title: Council Decision (EU) 2018/902 of 21 April 2016 on the signing, on behalf of the European Union and its Member States, and provisional application of a Protocol to the Framework Agreement between the European Union and its Member States, on the one part, and the Republic of Korea, on the other part, to take account of the accession of the Republic of Croatia to the European Union

text:
               26.6.2018

               EN

               Official Journal of the European Union

               L 161/1

         COUNCIL DECISION (EU) 2018/902
   of 21 April 2016
   on the signing, on behalf of the European Union and its Member States, and provisional application of a Protocol to the Framework Agreement between the European Union and its Member States, on the one part, and the Republic of Korea, on the other part, to take account of the accession of the Republic of Croatia to the European Union
   THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION,
   Having regard to the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union and in particular Articles 207 and 212, in conjunction with Article 218(5), thereof,
   Having regard to the Act of Accession of the Republic of Croatia, and in particular Article 6(2) thereof,
   Having regard to the proposal from the European Commission,
   Whereas:

               (1)

               The Framework Agreement between the European Union and its Member States, on the one part, and the Republic of Korea, on the other part (1) (‘the Agreement’), was signed in Brussels on 10 May 2010.

               (2)

               The Republic of Croatia became a Member State of the European Union on 1 July 2013.

               (3)

               Under the terms of Article 6(2) of the Act of Accession, Croatia's accession to the Agreement is to be agreed by means of a Protocol to the Agreement. A simplified procedure is to apply whereby the Protocol is to be concluded by the Council, acting unanimously on behalf of the Member States, and by the third countries concerned.

               (4)

               On 14 September 2012, the Council authorised the Commission to open negotiations with the third countries concerned. The negotiations with the Republic of Korea were successfully concluded by the initialling of the Protocol.

               (5)

               Article 4(3) of the Protocol provides for its provisional application before its entry into force.

               (6)

               The Protocol should be signed, and applied on a provisional basis pending the completion of the procedures for its conclusion,

         HAS ADOPTED THIS DECISION:
   Article 1
   The signing on behalf of the Union and its Member States of the Protocol to the Framework Agreement between the European Union and its Member States, on the one part, and the Republic of Korea, on the other part, is hereby authorised, subject to the conclusion of the Protocol.
   The text of the Protocol is attached to this Decision.
   Article 2
   The President of the Council is hereby authorised to designate the person(s) empowered to sign the Protocol on behalf of the Union and its Member States.
   Article 3
   The Protocol shall be applied on a provisional basis, pending the completion of the procedures for its conclusion.
   Article 4
   This Decision shall enter into force on the date of its adoption.

      Done at Luxembourg, 21 April 2016.

            For the Council

            The President

         A. VAN DER STEUR

      (1)  OJ L 20, 23.1.2013, p. 2.


title: Council Decision (CFSP) 2018/906 of 25 June 2018 extending the mandate of the European Union Special Representative for the Sahel

text:
               26.6.2018

               EN

               Official Journal of the European Union

               L 161/22

         COUNCIL DECISION (CFSP) 2018/906
   of 25 June 2018
   extending the mandate of the European Union Special Representative for the Sahel
   THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION,
   Having regard to the Treaty on European Union, and in particular Article 33 and Article 31(2) thereof,
   Having regard to the proposal from the High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy,
   Whereas:

               (1)

               On 7 December 2015, the Council adopted Decision (CFSP) 2015/2274 (1) appointing Mr Ángel LOSADA FERNÁNDEZ as the European Union Special Representative (EUSR) for the Sahel. The EUSR's mandate is to expire on 30 June 2018.

               (2)

               The EUSR's mandate should be extended for a further period of 20 months.

               (3)

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

         HAS ADOPTED THIS DECISION:
   Article 1
   European Union Special Representative
   1.   The mandate of Mr Ángel LOSADA FERNÁNDEZ as the EUSR for the Sahel is extended until 29 February 2020. The Council may decide that the mandate of the EUSR be terminated earlier, based on an assessment by the Political and Security Committee (PSC) and a proposal from the High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy (HR).
   2.   For the purposes of the EUSR's mandate, the Sahel is defined as comprising the primary focus of the EU Strategy for Security and Development in the Sahel (the ‘Strategy’) and its Regional Action Plan (the ‘RAP’), namely Burkina Faso, Chad, Mali, Mauritania and Niger. For issues with broader regional implications, the EUSR shall engage with the countries of the Lake Chad Basin and other countries and regional or international entities beyond the Sahel, including the Maghreb, West Africa and the Gulf of Guinea, as appropriate.
   Article 2
   Policy objectives
   1.   The EUSR's mandate shall be based on the policy objective of the Union in relation to the Sahel to contribute actively to regional and international efforts to achieve lasting peace, security and development in the region. The EUSR shall furthermore aim to enhance the quality, intensity and impact of the Union's multi-faceted engagement in the Sahel.
   2.   The EUSR shall contribute to developing and implementing all the Union's efforts in the region, in particular in the political, security and development areas, and to coordinating all relevant instruments for Union actions.
   3.   Priority shall be given to Mali's long-term stabilisation and to the partnership with the G5 Sahel, in coordination with the Union delegations and other relevant stakeholders, including Member States, the Commission and the European External Action Service (EEAS).
   4.   The Union's policy objectives shall aim, through the coordinated and effective use of all its instruments, to promote a return for Mali and its people to a path of peace, reconciliation, security and development.
   5.   The Union's policy objectives shall also aim to strengthen the link between security and development issues in the countries of the G5 Sahel.
   Article 3
   Mandate
   1.   In order to achieve the Union's policy objectives in relation to the Sahel, the mandate of the EUSR shall be to:

               (a)

               actively contribute to the implementation of the Strategy and its RAP and to coordinate and further develop the Union's integrated approach to the regional crises, with a view to enhancing the overall coherence and effectiveness of Union activities in the Sahel;

               (b)

               engage with all relevant stakeholders of the region, governments, regional organisations, in particular the G5 Sahel and its Joint Force in regard to which attention should, inter alia, be paid to promoting respect for human rights and non-military elements of the force such as the police component, international organisations, civil society and diasporas, including with all the countries of the Maghreb and Lake Chad Basin, with a view to furthering the Union's objectives and contribute to a better understanding of the role of the Union in the Sahel;

               (c)

               represent and promote the interests and visibility of the Union in relevant regional and international fora, including the participation in the Comité de Suivi of the Mali Peace Agreement, and facilitate fully coordinated and comprehensive Union action in the region drawing on all relevant instruments, including development cooperation such as the Sahel Alliance, Member States' activities and Union support to crisis management and conflict prevention through the European Union military mission to contribute to the training of the Malian armed Forces (EUTM Mali), the European Union CSDP mission in Mali (EUCAP Sahel Mali), the European Union CSDP mission in Niger (EUCAP Sahel Niger), and stabilisation action under Article 28 of the Treaty;

               (d)

               maintain close cooperation with the UN, in particular the Special Representative of the Secretary-General for West Africa and the Sahel, the Special Representative of the Secretary-General and Head of the UN Multidimensional Integrated Stabilisation Mission, the African Union (AU), in particular the AU High Representative for Mali and the Sahel, the G5 Sahel, in particular the G5 Presidency and its Permanent Secretary, the Economic Community of West African States, the lake Chad Basin Commission and other leading national, regional and international stakeholders including other special envoys for the Sahel, as well as with the relevant authorities in the Maghreb and Middle East area;

               (e)

               closely follow the regional and trans-boundary dimensions of the challenges facing the region, including terrorism, organised crime, arms smuggling, human trafficking and smuggling, drug trafficking, refugee and migration flows and related financial flows; in close cooperation with the EU Counter-Terrorism Coordinator, contribute to the further implementation of the EU Counter-Terrorism Strategy;

               (f)

               closely follow the humanitarian, political, security and development consequences of large scale refugee and migration flows and related illicit financial flows across the region; upon request, engage in dialogues on migration with relevant stakeholders and contribute more generally to the Union's policy on migration and refugees with respect to the region, in line with the Union's political priorities, in order to increase cooperation including on return and readmission; work with countries of the Sahel to follow up action agreed at the Valetta Summit in November 2015, including the EU Emergency Trust Fund for Stability and Addressing Root Causes of Irregular Migration and Displaced Persons in Africa and in connection with the Partnership Frameworks;

               (g)

               maintain regular high level political contacts with the countries in the region affected by terrorism and international crime and ensure the Union's key role in the international efforts to fight terrorism and international crime. This includes the Union's efforts to enhance its support to the security sector through the regionalisation of the CSDP missions and active support to regional capacity-building in particular the Joint Force G5 Sahel, its coordination with international players such as MINUSMA, and its relation with the local population, in line with UN Security Council Resolution (UNSCR) 2359 (2017) and UNSCR 2391 (2017), and ensuring that the root causes of terrorism and international crime in the Sahel are adequately addressed;

               (h)

               closely follow the political, security and development consequences of humanitarian crises in the region;

               (i)

               with regard to Mali, contribute to the stabilisation of the country, in particular a full return to constitutional normalcy and governance throughout the territory and a credible national inclusive dialogue in the overall framework of the Mali Peace Agreement. This also includes promoting institution building, security sector reform, in line with UNSCR 2364 (2017), and long-term peace building and reconciliation and fighting against corruption and impunity in Mali, as well as facilitating active and fully coordinated Union efforts to promote a swift implementation of the Mali Peace Agreement;

               (j)

               contribute to the implementation of the Union's human rights policy in the region in cooperation with the EUSR for Human Rights, including the EU Guidelines on human rights, in particular the EU Guidelines on Children and Armed Conflict, as well as on violence against women and girls and combating all forms of discrimination against them, and the Union's policy on Women, Peace and Security, and promote inclusiveness and gender equality in the state building process, in line with UNSCR 1325 (2000) and subsequent resolutions on Women, Peace and Security, including UNSCR 2242 (2015). The contribution will include monitoring and reporting on developments, as well as formulating recommendations in this regard and maintain regular contacts with the relevant authorities in Mali and in the region, the Office of the Prosecutor of the International Criminal Court, the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights and the human rights defenders and observers in the region;

               (k)

               follow up and report on compliance with relevant UNSCRs, in particular UNSCRs 2056 (2012), 2071 (2012), 2085 (2012), 2100 (2013), 2295 (2016), 2364 (2017) and 2374 (2017), 2359 (2017), 2391 (2017).

