title: 2013/560/EU: Decision of the European Parliament of 17 April 2013 on discharge in respect of the implementation of the budget of the European Centre for the Development of Vocational Training for the financial year 2011#Resolution of the European Parliament of 17 April 2013 with observations forming an integral part of its Decision on discharge in respect of the implementation of the budget of the European Centre for the Development of Vocational Training for the financial year 2011

text:
               16.11.2013

               EN

               Official Journal of the European Union

               L 308/174

         DECISION OF THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT
   of 17 April 2013
   on discharge in respect of the implementation of the budget of the European Centre for the Development of Vocational Training for the financial year 2011
   (2013/560/EU)
   THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT,

               —

               having regard to the final annual accounts of the European Centre for the Development of Vocational Training for the financial year 2011,

               —

               having regard to the Court of Auditors’ report on the annual accounts of the European Centre for the Development of Vocational Training for the financial year 2011, together with the Centre’s replies (1),

               —

               having regard to the Council’s recommendation of 12 February 2013 (05753/2013 – C7-0041/2013),

               —

               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 (2), and in particular Article 185 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 (3), and in particular Article 208 thereof,

               —

               having regard to Regulation (EEC) No 337/75 of the Council of 10 February 1975 establishing a European Centre for the Development of Vocational Training (4), and in particular Article 12a 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 (5), and in particular Article 94 thereof,

               —

               having regard to Rule 77 of, and Annex VI to, its Rules of Procedure,

               —

               having regard to the report of the Committee on Budgetary Control and the opinion of the Committee on Employment and Social Affairs (A7-0073/2013),

               1.

               Grants the Director of the European Centre for the Development of Vocational Training discharge in respect of the implementation of the Centre’s budget for the financial year 2011;

               2.

               Sets out its observations in the resolution below;

               3.

               Instructs its President to forward this Decision and the resolution that forms an integral part of it to the Director of the European Centre for the Development of Vocational Training, 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 388, 15.12.2012, p. 17.

      (2)  OJ L 248, 16.9.2002, p. 1.

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

      (4)  OJ L 39, 13.2.1975, p. 1.

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

      RESOLUTION OF THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT
      of 17 April 2013
      with observations forming an integral part of its Decision on discharge in respect of the implementation of the budget of the European Centre for the Development of Vocational Training for the financial year 2011
      THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT,

                  —

                  having regard to the final annual accounts of the European Centre for the Development of Vocational Training for the financial year 2011,

                  —

                  having regard to the Court of Auditors’ report on the annual accounts of the European Centre for the Development of Vocational Training for the financial year 2011, together with the Centre’s replies (1),

                  —

                  having regard to the Council’s recommendation of 12 February 2013 (05753/2013 – C7-0041/2013),

                  —

                  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 (2), and in particular Article 185 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 (3), and in particular Article 208 thereof,

                  —

                  having regard to Regulation (EEC) No 337/75 of the Council of 10 February 1975 establishing a European Centre for the Development of Vocational Training (4), and in particular Article 12a 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 (5), and in particular Article 94 thereof,

                  —

                  having regard to Rule 77 of, and Annex VI to, its Rules of Procedure,

                  —

                  having regard to the report of the Committee on Budgetary Control and the opinion of the Committee on Employment and Social Affairs (A7-0073/2013),

                  A.

                  whereas the European Centre for the Development of Vocational Training (‘the Centre’), which is located in Thessaloniki, was established by Regulation (EEC) No 337/75,

                  B.

                  whereas the Court of Auditors stated that it has obtained reasonable assurances that the Centre’s annual accounts for the financial year 2011 are reliable and that the underlying transactions are legal and regular,

                  C.

                  whereas on 10 May 2012, Parliament granted the Director of the Centre discharge for the implementation of the Centre’s budget for the financial year 2010 (6), and in its resolution accompanying the discharge decision, inter alia:

                              —

                              noted the Centre’s commitment to exhaust the previous years’ contributions from Norway and Iceland in 2012; called on the Centre to keep the discharge authority informed of the use of those contributions,

                              —

                              welcomed the Centre’s commitment to further reduce its carry-overs by monitoring standardised templates of budget execution (commitments, payments) and procurement progress,

                              —

                              called on the Centre to put further efforts into reducing carry-over appropriations in order to respect the principle of annuality more fully; reminded the Centre that this can be done by refining its programming and monitoring system and by initiating contracts earlier in the calendar year,

                              —

                              called on the Centre to reduce the transfers of commitment appropriations made by the Centre between budget lines as much as possible, in order to apply the principle of specification,

                              —

                              noted the Centre’s performance measurement system (PMS) has been fully implemented and encouraged the Centre to further develop qualitative assessments to supplement the more quantitative PMS indicators,

                              —

                              called on the Centre to inform the discharge authority of the implementation progress of the remaining recommendations received from the Internal Audit Service (IAS),

                  D.

                  whereas the Centre’s final budget for the financial year 2011 was EUR 18 870 845, compared to EUR 18 250 000 in 2010, which represents an increase of 3,21 %,

                  E.

                  whereas the contribution of the Union to the Centre’s budget for the financial year 2011 was EUR 16 987 000, compared to EUR 16 920 000 in 2010, which represents an increase of 0,39 %,

                  F.

                  whereas the economic result of the year was a negative one of EUR – 483 296,74,

         Budgetary and financial management

                  1.

                  Notes from the Centre’s annual accounts for the financial year 2011 that the Centre was granted an amending budget of EUR 1 106 655, which made a total budget of EUR 18 870 845 after amendments;

                  2.

                  Takes note of the Governing Board’s statement in its opinion on the Centre’s 2011 Annual Account that the 2011 budget financed by the Union contribution has been fully implemented;

                  3.

                  Observes that the Centre receives annual contributions from two third countries which benefit from its work; notes that Norway and Iceland’s contribution to the Centre’s budget for the financial year 2011 amounted to EUR 407 066,59; recalls that those funds are managed as assigned revenue, requiring them to be allocated to specific projects; welcomes the fact that in 2011, the target was reached and 100 % of the planned budget was executed; calls on the Centre to keep the discharge authority informed of the use of those contributions;

                  4.

                  Welcomes the development of a comprehensive set of processes to monitor and report on the implementation of the annual work programme and the deployment of resources; notes, however, that further improvements are needed given that 67 of a total of 77 budget transfers were made at the end of 2011, demonstrating weaknesses in budgetary planning and programme planning; calls for structural measures to be taken to remedy the situation;

                  5.

                  Welcomes the fact that the cancelled payments appropriations fell from 14 % in 2010 to 5,2 % in 2011;

         Carry-over appropriations

                  6.

                  Acknowledges from the annual accounts that EUR 0,9 million (5 %) was carried over to 2012; notes, furthermore, that the carry-overs include EUR 0,6 million appropriations for Title II ‘Administrative Expenditure’ (37 % of total Title II appropriations); calls on the Centre to inform the discharge authority of the actions taken to address this deficiency as the excessive level of carry-overs for Title II is at odds with the budgetary principle of annuality;

                  7.

                  Takes note that the Centre has had differentiated appropriations for Title III since 2004, which explains why no carry-overs of appropriations for operating activities appear in the calculation of the budget outturn, other than non-automatic carry-over approved by the Governing Board;

         Transfers

                  8.

                  Takes note that the Centre transferred EUR 699 920 from Title I to Titles II and III (EUR 204 620 and EUR 495 300 respectively), pursuant to Article 23 of the Financial Regulation; calls on the Centre to inform the discharge authority about actions to be taken to address this deficiency as the situation indicates weaknesses in budget planning and programming and it is at odds with the principle of specification;

         Grants

                  9.

                  Acknowledges from the Court of Auditors that annually, the Centre’s financing of grants for vocational education and training amounts to about EUR 1 million; notes, moreover, that there were significant delays in the closing of grants for the year 2010 because beneficiaries submitted their final reports on activities late and the Centre itself was late in the verification of those reports and the processing of final payments; calls on the Centre to inform the discharge authority of the actions it has taken to address this deficiency;

                  10.

                  Acknowledges that according to the Centre, delays in the payment of the final balance of the 2010 grants that occurred in 2011 are due to a particularly heavy work programme during 2010, combined with a temporary under-staffing of the team coordinating the network due to unforeseen long-term absence;

         Human resources

                  11.

