title: Council Decision of 24 September 2012 renewing the Governing Board of the European Centre for the Development of Vocational Training

text:
               12.10.2012

               EN

               Official Journal of the European Union

               C 308/6

         COUNCIL DECISION
   of 24 September 2012
   renewing the Governing Board of the European Centre for the Development of Vocational Training
   2012/C 308/05
   THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION,
   Having regard to Council Regulation (EEC) No 337/75 of 10 February 1975 establishing the European Centre for the Development of Vocational Training, and in particular Article 4 thereof (1),
   Having regard to the nomination submitted by the Latvian Government,
   Whereas:

               (1)

               By its Decision of 16 July 2012 (2), the Council appointed the members of the Governing Board of the European Centre for the Development of Vocational Training for the period from 18 September 2012 to 17 September 2015.

               (2)

               A member's seat on the Governing Board of the Centre in the category of Government representatives has become vacant as a result of the resignation of Mr Janis GAIGALS,

         HAS DECIDED AS FOLLOWS:
   Sole Article
   The following person is hereby appointed member of the Governing Board of the European Centre for the Development of Vocational Training for the remainder of its term of office, which runs until 17 September 2015:

      GOVERNMENT REPRESENTATIVE:

               Latvia

               Ms Nellija TITOVA

      Done at Brussels, 24 September 2012.

            For the Council

            The President

         S. ALETRARIS

      (1)  OJ L 39, 13.2.1975, p. 1.

      (2)  OJ C 228, 31.7.2012, p. 3.


title: EFTA Surveillance Authority Decision No 433/09/COL of 30 October 2009 amending for the seventy-third time the procedural and substantive rules in the field of State aid

text:
               25.2.2010

               EN

               Official Journal of the European Union

               L 48/27

         EFTA SURVEILLANCE AUTHORITY DECISION
   No 433/09/COL
   of 30 October 2009
   amending for the seventy-third time the procedural and substantive rules in the field of State aid
   THE EFTA SURVEILLANCE AUTHORITY,
   HAVING REGARD to the Agreement on the European Economic Area (1), in particular to Articles 61 to 63 and Protocol 26 thereof,
   HAVING REGARD to the Agreement between the EFTA States on the Establishment of a Surveillance Authority and a Court of Justice (2), in particular to Article 24 and Article 5(2)(b) thereof,
   Whereas under Article 24 of the Surveillance and Court Agreement, the EFTA Surveillance Authority shall give effect to the provisions of the EEA Agreement concerning State aid,
   Whereas under Article 5(2)(b) of the Surveillance and Court Agreement, the EFTA Surveillance Authority shall issue notices or guidelines on matters dealt with in the EEA Agreement, if that Agreement or the Surveillance and Court Agreement expressly so provides or if the EFTA Surveillance Authority considers it necessary,
   Recalling the Procedural and Substantive Rules in the Field of State Aid (3) adopted on 19 January 1994 by the EFTA Surveillance Authority (4),
   Whereas the Chapter in the EFTA Surveillance Authority’s State Aid Guidelines on State aid for rescuing and restructuring firms in difficulty (5) will expire on 30 November 2009 (6),
   Whereas that Chapter corresponds to the European Community Guidelines on State aid for Rescuing and Restructuring Firms in Difficulty (7), which are due to expire on 9 October 2009 (8),
   Whereas on 9 July 2009 the European Commission adopted a Communication concerning the prolongation, until 9 October 2012, of the Community Guidelines on State aid for Rescuing and Restructuring Firms in Difficulty, which was published in the Official Journal of the European Union on 9 July 2009,
   Whereas the European Commission Communication concerning the prolongation of the Community Guidelines on State aid for Rescuing and Restructuring Firms in Difficulty is also of relevance for the European Economic Area,
   Whereas uniform application of the EEA State aid rules is to be ensured throughout the European Economic Area,
   Whereas, according to point II under the heading ‘GENERAL’, at the end of Annex XV to the EEA Agreement, the EFTA Surveillance Authority is to adopt, after consultation with the Commission, acts corresponding to those adopted by the European Commission,
   Whereas the current Chapter on State aid for rescuing and restructuring firms in difficulty will expire on 30 November 2009, there is, therefore, a need to prolong that Chapter,
   Having consulted the European Commission,
   Having consulted the EFTA States,
   HAS ADOPTED THIS DECISION:
   Article 1
   The validity of the Chapter in the EFTA Surveillance Authority’s State Aid Guidelines on State aid for rescuing and restructuring firms in difficulty is prolonged until 30 November 2012.
   Article 2
   Only the English text is authentic.

      Done at Brussels, 30 October 2009.

            For the EFTA Surveillance Authority

         Per SANDERUD

            President

         Kristján Andri STEFÁNSSON

            College Member

      (1)  Hereinafter referred to as the ‘EEA Agreement’.

      (2)  Hereinafter referred to as the ‘Surveillance and Court Agreement’.

      (3)  Hereinafter referred to as the ‘State Aid Guidelines’.

      (4)  Initially published in OJ L 231, 3.9.1994, p. 1, and in the EEA Supplement No 32, 3.9.1994, p. 1.

      (5)  EFTA Surveillance Authority Decision No 305/04/COL, published in OJ L 107, 28.4.2005, p. 28, EEA Supplement No 21, 28.4.2005, p. 1.

      (6)  Paragraph 89 of Decision No 305/04/COL, see reference in footnote 5.

      (7)  OJ C 244, 1.10.2004, p. 2.

      (8)  Paragraph 102 in document referred to in footnote 7.


Avis juridique important

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41998D0402

98/402/ECSC: Decision of the Representatives of the Governments of the Member States, meeting within the Council of 17 June 1998 on certain measures applicable with regard to Kazakhstan concerning trade in certain steel products covered by the ECSC Treaty

Official Journal L 178 , 23/06/1998 P. 0036 - 0037

DECISION OF THE REPRESENTATIVES OF THE GOVERNMENTS OF THE MEMBER STATES, MEETING WITHIN THE COUNCIL of 17 June 1998 on certain measures applicable with regard to Kazakhstan concerning trade in certain steel products covered by the ECSC Treaty (98/402/ECSC)THE REPRESENTATIVES OF THE GOVERNMENTS OF THE MEMBER STATES OF THE EUROPEAN COAL AND STEEL COMMUNITY, MEETING WITHIN THE COUNCIL,In agreement with the Commission,HAVE DECIDED AS FOLLOWS:Article 1 During the period from 1 July to 31 December 1998, imports into all the Member States of steel products covered by the ECSC Treaty referred to in Annex I originating in Kazakhstan shall be subject to licensing. Licences shall be issued only within the limits defined in Article 2. Steel products originating in Kazakhstan, covered by a valid import licence or licences issued pursuant to Decision 97/862/ECSC (1), and which were already sent to the Community before the date of entry into force of this Decision, shall be admitted within the limits applicable for the period from 1 January to 30 June 1998.Article 2 Quantities of authorised imports shall be determined, for each product group and for the whole of the Community, according to the quotas indicated in Annex II.The period of validity of the import licence is hereby fixed at four months. Unused or partially used import licences may be renewed for two months.Article 3 Member States shall issue licences and inform the Commission thereof immediately. The Commission shall keep the Member States regularly informed of the extent to which the quantities have been used up.The Member States and the Commission shall confer in order to ensure that these quantities are not exceeded.Article 4 Should an agreement between the European Coal and Steel Community and Kazakhstan on trade in certain steel products be concluded and enter into force during the period of application of this Decision, the provisions of that agreement together with any measures taken to give effect to it, shall, as from the date on which the agreement enters into force, replace the provisions of this Decision.Article 5 This Decision shall enter into force on the day of its publication in the Official Journal of the European Communities.It shall apply from 1 July 1998.Done at Luxembourg, 17 June 1998.The PresidentM. MEACHER(1) OJ L 351, 23. 12. 1997, p. 60.ANNEX I SA. Flat-rolled products SA1. Coils7208 10 007208 25 007208 26 007208 27 007208 36 007208 37 107208 37 907208 38 107208 38 907208 39 107208 39 907211 14 107211 19 207219 11 007219 12 107219 12 907219 13 107219 13 907219 14 107219 14 907225 20 207225 30 00SA2. Heavy plate7208 40 107208 51 107208 51 307208 51 507208 51 917208 51 997208 52 107208 52 917208 52 997208 53 107211 13 00SA3. Other flat-rolled products7208 40 907208 53 907208 54 107208 54 907208 90 107209 15 007209 16 107209 16 907209 17 107209 17 907209 18 107209 18 917209 18 997209 25 007209 26 107209 26 907209 27 107209 27 907209 28 107209 28 907209 90 107210 11 107210 12 117210 12 197210 20 107210 30 107210 41 107210 49 107210 50 107210 61 107210 69 107210 70 317210 70 397210 90 317210 90 337210 90 387211 14 907211 19 907211 23 107211 23 517211 29 207211 90 117212 10 107212 10 917212 20 117212 30 117212 40 107212 40 917212 50 317212 50 517212 60 117212 60 917219 21 107219 21 907219 22 107219 22 907219 23 007219 24 007219 31 007219 32 107219 32 907219 33 107219 33 907219 34 107219 34 907219 35 107219 35 907225 40 80ANNEX II QUOTAS >TABLE>