         2.   For the purpose of the fulfilment of the EUSR's mandate, the EUSR shall, inter alia:

               (a)

               advise and report on the formulation of Union positions in regional and international fora, as appropriate, in order to proactively promote and strengthen the Union's comprehensive approach towards the crisis in the Sahel;

               (b)

               maintain an overview of all activities of the Union and cooperate closely with relevant Union delegations.

         Article 4
   Implementation of the mandate
   1.   The EUSR shall be responsible for the implementation of the mandate, acting under the authority of the HR.
   2.   The PSC shall maintain a privileged link with the EUSR and shall be the EUSR's primary point of contact with the Council. The PSC shall provide the EUSR with strategic guidance and political direction within the framework of the mandate, without prejudice to the responsibilities of the HR.
   3.   The EUSR shall work in close coordination with the European External Action Service (EEAS) and its relevant departments.
   Article 5
   Financing
   1.   The financial reference amount intended to cover the expenditure related to the EUSR's mandate for the period from 1 July 2018 to 29 February 2020 shall be EUR 2 400 000.
   2.   The expenditure shall be managed in accordance with the procedures and rules applicable to the general budget of the Union.
   3.   The management of the expenditure shall be subject to a contract between the EUSR and the Commission. The EUSR shall be accountable to the Commission for all expenditure.
   Article 6
   Constitution and composition of the team
   1.   Within the limits of the EUSR's mandate and the corresponding financial means made available, the EUSR shall be responsible for constituting a team. The team shall include the expertise on specific policy and security issues as required by the mandate, including gender. The EUSR shall keep the Council and the Commission promptly informed of the composition of the team.
   2.   Member States, institutions of the Union, and the EEAS may propose the secondment of staff to work with the EUSR. The salary of such seconded personnel shall be covered by the Member State, the sending institution of the Union or the EEAS, respectively. Experts seconded by Member States to the institutions of the Union or the EEAS may also be posted to the EUSR. International contracted staff shall have the nationality of a Member State.
   3.   All seconded personnel shall remain under the administrative authority of the sending Member State, the sending institution of the Union or the EEAS and shall carry out their duties and act in the interest of the EUSR's mandate.
   4.   The EUSR staff shall be co-located with the relevant EEAS departments or Union delegations in order to ensure coherence and consistency of their respective activities.
   Article 7
   Privileges and immunities of the EUSR and the EUSR's staff
   The privileges, immunities and further guarantees necessary for the completion and smooth functioning of the EUSR's mission and the members of the EUSR's staff shall be agreed with the host countries, as appropriate. Member States and the EEAS shall grant all necessary support to such effect.
   Article 8
   Security of EU classified information
   The EUSR and the members of EUSR's team shall respect the security principles and minimum standards established by Council Decision 2013/488/EU (2).
   Article 9
   Access to information and logistical support
   1.   Member States, the Commission, the EEAS and the General Secretariat of the Council shall ensure that the EUSR is given access to any relevant information.
   2.   The Union delegations in the region and/or Member States, as appropriate, shall provide logistical support in the region.
   Article 10
   Security
   In accordance with the Union's policy on the security of personnel deployed outside the Union in an operational capacity under Title V of the Treaty, the EUSR shall take all reasonably practicable measures, in accordance with the EUSR's mandate and the security situation in the geographical area of responsibility, for the security of all personnel under the EUSR's direct authority, in particular by:

               (a)

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

               (b)

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

               (c)

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

               (d)

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

         Article 11
   Reporting
   The EUSR shall regularly provide the HR and the PSC with reports, including an interim mandate report in spring 2019. The EUSR shall also report to Council working parties, as necessary. Regular reports shall be circulated through the COREU network. The EUSR may provide the Foreign Affairs Council with reports. In accordance with Article 36 of the Treaty, the EUSR may be involved in briefing the European Parliament.
   Article 12
   Coordination with other Union actors
   1.   In the framework of the Strategy and the RAP, the EUSR shall contribute to the unity, consistency and effectiveness of the Union's political and diplomatic action and shall help ensure that all Union instruments and Member States' actions are engaged consistently, to attain the Union's policy objectives. Liaison with Member States shall be sought where appropriate.
   2.   The activities of the EUSR shall be coordinated with those of Union delegations and of the Commission, as well as those of other EUSRs active in the region. The EUSR shall provide Member States' missions and Union delegations in the region with regular briefings.
   3.   In the field, close liaison shall be maintained with the relevant Heads of Member States' Missions and of the Union delegations. They shall make every effort to assist the EUSR in the implementation of the mandate. The EUSR, in close coordination with the relevant Union delegations, shall provide the Heads of Missions of EUCAP Sahel Niger and of EUCAP Sahel Mali and the Mission Commander of EUTM Mali with local political guidance. The EUSR, the Mission Commander of EUTM Mali and the Civilian Operation Commander of EUCAP Sahel Niger and EUCAP Sahel Mali shall consult each other as required.
   Article 13
   Assistance in relation to claims
   The EUSR and the EUSR's staff shall assist in providing elements to respond to any claims and obligations arising from the mandates of the previous EUSR for Sahel, and shall provide administrative assistance and access to relevant files for such purposes.
   Article 14
   Review
   The implementation of this Decision and its consistency with other contributions from the Union to the region shall be kept under regular review. The EUSR shall present the Council, the HR and the Commission with a progress report by 31 October 2018 and a comprehensive mandate implementation report by 30 November 2019.
   Article 15
   Entry into force
   This Decision shall enter into force on the date of its adoption.

      Done at Luxembourg, 25 June 2018.

            For the Council

            The President

         F. MOGHERINI

      (1)  Council Decision (CFSP) 2015/2274 of 7 December 2015 appointing the European Union Special Representative for the Sahel (OJ L 322, 8.12.2015, p. 44).

      (2)  Council Decision 2013/488/EU of 23 September 2013 on the security rules for protecting EU classified information (OJ L 274, 15.10.2013, p. 1).


title: Council Decision (CFSP) 2018/1000 of 16 July 2018 amending Decision (CFSP) 2016/1693 concerning restrictive measures against ISIL (Da'esh) and Al-Qaeda and persons, groups, undertakings and entities associated with them

text:
               16.7.2018

               EN

               Official Journal of the European Union

               LI 178/3

         COUNCIL DECISION (CFSP) 2018/1000
   of 16 July 2018
   amending Decision (CFSP) 2016/1693 concerning restrictive measures against ISIL (Da'esh) and Al-Qaeda and persons, groups, undertakings and entities associated with them
   THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION,
   Having regard to the Treaty on European Union and in particular Article 29 thereof,
   Having regard to Council Decision (CFSP) 2016/1693 of 20 September 2016 concerning restrictive measures against ISIL (Da'esh) and Al-Qaeda and persons, groups, undertakings and entities associated with them and repealing Common Position 2002/402/CFSP (1),
   Having regard to the proposal from the High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy,
   Whereas:

               (1)

               On 20 September 2016, the Council adopted Decision (CFSP) 2016/1693.

               (2)

               In view of the continued threat posed by ISIL (Da'esh) and Al-Qaeda and persons, groups, undertakings and entities associated with them, one person should be added to the list of persons, groups, undertakings and entities in Annex to Decision (CFSP) 2016/1693.

               (3)

               Decision (CFSP) 2016/1693 should be amended accordingly,

         HAS ADOPTED THIS DECISION:
   Article 1
   The Annex to Decision (CFSP) 2016/1693 is amended as set out in the Annex to this Decision.
   Article 2
   This Decision shall enter into force on the date of its publication in the Official Journal of the European Union.

      Done at Brussels, 16 July 2018.

            For the Council

            The President

         F. MOGHERINI

      (1)  OJ L 255, 21.9.2016, p. 25.

      ANNEX
      The following person is added to the list set out in Annex to Decision (CFSP) 2016/1693:

                     ‘2.

                     Rabah TAHARI (a.k.a. Abu Musab); date of birth: 28 August 1971; place of birth: Oran (Algeria); Nationality: Algerian.’.


title: Commission Decision of 11/07/2018 declaring a concentration to be compatible with the common market (Case No COMP/M.8910 - Bouygues Construction S.A. / Alpiq ES / Kraftanlagen München GmbH) according to Council Regulation (EC) No 139/2004 (Only the English text is authentic)