                  Acknowledges that on 31 December 2011, 97 of the 101 posts on the establishment plan were occupied;

                  12.

                  Welcomes the fact that in 2010, the Centre finalised an online tool for recruitment, namely RECON — Recruitment Online, which will help the Centre increase the speed and efficiency of its recruitment;

                  13.

                  Deplores the fact that the recruitment procedure for the new director was declared unfruitful in 2011 and that this post, vacant since 15 October 2010, has not been filled in the course of 2012;

         Performance

                  14.

                  Notes with satisfaction that the Centre made Gantt charts for all key operational activities of 2011 available, as requested by the discharge authority;

                  15.

                  Notes from the annual accounts that PMS has been fully implemented and encourages the Centre to further develop qualitative assessments to supplement the more quantitative PMS indicators;

                  16.

                  Invites the Commission, together with the European Training Foundation, the European Centre for the Development of Vocational Training, European Foundation for the Improvement of Living and Working Conditions and the European Agency for Safety and Health at Work to further explore the synergies that exist between those agencies and to report to the discharge authority on the possible deeper integration of those four agencies; invites those agencies and the Commission to evaluate whether closer cooperation could lead to economies of scale and optimisation of their performance;

         Cooperation with the European Training Foundation (ETF)

                  17.

                  Notes that in November 2009, the cooperation agreement between the Centre and ETF was renewed for the period 2010-2013; acknowledges that each year, in the context of the cooperation framework, the Centre and ETF draft a joint work programme which is annexed to the work programmes of each Agency;

                  18.

                  Establishes that in 2011, the Centre and ETF further systematised their cooperation to maximise the benefits for their respective mandates, which resulted in the organisation of knowledge sharing seminars, collaboration in the area of qualifications development and the implementation of common Union instruments, in cooperating for the preparation of the 2012 reporting progress of candidate countries, as part of the follow up to the Bruges communiqué on enhanced European Cooperation in Vocational Education and Training;

         Internal audit

                  19.

                  Welcomes the information provided by the Centre by letter of 23 February 2012 to the effect that all seven IAS recommendations from 2009 have been implemented by the end of December 2011; calls on the Centre to inform the discharge authority of the implementation progress of the 2010 recommendations;

                  20.

                  Welcomes the information received by letter of 23 February 2012 to the effect that all baseline requirements for Internal Control Standards (ICS) 8 were fully met by the end of 2011; takes note of the Centre’s commitment to meet the baseline requirements for ICS 10 during the first semester of 2012;

         Internal audit capability (IAC)

                  21.

                  Acknowledges, nevertheless, observations from the Centre that the IAC functions are now covered either by external contractors (for example, an audit of the Centre’s financial software was contracted out and concluded in 2011) or by internal project groups, as relevant; notes, moreover, that the Centre has finished documenting all the main procedures (an external auditor has been contracted to steer this process) and trainings have been organised to ensure the implementation of the annual work programme and effective controls;

                  22.

                  Refers, in respect of the other observations accompanying its Decision on discharge, which are of a horizontal nature, to its Resolution of 17 April 2013 (7) on the performance, financial management and control of the agencies.

         (1)  OJ C 388, 15.12.2012, p. 17.

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

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

         (4)  OJ L 39, 13.2.1975, p. 1.

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

         (6)  OJ L 286, 17.10.2012, p. 148.

         (7)  Texts adopted, P7_TA(2013)0134 (see page 374 of this Official Journal).


title: 2013/596/EU: Decision of the European Parliament of 17 April 2013 on discharge in respect of the implementation of the budget of the European Training Foundation for the financial year 2011#Resolution of the European Parliament of 17 April 2013 with observations forming an integral part of its decision on discharge in respect of the implementation of the budget of the European Training Foundation for the financial year 2011

text:
               16.11.2013

               EN

               Official Journal of the European Union

               L 308/289

         DECISION OF THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT
   of 17 April 2013
   on discharge in respect of the implementation of the budget of the European Training Foundation for the financial year 2011
   (2013/596/EU)
   THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT,

               —

               having regard to the final annual accounts of the European Training Foundation for the financial year 2011,

               —

               having regard to the Court of Auditors’ report on the annual accounts of the European Training Foundation for the financial year 2011, together with the Foundation’s replies (1),

               —

               having regard to the Council’s recommendation of 12 February 2013 (05753/2013 – C7-0041/2013),

               —

               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 (2), and in particular Article 185 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 (3), and in particular Article 208 thereof,

               —

               having regard to Regulation (EC) No 1339/2008 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 16 December 2008 establishing a European Training Foundation (4), and in particular Article 17 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 (5), and in particular Article 94 thereof,

               —

               having regard to Rule 77 of, and Annex VI to, its Rules of Procedure,

               —

               having regard to the report of the Committee on Budgetary Control and the opinion of the Committee on Employment and Social Affairs (A7-0080/2013),

               1.

               Grants the Director of the European Training Foundation discharge in respect of the implementation of the Foundation’s budget for the financial year 2011;

               2.

               Sets out its observations in the resolution below;

               3.

               Instructs its President to forward this Decision and the resolution that forms an integral part of it to the Director of the European Training Foundation, 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 388, 15.12.2012, p. 165.

      (2)  OJ L 248, 16.9.2002, p. 1.

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

      (4)  OJ L 354, 31.12.2008, p. 82.

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

      RESOLUTION OF THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT
      of 17 April 2013
      with observations forming an integral part of its decision on discharge in respect of the implementation of the budget of the European Training Foundation for the financial year 2011
      THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT,

                  —

                  having regard to the final annual accounts of the European Training Foundation for the financial year 2011,

                  —

                  having regard to the Court of Auditors’ report on the annual accounts of the European Training Foundation for the financial year 2011, together with the Foundation’s replies (1),

                  —

                  having regard to the Council’s recommendation of 12 February 2013 (05753/2013 – C7-0041/2013),

                  —

                  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 (2), and in particular Article 185 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 (3), and in particular Article 208 thereof,

                  —

                  having regard to Regulation (EC) No 1339/2008 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 16 December 2008 establishing a European Training Foundation (4), and in particular Article 17 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 (5), and in particular Article 94 thereof,

                  —

                  having regard to Rule 77 of, and Annex VI to, its Rules of Procedure,

                  —

                  having regard to the report of the Committee on Budgetary Control and the opinion of the Committee on Employment and Social Affairs (A7-0080/2013),

                  A.

                  whereas the European Training Foundation (‘the Foundation’), which is located in Turin, was established by Council Regulation (EEC) No 1360/90 (6),

                  B.

                  whereas the Court of Auditors stated that it has obtained reasonable assurances that the Foundation’s annual accounts for the financial year 2011 are reliable and that the underlying transactions are legal and regular,

                  C.

                  whereas on 10 May 2012, Parliament granted the Foundation’s Director discharge for the implementation of the Foundation’s budget for the financial year 2010 (7), and in its resolution accompanying the discharge decision, inter alia:

                              —

                              called on the Foundation and the Commission to inform the discharge authority of the actual contribution granted to the Foundation for the financial year 2010,

                              —

                              urged the Foundation to focus on cost-effective reporting relevant to the Foundation’s Governing Board and key stakeholders allowing them to check the Foundation’s performance,

                              —

                              called on the Foundation to implement the remaining recommendations of the Internal Audit Service (IAS) from previous audits,

                              —

                              called on the Foundation to inform the discharge authority of the revision of its original budget for 2010,

                  D.

                  whereas the commitments appropriations (8) in the 2011 budget were EUR 20 350 000 and EUR 19 850 000 for payments,

                  E.

                  whereas the total contribution of the Union to the Foundation’s budget for 2011 was EUR 19 850 000, compared to EUR 19 297 822 in 2010, which represents an increase of 2,86 %,

                  F.

                  whereas, at the end of 2011, the Foundation recorded a positive budget outturn of EUR 117 686,58,

         Budgetary and financial management

                  1.

                  Recalls that the total Union contribution to the Agency for 2011 amounted to EUR 19 850 000;

                  2.

                  Calls on the Foundation and the Commission to inform the discharge authority of the actual contribution granted to the Foundation for the financial year 2011, as it is not very clear from the Foundation’s annual accounts;

                  3.

                  Recalls that the Foundation is to return a total of EUR 117 686,58 to the Commission, representing the budget outturn for 2011;

                  4.

