title: 2014/572/EU: Decision of the European Parliament of 3 April 2014 on the closure of the accounts of the European Asylum Support Office for the financial year 2012

text:
               5.9.2014

               EN

               Official Journal of the European Union

               L 266/190

         DECISION OF THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT
   of 3 April 2014
   on the closure of the accounts of the European Asylum Support Office for the financial year 2012
   (2014/572/EU)
   THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT,

               —

               having regard to the final annual accounts of the European Asylum Support Office for the financial year 2012,

               —

               having regard to the Court of Auditors’ report on the annual accounts of the European Asylum Support Office for the financial year 2012, together with the Office’s replies (1),

               —

               having regard to the Council’s recommendation of 18 February 2014 (05849/2014 – C7-0054/2014),

               —

               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 (EU) No 439/2010 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 19 May 2010 establishing a European Asylum Support Office (4), and in particular Article 35 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),

               —

               having regard to Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) No 1271/2013 of 30 September 2013 on the framework financial regulation for the bodies referred to in Article 208 of Regulation (EU, Euratom) No 966/2012 of the European Parliament and of the Council (6), and in particular Article 108 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 the Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs (A7-0187/2014),

               1.

               Approves the closure of the accounts of the European Asylum Support Office for the financial year 2012;

               2.

               Instructs its President to forward this Decision to the Executive Director of the European Asylum Support Office, the Council, the Commission and the Court of Auditors, and to arrange for its publication in the Official Journal of the European Union (L series).

            The President

         Martin SCHULZ

            The Secretary-General

         Klaus WELLE

      (1)  OJ C 365, 13.12.2013, p. 73.

      (2)  OJ L 248, 16.9.2002, p. 1.

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

      (4)  OJ L 132, 29.5.2010, p. 11.

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

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


title: Council Decision (EU) 2015/397 of 5 March 2015 establishing the position to be adopted on behalf of the European Union in the relevant Committees of the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe as regards the proposals for amendments to UN Regulations Nos 3, 7, 13, 19, 23, 37, 38, 41, 43, 45, 48, 50, 51, 53, 55, 59, 75, 78, 86, 98, 99, 106, 107, 110, 112, 113, 117, 119, 123, 128, 129, on Amendment 2 to UN GTR No 3 with regard to motorcycle braking, and on Amendment 3 to UN GTR No 4 with regard to the Worldwide Heavy-Duty Certification procedure

text:
               11.3.2015

               EN

               Official Journal of the European Union

               L 66/12

         COUNCIL DECISION (EU) 2015/397
   of 5 March 2015
   establishing the position to be adopted on behalf of the European Union in the relevant Committees of the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe as regards the proposals for amendments to UN Regulations Nos 3, 7, 13, 19, 23, 37, 38, 41, 43, 45, 48, 50, 51, 53, 55, 59, 75, 78, 86, 98, 99, 106, 107, 110, 112, 113, 117, 119, 123, 128, 129, on Amendment 2 to UN GTR No 3 with regard to motorcycle braking, and on Amendment 3 to UN GTR No 4 with regard to the Worldwide Heavy-Duty Certification procedure
   THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION,
   Having regard to the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union, and in particular Article 114, in conjunction with Article 218(9) thereof,
   Having regard to the proposal from the European Commission,
   Whereas:

               (1)

               In accordance with Council Decision 97/836/EC (1), the Union acceded to the Agreement of the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE) concerning the adoption of uniform technical prescriptions for wheeled vehicles, equipment and parts which can be fitted to and/or be used on wheeled vehicles and the conditions for reciprocal recognition of approvals granted on the basis of these prescriptions (‘Revised 1958 Agreement’).

               (2)

               In accordance with Council Decision 2000/125/EC (2), the Union acceded to the Agreement concerning the establishing of global technical regulations for wheeled vehicles, equipment and parts which can be fitted and/or be used on wheeled vehicles (‘Parallel Agreement’).

               (3)

               Directive 2007/46/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council (3) replaced the approval systems of the Member States with a Union approval procedure and established a harmonised framework containing administrative provisions and general technical requirements for all new vehicles, systems, components and separate technical units. That Directive incorporated UN regulations in the EU type-approval system, either as requirements for type-approval or as alternatives to Union legislation. Since the adoption of that Directive, UN regulations have increasingly replaced Union legislation in the framework of the EU type-approval.

               (4)

               In the light of experience and technical developments, the requirements relating to certain elements or features covered by UN Regulations Nos 3, 7, 13, 19, 23, 37, 38, 41, 43, 45, 48, 50, 51, 53, 55, 59, 75, 78, 86, 98, 99, 106, 107, 110, 112, 113, 117, 119, 123, 128, 129, by UN GTR No 3 with regard to motorcycle braking, and by UN GTR No 4 with regard to the Worldwide Heavy-Duty Certification procedure, need to be adapted.

               (5)

               It is therefore necessary to establish the position to be adopted on the Union's behalf in the Administrative Committee of the Revised 1958 Agreement and in the Executive Committee of the Parallel Agreement, as regards the adoption of those UN acts,

         HAS ADOPTED THIS DECISION:
   Article 1
   The position to be adopted on behalf of the Union in the Administrative Committee of the Revised 1958 Agreement and in the Executive Committee of the Parallel Agreement on 10 to 13 March 2015 shall be to vote in favour of the UN acts listed in the Annex to this Decision.
   Article 2
   This Decision shall enter into force on the date of its adoption.

      Done at Brussels, 5 March 2015.

            For the Council

            The President

         D. REIZNIECE-OZOLA

      (1)  Council Decision 97/836/EC of 27 November 1997 with a view to accession by the European Community to the Agreement of the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe concerning the adoption of uniform technical prescriptions for wheeled vehicles, equipment and parts which can be fitted to and/or be used on wheeled vehicles and the conditions for reciprocal recognition of approvals granted on the basis of these prescriptions (‘Revised 1958 Agreement’) (OJ L 346, 17.12.1997, p. 78).

      (2)  Council Decision 2000/125/EC of 31 January 2000 concerning the conclusion of the Agreement concerning the establishing of global technical regulations for wheeled vehicles, equipment and parts which can be fitted and/or be used on wheeled vehicles (‘Parallel Agreement’) (OJ L 35, 10.2.2000, p. 12).

      (3)  Directive 2007/46/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 5 September 2007 establishing a framework for the approval of motor vehicles and their trailers, and of systems, components and separate technical units intended for such vehicles (Framework Directive) (OJ L 263, 9.10.2007, p. 1).

      ANNEX

                  Proposal for Supplement 16 to the 02 series of amendments to Regulation No 3 (Retro-reflecting devices)

                  ECE/TRANS/WP.29/2015/14

                  Proposal for Supplement 24 to the 02 series of amendments to Regulation No 7 (Position, stop and end-outline lamps)

                  ECE/TRANS/WP.29/2015/15

                  Proposal for Supplement 13 to the 11 series of amendments to Regulation No 13 (Heavy vehicle braking)

                  ECE/TRANS/WP.29/2015/6

                  Proposal for Supplement 8 to the 04 series of amendments to Regulation No 19 (Front fog lamps)

                  ECE/TRANS/WP.29/2015/16

                  Proposal for Supplement 20 to Regulation No 23 (Reversing lamps)

                  ECE/TRANS/WP.29/2015/17

                  Proposal for Supplement 44 to the 03 series of amendments to Regulation No 37 (Filament lamps)

                  ECE/TRANS/WP.29/2015/18

                  Proposal for Supplement 17 to Regulation No 38 (Rear fog lamps)

                  ECE/TRANS/WP.29/2015/19

                  Proposal for Supplement 2 to the 04 series of amendments to Regulation No 41 (Noise emissions of motorcycles)

                  ECE/TRANS/WP.29/2015/2

                  Proposal for Supplement 4 to the 01 series of amendments to Regulation No 43 (Safety glazings)

                  ECE/TRANS/WP.29/2015/11

                  Corrigendum 5 to Revision 3 of Regulation No 43 (Safety glazings)

                  ECE/TRANS/WP.29/2015/34

                  Proposal for Supplement 9 to the 01 series of amendments to Regulation No 45 (Headlamp cleaners)

                  ECE/TRANS/WP.29/2015/20

                  Proposal for Supplement 6 to the 06 series of amendments to Regulation No 48 (Installation of lighting and light-signalling devices)

                  ECE/TRANS/WP.29/2015/21
                  ECE/TRANS/WP.29/2015/21/Corr.1

                  Proposal for Supplement 8 to the 05 series of amendments to Regulation No 48 (Installation of lighting and light-signalling devices)

                  ECE/TRANS/WP.29/2015/22
                  ECE/TRANS/WP.29/2015/22/Corr.1

                  Proposal for Supplement 15 to the 04 series of amendments to Regulation No 48 (Installation of lighting and light-signalling devices)

                  ECE/TRANS/WP.29/2015/23
                  ECE/TRANS/WP.29/2015/23/Corr.1

                  Proposal for Supplement 17 to Regulation No 50 (Position, stop, direction indicator lamps for mopeds and motorcycles)

                  ECE/TRANS/WP.29/2015/24

                  Proposal for the 03 series of amendments to Regulation No 51 (Noise of M and N categories of vehicles)

                  ECE/TRANS/WP.29/2015/3

                  Proposal for supplement 15 to the 01 series of amendments to Regulation No 53 (Installation of lighting and light-signalling devices for L3 vehicles)

                  ECE/TRANS/WP.29/2015/25
                  ECE/TRANS/WP.29/2015/25/Corr.1
                  ECE/TRANS/WP.29/2015/25/Corr.2

                  Proposal for Supplement 4 to the 01 series of amendments to Regulation No 55 (Mechanical couplings)