text:
                                EUROPEAN COMMISSION
                                                                Brussels, 11.7.2018
                                                                C(2018) 4699 final
                                                                             PUBLIC VERSION
                                                                To the notifying party
Subject:        Case M.8910 – BOUYGUES / ALPIQ INTEC AND KRAFTANLAGEN
                MÜNCHEN
                Commission decision pursuant to Article 6(1)(b) of Council Regulation (EC)
                                1                                                                             2
                No 139/2004 and Article 57 of the Agreement on the European Economic Area
Dear Sir or Madam,
1.      On 13 June 2018, the European Commission received notification of a proposed
        concentration pursuant to Article 4 of the Merger Regulation by which Bouygues
        Construction S.A. ('Bouygues Construction', France) acquires within the meaning of
        Article 3(1)(b) of the Merger Regulation sole control of the whole of Alpiq InTec AG
        ('Alpiq InTec', Switzerland), belonging to Alpiq Group and Kraftanlagen München GmbH
        ('KAM', Germany), belonging to Alpiq, by way of purchase of shares.3
2.      The business activities of the undertakings concerned are:
        −     for Bouygues Construction: construction, real estate development, media and
              telecommunications,
        −     for Alpiq InTec: building technology, facility management and transport and energy
              supply technology,
        −     for KAM: energy and power plant technology, nuclear technology, utility services and
              engineering services for industrial plants.
1       OJ L 24, 29.1.2004, p. 1 (the 'Merger Regulation'). With effect from 1 December 2009, the Treaty on the
        Functioning of the European Union ('TFEU') has introduced certain changes, such as the replacement of
        'Community' by 'Union' and 'common market' by 'internal market'. The terminology of the TFEU will be used
        throughout this decision.
2       OJ L 1, 3.1.1994, p. 3 (the 'EEA Agreement').
3       Publication in the Official Journal of the European Union No C 223, 27.6.2018, p. 10.
Commission européenne, DG COMP MERGER REGISTRY, 1049 Bruxelles, BELGIQUE
Europese Commissie, DG COMP MERGER REGISTRY, 1049 Brussel, BELGIË
Tel: +32 229-91111. Fax: +32 229-64301. E-mail: COMP-MERGER-REGISTRY@ec.europa.eu.
 ---pagebreak--- 3. After examination of the notification, the European Commission has concluded that the
   notified operation falls within the scope of the Merger Regulation and of paragraphs 5(c)
   and 6 of the Commission Notice on a simplified procedure for treatment of certain
   concentrations under Council Regulation (EC) No 139/2004.4
4. For the reasons set out in the Notice on a simplified procedure, the European Commission
   has decided not to oppose the notified operation and to declare it compatible with the
   internal market and with the EEA Agreement. This decision is adopted in application of
   Article 6(1)(b) of the Merger Regulation and Article 57 of the EEA Agreement.
                                                   For the Commission
                                                   (Signed)
                                                   Johannes LAITENBERGER
                                                   Director-General
4  OJ C 366, 14.12.2013, p. 5.
                                                 2


               31.1.2018

               EN

               Official Journal of the European Union

               C 35/148

         P8_TA(2016)0031
   Request for the waiver of the immunity of Robert Jarosław Iwaszkiewicz
   European Parliament decision of 2 February 2016 on the request for waiver of the immunity of Robert Jarosław Iwaszkiewicz (2015/2240(IMM))
   (2018/C 035/27)

      The European Parliament,

               —

               having regard to the request for waiver of the immunity of Robert Jarosław Iwaszkiewicz, forwarded on 13 August 2015 by the Prosecutor-General of the Republic of Poland in connection with proceedings to be brought by the Polish General Inspector of Road Transport (Ref. No CAN-PST-SCW.7421.1158450.2014.5.A.0475), and announced in plenary on 9 September 2015,

               —

               having regard to the fact that Robert Jarosław Iwaszkiewicz waived his right to a hearing, in accordance with Rule 9(5) of its Rules of Procedure,

               —

               having regard to Articles 8 and 9 of Protocol No 7 on the Privileges and Immunities of the European Union, and Article 6(2) of the Act of 20 September 1976 concerning the election of the members of the European Parliament by direct universal suffrage,

               —

               having regard to the judgments of the Court of Justice of the European Union of 12 May 1964, 10 July 1986, 15 and 21 October 2008, 19 March 2010, 6 September 2011 and 17 January 2013 (1),

               —

               having regard to Articles 105(2) and 108 of the Constitution of the Republic of Poland and Articles 7b(1) and 7c(1) in connection with Article 10b of the Polish Act of 9 May 1996 on the exercise of the mandate of Deputy and Senator,

               —

               having regard to Rule 5(2), Rule 6(1) and Rule 9 of its Rules of Procedure,

               —

               having regard to the report of the Committee on Legal Affairs (A8-0016/2016),

               A.

               whereas the Prosecutor-General of the Republic of Poland has forwarded a request from the Polish General Inspector of Road Transport for waiver of the immunity of a Member of the European Parliament elected with respect to Poland, Robert Jarosław Iwaszkiewicz, in connection with an offence under Article 92a of the Code of Petty Offences of 20 May 1971 in conjunction with Article 20(1) of the Road Traffic Act of 20 June 1997;

               B.

               whereas Article 9 of Protocol No 7 on the Privileges and Immunities of the European Union states that Members of the European Parliament must enjoy, on the territory of their own Member State, the immunities accorded to members of the Member State’s parliament;

               C.

               whereas Articles 105(2) and 108 of the Constitution of the Republic of Poland state that a deputy or a senator shall not be subject to criminal accountability without the consent of the Sejm or of the Senate, respectively;

               D.

               whereas it is thus incumbent upon the European Parliament to decide whether the immunity of Robert Jarosław Iwaszkiewicz is or is not to be waived;

               E.

               whereas Robert Jarosław Iwaszkiewicz is accused of failing to respect the speed limit in a built-up area;

               F.

               whereas the alleged offence does not have a direct or obvious connection with Robert Jarosław Iwaszkiewicz’s performance of his duties as a Member of the European Parliament, and nor does it concern opinions expressed or votes cast in the performance of his duties as a Member of the European Parliament for the purposes of Article 8 of Protocol No 7 on the Privileges and Immunities of the European Union;

               G.

               whereas, in this case, Parliament has found no evidence of fumus persecutionis, that is to say, a sufficiently serious and precise suspicion that the request has been brought with the intention of causing political damage to the Member concerned;

               1.

               Decides to waive the immunity of Robert Jarosław Iwaszkiewicz;

               2.

               Instructs its President to forward this decision and the report of its committee responsible immediately to the competent authority of the Republic of Poland and to Robert Jarosław Iwaszkiewicz.

      (1)  Judgment of the Court of Justice of 12 May 1964, Wagner v Fohrmann and Krier, 101/63, ECLI:EU:C:1964:28; judgment of the Court of Justice of 10 July 1986, Wybot v Faure and others, 149/85, ECLI:EU:C:1986:310; judgment of the General Court of 15 October 2008, Mote v Parliament, T-345/05, ECLI:EU:T:2008:440; judgment of the Court of Justice of 21 October 2008, Marra v De Gregorio and Clemente, C-200/07 and C-201/07, ECLI:EU:C:2008:579; judgment of the General Court of 19 March 2010, Gollnisch v Parliament, T-42/06, ECLI:EU:T:2010:102; judgment of the Court of Justice of 6 September 2011, Patriciello, C-163/10, ECLI: EU:C:2011:543; judgment of the General Court of 17 January 2013, Gollnisch v Parliament, T-346/11 and T-347/11, ECLI:EU:T:2013:23.


title: Council Decision (CFSP) 2018/333 of 5 March 2018 amending Decision 2014/119/CFSP concerning restrictive measures directed against certain persons, entities and bodies in view of the situation in Ukraine

text:
               6.3.2018

               EN

               Official Journal of the European Union

               L 63/48

         COUNCIL DECISION (CFSP) 2018/333
   of 5 March 2018
   amending Decision 2014/119/CFSP concerning restrictive measures directed against certain persons, entities and bodies in view of the situation in Ukraine
   THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION,
   Having regard to the Treaty on European Union and in particular Article 29 thereof,
   Having regard to the proposal from the High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy,
   Whereas:

               (1)

               On 5 March 2014, the Council adopted Decision 2014/119/CFSP (1).

               (2)

               On the basis of a review of that Decision, the application of the restrictive measures should be extended until 6 March 2019, the entries for two persons should be deleted and the statements of reasons for three persons should be updated.

               (3)

               Decision 2014/119/CFSP should therefore be amended accordingly,

         HAS ADOPTED THIS DECISION:
   Article 1
   Decision 2014/119/CFSP is amended as follows:

               (1)

               in Article 5, the second paragraph is replaced by the following:
               ‘This Decision shall apply until 6 March 2019.’;

               (2)

               the Annex is amended as set out in the Annex to this Decision.

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

      Done at Brussels, 5 March 2018.

            For the Council

            The President

         N. DIMOV

      (1)  Council Decision 2014/119/CFSP of 5 March 2014 concerning restrictive measures directed against certain persons, entities and bodies in view of the situation in Ukraine (OJ L 66, 6.3.2014, p. 26).

      ANNEX

                  I.

                  The entries for the following persons are deleted from the list set out in the Annex to Decision 2014/119/CFSP:

                              4.

                              Olena Leonidivna Lukash

                              10.

                              Serhii Petrovych Kliuiev

                  II.

                  The entries for the following persons set out in the Annex to Decision 2014/119/CFSP are replaced by the following:

                              Name

                              Identifying information

                              Statement of Reasons

                              Date of listing

                              7.

                              Oleksandr Viktorovych Yanukovych (Олександр Вiкторович Янукович)

                              Born on 10 July 1973 in Yenakiieve (Donetsk oblast), son of former President, businessman

                              Person subject to criminal proceedings by the Ukrainian authorities for the misappropriation of public funds or assets and for being an accomplice thereto.

                              6.3.2014

                              11.

                              Mykola Yanovych Azarov (Микола Янович Азаров),
                              Nikolai Yanovich Azarov (Николай Янович Азаров)

                              Born on 17 December 1947 in Kaluga (Russia), Prime Minister of Ukraine until January 2014

                              Person subject to criminal proceedings by the Ukrainian authorities for the misappropriation of public funds or assets and for being an accomplice thereto.

                              6.3.2014

                              12.

                              Serhiy Vitalyovych Kurchenko (Сергiй Вiталiйович Курченко)

                              Born on 21 September 1985 in Kharkiv, businessman

                              Person subject to criminal proceedings by the Ukrainian authorities for the misappropriation of public funds or assets and for the abuse of office in order to procure an unjustified advantage for himself or for a third party and thereby causing a loss to Ukrainian public funds or assets.