                  Observes from the Foundation’s annual activity report (AAR) that it achieved a commitment rate of 99,69 %, similar to the execution rate of 2010, but higher in nominal terms;

                  5.

                  Acknowledges from the AAR that in 2011, the Foundation amended its budget once to integrate assigned revenue (EUR 286 284,28 available from the previous years and EUR 4 522,81 in accumulated interest), which is usually undefined at the time of the adoption of the budget (November 2010 for the 2011 budget);

                  6.

                  Takes note that according to the Foundation, its treasury management is governed by a Memorandum of Understanding with its parent Directorate-General Education and Culture (DG EAC), which defines clear criteria for the disbursement of the subvention on the basis of strict cash flow requirements; notes, furthermore, that following the Court of Auditors’ visit in November 2012, the Foundation plans to draft and adopt a formal treasury policy in 2013; calls on the Foundation to inform the discharge authority of the actions taken to adopt a formal treasury policy in order to minimise and spread financial risk while aiming at adequate returns;

         Transfers and carryovers

                  7.

                  Establishes from the AAR that including the payments on operational commitments carried forward from 2010, the Foundation achieved a payment execution rate of 99,8 % of the EUR 19 850 000 available payment appropriations in 2011, compared to 96,5 % in 2010 and 90 % in 2009;

                  8.

                  Acknowledges from the AAR that the Foundation reduced the number of budgetary transfers to 12 in 2011, compared with 15 in 2010 and 33 in 2009; acknowledges that the Foundation carried forward 13,1 % of the 2011 amount committed, compared to 12,8 % in 2010 and 17 % in 2009;

                  9.

                  Takes note that the rate for the carry forward of operational activities — differentiated appropriations (reste à liquider) is 33 %, while the administrative carry forward for non-differentiated appropriations is 3,9 %;

                  10.

                  Observes that following the review of activities and budget allocation, the Foundation proposed a budgetary reallocation to reinforce operational activities, resulting in a transfer of commitment and payment appropriations from Title I to Titles II and III of EUR 147 340;

         Public procurement

                  11.

                  Establishes that in the area of procurement, nine tendering procedures were cancelled, 38 contracts were signed and 104 contracts were active on 31 December 2011;

         Premises

                  12.

                  Acknowledges from the Court of Auditors that the situation regarding the Foundation’s premises is unsatisfactory and puts its activities at risk of disruption; calls on the Foundation to persevere in its efforts to reach a satisfactory solution and to inform the discharge authority of the actions taken to address this deficiency; notes that the Foundation is now in the process of signing the new service contract with the region, which is planned — following the agreement with the parties — for the end of February 2013;

         Human resources

                  13.

                  Notes from the AAR that at the end of 2011, the Foundation had six vacant posts in its establishment plan, compared to four at the end of 2010;

                  14.

                  Observes that the number of staff at the Foundation now stands at 125, with seven staff members joining the Foundation and 10 leaving in 2011;

                  15.

                  Takes note from the AAR that the number of posts available for the implementation of the Foundation mandate is as follows:

                              —

                              90 temporary posts;

                              —

                              32 contract and local agents,

                              —

                              two local agents, and

                              —

                              one seconded national expert;

         Performance

                  16.

                  Observes from the AAR that the Foundation developed a revised list of corporate performance indicators with the aim of enhancing the relevance and measurability of its objectives and to provide data on how the Foundation performs at an aggregated level in relation to its core business and its functioning;

                  17.

                  Notes, in addition, that the Foundation developed the ‘dashboard’ project, which aims to ensure live key data for the daily monitoring of its activities and, in particular, for management and reporting;

                  18.

                  Acknowledges that the Foundation successfully continued the second year of the Torino Process, which provides a concise, documented, comprehensive analysis of vocational education and training reform in each country, including the identification of key policy trends, challenges, constraints, good practice and opportunities, with the conference consolidating the findings of analyses from 2010 and agreement on the Torino Declaration, as well as the Torinet initiative on capacity building in evidence-based policy making;

         Cooperation with the European Centre for the Development of Vocational Training (Cedefop)

                  19.

                  Notes that in November 2009, the cooperation agreement between the Foundation and Cedefop was renewed for the period 2010-2013; acknowledges that each year the Foundation and Cedefop draft a joint work programme in the context of the cooperation framework, which is annexed to the work programmes of each Agency; welcomes the Foundation’s intention to devote further space to reporting on the implementation of this joint work programme in future AARs;

                  20.

                  Establishes that in 2011, the Foundation and Cedefop further systematised their cooperation to maximise the benefits for their respective mandates, which resulted in the organisation of knowledge sharing seminars, collaborations in the area of qualifications development, the implementation of common Union instruments and cooperation for the preparation of the 2012 reporting progress of Candidate Countries as part of the follow up to the Bruges Communiqué on enhanced European Cooperation in Vocational Education and Training;

                  21.

                  Invites the Commission, together with the Foundation, the European Centre for the Development of Vocational Training, European Foundation for the Improvement of Living and Working Conditions and the European Agency for Safety and Health at Work to further explore the synergies that exist between those agencies and to report to the discharge authority on the possible deeper integration of those four agencies; invites those agencies and the Commission to evaluate whether closer cooperation could lead to economies of scale and optimisation of their performance;

         Internal audit

                  22.

                  Acknowledges that the IAS undertook an operational and compliance audit on external and internal communication in the Foundation in 2011; notes, in particular, that the IAS raised 14 recommendations, of which no recommendations were rated as ‘critical or ‘very important’; notes, furthermore, that 12 recommendations were rated as ‘important’ and one recommendation was rated as ‘desirable’;

                  23.

                  Calls, in this context, on the Foundation to implement the IAS recommendations;

                  24.

                  Refers, in respect of the other observations accompanying its Decision on discharge, which are of a horizontal nature, to its resolution of 17 April 2013 (9) on the performance, financial management and control of the agencies.

         (1)  OJ C 388, 15.12.2012, p. 165.

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

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

         (4)  OJ L 354, 31.12.2008, p. 82.

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

         (6)  OJ L 131, 23.5.1990, p. 1.

         (7)  OJ L 286, 17.10.2012, p. 238.

         (8)  Annual Accounts for 2011, p. 13.

         (9)  Texts adopted P7_TA(2013)0134. (See page 374 of this Official Journal).


title: 2011/443/EU: Council Decision of 20 June 2011 on the approval, on behalf of the European Union, of the Agreement on Port State Measures to Prevent, Deter and Eliminate Illegal, Unreported and Unregulated Fishing#Agreement on Port State Measures to Prevent, Deter and Eliminate Illegal, Unreported and Unregulated Fishing

text:
               22.7.2011

               EN

               Official Journal of the European Union

               L 191/1

         COUNCIL DECISION
   of 20 June 2011
   on the approval, on behalf of the European Union, of the Agreement on Port State Measures to Prevent, Deter and Eliminate Illegal, Unreported and Unregulated Fishing
   (2011/443/EU)
   THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION,
   Having regard to the Treaty on European Union,
   Having regard to the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union, and in particular Article 43, in conjunction with Article 218(6)(a), thereof
   Having regard to the proposal from the European Commission,
   Having regard to the consent of the European Parliament,
   Whereas:

               (1)

               The European Union is competent to adopt measures for the conservation, management and control of fishery resources; it is also competent to enter into agreements with third countries and within the framework of international organisations.

               (2)

               The European Union is a contracting party to the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea of 10 December 1982, which, inter alia, requires all members of the international community to cooperate in managing and conserving the biological resources of the sea.

               (3)

               The European Union and its Members are Contracting Parties to the 1995 Agreement for the Implementation of the Provisions of the United Nations Convention of the Law of the Sea relating to the Conservation and Management of Straddling Fish Stocks and Highly Migratory Fish Stocks, which entered into force on 11 December 2001.

               (4)

               The Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) Conference approved, at its Thirty Sixth Session held in Rome on 18-23 November 2009, the Agreement on Port State Measures to Prevent, Deter and Eliminate Illegal, Unreported and Unregulated Fishing (hereinafter ‘the Agreement’) in accordance with Article XIV, paragraph 1, of the FAO Constitution, for submission to FAO Members.

               (5)

               The Agreement was signed on 22 November 2009 on behalf of the European Community, subject to its conclusion at a later date.

