title: 2012/5/EU: Decision of the European Parliament and of the Council of 13 December 2011 amending the Interinstitutional Agreement of 17 May 2006 on budgetary discipline and sound financial management as regards the multiannual financial framework, to address additional financing needs of the ITER project

text:
               7.1.2012

               EN

               Official Journal of the European Union

               L 4/12

         DECISION OF THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND OF THE COUNCIL
   of 13 December 2011
   amending the Interinstitutional Agreement of 17 May 2006 on budgetary discipline and sound financial management as regards the multiannual financial framework, to address additional financing needs of the ITER project
   (2012/5/EU)
   THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND THE COUNCIL 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),
   Having regard to the proposal from the European Commission,
   Whereas:

               (1)

               At the trilogue meeting of 1 December 2011 the European Parliament, the Council and the Commission have agreed on the modalities for providing additional financing to the ITER project. The financing requires a revision of the multiannual financial framework 2007-2013 in accordance with the Interinstitutional Agreement, so as to raise the ceilings for commitment appropriations under subheading 1a by EUR 650 million for the year 2012 and by EUR 190 million for the year 2013 in current prices.

               (2)

               The increase of the ceilings for commitment appropriations under subheading 1a for the years 2012 and 2013 will be fully offset by a decrease of the ceilings for commitment appropriations for the year 2011 under heading 2 and of commitment appropriations for the years 2011 and 2012 under heading 5.

               (3)

               In order to keep an appropriate relationship between commitments and payments, the annual ceilings for payment appropriations will be adjusted. The adjustment will be neutral in terms of payment requirements over the period 2007-2013.

               (4)

               Annex I to the Interinstitutional Agreement on budgetary discipline and sound financial management should therefore be amended accordingly (2),

         HAVE ADOPTED THIS DECISION:
   Sole Article
   Annex I to the Interinstitutional Agreement on budgetary discipline and sound financial management is replaced by the Annex to this Decision.

      Done at Strasbourg, 13 December 2011.

            For the European Parliament

            The President

         J. BUZEK

            For the Council

            The President

         M. SZPUNAR

      (1)  OJ C 139, 14.6.2006, p. 1.

      (2)  For that purpose, the figures resulting from the above agreement are converted into 2004 prices.

      ANNEX

         FINANCIAL FRAMEWORK 2007-2013

                  (EUR million - constant 2004 prices)

                  COMMITMENT APPROPRIATIONS

                  2007

                  2008

                  2009

                  2010

                  2011

                  2012

                  2013

                  Total 2007-2013

                              1.

                              Sustainable Growth

                     50 865

                     53 262

                     55 879

                     56 435

                     55 693

                     57 708

                     58 696

                     388 538

                              1a

                              Competitiveness for Growth and Employment

                  8 404

                  9 595

                  12 018

                  12 580

                  11 306

                  12 677

                  13 073

                  79 653

                              1b

                              Cohesion for Growth and Employment

                  42 461

                  43 667

                  43 861

                  43 855

                  44 387

                  45 031

                  45 623

                  308 885

                              2.

                              Preservation and Management of Natural Resources

                     51 962

                     54 685

                     51 023

                     53 238

                     52 136

                     51 901

                     51 284

                     366 229

                  of which: market related expenditure and direct payments

                  43 120

                  42 697

                  42 279

                  41 864

                  41 453

                  41 047

                  40 645

                  293 105

                              3.

                              Citizenship, freedom, security and justice

                     1 199

                     1 258

                     1 375

                     1 503

                     1 645

                     1 797

                     1 988

                     10 765

                              3a

                              Freedom, Security and Justice

                  600

                  690

                  785

                  910

                  1 050

                  1 200

                  1 390

                  6 625

                              3b

                              Citizenship

                  599

                  568

                  590

                  593

                  595

                  597

                  598

                  4 140

                              4.

                              EU as a global player

                     6 199

                     6 469

                     6 739

                     7 009

                     7 339

                     7 679

                     8 029

                     49 463

                              5.

                              Administration
                               (1)

                     6 633

                     6 818

                     6 816

                     6 999

                     7 044

                     7 274

                     7 610

                     49 194

                              6.