                              6.3.2014


title: Council Decision of 8 March 2018 on the appointment of the Executive Director of Europol

text:
               9.4.2018

               EN

               Official Journal of the European Union

               C 122/1

         COUNCIL DECISION
   of 8 March 2018
   on the appointment of the Executive Director of Europol
   (2018/C 122/01)
   THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION,
   Having regard to Regulation (EU) 2016/794 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 11 May 2016 on the European Union Agency for Law Enforcement Cooperation (Europol) and replacing and repealing Council Decisions 2009/371/JHA, 2009/934/JHA, 2009/935/JHA, 2009/936/JHA and 2009/968/JHA (1), and in particular Article 54 thereof,
   Acting as the authority vested with the power to appoint the Executive Director and Deputy Executive Directors of Europol,
   Whereas:

               (1)

               The term of office of the current Executive Director of Europol has been extended until 1 May 2018, in accordance with Article 73(1) of Regulation (EU) 2016/794. It is therefore necessary to appoint a new Executive Director of Europol.

               (2)

               The decision of the Management Board of Europol of 1 May 2017 establishes the rules for the selection, extension of the term of office and removal from office of the Executive Director and Deputy Executive Directors of Europol.

               (3)

               The post has been deemed to be vacant as from 30 July 2017, nine months before the end of the term of office of the current Executive Director of Europol, in accordance with point (a) of Article 3(1) of the decision of the Management Board of Europol of 1 May 2017. A vacancy notice for the post of Executive Director of Europol has been published in the Official Journal of the European Union on 23 May 2017 (2).

               (4)

               In accordance with Article 54(2) of Regulation (EU) 2016/794, a shortlist of candidates has been drawn up by a selection committee (the ‘Selection Committee’) set up by the Management Board. The Selection Committee drew up a duly reasoned report on 19 September 2017.

               (5)

               On the basis of the report of the Selection Committee and in accordance with Regulation (EU) 2016/794 and the decision of the Management Board of 1 May 2017, the Management Board issued a reasoned opinion on 3 October 2017 on the appointment of the Executive Director of Europol, in which it proposed a shortlist of three candidates suitable for the post to the Council.

               (6)

               On 18 December 2017, the Council selected Ms Catherine DE BOLLE, a Belgian national, as the next Executive Director of Europol, and informed the competent committee of the European Parliament about her selection for the purposes of fourth subparagraph of Article 54(2) of Regulation (EU) 2016/794.

               (7)

               On 29 January 2018, the selected candidate appeared before the Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs Committee of the European Parliament (‘LIBE Committee’) and on 1 March 2018, the LIBE Committee gave its opinion in accordance with fourth subparagraph of Article 54(2) of Regulation (EU) 2016/794,

         HAS ADOPTED THIS DECISION:
   Article 1
   Ms Catherine DE BOLLE is hereby appointed as the Executive Director of Europol for the period from 2 May 2018 to 1 May 2022 at grade AD 15.
   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, 8 March 2018.

            For the Council

            The President

         V. RADEV

      (1)  OJ L 135, 24.5.2016, p. 53.

      (2)  OJ C 162 A, 23.5.2017, p. 1.


title: Council Decision (EU) 2018/952 of 26 June 2018 on the position to be adopted, on behalf of the European Union, within the EEA Joint Committee concerning the amendment of Protocol 31 to the EEA Agreement, on cooperation in specific fields outside the four freedoms (budget line 33 02 03 01: ‘Company Law’) (Text with EEA relevance.)

text:
                  5.7.2018

                  EN

                  Official Journal of the European Union

                  L 168/1

            COUNCIL DECISION (EU) 2018/952
      of 26 June 2018
      on the position to be adopted, on behalf of the European Union, within the EEA Joint Committee concerning the amendment of Protocol 31 to the EEA Agreement, on cooperation in specific fields outside the four freedoms (budget line 33 02 03 01: ‘Company Law’)
      (Text with EEA relevance)
      THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION,
      Having regard to the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union, and in particular Article 114 in conjunction with Article 218(9) thereof,
      Having regard to Council Regulation (EC) No 2894/94 of 28 November 1994 concerning arrangements for implementing the Agreement on the European Economic Area (1), and in particular Article 1(3) thereof,
      Having regard to the proposal from the European Commission,
      Whereas:

                  (1)

                  The Agreement on the European Economic Area (2) (‘the EEA Agreement’) entered into force on 1 January 1994.

                  (2)

                  Pursuant to Article 98 of the EEA Agreement, the EEA Joint Committee may decide to amend, inter alia, Protocol 31 on cooperation in specific fields outside the four freedoms (‘Protocol 31’) to the EEA Agreement.

                  (3)

                  Protocol 31 to the EEA Agreement contains provisions on cooperation in specific fields outside the four freedoms.

                  (4)

                  It is appropriate to continue the cooperation of the Contracting Parties to the EEA Agreement in Union actions funded from the general budget of the Union regarding company law.

                  (5)

                  Protocol 31 to the EEA Agreement should therefore be amended in order to allow for that extended cooperation to take place from 1 January 2018.

                  (6)

                  The position of the Union within the EEA Joint Committee should be based on the attached draft decision,

            HAS ADOPTED THIS DECISION:
      Article 1
      The position to be adopted, on behalf of the Union, within the EEA Joint Committee on the proposed amendment of Protocol 31 to the EEA Agreement, on cooperation in specific fields outside the four freedoms, shall be based on the draft decision of the EEA Joint Committee attached to this Decision.
      Article 2
      This Decision shall enter into force on the date of its adoption.

         Done at Luxembourg, 26 June 2018.

               For the Council

               The President

            E. ZAHARIEVA

         (1)  OJ L 305, 30.11.1994, p. 6.

         (2)  OJ L 1, 3.1.1994, p. 3.

         DRAFT
         DECISION OF THE EEA JOINT COMMITTEE No …/2018
         of …
         amending Protocol 31 to the EEA Agreement, on cooperation in specific fields outside the four freedoms
         THE EEA JOINT COMMITTEE,
         Having regard to the Agreement on the European Economic Area (‘the EEA Agreement’), and in particular Articles 86 and 98 thereof,
         Whereas:

                     (1)

                     It is appropriate to continue the cooperation of the Contracting Parties to the EEA Agreement to include Union actions funded from the general budget of the Union regarding company law.

                     (2)

                     Protocol 31 to the EEA Agreement should therefore be amended in order to allow for this extended cooperation to take place from 1 January 2018,

               HAS ADOPTED THIS DECISION:
         Article 1
         In Article 7(13) of Protocol 31 to the EEA Agreement, the words ‘and 2017’ are replaced by the words ‘, 2017 and 2018’.
         Article 2
         This Decision shall enter into force on the day following the last notification under Article 103(1) of the EEA Agreement (*1).
         It shall apply from 1 January 2018.
         Article 3
         This Decision shall be published in the EEA Section of, and in the EEA Supplement to, the Official Journal of the European Union.

            Done at Brussels,

                  For the EEA Joint Committee

                  The President

                  The Secretaries to the EEA Joint Committee

            (*1)  [No constitutional requirements indicated.] [Constitutional requirements indicated.]


title: Council Decision (EU) 2018/953 of 26 June 2018 on the position to be adopted, on behalf of the European Union, within the EEA Joint Committee, concerning the amendment of Protocol 30 to the EEA Agreement, on specific provisions on the organization of cooperation in the field of statistics (Text with EEA relevance.)

text:
                  5.7.2018

                  EN

                  Official Journal of the European Union

                  L 168/4

            COUNCIL DECISION (EU) 2018/953
      of 26 June 2018
      on the position to be adopted, on behalf of the European Union, within the EEA Joint Committee, concerning the amendment of Protocol 30 to the EEA Agreement, on specific provisions on the organization of cooperation in the field of statistics
      (Text with EEA relevance)
      THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION,
      Having regard to the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union, and in particular Article 338(1) in conjunction with Article 218(9) thereof,
      Having regard to Council Regulation (EC) No 2894/94 of 28 November 1994 concerning arrangements for implementing the Agreement on the European Economic Area (1), and in particular Article 1(3) thereof,
      Having regard to the proposal from the European Commission,
      Whereas:

                  (1)

                  The Agreement on the European Economic Area (2) (‘the EEA Agreement’) entered into force on 1 January 1994.

                  (2)

                  Pursuant to Article 98 of the EEA Agreement, the EEA Joint Committee may decide to amend, inter alia, Protocol 30 on specific provisions on the organization of cooperation in the field of statistics (‘Protocol 30’) to the EEA Agreement.

                  (3)

                  In order to ensure continuous cooperation with the EEA EFTA States in the area of statistics, Regulation (EU) 2017/1951 of the European Parliament and of the Council (3) should be included in Protocol 30 to the EEA Agreement.

                  (4)

                  Protocol 30 to the EEA Agreement should therefore be amended accordingly.

                  (5)

                  The position of the Union within the EEA Joint Committee should therefore be based on the attached draft decision,

            HAS ADOPTED THIS DECISION:
      Article 1
      The position to be adopted, on behalf of the Union, within the EEA Joint Committee on the proposed amendment of Protocol 30 to the EEA Agreement, on specific provisions on the organization of cooperation in the field of statistics, shall be based on the draft decision of the EEA Joint Committee attached to this Decision.
      Article 2
      This Decision shall enter into force on the date of its adoption.

         Done at Luxembourg, 26 June 2018.

               For the Council

               The President

            E. ZAHARIEVA

         (1)  OJ L 305, 30.11.1994, p. 6.

         (2)  OJ L 1, 3.1.1994, p. 3.

         (3)  Regulation (EU) 2017/1951 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 25 October 2017 amending Regulation (EU) No 99/2013 on the European statistical programme 2013-17, by extending it to 2020 (OJ L 284, 31.10.2017, p. 1).

         DRAFT
         DECISION OF THE EEA JOINT COMMITTEE No …/2018
         of …
         amending Protocol 30 to the EEA Agreement, on specific provisions on the organization of cooperation in the field of statistics
         THE EEA JOINT COMMITTEE,
         Having regard to the Agreement on the European Economic Area (‘the EEA Agreement’), and in particular Article 98 thereof,
         Whereas:

                     (1)

                     The EEA statistical programme 2018 to 2020 should be based on Regulation (EU) No 99/2013 of the European Parliament and of the Council (1), as last amended by Regulation (EU) 2017/1951 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 25 October 2017 amending Regulation (EU) No 99/2013 on the European statistical programme 2013-17, by extending it to 2020 (2), and should include those programme elements which are necessary for the description and monitoring of all relevant economic, social and environmental aspects of the European Economic Area.