               (6)

               The Union is a major player in international fisheries and one of the main global markets for fishery products and it is in its interest to play an effective role in the implementation of the Agreement and to approve the Agreement.

               (7)

               The Agreement should therefore be approved,

         HAS ADOPTED THIS DECISION:
   Article 1
   The Agreement on Port State Measures to Prevent, Deter and Eliminate Illegal, Unreported and Unregulated Fishing (hereinafter ‘the Agreement’) is hereby approved on behalf of the Union.
   The text of the Agreement and the Declaration concerning the competence of the Union are attached to this Decision.
   Article 2
   The President of the Council shall designate the person(s) empowered to proceed, on behalf of the Union, to deposit the instrument of approval with the Director-General of the Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations acting in his capacity as Depositary of the Agreement in accordance with Article 26 of the Agreement, together with the Declaration concerning the competence of the Union.
   Article 3
   This Decision shall enter into force on the day of its adoption.

      Done at Luxembourg, 20 June 2011.

            For the Council

            The President

         MATOLCSY Gy.

      AGREEMENT
      on Port State Measures to Prevent, Deter and Eliminate Illegal, Unreported and Unregulated Fishing
      PREAMBLE
      THE PARTIES TO THIS AGREEMENT,
      DEEPLY CONCERNED about the continuation of illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing and its detrimental effect upon fish stocks, marine ecosystems and the livelihoods of legitimate fishers, and the increasing need for food security on a global basis,
      CONSCIOUS of the role of the port State in the adoption of effective measures to promote the sustainable use and the long-term conservation of living marine resources,
      RECOGNISING that measures to combat illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing should build on the primary responsibility of flag States and use all available jurisdiction in accordance with international law, including port State measures, coastal State measures, market related measures and measures to ensure that nationals do not support or engage in illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing,
      RECOGNISING that port State measures provide a powerful and cost-effective means of preventing, deterring and eliminating illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing,
      AWARE OF the need for increasing coordination at the regional and interregional levels to combat illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing through port State measures,
      ACKNOWLEDGING the rapidly developing communications technology, databases, networks and global records that support port State measures,
      RECOGNISING the need for assistance to developing countries to adopt and implement port State measures,
      TAKING NOTE OF the calls by the international community through the United Nations System, including the United Nations General Assembly and the Committee on Fisheries of the Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations, hereinafter referred to as FAO, for a binding international instrument on minimum standards for port State measures, based on the 2001 FAO International Plan of Action to Prevent, Deter and Eliminate Illegal, Unreported and Unregulated Fishing and the 2005 FAO Model Scheme on Port State Measures to Combat Illegal, Unreported and Unregulated Fishing,
      BEARING IN MIND that, in the exercise of their sovereignty over ports located in their territory, States may adopt more stringent measures, in accordance with international law,
      RECALLING the relevant provisions of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea of 10 December 1982, hereinafter referred to as the Convention,
      RECALLING the Agreement for the Implementation of the Provisions of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea of 10 December 1982 relating to the Conservation and Management of Straddling Fish Stocks and Highly Migratory Fish Stocks of 4 December 1995, the Agreement to Promote Compliance with International Conservation and Management Measures by Fishing Vessels on the High Seas of 24 November 1993 and the 1995 FAO Code of Conduct for Responsible Fisheries,
      RECOGNISING the need to conclude an international agreement within the framework of FAO, under Article XIV of the FAO Constitution,
      HAVE AGREED AS FOLLOWS:
      PART 1

         GENERAL PROVISIONS

      Article 1
      Use of terms
      For the purposes of this Agreement:

                  (a)

                  ‘conservation and management measures’ means measures to conserve and manage living marine resources that are adopted and applied consistently with the relevant rules of international law including those reflected in the Convention;

                  (b)

                  ‘fish’ means all species of living marine resources, whether processed or not;

                  (c)

                  ‘fishing’ means searching for, attracting, locating, catching, taking or harvesting fish or any activity which can reasonably be expected to result in the attracting, locating, catching, taking or harvesting of fish;

                  (d)

                  ‘fishing related activities’ means any operation in support of, or in preparation for, fishing, including the landing, packaging, processing, transshipping or transporting of fish that have not been previously landed at a port, as well as the provisioning of personnel, fuel, gear and other supplies at sea;

                  (e)

                  ‘illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing’ refers to the activities set out in paragraph 3 of the 2001 FAO International Plan of Action to Prevent, Deter and Eliminate Illegal, Unreported and Unregulated Fishing, hereinafter referred to as IUU fishing;

                  (f)

                  ‘Party’ means a State or regional economic integration organisation that has consented to be bound by this Agreement and for which this Agreement is in force;

                  (g)

                  ‘port’ includes offshore terminals and other installations for landing, transshipping, packaging, processing, refueling or resupplying;

                  (h)

                  ‘regional economic integration organisation’ means a regional economic integration organisation to which its member States have transferred competence over matters covered by this Agreement, including the authority to make decisions binding on its member States in respect of those matters;

                  (i)

                  ‘regional fisheries management organisation’ means an intergovernmental fisheries organisation or arrangement, as appropriate, that has the competence to establish conservation and management measures; and

                  (j)

                  ‘vessel’ means any vessel, ship of another type or boat used for, equipped to be used for, or intended to be used for, fishing or fishing related activities.

            Article 2
      Objective
      The objective of this Agreement is to prevent, deter and eliminate IUU fishing through the implementation of effective port State measures, and thereby to ensure the long-term conservation and sustainable use of living marine resources and marine ecosystems.
      Article 3
      Application
      1.   Each Party shall, in its capacity as a port State, apply this Agreement in respect of vessels not entitled to fly its flag that are seeking entry to its ports or are in one of its ports, except for:

                  (a)

                  vessels of a neighbouring State that are engaged in artisanal fishing for subsistence, provided that the port State and the flag State cooperate to ensure that such vessels do not engage in IUU fishing or fishing related activities in support of such fishing; and

                  (b)

                  container vessels that are not carrying fish or, if carrying fish, only fish that have been previously landed, provided that there are no clear grounds for suspecting that such vessels have engaged in fishing related activities in support of IUU fishing.

            2.   A Party may, in its capacity as a port State, decide not to apply this Agreement to vessels chartered by its nationals exclusively for fishing in areas under its national jurisdiction and operating under its authority therein. Such vessels shall be subject to measures by the Party which are as effective as measures applied in relation to vessels entitled to fly its flag.
      3.   This Agreement shall apply to fishing conducted in marine areas that is illegal, unreported or unregulated, as defined in Article 1(e) of this Agreement, and to fishing related activities in support of such fishing.
      4.   This Agreement shall be applied in a fair, transparent and non-discriminatory manner, consistent with international law.
      5.   As this Agreement is global in scope and applies to all ports, the Parties shall encourage all other entities to apply measures consistent with its provisions. Those that may not otherwise become Parties to this Agreement may express their commitment to act consistently with its provisions.
      Article 4
      Relationship with international law and other international instruments
      1.   Nothing in this Agreement shall prejudice the rights, jurisdiction and duties of Parties under international law. In particular, nothing in this Agreement shall be construed to affect:

                  (a)

                  the sovereignty of Parties over their internal, archipelagic and territorial waters or their sovereign rights over their continental shelf and in their exclusive economic zones;

                  (b)

                  the exercise by Parties of their sovereignty over ports in their territory in accordance with international law, including their right to deny entry thereto as well as to adopt more stringent port State measures than those provided for in this Agreement, including such measures adopted pursuant to a decision of a regional fisheries management organisation.

            2.   In applying this Agreement, a Party does not thereby become bound by measures or decisions of, or recognise, any regional fisheries management organisation of which it is not a member.
      3.   In no case is a Party obliged under this Agreement to give effect to measures or decisions of a regional fisheries management organisation if those measures or decisions have not been adopted in conformity with international law.
      4.   This Agreement shall be interpreted and applied in conformity with international law taking into account applicable international rules and standards, including those established through the International Maritime Organisation, as well as other international instruments.
      5.   Parties shall fulfil in good faith the obligations assumed pursuant to this Agreement and shall exercise the rights recognised herein in a manner that would not constitute an abuse of right.
      Article 5
      Integration and coordination at the national level
      Each Party shall, to the greatest extent possible:

                  (a)

                  integrate or coordinate fisheries related port State measures with the broader system of port State controls;

                  (b)

                  integrate port State measures with other measures to prevent, deter and eliminate IUU fishing and fishing related activities in support of such fishing, taking into account as appropriate the 2001 FAO International Plan of Action to Prevent, Deter and Eliminate Illegal, Unreported and Unregulated Fishing; and

                  (c)

                  take measures to exchange information among relevant national agencies and to coordinate the activities of such agencies in the implementation of this Agreement.

