title: Council Decision 2007/91/CFSP of 12 February 2007 amending Decision 2004/197/CFSP establishing a mechanism to administer the financing of the common costs of European Union operations having military or defence implications (Athena)

text:
               13.2.2007

               EN

               Official Journal of the European Union

               L 41/11

      COUNCIL DECISION 2007/91/CFSP
   of 12 February 2007
   amending Decision 2004/197/CFSP establishing a mechanism to administer the financing of the common costs of European Union operations having military or defence implications (Athena)
   THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION,
   Having regard to the Treaty on European Union, and in particular Articles 13(3) and 28(3) thereof,
   Whereas:

               (1)

               On 23 February 2004 the Council adopted Decision 2004/197/CFSP (1).

               (2)

               Article 42 of Decision 2004/197/CFSP, provides that that Decision, including its Annexes, is to be reviewed after every operation and at least every 18 months.

               (3)

               The Council decides on a case-by-case basis whether an operation has military or defence implications, within the meaning of Article 28(3) of the Treaty,

         HAS DECIDED AS FOLLOWS:
   Article 1
   Decision 2004/197/CFSP is hereby amended as follows:

               1.

               The following shall be added to Article 1:

                           ‘(c)

                           “operations” shall mean the EU operations having military or defence implications;

                           (d)

                           “military supporting actions” shall mean the EU operations, or parts thereof, decided by the Council in support of a third State or a third organisation, which have military or defence implications, but which are not under the authority of EU Headquarters.’;

               2.

               Article 2(1) shall be replaced by the following:
               ‘1.   A mechanism to administer the financing of the common costs of operations is hereby established.’;

               3.

               Article 7(1) shall be replaced by the following:
               ‘1.   The Secretary-General of the Council, after informing the Special Committee, shall appoint the administrator and at least one deputy administrator for a period of three years.’;

               4.

               The second sentence of Article 10(5) shall be deleted;

               5.

               The Title of Chapter 3 shall be replaced by following:
               ‘CHAPTER 3
               ADMINISTRATIVE ARRANGEMENTS WITH MEMBER STATES, EU INSTITUTIONS, THIRD STATES AND INTERNATIONAL ORGANISATIONS’;

               6.

               The following Articles shall be inserted in Chapter 3:
               ‘Article 10a
               Administrative arrangements with Member States or EU institutions
               1.   Administrative arrangements may be negotiated with Member States or EU institutions in order to facilitate procurement in operations at the most economical conditions. These arrangements shall take the form of an exchange of letters between Athena represented by the operation commander or, where there is no operation commander, the administrator, and the competent administrative authorities of the Member States or EU institutions concerned.
               2.   The Special Committee shall be consulted before any such arrangement is signed.
               Article 10b
               Administrative arrangements with a third State or an international organisation
               1.   An administrative arrangement may be negotiated with a third State or an international organisation in order notably to facilitate procurement in theatre at the most economical conditions taking into account operational constraints. These arrangements shall take the form of an exchange of letters between Athena, represented by the operation commander or, where there is no operation commander, the administrator, and the competent administrative authorities of the third State or the international organisation concerned.
               2.   Any such arrangement shall be submitted to the Special Committee for approval before it is signed.’;

               7.

               The following paragraph shall be inserted in Article 14:
               ‘3a.   During the active phase of a military supporting action, as determined by the Council, Athena shall bear as operational common costs the common costs defined by the Council on a case-by-case basis by reference to Annex III.’;

               8.

               The first sentence of Article 18(3) shall be replaced by the following:
               ‘3.   The commitment and payment appropriations shall be classified in titles and chapters grouping expenditure together by type or purpose, subdivided as necessary into articles.’;

               9.

               The second sentence of Article 20(1) shall be replaced by the following:
               ‘The administrator shall inform the Special Committee of his/her intention, insofar as the urgency of the situation permits, at least one week in advance.’;

               10.

               Article 22 shall be replaced by the following:
               ‘Article 22
               Anticipated implementation
               Once the annual budget has been approved, appropriations may be used to cover commitments and payments insofar as operationally necessary.’;

               11.

               Article 23(1), (2) and (3) shall be replaced by the following:
               ‘1.   Payment appropriations to cover the common costs incurred in preparation for, or further to, operations which are not covered by miscellaneous revenue shall be financed by contributions from the participating Member States.
               2.   Payment appropriations to cover the operational common costs of an operation shall be covered by contributions from the Member States and third States contributing to the operation.
               3.   The contributions payable by the contributing Member States for an operation shall be equal to the amount of the payment appropriations entered in the budget and intended to cover the operational common costs of that operation, minus the amounts of the contributions payable for the same operation by contributing third States pursuant to Article 11.’;

               12.

               Article 24(1) shall be deleted;

               13.

               The following paragraph shall be added to Article 24:
               ‘8.   The administrator shall acknowledge receipt of contributions.’;

               14.

               Article 25 shall be amended as follows:

                           (a)

                           the third sentence of paragraph 3 shall be deleted;

                           (b)

                           the following paragraph shall be added:
                           ‘9.   Where funds are required for an operation before sufficient contributions to that operation have been received, contributions paid in anticipation by Member States which contribute to financing that operation, after approval by the anticipating Member States, may be used up to 50 % of their amount to cover contributions due to that operation. The contributions paid in anticipation shall be replenished by the anticipating Member States within 90 days following despatch of the call.’;

               15.

               The first sentence of Article 31(4), shall be replaced by the following:
               ‘4.   During the period prior to the adoption of a budget for an operation, the administrator and the operation commander or his/her representative shall report to the Special Committee every month, each reporting on the matters concerning him/her, as regards the expenses which are eligible as common costs for that operation.’;

               16.

               Article 37 shall be amended as follows:

                           (a)

                           paragraph (3) shall be deleted;

                           (b)

                           the second sentence of first subparagraph of paragraph 4 shall be replaced by the following:
                           ‘Each year, the Special Committee shall appoint as of 1 January of the following year two members for a three-year period, renewable once, from candidates proposed by the Member States. The Special Committee may extend a member's mandate by up to six months.’;

                           (c)

                           point (d) of paragraph 4 shall be replaced by the following:

                                       ‘(d)

                                       they shall check during the financial year as well as ex post, through controls on the spot as well as on supporting documents, that expenditure financed or pre-financed through Athena is implemented in accordance with the legislation applicable and the principles of sound financial management, i.e. in accordance with the principles of economy, effectiveness and efficiency, and that internal controls are adequate.’;

                           (d)

                           the first sentence of second subparagraph of paragraph 4 shall be replaced by the following:
                           ‘Each year, the College of Auditors shall elect to change or extend its chairman from amongst its members.’;

               17.

               Article 38(1) and (2) shall be replaced by the following:
               ‘1.   Each operation commander shall provide Athena's accounting officer by 31 March following the end of the financial year, or within four months following the end of the operation which he commands, whichever is the earlier, with the necessary information to establish the annual accounts for common costs, the annual accounts for expenditure pre-financed and reimbursed pursuant to Article 27 and the annual activity report.
               2.   The administrator, with the assistance of the accounting officer and each operation commander, shall establish and provide to the Special Committee and the College of auditors, by 30 April following the end of the financial year, the provisional annual accounts and the annual activity report.
               2a   The Special Committee shall be provided by 31 July following the end of the financial year, by the College of Auditors with an annual audit report and by the administrator, assisted by the accounting officer and each operation commander, with Athena's final annual accounts. The Special Committee shall examine by 30 September following the end of the financial year the annual accounts in the light of the College's audit report, with a view to granting a discharge to the administrator, the accounting officer and each operation commander.’;

               18.

               The first sentence of Article 38(8) shall be replaced by the following:
               ‘8.   Each Member State participating in an operation shall provide on a voluntary basis information by 31 March each year to the administrator where appropriate through the Operation Commander, on the incremental costs it has incurred for the operation during the previous financial year.’;

               19.

               Article 41 shall be deleted;

               20.

               Annex I shall be amended as follows:

                           (a)

                           the items ‘1. Auditing costs’ and ‘4. Banking costs’ shall be deleted;

                           (b)

                           the following subparagraph shall be added:
                           ‘The general part of the annual budget shall furthermore include appropriations, where necessary, to cover the following common costs in operations to the financing of which the participating Member States contribute:

                                       1.

                                       Banking costs

                                       2.

                                       Auditing costs

                                       3.

                                       Common costs relative to the preparatory phase of an operation as defined at Annex II.’;

               21.

               Annex III, Part III-A shall be amended as follows:

                           (a)

                           point 2 and 3 shall be replaced by the following:

                                       ‘2.

                                       Incremental costs incurred for providing support to the force as a whole:
                                       The costs defined below are those incurred as a consequence of the force deployment to its location:

                                                   (a)

                                                   :

                                                   works for deployment/infrastructure

                                                   :

                                                   expenditure absolutely needed for the force as a whole to fulfil its mission (common used airport, railway, harbours, roads, including points of disembarkation and forward assembly areas; power and water supply, static force protection, storage facilities, parking lots; engineering support);

                                                   (b)

                                                   :

                                                   identification marking

                                                   :

                                                   specific identification marks, “European Union” identity cards, badges, medals, flags in European Union colours or other Force or HQ identification marking (excluding clothes, hats or uniforms);

                                                   (c)

                                                   :

                                                   medical services

                                                   :

                                                   emergency medical evacuations (Medevac).

                                       3.

                                       Incremental costs incurred by EU recourse to NATO common assets and capabilities made available for an EU-led operation.
                                       The cost for the European Union of the application for one of its military operations of the arrangements between the EU and NATO relating to release, monitoring and return or recall of NATO common assets and capabilities made available for an EU-led operation. Reimbursements by NATO to the EU.’;

                           (b)

                           the following point shall be added:

                                       ‘4.