Important legal notice

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E2000C0380

2000/380/: EFTA Surveillance Authority Decision No 380/00/COL of 18 December 2000 on the Act on temporary reimbursements in respect of film-making in Iceland (Act No 43/1999) (Iceland)

Official Journal L 089 , 29/03/2001 P. 0037 - 0045

EFTA Surveillance Authority DecisionNo 380/00/COLof 18 December 2000on the Act on temporary reimbursements in respect of film-making in Iceland(Act No 43/1999)(Iceland)THE EFTA SURVEILLANCE AUTHORITY,Having regard to the Agreement on the European Economic Area(1), in particular to Articles 61 to 63 thereof,Having regard to the Agreement between the EFTA States on the establishment of a Surveillance Authority and a Court of Justice(2), in particular Article 24 and Article 1 of Protocol 3 thereto,Having regard to the Procedural and Substantive Rules in the Field of State Aid(3),Having regard to the Authority's Decision of 4 June 1999, by which the Authority initiated proceedings in accordance with Artricle 1(2) of Protocol 3 to the Surveillance and Court Agreement,Having called on interested parties to submit their comments pursuant to those provisions(4),Whereas:I. FACTSProcedureBy letter from the Ministry of Industry and Commerce dated 10 March 1999 received and registered by the Authority on 7 April 1999 (Doc. No 99/2531-A), the Icelandic authorities notified, pursuant to Article 1(3) of Protocol 3 to the Surveillance and Court Agreement, support measures in favour of film production in Iceland. As the Authority subsequently learned, the Government bill on these support measures had been adopted by the Icelandic Parliament on 11 March 1999 (Act No 43/1999 on the temporary repayment of costs of films produced in Iceland; hereinafter referred to as the "Act"). By Decision of 4 June 1999 (No 114/99/COL), the Authority decided to initiate a formal investigation procedure regarding the aid measures provided for in the Act. In a letter of the same date, the Icelandic authorities were informed of the Decision to open the formal investigation procedure and were requested to submit their comments within one month of receipt of the communication of that Decision. After several extensions of the deadline, written comments were submitted by letter dated 15 October 1999, registered by the Authority on 26 October 1999 (Doc. No 99-7966-A).The opening Decision was published in the Official Journal of the European Communities C 223 of 5 August 1999 (in the EU languages) and in the EEA Supplement No 40 of 16 September 1999 (in the EFTA languages). Interested parties had the opportunity to submit their observations within one month of the publication in the Official Journal of the European Communities/EEA Supplement. No comments were submitted to the Authority.In the opening Decision, the Authority expressed doubts as to the compatibility of the aid measures under the Act with Article 61(3)(c) of the EEA Agreement. These doubts were based on the grounds that the reimbursement of film production costs constituted operating aid not normally accepted by the Authority, and that the Act did not have the promotion of activities of specific cultural value is an objective. The Authority's concerns were further explained in a letter dated 9 September 1999 to the Icelandic authorities (Doc. No 99/6620-D). With reference to the practice of the European Commission, and in particular the "French"(5) and the "Irish"(6) Decisions, the Competition and State Aid Directorate of the Authority emphasised specifically that the scheme did not provide for mechanisms ensuring that eligible films were selected according to cultural criteria, and that by requiring film producers to spend the totality of production costs in Iceland, the scheme had the effect of restricting the provision of services within the EEA.The issues of concern were discussed at bilateral meetings in Brussels on 30 June 1999 and 7 October 1999, at a package meeting on 26 November 1999 in Reykjavik, as well as at a multilateral meeting held on 21 March 2000 in Brussels. At this last meeting the consequences and implications of applying the criteria developed by the Commission for the assessment of film support schemes under Article 61(3)(c) of the EEA Agreement were discussed with the EFTA States.In a letter dated 24 July 2000 (Doc. No 00-5245-D), the Authority expressed the view that, in the light of the criteria developed by the European Union Commission with respect to film support schemes in the European Union and of the written comments submitted by the Icelandic authorities, the aid measures provided for under the Act could not be exempted under Article 61(3)(c) of the EEA Agreement, and were therefore considered to be incompatible with this Agreement. Against this background, the Authority called on the Icelandic authorities to submit their comments within two months of the receipt of the said letter. In their response, the Icelandic authorities informed the Authority by fax of 8 September 2000, registered by the Authority on 14 September 2000 (Doc. No 00-6356-A), that the Icelandic Government was in the process of initiating work on a bill of law, taking into account the concerns raised by the Authority regarding the compatibility of the Act under Article 61(3)(c) of the EEA Agreement. In addition, the Icelandic Government confirmed that it refrained from applying the provisions of the law, as requested in the Authority's Decision of 4 June 1999. A meeting was held on 11 October 2000 between the Icelandic authorities and representatives from the Authority's Competition and State Aid Directorate, on the occasion of which the amendments as envisaged by the Icelandic Government were discussed in more detail. At this meeting, the Icelandic authorities also confirmed that no payments had been made under the Act. The final draft of the bill amending Act No 43/1999 on temporary reimbursement in respect of film making in Iceland(7), was submitted to the Authority by letter of the Ministry of Finance dated 28 November 2000, registered by the Authority on 4 December 2000 (Doc. No 00-8857-A).Description of the aid measures under the bill amending Act No 43/1999According to Article 1 of the bill amending the Act on the temporary reimbursements in respect of film making in Iceland, No 43/1999 (hereinafter referred to as the "proposed amending Act"), the objective of film support under the proposed amending Act is "to enhance domestic culture and promote the history and nature of Iceland" by temporarily supporting motion pictures and television programmes produced in Iceland.Pursuant to Article 2 of the proposed amending Act, reimbursement is granted for a proportion of the production costs incurred in the production of films and television programmes in Iceland. This provision further clarifies that "when more than 80 % of the total production cost of a motion picture or television programme is incurred in Iceland, reimbursement shall be calculated from the total production cost incurred within the European Economic Area". Production costs refer to all costs incurred in Iceland deductible from the revenues of enterprises pursuant to the provisions of the Act on income and net wealth tax. Payments pertaining to employees and contractors are only to be included in the production costs if they are verifiably taxable in Iceland.Articles 3 and 4 of the proposed amending Act refer to the application procedure and the establishment of a committee responsible for the assessment of applications for reimbursement. The Committee shall take into consideration whether the motion picture or television programme promotes Icelandic culture, and, as applicable, contains references to Icelandic history and nature. When assessing an application for reimbursement, the Committee may also ask for an expert opinion regarding the presumed artistic value of the relevant production.The conditions for reimbursement are laid down in Article 4 of the proposed amending Act. These conditions include, in particular, the requirement that the production be suited to promoting Icelandic culture and the history and nature of Iceland, and that a specific company shall be estalished in Iceland for the production (a company is also considered to be established in Iceland, if a company registered in another Member State of the European Economic Area has an Icelandic branch or agency).Article 5 of the proposed amending Act determines the permissible aid intensity under the scheme: "The proportion of reimbursed production costs shall be 12 % of the production cost pursuant to Article 2." The Minister for Industry shall determine the reimbursement based on a recommendation of the Committee pursuant to Article 3 of the proposed amending Act. Article 7 of the proposed amending Act ensures that "in the event that an applicant has received a grant from the Icelandic Film Fund for the production of the same motion picture or television programme, the grant shall be deducted from the amount that is considered domestic production cost. The total of a grant from the Icelandic Film Fund and a reimbursement pursuant to Article 5 shall not exceed 50 % of the total production costs of the same motion picture or television programme".Pursuant to Article 8 of the proposed amending Act, "the Minister for Industry shall issue a regulation on the implementation of this Act. It shall, inter alia, contain provisions on procedures for reimbursements as stipulated in this Act, the right of the Minister to defer reimbursements in excess of the amount allocated in the government budget, conditions for reimbursements, applications, responses to applications and decisions on reimbursements".In accordance with Article 9 of the proposed amending Act, the scheme shall enter into force immediately and shall cease to be effective on 31 December, 2006. Reimbursement requests that have been approved before that time shall remain valid.II. APPRECIATIONStandstill obligationPursuant to Article 1(3) of Protocol 3 to the Surveillance and Court Agreement, "the EFTA Surveillance Authority shall be informed, in sufficient time to enable it to submit its comments, of any plans to grant or alter aid. If it considers that any such plan is not compatible with the functioning of the EEA Agreement having regard to Article 61 of the EEA Agreement, it shall without delay initiate the procedure provided for in paragraph 2. The State concerned shall not put its proposed measures into effect until the procedure has resulted in a final Decision".In the opening Decision, the Authority considered the aid to be unlawful on procedural grounds since the Act had been notified late and implemented without awaiting a decision of the Authority. However, in the course of the proceedings the Icelandic authorities have confirmed that no aid had been paid out under Act No 43/1999.The Authority can, therefore, conclude that the Icelandic authorities have respected the standstill obligation under Article 1(3) of Protocol 3 to the Surveillance and Court Agreement.State aid within the meaning of Article 61 of the EEA AgreementArticle 61 of the EEA Agreement stipulates: "Save as otherwise provided in this Agreement, any aid granted by EC Member States, EFTA States or through State resources in any form whatsoever