                  ECE/TRANS/WP.29/2015/7

                  Proposal for the 02 series of amendments to Regulation No 59 (Replacement silencing systems)

                  ECE/TRANS/WP.29/2015/4

                  Proposal for Supplement 15 to Regulation No 75 (Tyres for motorcycles/mopeds)

                  ECE/TRANS/WP.29/2015/8

                  Proposal for Supplement 2 to the 03 series of amendments to Regulation No 78 (Braking of category L vehicles)

                  ECE/TRANS/WP.29/2015/9

                  Proposal for Supplement 6 to Regulation No 86 (Installation of lighting and light-signalling devices for agricultural tractors)

                  ECE/TRANS/WP.29/2015/26

                  Proposal for Supplement 6 to the 01 series of amendments to Regulation No 98 (Headlamps with gas-discharge light sources)

                  ECE/TRANS/WP.29/2015/27

                  Proposal for Supplement 10 to Regulation No 99 (Gas discharge light sources)

                  ECE/TRANS/WP.29/2015/28

                  Proposal for Supplement 12 of amendments to Regulation No 106 (Tyres for agricultural vehicles)

                  ECE/TRANS/WP.29/2015/10

                  Proposal for Supplement 2 to the 06 series of amendments to Regulation No 107 (M2 and M3 vehicles)

                  ECE/TRANS/WP.29/2014/77

                  Proposal for Supplement 3 to the 05 series of amendments to Regulation No 107 (M2 and M3 vehicles)

                  ECE/TRANS/WP.29/2015/12

                  Proposal for Supplement 3 to the 06 series of amendments to Regulation No 107 (M2 and M3 vehicles)

                  ECE/TRANS/WP.29/2015/44

                  Proposal for Supplement 3 to the 01 series of amendments to the Regulation No 110 (CNG/LNG vehicles)

                  ECE/TRANS/WP.29/2015/13

                  Proposal for Supplement 6 to the 01 series of amendments to Regulation No 112 (Headlamps emitting an asymmetrical passing-beam)

                  ECE/TRANS/WP.29/2015/29

                  Proposal for Supplement 5 to the 01 series of amendments to Regulation No 113 (Headlamps emitting a symmetrical passing-beam)

                  ECE/TRANS/WP.29/2015/30

                  Proposal for Supplement 7 to the 02 series of amendments to Regulation No 117 (Tyres, rolling resistance, rolling noise and wet grip)

                  ECE/TRANS/WP.29/2015/5

                  Proposal for Supplement 4 to the 01 series of amendments to Regulation No 119 (Cornering lamps)

                  ECE/TRANS/WP.29/2015/31

                  Proposal for Supplement 7 to the 01 series of amendments to Regulation No 123 (Adaptive Front lighting Systems (AFS))

                  ECE/TRANS/WP.29/2015/32

                  Proposal for Supplement 4 to Regulation No 128 (LED light sources)

                  ECE/TRANS/WP.29/2015/33
                  ECE/TRANS/WP.29/2015/33/Corr.1

                  Proposal for Supplement 4 to Regulation No 129 (Enhanced Child Restraint System)

                  ECE/TRANS/WP.29/2015/43

                  Amendment 2 to global technical Regulation No 3 (Motorcycle braking)

                  ECE/TRANS/WP.29/2015/38
                  ECE/TRANS/WP.29/2015/39
                  ECE/TRANS/WP.29/AC.3/37

                  Amendment 3 to global technical Regulation No 4 (Worldwide Heavy-Duty Certification procedure (WHDC))

                  ECE/TRANS/WP.29/2014/84
                  ECE/TRANS/WP.29/2014/85
                  ECE/TRANS/WP.29/AC.3/29
                  ECE/TRANS/WP.29/AC.3/38


Avis juridique important

|

31994D0646

94/646/EC: Council Decision of 19 September 1994 on the conclusion of the Agreement in the form of an exchange of letters on the provisional application of the Protocol defining for the period 3 May 1994 to 2 May 1996 the fishing possibilities and financial compensation provided for in the Agreement between the European Economic Community and the Government of the People's Republic of Angola on fishing off Angola

Official Journal L 251 , 27/09/1994 P. 0021 - 0021 Finnish special edition: Chapter 4 Volume 6 P. 0126  Swedish special edition: Chapter 4 Volume 6 P. 0126

COUNCIL DECISION of 19 September 1994 on the conclusion of the Agreement in the form of an exchange of letters on the provisional application of the Protocol defining for the period 3 May 1994 to 2 May 1996 the fishing possibilities and financial  compensation provided for in the Agreement between the European Economic Community and the Government of the People's Republic of Angola on fishing off Angola (94/646/EC)THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION,  Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Community,  Having regard to the Agreement between the European Economic Community and the Government of the People's Republic of Angola on fishing off Angola (1),  Having regard to the proposal from the Commission,  Whereas the Community and the Republic of Angola held negotiations to determine the amendments or additions to be made to the abovementioned Agreement on the expiry of the application period of the Third Protocol annexed to the Agreement and currently  in force;  Whereas, as a result of those negotiations, a new Protocol was initialled on 24 March 1994;  Whereas the Protocol provides Community fishermen with fishing opportunities in waters over which Angola has sovereignty from 3 May 1994 to 2 May 1996;  Whereas, in order to avoid any interruption in the fishing activities of Community vessels, the new Protocol should be applied as soon as possible; whereas for this reason the two Parties have initialled an Agreement in the form of an exchange of  letters providing for the provisional application of the initialled Protocol from the day following that on which the Protocol currently in force expires; whereas that Agreement should be approved, pending a final decision to be taken on the basis of  Article 43 of the Treaty,  HAS DECIDED AS FOLLOWS:   Article 1  The Agreement in the form of an exchange of letters on the provisional application of the Protocol defining for the period 3 May 1994 to 2 May 1996, the fishing possibilities and financial compensation provided for in the Agreement between  the European Economic Community and the Government of the People's Republic of Angola on fishing off Angola is hereby approved on behalf of the Community.  The text of the Agreement is attached to this Decision.   Article 2  The President of the Council is hereby authorized to designate the persons empowered to sign the Agreement in the form of an exchange of letters in order to bind the Community.  Done at Brussels, 19 September 1994.  For the Council The President J. BORCHERT  (1) OJ No L 341, 3. 12. 1987, p. 1.


title: 2013/790/EU: Council Decision of 13 December 2013 on the acceptance on behalf of the European Union of the Amendment to Articles 25 and 26 of the Convention on the Protection and Use of Transboundary Watercourses and International Lakes

text:
               21.12.2013

               EN

               Official Journal of the European Union

               L 349/98

         COUNCIL DECISION
   of 13 December 2013
   on the acceptance on behalf of the European Union of the Amendment to Articles 25 and 26 of the Convention on the Protection and Use of Transboundary Watercourses and International Lakes
   (2013/790/EU)
   THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION,
   Having regard to the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union, and in particular Article 192(1), 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 a Party to the Convention on the Protection and Use of Transboundary Watercourses and International Lakes (‘the Convention’) following its approval in 1995 (1).

               (2)

               The main purpose of the Convention is to establish a framework for bilateral and multilateral cooperation to prevent and control the pollution of transboundary watercourses and to ensure the rational use of water resources in the Member countries of the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE).

               (3)

               At their 2003 Meeting, the Parties to the Convention expressed a wish to allow States situated outside of the UNECE region to become Parties to the Convention in order to promote river basin cooperation throughout the world.

               (4)

               Other UNECE environmental conventions, for instance, the Convention on the Access to Justice in Environmental Matters and the Convention on Environmental Impact Assessment in a Transboundary Context, are open to States situated outside of the UNECE region.

               (5)

               The European Community participated in the 2003 Meeting of the Parties which adopted the Amendment allowing accession of any State that is a Member of the United Nations to accede to the Convention upon approval by the Meeting of the Parties.

               (6)

               The Amendment will enter into force upon acceptance of all States and organisations that were Parties to the Convention on 28 November 2003.

               (7)

               The Amendment should be accepted on behalf of the Union,

         HAS ADOPTED THIS DECISION:
   Article 1
   The Amendment to Articles 25 and 26 of the Convention (‘the Amendment’) on the Protection and Use of Transboundary Watercourses and International Lakes (‘the Convention’) opening accession to the Convention to all United Nations Member States which has been adopted at the Third Meeting of the Parties is hereby accepted on behalf of the Union.
   The text of the Amendment is attached to this Decision.
   Article 2
   The President of the Council shall designate the person empowered to proceed, on behalf of the Union, to the deposit of the instrument of acceptance of the Amendment provided for in Article 21 (4) of the Convention, in order to express the consent of the Union to be bound by this Amendment.
   Article 3
   This Decision shall enter into force on the day of its adoption.

      Done at Brussels, 13 December 2013.

            For the Council

            The President

         V. MAZURONIS

      (1)  OJ L 186, 5.8.1995, p. 42.