                                       Incremental costs incurred by the EU for goods, services or works included in the list of common costs and made available in an EU-led operation by a Member State, an EU institution, a third State or an international organisation pursuant to an arrangement referred to at Articles 10-a and 10-b. Reimbursements by a state, an EU institution or an international organisation based on such an arrangement.’;

               22.

               The following items shall be added to Annex III, Part III-B:

                           ‘Multinational task force headquarters

                           :

                           the multinational headquarters of EU task forces deployed in the area of operation

                           Acquisition of information

                           :

                           acquisition of information (satellite images; theatre level intelligence, reconnaissance and surveillance (ISR), including Air-to-Ground Surveillance (AGSR); human intelligence)’;

               23.

               The following Part shall be inserted in Annex III:
               ‘III-C
               Operational common costs borne by Athena when requested by the Operation Commander and approved by the Special Committee

                           (a)

                           essential additional equipment: the rental or purchase in the course of the operation of unforeseen specific equipment essential for the execution of the operation, insofar as the purchased equipment is not repatriated at the end of the mission;

                           (b)

                           medical services: Roles 1, 2 and 3 facilities in theatre;

                           (c)

                           acquisition of information: acquisition of information (satellite images; theatre level intelligence, reconnaissance and surveillance (ISR), including Air-to-Ground Surveillance (AGSR); human intelligence);

                           (d)

                           other critical theatre-level capabilities: theatre-level capabilities (demining within theatre insofar as necessary to the operation; chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear protection (CBRN); fuel storage and supply facilities; storage and destruction of arms and ammunitions collected within the area of operation), in accordance with the Joint Action.’

         Article 2
   This Decision shall enter into force on the day of its adoption.
   Article 3
   This Decision shall be published in the Official Journal of the European Union.

      Done at Brussels, 12 February 2007.

            For the Council

            The President

         F.-W. STEINMEIER

      (1)  OJ L 63, 28.2.2004, p. 68. Decision as last amended by Decision 2005/68/CFSP (OJ L 27, 29.1.2005, p. 59).


title: 2008/508/EC: Decision of the European Parliament of 24 April 2007 on closing the accounts of the European Centre for the Development of Vocational Training for the financial year 2005

text:
               15.7.2008

               EN

               Official Journal of the European Union

               L 187/83

      DECISION OF THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT

   of 24 April 2007
   on closing the accounts of the European Centre for the Development of Vocational Training for the financial year 2005
   (2008/508/EC)
   THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT,
   having regard to the final annual accounts of the European Centre for the Development of Vocational Training for the financial year 2005 (1),
   having regard to the Court of Auditors' report on the final annual accounts of the European Centre for the Development of Vocational Training for the financial year 2005, together with the Centre's replies (2),
   having regard to the Council's Recommendation of 27 February 2007 (5711/2007 — C6-0080/2007),
   having regard to the EC Treaty, and in particular Article 276 thereof,
   having regard to Council Regulation (EC, Euratom) No 1605/2002 of 25 June 2002 on the Financial Regulation applicable to the general budget of the European Communities (3) and in particular Article 185 thereof,
   having regard to Council Regulation (EEC) No 337/75 of 10 February 1975 establishing a European Centre for the Development of Vocational Training (4), and in particular Article 12a thereof,
   having regard to Commission Regulation (EC, Euratom) No 2343/2002 of 19 November 2002 on the framework Financial Regulation for the bodies referred to in Article 185 of Council Regulation (EC, Euratom) No 1605/2002 (5), and in particular, Article 94 thereof,
   having regard to Rule 71 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 Employment and Social Affairs (A6-0097/2007),

               1.

               Notes that the final annual accounts of the European Centre for the Development of Vocational Training for the financial years 2004 and 2005 are as follows:
               Revenue and expenditure account for the financial years 2004 and 2005

                           (in EUR 1000)

                           2005

                           2004

                              Revenue

                           Commission subsidies

                           16 418

                           13 700

                           Assigned revenue

                           573

                           724

                           Miscellaneous revenue

                           36

                           42

                              Total revenue (a)

                           17 027

                           14 466

                              Budgetary expenditure for the financial year

                              Staff — Title I of the budget

                           Payments

                           8 862

                           8 579

                           Appropriations carried over

                           213

                           466

                              Administration — Title II of the budget

                              Payments

                           865

                           768

                           Appropriations carried over

                           334

                           542

                              Operating activities — Title III of the budget (except for assigned revenue)

                           Payments against payment appropriations for the financial year

                           2 466

                           2 508

                           Payments against outstanding commitments at 31.12.2003

                           2 119

                           2 702

                           Appropriations carried over

                              Assigned revenue (Phare and third countries)

                           Payments

                           68

                           415

                           Appropriations carried over

                           505

                           309

                              Total expenditure (b)

                           15 433

                           16 289

                              Outturn for the financial year (a-b)

                           1 594

                           -1 823

                           Balance carried over from the previous financial year

                           375

                           -993

                           N - 1 appropriations carried over and cancelled (Title I and II non-differentiated

                           111

                           56

                           Cancelled appropriation carried over from assigned revenue (non differentiated appropriation title 3)
                           Neutralisation of N - 1 carry-over for Title III connected with changeover to differentiated appropriations

                           93

                           3 138

                           Sums for re-use from the previous financial year not used

                           1

                           Refunds to the Commission

                           0

                           Exchange-rate differences

                           1

                           -4

                              Balance for the financial year

                           2 173

                           375

                              Source: Information supplied by the Centre — This table summarises the data provided by the Centre.

               2.

               Approves closing the accounts of the European Centre for the Development of Vocational Training for the financial year 2005;

               3.

               Instructs its President to forward this Decision to the director of the European Centre for the Development of Vocational Training, the Council, the Commission and the Court of Auditors, and to arrange for its publication in the Official Journal of the European Union (L series).

            The President

         Hans-Gert PÖTTERING

            The Secretary-General

         Harald RØMER

      (1)  OJ C 266, 31.10.2006, p. 28.

      (2)  OJ C 312, 19.12.2006, p. 60.

      (3)  OJ L 248, 16.9.2002, p. 1. Regulation as amended by Regulation (EC, Euratom) No 1995/2006 (OJ L 390, 30.12.2006, p. 1).

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

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


title: Council Decision of 9 July 2013 adopting the Council's position on draft amending budget No 2 of the European Union for the financial year 2013

text:
               13.7.2013

               EN

               Official Journal of the European Union

               C 201/3

         COUNCIL DECISION
   of 9 July 2013
   adopting the Council's position on draft amending budget No 2 of the European Union for the financial year 2013
   2013/C 201/04
   THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION,
   Having regard to the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union, and in particular Article 314 thereof, in conjunction with the Treaty establishing the European Atomic Energy Community, and in particular Article 106a thereof,
   Having regard to Regulation (EU, Euratom) No 966/2012 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 25 October 2012 on the financial rules applicable to the general budget of the Union and repealing Council Regulation (EC, Euratom) No 1605/2002 (1), and in particular Article 41 thereof,
   Whereas:

               —

               The Union's budget for the financial year 2013 was definitively adopted on 12 December 2012 (2).

               —

               On 2 April 2013, the Commission submitted a proposal containing draft amending budget No 2 to the general budget for the financial year 2013,

         HAS DECIDED AS FOLLOWS:
   Sole Article
   The Council's position on draft amending budget No 2 of the European Union for the financial year 2013 was adopted on 9 July 2013.
   The full text can be accessed for consultation or downloading on the Council's website (http://www.consilium.europa.eu/).

      Done at Brussels, 9 July 2013.

            For the Council

            The President

         R. ŠADŽIUS

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

      (2)  OJ L 66, 8.3.2013, p. 1, with corrigendum in OJ L 134, 18.5.2013, p. 21.


Avis juridique important

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32001D0101

2001/101/EC: Council Decision of 5 December 2000 concerning the approval of an Agreement in the form of an Exchange of Letters between the Community and each of the EFTA countries that grants tariff preferences under the Generalised System of Preferences (Norway and Switzerland), providing that goods with content of Norwegian or Swiss origin shall be treated on their arrival on the customs territory of the Community as goods with content of Community origin (reciprocal agreement)

Official Journal L 038 , 08/02/2001 P. 0024 - 0024

Council Decisionof 5 December 2000concerning the approval of an Agreement in the form of an Exchange of Letters between the Community and each of the EFTA countries that grants tariff preferences under the Generalised System of Preferences (Norway and Switzerland), providing that goods with content of Norwegian or Swiss origin shall be treated on their arrival on the customs territory of the Community as goods with content of Community origin (reciprocal agreement)(2001/101/EC)THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION,Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Community, and in particular Article 133 thereof,Having regard to Article 66(4) and (5) of Commission Regulation (EEC) No 2454/93 of 2 July 1993 laying down provisions for the implementation of Council Regulation (EEC) No 2913/92 establishing the Community Customs Code(1),Whereas:(1) To enable the Community, Swiss and Norwegian customs authorities to issue replacement Form A certificates of origin in order to facilitate, in particular, the movement of goods originating in developing countries which benefit from the generalised preferences granted by the European Community, Switzerland and Norway, an Agreement should be concluded between the Community, Switzerland and Norway under which they mutually recognise their components as originating in the developing countries concerned under the bilateral cumulation of origin rules.(2) Further to the mandate given by the Council to the Commission on 29 March 1996, negotiations to that effect took place between the European Community, Switzerland and Norway and led to an Agreement in the form of an Exchange of Letters which it is in the Community's interest to approve,HAS DECIDED AS FOLLOWS:Article 1The Agreement in the form of an Exchange of Letters between the Community and each of the EFTA countries that grants tariff preferences under the GSP (Norway and Switzerland), providing that goods originating in Norway or Switzerland shall be treated on their arrival on the customs territory of the Community as goods with content of Community origin (reciprocal agreement), is hereby approved on behalf of the Community.The text of the Agreement in the form of an Exchange of Letters is attached to this Decision.Article 2The President of the Council is hereby authorised to designate the person(s) authorised to sign the Agreement in the form of an Exchange of Letters in order to bind the Community.Article 3The President of the Council shall, on behalf of the Community, give the notification provided for by the Agreement in the form of an Exchange of Letters.Done at Brussels, 5 December 2000.For the CouncilThe PresidentC. Pierret(1) OJ L 253, 11.10.1993, p. 1. Regulation as last amended by Regulation (EC) No 1602/2000 (OJ L 188, 26.7.2000, p. 1).