                              Compensations

                     419

                     191

                     190

                     0

                     0

                     0

                     0

                     800

                  TOTAL COMMITMENT APPROPRIATIONS

                  117 277

                  122 683

                  122 022

                  125 184

                  123 857

                  126 359

                  127 607

                  864 989

                  as a percentage of GNI

                  1,08 %

                  1,09 %

                  1,06 %

                  1,06 %

                  1,03 %

                  1,03 %

                  1,01 %

                  1,049 %

                  TOTAL PAYMENT APPROPRIATIONS

                  115 142

                  119 805

                  109 091

                  119 245

                  116 394

                  120 649

                  120 418

                  820 744

                  as a percentage of GNI

                  1,06 %

                  1,06 %

                  0,95 %

                  1,01 %

                  0,97 %

                  0,98 %

                  0,96 %

                  1,00 %

                  Margin available

                  0,18 %

                  0,18 %

                  0,29 %

                  0,22 %

                  0,26 %

                  0,25 %

                  0,27 %

                  0,23 %

                  Own Resources Ceiling as a percentage of GNI

                  1,24 %

                  1,24 %

                  1,24 %

                  1,23 %

                  1,23 %

                  1,23 %

                  1,23 %

                  1,23 %

         (1)  The expenditure on pensions included under the ceiling for this heading is calculated net of the staff contributions to the relevant scheme, within the limit of EUR 500 million at 2004 prices for the period 2007-2013.


title: Decision (EU) 2015/1671 of the European Parliament of 29 April 2015 on discharge in respect of the implementation of the budget of the European Railway Agency for the financial year 2013

text:
               30.9.2015

               EN

               Official Journal of the European Union

               L 255/291

      DECISION (EU) 2015/1671 OF THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT
      of 29 April 2015
      on discharge in respect of the implementation of the budget of the European Railway Agency for the financial year 2013
      THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT,

                  —

                  having regard to the final annual accounts of the European Railway Agency for the financial year 2013,

                  —

                  having regard to the Court of Auditors' report on the annual accounts of the European Railway Agency for the financial year 2013, together with the Agency's replies (1),

                  —

                  having regard to the statement of assurance (2) as to the reliability of the accounts and the legality and regularity of the underlying transactions provided by the Court of Auditors for the financial year 2013, pursuant to Article 287 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union,

                  —

                  having regard to the Council's recommendation of 17 February 2015 on discharge to be given to the Agency in respect of the implementation of the budget for the financial year 2013 (05304/2015 — C8-0054/2015),

                  —

                  having regard to Article 319 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union,

                  —

                  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 (3),

                  —

                  having regard to Regulation (EU, Euratom) No 966/2012 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 25 October 2012 on the financial rules applicable to the general budget of the Union and repealing Council Regulation (EC, Euratom) No 1605/2002 (4), and in particular Article 208 thereof,

                  —

                  having regard to Regulation (EC) No 881/2004 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 29 April 2004 establishing a European Railway Agency (5), and in particular Article 39 thereof,

                  —

                  having regard to Commission Regulation (EC, Euratom) No 2343/2002 of 19 November 2002 on the framework Financial Regulation for the bodies referred to in Article 185 of Council Regulation (EC, Euratom) No 1605/2002 on the Financial Regulation applicable to the general budget of the European Communities (6),

                  —

                  having regard to Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) No 1271/2013 of 30 September 2013 on the framework financial regulation for the bodies referred to in Article 208 of Regulation (EU, Euratom) No 966/2012 of the European Parliament and of the Council (7), and in particular Article 108 thereof,

                  —

                  having regard to Rule 94 of and Annex V to its Rules of Procedure,

                  —

                  having regard to the report of the Committee on Budgetary Control and the opinion of the Committee on Transport and Tourism (A8-0078/2015),

         1.

            Grants the Executive Director of the European Railway Agency discharge in respect of the implementation of the Agency's budget for the financial year 2013;

         2.

            Sets out its observations in the resolution below;

         3.

            Instructs its President to forward this decision, and the resolution forming an integral part of it, to the Executive Director of the European Railway Agency, the Council, the Commission and the Court of Auditors, and to arrange for their publication in the Official Journal of the European Union (L series).

               The President

            Martin SCHULZ

               The Secretary-General

            Klaus WELLE

         (1)  OJ C 442, 10.12.2014, p. 232.

         (2)  See footnote 1.

         (3)  OJ L 248, 16.9.2002, p. 1.

         (4)  OJ L 298, 26.10.2012, p. 1.

         (5)  OJ L 164, 30.4.2004, p. 1.

         (6)  OJ L 357, 31.12.2002, p. 72.