which distorts or threatens to distort competition by favouring certain undertakings or the production of certain goods shall, in so far as it affects trade between the Contracting Parties, be incompatible with the functioning of the Agreement".The aid measures provided for under the proposed amending Act are financed through the State budget. The proposed amending Act grants film producers a financial benefit they would not have obtained in the normal course of business. Consequently, the aid strengthens the recipient's position compared with that of competing firms. In general, support measures will affect competition and trade between the Contracting Parties, provided that the recipient firm carries on an economic activity involving trade between the Contracting Parties. Film productions may be shot in different locations within the EEA. Furthermore, film productions are subsequently traded between the Contracting Parties and may compete between them to attract audiences. Consequently, production aid granted under the proposed amending Act may alter competition between different locations for the production of a film and may influence the trading conditions of films for their commercialisation. Therefore, the proposed amending Act on the temporary repayment of production costs contains aid within the meaning of Article 61(1) of the EEA Agreement.Compatibility of aid measures under Article 61(3)(c) of the EEA AgreementThe Authority has examined whether the aid measures under the proposed amending Act may be approved on cultural grounds. It should be mentioned that, unlike in several other areas, the Authority has not adopted interpretative guidelines in the field of aid to film and television industries yet. Therefore, the assessment of the compatibility of aid to film producers has to be based directly on Article 61 of the EEA Agreement, interpreted in particular in the light of relevant Commission practice.In its decision-making practice the Commission has historically adopted a favourable approach to aid for television programmes and film production. Aid schemes were considered compatible with the EC Treaty provided that the aid was necessary for and proportional to the promotion and/or the preservation of European culture and was in accordance with the basic principles of the EC Treaty, such as non-discrimination and freedom to provide services(8).The Commission has recognised in various policy papers that the production and distribution of films and programmes plays a major role in European cultural identity. In its most recent paper, "A strategy for the Community's audiovisual policy in the digital age"(9), the Commission recognised that, in the light of the special importance of this industry, it would - define the fundamental goals of the audiovisual policy as being "to encourage the production and distribution of European works", by establishing a secure and stable legal framework to guarantee the freedom to provide audiovisual services on the one hand, and through appropriate support mechanisms on the other(10).With the Maastricht Treaty, a cultural derogation was added to the State aid rules of the EC Treaty. This cultural exemption under Article 92(3)(d) of the EC Treaty (now Article 87(3)(d)(11) provides that the Commission may consider compatible with the common market "aid to promote culture and heritage conservation, where such aid does not affect trading conditions and competition in the Community to an extent that is contrary to the common interest". This exemption is not included in the EEA Agreement. Nevertheless, the Authority considers that film support measures may be approved on cultural grounds on the basis of Article 61(3)(c) of the EEA Agreement, to the extent that Commission Decisions based on Article 92(3)(d) of the EC Treaty (now Article 87(3)(d)) do not deviate from its previous practice under Article 92(3)(c) of the EC Treaty (now Article 87(3)(c)). In this respect, the Authority would like to refer to the Commission's Decision regarding aid to film production in Ireland, where the Commission stated that "it should be stressed that the introduction by the 1992 Treaty on European Union of Articles 151(1) and 87(3)(d) did not necessarily reflect a change in the Commission's policy towards the cultural sector because the considerations set out in the said Articles had previously been taken into account by the Commission when assessing the compatibility of aid to cultural activities(12)".The Authority is aware that, in recent Decisions regarding film support measures, the Commission has excluded the application of Article 87(3)(c) (equivalent to Article 61(3)(c) of the EEA Agreement) and based its approval on Article 87(3)(d). According to the Commission Article 87(3)(c) of the EC Treaty was not applicable since the film support measures at issue constituted operating aid not normally allowed under this provision. Furthermore, film support measures would not have as their primary objective the development of an economic activity but rather the creation of a cultural product (film). In the Authority's view, the Commission's approach does not prevent the recourse to Article 61(3)(c) of the EEA Agreement as a legal basis for the approval of film support measures in the EFTA States, provided that the criteria developed by the Commission under Article 87(3)(d) of the EC Treaty are sufficiently taken into consideration.Against this background, the Authority has examined whether the proposed amending Act can be approved under Article 61(3)(c) of the EEA Agreement. According to Article 61(3)(c) of the EEA Agreement "aid to facilitate the development of certain economic activities or of certain economic areas ..." may be considered to be compatible with the EEA Agreement "... where such aid does not adversely affect trading conditions to an extent contrary to the common interest".According to Commission practice in the field of State support measures for the film industry(13), operating aid to the film industry may be declared compatible provided that the following criteria are fulfilled:- the cultural content of the film receiving aid must be ensured in some way,- the aid intensity must not exceed 50 % of the production costs,- the producer must be free to spend at least 20 % of the film budget in other EEA States without losing aid on this part of the production costs,- the aid must satisfy the general principles regarding compatibility of State aid (necessity, proportionality and transparency) as well as the fundamental principles of the EEA Agreement.The Authority is of the opinion that these criteria strike a balance between the aims of cultural creation and the development of audiovisual industries on the one hand, and competition concerns on the other. They adapt the general conditions underlying Article 61(3)(c) of the EEA Agreement, namely necessity and proportionality of the aid, to the specific circumstances and requirements in the field of film production.The cultural content of the film receiving aid must be ensuredThe Authority would like to emphasise that this criterion does not aim at restricting the EFTA States' competence regarding cultural affairs, nor does it intend to determine what kind of film productions should be considered of cultural value under the national film support scheme. However, to be exempted from the general prohibition of operating aid on cultural grounds, and in the light of the Commission's practice requiring that aid should be primarily aimed at promoting the creation of a film as a cultural product, rather than promoting the film industry as such, the Authority takes the view that the scheme must clearly pursue the objective of promoting the production of films, rather than the development of the film production-related industry. Furthermore, it must be designed in such a way that the promotion of culture is secured under the provisions of the aid scheme. This means that the national bodies responsible for awarding film support must assess the application for aid on artistic/cultural grounds. Furthermore, the requirement regarding the cultural content excludes aid to non-cultural productions, such as commercials.In the course of the formal investigation procedure, the Authority had expressed concerns regarding various provisions of the Act adopted on 11 March 1999. In the Authority's view, these provisions were mainly aiming at supporting the film industry in Iceland by attracting foreign capital, without however placing sufficient emphasis on the selection of eligible films on cultural criteria. Under the proposed amending Act, it is now explicitly stated that the support measures pursue cultural objectives, such as to enhance domestic culture and promote the history and nature of Iceland. Furthermore, the applications for reimbursements of film production costs are assessed by a Committee under cultural criteria. The Authority is satisfied that these provisions ensure the appraisal of eligible film projects on quality and artistic grounds.The aid intensity must not exceed 50 % of the production costsIn order to strike a balance between the objectives of promoting film production and maintaining conditions of undistorted competition, it is appropriate to limit State support for individual productions. The respect of a maximum ceiling of aid for film production is necessary to stimulate normal commercial initiatives inherent in a market economy and to avoid a bidding contest between the Contracting Parties. Furthermore, the threshold of 50 % of the production budget is also in line with thresholds set by other supra-national film support mechanisms, such as aid provided through the EC programme MEDIA II (1996 to 2000)(14) and the Council of Europe Eurimage programme. Considering that, since 1998, all film support schemes approved by the Commission respect the maximum ceiling of 50 % without exception(15), and in order to ensure a level playing field between film producers within the EEA, the Authority is of the opinion that it is important to restrict the allowable aid intensity to 50 % of the production budget.The aid intensity fixed pursuant to Article 5 of the proposed amending Act, with a maximum support of 12 % of the production costs, respects the 50 % aid ceiling. Furthermore, cumulation rules inserted into Article 7 of the proposed amending Act ensure that, when the same film project receives aid from the Icelandic Film fund, this amount should be deducted from the amount that is considered domestic production costs under the proposed amending Act. In no case can the cumulated aid granted to the same film exceed 50 % of the total production budget.The producer must be free to spend at least 20 % of the film budget in other EEA States with the full benefit of the aidAlthough the aid measure should be primarily aimed at promoting the production of a film as a cultural product, the Authority acknowledges that without a sufficiently well-developed human and technical environment film producers will not be able to express their creativity. Therefore, and to the extent necessary to foster the continued presence if not the development of a human and technical environment required for cultural creation in the EFTA State concerned, EFTA States are allowed to provide support to the film