            Article 6
      Cooperation and exchange of information
      1.   In order to promote the effective implementation of this Agreement and with due regard to appropriate confidentiality requirements, Parties shall cooperate and exchange information with relevant States, FAO, other international organisations and regional fisheries management organisations, including on the measures adopted by such regional fisheries management organisations in relation to the objective of this Agreement.
      2.   Each Party shall, to the greatest extent possible, take measures in support of conservation and management measures adopted by other States and other relevant international organisations.
      3.   Parties shall cooperate, at the subregional, regional and global levels, in the effective implementation of this Agreement including, where appropriate, through FAO or regional fisheries management organisations and arrangements.
      PART 2

         ENTRY INTO PORT

      Article 7
      Designation of ports
      1.   Each Party shall designate and publicise the ports to which vessels may request entry pursuant to this Agreement. Each Party shall provide a list of its designated ports to FAO, which shall give it due publicity.
      2.   Each Party shall, to the greatest extent possible, ensure that every port designated and publicised in accordance with paragraph 1 of this Article has sufficient capacity to conduct inspections pursuant to this Agreement.
      Article 8
      Advance request for port entry
      1.   Each Party shall require, as a minimum standard, the information requested in Annex A to be provided before granting entry to a vessel to its port.
      2.   Each Party shall require the information referred to in paragraph 1 of this Article to be provided sufficiently in advance to allow adequate time for the port State to examine such information.
      Article 9
      Port entry, authorisation or denial
      1.   After receiving the relevant information required pursuant to Article 8, as well as such other information as it may require to determine whether the vessel requesting entry into its port has engaged in IUU fishing or fishing related activities in support of such fishing, each Party shall decide whether to authorise or deny the entry of the vessel into its port and shall communicate this decision to the vessel or to its representative.
      2.   In the case of authorisation of entry, the master of the vessel or the vessel’s representative shall be required to present the authorisation for entry to the competent authorities of the Party upon the vessel’s arrival at port.
      3.   In the case of denial of entry, each Party shall communicate its decision taken pursuant to paragraph 1 of this Article to the flag State of the vessel and, as appropriate and to the extent possible, relevant coastal States, regional fisheries management organisations and other international organisations.
      4.   Without prejudice to paragraph 1 of this Article, when a Party has sufficient proof that a vessel seeking entry into its port has engaged in IUU fishing or fishing related activities in support of such fishing, in particular the inclusion of a vessel on a list of vessels having engaged in such fishing or fishing related activities adopted by a relevant regional fisheries management organisation in accordance with the rules and procedures of such organisation and in conformity with international law, the Party shall deny that vessel entry into its ports, taking into due account paragraphs 2 and 3 of Article 4.
      5.   Notwithstanding paragraphs 3 and 4 of this Article, a Party may allow entry into its ports of a vessel referred to in those paragraphs exclusively for the purpose of inspecting it and taking other appropriate actions in conformity with international law which are at least as effective as denial of port entry in preventing, deterring and eliminating IUU fishing and fishing related activities in support of such fishing.
      6.   Where a vessel referred to in paragraph 4 or 5 of this Article is in port for any reason, a Party shall deny such vessel the use of its ports for landing, transshipping, packaging, and processing of fish and for other port services including, inter alia, refueling and resupplying, maintenance and drydocking. Paragraphs 2 and 3 of Article 11 apply mutatis mutandis in such cases. Denial of such use of ports shall be in conformity with international law.
      Article 10
      Force majeure or distress
      Nothing in this Agreement affects the entry of vessels to port in accordance with international law for reasons of force majeure or distress, or prevents a port State from permitting entry into port to a vessel exclusively for the purpose of rendering assistance to persons, ships or aircraft in danger or distress.
      PART 3

         USE OF PORTS

      Article 11
      Use of ports
      1.   Where a vessel has entered one of its ports, a Party shall deny, pursuant to its laws and regulations and consistent with international law, including this Agreement, that vessel the use of the port for landing, transshipping, packaging and processing of fish that have not been previously landed and for other port services, including, inter alia, refueling and resupplying, maintenance and drydocking, if:

                  (a)

                  the Party finds that the vessel does not have a valid and applicable authorisation to engage in fishing or fishing related activities required by its flag State;

                  (b)

                  the Party finds that the vessel does not have a valid and applicable authorisation to engage in fishing or fishing related activities required by a coastal State in respect of areas under the national jurisdiction of that State;

                  (c)

                  the Party receives clear evidence that the fish on board was taken in contravention of applicable requirements of a coastal State in respect of areas under the national jurisdiction of that State;

                  (d)

                  the flag State does not confirm within a reasonable period of time, on the request of the port State, that the fish on board was taken in accordance with applicable requirements of a relevant regional fisheries management organisation taking into account paragraphs 2 and 3 of Article 4; or

                  (e)

                  the Party has reasonable grounds to believe that the vessel was otherwise engaged in IUU fishing or fishing related activities in support of such fishing, including in support of a vessel referred to in paragraph 4 of Article 9, unless the vessel can establish:

                              (i)

                              that it was acting in a manner consistent with relevant conservation and management measures; or

                              (ii)

                              in the case of provision of personnel, fuel, gear and other supplies at sea, that the vessel that was provisioned was not, at the time of provisioning, a vessel referred to in paragraph 4 of Article 9.

            2.   Notwithstanding paragraph 1 of this Article, a Party shall not deny a vessel referred to in that paragraph the use of port services:

                  (a)

                  essential to the safety or health of the crew or the safety of the vessel, provided these needs are duly proven; or

                  (b)

                  where appropriate, for the scrapping of the vessel.

            3.   Where a Party has denied the use of its port in accordance with this Article, it shall promptly notify the flag State and, as appropriate, relevant coastal States, regional fisheries management organisations and other relevant international organisations of its decision.
      4.   A Party shall withdraw its denial of the use of its port pursuant to paragraph 1 of this Article in respect of a vessel only if there is sufficient proof that the grounds on which use was denied were inadequate or erroneous or that such grounds no longer apply.
      5.   Where a Party has withdrawn its denial pursuant to paragraph 4 of this Article, it shall promptly notify those to whom a notification was issued pursuant to paragraph 3 of this Article.
      PART 4

         INSPECTIONS AND FOLLOW-UP ACTIONS

      Article 12
      Levels and priorities for inspection
      1.   Each Party shall inspect the number of vessels in its ports required to reach an annual level of inspections sufficient to achieve the objective of this Agreement.
      2.   Parties shall seek to agree on the minimum levels for inspection of vessels through, as appropriate, regional fisheries management organisations, FAO or otherwise.
      3.   In determining which vessels to inspect, a Party shall give priority to:

                  (a)

                  vessels that have been denied entry or use of a port in accordance with this Agreement;

                  (b)

                  requests from other relevant Parties, States or regional fisheries management organisations that particular vessels be inspected, particularly where such requests are supported by evidence of IUU fishing or fishing related activities in support of such fishing by the vessel in question; and

                  (c)

                  other vessels for which there are clear grounds for suspecting that they have engaged in IUU fishing or fishing related activities in support of such fishing.

            Article 13
      Conduct of inspections
      1.   Each Party shall ensure that its inspectors carry out the functions set forth in Annex B as a minimum standard.
      2.   Each Party shall, in carrying out inspections in its ports:

                  (a)

                  ensure that inspections are carried out by properly qualified inspectors authorised for that purpose, having regard in particular to Article 17;

                  (b)

                  ensure that, prior to an inspection, inspectors are required to present to the master of the vessel an appropriate document identifying the inspectors as such;

                  (c)

                  ensure that inspectors examine all relevant areas of the vessel, the fish on board, the nets and any other gear, equipment, and any document or record on board that is relevant to verifying compliance with relevant conservation and management measures;

                  (d)

                  require the master of the vessel to give inspectors all necessary assistance and information, and to present relevant material and documents as may be required, or certified copies thereof;

                  (e)

                  in case of appropriate arrangements with the flag State of the vessel, invite the flag State to participate in the inspection;

                  (f)

                  make all possible efforts to avoid unduly delaying the vessel to minimise interference and inconvenience, including any unnecessary presence of inspectors on board, and to avoid action that would adversely affect the quality of the fish on board;

                  (g)

                  make all possible efforts to facilitate communication with the master or senior crew members of the vessel, including where possible and where needed that the inspector is accompanied by an interpreter;

                  (h)

                  ensure that inspections are conducted in a fair, transparent and non-discriminatory manner and would not constitute harassment of any vessel; and

                  (i)

                  not interfere with the master’s ability, in conformity with international law, to communicate with the authorities of the flag State.