title: Approval of the appointment of Algirdas Šemeta as a member of the Commission European Parliament decision of 14 September 2009 approving the appointment of Mr Algirdas Šemeta as a Member of the Commission

text:
               19.8.2010

               EN

               Official Journal of the European Union

               CE 224/39

         Monday 14 September 2009Approval of the appointment of Algirdas Šemeta as a member of the Commission
   P7_TA(2009)0003
   European Parliament decision of 14 September 2009 approving the appointment of Mr Algirdas Šemeta as a Member of the Commission
   2010/C 224 E/12

      The European Parliament,
   having regard to Article 214(2), third subparagraph, and Article 215 of the EC Treaty,
   having regard to point 4 of the Framework Agreement on relations between the European Parliament and the Commission (1),
   having regard to the resignation of Dalia Grybauskaitė as a Member of the Commission, tendered on 25 June 2009,
   having regard to the nomination by the Government of Lithuania of Algirdas Šemeta for appointment as a Member of the Commission,
   having regard to Council Decision 2009/507/EC, Euratom of 30 June 2009 appointing a new Member of the Commission of the European Communities (2),
   having regard to the decision of the Conference of Presidents of 9 July 2009 concerning the procedure to be applied for the replacement of Commissioners,
   having regard to the exchange of views between the Commissioner-designate and its committee responsible held on 1 September 2009,
   having regard to Rule 106 and Annex XVII, point 2, second paragraph, of its Rules of Procedure,

               1.

               Approves the appointment of Algirdas Šemeta as a Member of the Commission for the remainder of the Commission's term of office, until 31 October 2009;

               2.

               Instructs its President to forward this decision to the Council, the Commission and the governments of the Member States.

      (1)  OJ C 117 E, 18.5.2006, p. 123.

      (2)  OJ L 172, 2.7.2009, p. 34.


title: Decision (EU) 2015/2202 of the European Central Bank of 19 November 2015 amending Decision ECB/2010/23 on the allocation of monetary income of the national central banks of Member States whose currency is the euro (ECB/2015/37)

text:
               28.11.2015

               EN

               Official Journal of the European Union

               L 313/42

         DECISION (EU) 2015/2202 OF THE EUROPEAN CENTRAL BANK
   of 19 November 2015
   amending Decision ECB/2010/23 on the allocation of monetary income of the national central banks of Member States whose currency is the euro (ECB/2015/37)
   THE GOVERNING COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN CENTRAL BANK,
   Having regard to the Statute of the European System of Central Banks and of the European Central Bank, and in particular Article 32 thereof,
   Whereas:

               (1)

               Decision ECB/2010/23 (1) establishes a mechanism for the pooling and allocation of monetary income arising from monetary policy operations.

               (2)

               Decision (EU) 2015/774 of the European Central Bank (ECB/2015/10) (2) provides for the establishment of a public sector asset purchase programme (PSPP) for monetary policy purposes.

               (3)

               As with purchases under Decision ECB/2009/16 (3) and Decision ECB/2011/17 (4), government bonds and bonds issued by agencies purchased under Decision (EU) 2015/774 (ECB/2015/10) should be deemed to generate income at the reference rate defined in Decision ECB/2010/23.

               (4)

               Income arising from the lending of marketable debt instruments under all monetary policy-related security purchase programmes should not be considered as monetary income, since in general these operations are not recorded in the books of the national central banks of Member States whose currency is the euro (hereinafter the ‘NCBs’).

               (5)

               Net income deriving from swap agreements of the Eurosystem with non-Eurosystem central banks should be shared amongst the NCBs as monetary income.

               (6)

               The composition of the liability base and earmarkable assets set out in Annexes I and II to Decision ECB/2010/23 should therefore be adjusted.

               (7)

               Therefore Decision ECB/2010/23 should be amended accordingly,

         HAS ADOPTED THIS DECISION:
   Article 1
   Amendments
   Decision ECB/2010/23 is amended as follows:

               1.

               Article 3(1) is replaced by the following:
               ‘1.   The amount of each NCB's monetary income shall be determined by measuring the actual income that derives from the earmarkable assets recorded in its books. As exceptions thereto:

                           (a)

                           gold shall not be considered to generate income;

                           (b)

                           the following shall be considered to generate monetary income at the reference rate:

                                       (i)

                                       securities held for monetary policy purposes under Decision ECB/2009/16 (5);

                                       (ii)

                                       securities held for monetary policy purposes under Decision ECB/2011/17 (6);

                                       (iii)

                                       debt instruments issued by central governments and recognised agencies and substitute debt instruments issued by public non-financial corporations held for monetary policy purposes under Decision (EU) 2015/774 of the European Central Bank (ECB/2015/10) (7).

                  (5)  Decision ECB/2009/16 of 2 July 2009 on the implementation of the covered bond purchase programme (OJ L 175, 4.7.2009, p. 18)."

                  (6)  Decision ECB/2011/17 of 3 November 2011 on the implementation of the second covered bond purchase programme (OJ L 297, 16.11.2011, p. 70)."

                  (7)  Decision (EU) 2015/774 of the European Central Bank of 4 March 2015 on a secondary markets public sector asset purchase programme (ECB/2015/10) (OJ L 121, 14.5.2015, p. 20).’;"

               2.

               in paragraph A of Annex I, the following point 8 is added:

                           ‘8.

                           Liabilities vis-à-vis the ECB backing a claim that relates to swap agreements between the ECB and a non-Eurosystem central bank which earn net income for the Eurosystem (part of off-balance-sheet liabilities).’;

               3.

               in paragraph A of Annex II, the following point 10 is added:

                           ‘10.

                           Claims on euro area counterparties that relate to swap agreements between the ECB and a non-Eurosystem central bank which earn net income for the Eurosystem (part of asset item 3.1 of the HBS).’.

         Article 2
   Entry into force
   This Decision shall enter into force on 31 December 2015.

      Done at Frankfurt am Main, 19 November 2015.

            The President of the ECB

         Mario DRAGHI

      (1)  Decision ECB/2010/23 of 25 November 2010 on the allocation of monetary income of the national central banks of Member States whose currency is the euro (OJ L 35, 9.2.2011, p. 17).

      (2)  Decision (EU) 2015/774 of the European Central Bank of 4 March 2015 on a secondary markets public sector asset purchase programme (ECB/2015/10) (OJ L 121, 14.5.2015, p. 20).

      (3)  Decision ECB/2009/16 of 2 July 2009 on the implementation of the covered bond purchase programme (OJ L 175, 4.7.2009, p. 18).

      (4)  Decision ECB/2011/17 of 3 November 2011 on the implementation of the second covered bond purchase programme (OJ L 297, 16.11.2011, p. 70).


title: 2012/355/EU: Commission Decision of 2 July 2012 updating the Annex to the Monetary Agreement between the European Union and the Vatican City State

text:
               4.7.2012

               EN

               Official Journal of the European Union

               L 174/24

         COMMISSION DECISION
   of 2 July 2012
   updating the Annex to the Monetary Agreement between the European Union and the Vatican City State
   (2012/355/EU)
   THE EUROPEAN COMMISSION,
   Having regard to the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union,
   Having regard to the Monetary Agreement of 17 December 2009 between the European Union and the Vatican City State, and in particular Article 8(3) thereof,
   Whereas:

               (1)

               Article 8 of the Monetary Agreement between the European Union and the Vatican City State (hereinafter ‘the Monetary Agreement’) requires the Vatican City State to implement Union acts concerning the rules on euro banknotes and coins, prevention of money laundering, prevention of fraud and counterfeiting of cash and non-cash means of payment; medals and tokens and statistical reporting requirements. Those acts are listed in the Annex to the Monetary Agreement.

               (2)

               The update of the Annex is made according to Article 8(3) of the Monetary Agreement which foresees that the Annex needs to be amended by the Commission every year to take into account the new relevant EU legal acts and rules and the amendments to the existing ones. Following this provision one act was repealed and two new Union acts, falling within the scope of Article 8(1) of the Monetary Agreement, have been adopted and should be included in the Annex.

               (3)

               Council Decision of 29 April 1999 extending Europol’s mandate to deal with forgery of money and means of payment (1) is obsolete and hence deleted from the Annex. As soon as the new legal instrument allowing Europol to sign cooperation agreements with third countries has entered into force, the new instrument will be added to the Annex to the Monetary Agreement.

               (4)

               Regulation (EU) No 1210/2010 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 15 December 2010 concerns authentication of euro coins and handling of euro coins unfit for circulation (2) has been adopted. It, therefore, falls within the scope of Article 8(1) of the Monetary Agreement and should also be included in the Annex.

               (5)

               Decision ECB/2010/14 of the European Central Bank of 16 September 2010 on the authenticity and fitness checking and recirculation of euro banknotes (3) was adopted. It falls within the scope of Article 8(1) of the Monetary Agreement and should also be included in the Annex.