industry going beyond the support for the production of a particular film, by obliging film producers to spend part of their production budget in the aid-awarding country. However, this possibility is not without limitations. In this respect, it would appear that certain purely technical services, which do not form part of the necessary cultural environment, should not be subject to such an obligation. Against this background, the Commission has developed, the "80 %/20 % rule", which allows EC Member States to "territorialise" up to 80 % of a total production budget in their country: This requirement implies that, when less than 80 % of total production costs are spent in the aid-awarding country, only production costs incurred in that country will be eligible for aid. If the ratio is 80 % or higher, all costs incurred in the EEA must be eligible for aid.Even where a film support scheme does not contain an explicit obligation for film producers to spend the total or part of the production budget in the aid-awarding country other provisions, in particular those related to the calculation of the aid, may have the same effect. As regards the Act adopted on 11 March 1999, the Authority had taken the view that certain provisions (in particular Article 2 of the Act) might induce a film producer to spend a larger part of the production budget in Iceland than he would otherwise have contemplated. In this context, the "80 %/20 % rule" requires that the amount of the reimbursement must be calculated on the basis of the total production costs irrespective of where these costs were incurred if the producer spends 80 % or more of the total production budget in the country concerned. However, whenever film producers spend less than 80 % of the production budget in Iceland, the interests of the other Contracting Parties to the EEA Agreement are considered to be sufficiently taken care of. In such cases, the amount of the reimbursement may be calculated on the basis of the costs incurred in Iceland.Under the provisions of the proposed amending Act (see Article 2) reimbursement is granted for a proportion of the production costs incurred in the production of films and television programmes in Iceland. However, it is stressed that "when more than 80 % of the total production costs of a motion picture or television programme is incurred in Iceland, reimbursement shall be calculated from the total production costs incurred within the European Economic Area". This means that a film producer is free to spend up to 20 % of the production budget outside Iceland without losing aid on this amount. On the other hand, where a producer spends less than 80 % in Iceland, the aid will be calculated on the basis of the costs incurred in Iceland. This territorialisation of the aid is in accordance with the criteria established by the Commission in its practice regarding film support schemes in the Community. It further strikes a balance between the justified concern to provide support for the film industry in Iceland and concerns related to the freedom to provide services within the EEA. The Authority can, therefore, conclude that the provisions inserted in the proposed amending Act fully comply with the criteria set out above.The aid must satisfy the general principles regarding compatibility of State aid (necessity, proportionality and transparency)As to the necessity of the aid, it is common knowledge that film production in Europe requires substantial State support in order to ensure that Europe's own culture and creative capacity has the opportunity to be expressed. This support is required for ensuring the European presence in a market dominated by audiovisual products from outside the EEA. The fostering of audiovisual production by individual EFTA States allows the promotion of cultural diversity that would not, otherwise, have been possible(16). Without State support, it could be expected that to limited markets and audiences for European films, and in particular those in languages not widely spoken in Europe, film producers would not be able to cover their production costs with revenues from the distribution of films in cinemas, television and video. It is widely recognised that market forces alone do not ensure the desired level of production. In the light of these circumstances, the Icelandic film support scheme can be considered to be necessary.Previous concerns regarding the proportionality of the aid have been dispelled under the proposed amending Act. Under the proposed provisions, the aid intensity no longer increases with the size of the film budget. Furthermore, the proposed amending Act has abolished the requirement of a minimum budget of ISK 80 million for film productions to be eligible under the aid scheme. With these amendments the film support scheme can be considered proportional to its objectives, namely to enhance Icelandic culture irrespective of the film production budget. Finally, the Authority notes that the aid scheme is limited in time to five years (until December 2006).The aid must satisfy the fundamental principles of the EEA AgreementUnder the Act adopted on 11 March 1999, reimbursement was dependent upon the film producer having a fixed establishment in Iceland. The Authority regarded this requirement as constituting a restriction to the freedom to provide services which could not be justified on cultural grounds. Pursuant to Article 4(c) of the proposed amending Act, film producers no longer have to be established in Iceland to be eligible under the scheme. For companies having their registered office within the EEA it is sufficient to have a branch or agency in Iceland. Furthermore, the territory-related provision for determining the amount of reimbursement has been limited to the extent required under the "80 %/20 % rule". The Authority can, therefore, conclude that the provisions under the proposed amending Act are in compliance with the basic freedoms of the EEA Agreement.ConclusionsThe film support measures contained in the bill amending the Act on temporary reimbursements in respect of film-making in Iceland can be considered compatible with Article 61(3)(c) of the EEA Agreement. Therefore, the Authority is in a position to close the proceedings against the original Act No 43/1999 initiated under Article 1(2) of Protocol 3 to the Surveillance and Court Agreement. The Authority would, however, emphasise that this conclusion is based on the bill to amend Act No 43/1999 as communicated to the Authority by letter of the Ministry of Finance dated 28 November 2000, registered by the Authority on 4 December 2000 (Doc. No 00-8857-A). Amendments to this bill, which may affect the assessment of the aid measures under Article 61(3)(c) of the EEA Agreement, are not covered by this decision. Such amendments would have to be notified to the Authority and could only be put into effect after the Authority has given its approval.Finally, in order to allow the Authority to keep the application of the scheme under constant review, the Icelandic authorities are requested, pursuant to Chapter 32 of the Authority's State aid guidelines, to submit simplified annual reports regarding the implementation of this scheme in the form shown in Annex IV to the Authority's State aid guidelines. The Icelandic authorities are reminded that pursuant to point 5 of Chapter 32 of the Authority's State aid guidelines, "for each scheme, the first report should be sent to the EFTA Surveillance Authority not later than six months after the end of the financial year in which the scheme was approved by the EFTA".Finally, in accordance with point 6 of Chapter 32 of the Authority's State aid guidelines, "Failure to comply with the obligation to provide the reports within the deadline may oblige the EFTA Surveillance Authority to initiate proceedings under Article 1(2) of Protocol 3 to the Surveillance and Court Agreement" in respect to the aid scheme in question,HAS ADOPTED THIS DECISION:1. The aid measures provided for in the bill amending Act No 43/1999 on temporary reimbursements in respect of film making in Iceland are compatible with the EEA Agreement.2. The formal investigation procedure against the original Act No 43/1999 on temporary repayment of costs of films produced in Iceland, as adopted by the Icelandic Parliament on 11 March 1999, is closed.3. The Icelandic authorities are requested to submit simplified annual reports regarding the implementation of the scheme in accordance with Chapter 32 of the Authority's State aid guidelines.Done at Brussels, 18 December 2000.For the EFTA Surveillance AuthorityKnut AlmestadPresidentHannes HafsteinCollege Member(1) Hereinafter referred to as the EEA Agreement.(2) Hereinafter referred to as the Surveillance and Court Agreement.(3) Guidelines on the application and interpretation of Articles 61 and 62 of the EEA Agreement and Article 1 of Protocol 3 to the Surveillance and Court Agreement, adopted and issued by the EFTA Surveillance Authority on 19 January 1994, published in OJ L 231, 3.9.1994, EEA Supplements No 32, 3.9.1994 last amended by the Authority's Decision No 78/00/COL of 12 April 2000, not yet published; hereinafter referred to as State Aid Guidelines.(4) The opening Decision was published in the OJ C 223, 5.8.1999 (in the EU languages) and in the EEA Supplement No 40, 16.9.1999 (in the EFTA languages)(5) State aid No 3/98 - France(6) State aid NN 49/97 and N 357/99 - Ireland; this Decision can also be found on the Internet: http://europa.eu.int/comm/secretariat_general/sgb/state_aids/industrie/nn049-97.pdf(7) The Authority notes that the title of the bill amending Act No 43/1999 is slightly different compared to the title of the original Act No 43/1999. However, the Act to be amended is obviously the same.(8) See first report on the consideration of cultural aspects in the European Community action, COM(96) 160 final, 17 April 1996, see: http://europa.eu.int/comm/dg10/culture/cult-asp/en/index.html; see also Commission Decision 89/441/EEC of 21 December 1988 on aid granted by the Greek Government to the film industry for the production of Greek films (OJ L 208, 20.7.1989, p. 38).(9) COM 1999 657 of 14 December 1999.(10) Audiovisual Policy (quoted above), p. 8/9.(11) Citation according to "Note on the citation of articles of the Treaties in the publications of the Court of Justice and the Court of First Instance" (see: http://curia.eu.int/en/jurisp/remnot.htm).(12) State aid NN 49/97 and N 357/99 - Ireland; this Decision can also be found on the Internet: http://europa.eu.int/comm/secretariat_general/sgb/state_aids/industrie/nn049-97.pdf(13) State aid N 3/98 - France; State aid N 486/97 - Netherlands; State aid N 4/98 - Germany: State aid NN 49/97 and N 357/99 - Ireland; State aid N 748/99 - Sweden.(14) For example Article 3 of Council Decision 95/563/EC of 10 July 1995 on the implementation of a programme encouraging the development and distribution of European audiovisual works (OJ L 321, 30.12.1995).(15) State aid N 3/98 - France: State aid N 486/97 - Netherlands; State aid N 4/98 - Germany; State aid NN 49/97 and N 357/99 - Ireland; State aid N 748/99 - Sweden.(16) This was most recently confirmed by the report from the high level group on audiovisual policy http://europa.eu.int/comm/dg10/avpolicy/key_doc/hlg_en.html