         (7)  OJ L 328, 7.12.2013, p. 42.


title: Decision (EU) 2017/342 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 14 December 2016 on the mobilisation of the Flexibility Instrument to finance immediate budgetary measures to address the on-going migration, refugee and security crisis

text:
               28.2.2017

               EN

               Official Journal of the European Union

               L 50/53

         DECISION (EU) 2017/342 OF THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND OF THE COUNCIL
   of 14 December 2016
   on the mobilisation of the Flexibility Instrument to finance immediate budgetary measures to address the on-going migration, refugee and security crisis
   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 2 December 2013 between the European Parliament, the Council and the Commission on budgetary discipline, on cooperation in budgetary matters and on sound financial management (1), and in particular point (12) thereof,
   Having regard to the proposal from the European Commission,
   Whereas:

               (1)

               The Flexibility Instrument is intended to allow the financing of clearly identified expenditure which could not be financed within the limits of the ceilings available for one or more other headings.

               (2)

               The ceiling on the annual amount available for the Flexibility Instrument is EUR 471 million (2011 prices), as laid down in Article 11 of Council Regulation (EU, Euratom) No 1311/2013 (2).

               (3)

               Due to the urgent needs, it is necessary to mobilise significant additional amounts to finance measures to alleviate the ongoing migration, refugee and security crisis.

               (4)

               After having examined all possibilities for re-allocating appropriations under the expenditure ceiling for heading 3 (Security and citizenship), it appears necessary to mobilise the Flexibility Instrument to supplement the financing available in the general budget of the Union for the financial year 2017, beyond the ceilings of heading 3 by the amount of EUR 530,0 million to finance measures in the field of migration, refugees and security.

               (5)

               On the basis of the expected payment profile, the payment appropriations corresponding to the mobilisation of the Flexibility Instrument should be distributed over several financial years and are estimated at EUR 238,3 million in 2017, EUR 91,0 million in 2018, EUR 141,9 million in 2019 and EUR 58,8 million in 2020.

               (6)

               In order to minimise the time taken to mobilise the Flexibility Instrument, this Decision should apply from the beginning of the financial year 2017,

         HAVE ADOPTED THIS DECISION:
   Article 1
   1.   For the general budget of the Union for the financial year 2017, the Flexibility Instrument shall be mobilised to provide the amount of EUR 530,0 million in commitment appropriations in heading 3 (Security and citizenship).
   That amount shall be used to finance measures for managing the ongoing migration, refugee and security crisis.
   2.   On the basis of the expected payment profile, the payment appropriations corresponding to the mobilisation of the Flexibility Instrument will be as follows:

               (a)

               EUR 238,3 million in 2017;

               (b)

               EUR 91,0 million in 2018;

               (c)

               EUR 141,9 million in 2019;

               (d)

               EUR 58,8 million in 2020.

         The specific amounts for each financial year shall be authorised in accordance with the annual budgetary procedure.
   Article 2
   This Decision shall enter into force on the day of its publication in the Official Journal of the European Union.
   It shall apply from 1 January 2017.

      Done at Strasbourg, 14 December 2016.

            For the European Parliament

            The President

         M. SCHULZ

            For the Council

            The President

         I. KORČOK

      (1)  OJ C 373, 20.12.2013, p. 1.

      (2)  Council Regulation (EU, Euratom) No 1311/2013 of 2 December 2013 laying down the multiannual financial framework for the years 2014-2020 (OJ L 347, 20.12.2013, p. 884).


Avis juridique important

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32002D0083

2002/83/EC: Council Decision of 28 January 2002 on the principles, priorities, intermediate objectives and conditions contained in the Accession Partnership with Bulgaria