      AMENDMENT TO THE WATER CONVENTION

                  (a)

                  A new paragraph is inserted in article 25, after paragraph 2, of the Convention, reading
                  ‘3.   Any other State, not referred to in paragraph 2, that is a Member of the United Nations may accede to the Convention upon approval by the Meeting of the Parties. In its instrument of accession, such a State shall make a declaration stating that approval for its accession to the Convention had been obtained from the Meeting of the Parties and shall specify the date on which approval was received. Any such request for accession by Members of the United Nations shall not be considered for approval by the Meeting of the Parties until this paragraph has entered into force for all the States and organizations that were Parties to the Convention on 28 November 2003’.
                  and the remaining paragraphs are renumbered accordingly;

                  (b)

                  In article 26, paragraph 3, after ‘referred to in article 23’ the words ‘or in paragraph 3 of article 25’ are inserted.


title: Decision (EU) 2016/1474 of the European Parliament of 28 April 2016 on discharge in respect of the implementation of the general budget of the European Union for the financial year 2014, Section X — European External Action Service

text:
               14.9.2016

               EN

               Official Journal of the European Union

               L 246/141

         DECISION (EU) 2016/1474 OF THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT
   of 28 April 2016
   on discharge in respect of the implementation of the general budget of the European Union for the financial year 2014, Section X — European External Action Service
   THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT,

               —

               having regard to the general budget of the European Union for the financial year 2014 (1),

               —

               having regard to the consolidated annual accounts of the European Union for the financial year 2014 (COM(2015)377 – C8-0208/2015) (2),

               —

               having regard to the Court of Auditors’ annual report on the implementation of the budget concerning the financial year 2014, together with the institutions’ replies (3),

               —

               having regard to the statement of assurance (4) as to the reliability of the accounts and the legality and regularity of the underlying transactions provided by the Court of Auditors for the financial year 2014, pursuant to Article 287 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union,

               —

               having regard to Article 314(10) and Articles 317, 318 and 319 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union,

               —

               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 (5), and in particular Articles 55, 99 and 164 to 167 thereof,

               —

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

               —

               having regard to the report of the Committee on Budgetary Control and the opinion of the Committee on Foreign Affairs (A8-0136/2016),

               1.

               Grants the High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy discharge in respect of the implementation of the budget of the European External Action Service for the financial year 2014;

               2.

               Sets out its observations in the resolution below;

               3.

               Instructs its President to forward this decision and the resolution forming an integral part of it to the European External Action Service, the European Council, the Council, the Commission, the Court of Justice of the European Union, the Court of Auditors, the European Ombudsman and the European Data Protection Supervisor, 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 L 51, 20.2.2014.

      (2)  OJ C 377, 13.11.2015, p. 1.

      (3)  OJ C 373, 5.11.2015, p. 1.

      (4)  OJ C 377, 13.11.2015, p. 146.

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


title: Request for defence of the immunity and privileges of Tobias Pflüger European Parliament decision of 24 November 2009 on the request for defence of the immunity and privileges of Tobias Pflüger (2009/2055(IMM))

text:
               21.10.2010

               EN

               Official Journal of the European Union

               CE 285/84

         Tuesday 24 November 2009Request for defence of the immunity and privileges of Tobias Pflüger
   P7_TA(2009)0082
   European Parliament decision of 24 November 2009 on the request for defence of the immunity and privileges of Tobias Pflüger (2009/2055(IMM))
   2010/C 285 E/15

      The European Parliament,
   having regard to the request by Tobias Pflüger for defence of his immunity announced in plenary sitting on 5 May 2009,
   having regard to Article 10 of the Protocol of 8 April 1965 on the Privileges and Immunities of the European Communities, and Article 6(2) of the Act of 20 September 1976 concerning the election of the members of the European Parliament by direct universal suffrage,
   having regard to the judgments of 12 May 1964 and 10 July 1986 (1) of the Court of Justice of the European Communities,
   having regard to Article 46 of the Basic Law for the Federal Republic of Germany,
   having regard to its decision of 16 May 2006 on the request for waiver of the immunity of Tobias Pflüger (2),
   having regard to Rules 6(3) and 7 of its Rules of Procedure,
   having regard to the report of the Committee on Legal Affairs (A7-0054/2009),

               A.

               whereas Parliament has already waived Tobias Pflüger's immunity by its decision of 16 May 2006 concerning the same set of facts,

               B.

               whereas it appears after examination that Parliament's prerogatives are threatened neither by the judgment against Tobias Pflüger of 2 March 2009 nor by the request of the public prosecutor on 15 April 2009 to increase the penalty imposed on him,

               1.

               Decides not to defend the immunity and privileges of Tobias Pflüger;

               2.

               Instructs its President to forward this decision, and the report of the committee responsible, immediately to the appropriate authority of the Federal Republic of Germany.

      (1)  Case 101/63 Wagner v Fohrmann and Krier [1964] ECR 195, and Case 149/85 Wybot v Faure and others [1986] ECR 2391.

      (2)  OJ C 297 E, 7.12.2006, p. 74.


Avis juridique important

|

32002D0596

2002/596/EC: Council Decision of 19 July 2002 on the consequences of the expiry of the Treaty establishing the European Coal and Steel Community (ECSC) on the international agreements concluded by the ECSC

Official Journal L 194 , 23/07/2002 P. 0036 - 0036

Council Decisionof 19 July 2002on the consequences of the expiry of the Treaty establishing the European Coal and Steel Community (ECSC) on the international agreements concluded by the ECSC(2002/596/EC)THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION,Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Community, and in particular Article 133 in conjunction with Article 300(1) thereof,Having regard to the proposal from the Commission,Whereas:(1) By virtue of Article 97 thereof, the ECSC Treaty will expire on 23 July 2002.(2) A number of international agreements with third countries have been concluded by the ECSC.(3) Those agreements do not provide for the eventuality of the expiry of the ECSC Treaty.(4) The subject matter covered by the ECSC Treaty will, upon its expiry, be covered by the Treaty establishing the European Community (EC), including Article 133 thereof.(5) The Representatives of the Governments of the Member States, meeting within the Council, have established that the EC is acceding to the rights and obligations flowing from the international agreements concluded by the ECSC(1).(6) It is considered that it is in the interests of the EC to continue those international agreements beyond the expiry of the ECSC Treaty and that they should devolve on the EC.(7) Some of these agreements may require technical amendments in order to make them compatible with EC rules.(8) It will be necessary to inform the third countries concerned accordingly,HAS DECIDED AS FOLLOWS:Article 1As from 24 July 2002, the EC shall succeed to the rights and obligations flowing from the international agreements concluded by the ECSC with third countries.Article 2The Commission shall inform the third countries concerned of the succession of the EC to the ECSC's rights and obligations flowing from the agreements concerned. It shall furthermore undertake all necessary technical amendments in order to make the agreements compatible with EC rules, and shall, where appropriate, negotiate amendments to the agreements.Article 3This Decision shall take effect on the day following its publication in the Official Journal of the European Communities.This Decision shall apply as from 24 July 2002.Done at Brussels, 19 July 2002.For the CouncilThe PresidentT. Pedersen(1) See page 35 of this Official Journal.


title: Council Decision 2012/33/CFSP of 23 January 2012 appointing the European Union Special Representative for the Middle East peace process

text:
               24.1.2012

               EN

               Official Journal of the European Union

               L 19/17

         COUNCIL DECISION 2012/33/CFSP
   of 23 January 2012
   appointing the European Union Special Representative for the Middle East peace process
   THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION,
   Having regard to the Treaty on European Union and, in particular, Articles 28, 31(2) and 33 thereof,
   Having regard to the proposal from the High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy,
   Whereas:

               (1)

               On 21 July 2003, the Council adopted Joint Action 2003/537/CFSP (1) appointing Mr Marc OTTE as the European Union Special Representative (‘EUSR’) for the Middle East peace process.

               (2)

               Mr Andreas REINICKE should be appointed as EUSR for the Middle East peace process from 1 February 2012 to 30 June 2013.

               (3)

               The EUSR will implement his mandate in the context of a situation which may deteriorate and could impede the achievement of the objectives of the Union’s external action set out in Article 21 of the Treaty,

         HAS ADOPTED THIS DECISION:
   Article 1
   European Union Special Representative
   Mr Andreas REINICKE is appointed as the European Union Special Representative (‘EUSR’) for the Middle East peace process (‘peace process’) from 1 February 2012 until 30 June 2013. The mandate of the EUSR may be terminated earlier, if the Council so decides, upon a proposal from the High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy (‘HR’).
   Article 2
   Policy objectives
   1.   The mandate of the EUSR shall be based on the Union’s policy objectives regarding the peace process.
   2.   These objectives include, inter alia:

               (a)

               a comprehensive peace that should be achieved on the basis of the relevant United Nations (‘UN’) Security Council Resolutions, the Madrid principles, the Roadmap, the agreements previously reached by the parties and the Arab Peace Initiative;

               (b)

               a two-State solution with Israel and a democratic, contiguous, viable, peaceful and sovereign Palestinian State living side by side within secure and recognised borders enjoying normal relations with their neighbours in accordance with UN Security Council Resolutions 242 (1967), 338 (1973), 1397 (2002) and 1402 (2002) and the Madrid principles;

               (c)

               a solution to the Israeli-Syrian and Israeli-Lebanese conflicts;

               (d)

               a solution to resolve the status of Jerusalem as the future capital of two states and a just, viable and agreed solution to the problem of Palestinian refugees;

               (e)

               following-up of the peace process towards a final status agreement and the creation of a Palestinian state including strengthening the role of the Middle East Quartet (‘the Quartet’) as guardian of the Roadmap, particularly in view of the monitoring of the implementation of the obligations which both parties have under the Roadmap and in line with all international efforts to bring about a comprehensive Arab-Israeli peace.