               22.9.2017

               EN

               Official Journal of the European Union

               C 316/274

         P8_TA(2015)0297
   Denomination of an interparliamentary delegation
   European Parliament decision of 9 September 2015 on the denomination of an interparliamentary delegation (2015/2842(RSO))
   (2017/C 316/33)

      The European Parliament,

               —

               having regard to the proposal of the Conference of Presidents,

               —

               having regard to its decision of 12 March 2014 on the number of interparliamentary delegations, delegations to joint parliamentary committees and delegations to parliamentary cooperation committees and to multilateral parliamentary assemblies (1),

               —

               having regard to Rule 212 of its Rules of Procedure,

               1.

               Decides that its delegation for relations with the Palestinian Legislative Council shall be renamed ‘Delegation for relations with Palestine’;

               2.

               Instructs its President to forward this decision to the Council and the Commission, for information.

      (1)  Texts adopted of that date, P7_TA(2014)0217.


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31984D0541

84/541/ECSC, EEC: Council Decision of 23 October 1984 relating to a contribution to the European Coal and Steel Community from the general budget of the European Communities

Official Journal L 291 , 08/11/1984 P. 0038 - 0039

*****COUNCIL  DECISION  of 23 October 1984  relating to a contribution to the European Coal and Steel Community from the general budget of the European Communities  (84/541/ECSC, EEC)  THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN  COMMUNITIES,  Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Economic Community, and in particular Article 235 thereof,  Having regard to the proposal from the Commission,  Having regard to the opinion of the European Parliament (1),  Whereas the difficulties currently facing the Community's iron and steel industry have made it necessary to adopt a restructuring programme under the Treaty establishing the European Coal and Steel Community;  Whereas this programme consists of a series of measures to rationalize production and step up productivity of the industry to the level where it can compete on the world market, in accordance with the '1985 general objectives for steel' within the meaning of Article 46 of the ECSC Treaty;  Whereas this series of restructuring measures calls for social support measures to alleviate their effects on employment; whereas for this purpose it is necessary to make use of the full range of readaptation aids provided for workers in the sector concerned by Article 56 (2) of the ECSC Treaty;  Whereas the programmes which the Community agreed to support within the framework of the 1981 social measures using the range of readaptation aids expired in all the Member States at the end of 1982;  Whereas it is essential to continue and supplement these measures after that date having regard to the considerable additional job losses which will occur during the restructuring period, the age structure of the workforce and the worsening of unemployment in steel-producing areas;  Whereas, under present circumstances, the financial means provided for by the ECSC Treaty do not provide adequate cover for financing these measures;  Whereas in particular the secondary effects of the situation, if not remedied, would be liable to aggravate considerably the Community's general employment situation and to impair the harmonious development of economic activities, thus prejudicing the achievement of one of the Community's main objectives;  Whereas the Commission has submitted, in conjunction with the '1985 general objectives for steel', a request for an exceptional temporary contribution from the general budget of the European Communities to allow the Commission to implement successfully the proposed social support measures,  HAS DECIDED AS FOLLOWS:  Sole Article  A contribution is hereby granted to the European Coal and Steel Community for the 1984 financial year out of the general budget of the European Communities to cover Community financing of special temporary allowances in favour of workers in iron and steel undertakings and iron-ore mines in the Community whose jobs are directly or indirectly abolished or threatened in consequence of a restructuring plan adopted by an undertaking, group of undertakings, or the public authorities in accordance with the general objectives for steel.  The amount estimated as necessary for this contribution is 62,5 million ECU.  Done at Luxembourg, 23 October 1984.  For the Council  The President  P. BARRY  (1) OJ No C 307, 14. 11. 1983, p. 138.


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31998D0626

98/626/EC: Council Decision of 5 October 1998 relating to the conclusion of a Protocol for the adaptation of the trade aspects of the Europe Agreement between the European Communities and their Member States, of the one part, and Romania, of the other part, to take into account the accession of the Republic of Austria, the Republic of Finland and the Kingdom of Sweden to the European Union and the results of the agricultural negotiations of the Uruguay Round, including the improvements to the existing preferential regime

Official Journal L 301 , 11/11/1998 P. 0001 - 0002

COUNCIL DECISION of 5 October 1998 relating to the conclusion of a Protocol for the adaptation of the trade aspects of the Europe Agreement between the European Communities and their Member States, of the one part, and Romania, of the other part, to take into account the accession of the Republic of Austria, the Republic of Finland and the Kingdom of Sweden to the European Union and the results of the agricultural negotiations of the Uruguay Round, including the improvements to the existing preferential regime (98/626/EC)THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION,Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Community, and in particular Article 113, in conjunction with the first sentence of Article 228(2) thereof,Having regard to the proposal from the Commission,Whereas the Protocol for the adaptation of the trade aspects of the Europe Agreement concluded between the European Communities and their Member States, of the one part, and Romania, of the other part, hereinafter referred to as 'the Protocol`, should be approved with a view to taking account of the accession of the Republic of Austria, the Republic of Finland and the Kingdom of Sweden to the European Union and the results of the agricultural negotiations of the Uruguay Round, including improvements to the existing preferential regime;Whereas the Commission should be authorised to take measures to implement the Protocol, notably with regard to basic and processed agricultural products;Whereas Regulations (EC) No 1595/97 (1) and (EC) No 656/98 (2) brought forward the implementation of certain provisions of the Protocol relating to basic and processed agricultural products respectively; whereas, therefore, appropriate measures should be taken to ensure a smooth transition between the preferential arrangements applied under those Regulations and those provided for by the Protocol;Whereas the Additional Protocol to the Europe Agreement on trade in textile products between the European Community and Romania was last amended by Decision 96/224/EC (3),HAS DECIDED AS FOLLOWS:Article 1The Protocol for the adaptation of the trade aspects of the Europe Agreement between the European Communities and their Member States, of the one part, and Romania, of the other part, to take into account the accession of the Republic of Austria, the Republic of Finland and the Kingdom of Sweden to the European Union and the results of the agricultural negotiations of the Uruguay Round, including improvements to the existing preferential regime, hereinafter referred to as 'the Protocol`, is hereby approved on behalf of the Community.The text of the Protocol is attached to this Decision.Article 21. Detailed rules for the application of this Decision shall be adopted by the Commission according to the procedure provided for in Article 23 of Regulation (EEC) No 1766/92 (4) or, as appropriate, the relevant provisions of other Regulations on the common organisation of the market, Regulation (EC) No 3448/93 (5) or Regulation (EC) No 3066/95 (6).2. Upon this Decision taking effect, any rules adopted by the Commission pursuant to Article 8 of Regulation (EC) No 3066/95 and to Regulation (EC) No 656/98, implementing the concessions covered by the Protocol, shall be deemed to be governed by paragraph 1.Article 3The President of the Council shall, on behalf of the Community, give the notification provided for in Article 6 of the Protocol.Done at Luxembourg, 5 October 1998.For the CouncilThe PresidentW. SCHÜSSEL(1) OJ L 216, 8.8.1997, p. 1.(2) OJ L 90, 25.3.1998, p. 1.(3) OJ L 81, 30.3.1996, p. 264.(4) OJ L 181, 1.7.1992, p. 21. Regulation as last amended by Regulation (EC) No 923/96 (OJ L 126, 24.5.1996, p. 37).(5) OJ L 318, 20.12.1993, p. 18.(6) OJ L 328, 30.12.1995, p. 31. Regulation as last amended by Regulation (EC) No 1595/97.


title: Council Decision (EU) 2016/1363 of 24 June 2016 on the signing, on behalf of the Union, and provisional application of the Agreement between the European Union and the Republic of the Marshall Islands on the short-stay visa waiver

text:
               11.8.2016

               EN

               Official Journal of the European Union

               L 216/1

         COUNCIL DECISION (EU) 2016/1363
   of 24 June 2016
   on the signing, on behalf of the Union, and provisional application of the Agreement between the European Union and the Republic of the Marshall Islands on the short-stay visa waiver
   THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION,
   Having regard to the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union, and in particular point (a) of Article 77(2), in conjunction with Article 218(5) thereof,
   Having regard to the proposal from the European Commission,
   Whereas:

               (1)

               Regulation (EU) No 509/2014 of the European Parliament and of the Council (1) transferred the reference to the Republic of the Marshall Islands from Annex I to Annex II of Council Regulation (EC) No 539/2001 (2).

               (2)

               That reference to the Republic of the Marshall Islands is accompanied by a footnote indicating that the exemption from the visa requirement shall apply from the date of entry into force of an agreement on visa exemption to be concluded with the European Union.

               (3)

               On 9 October 2014, the Council adopted a decision authorising the Commission to open negotiations with the Republic of the Marshall Islands for the conclusion of an agreement between the European Union and the Republic of the Marshall Islands on the short-stay visa waiver (the ‘Agreement’).

               (4)

               Negotiations on the Agreement were opened on 17 December 2014 and were successfully finalised by the initialling thereof, by exchange of letters, on 11 December 2015 by the Republic of the Marshall Islands and on 13 January 2016 by the Union.

               (5)

               The Agreement should be signed, and the declarations attached to the Agreement should be approved, on behalf of the Union. The Agreement should be applied on a provisional basis as from the day following the date of signature thereof, pending the completion of the procedures necessary for its conclusion.

               (6)

               This Decision constitutes a development of the provisions of the Schengen acquis in which the United Kingdom does not take part, in accordance with Council Decision 2000/365/EC (3); the United Kingdom is therefore not taking part in the adoption of this Decision and is not bound by it or subject to its application.

               (7)

               This Decision constitutes a development of the provisions of the Schengen acquis in which Ireland does not take part, in accordance with Council Decision 2002/192/EC (4); Ireland is therefore not taking part in the adoption of this Decision and is not bound by it or subject to its application,

         HAS ADOPTED THIS DECISION:
   Article 1
   The signing on behalf of the Union of the Agreement between the European Union and the Republic of the Marshall Islands on the short-stay visa waiver is hereby authorised, subject to the conclusion of the said Agreement.
   The text of the Agreement is attached to this Decision.
   Article 2
   The declarations attached to this Decision shall be approved on behalf of the Union.
   Article 3
   The President of the Council is hereby authorised to designate the person(s) empowered to sign the Agreement on behalf of the Union.
   Article 4
   The Agreement shall be applied on a provisional basis as from the day following the date of signature thereof (5), pending the completion of the procedures necessary for its conclusion.
   Article 5
   This Decision shall enter into force on the date of its adoption.

      Done at Luxembourg, 24 June 2016.