            Article 14
      Results of inspections
      Each Party shall, as a minimum standard, include the information set out in Annex C in the written report of the results of each inspection.
      Article 15
      Transmittal of inspection results
      Each Party shall transmit the results of each inspection to the flag State of the inspected vessel and, as appropriate, to:

                  (a)

                  relevant Parties and States, including:

                              (i)

                              those States for which there is evidence through inspection that the vessel has engaged in IUU fishing or fishing related activities in support of such fishing within waters under their national jurisdiction; and

                              (ii)

                              the State of which the vessel’s master is a national.

                  (b)

                  relevant regional fisheries management organisations; and

                  (c)

                  FAO and other relevant international organisations.

            Article 16
      Electronic exchange of information
      1.   To facilitate implementation of this Agreement, each Party shall, where possible, establish a communication mechanism that allows for direct electronic exchange of information, with due regard to appropriate confidentiality requirements.
      2.   To the extent possible and with due regard to appropriate confidentiality requirements, Parties should cooperate to establish an information-sharing mechanism, preferably coordinated by FAO, in conjunction with other relevant multilateral and intergovernmental initiatives, and to facilitate the exchange of information with existing databases relevant to this Agreement.
      3.   Each Party shall designate an authority that shall act as a contact point for the exchange of information under this Agreement. Each Party shall notify the pertinent designation to FAO.
      4.   Each Party shall handle information to be transmitted through any mechanism established under paragraph 1 of this Article consistent with Annex D.
      5.   FAO shall request relevant regional fisheries management organisations to provide information concerning the measures or decisions they have adopted and implemented which relate to this Agreement for their integration, to the extent possible and taking due account of the appropriate confidentiality requirements, into the information-sharing mechanism referred to in paragraph 2 of this Article.
      Article 17
      Training of inspectors
      Each Party shall ensure that its inspectors are properly trained taking into account the guidelines for the training of inspectors in Annex E. Parties shall seek to cooperate in this regard.
      Article 18
      Port State actions following inspection
      1.   Where, following an inspection, there are clear grounds for believing that a vessel has engaged IUU fishing or fishing related activities in support of such fishing, the inspecting Party shall:

                  (a)

                  promptly notify the flag State and, as appropriate, relevant coastal States, regional fisheries management organisations and other international organisations, and the State of which the vessel’s master is a national of its findings; and

                  (b)

                  deny the vessel the use of its port for landing, transshipping, packaging and processing of fish that have not been previously landed and for other port services, including, inter alia, refueling and resupplying, maintenance and drydocking, if these actions have not already been taken in respect of the vessel, in a manner consistent with this Agreement, including Article 4.

            2.   Notwithstanding paragraph 1 of this Article, a Party shall not deny a vessel referred to in that paragraph the use of port services essential for the safety or health of the crew or the safety of the vessel.
      3.   Nothing in this Agreement prevents a Party from taking measures that are in conformity with international law in addition to those specified in paragraphs 1 and 2 of this Article, including such measures as the flag State of the vessel has expressly requested or to which it has consented.
      Article 19
      Information on recourse in the port State
      1.   A Party shall maintain the relevant information available to the public and provide such information, upon written request, to the owner, operator, master or representative of a vessel with regard to any recourse established in accordance with its national laws and regulations concerning port State measures taken by that Party pursuant to Article 9, 11, 13 or 18, including information pertaining to the public services or judicial institutions available for this purpose, as well as information on whether there is any right to seek compensation in accordance with its national laws and regulations in the event of any loss or damage suffered as a consequence of any alleged unlawful action by the Party.
      2.   The Party shall inform the flag State, the owner, operator, master or representative, as appropriate, of the outcome of any such recourse. Where other Parties, States or international organisations have been informed of the prior decision pursuant to Article 9, 11, 13 or 18, the Party shall inform them of any change in its decision.
      PART 5

         ROLE OF FLAG STATES

      Article 20
      Role of flag States
      1.   Each Party shall require the vessels entitled to fly its flag to cooperate with the port State in inspections carried out pursuant to this Agreement.
      2.   When a Party has clear grounds to believe that a vessel entitled to fly its flag has engaged in IUU fishing or fishing related activities in support of such fishing and is seeking entry to or is in the port of another State, it shall, as appropriate, request that State to inspect the vessel or to take other measures consistent with this Agreement.
      3.   Each Party shall encourage vessels entitled to fly its flag to land, transship, package and process fish, and use other port services, in ports of States that are acting in accordance with, or in a manner consistent with this Agreement. Parties are encouraged to develop, including through regional fisheries management organisations and FAO, fair, transparent and non-discriminatory procedures for identifying any State that may not be acting in accordance with, or in a manner consistent with, this Agreement.
      4.   Where, following port State inspection, a flag State Party receives an inspection report indicating that there are clear grounds to believe that a vessel entitled to fly its flag has engaged in IUU fishing or fishing related activities in support of such fishing, it shall immediately and fully investigate the matter and shall, upon sufficient evidence, take enforcement action without delay in accordance with its laws and regulations.
      5.   Each Party shall, in its capacity as a flag State, report to other Parties, relevant port States and, as appropriate, other relevant States, regional fisheries management organisations and FAO on actions it has taken in respect of vessels entitled to fly its flag that, as a result of port State measures taken pursuant to this Agreement, have been determined to have engaged in IUU fishing or fishing related activities in support of such fishing.
      6.   Each Party shall ensure that measures applied to vessels entitled to fly its flag are at least as effective in preventing, deterring, and eliminating IUU fishing and fishing related activities in support of such fishing as measures applied to vessels referred to in paragraph 1 of Article 3.
      PART 6

         REQUIREMENTS OF DEVELOPING STATES

      Article 21
      Requirements of developing States
      1.   Parties shall give full recognition to the special requirements of developing States Parties in relation to the implementation of port State measures consistent with this Agreement. To this end, Parties shall, either directly or through FAO, other specialised agencies of the United Nations or other appropriate international organisations and bodies, including regional fisheries management organisations, provide assistance to developing States Parties in order to, inter alia:

                  (a)

                  enhance their ability, in particular the least-developed among them and small island developing States, to develop a legal basis and capacity for the implementation of effective port State measures;

                  (b)

                  facilitate their participation in any international organisations that promote the effective development and implementation of port State measures; and

                  (c)

                  facilitate technical assistance to strengthen the development and implementation of port State measures by them, in coordination with relevant international mechanisms.

            2.   Parties shall give due regard to the special requirements of developing port States Parties, in particular the least-developed among them and small island developing States, to ensure that a disproportionate burden resulting from the implementation of this Agreement is not transferred directly or indirectly to them. In cases where the transfer of a disproportionate burden has been demonstrated, Parties shall cooperate to facilitate the implementation by the relevant developing States Parties of specific obligations under this Agreement.
      3.   Parties shall, either directly or through FAO, assess the special requirements of developing States Parties concerning the implementation of this Agreement.
      4.   Parties shall cooperate to establish appropriate funding mechanisms to assist developing States in the implementation of this Agreement. These mechanisms shall, inter alia, be directed specifically towards:

                  (a)

                  developing national and international port State measures;

                  (b)

                  developing and enhancing capacity, including for monitoring, control and surveillance and for training at the national and regional levels of port managers, inspectors, and enforcement and legal personnel;

                  (c)

                  monitoring, control, surveillance and compliance activities relevant to port State measures, including access to technology and equipment; and

                  (d)

                  listing developing States Parties with the costs involved in any proceedings for the settlement of disputes that result from actions they have taken pursuant to this Agreement.