Official Journal L 044 , 14/02/2002 P. 0001 - 0011

Council Decisionof 28 January 2002on the principles, priorities, intermediate objectives and conditions contained in the Accession Partnership with Bulgaria(2002/83/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 pre-accession 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 pre-accession strategy.(2) 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 are submitted to each applicant State, as well as on subsequent significant adjustments applicable to them.(3) 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 pre-accession assistance.(4) The Luxembourg European Council decided that the implementation of the Accession Partnership and progress in adopting the acquis will be examined in the Europe Agreement bodies.(5) The 2001 Commission's regular report presents an objective analysis on Bulgaria's preparations for membership and identifies a number of priority areas for further work.(6) In order to prepare for membership, Bulgaria should continue to update its national programme for the adoption of the acquis. This programme should set out a timetable for achieving the priorities and intermediate objectives established in the Accession Partnership.(7) Bulgaria needs to ensure that the appropriate legal and administrative structures needed for the programming, coordination, management, control and evaluation of Community pre-accession 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 to which the Commission shall report regularly.Article 3This Decision shall take effect on the third day following its publication in the Official Journal of the European Communities.Done at Brussels, 28 January 2002.For the CouncilThe PresidentJ. Piqué i Camps(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 pre-accession 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, taking into account further developments in Bulgaria. The present revision is based on a proposal by the Commission following consultation with Bulgaria, and draws on the analysis of the Commission's 2001 regular report on progress made by Bulgaria towards accession.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 2001 regular reports on the progress made by Bulgaria towards membership of the Union, 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 updated national programme for the adoption of the acquis prepared by Bulgaria, the pre-accession fiscal surveillance procedure, the pre-accession economic programme, the pre-accession 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 ISPA and 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 pre-accession 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 and at Luxembourg, in 1997, it stressed that incorporation of the acquis into legislation is necessary, but not in itself sufficient; it is 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.4. Priorities and intermediate objectivesThe 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 States to prepare for accession. This situation requires the definition of intermediate stages in terms of priorities, each to be accompanied by precise objectives to be set in collaboration with the States concerned, the achievement of which will condition the degree of assistance granted and the progress of the negotiations under way with Bulgaria. The priorities listed in the revised Accession Partnership have been selected on the basis that it is realistic to expect that Bulgaria can complete or take them substantially forward over the next two years (2002 to 2003). Within this list, issues that require particularly urgent action have been highlighted as such. The progress made in meeting the priorities of the 1999 Accession Partnership is assessed in the 2001 regular report. This assessment has been used in formulating the priorities for the current Partnership.Bulgaria submitted an updated version of its national programme for the adoption of the acquis (NPAA) on 2 July 2001. The NPAA sets out a timetable for achieving priorities and intermediate objectives, based on the 1999 Accession Partnership, as well as necessary administrative structures and financial resources.The Accession Partnership indicates the priority areas for Bulgaria's membership preparations. Bulgaria will nevertheless have to address all issues identified in the 2001 regular report. 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 analysis of the Commission's regular report, the following priorities and intermediate objectives have been identified for Bulgaria. These priorities are presented in accordance with the structure of the regular report(1).Political criteriaDemocracy and the rule of law- continue to make progress with public administration reform. Ensure effective implementation of the provisions of Civil Service Act and related regulations. Take steps to ensure accountability, openness and transparency of public service. Strengthen capacity for strategic planning, policy analysis and evaluation at the centre of government and in line ministries and improve quality of consultation with affected parties (e.g. social and economic partners, civil society, and private sector) on preparation of new legislation,- in need of particularly urgent action: start to implement the strategy for reform of the judicial system, paying particular attention:- to strengthening the administrative capacity of key institutions; Supreme Judicial Council and Ministry of Justice, through building budgetary, supervisory, planning and human resource management capacity,- to review the degree of immunity of members of the judiciary to ensure this is in line with international standards,- to ensuring the full implementation of fundamental rights in penal cases such as legal aid,- in need of particularly urgent action: start to implement the national strategy to combat corruption in public life, especially focus sing on awareness building, prevention and the prosecution of corrupt acts.Human rights and the protection of minorities- ensure that an effective system for redressing police misconduct is established,- continue to implement the Roma framework programme with particular attention to providing necessary financial support, significant strengthening of the National Council of Ethnic and Demographic Issues, and ensuring equal access to health, housing, education and social security,- adopt and implement secondary legislation necessary for the effective functioning of the Child Protection Act. Ensure further measures