            For the Council

            The President

         A.G. KOENDERS

      (1)  Regulation (EU) No 509/2014 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 15 May 2014 amending Council Regulation (EC) No 539/2001 listing the third countries whose nationals must be in possession of visas when crossing the external borders and those whose nationals are exempt from that requirement (OJ L 149, 20.5.2014, p. 67).

      (2)  Council Regulation (EC) No 539/2001 of 15 March 2001 listing the third countries whose nationals must be in possession of visas when crossing the external borders and those whose nationals are exempt from that requirement (OJ L 81, 21.3.2001, p. 1).

      (3)  Council Decision 2000/365/EC of 29 May 2000 concerning the request of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland to take part in some of the provisions of the Schengen acquis (OJ L 131, 1.6.2000, p. 43).

      (4)  Council Decision 2002/192/EC of 28 February 2002 concerning Ireland's request to take part in some of the provisions of the Schengen acquis (OJ L 64, 7.3.2002, p. 20).

      (5)  The date of signature of the Agreement will be published in the Official Journal of the European Union by the General Secretariat of the Council.


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31993D0361

93/361/EEC: Council Decision of 17 May 1993 on the accession of the Community to the Protocol to the 1979 Geneva Convention on long-range transboundary air pollution concerning the control of emissions of nitrogen oxides or their transboundary fluxes

Official Journal L 149 , 21/06/1993 P. 0014 - 0015 Finnish special edition: Chapter 11 Volume 22 P. 0050  Swedish special edition: Chapter 11 Volume 22 P. 0050

COUNCIL DECISION of 17 May 1993 on the accession of the Community to the Protocol to the 1979 Geneva Convention on long-range transboundary air pollution concerning the control of emissions of nitrogen oxides or their transboundary fluxes(93/361/EEC)THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES,Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Economic Community, and in particular Article 130s thereof,Having regard to the proposal from the Commission (1),Having regard to the opinion of the European Parliament (2),Having regard to the opinion of the Economic and Social Committee (3),Whereas Article 130 (5) of the Treaty provides for active cooperation by the Community and the Member States in international measures to protect the environment; whereas, because of the transboundary nature of air pollution, it is in the interest of the Community to participate in international measures designed to reduce this pollution;Whereas the Community is a contracting party to the Convention of the Exonomic Commission for Europe of the United Nations on long-range transboundary air pollution (1979 Geneva Convention) (4) and to one of its protocols on the financing of EMEP (Cooperative programme for monitoring and evaluation of the long-range transmission of air pollutants in Europe) (5).Whereas Article 130 r (2) of the Treaty provides that measures by the Community should be based on the principles that preventive action should be taken and that environmental damage should as a priority be rectified at source; whereas these principles have been enshrined, as regards air pollution, by several Community legal acts on the reduction of emissions of nitrogen oxides from the main sources (motor vehicles and large combustion plants);Whereas the principle of rectification at source is one of the objectives of the NOx Protocol to the Convention, which lays down in particular a general objective of stabilizing total emissions of nitrogen oxides and provides for the application of emission standards and adoption of anti-pollution measures, while reserving the right to tighten up, if necessary obligations for subsequent negotiation;Whereas use of the best available technology not entailing excessive costs as set out in the fundamental obligations of the Protocol, has been enshrined since 1984 in Community law on the combating of air pollution of an industrial origin; whereas this same principle has become, since 1989, the basic philosophy for reducing emissions from motor vehicles;Whereas, in view of the damage caused to the environment and in the light of the transboundary nature of long-range air pollution due to emissions of nitrogen oxides, there should be joint action at international level; whereas the Community should accede to the Protocol on the reduction of emissions of nitrogen oxides or their transboundary fluxes;Whereas the stabilization of total emissions of nitrogen oxides is a first important step; whereas there is a need to reduce significantly the level of current emissions of both nitrogen oxides and all nitrogenized pollutants in the Community as a whole,HAS DECIDED AS FOLLOWS:Article 1 The European Economic Community hereby accedes to the Protocol to the 1979 Convention on long-range transboundary air pollution concerning the control of emissions of nitrogen oxides or their transboundary fluxes.The text of the said Protocol is attached to this Decision.Article 2 The President of the Council shall deposit its instrument of accession in accordance with Article 14 of the Protocol.Done at Brussels, 17 May 1993.For the Council The President J. HILDEN(1) OJ N° C 230, 4. 9. 1991, p. 61.(2) OJ N° C 150, 15. 6. 1992, p. 226.(3) OJ N° C 40, 17. 2. 1992, p. 11.(4) OJ N° L 171, 27. 6. 1981, p. 11.(5) OJ N° L 181, 4. 7. 1986, p. 1.


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31999D0259

1999/259/EC: Council Decision of 30 March 1999 concerning the conclusion of a Protocol on the extension of the period during which the funds laid down in the Fourth Protocol on financial and technical cooperation between the European Community and the Republic of Malta may be committed

Official Journal L 100 , 15/04/1999 P. 0031 - 0031

COUNCIL DECISIONof 30 March 1999concerning the conclusion of a Protocol on the extension of the period during which the funds laid down in the Fourth Protocol on financial and technical cooperation between the European Community and the Republic of Malta may be committed(1999/259/EC)THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION,Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Community, and in particular Article 238, in conjunction with Article 228(2), second sentence and paragraph 3, second subparagraph thereof,Having regard to the proposal from the Commission,Having regard to the assent of the European Parliament(1),Whereas the period, during which the funds made available in the Fourth Protocol on financial and technical cooperation between the European Community and the Republic of Malta(2), signed on 30 October 1995, are to be committed, expired on 31 October 1998; whereas these funds were not fully committed by that date;Whereas the need for financial and technical cooperation between the European Community and Malta remains unchanged;Whereas the Protocol on the extension until 31 December 1999 of the period during which the funds laid down in the Fourth Protocol may be committed should be approved,HAS DECIDED AS FOLLOWS:Article 1The Protocol on the extension of the period during which the funds laid down in the Fourth Protocol on financial and technical cooperation between the European Community and the Republic of Malta may be committed is hereby approved.The text of the Protocol is attached to this Decision.Article 2The President of the Council shall give the notification provided for in Article 3 of the Protocol.Article 3This Decision shall enter into force on the day following that of its publication in the Official Journal of the European Communities.Done at Brussels, 30 March 1999.For the CouncilThe PresidentK.-H. FUNKE(1) Opinion delivered on 10 March 1999 (not yet published in the Official Journal).(2) OJ L 278, 21.11.1995, p. 15.


title: Council Decision (EU) 2017/1535 of 4 September 2017 adopting the Council's position on draft amending budget No 4 of the European Union for the financial year 2017

text:
               9.9.2017

               EN

               Official Journal of the European Union

               L 233/6

         COUNCIL DECISION (EU) 2017/1535
   of 4 September 2017
   adopting the Council's position on draft amending budget No 4 of the European Union for the financial year 2017
   THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION,
   Having regard to the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union, and in particular Article 314 thereof, in conjunction with the Treaty establishing the European Atomic Energy Community, and in particular Article 106a thereof,
   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 (1) and in particular Article 41 thereof,
   Whereas:

               —

               the Union's budget for the financial year 2017 was definitively adopted on 1 December 2016 (2),

               —

               on 27 June 2017, the Commission submitted a proposal containing draft amending budget No 4 to the general budget for the financial year 2017,

         HAS DECIDED AS FOLLOWS:
   Sole Article
   The Council's position on draft amending budget No 4 of the European Union for the financial year 2017 was adopted on 4 September 2017.
   The full text can be accessed for consultation or downloading on the Council's website: http://www.consilium.europa.eu/

      Done at Brussels, 4 September 2017.

            For the Council

            The President

         M. MAASIKAS

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

      (2)  OJ L 51, 28.2.2017, p. 1.


title: Decision No 2239/2004/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 17 November 2004 amending Council Decision 1999/784/EC concerning Community participation in the European Audiovisual Observatory

text:
               31.12.2004

               EN

               Official Journal of the European Union

               L 390/1

      DECISION No 2239/2004/EC OF THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND OF THE COUNCIL

   of 17 November 2004
   amending Council Decision 1999/784/EC concerning Community participation in the European Audiovisual Observatory
   THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION,
   Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Community, and in particular Article 157(3) thereof,
   Having regard to the proposal from the Commission (1),
   Having regard to the opinion of the European Economic and Social Committee (2),
   After consulting the Committee of the Regions,
   Acting in accordance with the procedure laid down in Article 251 of the Treaty (3),
   Whereas:

               (1)

               In Decision 1999/784/EC (4) the Council decided that the Community should become a member of the European Audiovisual Observatory (hereinafter ‘the Observatory’) in order to support the latter's activity. The Observatory contributes to strengthening the competitiveness of the Community's audiovisual industry by improving the transfer of information to the industry, in particular to small and medium-sized enterprises, and promoting a clearer view of the market.

               (2)

               Multimedia and the new technologies will play an ever greater role in the audiovisual sector. The Observatory could continue to play its important role if its capacity to follow these new developments were strengthened in due course.

               (3)

               Although free movement of persons, goods and services is enshrined in the Treaty, the lack of information on the many differences in national regulations in the fields of fiscal and labour law acts as an obstacle to the free movement of audiovisual goods and services. The Observatory could offer a positive contribution by collecting and providing expertise and systematic information in the fields of fiscal and labour law, copyright and consumer protection law.