               (6)

               The Annex to the Monetary Agreement should therefore be amended accordingly,

         HAS ADOPTED THIS DECISION:
   Sole Article
   The Annex to the Monetary Agreement between the European Union and the Vatican City State is replaced by the Annex to this Decision.
   This Decision shall enter into force on the day following that of its publication in the Official Journal of the European Union.

      Done at Brussels, 2 July 2012.

            For the Commission

            The President

         José Manuel BARROSO

      (1)  OJ C 149, 28.5.1999, p. 16.

      (2)  OJ L 339, 22.12.2010, p. 1.

      (3)  OJ L 267, 9.10.2010, p. 1.

      ANNEX

            ‘ANNEX

                        Legal provisions to be implemented

                        Deadline for implementing

                        Prevention of money laundering

                        Directive 2005/60/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 26 October 2005 on the prevention of the use of the financial system for the purpose of money laundering and terrorist financing, OJ L 309, 25.11.2005, p. 15.
                        Amended by:

                                    Directive 2008/20/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 11 March 2008 amending Directive 2005/60/EC on the prevention of the use of the financial system for the purpose of money laundering and terrorist financing, as regards the implementing powers conferred on the Commission, OJ L 76, 19.3.2008, p. 46.

                                    Commission Directive 2006/70/EC of 1 August 2006 laying down implementing measures for Directive 2005/60/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council as regards the definition of politically exposed person and the technical criteria for simplified customer due diligence procedures and for exemption on grounds of a financial activity conducted on an occasional or very limited basis, OJ L 214, 4.8.2006, p. 29.

                                    Regulation (EC) No 1781/2006 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 15 November 2006 on information on the payer accompanying transfers of funds, OJ L 345, 8.12.2006, p. 1.

                                    Regulation (EC) No 1889/2005 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 26 October 2005 on controls of cash entering or leaving the Community, OJ L 309, 25.11.2005, p. 9.

                                    Council Framework Decision 2001/500/JHA of 26 June 2001 on money laundering, the identification, tracing, freezing, seizing and confiscation of instrumentalities and the proceeds of crime, OJ L 182, 5.7.2001, p. 1.

                        31.12.2010

                        Prevention of fraud and counterfeiting

                        Council Regulation (EC) No 1338/2001 of 28 June 2001 laying down measures necessary for the protection of the euro against counterfeiting, OJ L 181, 4.7.2001, p. 6.
                        Amended by:
                        Council Regulation (EC) No 44/2009 of 18 December 2008 amending Regulation (EC) No 1338/2001 laying down measures necessary for the protection of the euro against counterfeiting, OJ L 17, 22.1.2009, p. 1.

                        31.12.2010

                        Council Regulation (EC) No 2182/2004 of 6 December 2004 concerning medals and tokens similar to euro coins, OJ L 373, 21.12.2004, p. 1.
                        Amended by:
                        Council Regulation (EC) No 46/2009 of 18 December 2008 amending Regulation (EC) No 2182/2004 concerning medals and tokens similar to euro coins, OJ L 17, 22.1.2009, p. 5.

                        31.12.2010

                        Council Framework Decision 2000/383/JHA of 29 May 2000 on increasing protection by criminal penalties and other sanctions against counterfeiting in connection with the introduction of the euro, OJ L 140, 14.6.2000, p. 1.
                        Amended by:
                        Council Framework Decision 2001/888/JHA of 6 December 2001 amending Framework Decision 2000/383/JHA on increasing protection by criminal penalties and other sanctions against counterfeiting in connection with the introduction of the euro, OJ L 329, 14.12.2001, p. 3.

                        31.12.2010

                        Council Decision 2001/923/EC of 17 December 2001 establishing an exchange, assistance and training programme for the protection of the euro against counterfeiting (the “Pericles” programme), OJ L 339, 21.12.2001, p. 50.
                        Amended by:

                                    Council Decision 2006/75/EC of 30 January 2006 amending and extending Decision 2001/923/EC establishing an exchange, assistance and training programme for the protection of the euro against counterfeiting (the Pericles programme), OJ L 36, 8.2.2006, p. 40.

                                    Council Decision 2006/849/EC of 20 November 2006 amending and extending Decision 2001/923/EC establishing an exchange, assistance and training programme for the protection of the euro against counterfeiting (the Pericles programme), OJ L 330, 28.11.2006, p. 28.

                        31.12.2010

                        Council Decision 2001/887/JHA of 6 December 2001 on the protection of the euro against counterfeiting, OJ L 329, 14.12.2001, p. 1.

                        31.12.2010

                        Council Framework Decision 2001/413/JHA of 28 May 2001 combating fraud and counterfeiting of non-cash means of payment, OJ L 149, 2.6.2001, p. 1.

                        31.12.2010

                        Rules on euro banknotes and coins

                        Council Regulation (EC) No 975/98 of 3 May 1998 on denominations and technical specifications of euro coins intended for circulation, OJ L 139, 11.5.1998, p. 6.
                        Amended by
                        Council Regulation (EC) No 423/1999 of 22 February 1999 amending Regulation (EC) No 975/98 on denominations and technical specifications of euro coins intended for circulation, OJ L 52, 27.2.1999, p. 2.

                        31.12.2010

                        Council Conclusions of 10 May 1999 on the quality management system for euro coins.

                        31.12.2010

                        Council Conclusions of 23 November 1998 and of 5 November 2002 on collector coins.

                        31.12.2010

                        Commission Recommendation 2009/23/EC of 19 December 2008 on common guidelines for the national sides and the issuance of euro coins intended for circulation, OJ L 9, 14.1.2009, p. 52.

                        31.12.2010

                        Communication from the Commission of 22 October 2001 on copyright protection of the common face design of the euro coins (COM(2001) 600 final), OJ C 318, 13.11.2001, p. 3.

                        31.12.2010

                        Guideline ECB/2003/5 of the European Central Bank of 20 March 2003 on the enforcement of measures to counter non-compliant reproductions of euro banknotes and on the exchange and withdrawal of euro banknotes, OJ L 78, 25.3.2003, p. 20.

                        31.12.2010

                        Decision ECB/2003/4 of the European Central Bank of 20 March 2003 on the denominations, specifications, reproduction, exchange and withdrawal of euro banknotes, OJ L 78, 25.3.2003, p. 16.

                        31.12.2010

                        Regulation (EU) No 1210/2010 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 15 December 2010 concerns authentication of euro coins and handling of euro coins unfit for circulation, OJ L 339, 22.12.2010, p. 1.

                        31.12.2012

                        Decision ECB/2010/14 of the European Central Bank of 16 September 2010 on the authenticity and fitness checking and recirculation of euro banknotes, OJ L 267, 9.10.2010, p. 1.

                        31.12.2012’


Avis juridique important

|

31997D0807(02)

Council Decision of 24 July 1997 on the replacement of members of the European Social Fund Committee

Official Journal C 241 , 07/08/1997 P. 0005 - 0006

COUNCIL DECISION of 24 July 1997 on the replacement of members of the European Social Fund Committee (97/C 241/03)THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION,Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Community,Having regard to Council Regulation (EEC) No 4253/88 of 19 December 1988 laying down provisions for implementing Regulation (EEC) No 2052/88 as regards coordination of the activities of the different Structural Funds between themselves and with the operations of the European Investment Bank and the other existing financial instruments (1), and in particular Article 28, third paragraph, thereof,Having regard to the proposal from the Commission,Whereas the Council, acting on a proposal from the Commission, in a Decision of 23 October 1995 (2), appointed the members and alternate members of the European Social Fund Committee for the period ending on 22 October 1998;Whereas members' seats have fallen vacant;Whereas alternate members' seats have fallen vacant;Whereas it concerns the category of government representatives;Whereas it concerns the category of employers' representatives;Whereas it concerns the category of workers' representatives;Whereas members of the European Social Found Committee should be appointed to fill the vacant seats,HAS DECIDED AS FOLLOWS:Article 1 The following are hereby appointed members of the European Social Found Committee for the remainder of the current term of office, which runs until 22 October 1998:>TABLE>Article 2 This Decision shall be published in the Official Journal of the European Communities.Done at Brussels, 24 July 1997.For the CouncilThe PresidentM. FISCHBACH(1) OJ No L 374, 31. 12. 1988, p. 1. Regulation as last amended by Regulation (EC) No 3193/94 (OJ No L 337, 24. 12. 1994, p. 11).(2) OJ No C 296, 10. 11. 1995, p. 7.


title: Council Decision 2014/483/CFSP of 22 July 2014 updating and amending the list of persons, groups and entities subject to Articles 2, 3 and 4 of Common Position 2001/931/CFSP on the application of specific measures to combat terrorism, and repealing Decision 2014/72/CFSP

text:
               23.7.2014

               EN

               Official Journal of the European Union

               L 217/35

         COUNCIL DECISION 2014/483/CFSP
   of 22 July 2014
   updating and amending the list of persons, groups and entities subject to Articles 2, 3 and 4 of Common Position 2001/931/CFSP on the application of specific measures to combat terrorism, and repealing Decision 2014/72/CFSP
   THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION,
   Having regard to the Treaty on European Union, and in particular Article 29 thereof,
   Whereas:

               (1)

               On 27 December 2001, the Council adopted Common Position 2001/931/CFSP (1).

               (2)

               On 10 February 2014, the Council adopted Decision 2014/72/CFSP (2) updating and amending the list of persons, groups and entities subject to Articles 2, 3 and 4 of Common Position 2001/931/CFSP (‘the list’).

               (3)

               In accordance with Article 1(6) of Common Position 2001/931/CFSP, it is necessary to review at regular intervals the names of persons, groups and entities on the list to ensure that there are grounds for keeping them thereon.