            5.   Cooperation with and among developing States Parties for the purposes set out in this Article may include the provision of technical and financial assistance through bilateral, multilateral and regional channels, including South-South cooperation.
      6.   Parties shall establish an ad hoc working group to periodically report and make recommendations to the Parties on the establishment of funding mechanisms including a scheme for contributions, identification and mobilisation of funds, the development of criteria and procedures to guide implementation, and progress in the implementation of the funding mechanisms. In addition to the considerations provided in this Article, the ad hoc working group shall take into account, inter alia:

                  (a)

                  the assessment of the needs of developing States Parties, in particular the least-developed among them and small island developing States;

                  (b)

                  the availability and timely disbursement of funds;

                  (c)

                  transparency of decision-making and management processes concerning fundraising and allocations; and

                  (d)

                  accountability of the recipient developing States Parties in the agreed use of funds.

            Parties shall take into account the reports and any recommendations of the ad hoc working group and take appropriate action.
      PART 7

         DISPUTE SETTLEMENT

      Article 22
      Peaceful settlement of disputes
      1.   Any Party may seek consultations with any other Party or Parties on any dispute with regard to the interpretation or application of the provisions of this Agreement with a view to reaching a mutually satisfactory solution as soon as possible.
      2.   In the event that the dispute is not resolved through these consultations within a reasonable period of time, the Parties in question shall consult among themselves as soon as possible with a view to having the dispute settled by negotiation, inquiry, mediation, conciliation, arbitration, judicial settlement or other peaceful means of their own choice.
      3.   Any dispute of this character not so resolved shall, with the consent of all Parties to the dispute, be referred for settlement to the International Court of Justice, to the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea or to arbitration. In the case of failure to reach agreement on referral to the International Court of Justice, to the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea or to arbitration, the Parties shall continue to consult and cooperate with a view to reaching settlement of the dispute in accordance with the rules of international law relating to the conservation of living marine resources.
      PART 8

         NON-PARTIES

      Article 23
      Non-Parties to this Agreement
      1.   Parties shall encourage non-Parties to this Agreement to become Parties thereto and/or to adopt laws and regulations and implement measures consistent with its provisions.
      2.   Parties shall take fair, non-discriminatory and transparent measures consistent with this Agreement and other applicable international law to deter the activities of non-Parties which undermine the effective implementation of this Agreement.
      PART 9

         MONITORING, REVIEW AND ASSESSMENT

      Article 24
      Monitoring, review and assessment
      1.   Parties shall, within the framework of FAO and its relevant bodies, ensure the regular and systematic monitoring and review of the implementation of this Agreement as well as the assessment of progress made towards achieving its objective.
      2.   Four years after the entry into force of this Agreement, FAO shall convene a meeting of the Parties to review and assess the effectiveness of this Agreement in achieving its objective. The Parties shall decide on further such meetings as necessary.
      PART 10

         FINAL PROVISIONS

      Article 25
      Signature
      This Agreement shall be open for signature at FAO from the twenty-second day of November 2009 until the twenty-first day of November 2010, by all States and regional economic integration organisations.
      Article 26
      Ratification, acceptance or approval
      1.   This Agreement shall be subject to ratification, acceptance or approval by the signatories.
      2.   Instruments of ratification, acceptance or approval shall be deposited with the Depositary.
      Article 27
      Accession
      1.   After the period in which this Agreement is open for signature, it shall be open for accession by any State or regional economic integration organisation.
      2.   Instruments of accession shall be deposited with the Depositary.
      Article 28
      Participation by Regional Economic Integration Organisations
      1.   In cases where a regional economic integration organisation that is an international organisation referred to in Annex IX, Article 1, of the Convention does not have competence over all the matters governed by this Agreement, Annex IX to the Convention shall apply mutatis mutandis to participation by such regional economic integration organisation in this Agreement, except that the following provisions of that Annex shall not apply:

                  (a)

                  Article 2, first sentence; and

                  (b)

                  Article 3, paragraph 1.

            2.   In cases where a regional economic integration organisation that is an international organisation referred to in Annex IX, Article 1, of the Convention has competence over all the matters governed by this Agreement, the following provisions shall apply to participation by the regional economic integration organisation in this Agreement:

                  (a)

                  at the time of signature or accession, such organisation shall make a declaration stating:

                              (i)

                              that it has competence over all the matters governed by this Agreement;

                              (ii)

                              that, for this reason, its member States shall not become States Parties, except in respect of their territories for which the organisation has no responsibility; and

                              (iii)

                              that it accepts the rights and obligations of States under this Agreement;

                  (b)

                  participation of such an organisation shall in no case confer any rights under this Agreement on member States of the organisation;

                  (c)

                  in the event of a conflict between the obligations of such organisation under this Agreement and its obligations under the Agreement establishing the organisation or any acts relating to it, the obligations under this Agreement shall prevail.

            Article 29
      Entry into force
      1.   This Agreement shall enter into force thirty days after the date of deposit with the Depositary of the twenty-fifth instrument of ratification, acceptance, approval or accession in accordance with Article 26 or 27.
      2.   For each signatory which ratifies, accepts or approves this Agreement after its entry into force, this Agreement shall enter into force thirty days after the date of the deposit of its instrument of ratification, acceptance or approval.
      3.   For each State or regional economic integration organisation which accedes to this Agreement after its entry into force, this Agreement shall enter into force thirty days after the date of the deposit of its instrument of accession.
      4.   For the purposes of this Article, any instrument deposited by a regional economic integration organisation shall not be counted as additional to those deposited by its Member States.
      Article 30
      Reservations and exceptions
      No reservations or exceptions may be made to this Agreement.
      Article 31
      Declarations and statements
      Article 30 does not preclude a State or regional economic integration organisation, when signing, ratifying, accepting, approving or acceding to this Agreement, from making a declaration or statement, however phrased or named, with a view to, inter alia, the harmonisation of its laws and regulations with the provisions of this Agreement, provided that such declaration or statement does not purport to exclude or to modify the legal effect of the provisions of this Agreement in their application to that State or regional economic integration organisation.
      Article 32
      Provisional application
      1.   This Agreement shall be applied provisionally by States or regional economic integration organisations which consent to its provisional application by so notifying the Depositary in writing. Such provisional application shall become effective from the date of receipt of the notification.
      2.   Provisional application by a State or regional economic integration organisation shall terminate upon the entry into force of this Agreement for that State or regional economic integration organisation or upon notification by that State or regional economic integration organisation to the Depositary in writing of its intention to terminate provisional application.
      Article 33
      Amendments
      1.   Any Party may propose amendments to this Agreement after the expiry of a period of two years from the date of entry into force of this Agreement.
      2.   Any proposed amendment to this Agreement shall be transmitted by written communication to the Depositary along with a request for the convening of a meeting of the Parties to consider it. The Depositary shall circulate to all Parties such communication as well as all replies to the request received from Parties. Unless within six months from the date of circulation of the communication one half of the Parties object to the request, the Depositary shall convene a meeting of the Parties to consider the proposed amendment.
      3.   Subject to Article 34, any amendment to this Agreement shall only be adopted by consensus of the Parties present at the meeting at which it is proposed for adoption.
      4.   Subject to Article 34, any amendment adopted by the meeting of the Parties shall come into force among the Parties having ratified, accepted or approved it on the ninetieth day after the deposit of instruments of ratification, acceptance or approval by two-thirds of the Parties to this Agreement based on the number of Parties on the date of adoption of the amendment. Thereafter the amendment shall enter into force for any other Party on the ninetieth day after that Party deposits its instrument of ratification, acceptance or approval of the amendment.
      5.   For the purposes of this Article, an instrument deposited by a regional economic integration organisation shall not be counted as additional to those deposited by its Member States.
      Article 34
      Annexes
      1.   The Annexes form an integral part of this Agreement and a reference to this Agreement shall constitute a reference to the Annexes.
      2.   An amendment to an Annex to this Agreement may be adopted by two-thirds of the Parties to this Agreement present at a meeting where the proposed amendment to the Annex is considered. Every effort shall however be made to reach agreement on any amendment to an Annex by way of consensus. An amendment to an Annex shall be incorporated in this Agreement and enter into force for those Parties that have expressed their acceptance from the date on which the Depositary receives notification of acceptance from one-third of the Parties to this Agreement, based on the number of Parties on the date of adoption of the amendment. The amendment shall thereafter enter into force for each remaining Party upon receipt by the Depositary of its acceptance.
      Article 35
      Withdrawal
      Any Party may withdraw from this Agreement at any time after the expiry of one year from the date upon which the Agreement entered into force with respect to that Party, by giving written notice of such withdrawal to the Depositary. Withdrawal shall become effective one year after receipt of the notice of withdrawal by the Depositary.
      Article 36
      The Depositary
      The Director-General of the FAO shall be the Depositary of this Agreement. The Depositary shall:

                  (a)

                  transmit certified copies of this Agreement to each signatory and Party;

                  (b)

                  register this Agreement, upon its entry into force, with the Secretariat of the United Nations in accordance with Article 102 of the Charter of the United Nations;

                  (c)

                  promptly inform each signatory and Party to this Agreement of all:

                              (i)

                              signatures and instruments of ratification, acceptance, approval and accession deposited under Articles 25, 26 and 27;

                              (ii)

                              the date of entry into force of this Agreement in accordance with Article 29;

                              (iii)

                              proposals for amendment to this Agreement and their adoption and entry into force in accordance with Article 33;

                              (iv)

                              proposals for amendment to the Annexes and their adoption and entry into force in accordance with Article 34; and

                              (v)

                              withdrawals from this Agreement in accordance with Article 35.