               (4)

               Further to the European Parliament's resolution of 4 September 2003 on Television without Frontiers, which called for an annual benchmarking report on making digital TV accessible for people with disabilities, the Observatory should be invited to collect data on an annual basis on the levels of television services provided in all Member States of the European Union or of the Council of Europe to assist disabled people, such as subtitling, audio description and sign language.

               (5)

               Community participation in the Observatory has proved effective in supporting the latter's activity.

               (6)

               It is appropriate to continue such participation during the period necessary for the Observatory to adopt guidelines for its future activity, from 2006 onwards.

               (7)

               Decision 1999/784/EC should therefore be amended accordingly,

         HAVE DECIDED AS FOLLOWS:
   Sole Article
   Article 5 of Decision 1999/784/EC shall be replaced by the following:

      ‘Article 5
      This Decision shall apply until the last day of the last month of the seventh year following the year of its adoption.’

      Done at Strasbourg, 17 November 2004.

            For the European Parliament

            The President

         J. BORRELL FONTELLES

            For the Council

            The President

         A. NICOLAÏ

      (1)  OJ C 98, 23.4.2004, p. 34.

      (2)  OJ C 241, 28.9.2004, p. 15.

      (3)  Opinion of the European Parliament of 21 April 2004 (not yet published in the Official Journal) and Council Decision of 25 October 2004.

      (4)  OJ L 307, 2.12.1999, p. 61.


title: 2014/399/EU: Council Decision of 24 June 2014 establishing the position to be adopted on behalf of the European Union within the General Council of the World Trade Organization on the accession of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan to the World Trade Organization

text:
               27.6.2014

               EN

               Official Journal of the European Union

               L 188/66

         COUNCIL DECISION
   of 24 June 2014
   establishing the position to be adopted on behalf of the European Union within the General Council of the World Trade Organization on the accession of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan to the World Trade Organization

      (2014/399/EU)

   THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION,
   Having regard to the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union, and in particular Article 91, Article 100(2) and the first subparagraph of Article 207(4), in conjunction with Article 218(9), thereof,
   Having regard to the proposal from the European Commission,
   Whereas:

               (1)

               On 21 November 2004, the Government of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan applied for accession to the Marrakesh Agreement establishing the World Trade Organization (WTO), pursuant to Article XII of that Agreement.

               (2)

               A Working Party on the accession of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan was established on 13 December 2004 in order to reach agreement on terms of accession acceptable to the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan and all WTO Members.

               (3)

               The Commission, on behalf of the Union, has negotiated a comprehensive series of market opening commitments on the part of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan which satisfy the Union's requests.

               (4)

               Those commitments are now embodied in the Protocol of Accession of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan to the WTO (‘the Protocol of Accession’).

               (5)

               Accession to the WTO is expected to make a positive and lasting contribution to the process of economic reform and sustainable development in the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan.

               (6)

               The Protocol of Accession should therefore be approved.

               (7)

               Article XII of the Agreement establishing the WTO provides that the terms of accession are to be agreed between the acceding Member and the WTO, and that the Ministerial Conference of the WTO approves the terms of accession on the WTO side. Article IV.2 of the Agreement establishing the WTO provides that in the intervals between meetings of the Ministerial Conference, its functions shall be conducted by the General Council.

               (8)

               Accordingly, it is necessary to establish the position to be adopted on the Union's behalf within the General Council of the WTO on the accession of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan to the WTO,

         HAS ADOPTED THIS DECISION:
   Article 1
   The position to be adopted on behalf of the European Union within the General Council of the World Trade Organization on the accession of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan to the World Trade Organization is to approve the accession.
   Article 2
   This Decision shall enter into force on the day of its adoption.

      Done at Luxembourg, 24 June 2014.

            For the Council

            The President

         E. VENIZELOS


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31993D0721

93/721/EC: Council Decision of 23 November 1993 concerning the conclusion of an Agreement in the form of an Exchange of Letters between the European Community and the Republic of Bulgaria on the reciprocal establishment of tariff quotas for certain wines

Official Journal L 337 , 31/12/1993 P. 0001 - 0002 Finnish special edition: Chapter 3 Volume 54 P. 0205  Swedish special edition: Chapter 3 Volume 54 P. 0205

COUNCIL  DECISION of 23 November 1993 concerning the conclusion of an Agreement in the form of an exchange  of letters between the European Community and the Republic of Bulgaria on the reciprocal  establishment of tariff quotas for certain wines (93/721/EC)THE COUNCIL OF THE  EUROPEAN UNION, Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Community, and in particular Article 113  thereof, Having regard to the proposal from the Commission, Whereas the Agreement negotiated between the European Community and the Republic of Bulgaria on the  reciprocal establishment of tariff quotas for certain wines will promote the development of trade  in wine within the meaning of the Association Agreement and the Interim Agreement on trade and  trade-related matters, concluded between the Community and Bulgaria; whereas it is therefore  desirable to approve the said Agreement; Whereas, in order to facilitate the implementation of certain provisions of the Agreement, the  Commission should be authorized to conclude the necessary legislation for implementation of the  Agreement in accordance with the procedure laid down in Article 83 of Council Regulation (EEC) No  822/87 of 16 March 1987 on the common organization of the market in wine (1); Whereas, since the provisions of the Agreement are directly linked to measures covered by the  common commercial and agricultural policy, it must be established at Community level, HAS DECIDED AS FOLLOWS: Article 1 The Agreement in the form of an exchange of letters between the  European Community and the Republic of Bulgaria on the reciprocal establishment of tariff quotas  for certain wines is hereby approved on behalf of the Community. The text of the Agreement is attached of this Decision. Article 2 The President of the Council is hereby authorized to designate the person empowered to  sign the Agreement in order to bind the Community. Article 3 The Commission is hereby authorized to conclude the necessary acts for implementation  under the second indent of points 6 and 8 of the Agreement, in accordance with the procedure laid  down in Article 83 of Regulation (EEC) No 822/87. Article 4 This Decision shall be published in the Official Journal of the European Communities. Done at Brussels, 23 November 1993. For the Council The President M. SMET (1) OJ No L 84, 27. 3. 1987, p. 1. Regulation as last amended by Regulation  (EEC) No 1566/93 (OJ No L 154, 25. 6. 1993, p. 39).


title: Council Decision of 17 March 2008 of appointing and replacing members of the Governing Board of the European Centre for the Development of Vocational Training

text:
               26.3.2008

               EN

               Official Journal of the European Union

               C 75/10

      COUNCIL DECISION

   of 17 March 2008
   of appointing and replacing members of the Governing Board of the European Centre for the Development of Vocational Training
   (2008/C 75/04)
   THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION,
   Having regard to Council Regulation (EEC) No 337/75 of 10 February 1975 establishing the European Centre for the Development of Vocational Training (1), and in particular Article 4 thereof,
   Having regard to the lists of nominees submitted to the Council by the Commission as regards the employees' and employers' representatives,
   Whereas:

               (1)

               By its Decision of 18 September 2006 (2), the Council appointed the members of the Governing Board of the European Centre for the Development of Vocational Training for the period from 18 September 2006 to 17 September 2009.

               (2)

               Three members' seats on the Governing Board of the Centre in the category of Employees' representatives have become vacant as a result of the resignation of Ms Mar Rodrigues Torres, Mr Jeff Maes and Mr Jean-Claude Quentin.

               (3)

               Three members' seats on the Governing Board of the Centre in the category of Employers' representatives have become vacant as a result of the resignation of Mr George Pantelides, Mr Samo Hribar-Milic and Mr Anthony Thompson,

         HAS DECIDED AS FOLLOWS:
   Sole Article
   The following persons are hereby appointed member of the Governing Board of the European Centre for the Development of Vocational Training for the remainder of the term of office, which runs until 17 September 2009:
   I.   REPRESENTATIVES OF EMPLOYEES' ORGANISATIONS

               Spain

               Ms Luz Blanca COSIO ALMEIRA
               UGT Spain

               Belgium

               Ms Mieke DE RAEDEMAECKER
               FGTB

               France

               Mr Stéphane LARDY
               Force Ouvrière

         II.   REPRESENTATIVES OF EMPLOYERS' ORGANISATIONS

               Cyprus

               Mr Michael PILIKOS
               Cyprus Employers and Industrialists Federation (OEB)

               Slovenia

               Mr Anze HIRSL
               Employers' Association of Slovenia (ZDS)

               United Kingdom

               Mr Richard WAINER
               Confederation of British Industry (CBI)

      Done at Brussels, 17 March 2008.

            For the Council

            The President

         I. JARC

      (1)  OJ L 39, 13.2.1975, p. 1. Regulation as last amended by Regulation (EC) No 2051/2004 (OJ L 355, 1.12.2004, p. 1).

      (2)  OJ C 240, 5.10.2006, p. 1.


