. The project will support States Parties to embed the victim assistance aspects of the Maputo Action Plan in an integrated policy linked with national policies on human rights and the rights of persons with disabilities. The project aims to empower mine victims to become active agents in their own development;

               (c)

               in order to promote universalisation of the Convention, the project will support the Presidency of the Convention and a high level task force to engage states that are not parties to the Convention at a high level. The study on border security initiated under the Decision 2012/700/CFSP will be further developed;

               (d)

               stockpile destruction: support for the implementation of the Stockpile Destruction actions of the Maputo Action Plan;

               (e)

               in order to demonstrate the commitment of the Union and ensure its visibility, a launch event will be held to promote this Decision and Union support for mine action in general, and a wrap-up event will be organised to publicise the activities provided for in this Decision and their outcomes, thereby underlining the Union's contribution.

         4.   To meet the objectives referred to in paragraph 1, a detailed description of the measures to be undertaken is set out in the Annex.
   Article 2
   1.   The High Representative for the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy (‘the High Representative’) shall be responsible for the implementation of this Decision.
   2.   The technical implementation of the projects referred to in Article 1(3) shall be carried out by the ISU, represented by the Geneva International Centre for Humanitarian Demining (‘GICHD’).
   3.   The ISU shall perform these tasks under the responsibility of the High Representative. For that purpose, the High Representative will enter into the necessary arrangements with the GICHD.
   Article 3
   1.   The financial reference amount for the implementation of the measures referred to in Article 1(3) shall be EUR 2 303 274,47.
   2.   The expenditure financed by the amount stipulated in paragraph 1 shall be managed in accordance with the procedures and rules applicable to the general budget of the Union.
   3.   The Commission shall supervise the proper management of the expenditure referred to in paragraph 1. For this purpose, it shall conclude a financing agreement with the GICHD, stipulating that the ISU is to ensure visibility of the Union contribution, appropriate to its size.
   4.   The Commission shall endeavour to conclude the financing agreement referred to in paragraph 3 as soon as possible after the entry into force of this Decision. It shall inform the Council of any difficulties in the process and of the date of conclusion of the financing agreement.
   5.   The ISU shall perform the tasks referred to in Article 2 in accordance with the decision on strengthening financial governance and transparency within the ISU, taken at the 14th meeting of States Parties of the Convention in 2015 (3).
   Article 4
   The High Representative shall report to the Council on the implementation of this Decision on the basis of regular reports to be prepared by the ISU. Those reports shall form the basis for the evaluation by the Council. The Commission shall provide information on the financial aspects of the implementation of this Decision.
   Article 5
   This Decision shall enter into force on the date of its adoption.
   It shall expire 36 months after the date of conclusion of the financing agreement referred to in Article 3(3) or 6 months after the date of its adoption if no financing agreement has been concluded within that period.

      Done at Brussels, 4 August 2017.

            For the Council

            The President

         M. MAASIKAS

      (1)  Council Joint Action 2008/487/CFSP of 23 June 2008 in support of the universalisation and implementation of the 1997 Convention on the Prohibition of the Use, Stockpiling, Production and Transfer of Anti-Personnel Mines and on their Destruction, in the framework of the European Security Strategy (OJ L 165, 26.6.2008, p. 41).

      (2)  Council Decision 2012/700/CFSP of 13 November 2012 in the framework of the European Security Strategy in support of the implementation of the Cartagena Action Plan 2010-2014, adopted by the States Parties to the 1997 Convention on the Prohibition of the Use, Stockpiling, Production and Transfer of Anti-Personnel Mines and on Their Destruction (OJ L 314, 14.11.2012, p. 40).

      (3)  APLC/MSP.14/2015/L.1 — http://www.apminebanconvention.org/fileadmin/APMBC/MSP/14MSP/ISU_Financing_Decision_Draft_30Nov2015.pdf

      ANNEX
      1.   Objective
      To contribute to human security by supporting the implementation of the Maputo Action Plan 2014-2019 adopted by the States Parties at the Third Review Conference of the 1997 Convention on the Prohibition of the Use, Stockpiling, Production and Transfer of Anti-Personnel Mines and on Their Destruction (‘the Convention’), in the framework of the European Security Strategy and in line with relevant decisions of the international community.
      2.   Description of projects
      2.1.   Mine clearance: support for the implementation of Action III of the Maputo Action Plan including national planning and reporting in up to five affected States Parties
      2.1.1.   Project objective
      Up to five States Parties to the Convention are supported in the implementation of the mine clearance aspects of the Maputo Action Plan.
      2.1.2.   Project description

                  —

                  Support will be provided by the ISU to up to five States Parties in facilitating national stakeholder dialogues. Eligible States Parties have upcoming mine clearance deadlines in 2018, 2019, 2020 and beyond. The Convention's Committee on Article 5 Implementation will be involved in the selection of the recipient States Parties.