are taken to improve community care services for children. Ensure the full implementation of the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child.Economic criteria- maintain macroeconomic stability, with a view to ensuring medium-term sustainability of public finances, and continue to promote economic growth and competitiveness through further market-based enterprise restructuring and promotion of private sector development,- take measures to improve the functioning of the financial sector and in particular to strengthen the banking sector,- continue the privatisation process in such a way that the privatised companies can be restructured and can grow,- make progress on restructuring of the energy sector. Develop and start to implement an energy efficiency strategy and aim to attract increased investment,- ensure that the steel sector is restructured on a viable basis, and receives no further State aid incompatible with Community State aid rules for the steel sector,- further improve and accelerate bankruptcy and liquidation procedures, reduce the time needed to complete procedures and improve enforcement of decisions,- establish a functioning land market and finalise the land and property register,- take further measures to improve the business environment and stimulate domestic and inward investments. Ensure business-friendly legal, tax, regulatory and administrative frameworks (including improved contract enforcement and licensing procedures) that provide a level playing field for all businesses,- develop a more favourable business environment for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) through addressing the remaining obstacles to SME development including lack of business expertise among SME managers, and access to finance on appropriate terms.Ability to assume the obligations of membershipFree movement of goods- modify the framework law on technical requirements implementing new and global approach principles to ensure it is in line with the acquis,- reinforce horizontal administrative infrastructure and separation of standardisation and certification functions. Implement "New approach" Directives on the basis of modified framework legislation and reinforcement of related administrative capacity (conformity assessment bodies and laboratories). Speed up the adoption of EN harmonised standards,- pursue alignment of traditional sectoral legislation notably in the pharmaceuticals, chemicals, foodstuffs and motor vehicles sectors. Reinforce market surveillance systems and prepare administration and food operators for Community principles of food safety,- adopt and enforce amendments to public procurement legislation to ensure correct application and full compatibility with the acquis. Ensure transparent public procurement procedures at central and regional levels,- proceed with screening of legislation in the non-harmonised area to ensure that it is in compliance with Articles 28, 29 and 30 of the Treaty and complete administrative arrangements for the future monitoring in this area.Free movement of persons- continue to pursue alignment of mutual recognition of professional qualifications and diplomas and introduce required administrative structures, education and training programmes.Freedom to provide services- reinforce supervision of financial services,- adopt and implement national legislation and establish an independent public supervisory authority responsible for monitoring the correct application of data protection provisions.Free movement of capital- take further steps to prevent use of financial system for money laundering. Strengthen the capacity of the Financial Intelligence Bureau to deal with money laundering and to ensure that all relevant professions cooperate with it. Complete alignment of legislation with the second Directive against money laundering,- ensure compliance with the recommendations of the financial action task force.Company law- upgrade accounting and auditing standards and practices, and further align the regulatory framework with the acquis,- in need of particular urgent action: enhance the enforcement of industrial and intellectual property rights, with the emphasis on the fight against piracy and counterfeiting and strengthening border control measures. Improve cooperation among enforcement bodies; intensify training for enforcement bodies including judges and prosecutors.Competition policy- complete the legislative framework in both antitrust and State aid; strengthen administrative capacity (particularly for State aid control); ensure full enforcement of antitrust and State aid rules; maintain a comprehensive State aid inventory and prepare a comprehensive annual State aid report; increase awareness of antitrust and State aid rules among market participants and aid granters; intensify training of the judiciary in antitrust and State aid matters.Agriculture- prepare the administrative structures needed for the design, implementation, management, monitoring, control and evaluation of Community funded rural development programmes,- upgrade the capacity of the agricultural administration for the practical implementation and enforcement of the management mechanisms of the common agricultural policy, in particular the integrated administration and control system and the paying agency for the management of common agricultural policy funds, as well as for the implementation and enforcement of veterinary and phytosanitary and food safety legislation,- put in place the necessary conditions for the emergence and strengthening of efficient land, labour and capital markets in the rural and agricultural sectors,- continue the upgrading of food processing establishments so that they are in a position to respect Community food safety standards,- continue the reinforcement of the food control administration,- continue preparation of the vineyard register,- continue alignment of veterinary and phytosanitary legislation and upgrade inspection arrangements, in particular at future external borders,- complete transposition of legislation on transmissible spongiform encephalopathies, plant passports, maximum residue levels, animal nutrition and ensure implementation and enforcement, including testing of animal diseases, in particular transmissible spongiform encephalopathies, in accordance with the acquis.Fisheries- complete the establishment of the adequate organisation, adequate institutional resources and equipment relating to inspection and controls at central