            Article 37
      Authentic texts
      The Arabic, Chinese, English, French, Russian and Spanish texts of this Agreement are equally authentic.

         IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned Plenipotentiaries, being duly authorised, have signed this Agreement.
         DONE at Rome on this twenty-second day of November in the year two thousand and nine.

         ANNEX A

            Information to be provided in advance by vessels requesting port entry

         ANNEX B

            Port State inspection procedures

         Inspectors shall:

                     (a)

                     verify, to the extent possible, that the vessel identification documentation onboard and information relating to the owner of the vessel is true, complete and correct, including through appropriate contacts with the flag State or international records of vessels if necessary;

                     (b)

                     verify that the vessel’s flag and markings (e.g. name, external registration number, International Maritime Organisation (IMO) ship identification number, international radio call sign and other markings, main dimensions) are consistent with information contained in the documentation;

                     (c)

                     verify, to the extent possible, that the authorisations for fishing and fishing related activities are true, complete, correct and consistent with the information provided in accordance with Annex A;

                     (d)

                     review all other relevant documentation and records held onboard, including, to the extent possible, those in electronic format and vessel monitoring system (VMS) data from the flag State or relevant regional fisheries management organisations (RFMOs). Relevant documentation may include logbooks, catch, transshipment and trade documents, crew lists, stowage plans and drawings, descriptions of fish holds, and documents required pursuant to the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora;

                     (e)

                     examine, to the extent possible, all relevant fishing gear onboard, including any gear stowed out of sight as well as related devices, and to the extent possible, verify that they are in conformity with the conditions of the authorisations. The fishing gear shall, to the extent possible, also be checked to ensure that features such as the mesh and twine size, devices and attachments, dimensions and configuration of nets, pots, dredges, hook sizes and numbers are in conformity with applicable regulations and that the markings correspond to those authorised for the vessel;

                     (f)

                     determine, to the extent possible, whether the fish on board was harvested in accordance with the applicable authorisations;

                     (g)

                     examine the fish, including by sampling, to determine its quantity and composition. In doing so, inspectors may open containers where the fish has been pre-packed and move the catch or containers to ascertain the integrity of fish holds. Such examination may include inspections of product type and determination of nominal weight;

                     (h)

                     evaluate whether there is clear evidence for believing that a vessel has engaged in IUU fishing or fishing related activities in support of such fishing;

                     (i)

                     provide the master of the vessel with the report containing the result of the inspection, including possible measures that could be taken, to be signed by the inspector and the master. The master’s signature on the report shall serve only as acknowledgment of the receipt of a copy of the report. The master shall be given the opportunity to add any comments or objection to the report, and, as appropriate, to contact the relevant authorities of the flag State in particular where the master has serious difficulties in understanding the content of the report. A copy of the report shall be provided to the master; and

                     (j)

                     arrange, where necessary and possible, for translation of relevant documentation.

         ANNEX C

            Report of the results of the inspection

         ANNEX D

            INFORMATION SYSTEMS ON PORT STATE MEASURES

         In implementing this Agreement, each Party shall:

                     (a)

                     seek to establish computerised communication in accordance with Article 16;

                     (b)

                     establish, to the extent possible, websites to publicise the list of ports designated in accordance with Article 7 and the actions taken in accordance with the relevant provisions of this Agreement;

                     (c)

                     identify, to the greatest extent possible, each inspection report by a unique reference number starting with 3-alpha code of the port State and identification of the issuing agency;

                     (d)

                     utilise, to the extent possible, the international coding system below in Annexes A and C and translate any other coding system into the international system.

                                 countries/territories

                                 :

                                 ISO-31663-alpha Country Code

                                 species

                                 :

                                 ASFIS 3-alpha code (known as FAO 3-alpha code)

                                 vessel types

                                 :

                                 ISSCFV code (known as FAO alpha code)

                                 gear types

                                 :

                                 ISSCFG code (known as FAO alpha code)

         ANNEX E

            Guidelines for the training of inspectors

         Elements of a training programme for port State inspectors should include at least the following areas:

                     1.

                     Ethics;

                     2.

                     Health, safety and security issues;

                     3.

                     Applicable national laws and regulations, areas of competence and conservation and management measures of relevant RFMOs, and applicable international law;

                     4.

                     Collection, evaluation and preservation of evidence;

                     5.

                     General inspection procedures such as report writing and interview techniques;

                     6.

                     Analysis of information, such as logbooks, electronic documentation and vessel history (name, ownership and flag State), required for the validation of information given by the master of the vessel;

                     7.

                     Vessel boarding and inspection, including hold inspections and calculation of vessel hold volumes;

                     8.

                     Verification and validation of information related to landings, transshipments, processing and fish remaining onboard, including utilising conversion factors for the various species and products;

                     9.

                     Identification of fish species, and the measurement of length and other biological parameters;

                     10.

                     Identification of vessels and gear, and techniques for the inspection and measurement of gear;

                     11.

                     Equipment and operation of VMS and other electronic tracking systems; and

                     12.

                     Actions to be taken following an inspection.

      DECLARATION CONCERNING THE COMPETENCE OF THE EUROPEAN UNION WITH REGARD TO MATTERS GOVERNED BY THE AGREEMENT ON PORT STATE MEASURES TO PREVENT, DETER AND ELIMINATE ILLEGAL, UNREPORTED AND UNREGULATED FISHING
      (Declaration made pursuant to point (a) of Article 28(2) of the Agreement)

                  1.

                  Point (a) of Article 28(2) of the Agreement stipulates that in cases where a regional economic integration organisation has competence over all the matters governed by this Agreement, at the time of signature or accession, such organisation shall make a declaration to this effect.

                  2.

                  Pursuant to point (h) of Article 1 of the Agreement a ‘regional economic integration organisation’ means a regional economic integration organisation to which its member States have transferred competence over matters covered by the Agreement, including the authority to make decisions binding on its member States in respect of those matters.

                  3.

                  The European Union is considered a regional economic integration organisation in accordance with the above quoted Articles.

                  4.

                  Consequently, the European Union hereby declares that:

                              (i)

                              it has competence over all the matters governed by the Agreement;

                              (ii)

                              for this reason, its Member States shall not become State Parties, except in respect of their territories for which it has no responsibility.
                              The current Member States of the European Union are: the Kingdom of Belgium, the Republic of Bulgaria, the Czech Republic, the Kingdom of Denmark, the Federal Republic of Germany, the Republic of Estonia, Ireland, the Hellenic Republic, the Kingdom of Spain, the French Republic, the Italian Republic, the Republic of Cyprus, the Republic of Latvia, the Republic of Lithuania, the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg, the Republic of Hungary, Malta, the Kingdom of the Netherlands, the Republic of Austria, the Republic of Poland, the Portuguese Republic, Romania, the Republic of Slovenia, the Slovak Republic, the Republic of Finland, the Kingdom of Sweden and the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland;

                              (iii)

                              the European Union accepts the rights and obligations of States under the Agreement.

                  5.

                  The European Union states that, in the event of the occurrence of a conflict as referred to in Article 28(2)(c) of the Agreement, it will apply the obligations stemming from that provision in accordance with the Treaty establishing the European Community as interpreted by the European Court of Justice.