                  —

                  The national stakeholder dialogues will be facilitated by the ISU, in collaboration with stakeholders, such as relevant government officials, representatives from mine-affected populations, mine action donors, including relevant Union entities, mine clearance organisations, the International Campaign to Ban Landmines (‘ICBL’), UN agencies and the GICHD. As appropriate, those key actors will be directly involved in the implementation of the project subject to the conditions to be developed in the budgetary impact statement. The dialogues will produce a detailed outcome document highlighting geographically specific information on remaining areas requiring survey and clearance, methodologies to address remaining areas and challenges faced in fulfilling mine clearance obligations and recommendations on overcoming those challenges as well as milestones to address identified challenges. The national stakeholder dialogues will incorporate gender and diversity aspects of mine clearance at the design, management and implementation levels.

                  —

                  Follow-up actions, in up to five instances, will be undertaken in response to recommendations contained in the outcome documents. Those follow-up actions will provide additional technical support by the ISU (e.g. for drafting/updating of national demining action plans, the development of a project proposal or proposals, etc.).

            2.1.3.   Project results

                  —

                  The stakeholder dialogues will provide a detailed outcome document setting out the remaining challenges, with objectives, timelines and recommendations for further action.

                  —

                  The States Parties selected for the national stakeholder dialogues will be able to articulate the status of implementation of the Convention and the Maputo Action Plan as well as to improve their annual reporting to the States Parties on the implementation of their obligations by their deadline.

                  —

                  The selected States will develop practices in building and fostering partnerships, including with donors and mine clearance organisations, to ensure that they support efforts to fulfil their obligations in as short a time as possible.

                  —

                  The selected States will be able to better articulate their intentions to fulfil the Maputo Action Plan commitments and their need for support, for example for drafting and updating of national de-mining action plans, the development of a project proposals.

            2.1.4.   Beneficiaries

                  —

                  States Parties to the Convention which are in the process of implementing their mine clearance obligations under the Convention.

                  —

                  Women, girls, boys and men whose lives are affected by the presence or suspected presence of anti-personnel mines, as well their families and communities.

                  —

                  National experts working on issues relevant to mine clearance.

                  —

                  States and organisations supporting mine clearance efforts.

            2.2.   Victim assistance: support for the implementation of the Victim Assistance actions of the Maputo Action Plan in up to five affected States Parties
      2.2.1.   Project objective
      The Maputo Action Plan states that victim assistance should be integrated into broader national polices, plans and legal frameworks related to the rights of persons with disabilities, health, education, employment, development and poverty reduction. The project will support up to five States Parties to embed the victim assistance aspects of the Maputo Action Plan in a broader context of national policies on human rights and the rights of persons with disabilities. The project aims at empowering those who are injured by mines or other explosive remnants of war, survivors, indirect victims such as family members of people killed by anti-personnel mines and people living in mine-affected areas, to become active agents in their own development. The national stakeholder dialogues will incorporate gender and diversity aspects of victim assistance at the design, management and implementation levels.
      2.2.2.   Project description

                  —

                  Support will be provided by the ISU in up to five affected States Parties to convene national stakeholder dialogues in States Parties that either:

                              (a)

                              have engaged little with victim assistance and therefore would benefit from a stimulus to begin doing so; or

                              (b)

                              have engaged in the effort to implement the victim assistance actions of the Maputo Action Plan and would benefit from a national stakeholder dialogue to promote those implementation efforts.

                        The Convention's Committee on Victim Assistance will be involved in the selection of the recipient States Parties.

                  —

                  The national stakeholder dialogues will be facilitated by the ISU, in collaboration with key actors, such as relevant government officials, donors, including relevant Union entities, UN agencies, the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights (‘UNOHCHR’), the International Campaign to Ban Landmines and Cluster Munition Coalition (‘ICBL-CMC’) and disabled persons' organisations. The national stakeholder dialogues will also result in the drafting of a detailed outcome document, developed in consultation with stakeholders, in which challenges and gaps in the implementation of the Maputo Action Plan's victim assistance commitments will be identified, recommendations made to overcome them and objectives set.

                  —

                  Follow-up action in up to five instances will be undertaken in response to recommendations contained in the outcome documents. Those follow-up actions may involve the provision of additional technical support by the ISU, for example for the revision of national plans, the development of a project proposal or proposals, etc.