         3.   These objectives are based on the Union’s commitment to work with the parties and with partners in the international community, especially within the framework of the Quartet, to pursue every opportunity for peace and for a decent future for all people in the region.
   4.   The EUSR shall support the work of the HR in the region, including within the framework of the Quartet.
   Article 3
   Mandate
   In order to achieve the policy objectives, the mandate of the EUSR shall be to:

               (a)

               provide an active and efficient Union contribution to actions and initiatives leading to a final settlement of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and of the Israeli-Syrian and Israeli-Lebanese conflicts;

               (b)

               facilitate and maintain close contact with all the parties to the peace process, other countries of the region, members of the Quartet and other relevant countries, as well as the UN and other relevant international organisations, in order to work with them in strengthening the peace process;

               (c)

               ensure continued presence of the Union in relevant international forums and contribute to crisis management and prevention;

               (d)

               observe and support peace negotiations between the parties and put forward Union proposals, on its behalf, in the context of those negotiations;

               (e)

               contribute, where requested, to the implementation of international agreements reached between the parties and engage with them diplomatically in the event of non-compliance with the terms of those agreements;

               (f)

               pay particular attention to factors affecting the regional dimension of the peace process;

               (g)

               engage constructively with signatories to agreements within the framework of the peace process in order to promote compliance with the basic norms of democracy, including respect for human rights and the rule of law;

               (h)

               make proposals for Union intervention in the peace process and on the best way of pursuing Union initiatives and ongoing peace process-related Union efforts, such as the Union’s contribution to Palestinian reforms and including the political aspects of relevant Union development projects;

               (i)

               monitor actions by both sides on the implementation of the Roadmap and on issues that might prejudice the outcome of the permanent status negotiations to enable the Quartet to better assess the parties’ compliance;

               (j)

               as Envoy to the Quartet, report on progress and evolution in the negotiations and contribute to the preparation of Quartet Envoys meetings on the basis of Union positions and through coordination with other Quartet members;

               (k)

               contribute to the implementation of the Union’s human rights policy, including the Union Guidelines on human rights, in particular the EU Guidelines on Children and Armed Conflict as well as on violence against women and girls and combating all forms of discrimination against them, and Union policy regarding UN Security Council Resolution 1325 (2000) on Women, Peace and Security, including by monitoring and reporting on developments as well as formulating recommendations in this regard;

               (l)

               contribute to a better understanding of the role of the Union among opinion leaders in the region.

         Article 4
   Implementation of the mandate
   1.   The EUSR shall be responsible for the implementation of the mandate, acting under the authority of the HR. In order to fulfil his mandate and specific responsibilities in the field the EUSR shall be fully dedicated to the Mission.
   2.   The Political and Security Committee (‘PSC’) shall maintain a privileged link with the EUSR and shall be the EUSR’s primary point of contact with the Council. The PSC shall provide the EUSR with strategic guidance and political direction within the framework of the mandate, without prejudice to the powers of the HR.
   3.   The EUSR shall work in close coordination with the European External Action Service (‘EEAS’).
   4.   Particularly in the course of his missions, the EUSR shall work closely with the EU Representative Office in Jerusalem, the Union Delegation in Tel Aviv as well as with all other relevant Union delegations in the region.
   Article 5
   Financing
   1.   The financial reference amount intended to cover the expenditure related to the mandate of the EUSR in the period from 1 February 2012 to 30 June 2013 shall be EUR 1 300 000.
   2.   The expenditure financed by the amount stipulated in paragraph 1 shall be eligible as from 1 February 2012. The expenditure shall be managed in accordance with the procedures and rules applicable to the general budget of the Union.
   3.   The management of the expenditure shall be subject to a contract between the EUSR and the Commission. The EUSR shall be accountable to the Commission for all expenditure.
   Article 6
   Constitution and composition of the team
   1.   Within the limits of his mandate and the corresponding financial means made available, the EUSR shall be responsible for constituting his team. The team shall include the expertise on specific policy issues as required by the mandate. The EUSR shall promptly and regularly inform the Council and the Commission of the composition of his team.
   2.   Member States, institutions of the Union and the EEAS may propose the secondment of personnel to work with the EUSR. The salary of such seconded personnel shall be covered by the Member State, the institution of the Union concerned or the EEAS, respectively. Experts seconded by Member States to the Union institutions or the EEAS may also be posted to work with the EUSR. Internationally contracted personnel shall have the nationality of a Member State.
   3.   All seconded personnel shall remain under the administrative authority of the sending Member State, the Union institution or the EEAS and shall carry out their duties and act in the interest of the mandate of the EUSR.
   Article 7
   Privileges and immunities of the EUSR and his personnel
   The privileges, immunities and further guarantees necessary for the completion and smooth functioning of the mission of the EUSR and the members of his staff shall be agreed with the host party or parties, as appropriate. Member States and the Commission shall grant all necessary support to such effect.
   Article 8
   Security of EU classified information
   The EUSR and the members of his team shall respect the security principles and minimum standards established by Council Decision 2011/292/EU of 31 March 2011 on the security rules for protecting EU classified information (2).
   Article 9
   Access to information and logistical support
   1.   Member States, the Commission and the General Secretariat of the Council shall ensure that the EUSR is given access to any relevant information.
   2.   Union delegations and/or Member States, as appropriate, shall provide logistical support in the region.
   Article 10
   Security
   In accordance with the Union’s policy on the security of personnel deployed outside the Union in an operational capacity under Title V of the Treaty, the EUSR shall take all reasonably practicable measures, in conformity with his mandate and the security situation in his geographical area of responsibility, for the security of all personnel under his direct authority, notably by:

               (a)

               establishing a mission-specific security plan based on guidance from the EEAS, including mission-specific physical, organisational and procedural security measures, governing management of the secure movement of personnel to, and within, the mission area, as well as management of security incidents and including a mission contingency and evacuation plan;

               (b)

               ensuring that all personnel deployed outside the Union are covered by high risk insurance as required by the conditions in the mission area;

               (c)

               ensuring that all members of his team to be deployed outside the Union, including locally contracted personnel, have received appropriate security training before or upon arriving in the mission area, based on the risk ratings assigned to the mission area by the EEAS;

               (d)

               ensuring that all agreed recommendations made following regular security assessments are implemented and providing the HR, the Council and the Commission with written reports on their implementation and on other security issues within the framework of the mid-term and mandate implementation reports.

         Article 11
   Reporting
   The EUSR shall regularly provide the HR and the PSC with oral and written reports. The EUSR shall also report, as necessary, to Council working parties. Regular written reports shall be circulated through the COREU network. Upon recommendation of the HR or the PSC, the EUSR shall provide the Foreign Affairs Council with reports.
   Article 12
   Coordination
   1.   The EUSR shall promote overall Union political coordination. He shall help to ensure that all Union instruments in the field are engaged coherently to attain the Union’s policy objectives. The activities of the EUSR shall be coordinated with those of the Commission as well as those of other EUSRs active in the region, including the EUSR for the Southern Mediterranean Region, as appropriate. The EUSR shall provide Member States’ missions and Union delegations with regular briefings.
   2.   In the field, close liaison shall be maintained with the Heads of the Union delegations and Member States’ Heads of Mission. They shall make every effort to assist the EUSR in the implementation of the mandate. The EUSR, in close coordination with the Head of the Union Delegation in Tel Aviv, shall provide the Heads of the European Union Police Mission in the Palestinian Territories (EUPOL COPPS) and of the European Union Border Assistance Mission for the Rafah Crossing Point (EU BAM Rafah) with local political guidance. The EUSR and the Civilian Operation Commander shall consult each other as required. The EUSR shall also liaise with other international and regional actors in the field.
   Article 13
   Review
   The implementation of this Decision and its consistency with other contributions from the Union to the region shall be kept under regular review. The EUSR shall present the HR, the Council and the Commission with a progress report before the end of November 2012 and with a comprehensive mandate implementation report at the end of the mandate.
   Article 14
   Entry into force
   This Decision shall enter into force on the day of its adoption.

      Done at Brussels, 23 January 2012.

            For the Council

            The President

         C. ASHTON

      (1)  OJ L 184, 23.7.2003, p. 45.

      (2)  OJ L 141, 27.5.2011, p. 17.


title: Council Decision (EU) 2016/1817 of 7 October 2016 appointing an alternate member, proposed by the Kingdom of Spain, of the Committee of the Regions

text:
               14.10.2016

               EN

               Official Journal of the European Union

               L 278/45

         COUNCIL DECISION (EU) 2016/1817
   of 7 October 2016
   appointing an alternate member, proposed by the Kingdom of Spain, of the Committee of the Regions
   THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION,
   Having regard to the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union, and in particular Article 305 thereof,
   Having regard to the proposal of the Spanish Government,
   Whereas:

               (1)

               On 26 January 2015, 5 February 2015 and 23 June 2015, the Council adopted Decisions (EU) 2015/116 (1), 2015/190 (2) and 2015/994 (3) appointing the members and alternate members of the Committee of the Regions for the period from 26 January 2015 to 25 January 2020. On 5 October 2015, by Council Decision (EU) 2015/1792 (4), Ms María Victoria PALAU TÁRREGA was replaced by Ms Elena CEBRIÁN CALVO as an alternate member.

               (2)

               An alternate member's seat on the Committee of the Regions has become vacant following the end of the term of office of Ms Elena CEBRIÁN CALVO,

         HAS ADOPTED THIS DECISION:
   Article 1
   The following is hereby appointed as an alternate member to the Committee of the Regions for the remainder of the current term of office, which runs until 25 January 2020:

               —

               Sr. D. Joan CALABUIG RULL, Delegado para la Unión Europea y Relaciones Externas de la Generalidad Valenciana.

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

      Done at Brussels, 7 October 2016.

            For the Council

            The President

         M. LAJČÁK

      (1)  Council Decision (EU) 2015/116 of 26 January 2015 appointing the members and alternate members of the Committee of the Regions for the period from 26 January 2015 to 25 January 2020 (OJ L 20, 27.1.2015, p. 42).

      (2)  Council Decision (EU) 2015/190 of 5 February 2015 appointing the members and alternate members of the Committee of the Regions for the period from 26 January 2015 to 25 January 2020 (OJ L 31, 7.2.2015, p. 25).

      (3)  Council Decision (EU) 2015/994 of 23 June 2015 appointing the members and alternate members of the Committee of the Regions for the period from 26 January 2015 to 25 January 2020 (OJ L 159, 25.6.2015, p. 70).