               (4)

               This Decision sets out the result of the review that the Council has carried out in respect of persons, groups and entities to which Articles 2, 3 and 4 of Common Position 2001/931/CFSP apply.

               (5)

               The Council has determined that there are no longer grounds for keeping one person on the list.

               (6)

               The Council has concluded that the persons, groups and entities to which Articles 2, 3 and 4 of Common Position 2001/931/CFSP apply have been involved in terrorist acts within the meaning of Article 1(2) and (3) of Common Position 2001/931/CFSP, that a decision has been taken with respect to them by a competent authority within the meaning of Article 1(4) of that Common Position, and that they should continue to be subject to the specific restrictive measures provided for therein.

               (7)

               The list should be updated accordingly and Decision 2014/72/CFSP should be repealed,

         HAS ADOPTED THIS DECISION:
   Article 1
   The list of persons, groups and entities to which Articles 2, 3 and 4 of Common Position 2001/931/CFSP apply is set out in the Annex to this Decision.
   Article 2
   Decision 2014/72/CFSP is hereby repealed.
   Article 3
   This Decision shall enter into force on the day of its publication in the Official Journal of the European Union.

      Done at Brussels, 22 July 2014.

            For the Council

            The President

         C. ASHTON

      (1)  Council Common Position 2001/931/CFSP of 27 December 2001 on the application of specific measures to combat terrorism (OJ L 344, 28.12.2001, p. 93).

      (2)  Council Decision 2014/72/CFSP of 10 February 2014 updating and amending the list of persons, groups and entities subject to Articles 2, 3 and 4 of Common Position 2001/931/CFSP on the application of specific measures to combat terrorism and repealing Decision 2013/395/CFSP (OJ L 40, 11.2.2014, p. 56).

      ANNEX
      List of persons, groups and entities referred to in Article 1
      I.   PERSONS

                  1.

                  ABDOLLAHI Hamed (a.k.a Mustafa Abdullahi), born August 11, 1960 in Iran. Passport: D9004878.

                  2.

                  AL-NASSER, Abdelkarim Hussein Mohamed, born in Al Ihsa (Saudi Arabia), citizen of Saudi Arabia.

                  3.

                  AL YACOUB, Ibrahim Salih Mohammed, born 16.10.1966 in Tarut (Saudi Arabia), citizen of Saudi Arabia.

                  4.

                  ARBABSIAR Manssor (a.k.a. Mansour Arbabsiar), born March 6 or 15, 1955 in Iran. Iranian and US national. Passport: C2002515 (Iran); Passport: 477845448 (USA). National ID no.: 07442833, expiry date 15 March 2016 (USA driving licence).

                  5.

                  BOUYERI, Mohammed (a.k.a. Abu ZUBAIR, a.k.a. SOBIAR, a.k.a. Abu ZOUBAIR), born 8.3.1978 in Amsterdam (The Netherlands) — member of the ‘Hofstadgroep’.

                  6.

                  IZZ-AL-DIN, Hasan (a.k.a GARBAYA, Ahmed, a.k.a. SA-ID, a.k.a. SALWWAN, Samir), Lebanon, born 1963 in Lebanon, citizen of Lebanon.

                  7.

                  MOHAMMED, Khalid Shaikh (a.k.a. ALI, Salem, a.k.a. BIN KHALID, Fahd Bin Adballah, a.k.a. HENIN, Ashraf Refaat Nabith, a.k.a. WADOOD, Khalid Adbul), born 14.4.1965 or 1.3.1964 in Pakistan, passport No 488555.

                  8.

                  SHAHLAI Abdul Reza (a.k.a Abdol Reza Shala'i, a.k.a. Abd-al Reza Shalai, a.k.a. Abdorreza Shahlai, a.k.a. Abdolreza Shahla'i, a.k.a. Abdul-Reza Shahlaee, a.k.a.Hajj Yusef, a.k.a. Haji Yusif, a.k.a.Hajji Yasir, a.k.a.Hajji Yusif, a.k.a.Yusuf Abu-al-Karkh), born circa 1957 in Iran. Addresses: (1) Kermanshah, Iran, (2) Mehran Military Base, Ilam Province, Iran.

                  9.

                  SHAKURI Ali Gholam, born circa 1965 in Tehran, Iran.

                  10.

                  SOLEIMANI Qasem (a.k.a Ghasem Soleymani, a.k.a Qasmi Sulayman, a.k.a Qasem Soleymani, a.k.a Qasem Solaimani, a.k.a Qasem Salimani, a.k.a Qasem Solemani, a.k.a Qasem Sulaimani, a.k.a Qasem Sulemani), born March 11, 1957 in Iran. Iranian national. Passport: 008827 (Iran Diplomatic), issued 1999. Title: Major General.

            II.   GROUPS AND ENTITIES

                  1.

                  ‘Abu Nidal Organisation’ — ‘ANO’ (a.k.a. ‘Fatah Revolutionary Council’, a.k.a. ‘Arab Revolutionary Brigades’, a.k.a. ‘Black September’, a.k.a. ‘Revolutionary Organisation of Socialist Muslims’).

                  2.

                  ‘Al-Aqsa Martyrs' Brigade’.

                  3.

                  ‘Al-Aqsa e.V.’.

                  4.

                  ‘Al-Takfir’ and ‘Al-Hijra’.

                  5.

                  ‘Babbar Khalsa’.

                  6.

                  ‘Communist Party of the Philippines’, including ‘New People's Army’ — ‘NPA’, Philippines.

                  7.

                  ‘Gama'a al-Islamiyya’ (a.k.a. ‘Al-Gama'a al-Islamiyya’) (‘Islamic Group’ — ‘IG’).

                  8.

                  ‘İslami Büyük Doğu Akıncılar Cephesi’ — ‘IBDA-C’ (‘Great Islamic Eastern Warriors Front’).

                  9.

                  ‘Hamas’, including ‘Hamas-Izz al-Din al-Qassem’.

                  10.

                  ‘Hizballah Military Wing’ (a.k.a. ‘Hezbollah Military Wing’, a.k.a. ‘Hizbullah Military Wing’, a.k.a. ‘Hizbollah Military Wing’, a.k.a. ‘Hezballah Military Wing’, a.k.a. ‘Hisbollah Military Wing’, a.k.a. ‘Hizbu'llah Military Wing’ a.k.a. ‘Hizb Allah Military Wing’, a.k.a. ‘Jihad Council’ (and all units reporting to it, including the External Security Organisation))

                  11.

                  ‘Hizbul Mujahideen’ — ‘HM’.

                  12.

                  ‘Hofstadgroep’.

                  13.

                  ‘Holy Land Foundation for Relief and Development’.

                  14.

                  ‘International Sikh Youth Federation’ — ‘ISYF’.

                  15.

                  ‘Khalistan Zindabad Force’ — ‘KZF’.

                  16.

                  ‘Kurdistan Workers' Party’ — ‘PKK’, (a.k.a. ‘KADEK’, a.k.a. ‘KONGRA-GEL’).

                  17.

                  ‘Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam’ — ‘LTTE’.

                  18.

                  ‘Ejército de Liberación Nacional’ (‘National Liberation Army’).

                  19.

                  ‘Palestinian Islamic Jihad’ — ‘PIJ’.

                  20.

                  ‘Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine’ — ‘PFLP’.

                  21.

                  ‘Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine — General Command’ (a.k.a. ‘PFLP — General Command’).

                  22.

                  ‘Fuerzas armadas revolucionarias de Colombia’ — ‘FARC’ (‘Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia’).

                  23.

                  ‘Devrimci Halk Kurtuluș Partisi-Cephesi’ — ‘DHKP/C’ (a.k.a. ‘Devrimci Sol’ (‘Revolutionary Left’), a.k.a. ‘Dev Sol’) (‘Revolutionary People's Liberation Army/Front/Party’).

                  24.

                  ‘Sendero Luminoso’ — ‘SL’ (‘Shining Path’).

                  25.

                  ‘Teyrbazen Azadiya Kurdistan’ — ‘TAK’ (a.k.a. ‘Kurdistan Freedom Falcons’, a.k.a. ‘Kurdistan Freedom Hawks’).


Avis juridique important

|

31994D0902

94/902/EC: Council Decision of 14 November 1994 on the conclusion of the Agreements in the form of an exchange of letters between the European Community and, on the one hand, Barbadors, Belize, The People's Republic of the Congo, Fiji, the Cooperative Republic of Guyana, the Republic of Côte d' Ivoire, Jamaica, the Republic of Kenya, the Republic of Madagascar, the Republic of Malawi, the Republic of Mauritius, the Republic of Suriname, Saint Christopher and Nevis, the Kingdom of Swaziland, the United Republic of Tanzania, the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago, the Republic of Uganda, the Republic of Zimbabwe and, on the other hand, the Republic of India on the guaranteed prices for cane sugar for the 1993/94 delivery period