                  —

                  Decision 2012/700/CFSP supported a global conference that was held in Medellin, Colombia, in April 2014, entitled ‘Bridges between Worlds’ that aimed to advance the international community's understanding regarding the place of victim assistance in broader contexts. As a follow-up, this Decision will enable an international conference for national experts to be organised by the ISU, in collaboration with key actors such as the UNOHCHR, the relevant Union entities, and ICBL-CMC and disabled persons' organisations, to explore challenges and good practices in integrating victim assistance into the broader contexts of disability and development at the national level. In particular, the international conference will aim at strengthening linkages with efforts to implement the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (‘CRPD’) and planning processes to achieve the UN Sustainable Development Goals. The international conference will build upon the work of the Anti-Personnel Mine Ban Convention's Committee on Victim Assistance and representatives of other relevant bodies such as the Victim Assistance Coordinators of the Cluster Munitions Convention (‘CCM’) and Protocol V on Explosive Remnants of War to the Convention on the Prohibition or Restriction on the Use of Certain Conventional Weapons which may be Deemed to be Excessively Injurious or to have Indiscriminate Effects (‘CCW’).

            2.2.3.   Project results

                  —

                  National stakeholder dialogues will result in a detailed outcome document identifying challenges and gaps which will provide the selected States with recommendations and concrete steps it can take to address identified challenges in implementing their Maputo Action Plan victim assistance commitments.

                  —

                  The outcome document will support national policy development and facilitate the dialogue and cooperation with donors and implementing agencies.

                  —

                  Follow-up actions, in up to five States Parties, to support efforts to overcome the challenges and gaps identified during the national stakeholder dialogues will result in increased capacity of the States Parties to fulfil their Maputo Action Plan commitments for example the revision of national plans, the development of a project proposal or proposals.

                  —

                  National stakeholder dialogues will create awareness of the global effort and best practices to address the needs and guarantee the rights of survivors through broader frameworks.

                  —

                  The selected States will be better able to articulate the status of implementation of the Maputo Action Plan as well as to report on plans for its implementation.

                  —

                  National experts participating in the international conference will have a better understanding of the place of victim assistance in efforts to implement the CRPD and planning processing to achieve the UN Sustainable Development Goals.

            2.2.4.   Beneficiaries

                  —

                  States Parties to the Convention which have reported responsibility for significant numbers of landmine survivors.

                  —

                  Women, girls, boys and men who have fallen victim to landmines and other explosive remnant of war, as well as their family and communities.

                  —

                  National experts working on issues relevant to victim assistance.

            2.3.   Universalisation of the Convention
      2.3.1.   Project objective
      In order to advance towards universalisation of the Convention, the Decision will support the Presidency of the Convention and a High Level Task Force to engage non-party States at a high level. In this effort, barriers to adherence to the Convention are defined and addressed and updated information on ratification and accession status is acquired.
      2.3.2.   Project description

                  —

                  A High Level Task Force on the universalisation of the Convention will be supported by the ISU, including support from high-level personalities to engage with the leaders of up to five States not party at the ministerial or higher level regarding accession to the Convention and/or adherence to the Convention and its norms.

                  —

                  Updated first-hand knowledge on barriers to accession from States which are not parties to the Convention will be sought with a view to that information contributing to substantive documents prepared for the Fourth Review Conference in 2019, including through a comprehensive report regarding what progress has been made on universalising the Convention and its norms as well as the scope for further progress.

                  —

                  The study on border security initiated under Decision 2012/700/CFSP will be further developed, in collaboration with partners such as the Geneva Centre for Security Policy (GCSP) or the Geneva Centre for the Democratic Control of Armed Forces (DCAF), into a tool for universalisation aimed towards States that still consider anti-personnel mines an indispensable tool for border security.

            2.3.3.   Project results

                  —

                  Up to five non-party States will be engaged at the ministerial or a higher level regarding adherence to the Convention.

                  —

                  Updated knowledge of the anti-personnel mine policies of non-party States will be obtained. That information will be used in the preparation of a substantive document for the Fourth Review Conference, including through a comprehensive report on progress made towards achieving the aims of universalising the Convention, as well as scope for further progress.

                  —

                  Advocacy on the part of States Parties to the Convention and non-governmental organisations will be revitalised on the basis of follow-up actions resulting from High Level Task Force visits.

                  —

                  Increased knowledge will be amassed and compiled in a publication which will address the most frequently raised perceived barriers to accession to the Convention and which can be used to support universalisation efforts.