      (4)  Council Decision (EU) 2015/1792 of 5 October 2015 appointing five Spanish members and five Spanish alternate members of the Committee of the Regions (OJ L 260, 7.10.2015, p. 28).


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31971D0238

71/238/EEC: Council Decision of 14 June 1971 applying Article 51 of the Treaty to the French overseas departments  /* Unofficial translation */

Official Journal L 149 , 05/07/1971 P. 0001 - 0001 Danish special edition: Series II Volume I(2) P. 0123  English special edition: Series II Volume I(2) P. 0197  Greek special edition: Chapter 05 Volume 1 P. 0072  Spanish special edition: Chapter 05 Volume 1 P. 0147  Portuguese special edition Chapter 05 Volume 1 P. 0147

COUNCIL DECISION  of 14 June 1971  applying Article 51 of the Treaty to the French overseas departments  (71/238/EEC)  THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES,  Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Economic Community, and in particular Article 227 (2) thereof;  Having regard to the Proposal 1 from the Commission;  Having regard to the Opinion 2 of the European Parliament;  Having regard to the Opinion of the Economic and Social Committee;  Whereas, the second subparagraph of Article 227 (2) provides that the Council shall determine the conditions under which the provisions of the Treaty other than those referred to in the first subparagraph of paragraph 227 (2), and in particular the provisions of Article 51 of the Treaty, are to apply to the French overseas departments;  Whereas, in accordance with Article 1 of and Annex A to Regulation No 3 3 on social security for migrant workers, that Regulation applied to the French overseas departments and to Algeria ; whereas, however, Regulation No 109/65/EEC 4 of 30 July 1965 removed Algeria from Annex A to Regulation No 3;  Whereas, by the Council Decision of 15 October 1968 5, Articles 48 and 49 of the Treaty, and the measures taken in implementation of those Articles, were made applicable to the French overseas departments:  Whereas there are grounds for also making Article 51 of the Treaty applicable to those departments.  HAS DECIDED AS FOLLOWS:     Article 1 Article 51 of the Treaty establishing the European Economic Community and the measures taken in implementation of that Article shall apply to the French overseas departments.    Article 2 This Decision shall be published in the Official Journal of the European Communities under "Legislation I". It shall enter into force on the first day of the seventh month following the publication of the implementing Regulation referred to in Article 97 of Regulation (EEC) No 1408/71 6 of 14 June 1971 on the application of social security schemes to paid workers and their families moving within the Community.     Done at Luxembourg, 14 June 1971.  For the Council  The President  M. COINTAT  1OJ No 194, 28.10.1966, p. 3359/66. 2OJ No C 10, 14.2.1968, p. 42. 3OJ No 30, 16.12.1958, p. 561/58 to 596/58. 4OJ No 125, 9.7.1965, p. 2124/65 to 2130/65. 5OJ No L 257, 19.10.1968, p. 1. 6OJ No L 149, 5.7.1971, p. 2.


               9.3.2016

               EN

               Official Journal of the European Union

               C 93/364

         P7_TA(2013)0349
   Appointment of Luigi Berlinguer to the panel set up under Article 255 of the TFEU
   European Parliament decision of 10 September 2013 proposing the appointment of Luigi Berlinguer to the panel set up under Article 255 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union (2013/2161(INS))
   (2016/C 093/38)

      The European Parliament,

               —

               having regard to the second paragraph of Article 255 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union (TFEU),

               —

               having regard to Rule 107a of its Rules of Procedure,

               A.

               whereas Luigi Berlinguer meets the conditions laid down in the second paragraph of Article 255 TFEU;

               1.

               Proposes that Luigi Berlinguer be appointed to the panel;

               2.

               Instructs its President to forward this decision to the President of the Court of Justice.


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32003D0360

2003/360/EC: Council Decision of 17 March 2003 concerning the conclusion of an Agreement in the form of an Exchange of Letters between the European Community and the Socialist Republic of Vietnam amending the Memorandum of Understanding between the European Community and the Government of Vietnam on the prevention of fraud in trade in footwear products

Official Journal L 124 , 20/05/2003 P. 0033 - 0033

Council Decisionof 17 March 2003concerning the conclusion of an Agreement in the form of an Exchange of Letters between the European Community and the Socialist Republic of Vietnam amending the Memorandum of Understanding between the European Community and the Government of Vietnam on the prevention of fraud in trade in footwear products(2003/360/EC)THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION,Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Community, and in particular Article 133 thereof, in conjunction with the first sentence of Article 300 (2) thereof,Having regard to the proposal from the Commission,Whereas:(1) The Commission has negotiated with the Socialist Republic of Vietnam, on behalf of the Community, a bilateral Agreement in the form of an Exchange of Letters, amending the Memorandum of Understanding between the European Community and the Government of Vietnam on the prevention of fraud in trade in footwear products(1) initialled on 4 August 1999 and provisionally in force since 1 January 2000.(2) The Agreement in the form of an Exchange of Letters should be approved on behalf of the Community,HAS DECIDED AS FOLLOWS:Sole ArticleThe Agreement in the form of an Exchange of Letters between the European Community and Vietnam amending the Memorandum of Understanding on the prevention of fraud in trade in footwear products between the European Community and the Government of Vietnam is hereby approved on behalf of the Community.The text of the Agreement is attached to this Decision.Done at Brussels, 17 March 2003.For the CouncilThe PresidentG. Drys(1) OJ L 1, 4.1.2000, p. 13.


title: 2011/565/EU: Decision of the European Parliament of 10 May 2011 on the closure of the accounts of the 8th, 9th and 10th European Development Funds for the financial year 2009

text:
               27.9.2011

               EN

               Official Journal of the European Union

               L 250/123

         DECISION OF THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT
   of 10 May 2011
   on the closure of the accounts of the 8th, 9th and 10th European Development Funds for the financial year 2009
   (2011/565/EU)
   THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT,

               —

               having regard to the Commission’s report on the follow-up to the discharge for the 2008 financial year (COM(2010) 650) and to the Commission staff working documents accompanying that report (SEC(2010) 1437 and SEC(2010) 1438),

               —

               having regard to the financial statements and revenue and expenditure accounts of the Eighth, Ninth and 10th European Development Funds for the financial year 2009 (COM(2010) 402 — C7-0220/2010),

               —

               having regard to the Commission’s annual report of 29 April 2010 on the Financial Management of the 8th, 9th and 10th European Development Funds in 2009,

               —

               having regard to the financial information on the European Development Funds (COM(2010) 319),

               —

               having regard to the Court of Auditors’ annual report on the activities funded by the 8th, 9th and 10th European Development Funds (EDFs) concerning the financial year 2009, together with the Commission’s replies (1),

               —

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

               —

               having regard to the Special Report No 10/2008 of the Court of Auditors on EC Development Assistance to Health Services in sub-Saharan Africa,

               —

               having regard to the Special Report No 18/2009 of the Court of Auditors on the Effectiveness of EDF support for regional economic integration in East Africa and West Africa,

               —

               having regard to the Council’s recommendations of 15 February 2011 concerning the discharge to be given to the Commission in respect of the implementation of the operations of the European Development Funds for the financial year 2009 (05469/2011 — C7-0050/2011, 05472/2011 — C7-0049/2011, 05473/2011 — C7-0048/2011),

               —

               having regard to the Partnership Agreement between the members of the African, Caribbean and Pacific Group of States, of the one part, and the European Community and its Member States, of the other part, signed in Cotonou on 23 June 2000 (3) and revised in Luxembourg on 25 June 2005 (4),

               —

               having regard to Council Decision 2001/822/EC of 27 November 2001 on the association of the overseas countries and territories with the European Community (‘Overseas Association Decision’) (5), amended by Council Decision 2007/249/EC (6),

               —

               having regard to Article 33 of the Internal Agreement of 20 December 1995, between the representatives of the Governments of the Member States, meeting within the Council, on the financing and administration of Community aid under the Second Financial Protocol to the fourth ACP-EC Convention (7),

               —

               having regard to Article 32 of the Internal Agreement of 18 September 2000, between the Representatives of the Governments of the Member States, meeting within the Council, on the Financing and Administration of Community Aid under the Financial Protocol to the Partnership Agreement between the African, Caribbean and Pacific States and the European Community and its Member States signed in Cotonou (Benin) on 23 June 2000, and the allocation of financial assistance for the Overseas Countries and Territories to which Part Four of the EC Treaty applies (8),

               —

               having regard to its resolution of 5 May 2010 (9) accompanying its decisions on discharge in respect of the implementation of the European Union general budget for the financial year 2008, Section III — Commission and executive agencies, in particular paragraphs 268 to 274 thereof,

               —

               having regard to Article 276 of the EC Treaty and Article 319 TFEU,

               —

               having regard to Article 74 of the Financial Regulation of 16 June 1998 applicable to development finance cooperation under the fourth ACP-EC Convention (10),

               —

               having regard to Article 119 of the Financial Regulation of 27 March 2003 applicable to the Ninth European Development Fund (11),

               —

               having regard to Article 142 of Council Regulation (EC) No 215/2008 of 18 February 2008 on the Financial Regulation applicable to the 10th European Development Fund (12),

               —

               having regard to Rules 76 and 77, third indent 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 Development (A7-0140/2011),

               1.

               Notes that the final annual accounts of the 8th, 9th and 10th European Development Funds are as shown in Table 2 of the Court of Auditors’ annual report;

               2.

               Approves the closure of the accounts of the 8th, 9th and 10th European Development Funds for the financial year 2009;

               3.

               Instructs its President to forward this Decision to the Council, the Commission, the Court of Justice of the European Union, the Court of Auditors and the European Investment Bank and to arrange for its publication in the Official Journal of the European Union (L series).