and regional levels; complete the fishing vessel register in full compliance with Community requirements.Transport policy- continue legal alignment and reinforce administrative capacity in road transport especially on adaptation of the fleet to technical and safety requirements and charging/taxation,- continue legal alignment and reinforce administrative capacity in railway transport with a view to the implementation of the revised railway acquis. Pursue the restructuring of Bulgarian railways,- continue to align and implement maritime transport legislation, taking into account its latest developments, and in particular strengthen the administrative capacity in order to improve the flag State performance in the field of maritime safety.Taxation- continue alignment of VAT legislation, with particular regard to exempt transactions, right of deduction and special schemes. Align gradually legislation on excise duties, with particular regard to the applied rates,- ensure that existing and future legislation complies with the principles of the code of conduct for business taxation,- continue to modernise and strengthen tax administration to ensure laws are effectively implemented and enforced, particularly for revenue collection and administrative cooperation and mutual assistance,- develop IT systems so as to allow for the exchange of electronic data with the Community and its Member States,- implement the Holding and Movements Directive.Statistics- further improve quality and coverage of statistics; ensure adequate resources are available to further strengthen statistical capacities, including at regional level.Employment and social policy- continue alignment of the social acquis, in particular on equal treatment for women and men and health and safety at work and develop implementation capacity including the strengthening of the labour inspectorates. Adopt legislation against discrimination and develop a timetable for its implementation,- continue alignment of legislative framework and develop implementation capacity for the acquis on public health; accelerate the development of measures in the area of surveillance and control of communicable diseases and health monitoring and information,- continue to support social partners' capacity-building efforts, in particular with a view to their future role in the development and implementation of Community employment and social policy, including the European Social Fund and foster structured involvement of social partners, notably through autonomous bipartite social dialogue,- prepare a national strategy, including data collection, with a view to future participation in the European strategy on social inclusion.Energy- prepare, as a matter of urgency, a new energy strategy paying particular attention to the need to improve energy efficiency (and to implement a strong policy of demand-side management) and to revise energy demand forecasts on the basis of more realistic growth and energy intensity scenarios. This should take into account the commitments of the Understanding of 1999 on Kozloduy nuclear power plant,- implement the commitment made in the Understanding of 1999 to close down definitively Units 1 and 2 of the Kozloduy nuclear power plant before the year 2003, and decide in 2002 a firm date, not later than 2006, for the closure of Units 3 and 4,- implement the recommendations contained in the Council report on nuclear safety in the context of enlargement with due regard to the priorities assigned in the report,- focus on strengthening the independence, resources and capacities of the national regulatory authority for nuclear energy,- 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 throughout the decommissioning phases of Units 1 to 4,- in need of particularly urgent action: adopt the framework law and timetable to meet oil stocks requirement acquis,- improve management of radioactive waste,- start to implement energy efficiency measures and step up the use of renewable energy. Ensure the Energy Efficiency Agency is adequately resourced,- put in place transparent market rules with a clear schedule for opening the market to competition. Enhance role of State energy regulatory commission in enforcement of these rules. Complete the restructuring of the solid fuels sector,- make preparations for participation in the internal market for electricity and for natural gas including with regard to alignment; create an independent transmission system operator (electricity); eliminate remaining price distortions; strengthen the sector regulator, and adopt timetables for market opening.Industrial policy- develop and implement a market-oriented competitiveness strategy including sectoral strategies as appropriate.Telecommunications and information technologies- complete the transposition of the acquis,- ensure independence of the bodies concerned with regulation (State Telecommunications Commission, Postal Regulator and ministry) from operational activities and strengthen their capacity in preparation for planned full liberalisation of these sectors by 1 January 2003.Culture and audiovisual policy- strengthen the administrative capacity of the national regulatory body in the field of broadcasting.Regional policy and coordination of structural instruments- strengthen administrative capacity in key ministries, particularly at the central level, to design strategies and to implement and evaluate projects for regional development and economic and social cohesion, financed by Community and national funds,- prepare a coherent development plan as required by the Structural Funds Regulations. Integrate it into the national budgetary and policy-making framework so that it serves as an integrated and operational development tool,- clarify the proposed institutional arrangements for managing Structural Funds after accession, including appropriate control, monitoring and evaluation mechanisms and start to build the necessary administrative structures consistent with these arrangements,- prepare to comply with basic financial management and control provisions as laid down by the respective regulations of the Structural Funds.Environment- continue transposition of the acquis with particular emphasis on environmental impact assessment, air quality, waste management, water quality, nature protection, industrial pollution control and risk management and radiation protection,- continue implementation of the acquis with particular emphasis on environmental impact assessment, air