                     (2)

                     Regulation (EU) 2017/1951 should be included in Protocol 30 to the EEA Agreement in order to ensure that the cooperation is extended to 2020.

                     (3)

                     Protocol 30 to the EEA Agreement should therefore be amended in order to allow for that extended cooperation to take place from 1 January 2018,

               HAS ADOPTED THIS DECISION:
         Article 1
         Protocol 30 to the EEA Agreement shall be amended as follows:

                     (1)

                     The word ‘2017’ in the title of Article 5 is replaced by the word ‘2020’.

                     (2)

                     The following indent is added in Article 5(1):

                                 ‘—

                                    32017 R 1951: Regulation (EU) 2017/1951 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 25 October 2017 (OJ L 284, 31.10.2017, p. 1).’.

                     (3)

                     The words ‘2013-17’ and ‘31 December 2017’ in Article 5(2) are replaced by the words ‘2013-20’ and ‘31 December 2020’.

                     (4)

                     The words ‘2013 to 2017’ in Article 5(3) are replaced by the words ‘2013 to 2020’.

                     (5)

                     The text of Article 5(4) is replaced by the following:
                     ‘The EFTA States shall contribute financially in accordance with Article 82(1)(a) of the Agreement and the Financial Regulations thereto to an amount representing 75 per cent of the amount shown in budget lines 29 02 05 (European statistical programme 2013-17) and 29 01 04 05 (Statistical information policy – Expenditure on administrative management) entered in the budget of the European Union for 2013 and to an amount representing 75 per cent of the amount shown in budget lines 29 02 01 (Providing quality statistical information, implementing new methods of production of European statistics and strengthening the partnership within the European Statistical System) and 29 01 04 01 (Support expenditure for the European statistical programme) entered in the budget of the European Union for 2014 to 2020.’.

               Article 2
         This Decision shall enter into force on […], provided that all the notifications under Article 103(1) of the EEA Agreement have been made (*1).
         It shall apply from 1 January 2018.
         Article 3
         This Decision shall be published in the EEA Section of, and in the EEA Supplement to, the Official Journal of the European Union.

            Done at Brussels,

                  For the EEA Joint Committee

                  The President

                  The Secretaries to the EEA Joint Committee

            (1)  OJ L 39, 9.2.2013, p. 12.

            (2)  OJ L 284, 31.10.2017, p. 1.

            (*1)  [No constitutional requirements indicated.] [Constitutional requirements indicated.]


title: Commission Decision (EU) 2018/993 of 11 July 2018 amending Decisions (EU) 2017/1214, (EU) 2017/1215, (EU) 2017/1216, (EU) 2017/1218 and (EU) 2017/1219 as regards the duration of the transitional period (notified under document C(2018) 4312) (Text with EEA relevance.)

text:
               13.7.2018

               EN

               Official Journal of the European Union

               L 177/14

         COMMISSION DECISION (EU) 2018/993
   of 11 July 2018
   amending Decisions (EU) 2017/1214, (EU) 2017/1215, (EU) 2017/1216, (EU) 2017/1218 and (EU) 2017/1219 as regards the duration of the transitional period

         (notified under document C(2018) 4312)

   (Text with EEA relevance)
   THE EUROPEAN COMMISSION,
   Having regard to the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union,
   Having regard to Regulation (EC) No 66/2010 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 25 November 2009 on the EU Ecolabel (1), and in particular Article 8(2) thereof,
   After consulting the European Union Ecolabelling Board,
   Whereas:

               (1)

               Commission Decision 2011/382/EU (2) was replaced by Commission Decision (EU) 2017/1214 (3) setting revised criteria and requirements for hand dishwashing detergents. In order to provide the producers whose products have been awarded the EU Ecolabel for hand dishwashing detergents on the basis of the criteria set out in Decision 2011/382/EU with sufficient time to adapt their products to comply with Decision (EU) 2017/1214, that Decision lays down a transitional period. That transitional period of 12 months expires on 22 June 2018.

               (2)

               Commission Decision 2012/720/EU (4) was replaced by Commission Decision (EU) 2017/1215 (5) setting revised criteria and requirements for industrial and institutional dishwasher detergents. In order to provide the producers whose products have been awarded the EU Ecolabel for industrial and institutional dishwasher detergents on the basis of the criteria set out in Decision 2012/720/EU with sufficient time to adapt their products to comply with Decision (EU) 2017/1215, that Decision lays down a transitional period. That transitional period of 12 months expires on 22 June 2018.

               (3)

               Commission Decision 2011/263/EU (6) was replaced by Commission Decision (EU) 2017/1216 (7) setting revised criteria and requirements for dishwasher detergents. In order to provide the producers whose products have been awarded the EU Ecolabel for dishwasher detergents on the basis of the criteria set out in Decision 2011/263/EU with sufficient time to adapt their products to comply with Decision (EU) 2017/1216, that Decision lays down a transitional period. That transitional period of 12 months expires on 22 June 2018.

               (4)

               Commission Decision 2011/264/EU (8) was replaced by Commission Decision (EU) 2017/1218 (9) setting revised criteria and requirements for laundry detergents. In order to provide the producers whose products have been awarded the EU Ecolabel for laundry detergents on the basis of the criteria set out in Decision 2011/264/EU with sufficient time to adapt their products to comply with Decision (EU) 2017/1218, that Decision lays down a transitional period. That transitional period of 12 months expires on 22 June 2018.

               (5)

               Commission Decision 2012/721/EU (10) was replaced by Commission Decision (EU) 2017/1219 (11) setting revised criteria and requirements for industrial and institutional laundry detergents. In order to provide the producers whose products have been awarded the EU Ecolabel for industrial and institutional laundry detergents on the basis of the criteria set out in Decision 2012/721/EU with sufficient time to adapt their products to comply with Decision (EU) 2017/1219, that Decision lays down a transitional period. That transitional period of 12 months expires on 22 June 2018.

               (6)

               A number of national bodies that award EU Ecolabels have informed the Commission of the need to prolong those transitional periods by 6 months due to a large volume of applications for renewal of contracts granting the EU Ecolabels. The Commission has carried out an assessment that has confirmed the necessity to extend the transitional periods by 6 months.

               (7)

               Decisions (EU) 2017/1214, (EU) 2017/1215, (EU) 2017/1216, (EU) 2017/1218 and (EU) 2017/1219 should therefore be amended accordingly.

               (8)

               The measures provided for in this Decision are in accordance with the opinion of the Committee established by Article 16 of Regulation (EC) No 66/2010,

         HAS ADOPTED THIS DECISION:
   Article 1
   In Article 7 of Decision (EU) 2017/1214, paragraph 3 is replaced by the following:

      ‘3.   EU Ecolabel licenses awarded in accordance with the criteria set out in Decision 2011/382/EU may be used until 22 December 2018.’.

   Article 2
   In Article 7 of Decision (EU) 2017/1215, paragraph 3 is replaced by the following:

      ‘3.   EU Ecolabel licenses awarded in accordance with the criteria set out in Decision 2012/720/EU may be used until 26 December 2018.’.

   Article 3
   In Article 7 of Decision (EU) 2017/1216, paragraph 3 is replaced by the following:

      ‘3.   EU Ecolabel licenses awarded in accordance with the criteria set out in Decision 2011/263/EU may be used until 26 December 2018.’.

   Article 4
   In Article 7 of Decision (EU) 2017/1218, paragraph 3 is replaced by the following:

      ‘3.   EU Ecolabel licenses awarded in accordance with the criteria set out in Decision 2011/264/EU may be used until 26 December 2018.’.

   Article 5
   In Article 7 of Decision (EU) 2017/1219, paragraph 3 is replaced by the following:

      ‘3.   EU Ecolabel licenses awarded in accordance with the criteria set out in Decision 2012/721/EU may be used until 26 December 2018.’.

   Article 6
   This Decision is addressed to the Member States.

      Done at Brussels, 11 July 2018.

            For the Commission

         Karmenu VELLA

            Member of the Commission

      (1)  OJ L 27, 30.1.2010, p. 1.

      (2)  Commission Decision 2011/382/EU of 24 June 2011 on establishing the ecological criteria for the award of the EU Ecolabel to hand dishwashing detergents (OJ L 169, 29.6.2011, p. 40).

      (3)  Commission Decision (EU) 2017/1214 of 23 June 2017 establishing the EU Ecolabel criteria for hand dishwashing detergents (OJ L 180, 12.7.2017, p. 1).

      (4)  Commission Decision 2012/720/EU of 14 November 2012 establishing the ecological criteria for the award of the EU Ecolabel for Industrial and Institutional Automatic Dishwasher Detergents (OJ L 326, 24.11.2012, p. 25).

      (5)  Commission Decision (EU) 2017/1215 of 23 June 2017 establishing the EU Ecolabel criteria for industrial and institutional dishwasher detergents (OJ L 180, 12.7.2017, p. 16).

      (6)  Commission Decision 2011/263/EU of 28 April 2011 on establishing the ecological criteria for the award of the EU Ecolabel to detergents for dishwashers (OJ L 111, 30.4.2011, p. 22).

      (7)  Commission Decision (EU) 2017/1216 of 23 June 2017 establishing the EU Ecolabel criteria for dishwasher detergents (OJ L 180, 12.7.2017, p. 31).

      (8)  Commission Decision 2011/264/EU of 28 April 2011 on establishing the ecological criteria for the award of the EU Ecolabel for laundry detergents (OJ L 111, 30.4.2011, p. 34).

      (9)  Commission Decision (EU) 2017/1218 of 23 June 2017 establishing the EU Ecolabel criteria for laundry detergents (OJ L 180, 12.7.2017, p. 63).