            The President

         Jerzy BUZEK

            The Secretary-General

         Klaus WELLE

      (1)  OJ C 303, 9.11.2010, p. 243.

      (2)  OJ C 303, 9.11.2010, p. 253.

      (3)  OJ L 317, 15.12.2000, p. 3.

      (4)  OJ L 287, 28.10.2005, p. 4.

      (5)  OJ L 314, 30.11.2001, p. 1 and OJ L 324, 7.12.2001, p. 1.

      (6)  OJ L 109, 26.4.2007, p. 33.

      (7)  OJ L 156, 29.5.1998, p. 108.

      (8)  OJ L 317, 15.12.2000, p. 355.

      (9)  OJ L 252, 25.9.2010, p. 39.

      (10)  OJ L 191, 7.7.1998, p. 53.

      (11)  OJ L 83, 1.4.2003, p. 1.

      (12)  OJ L 78, 19.3.2008, p. 1.


title: Council Decision (CFSP) 2016/50 of 18 January 2016 amending Decision 2014/219/CFSP on the European Union CSDP Mission in Mali (EUCAP Sahel Mali)

text:
               19.1.2016

               EN

               Official Journal of the European Union

               L 12/48

         COUNCIL DECISION (CFSP) 2016/50
   of 18 January 2016
   amending Decision 2014/219/CFSP on the European Union CSDP Mission in Mali (EUCAP Sahel Mali)
   THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION,
   Having regard to the Treaty on European Union and in particular Article 28, Article 42(4) and Article 43(2) thereof,
   Having regard to the proposal from the High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy,
   Whereas:

               (1)

               On 15 April 2014, the Council adopted Decision 2014/219/CFSP (1) on the European Union CSDP Mission in Mali (EUCAP Sahel Mali), which is valid for 24 months from the launching of EUCAP Sahel Mali.

               (2)

               On 19 January 2015, the Council adopted Decision (CFSP) 2015/76 (2) amending Decision 2014/219/CFSP, which launched EUCAP Sahel Mali on 15 January 2015 and endowed it with a financial reference amount for the period until 14 January 2016.

               (3)

               Decision 2014/219/CFSP should be amended to provide for a financial reference amount for the period from 15 January 2016 to 14 January 2017,

         HAS ADOPTED THIS DECISION:
   Article 1
   Decision 2014/219/CFSP is amended as follows:

               (1)

               in Article 14, paragraph 1, the following subparagraph is added:
               ‘The financial reference amount intended to cover the expenditure related to EUCAP Sahel Mali between 15 January 2016 and 14 January 2017 shall be EUR 14 850 000’;

               (2)

               in Article 14, paragraph 2 is replaced by the following:
               ‘2.   All expenditure shall be managed in accordance with the rules and procedures applicable to the general budget of the Union. Participation of natural and legal persons in the award of procurement contracts by EUCAP Sahel Mali shall be open without limitations. Moreover, no rule of origin for the goods purchased by EUCAP Sahel Mali shall apply. Subject to the Commission's approval, EUCAP Sahel Mali may conclude technical arrangements with Member States, the host State, participating third States and other international actors regarding the provision of equipment, services and premises to EUCAP Sahel Mali.’.

         Article 2
   This Decision shall enter into force on the date of its adoption.
   It shall apply from 15 January 2016.

      Done at Brussels, 18 January 2016.

            For the Council

            The President

         F. MOGHERINI

      (1)  Council Decision 2014/219/CFSP of 15 April 2014 on the European Union CSDP Mission in Mali (EUCAP Sahel Mali) (OJ L 113, 16.4.2014, p. 21).

      (2)  Council Decision (CFSP) 2015/76 of 19 January 2015 launching the European Union CSDP mission in Mali (EUCAP Sahel Mali) and amending Decision 2014/219/CFSP (OJ L 13, 20.1.2015, p. 5).


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31976Y0813(02)

Decision No 106 of 8 July 1976 amending Decision No 86 of 24 September 1973 concerning the methods of operation and the composition of the Audit Board of the Administrative Commission of the European Communities on Social Security for Migrant Workers

Official Journal C 190 , 13/08/1976 P. 0002 - 0002 Spanish special edition: Chapter 05 Volume 2 P. 0118  Portuguese special edition Chapter 05 Volume 2 P. 0118

ADMINISTRATIVE COMMISSION OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES ON SOCIAL SECURITY FOR MIGRANT WORKERS DECISION No 106 of 8 July 1976 amending Decision No 86 of 24 September 1973 concerning the methods of operation and the composition of the Audit Board of the Administrative Commission of the European Communities on Social Security for Migrant Workers   THE ADMINISTRATIVE COMMISSION OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES ON SOCIAL SECURITY FOR MIGRANT WORKERS,  Having regard to Article 101 (3) of Regulation (EEC) No 574/72 under which the Administrative Commission shall lay down the methods of operation and the composition of the Audit Board,  Having regard to Decision No 86 of 24 September 1973 concerning the methods of operation and the composition of the Audit Board of the Administrative Commission of the European Communities on Social Security for Migrant Workers, in particular paragraph 8 of that Decision,  Whereas to ensure a smoother functioning of the Audit Board it is appropriate to re-establish the practice of annual rotation of the chairmanship of the said Board,  HAS DECIDED AS FOLLOWS:       1. Paragraph 8 of Decision No 86 of 24 September 1973 shall be replaced by the following:  "The office of chairman of the Audit Board shall be held for periods of one year by the representatives of the Member States in the alphabetical order of the names of those States.  The chairman of the Audit Board may, in conjunction with the secretariat, take all steps required to solve without delay all problems within the competence of the Audit Board.  As a rule, the chairman of the Audit Board shall chair meetings of working parties set up to examine problems for which they are competent ; if, however, he is incapacitated or if certain specific problems are being examined, the chairman may be represented by another person designated by him.  The secretariat of the Administrative Commission shall prepare and organize the meetings of the Audit Board and draw up the minutes thereof. It shall carry out all the work required for the functioning of the Board."       2. This Decision shall be published in the Official Journal of the European Communities.  It shall apply from 1 July 1976. The representative of Luxembourg shall hold the office of chairman for the whole of 1976.          The Chairman of the Administrative Commission  L. LAMERS


title: 2009/833/EC: Commission Decision of 10 November 2009 adjusting the weightings applicable from 1 August 2008 , 1 September 2008 , 1 October 2008 , 1 November 2008 , 1 December 2008 and 1 January 2009 to the remuneration of officials, temporary staff and contract staff of the European Communities serving in third countries

text:
               13.11.2009

               EN

               Official Journal of the European Union

               L 297/14

      COMMISSION DECISION

   of 10 November 2009
   adjusting the weightings applicable from 1 August 2008, 1 September 2008, 1 October 2008, 1 November 2008, 1 December 2008 and 1 January 2009 to the remuneration of officials, temporary staff and contract staff of the European Communities serving in third countries
   (2009/833/EC)
   THE COMMISSION OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES,
   Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Community,
   Having regard to the Staff Regulations of officials of the European Communities and the conditions of employment of other servants of the Communities laid down by Regulation (EEC, Euratom, ECSC) No 259/68 (1), and in particular the second paragraph of Article 13 of Annex X thereto,
   Whereas:

               (1)

               Pursuant to the first paragraph of Article 13 of Annex X to the Staff Regulations, the weightings to be applied from 1 July 2008 to the remuneration of officials, temporary staff and contract staff of the European Communities serving in third countries payable in the currency of their country of employment were laid down by Council Regulation (EC) No 613/2009 (2).

               (2)

               Some of these weightings need to be adjusted in accordance with the second paragraph of Article 13 of Annex X to the Staff Regulations, with effect from 1 August 2008, 1 September 2008, 1 October 2008, 1 November 2008, 1 December 2008 and 1 January 2009, since the statistics available to the Commission show that in certain third countries the variation in the cost of living measured on the basis of the weighting and the corresponding exchange rate has exceeded 5 % since weightings were last laid down,

         HAS DECIDED AS FOLLOWS:
   Sole Article
   The weightings applied to the remuneration of officials, temporary staff and contract staff of the European Communities serving in third countries, payable in the currency of the country of employment, shall be adjusted for certain countries as shown in the Annex hereto. It contains six monthly tables showing which countries are affected and the applicable dates for each one (1 August 2008, 1 September 2008, 1 October 2008, 1 November 2008, 1 December 2008 and 1 January 2009).
   The exchange rates used for the calculation of this remuneration shall be established in accordance with the detailed rules for the implementation of the Financial Regulation and correspond to the dates of application of the weightings.

      Done at Brussels, 10 November 2009.

            For the Commission

         Benita FERRERO-WALDNER

            Member of the Commission

      (1)  OJ L 56, 4.3.1968, p. 1.

      (2)  OJ L 181, 14.7.2009, p. 1.