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32004D0194

2004/194/EC: Council Decision of 10 February 2004 amending Decision 2001/264/EC adopting the Council's security regulations

Official Journal L 063 , 28/02/2004 P. 0048 - 0052

Council Decisionof 10 February 2004amending Decision 2001/264/EC adopting the Council's security regulations(2004/194/EC)THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION,Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Community and in particular Article 207(3) thereof,Having regard to Council Decision 2002/682/EC, Euratom of 22 July 2002 adopting the Council's Rules of Procedure(1), and in particular Article 24 thereof,Whereas:(1) Appendices 1 and 2 to the Security Regulations of the Council of the European Union annexed to Decision 2001/264/EC(2) contain a list of national security authorities (NSAs) and a table of comparison including national security classifications, respectively.(2) On 16 April 2003, the Czech Republic, the Republic of Estonia, the Republic of Cyprus, the Republic of Latvia, the Republic of Lithuania, the Republic of Hungary, the Republic of Malta, the Republic of Poland, the Republic of Slovenia and the Slovak Republic signed the Treaty concerning their accession to the European Union(3).(3) According to Article 2(2) of Decision 2001/264/EC, those States have to take appropriate measures to ensure that, when EU classified information is handled, the Council's security regulations are respected.(4) In order to take into account those States in the abovementioned Appendices, it is therefore necessary, from a technical point of view, to amend Decision 2001/264/EC.(5) Appendix 2 to Decision 2001/264/EC indicates that correspondence with NATO classification levels will be established when the Security Agreement between the European Union and NATO is negotiated.(6) An Agreement(4) on the security of information was signed between the European Union and NATO on 14 March 2003.(7) It is therefore also necessary to introduce correspondence with NATO classification levels in Appendix 2 to the abovementioned Decision,HAS DECIDED AS FOLLOWS:Article 1Decision 2001/264/EC is hereby amended as follows:(a) Appendix 1 is replaced by the document in Annex I to this Decision;(b) Appendix 2 is replaced by the document in Annex II to this Decision.Article 21. This Decision shall take effect on the day of its publication.2. It shall apply only subject to and on the date of the entry into force of the 2003 Treaty of Accession, signed in Athens on 16 April 2003.Done at Brussels, 10 February 2004.For the CouncilThe PresidentC. McCreevy(1) OJ L 230, 28.8.2002, p. 7.(2) OJ L 101, 11.4.2001, p. 1.(3) OJ L 236, 23.9.2003, p. 17.(4) OJ L 80, 27.3.2003, p. 36.ANNEX IBELGIUMService public fédéral des affaires étrangères, du commerce extérieur et de la coopération au développementAutorité nationale de sécurité (ANS)Direction du protocole et de la sécuritéService de la sécurité P &  S 6Rue des Petits Carmes 15 B - 1000 Bruxelles Federale Overheidsdienst Buitenlandse Zaken, Buitenlandse Handel en OntwikkelingssamenwerkingNationale Veiligheidsoverheid (NVO)Directie Protocol en Veiligheid P& S 6 Karmelietenstraat 15 B - 1000 Brussel Téléphone du secrétariat: (32-2) 519 05 74 Téléphone de la présidence: (32-2) 501 82 20; (32-2) 501 87 10 Télécopieur: (32-2) 519 05 96CZECH REPUBLICNational Security Authority Na Popelce 2/16 CZ - 150 06 Praha 56 Telefon: (420) 257 28 33 35 Fax: (420) 257 28 31 10DENMARKPolitiets Efterretningstjeneste Klausdalsbrovej 1 DK - 2860 Søborg Telefon (45) 33 14 88 88 Fax (45) 33 43 01 90GERMANYBundesministerium des Innern Referat IS 2 Alt-Moabit 101 D D - 11014 Berlin Telefon: 49-18 88-681-15 26 Fax: 49-18 88-681-558 06ESTONIAMinistry of Defence, Republic of Estonia, Department of Security Sakala 1 EE - 15094 Tallinn Telefon: (372) 717 00 30 Fax: (372) 717 00 01GREECEΓενικό Επιτελείο Εθνικής Άμυνας (ΓΕΕΘΑ)Υπηρεσία Στρατιωτικών Πληροφοριών (ΥΣΠ - Β Κλάδος)Τμήμα Ασφαλείας και Αντιπληροφοριών ΣΤΓ 1020 - Χολαργός (Αθήνα) Ελλάδα Τηλέφωνα: (30) 210 657 20 09 (ώρες γραφείου), (30) 210 657 20 10 (ώρες γραφείου) Φαξ: (30) 210 642 64 32, (30) 210 657 21 81 Hellenic National Defence General Staff (HNDGS)Military Intelligence Service (MIS-Bi Branch)Security Counterintelligence Section GR-STG 1020 Holargos - Athens Telephone: (30) 210 657 20 09, (30) 210 657 20 10 Fax: (30) 210 642 64 32, (30) 210 657 21 81SPAINAutoridad Nacional de Seguridad Oficina Nacional de Seguridad Avenida Padre Huidobro s/nCarretera Nacional Radial VI, km 8,5E - 28023 Madrid Teléfono: (34-91) 372 57 07, (34-91) 372 50 27 Fax: (34-91) 372 58 08FRANCESecrétariat général de la défense nationale Service de sécurité et de défense (SGDN/SSD) 51 boulevard de la Tour-Maubourg F - 75700 Paris 07 SP Téléphone: (33-1) 71 75 81 77 Télécopieur: (33-1) 71 75 82 00IRELANDNational Security Authority Department of Foreign Affairs 80 St. Stephens Green Dublin 2 Ireland Telephone: (353-1) 478 08 22 Fax: (353-1) 478 14 84ITALYPresidenza del Consiglio dei MinistriAutorità Nazionale per la SicurezzaUfficio Centrale per la Sicurezza Via della Pineta Sacchetti, 216 I - 00168 Roma Tel.: (39) 066 27 47 75 Fax: (39) 066 14 33 97CYPRUSΥπουργείο Άμυνας Στρατιωτικό επιτελείο του υπουργούΕθνική Αρχή Ασφάλειας (ΕΑΑ)Υπουργείο Άμυνας Λεωφόρος Εμμανουήλ Ροΐδη 4 1432 Λευκωσία, Κύπρος Τηλέφωνα: (357) 22 80 75 69, (357) 22 80 75 19, (357) 22 80 77 64 Φαξ: (357) 22 30 23 51 Ministry of Defence Minister's Military StaffNational Security Authority (NSA)4 Emanuel Roidi street CY - 1432 Nicosia Telephone: (357) 22 80 75 69; (357) 22 80 75 19; (357) 22 80 77 64 Fax: (357) 22 30 23 51LATVIAConstitution Protection Bureau of the Republic of Latvia Miera Iela 85/A LV - 1001 Riga Telefon: (371) 702 54 18 Fax: (371) 702 54 06LITHUANIANational Security Authority of the Republic of Lithuania Gedimino 40/2 LT - 2600 Vilnius Telefon: (370-5) 266 32 05 Fax: (370-5) 266 32 00LUXEMBOURGAutorité nationale de sécuritéMinistère d'ÉtatBoîte Postale 23 79 L - 1023 Luxembourg Téléphone: (352) 478 22 10 (central), (352) 478 22 35 (ligne directe) Télécopieur: (352) 478 22 43; (352) 478 22 71HUNGARYNational Security Authority Republic of Hungary Pf. 2 HU - 1352 Budapest Telefon: (361) 346 96 52 Fax: (361) 346 96 58MALTAMinistry of Justice and Home Affairs P.O. Box 146 MT - Valletta Telefon: (356) 21 24 98 44 Fax: (356) 21 23 53 00NETHERLANDSMinisterie van Binnenlandse Zaken Postbus 20010 2500 EA Den Haag Nederland Tel.: (31-70) 320 44 00 Fax: (31-70) 320 07 33 Ministerie van Defensie Militaire Inlichtingendienst (MID) Postbus 20701 2500 ES Den Haag Nederland Tel.: (31-70) 318 70 60 Fax: (31-70) 318 79 51AUSTRIAInformationssicherheitskommission Bundeskanzleramt Ballhausplatz 2 A - 1014 Wien Telefon: 431-531 15 23 96 Fax: 431-531 15 25 08POLANDMilitary Information Services National Security Authority - Military Sphere PL - 00-909 Warszawa 60 Telefon: (48-22) 684 61 19 Fax: (48-22) 684 61 72 Internal Security Agency Department for the Protection of Classified Information 2A Rakowiecka St. PL - 00-993 Warszawa Telefon: (48-22) 585 73 60 Fax: (48-22) 585 85 09PORTUGALPresidência do Conselho de Ministros Autoridade Nacional de Segurança Avenida Ilha da Madeira P - 1400-204 Lisboa Tel.: (351-21) 301 17 10 Fax: (351-21) 303 17 11SLOVENIAOffice of the Government of the Republic of SloveniaFor the Protection of Classified Information - NSASlovenska cesta 5 SVN - 1000 Ljubljana Telefon: (386-1) 426 91 20 Fax: (386-1) 426 91 91SLOVAKIANational Security Authority Budatínska 30 SK - 851 05 Bratislava Telefon: (421-2) 68 69 95 09 Fax: (421-2) 63 82 40 05FINLANDUlkoasiainministeriö/Utrikesministeriet Alivaltiosihteeri (Hallinto)/Understatssekreteraren (Administration) Laivastokatu/Maringatan 22 PL/PB 176 FI - 00161 Helsinki/Helsingfors P. (358-9) 16 05 53 38 F. (358-9) 16 05 53 03SWEDENUtrikesdepartementet SSSB S - 103 39 Stockholm Telefon (46-8) 405 54 44 Fax (46-8) 723 11 76UNITED KINGDOMNational Security Authority The Secretary for T3P/1 PO Box 56 56 London EC1A 1AH United Kingdom Telephone: (44) 20 72 70 87 51 Fax: (44) 20 76 30 14 28ANNEX IIComparison of security classifications>TABLE>