Official Journal L 355 , 31/12/1994 P. 0027

COUNCIL DECISIONof 14  November 1994on the conclusion of the Agreements in the form of an exchange of letters between the  European Community and, on the one hand, Barbadors, Belize, the Republic of the Congo, Fiji, the  Cooperative Republic of Guyana, the Republic of Côte d'Ivoire, Jamaica, the Republic of Kenya, the  Republic of Madagascar, the Republic of Malawi, the Republic of Mauritius, the Republic of  Suriname, Saint Christopher and Nevis, the Kingdom of Swaziland, the United Republic of Tanzania,  the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago, the Republic of Uganda, the Republic of Zimbabwe and, on the  other hand, the Republic of India on the guaranteed prices for cane sugar for the 1993/94 delivery  period(94/902/EEC)THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION, Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Community, and in particular Article 113 in  conjunction with the first sentence of Article 228 (2), thereof, Having regard to the proposal from the Commission, Whereas implementation of Protocol 8 on ACP sugar annexed to the Fourth ACP-EEC Convention (1) and  of the Agreement between the European Economic Community and the Republic of India on cane sugar  (2) is carried out, in accordance with Article 1 (2) of each, within the framework of the  management of the common organization of the sugar market: Whereas it is appropriate to approve the Agreements in the form of an exchange of letters between  the Community and, on the one hand, the States referred to in the Protocol and, on the other hand,  the Republic of India on the guaranteed prices for cane sugar for the 1993/94 delivery period, HAS DECIDED AS FOLLOWS: Article 1The Agreements in the form of an exchange of letters between the  European Community and, on the one hand, Barbados, Belize, the Republic of the Congo, Fiji, the  Cooperative Republic of Guyana, the Republic of Côte d'Ivoire, Jamaica, the Republic of Kenya, the  Republic of Madagascar, the Republic of Malawi, the Republic of Mauritius, the Republic of  Suriname, Saint Christopher and Nevis, the Kingdom of Swaziland, the United Republic of Tanzania,  the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago, the Republic of Uganda, the Republic of Zimbabwe and, on the  other hand, the Republic of India on the guaranteed prices for cane sugar for the 1993/94 delivery  period are hereby approved on behalf of the Community. The text of the Agreements is attached to this Decision. Article 2The President of the Council is hereby authorized to designate the person empowered to  sign the Agreements referred to in Article 1 in order to bind the Community. Article 3This Decision will be published in the Official Journal of the European Communities. Done at Brussels, 14 November 1994. For the CouncilThe PresidentJ. BORCHERT(1) OJ No L 229, 17. 8. 1991, p. 216. (2) OJ No L 190, 22. 7. 1975, p. 35.


title: Council Decision of 14 April 2014 appointing a member and alternate members of the Advisory Committee on Safety and Health at Work for Croatia

text:
               17.4.2014

               EN

               Official Journal of the European Union

               C 118/3

      COUNCIL DECISION

   of 14 April 2014
   appointing a member and alternate members of the Advisory Committee on Safety and Health at Work for Croatia
   2014/C 118/02
   THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION,
   Having regard to the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union,
   Having regard to Council Decision 2003/C 218/01 of 22 July 2003 setting up an Advisory Committee on Safety and Health at Work (1), and in particular Article 3 thereof,
   Having regard to the list of candidates submitted to the Council by the Governments of the Member States,
   Whereas:

               (1)

               By its Decision of 22 April 2013 (2), the Council appointed the members and alternate members of the Advisory Committee on Safety and Health at Work for the period from 22 April 2013 until 28 February 2016.

               (2)

               The Government of Croatia has submitted further nominations for several posts to be filled,

         HAS ADOPTED THIS DECISION:
   Article 1
   The following are appointed as member and alternate members of the Advisory Committee on Safety and Health at Work for the period ending on 28 February 2016:

      TRADE UNION REPRESENTATIVES:

               Country

               Member

               Alternate

               Croatia

               Mr Zdenko MUČNJAK

               Ms Gordana PALAJSA
               Mr Marko PALADA

         Article 2
   The members and alternate members not yet nominated will be appointed by the Council at a later date.
   Article 3
   This Decision shall enter into force on the date of its adoption.

      Done at Luxembourg, 14 April 2014.

            For the Council

            The President

         A. TSAFTARIS

      (1)  OJ C 218, 13.9.2003, p. 1.

      (2)  OJ C 120, 26.4.2013, p. 7.


title: 2013/476/EU: Council Decision of 26 September 2013 amending Decision 2007/641/EC, concerning the Republic of Fiji and extending the period of application thereof

text:
               28.9.2013

               EN

               Official Journal of the European Union

               L 257/12

         COUNCIL DECISION
   of 26 September 2013
   amending Decision 2007/641/EC, concerning the Republic of Fiji and extending the period of application thereof
   (2013/476/EU)
   THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION,
   Having regard to the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union, and in particular Article 217 thereof,
   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 (1), as revised in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso, on 22 June 2010 (2) (‘the ACP-EU Partnership Agreement’), and in particular Article 96 thereof,
   Having regard to the Internal Agreement between the representatives of the governments of the Member States, meeting within the Council, on measures to be taken and procedures to be followed for the implementation of the ACP-EC Partnership Agreement (3), and in particular Article 3 thereof,
   Having regard to Regulation (EC) No 1905/2006 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 18 December 2006 establishing a financing instrument for development cooperation (4) (the ‘Development Cooperation Instrument’), and in particular Article 37 thereof,
   Having regard to the proposal from the European Commission,
   Whereas:

               (1)

               Council Decision 2007/641/EC (5) was adopted to take appropriate measures following the violation of the essential elements referred to in Article 9 of the ACP-EU Partnership Agreement, and of the values referred to in Article 3 of the Development Cooperation Instrument.

               (2)

               Those measures have been extended by Council Decision 2009/735/EC (6), and subsequently by Council Decisions 2010/208/EU (7), 2010/589/EU (8), 2011/219/EU (9), 2011/637/EU (10) and 2012/523/EU (11), since not only has the Republic of Fiji yet to implement important commitments it made in consultations held in April 2007 concerning essential elements of the ACP-EU Partnership Agreement and the Development Cooperation Instrument, but there had also been important regressive developments concerning a number of these commitments.

               (3)

               There have been considerable developments since April 2007 and the commitments agreed with the Republic of Fiji will be revised accordingly. The commitments will be reviewed in the context of a political dialogue and in light of the current legal situation. Prospective reengagement towards the programming of future development assistance should continue.

               (4)

               Decision 2007/641/EC expires on 30 September 2013. It is appropriate to update that Decision and to extend its validity accordingly.

               (5)

               The European Union will engage in a political dialogue in order to review and update the commitments made in 2007 and adapt the appropriate measures accordingly,

         HAS ADOPTED THIS DECISION:
   Article 1
   In Decision 2007/641/EC the second paragraph of Article 3 is replaced by the following:

      ‘It shall expire on 31 March 2015. It shall be reviewed regularly at least once every six months’.

   Article 2
   The letter in the Annex to this Decision shall be addressed to the Republic of Fiji.
   Article 3
   This Decision shall enter into force on the day of its adoption.

      Done at Brussels, 26 September 2013.

            For the Council

            The President

         E. GUSTAS

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

      (2)  OJ L 287, 4.11.2010, p. 3.

      (3)  OJ L 317, 15.12.2000, p. 376.

      (4)  OJ L 378, 27.12.2006, p. 41.

      (5)  Council Decision 2007/641/EC of 1 October 2007 on the conclusion of consultations with the Republic of the Fiji Islands under Article 96 of the ACP-EC Partnership Agreement and Article 37 of the Development Cooperation Instrument (OJ L 260, 5.10.2007, p. 15).

      (6)  Council Decision 2009/735/EC of 24 September 2009 extending the period of application of the measures in Decision 2007/641/EC concluding consultations with the Republic of the Fiji Islands under Article 96 of the ACP-EC Partnership Agreement and Article 37 of the Development Cooperation Instrument (OJ L 262, 6.10.2009, p. 43).

      (7)  Council Decision 2010/208/EU of 29 March 2010 amending and extending Decision 2007/641/EC on the conclusion of consultations with the Republic of the Fiji Islands under Article 96 of the ACP-EC Partnership Agreement and Article 37 of the Development Cooperation Instrument (OJ L 89, 9.4.2010, p. 7).

      (8)  Council Decision 2010/589/EU of 27 September 2010 amending and extending the period of application of Decision 2007/641/EC concluding consultations with the Republic of the Fiji Islands under Article 96 of the ACP-EU Partnership Agreement and Article 37 of the Development Cooperation Instrument (OJ L 260, 2.10.2010, p. 10).

      (9)  Council Decision 2011/219/EU of 31 March 2011 amending and extending the period of application of Decision 2007/641/EC on the conclusion of consultations with the Republic of Fiji pursuant to Article 96 of the ACP-EC Partnership Agreement and Article 37 of the Development Cooperation Instrument (OJ L 93, 7.4.2011, p. 2).

      (10)  Council Decision 2011/637/EU of 26 September 2011 amending and extending the period of application of Decision 2007/641/EC on the conclusion of consultations with the Republic of the Fiji Islands under Article 96 of the ACP-EC Partnership Agreement and Article 37 of the Development Cooperation Instrument (OJ L 252, 28.9.2011, p. 1).

      (11)  Council Decision 2012/523/EU of 24 September 2012 amending and extending the period of application of Decision 2007/641/EC on the conclusion of consultations with the Republic of the Fiji Islands under Article 96 of the ACP-EC Partnership Agreement and Article 37 of the Development Cooperation Instrument (OJ L 263, 28.9.2012, p. 2).