                  —

                  Progress will be made towards accession to the Convention and/or an embracing of its norms by non-party States that were engaged through this project.

            2.3.4.   Beneficiaries

                  —

                  States, other than States Parties, which have not yet ratified, approved, accepted, or acceded to, the Convention.

                  —

                  States Parties to the Convention and non-governmental and international organisations involved in efforts to promote the universalisation of the Convention.

            2.4.   Stockpile destruction: support for the implementation of the stockpile destruction actions of the Maputo Action Plan
      2.4.1.   Project objective
      Assist States Parties that have signalled difficulties in meeting the Convention's stockpile destruction obligations in order to overcome them.
      2.4.2.   Project description
      The ISU will engage with the aim of identifying the key challenges and identifying possible solutions to complete stockpile destruction efforts in States that have upcoming deadlines or have missed their stockpile destruction deadlines.
      2.4.3.   Project results
      Acquisition of increased knowledge on the status and challenges of completing stockpile destruction efforts.
      2.4.4.   Beneficiaries
      States Parties to the Convention which are in the process of implementing their stockpile destruction obligations under the Convention.
      2.5.   Demonstrating the commitment of the European Union
      2.5.1.   Project objective
      The ongoing commitment of the Union and its Member States to the Convention and the implementation of the Maputo Action Plan are demonstrated, as well as their support to States Parties in the process of implementing key obligations under the Convention.
      2.5.2.   Project description

                  —

                  A launch event will be held to promote this Decision and Union support for Mine Action in general, and a wrap-up event will be organised to publicise the activities provided for in this Decision and their outcomes, thereby underlining the Union's contribution.

                  —

                  Communication in relation to the activities of the Decision and the Union's commitment to the implementation of the Convention will be highlighted throughout the implementation of this Decision on the Convention's website, through social media platforms as well as through the national and international press.

                  —

                  Communication material, for example posters, advertising, video footage, publicity material, will be acquired and put at the disposal of involved stakeholders and partners.

            2.5.3.   Project results

                  —

                  Officials of the Union and its Member States will be aware of this Decision and how it may relate to their work.

                  —

                  The Union's commitment to the Convention and Mine Action in general will be put in the spotlight for States Parties to the Convention and the global audience interested in human security in general.

                  —

                  Awareness of the objectives of the Convention and the Maputo Action Plan will be strengthened.


Avis juridique important

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31992D0396

92/396/EEC: Council Decision of 20 July 1992 concerning the conclusion of the International Natural Rubber Agreement, 1987

Official Journal L 219 , 04/08/1992 P. 0056 - 0056 Finnish special edition: Chapter 11 Volume 19 P. 0246  Swedish special edition: Chapter 11 Volume 19 P. 0246

COUNCIL DECISION  of 20 July 1992  concerning the conclusion of the International Natural Rubber Agreement, 1987  (92/396/EEC)THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES,  Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Economic Community, and in particular Articles 113 and 116 thereof,  Having regard to the proposal from the Commission,  Whereas the International Natural Rubber Agreement of 1987 negotiated in the context of the integrated Programme for Commodities [Resolution 93 (IV) adopted at the fourth United Nations Conference on Trade and Development] came into force provisionally  on 29 December 1988;  Whereas the Community and most of its Member States notified their provisional application of the Agreement on 22 December 1988;  Whereas the aim of the International Natural Rubber Agreement, 1987, is, inter alia, to contribute to the stabilization of the price of natural rubber without distorting long-term market trends and to achieve a balanced growth between the supply of, and  demand for, that product;  Whereas in order to enable members who have made provisional application to ratify, accept or approve the Agreement, the International Natural Rubber Council has extended the time for the deposit of such instruments to 31 December 1992;  Whereas all the Member States have indicated their intention of applying the Agreement;  Whereas the Agreement should be approved;  Whereas the Community and its Member States should simultaneously notify the Secretary-General of the United Nations Organization of their acceptance of the Agreement,  HAS DECIDED AS FOLLOWS:  Article 1  The International Natural Rubber Agreement, 1987, is hereby approved on behalf of the European Economic Community.  The European Economic Community and its Member States shall deposit simultaneously, by 31 December 1992 at the latest, their instruments of ratification, acceptance or approval with the Secretary-General of the United Nations Organization.  The text of the Agreement is attached to Decision 88/107/EEC (1).  Article 2  The President of the Council is hereby authorized to designate the persons empowered to deposit the instrument of approval on behalf of the Community. Done at Brussels, 20 July 1992. For the Council  The President  D. HURD   (1) OJ No L 58, 3. 3. 1988, p. 18.