      (10)  Commission Decision 2012/721/EU of 14 November 2012 establishing the ecological criteria for the award of the EU Ecolabel for Industrial and Institutional Laundry Detergents (OJ L 326, 24.11.2012, p. 38).

      (11)  Commission Decision (EU) 2017/1219 of 23 June 2017 establishing the EU Ecolabel criteria for industrial and institutional laundry detergents (OJ L 180, 12.7.2017, p. 79).


title: Political and Security Committee Decision (CFSP) 2018/1004 of 3 July 2018 extending the mandate of the Head of the European Union Border Assistance Mission for the Rafah Crossing Point (EU BAM Rafah) (EU BAM Rafah/1/2018)

text:
               17.7.2018

               EN

               Official Journal of the European Union

               L 180/22

         POLITICAL AND SECURITY COMMITTEE DECISION (CFSP) 2018/1004
   of 3 July 2018
   extending the mandate of the Head of the European Union Border Assistance Mission for the Rafah Crossing Point (EU BAM Rafah) (EU BAM Rafah/1/2018)
   THE POLITICAL AND SECURITY COMMITTEE,
   Having regard to the Treaty on European Union, and in particular the third paragraph of Article 38 thereof,
   Having regard to Council Joint Action 2005/889/CFSP of 25 November 2005 on establishing a European Union Border Assistance Mission for the Rafah Crossing Point (EU BAM Rafah) (1), and in particular Article 10(1) thereof,
   Having regard to the proposal from the High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy,
   Whereas:

               (1)

               Pursuant to Article 10(1) of Joint Action 2005/889/CFSP, the Political and Security Committee (PSC) is authorised, in accordance with Article 38 of the Treaty, to take the relevant decisions for the purpose of exercising political control and strategic direction of the European Union Border Assistance Mission for the Rafah Crossing Point (EU BAM Rafah), including the decision to appoint a Head of Mission.

               (2)

               On 8 December 2017, the PSC adopted Decision (CFSP) 2017/2430 (2), appointing Mr Günther FREISLEBEN as Head of Mission of EUBAM Rafah from 4 December 2017 to 30 June 2018.

               (3)

               On 29 June 2018, the Council adopted Decision (CFSP) 2018/943 (3), extending the mandate of EU BAM Rafah from 1 July 2018 until 30 June 2019.

               (4)

               The High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy has proposed to extend the mandate of Mr Günther FREISLEBEN as Head of Mission of EU BAM Rafah from 1 July 2018 to 30 June 2019.

               (5)

               This Decision should apply from 1 July 2018,

         HAS ADOPTED THIS DECISION:
   Article 1
   The mandate of Mr Günther FREISLEBEN as Head of Mission of EU BAM Rafah is hereby extended from 1 July 2018 to 30 June 2019.
   Article 2
   This Decision shall enter into force on the date of its adoption. It shall apply from 1 July 2018.

      Done at Brussels, 3 July 2018.

            For the Political and Security Committee

            The Chairperson

         W. STEVENS

      (1)  OJ L 327, 14.12.2005, p. 28.

      (2)  Political and Security Committee Decision (CFSP) 2017/2430 of 8 December 2017 on the appointment of the Head of Mission of the European Union Border Assistance Mission for the Rafah Crossing Point (EU BAM Rafah) (EU BAM Rafah/2/2017) (OJ L 344, 23.12.2017, p. 9).

      (3)  Council Decision (CFSP) 2018/943 of 29 June 2018 amending Joint Action 2005/889/CFSP on establishing a European Union Border Assistance Mission for the Rafah Crossing Point (EU BAM Rafah) (OJ L 166, 3.7.2018, p. 19).


title: Political and Security Committee Decision (CFSP) 2018/1005 of 3 July 2018 extending the mandate of the Head of Mission of the European Union Police Mission for the Palestinian Territories (EUPOL COPPS) (EUPOL COPPS/1/2018)

text:
               17.7.2018

               EN

               Official Journal of the European Union

               L 180/23

         POLITICAL AND SECURITY COMMITTEE DECISION (CFSP) 2018/1005
   of 3 July 2018
   extending the mandate of the Head of Mission of the European Union Police Mission for the Palestinian Territories (EUPOL COPPS) (EUPOL COPPS/1/2018)
   THE POLITICAL AND SECURITY COMMITTEE,
   Having regard to the Treaty on European Union, and in particular the third paragraph of Article 38 thereof,
   Having regard to Council Decision 2013/354/CFSP of 3 July 2013 on the European Union Police Mission for the Palestinian Territories (EUPOL COPPS) (1), and, in particular Article 9(1) thereof,
   Whereas:

               (1)

               Pursuant to Article 9(1) of Decision 2013/354/CFSP, the Political and Security Committee (PSC) is authorised, in accordance with Article 38 of the Treaty, to take the relevant decisions for the purpose of exercising the political control and strategic direction of the European Union Police Mission for the Palestinian Territories (EUPOL COPPS), including the decision to appoint a Head of Mission.

               (2)

               On 28 September 2017, the PSC adopted Decision EUPOL COPPS/1/2017 (2), appointing Mr Kauko AALTOMAA as Head of Mission of EUPOL COPPS from 1 October 2017 to 30 June 2018.

               (3)

               On 29 June 2018, the Council adopted Decision (CFSP) 2018/942 (3), extending the mandate of EUPOL COPPS from 1 July 2018 until 30 June 2019.

               (4)

               The High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy has proposed to extend the mandate of Mr Kauko AALTOMAA as Head of Mission of EUPOL COPPS from 1 July 2018 to 30 June 2019.

               (5)

               This Decision should apply from 1 July 2018,

         HAS ADOPTED THIS DECISION:
   Article 1
   The mandate of Mr Kauko AALTOMAA as Head of Mission of EUPOL COPPS is hereby extended from 1 July 2018 to 30 June 2019.
   Article 2
   This Decision shall enter into force on the date of its adoption. It shall apply from 1 July 2018.

      Done at Brussels, 3 July 2018.

            For the Political and Security Committee

            The Chairperson

         W. STEVENS

      (1)  OJ L 185, 4.7.2013, p. 12.

      (2)  Political and Security Committee Decision (CFSP) 2017/1802 of 28 September 2017 on the appointment of the Head of Mission of the European Union Police Mission for the Palestinian Territories (EUPOL COPPS) (EUPOL COPPS/1/2017) (OJ L 259, 7.10.2017, p. 20).

      (3)  Council Decision (CFSP) 2018/942 of 29 June 2018 amending Decision 2013/354/CFSP on the European Union Police Mission for the Palestinian Territories (EUPOL COPPS) (OJ L 166, 3.7.2018, p. 17).


title: Commission Decision of 06/08/2018 declaring a concentration to be compatible with the common market (Case No COMP/M.8976 - Hisense Group Co.) according to Council Regulation (EC) No 139/2004 (Only the English text is authentic)

text:
                        EUROPEAN COMMISSION

               Brussels, 06.08.2018

               C(2018) 5455 final

               To the notifying party

               Subject:Case M.8976 — Hisense/Gorenje
                  Commission decision pursuant to Article 6(1)(b) of Council Regulation (EC) No 139/2004
                  1
                and Article 57 of the Agreement on the European Economic Area
                  2

               Dear Sirs,

               1.On 6 July 2018, the European Commission received notification of a proposed concentration pursuant to Article 4 of the Merger Regulation by which Hisense Group Co., Ltd (‘Hisense’, People’s Republic of China) acquires within the meaning of Article 3(1)(b) of the Merger Regulation control of the whole of Gorenje gospodinjski aparati d.d. (‘Gorenje’, Slovenia) by way of public bid announced on 29 May 2018.
                  3

               2.The business activities of the undertakings concerned are:

               -for Hisense: production and supply of major domestic appliances, air-conditioning systems and electronics,

               -for Gorenje: production and supply of major domestic appliances and air-conditioning systems.

               3.After examination of the notification, the European Commission has concluded that the notified operation falls within the scope of the Merger Regulation and of paragraph 5(c) of the Commission Notice on a simplified procedure for treatment of certain concentrations under Council Regulation (EC) No 139/2004.
                  4

               4.For the reasons set out in the Notice on a simplified procedure, the European Commission has decided not to oppose the notified operation and to declare it compatible with the internal market and with the EEA Agreement. This decision is adopted in application of Article 6(1)(b) of the Merger Regulation and Article 57 of the EEA Agreement.

               For the Commission

               (Signed)

               Johannes LAITENBERGER
                  Director-General

                     (1)

                        OJ L 24, 29.1.2004, p. 1 (the 'Merger Regulation'). With effect from 1 December 2009, the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union ('TFEU') has introduced certain changes, such as the replacement of 'Community' by 'Union' and 'common market' by 'internal market'. The terminology of the TFEU will be used throughout this decision.

                     (2)

                        OJ L 1, 3.1.1994, p. 3 (the 'EEA Agreement').

                     (3)

                        Publication in the Official Journal of the European Union No C 248, 16.7.2018, p. 6.

                     (4)

                           OJ C 366, 14.12.2013, p. 5.


title: Commission Decision of 02/08/2018 declaring a concentration to be compatible with the common market (Case No COMP/M.8666 - Joint Stock Company United Chemical Company Uralchem / Public Joint Stock Company Uralkali) according to Council Regulation (EC) No 139/2004 (Only the English text is authentic)

text:
                        EUROPEAN COMMISSION

               Brussels, 02.08.2018

               C(2018) 5371 final

               To the notifying party

               Subject:Case M.8666 — Uralchem/Uralkali
                  Commission decision pursuant to Article 6(1)(b) of Council Regulation (EC) No 139/2004
                  1
                and Article 57 of the Agreement on the European Economic Area
                  2

               Dear Sir or Madam,

               1.On 6 July 2018, the European Commission received a notification of a proposed concentration pursuant to Article 4 of the Merger Regulation, following a referral pursuant to Article 4(5) thereof, by which Joint Stock Company United Chemical Company Uralchem ('Uralchem', Russia) acquires within the meaning of Article 3(1)(b) of the Merger Regulation sole control of the whole of Public Joint Stock Company Uralkali ('Uralkali', Russia) by way of purchase of shares.
                  3

               2.The business activities of the undertakings concerned are:

               -for Uralchem: production and distribution of mineral fertilizers,

               -for Uralkali: production and distribution of potash as well as related/derivative potassium salts.