      ANNEX
      H.E. Ratu Epeli NAILATIKAU
      President of the Republic of Fiji
      Suva
      Republic of Fiji
      Your Excellency,
      The European Union (EU) attaches great importance to the provisions of Article 9 of the ACP-EU Partnership Agreement and Article 3 of the Development Cooperation Instrument. The ACP-EU partnership is founded on respect for human rights, democratic principles and the rule of law, which form the essential elements of the ACP-EU Partnership Agreement, and are the basis of our relations.
      Six years have elapsed since the EU took a decision on the appropriate measures following the military coup of 2006, and since then a set of commitments were agreed with Fiji.
      The EU notes that since 2007 some of the agreed commitments have become outdated and some are in need of revision in the light of Fiji's new legal framework. In order to have an appropriate basis for assessing Fiji's reform progress, we need to revise these commitments together, taking into account the current situation and the legal framework.
      The EU has therefore decided to include in its new decision on appropriate measures a requirement that the EU engage with Fiji in an enhanced political dialogue under Article 8 of the ACP-EU Partnership Agreement. This will be with a view to revising together the agreed commitments of 2007, and to adapting the appropriate measures (annexed to this letter) accordingly, as necessary steps towards ensuring respect for human rights, the restoration of democracy and respect for the rule of law, until both parties conclude that the enhanced nature of the dialogue has served its purpose.
      As some restrictions on certain human rights and fundamental freedoms remain in Fiji, and in light of the necessary revision of the agreed commitments, the EU has decided to extend the appropriate measures by 18 months, until 31 March 2015. This will provide the necessary flexibility and will give both the EU and Fiji the time they need to agree on the commitments, to adapt the appropriate measures accordingly, and for the government to hold its elections planned for September 2014.
      The EU will monitor the progress made towards a return to constitutional rule and this will continue to guide our upcoming decisions on development cooperation. In this spirit the EU confirms its willingness to engage in preparations for the 11th EDF programming process, and to notify in due course an indicative national financing allocation in this process. The finalisation, signature and implementation of 11th EDF programming documents will be envisaged with the democratically elected government.
      Once Fiji has held free and fair elections and met the revised agreed commitments, an Article 96 review mission, in line with the ACP-EU Partnership Agreement, will be conducted in Fiji. Based on an agreement on the recommendations of this assessment, the Article 96 appropriate measures can then be concluded for Fiji.
      In order to advance cooperation under the ACP-EU Partnership Agreement and the Development Cooperation Instrument, the EU invites the Interim Government to engage in an enhanced political dialogue with the EU, starting as soon as possible.
      The EU also welcomes the engagement with the Pacific Island's Forum Ministerial Contact Group set up to monitor the progress of Fiji's preparations for the elections and its return to democracy and looks forward to the next steps for a transparent, participatory and credible electoral process, leading to free and fair elections and Fiji's return to democratic rule.
      Yours sincerely,
      Done at Brussels,

            For the Council

         C. ASHTON

            President

            For the Commission

         A. PIEBALGS

            Commissioner

         ANNEX 1 TO THE ANNEX
         The appropriate measures, which will be adapted following the revision of the agreed commitments under the enhanced political dialogue, are as follows:

                     —

                     humanitarian aid and direct support to civil society and vulnerable populations may continue;

                     —

                     the cooperation activities under way, in particular under the 8th and 9th EDFs, was allowed to continue;

                     —

                     cooperation activities that would help the return to democracy and improve governance may be pursued, save under very exceptional circumstances;

                     —

                     implementation of the sugar reform accompanying measures for 2006 was allowed to proceed. The Financing Agreement was signed at the technical level by Fiji on 19 June 2007. It is noted that the Financing Agreement includes a suspension clause;

                     —

                     the 2007 sugar allocation is zero;

                     —

                     availability of the 2008 sugar allocation was subject to evidence of credible and timely preparation of elections in accordance with the agreed commitments, notably regarding a census, the redrafting of boundaries and electoral reform in accordance with the Constitution, and measures taken to ensure the functioning of the Elections Office, including the appointment of a Supervisor of Elections by 30 September 2007 in accordance with the Constitution. This 2008 sugar allocation was lost on 31 December 2009;

                     —

                     the 2009 sugar allocation was cancelled in May 2009 because the Interim Government decided to delay general elections until September 2014;

                     —

                     the 2010 allocation was cancelled before 1 May 2010 as no progress was made in the continuation of the democratic process; however, given the critical situation of the sugar sector part of the allocation was set aside for direct assistance to the population directly dependent on sugar production in order to mitigate adverse social consequences. These funds are centrally managed by the EU's Delegation in Suva and not channelled through the Government;

                     —

                     the preparation of programming for the 11th EDF may be launched, so that Fiji could expect to be notified of an indicative allocation in due course;

                     —

                     specific support for the preparation and implementation of key commitments, in particular in support of the preparation and/or holding of elections, could be considered;

                     —

                     regional cooperation, and Fiji's participation in it, is unaffected;

                     —

                     monitoring of the commitments will be in accordance with the terms in the Annex to this letter concerning regular dialogue, and effective cooperation with assessment and monitoring missions and reporting.

         ANNEX 2 TO THE ANNEX

            COMMITMENTS AGREED WITH THE REPUBLIC OF THE FIJI ISLANDS IN 2007

         A.   Respect for Democratic Principles

            Commitment No 1

         That free and fair parliamentary elections take place within 24 months from 1 March 2007, subject to the findings of an assessment to be carried out by the independent auditors appointed by the Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat. The processes leading to the holding of the elections will be jointly monitored, adapted and revised as necessary on the basis of mutually agreed benchmarks. This implies in particular that:

                     —

                     by 30 June 2007 the Interim Government will adopt a schedule setting out dates for the completion of the various steps to be taken in preparation for the new parliamentary elections,

                     —

                     the schedule specifies the timing of a census, the redrafting of boundaries and electoral reform,

                     —

                     the determination of boundaries and electoral reform will be carried out in accordance with the Constitution,

                     —

                     measures will be taken to ensure the functioning of the Elections Office, including the appointment of a Supervisor of Elections by 30 September 2007 in accordance with the Constitution,

                     —

                     the appointment of the Vice-President will be in accordance with the Constitution.

            Commitment No 2

         That the Interim Government, when adopting major legislative, fiscal and other policy initiatives and changes, will take into account consultations with civil society and other relevant stakeholders.
         B.   Rule of Law

            Commitment No 1

         That the Interim Government will use its best endeavours to prevent statements by security agencies designed to intimidate.

            Commitment No 2

         That the Interim Government upholds the 1997 Constitution and guarantees the normal and independent functioning of constitutional institutions, such as the Fiji Human Rights Commission, the Public Service Commission, and the Constitutional Offices Commission. The substantial independence and functioning of the Great Council of Chiefs will be preserved.

            Commitment No 3

         That the independence of the judiciary is fully respected, that it is allowed to work freely and that its rulings are respected by all concerned parties, in particular:

                     —

                     that the Interim Government undertakes to appoint the tribunal pursuant to Section 138(3) of the Constitution by 15 July 2007,

                     —

                     that any appointment and/or dismissal of judges is henceforth carried out in strict conformity with constitutional provisions and procedural rules,

                     —

                     that there will be no instances whatsoever of interference, of whatever form, by the military and the police or by the Interim Government with the judicial process, including full respect for the legal profession.

            Commitment No 4

         That all criminal proceedings in connection with corruption are dealt with through the appropriate judicial channels and that any other bodies that may be set up to investigate alleged cases of corruption will operate within constitutional boundaries.
         C.   Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms

            Commitment No 1

         The Interim Government will take all necessary steps to facilitate that all allegations of human rights infringements are investigated or dealt with in accordance with the various procedures and forums under the laws of the Fiji Islands.

            Commitment No 2

         The Interim Government will lift the Public Emergency Regulations in May 2007, subject to any threats to national security, public order and safety.

            Commitment No 3

         The Interim Government is committed to ensuring that the Fiji Human Rights Commission functions with full independence and in accordance with the Constitution.

            Commitment No 4

         That freedom of expression and freedom of the media, in all forms, are fully respected as provided in the Constitution.
         D.   Follow-up of Commitments

            Commitment No 1

         That the Interim Government undertakes to maintain a regular dialogue to allow verification of the progress made and gives EU and European Commission authorities/representatives full access to information on all matters relating to human rights, the peaceful restoration of democracy and the rule of law in Fiji.

            Commitment No 2

         That the Interim Government cooperates fully with any missions from the EU to assess and monitor progress.

            Commitment No 3

         That the Interim Government sends progress reports every three months starting 30 June 2007 regarding the essential elements of the ACP-EU Partnership Agreement and the commitments.
         It is noted that certain issues can only be effectively addressed through a pragmatic approach that acknowledges the realities of the present and which focuses on the future.


title: 2004/641/EC: Commission Decision of 14 September 2004 amending Decision 2002/627/EC establishing the European Regulators Group for Electronic Communications Networks and Services(Text with EEA relevance)

text:
               16.9.2004

               EN

               Official Journal of the European Union

               L 293/30

      COMMISSION DECISION

   of 14 September 2004
   amending Decision 2002/627/EC establishing the European Regulators Group for Electronic Communications Networks and Services
   (Text with EEA relevance)
   (2004/641/EC)
   THE COMMISSION OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES,
   Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Community,
   Whereas:

               (1)

               Commission Decision 2002/627/EC (1) established the European Regulators Group for Electronic Communications Networks and Services.

               (2)

               Operational experience with this group has highlighted the need to clarify issues concerning the membership of the Group and to focus the work of the Group on the tasks linked to day-to-day supervision of implementation of the new regulatory framework for electronic communications networks and services.

               (3)

               All Member States have established regulatory authorities with responsibilities for day to day oversight of the market for electronic communications,

         HAS DECIDED AS FOLLOWS:
   Article 1
   Decision 2002/627/EC is amended as follows:

               1.

               Article 2 is deleted;

               2.

               in Article 3 the following paragraph is added:
               ‘The Group shall advise and assist the Commission on any matter related to electronic communications networks and services within its competence, either at its own initiative or at the Commission’s request.’;

               3.

               Article 4 is replaced by the following:
               ‘Article 4
               Membership
               1.   The Group shall be composed of the heads of the independent national regulatory authority established in each Member State with primary responsibility for overseeing the day-to-day operation of the market for electronic communications networks and services, or their representatives.
               There shall be one member per Member State. The Commission shall be represented at an appropriate level and shall provide the secretariat to the Group.
               2.   The relevant national authorities referred to in paragraph 1 are listed in the Annex. The Commission shall keep this list under review in the light of any changes introduced by Member States to the names or responsibilities of these authorities.’.