      ANNEX

         AUGUST 2008

                  Place of employment

                  Economic parity August 2008

                  Exchange rate August 2008

                  Weighting August 2008

                  Absent

                  Absent

                  Absent

                  Absent

         SEPTEMBER 2008

                  Place of employment

                  Economic parities September 2008

                  Exchange rate September 2008 (1)

                  Weighting September 2008 (2)

                  Nepal (3)

                  75,02

                  103,495

                  72,5

         OCTOBER 2008

                  Place of employment

                  Economic parities October 2008

                  Exchange rate October 2008 (4)

                  Weighting October 2008 (5)

                  Argentina (6)

                  2,744

                  4,549

                  60,3

                  Botswana (6)

                  5,003

                  10,0251

                  49,9

                  Ghana (7)

                  0,9408

                  1,6575

                  56,8

                  Kyrgyzstan (6)

                  52,86

                  52,8043

                  100,1

                  Democratic Republic of the Congo (Kinshasa) (6)

                  1 031

                  828,29

                  124,5

                  Venezuela (6)

                  2,183

                  3,08504

                  70,8

         NOVEMBER 2008

                  Place of employment

                  Economic parities November 2008

                  Exchange rate November 2008 (8)

                  Weightings November 2008 (9)

                  Egypt

                  2,971

                  7,18275

                  41,4

                  Ethiopia

                  12,31

                  12,3791

                  99,4

                  Guinea (Conakry)

                  4 108

                  6 121,77

                  67,1

                  Liberia

                  80,26

                  80,9742

                  99,1

                  Namibia

                  7,548

                  13,0194

                  58,0

                  Nepal (10)

                  80,21

                  101,68

                  78,9

                  Nicaragua

                  14,96

                  25,6812

                  58,3

                  East Timor

                  0,9402

                  1,3035

                  72,1

         DECEMBER 2008

                  Place of employment

                  Economic parities December 2008

                  Exchange rate December 2008 (11)

                  Weightings December 2008 (12)

                  Saudi Arabia

                  4,887

                  4,7336

                  103,2

                  Costa Rica

                  595,5

                  716,885

                  83,1

                  Ghana (13)

                  0,9912

                  1,51325

                  65,5

                  Guatemala

                  8,816

                  9,96951

                  88,4

                  Haiti

                  70,13

                  51,8381

                  135,3

                  Solomon Islands

                  10,94

                  10,1026

                  108,3

                  Jamaica

                  99,81

                  95,647

                  104,4

                  Malawi

                  146,6

                  177,074

                  82,8

                  Uzbekistan

                  992

                  1 748,44

                  56,7

                  Sudan (Khartoum)

                  1,698

                  2,80875

                  60,5

                  Southern Sudan (Juba)

                  2,958

                  2,80875

                  105,3

                  Swaziland

                  6,188

                  12,7107

                  48,7

                  Ukraine

                  8,686

                  8,04073

                  108,0

                  Vietnam

                  11 940

                  21 278

                  56,1

         JANUARY 2009

                  Place of employment

                  Economic parities January 2009

                  Exchange rate January 2009 (14)

                  Weighting January 2009 (15)

                  Argentina (16)

                  2,906

                  4,8986

                  59,3

                  Botswana (16)

                  5,303

                  11,0803

                  47,9

                  Ecuador

                  0,9626

                  1,4098

                  68,3

                  Kyrgyzstan (16)

                  56,5

                  55,5673

                  101,7

                  Madagascar

                  2 216

                  2 429,72

                  91,2

                  Nepal (17)

                  85,82

                  106,865

                  80,3

                  Democratic Republic of the Congo (Kinshasa) (16)

                  1 092

                  894,885

                  122,0

                  Dominican Republic

                  31,86

                  50,4406

                  63,2

                  Tanzania

                  1 188

                  1 666,43

                  71,3

                  Thailand

                  26,17

                  48,998

                  53,4

                  Venezuela (16)

                  2,344

                  3,03107

                  77,3

         (1)  EUR 1 = national currency (Cuba, El Salvador, Ecuador = USD).

         (2)  Brussels = 100 %.

         (3)  The weighting for this place is adjusted three times: for September 2008 and November 2008, and then for January 2009.

         (4)  EUR 1 = national currency (Cuba, El Salvador, Ecuador = USD).

         (5)  Brussels = 100 %.

         (6)  The weighting for this place is adjusted twice: for October 2008 and for January 2009.

         (7)  The weighting for this place is adjusted twice: for October 2008 and December 2008.

         (8)  EUR 1 = national currency (Cuba, El Salvador, Ecuador = USD).

         (9)  Brussels = 100 %.

         (10)  The weighting for this place is adjusted three times: for September 2008 and November 2008, and then for January 2009.

         (11)  EUR 1 = national currency (Cuba, El Salvador, Ecuador = USD).

         (12)  Brussels = 100 %.

         (13)  The weighting for this place is adjusted twice: for October 2008 and December 2008.

         (14)  EUR 1 = national currency (Cuba, El Salvador, Ecuador = USD).

         (15)  Brussels = 100 %.

         (16)  The weighting for this place is adjusted twice: for October 2008 and for January 2009.

         (17)  The weighting for this place is adjusted three times: for September 2008 and November 2008, and then for January 2009.


title: Council Decision 2005/727/JHA of 12 October 2005 fixing the date of application of certain provisions of Decision 2005/211/JHA concerning the introduction of some new functions for the Schengen Information System, including the fight against terrorism

text:
               19.10.2005

               EN

               Official Journal of the European Union

               L 273/25

      COUNCIL DECISION 2005/727/JHA
   of 12 October 2005
   fixing the date of application of certain provisions of Decision 2005/211/JHA concerning the introduction of some new functions for the Schengen Information System, including the fight against terrorism
   THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION,
   Having regard to Council Decision 2005/211/JHA of 24 February 2005 concerning the introduction of some new functions for the Schengen Information System, including in the fight against terrorism (1), and in particular to Article 2(4) thereof,
   Whereas:

               (1)

               Decision 2005/211/JHA specifies that the provisions of Article 1 of that Decision shall apply from a date fixed by the Council, as soon as the necessary preconditions have been fulfilled, and that the Council may decide to fix different dates for the application of different provisions. Those preconditions have been fulfilled in respect of Article 1(10) of Decision 2005/211/JHA.

               (2)

               It is appropriate for Article 1(6) of Council Regulation (EC) No 871/2004 of 29 April 2004 concerning the introduction of some new functions for the Schengen Information System, including in the fight against terrorism (2), which is identical to Article 1(10) of Decision 2005/211/JHA, to apply from the same date.

               (3)

               A separate Council Decision provides for the entry into force of Article 1(6) of Regulation (EC) No 871/2004.

               (4)

               As regards Switzerland, this Decision constitutes a development of the provisions of the Schengen acquis within the meaning of the Agreement signed between the European Union, the European Community and the Swiss Confederation concerning the association of the Swiss Confederation with the implementation, application and development of the Schengen acquis (3), which falls in the area referred to in Article 1, point G of Decision 1999/437/EC (4) read in conjunction with Article 4(1) of Council Decisions 2004/849/EC (5) and 2004/860/EC (6) on the signing on behalf of the European Union, and on the signing on behalf of the European Community, and on the provisional application of certain provisions of that Agreement,

         HAS DECIDED AS FOLLOWS:
   Article 1
   Article 1(10) of Decision 2005/211/JHA shall apply from 1 January 2006.
   Article 2
   This Decision shall take effect on the date of its adoption. It shall be published in the Official Journal of the European Union.

      Done at Luxembourg, 12 October 2005.

            For the Council

            The President

         C. CLARKE

      (1)  OJ L 68, 15.3.2005, p. 44.

      (2)  OJ L 162, 30.4.2004, p. 29.

      (3)  Council document 13054/04 accessible on http://register.consilium.eu.int

      (4)  OJ L 176, 10.7.1999, p. 31.

      (5)  OJ L 368, 15.12.2004, p. 26.

      (6)  OJ L 370, 17.12.2004, p. 78.


title: Commission Decision of 26 October 2015 on the conclusion of the Stabilisation and Association Agreement between the European Union and the European Atomic Energy Community, of the one part, and of Kosovo, of the other part

text:
               4.11.2015

               EN

               Official Journal of the European Union

               C 364/4

         COMMISSION DECISION
   of 26 October 2015
   on the conclusion of the Stabilisation and Association Agreement between the European Union and the European Atomic Energy Community, of the one part, and of Kosovo (1), of the other part
   (2015/C 364/04)
   THE EUROPEAN COMMISSION,
   Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Atomic Energy Community, and in particular the second paragraph of Article 101 thereof,
   Having regard to the approval of the Council pursuant to Article 101 of the Treaty establishing the European Atomic Energy Community,
   Whereas:

               (1)

               On 21 June 2013 the Council authorised the European Commission to open negotiations with Kosovo for a Stabilisation and Association Agreement. The negotiations were successfully concluded by the initialling of the Agreement on 25 July 2014.

               (2)

               The Agreement also covers matters falling under competences of the European Atomic Energy Community.

               (3)

               The Agreement should therefore also be concluded on behalf of the European Atomic Energy Community as regards matters falling under the Treaty establishing the European Atomic Energy Community.

               (4)

               The signature and conclusion of the Agreement is subject to a separate procedure as regards matters falling under the Treaty on European Union and the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union. The Stabilisation and Association Agreement will be signed on behalf of the European Union, subject to conclusion at a later date.

               (5)

               The Agreement is without prejudice to Member States' position on the status of Kosovo, which will be decided in accordance with their national practice and international law.

               (6)

               In addition, none of the terms, wording or definitions used in this Decision and the Agreement, nor any recourse to the necessary legal bases for the conclusion of Agreement constitute recognition of Kosovo by the European Atomic Energy Community as an independent State nor does it constitute recognition by individual Member States of Kosovo in that capacity where they have not taken such a step.

               (7)

               The Stabilisation and Association Agreement between the European Union and the European Atomic Energy Community, of the one part, and Kosovo, of the other part, should be concluded on behalf of the European Atomic Energy Community,

         HAS ADOPTED THIS DECISION:
   Article 1
   The conclusion by the European Commission, on behalf of the European Atomic Energy Community, of the Stabilisation and Association Agreement between the European Union and the European Atomic Energy Community, of the one part, and Kosovo, of the other part, is hereby approved.
   The text of the Agreement is attached to the Council Decision on the signing, on behalf of the European Union of the Stabilisation and Association Agreement between the European Union and the European Atomic Energy Community, of the one part, and Kosovo, of the other part (2).
   Article 2
   The present Decision is without prejudice to Member States' and the European Atomic Energy Community's position on the status of Kosovo.
   Article 3
   The Member of the Commission responsible for European Neighbourhood Policy and Enlargement Negotiations is hereby authorised to sign the Stabilisation and Association Agreement between the European Union and the European Atomic Energy Community, of the one part, and Kosovo, of the other part, and to deposit the act of approval referred to in Article 144 of the Agreement on behalf the European Atomic Energy Community.