               3.After examination of the notification, the European Commission has concluded that the notified operation falls within the scope of the Merger Regulation and of paragraph 5(c) of the Commission Notice on a simplified procedure for treatment of certain concentrations under Council Regulation (EC) No 139/2004.
                  4

               4.For the reasons set out in the Notice on a simplified procedure, the European Commission has decided not to oppose the notified operation and to declare it compatible with the internal market and with the EEA Agreement. This decision is adopted in application of Article 6(1)(b) of the Merger Regulation and Article 57 of the EEA Agreement.

               For the Commission

               (Signed)
               Johannes LAITENBERGER
                  Director-General

                     (1)

                        OJ L 24, 29.1.2004, p. 1 (the 'Merger Regulation'). With effect from 1 December 2009, the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union ('TFEU') has introduced certain changes, such as the replacement of 'Community' by 'Union' and 'common market' by 'internal market'. The terminology of the TFEU will be used throughout this decision.

                     (2)

                        OJ L 1, 3.1.1994, p. 3 (the 'EEA Agreement').

                     (3)

                        Publication in the Official Journal of the European Union No C 245, 13.7.2018, p. 7.

                     (4)

                           OJ C 366, 14.12.2013, p. 5.


title: Commission Decision of 09/08/2018 declaring a concentration to be compatible with the common market (Case No COMP/M.9004 - S.L.04 / Ambienta SGR) according to Council Regulation (EC) No 139/2004 (Only the English text is authentic)

text:
                        EUROPEAN COMMISSION

               Brussels, 09.08.2018

               C(2018) 5532 final

               To the notifying parties

               Subject:Case M.9004 – SL04/Ambienta Sgr/JV
                  Commission decision pursuant to Article 6(1)(b) of Council Regulation (EC) No 139/2004
                  1
                and Article 57 of the Agreement on the European Economic Area
                  2

               Dear Sir or Madam,

               1.On 18 July 2018, the European Commission received notification of a proposed concentration pursuant to Article 4 of the Merger Regulation by which the undertakings S.L.04 S.à.r.l. (‘SL04’, Luxembourg), ultimately controlled by L Catterton Partners (‘L Catterton’, United States) and Ambienta Sgr S.p.A. (‘Ambienta’, Italy), ultimately controlled by Ambienta Holding S.r.l. (Italy) acquire within the meaning of Article 3(1)(b) and 3(4) of the Merger Regulation joint control over the whole of the undertaking Pibinew S.r.l. (‘Pibinew’, Italy) by way of a purchase of shares.
                  3

               2.The business activities of the undertakings concerned are:

               -for SL04: a private equity firm indirectly controlled by L Catterton whose portfolio companies operate in the retail and restaurant business, the food and beverage business, consumer service and consumer product businesses including the production and sale of cosmetics and fragrance products,

               -for Ambienta: a private equity firm whose portfolio includes companies operating in the renewable power, biofuels, energy efficiency, pollution mitigation and waste and water resource management sectors,

               -for Pibinew: designing, manufacturing, decorating and selling plastic packaging for the cosmetic industry.

               3.After examination of the notification, the European Commission has concluded that the notified operation falls within the scope of the Merger Regulation and of paragraph 5(c) of the Commission Notice on a simplified procedure for treatment of certain concentrations under Council Regulation (EC) No 139/2004.
                  4

               4.For the reasons set out in the Notice on a simplified procedure, the European Commission has decided not to oppose the notified operation and to declare it compatible with the internal market and with the EEA Agreement. This decision is adopted in application of Article 6(1)(b) of the Merger Regulation and Article 57 of the EEA Agreement.

               For the Commission

               (Signed)
               Johannes LAITENBERGER
                  Director-General

                     (1)

                        OJ L 24, 29.1.2004, p. 1 (the 'Merger Regulation'). With effect from 1 December 2009, the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union ('TFEU') has introduced certain changes, such as the replacement of 'Community' by 'Union' and 'common market' by 'internal market'. The terminology of the TFEU will be used throughout this decision.

                     (2)

                        OJ L 1, 3.1.1994, p. 3 (the 'EEA Agreement').

                     (3)

                        Publication in the Official Journal of the European Union No C 264, 26.7.2018, p. 17.

                     (4)

                           OJ C 366, 14.12.2013, p. 5.


title: Commission Decision of 23/08/2018 declaring a concentration to be compatible with the common market (Case No COMP/M.8879 - JERA Co., Inc. / EDF Trading Limited / LNG Optimisation) according to Council Regulation (EC) No 139/2004 (Only the English text is authentic)

text:
                        EUROPEAN COMMISSION

               Brussels, 23.08.2018

               C(2018) 5679 final

                  PUBLIC VERSION

               To the notifying Parties:

               Subject:Case M.8879 – JERA TRADING / LNG OPTIMISATION
                  Commission decision pursuant to Article 6(1)(b) of Council Regulation (EC) No 139/2004
                  1
                and Article 57 of the Agreement on the European Economic Area
                  2

               Dear Sir or Madam,

               1.On 31 July 2018, the European Commission received notification of a proposed concentration pursuant to Article 4 of the Merger Regulation by which the undertaking JERA Trading Pte Ltd ("JERA Trading", Singapore), jointly controlled by Jera Co. Inc. ("JERA", Japan) and EDF Trading Limited ("EDFT", United Kingdom), in turn a wholly-owned subsidiary of Electricité de France SA ("EDF", France), acquires within the meaning of Article 3(1)(b) of the Merger Regulation sole control over the whole of the LNG trading and optimisation business of EDFT ("LNG Optimisation", United Kingdom), by way of purchase of assets.
                  3

               2.The business activities of the undertakings concerned are:

               -JERA Trading is active in coal and freight trading and optimisation, which involves both physical coal and financial products. It is jointly controlled by JERA, that is active in the purchasing of LNG and other commodities for its parent companies Tepco Fuel & Power, Inc. and Chubu Electric Power Co., Inc., both Japanese utility companies, and EDFT, a company that trades LNG and other commodities in the wholesale market and optimises assets for its parent EDF;

               -LNG Optimisation is active in LNG trading and optimisation.

               3.After examination of the notification, the European Commission has concluded that the notified operation falls within the scope of the Merger Regulation and of paragraph 5(b) of the Commission Notice on a simplified procedure for treatment of certain concentrations under Council Regulation (EC) No 139/2004.
                  4

               4.For the reasons set out in the Notice on a simplified procedure, the European Commission has decided not to oppose the notified operation and to declare it compatible with the internal market and with the EEA Agreement. This decision is adopted in application of Article 6(1)(b) of the Merger Regulation and Article 57 of the EEA Agreement.

               For the Commission

               (Signed)
               Johannes LAITENBERGER
                  Director-General

                     (1)

                        OJ L 24, 29.1.2004, p. 1 (the 'Merger Regulation'). With effect from 1 December 2009, the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union ('TFEU') has introduced certain changes, such as the replacement of 'Community' by 'Union' and 'common market' by 'internal market'. The terminology of the TFEU will be used throughout this decision.

                     (2)

                        OJ L 1, 3.1.1994, p. 3 (the 'EEA Agreement').

                     (3)

                        Publication in the Official Journal of the European Union No C 277, 3.8.2018, p. 20.

                     (4)

                           OJ C 366, 14.12.2013, p. 5.


title: Political and Security Committee Decision (CFSP) 2018/1219 of 23 August 2018 on the appointment of the EU Force Commander for the European Union military operation in the Southern Central Mediterranean (EUNAVFOR MED operation SOPHIA) and repealing Decision (CFSP) 2017/2432 (EUNAVFOR MED/1/2018)

text:
                  7.9.2018

                  EN

                  Official Journal of the European Union

                  L 226/5

         POLITICAL AND SECURITY COMMITTEE DECISION (CFSP) 2018/1219
         of 23 August 2018
         on the appointment of the EU Force Commander for the European Union military operation in the Southern Central Mediterranean (EUNAVFOR MED operation SOPHIA) and repealing Decision (CFSP) 2017/2432 (EUNAVFOR MED/1/2018)
         THE POLITICAL AND SECURITY COMMITTEE,
         Having regard to the Treaty on European Union, and in particular Article 38 thereof,
         Having regard to Council Decision (CFSP) 2015/778 of 18 May 2015 on a European Union military operation in the Southern Central Mediterranean (EUNAVFOR MED operation SOPHIA) (1), and in particular Article 6 thereof,
         Whereas:

                     (1)

                     Pursuant to Article 6(1) of Decision (CFSP) 2015/778, the Council authorised the Political and Security Committee (PSC) to take decisions on the appointment of the EU Force Commander for the EUNAVFOR MED operation SOPHIA (‘EU Force Commander’).

                     (2)

                     On 13 December 2017, the PSC adopted Decision (CFSP) 2017/2432 (2) appointing Rear Admiral (LH) Alberto MAFFEIS as EU Force Commander.

                     (3)

                     The EU Operation Commander has recommended the appointment of Rear Admiral (LH) Stefano TURCHETTO to succeed Rear Admiral (LH) Alberto MAFFEIS as the new EU Force Commander as from 13 September 2018.

                     (4)

                     On 16 July 2018, the EU Military Committee supported that recommendation.

                     (5)

                     A decision on the appointment of Rear Admiral (LH) Stefano TURCHETTO should be taken and Decision (CFSP) 2017/2432 should be repealed.