               4.

               Article 5 is amended as follows:

                           (a)

                           the first paragraph is deleted;

                           (b)

                           in the last paragraph, the first sentence is replaced by the following:
                           ‘Experts from EEA States that are not members of the European Union and those States that are candidates for accession to the European Union may participate as observers in the Group.’

               5.

               The text in the Annex to this Decision is added as an Annex.

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

      Done at Brussels, 14 September 2004.

            For the Commission

         Olli REHN

            Member of the Commission

      (1)  OJ L 200, 30.7.2002, p. 38.

      ANEXO — PŘÍLOHA — BILAG — ANHANG — ANNEKS — ΠΑΡΑΡΤΗΜΑ — ANNEX — ANNEXE — ALLEGATO — PIELIKUMS — PRIEDAS — MELLÉKLET — ANNESS — BIJLAGE — ZAŁĄCZNIK — ANEXO — PRÍLOHA — PRILOGA — LIITE — BILAGA
      List of Members of the ERG

                  Country

                  National Regulatory Authority

                  Belgique/België

                  Institut belge des services postaux et des télécommunications (IBPT)
                  Belgisch Instituut voor postdiensten en telecommunicatie (BIPT)

                  Česká republika

                  Český telekomunikační úřad (ČTÚ)

                  Danmark

                  IT- og Telestyrelsen — National IT and Telecom Agency (NITA)

                  Deutschland

                  Regulierungsbehörde für Telekommunikation und Post (Reg TP)

                  Eesti

                  Sideamet (SIDEAMET)

                  Ελλάδα

                  Εθνική Επιτροπή Τηλεπικοινωνιών και Ταχυδρομείων

                  Elláda

                  National Telecommunications and Post Commission (EETT)

                  España

                  Comisión del Mercado de las Telecomunicaciones (CMT)

                  France

                  Autorité de Régulation des Télécommunications (ART)

                  Ireland

                  Commission for Communications Regulation (ComReg)

                  Italia

                  Autorità per le garanzie nelle comunicazioni (AGCOM)

                  Kypros

                  Office of the Commissioner of Telecommunications and Postal Regulation (OCTPR)

                  Latvija

                  Sabiedrisko pakalpojumu regulēšanas komisija (SPRK)

                  Lietuva

                  Ryšių reguliavimo tarnyba (RRT)

                  Luxembourg

                  Institut Luxembourgeois de Régulation (ILR)

                  Magyarország

                  Nemzeti Hírközlési Hatóság (NHH)

                  Malta

                  Malta Communications Authority (MCA)

                  Nederland

                  Onafhankelijke Post en Telecommunicatie Autoriteit (OPTA)

                  Österreich

                  Rundfunk und Telekom Regulierungs-GmbH (RTR)

                  Polska

                  Urząd Regulacji Telekomunikacji i Poczty (URTiP)

                  Portugal

                  ICP — Autoridade Nacional de Comunicações (ICP-ANACOM)

                  Slovenija

                  Agencija za telekomunikacije, radiodifuzijo in pošto Republike Slovenije (ATRP)

                  Slovensko

                  Telekomunikačný úrad Slovenskej republiky (TU SR)

                  Suomi Finland

                  Viestintävirasto Kommunikationsverket (FICORA)

                  Sverige

                  Post- och telestyrelsen (PTS)

                  United Kingdom

                  Office of Communications (Ofcom)


Avis juridique important

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32002D0627

2002/627/EC: Commission Decision of 29 July 2002 establishing the European Regulators Group for Electronic Communications Networks and Services (Text with EEA relevance)

Official Journal L 200 , 30/07/2002 P. 0038 - 0040

Commission Decisionof 29 July 2002establishing the European Regulators Group for Electronic Communications Networks and Services(Text with EEA relevance)(2002/627/EC)THE COMMISSION OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES,Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Community,Whereas:(1) A new regulatory framework for electronic communications networks and services has been established in accordance with European Parliament and Council Directives 2002/21/EC of 7 March 2002 on a common regulatory framework for electronic communications networks and services (Framework Directive)(1), 2002/19/EC of 7 March 2002 on access to, and interconnection of, electronic communications networks and associated facilities (Access Directive)(2), 2002/20/EC of 7 March 2002 on the authorisation of electronic communications networks and services (Authorisation Directive)(3) and 2002/22/EC of 7 March 2002 on the universal services and users' rights related to electronic communications networks and services (Universal Service Directive)(4).(2) National regulatory authorities have been set up in all Member States to carry out the regulatory tasks specified in these Directives and as to be notified to the Commission in accordance with Article 3(6) of the Framework Directive. In accordance with the Framework Directive, Member States must guarantee the independence of national regulatory authorities by ensuring that they are legally distinct from and functionally independent of all organisations providing electronic communications networks, equipment or services. Member States that retain ownership or control of undertakings providing electronic communications networks and/or services must also ensure effective structural separation of the regulatory function from activities associated with ownership or control.(3) Detailed responsibilities and tasks of the national regulatory authorities differ among the various Member States, but all of them have at least one national regulatory authority who is charged with application of the rules once they have been transposed into national law, in particular the rules concerning day-to-day supervision of the market.(4) The need for the relevant rules to be consistently applied in all Member States is essential for the successful development of an internal market for electronic communications networks and services. The new regulatory framework sets out objectives to be achieved and provides a framework for action by national regulatory authorities, whilst granting them flexibility in certain areas to apply the rules in the light of national conditions.(5) A European Regulators Group for Electronic Communications Networks and Services (hereinafter referred to as the Group) should be established to provide an interface for advising and assisting the Commission in the electronic communications field.(6) The Group should provide an interface between national regulatory authorities and the Commission in such a way as to contribute to the development of the internal market. It should also allow cooperation between national regulatory authorities and the Commission in a transparent manner so as to ensure the consistent application in all Member States of the regulatory framework for electronic communications networks and services.(7) The Group should serve as a body for reflection, debate and advice for the Commission in the electronic communications field, including on matters related to the implementation and revision of Recommendation on Relevant Product and Service Markets and in drawing up the Decision on transnational markets.(8) Close cooperation should be maintained between the Group and the Communications Committee established under the Framework Directive. The work of the Group should not interfere with the work of the Committee.(9) Coordination should be ensured with the Radio Spectrum Committee established under a Decision No 676/2002/EC of the European Parliament and Council of 7 March 2002 on a regulatory framework for radio spectrum policy in the European Community (Radio Spectrum Decision)(5), the Radio Spectrum Policy Group established under the Commission Decision 2002/622/EC of 26 July 2002 establishing a Radio Spectrum Policy Group(6) and the Television Without frontiers Contact Committee, created pursuant to Directive 97/36/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council(7) on the coordination of certain provisions laid down by law, regulation or administrative action in Member States concerning the pursuit of television broadcasting activities,HAS DECIDED AS FOLLOWS:Article 1Subject matterAn advisory group of the independent national regulatory authorities on electronic communications networks and services, called the European Regulators Group for Electronic Communications Networks and Services (hereinafter referred to as the Group), is hereby established.Article 2DefinitionFor the purpose of this Decision: "relevant national regulatory authority" means the public authority established in each Member State to oversee the day-to-day interpretation and application of the provisions of the Directives relating to electronic communications network and services as defined in "Framework" Directive.Article 3AimsThe role of the Group shall be to advise and assist the Commission in consolidating the internal market for electronic communications networks and services.The Group shall provide an interface between national regulatory authorities and the Commission in such a way as to contribute to the development of the internal market and to the consistent application in all Member States of the regulatory framework for electronic communications networks and services.Article 4MembershipThe Group shall be composed of the heads of each relevant national regulatory authority in each Member State or their representatives.The Commission shall be represented at an appropriate level and shall provide the secretariat to the Group.Article 5Operational arrangementsAt its own initiative or at the Commission's request the Group shall advise and assist the Commission on any matter related to electronic communications networks and services.The Group shall elect a chairperson from among its members. The work of the group may be organised into subgroups and expert working groups as appropriate.The chairperson shall convene the meetings of the Group in agreement with the Commission.The Group shall adopt its rules of procedure by consensus or, in the absence of consensus, by a two-thirds majority vote, one vote being expressed per Member State, subject to the approval of the Commission.The Commission shall be represented at all meetings of the Group and be able to attend all meetings of its subgroups and expert working groups.Experts from EEA States and those states that are candidates for accession to the European Union may participate as observers in the Group. The Group may invite other experts and observers to attend its meetingsArticle 6ConsultationThe Group shall consult extensively and at an early stage with market participants, consumers and end-users in an open and transparent manner.Article 7ConfidentialityWithout prejudice to the provisions of Article 287 of the Treaty, where the Commission informs them that the advice requested or the question raised is of a confidential nature, members of the Group as well as observers and any other person shall be under an obligation not to disclose information which has come to their knowledge through the work of the Group, its subgroups or expert groups. The Commission may decide in such cases that only members of the Group may be present at meetings.Article 8Annual reportThe Group shall submit an annual report of its activities to the Commission. The Commission shall transmit the report to the European Parliament and to the Council, where appropriate with comments.Article 9Entry into forceThis Decision shall enter into force the day of its publication in the Official Journal of the European Communities.The Group shall take up its duties on the date of entry into force of this Decision.Done at Brussels, 29 July 2002.For the CommissionErkki LiikanenMember of the Commission(1) OJ L 108, 24.4.2002, p. 33.(2) OJ L 108, 24.4.2002, p. 7.(3) OJ L 108, 24.4.2002, p. 21.(4) OJ L 108, 24.4.2002, p. 51.(5) OJ L 108, 24.4.2002, p. 1.(6) OJ L 198, 27.7.2002, p. 49.(7) OJ L 202, 30.7.1997, p. 60.