      Done at Brussels, 26 October 2015.

            For the Commission

         Johannes HAHN

            Member of the Commission

      (1)  This designation is without prejudice to positions on status, and is in line with UNSCR 1244/1999 and the ICJ Opinion on the Kosovo declaration of independence.

      (2)  Doc 10728/1/15 REV 1 and 10724/2/15 REV 2 COWEB 66 (not yet published in the Official Journal).


title: Council Decision (CFSP) 2017/734 of 25 April 2017 amending Decision 2013/184/CFSP concerning restrictive measures against Myanmar/Burma

text:
               26.4.2017

               EN

               Official Journal of the European Union

               L 108/35

         COUNCIL DECISION (CFSP) 2017/734
   of 25 April 2017
   amending Decision 2013/184/CFSP concerning restrictive measures against Myanmar/Burma
   THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION,
   Having regard to the Treaty on European Union, and in particular Article 29 thereof,
   Having regard to the proposal from the High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy,
   Whereas:

               (1)

               On 22 April 2013, the Council adopted Decision 2013/184/CFSP (1) concerning restrictive measures against Myanmar/Burma.

               (2)

               On 21 April 2016, the Council adopted Decision (CFSP) 2016/627 (2) renewing the restrictive measures until 30 April 2017.

               (3)

               On the basis of a review of Decision 2013/184/CFSP, the restrictive measures should be renewed until 30 April 2018.

               (4)

               Decision 2013/184/CFSP should therefore be amended accordingly,

         HAS ADOPTED THIS DECISION:
   Article 1
   Article 3 of Decision 2013/184/CFSP is replaced by the following:

      ‘Article 3
      This Decision shall apply until 30 April 2018. It shall be kept under constant review. It shall be renewed, or amended as appropriate, if the Council deems that its objectives have not been met.’

   Article 2
   This Decision shall enter into force on the day following that of its publication in the Official Journal of the European Union.

      Done at Luxembourg, 25 April 2017.

            For the Council

            The President

         I. BORG

      (1)  Council Decision 2013/184/CFSP of 22 April 2013 concerning restrictive measures against Myanmar/Burma and repealing Decision 2010/232/CFSP (OJ L 111, 23.4.2013, p. 75).

      (2)  Council Decision (CFSP) 2016/627 of 21 April 2016 amending Decision 2013/184/CFSP concerning restrictive measures against Myanmar/Burma (OJ L 106, 22.4.2016, p. 23).


Avis juridique important

|

31981D0195

81/195/EEC: Commission Decision of 16 March 1981 setting up, within the Advisory Committee on Seeds, a Special Section on the approximation of laws

Official Journal L 088 , 02/04/1981 P. 0042 - 0044 Finnish special edition: Chapter 3 Volume 13 P. 0031  Spanish special edition: Chapter 03 Volume 21 P. 0066  Swedish special edition: Chapter 3 Volume 13 P. 0031  Portuguese special edition Chapter 03 Volume 21 P. 0066

COMMISSION DECISION of 16 March 1981 setting up, within the Advisory Committee on Seeds, a Special Section on the approximation of laws (81/195/EEC)  THE COMMISSION OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES,  Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Economic Community,  Whereas it is essential that the Commission should obtain the opinions of trade and professional interests and of consumers on the problems of approximating laws on seeds;  Whereas the Economic and Social Committee stated in a report issued on 24 May 1972 that it would be highly desirable that an Advisory Committee, similar to those existing in the context of the organization of agricultural markets, be set up, alongside the Standing Committee on Foodstuffs and the Standing Veterinary Committee, consisting of representatives of the various economic and social interests concerned;  Whereas all the trade and professional interests directly affected by the approximation of laws on seeds, and also consumers, should have an opportunity to participate in the formulation of opinions requested by the Commission;  Whereas the professional and trade associations concerned with the sector, workers' organizations and also the consumer associations in the Member States have established organizations at Community level,  HAS DECIDED AS FOLLOWS:    Article 1 1. The Commission hereby establishes, within the Advisory Committee on Seeds, a Special Section on the approximation of laws, hereinafter called "the Section".  2. The Section shall report the outcome of its proceedings to the Committee.  3. The Section shall consist of representatives of organizations concerned with agriculture, producers, growers, merchants and distributors of seeds and propagating material for agriculture, horticulture and forestry, workers and consumers.   Article 2 1. The Section may be consulted by the Commission on any problems concerning the approximation of laws on seeds and propagating material for agriculture, horticulture and forestry.  2. The chairman of the Section may indicate to the Commission the desirability of it consulting the Section on any matter within the latter's competence on which its opinion has not been sought.  The chairman shall also do so at the request of any one of the interest groups represented in the Section.   Article 3 1. The Section shall consist of 11 permanent members and a maximum of 24 non-permanent members.  2. The permanent members shall be responsible for coordinating their group's work.  3. Seats for permanent members shall be allocated as follows:    - two to agricultural producers,       - two to agricultural cooperatives,       - three to producers, growers, merchants and distributorsof seeds and propagating material for agriculture,horticulture and forestry,       - two to workers,       - two to consumers.         4. The interest groups listed in paragraph 3 may each appoint a maximum of four non-permanent members, except the seed producers, growers, merchants and distributors, who may appoint a maximum of eight non-permanent members.   Article 4 1. The permanent members of the Section shall be appointed by the Commission upon proposals from the following bodies:  agricultural producers:  the Committee of Agricultural Organizations in the European Economic Community (COPA)  agricultural cooperatives:  the General Committee for Agricultural cooperation in the European Economic Community (COGECA)  producers, growers, merchants and distributors of seeds and propagating material for agriculture, horticulture and forestry:  the Community-level trade organizations most representative of the category  workers:  the European Trade Union Confederation (ETUC)  consumers:  the Consumers' Consultative Committee set up by Commission Decision 73/306/EEC (1).  2. The said bodies and organizations shall put forward two candidates of different nationality in respect of each seat to be filled, both nationals of Member States of the Community.  3. The said bodies and organizations shall propose to the Commission, by letter addressed at least eight days before each meeting to the department of the Commission responsible for the provision of secretarial services pursuant to Article 9 (3), their other representatives in the Section.   Article 5 1. The term of office of a permanent member of the Section shall be three years. It shall be renewable. Members shall not be remunerated for their services.  After expiry of the three-year period, permanent members of the Section shall remain in office until they are replaced or until their appointments are renewed.  A permanent member's term of office may be terminated before expiry of the three-year period by resignation or death. The term of office of a permanent member may also be terminated when the body which proposed him requests that he be replaced. The member shall then be replaced for the remainder of the said term in accordance with the procedure laid down in Article 4 (1) and (2).  2. A list of the permanent members shall be published by the Commission for information purposes in the Official Journal of the European Communities.   Article 6 1. The permanent members shall elect a chairman of the Section from among their number for a term of three years.  2. On a first ballot this election shall require a two-thirds majority of the permanent members present and on subsequent ballots a simple majority of the permanent members present.  3. The Section may, under the same procedure, appoint other officers. In that event, in addition to the chairman, the officers shall not include more than one representative from each of the interest groups represented in the Section and to which the chairman does not belong.  The officers shall carry out the functions of vice-chairman.  The officers shall prepare and organize the work of the Section.   Article 7 At the request of any of the interest groups represented, the chairman may invite a person delegated by the interest concerned to be present at meetings of the Section.  He may also invite any person with special qualifications relevant to one of the items on the agenda to take part in an expert capacity in the proceedings of the Section and of its working groups.  Such experts shall take part only in the discussion of the item in connection with which they are invited.   Article 8 The Section may set up working groups.  The working groups shall appoint a chairman and a rapporteur. The function of the working groups shall be to report to the Section on the subjects specified by the latter.   Article 9 1. The Section shall meet at the place where the Commission has its seat. Meetings of the officers shall be convened by the chairman in agreement with the Commission  2. Representatives of the Commission departments concerned shall take part in meetings of the Section, the officers and the working groups.  3. The Commission shall provide secretarial services for the Section, the officers and the working groups.   Article 10 1. On proposals from the bodies and organizations referred to in Article 4 (1) the Commission may appoint observers, for the term of office of the permanent members of the Section, to be responsible for administrative links with the Section's secretariat.  2. The observers may attend meetings of the Section and the working groups ; they shall not take part in the discussion.  (1) OJ No L 283, 10.10.1973, p. 18.    Article 11 The Section shall discuss matters on which the Commission has requested an opinion. No vote shall be taken.  The Commission may, when seeking the opinion of the Section, set a time limit within which such opinion must be given.  The views expressed by the various interest groups represented shall be included in a summary record which shall be forwarded to the Commission.  In the event of unanimous agreement being reached in the Section on the opinion to be given, the Section shall formulate joint conclusions which shall be annexed to the summary record.  The outcome of the Section's discussions shall be communicated by the Commission to the Council and to the Standing Committee on Seeds at their request.   Article 12 Without prejudice to Article 214 of the Treaty, where the Commission informs participants at Section meetings that the opinion requested or the question raised is on a matter of a confidential nature, such persons shall be under an obligation not to disclose information which has come to their knowledge through the proceding of the Section or of its working groups.  In such cases, only Section members and representatives of the Commission departments concerned may be present at meetings.   Article 13 This Decision shall enter into force on 16 March 1981.     Done at Brussels, 16 March 1981.  For the Commission  Poul DALSAGER  Member of the Commission