quality, waste management, water quality, nature protection, industrial pollution control and risk management, and radiation protection. Continue preparation and development of directive-specific implementation plans, including financing plans, with particular emphasis on waste management (including waste management plans), water quality and nature protection, and start implementation,- continue strengthening administrative, monitoring and enforcement capacity at national and regional levels. Particular attention should be given to the strengthening of the Ministry of Environment and Water as well as regional inspectorates in relation to waste management and nature protection,- continue integration of environmental protection requirements into the definition and implementation of all other sectoral policies with a view to promoting sustainable development.Consumer and health protection- continue alignment of legislation and take steps to ensure effective implementation of the Consumer Protection Act, in particular through an independent and efficient market surveillance mechanism.Cooperation in the field of Justice and Home Affairs- submit a Schengen action plan,- continue to upgrade and modernise infrastructure at the future Union external borders,- bring the current Refugees Act in line with the relevant acquis and assure its proper implementation,- improve the internal cooperation within the police and with other law enforcement agencies and with the judiciary in particular to strengthen capacities to fight organised crime,- update and implement an integrated strategy for the fight against organised crime, from prevention to prosecution, in collaboration with the Ministry of Justice, the Ministry of Interior and any other concerned agency,- develop a national drugs strategy and strengthen the administrative capacity of and the coordination among bodies involved in its implementation,- take the necessary steps in order to ensure the implementation of Community instruments in the area of judicial cooperation in civil matters,- take the necessary steps to align the legislation with the Convention on the Protection of the Communities' Financial Interests and its Protocols.Customs union- fully implement the Bulgarian customs code and its implementing provisions, guarantee the stability and strengthen the administrative and operational capacity of the customs administration to enable it to enforce legislation and improve cooperation with other law enforcement bodies. Continue to upgrade infrastructure at borders,- in need of particularly urgent action: continue the implementation of the IT strategy of the Bulgarian customs administration. Develop IT systems so as to allow for the exchange of computerised data between the Community and Bulgaria,- continue serious efforts to implement the customs ethics policy.Financial control- implement the new legislative framework on public internal financial control and strengthen the administrative capacity and the functional independence of the relevant institutions,- implement the framework for systems based and performance audits; develop a culture of managerial accountability,- develop coherent and comprehensive standards for external audit supported by appropriate methodology and manuals; strengthen the capacity of the National Audit Office,- in need of particularly urgent action: complete the legislative framework for external audit,- designate a contact point for the protection of the Communities' financial interests and start effective cooperation with OLAF through this contact point,- strengthen the fight against fraud,- step up efforts to ensure the correct use, control, monitoring and evaluation of EC pre-accession funding as a key indicator of Bulgaria's ability to implement the financial control acquis.5. ProgrammingFor 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 pre-accession 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 pre-accession 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 addition Bulgaria will have access to funding from multicountry and horizontal programmes directly related to the acquis. Joint financing by the applicant States 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 pre-accession priorities.6. ConditionalityCommunity assistance for financing projects through the three pre-accession 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. 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. MonitoringThe implementation of the Accession Partnership 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 relevant sections of the Accession Partnership are discussed in the appropriate subcommittee. The Association Committee discusses overall developments, progress and problems in meeting the Partnership's priorities and intermediate objectives as well as more specific issues referred to it from the subcommittees.The PHARE Management Committee ensures that actions financed under all three pre-accession 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) The order of presentation is that used in the 2000 regular report.


title: 2013/377/EU, Euratom: Decision of the European Parliament of 3 July 2013 electing the European Ombudsman

text:
               16.7.2013

               EN

               Official Journal of the European Union

               L 193/17

         DECISION OF THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT
   of 3 July 2013
   electing the European Ombudsman
   (2013/377/EU, Euratom)
   THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT,
   Having regard to the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union, and in particular the third paragraph of Article 24 and Article 228 thereof,
   Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Atomic Energy Community, and in particular Article 106a thereof,
   Having regard to its Decision 94/262/ECSC, EC, Euratom of 9 March 1994 on the regulations and general conditions governing the performance of the Ombudsman’s duties (1),
   Having regard to Rule 204 of its Rules of Procedure,
   Having regard to the call for nominations (2),
   Having regard to its vote of 3 July 2013,
   HAS DECIDED:
   to elect Emily O’REILLY to exercise the function of European Ombudsman from 1 October 2013 until the end of the parliamentary term.

      Done at Strasbourg, 3 July 2013.

            For the European Parliament

            The President

         M. SCHULZ

      (1)  OJ L 113, 4.5.1994, p. 15.

      (2)  OJ C 96, 4.4.2013, p. 24.