                     (6)

                     In accordance with Article 5 of Protocol No 22 on the position of Denmark, annexed to the Treaty on European Union and to the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union, Denmark does not participate in the elaboration and the implementation of decisions and actions of the Union which have defence implications,

               HAS ADOPTED THIS DECISION:

            Article 1
            Rear Admiral (LH) Stefano TURCHETTO is hereby appointed as EU Force Commander for the European Union military operation in the Southern Central Mediterranean (EUNAVFOR MED operation SOPHIA) as from 13 September 2018.

            Article 2
            Decision (CFSP) 2017/2432 is hereby repealed.

            Article 3
            This Decision shall enter into force on 13 September 2018.

            Done at Brussels, 23 August 2018.

                  For the Political and Security Committee

                  The Chairperson

               W. STEVENS

            (1)  OJ L 122, 19.5.2015, p. 31.

            (2)  Political and Security Committee Decision (CFSP) 2017/2432 of 13 December 2017 on the appointment of the EU Force Commander for the European Union military operation in the Southern Central Mediterranean (EUNAVFOR MED operation SOPHIA) and repealing Decision (CFSP) 2017/1534 (EUNAVFOR MED/3/2017) (OJ L 344, 23.12.2017, p. 20).


title: Commission Decision of 6 September 2018 designating the standing high-level independent Chair and Vice-Chair of the Panel referred to in Article 143 of Regulation (EU, Euratom) 2018/1046 of the European Parliament and of the Council (the Financial Regulation) for the remaining period of their current mandate

text:
                  7.9.2018

                  EN

                  Official Journal of the European Union

                  C 315/3

         COMMISSION DECISION
         of 6 September 2018
         designating the standing high-level independent Chair and Vice-Chair of the Panel referred to in Article 143 of Regulation (EU, Euratom) 2018/1046 of the European Parliament and of the Council (the Financial Regulation) for the remaining period of their current mandate
         (2018/C 315/04)
         THE EUROPEAN COMMISSION,
         Having regard to the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union,
         Having regard to Regulation (EU, Euratom) 2018/1046 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 18 July 2018 on the financial rules applicable to the general budget of the Union, amending Regulations (EU) No 1296/2013, (EU) No 1301/2013, (EU) No 1303/2013, (EU) No 1304/2013, (EU) No 1309/2013, (EU) No 1316/2013, (EU) No 223/2014, (EU) No 283/2014, and Decision No 541/2014/EU and repealing Regulation (EU, Euratom) No 966/2012 (1), and in particular Article 143(3) thereof,
         Whereas:

                     (1)

                     The Panel is the cornerstone of the Early Detection and Exclusion System (EDES, referred to hereinafter as the ‘EDES Panel’). Established in 2016, this inter-institutional Panel has primarily (or inter alia) the task of issuing recommendations at the request of Authorising Officers of all Institutions and bodies on the imposition of administrative sanctions (exclusion from the award of Union funds and/or imposition of financial penalties) on unreliable economic operators.

                     (2)

                     Following a public call for expression of interests and a selection by a panel of three Directors-General of the Commission, the College decided, on 5 July 2016 (PV (2016) 2176), to appoint Mr Christian PENNERA, former Jurisconsult and Director-General of the Legal Service of the European Parliament, and Ms Maria Isabel ROFES i PUJOL, former Judge at the European Union Civil Service Tribunal, as Chair and Vice-Chair of the EDES Panel respectively for a mandate of five years ending on 4 July 2021.

                     (3)

                     On 20 June 2018, the College also decided to appoint Mr PENNERA and Ms ROFES i PUJOL as Chair and Vice-Chair respectively of the Commission’s specialised financial irregularities Panel referred to in Article 73 paragraph 6 of the repealed Regulation (EU, Euratom) No 966/2012 of the European Parliament and of the Council (2) (hereafter ‘the ISIF’ Panel) for a period of two years. The Commission’s ISIF Panel plays an advisory role in determining the existence and the consequences of financial irregularities committed by members of staff. Specialised financial irregularities panels have also been set up in other Union institutions.

                     (4)

                     The new Financial Regulation which entered into force on 2 August 2018 abrogates all ISIF panels and transfers their competences to the EDES Panel. However, this transfer of ISIF Panels competences to the EDES Panel, will only apply to the implementation of administrative appropriations as from 1 January 2019.

                     (5)

                     It is necessary to ensure that the appointment and the mandate of the Chair, as far as the treatment of financial irregularities by staff members is concerned, fully comply with the requirements of the Financial Regulation with regard to his independence, and the conditions set for the duration of his mandate and the selection procedure. This should also apply to the Vice-Chair.

                     (6)

                     In particular in order to respect their independence and the integrity of their five year mandate as Chair and Vice-Chair respectively of the EDES Panel, Mr Christian PENNERA and Ms Maria Isabel ROFES i PUJOL should be also designated for the remaining period of their current mandate as respectively Chair and Vice-Chair of the merged Panel. This is also necessary given the non-renewable nature of the mandate of the Chair of the EDES Panel. In this respect, it is important to underline that the procedure followed in 2016 to appoint Mr PENNERA and Ms ROFES i PUJOL as Chair and Vice-Chair respectively of the EDES Panel fulfils all the requirements of the new Financial Regulation for the appointment of the Chair and Vice-Chair of the merged Panel.

                     (7)

                     With view to ensuring transparency and proper information of economic operators, as well as the staff of Union institutions, bodies, European offices and agencies, these appointments should be published, and notified to other Union institutions, Union bodies, European offices and agencies,

               HAS DECIDED AS FOLLOWS:

            Article 1
            Appointments
            Mr Christian PENNERA and Ms Maria Isabel ROFES i PUJOL are appointed as Chair and Vice-Chair respectively of the Panel referred to in Article 143 of the Financial Regulation for the remaining part of their mandate of five years, as decided by the College on 5 July 2016 (PV (2016) 2176).

            Article 2
            Contracts as Special Advisers
            As provided for in Article 143(3) of the Financial Regulation, Mr Christian PENNERA and Ms Maria Isabel ROFES i PUJOL are administratively attached as Special Advisers to Commissioner OETTINGER in accordance with the Rules governing Special Advisers C(2007) 6655 of 19 December 2007, as amended by Commission Decision C(2014) 541 of 6 February 2014.

                        1.

                        In order to respect the independence of Mr PENNERA and Ms ROFES i PUJOL and the duration of their mandate, their contracts as Special Advisers will be renewed until the end of their mandate. The contract of Mr PENNERA includes 70 working days and 35 mission days, and the contract of Ms ROFES i PUJOL includes 60 working days and 35 mission days. The number of working days may be amended by way of administrative and budgetary decisions. Mr PENNERA and Ms ROFES i PUJOL will receive a fee for each day of work, calculated on the basis of the basic salary of an official of the European Union in grade AD 16, step 1.

                        2.

                        The contracts of Mr PENNERA and Ms ROFES i PUJOL as Chair and Vice-Chair respectively of the Commission’s specialised financial irregularities Panel referred to in Article 73 paragraph 6 of the repealed Regulation (EU, Euratom) No 966/2012 shall be terminated on 31 December 2018.

                        3.

                        Commissioner OETTINGER is authorised to amend, subject to the availability of sufficient funds, the Special Adviser contracts in the event of duly justified needs.

                        4.

                        The Director-General of DG HR is authorised to implement this decision by signing the contracts on behalf of the Authority Responsible for Concluding Contracts of Employment.

            Article 3
            Publication and notification
            The Directorate-General of DG HR is instructed to publish these appointments in the Official Journal — series C and to notify them to other Union institutions, Union bodies, European offices and agencies.

            Done at Brussels, 6 September 2018.

                  For the Commission

               Günther OETTINGER

                  Member of the Commission

            (1)  OJ L 193, 30.7.2018, p. 1.

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


title: Commission Decision (EU) 2018/1304 of 19 September 2018 on the proposed citizens' initiative entitled ‘Eat ORIGINal! Unmask your food’ (notified under document C(2018) 6054)

text:
                  28.9.2018

                  EN

                  Official Journal of the European Union

                  L 244/107

         COMMISSION DECISION (EU) 2018/1304
         of 19 September 2018
         on the proposed citizens' initiative entitled ‘Eat ORIGINal! Unmask your food’

               (notified under document C(2018) 6054)

         (Only the English text is authentic)
         THE EUROPEAN COMMISSION,
         Having regard to the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union,
         Having regard to Regulation (EU) No 211/2011 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 16 February 2011 on the citizens' initiative (1), and in particular Article 4 thereof,
         Whereas:

                     (1)

                     The subject-matter of the proposed citizens' initiative entitled ‘Eat ORIGINal! Unmask your food’ refers to the following: ‘We call on the European Commission to impose mandatory declaration of origin for all food products in order to prevent frauds, protect public health and guarantee consumers' right to information.’

                     (2)

                     The objectives of the proposed citizens' initiative refer to the following: ‘1. Make the indication of the country of origin mandatory for all processed and unprocessed foods circulating in EU, with no derogation for registered trademarks and geographical indications. 2. With regard to processed foods, origin labelling is made mandatory for primary ingredients when different from the origin of the final product. 3. Improve consistency of the labels including harmonized informations about production and processing methods in order to ensure transparency throughout the food chain.’

                     (3)

                     The Treaty on European Union (TEU) reinforces citizenship of the Union and enhances further the democratic functioning of the Union by providing, inter alia, that every citizen is to have the right to participate in the democratic life of the Union by way of a European citizens' initiative.

                     (4)

                     To this end, the procedures and conditions required for the citizens' initiative should be clear, simple, user-friendly and proportionate to the nature of the citizens' initiative so as to encourage participation by citizens and to make the Union more accessible.

                     (5)

                     A legal act of the Union for the purpose of implementing the Treaties can be adopted for approximation of the provisions laid down by law, regulation or administrative action in Member States which have as their object the establishment and functioning of the internal market, on the basis of Article 114 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union (TFEU).

                     (6)

                     For those reasons, the proposed citizens' initiative does not fall manifestly outside the framework of the Commission's powers to submit proposals for legal acts of the Union for the purpose of implementing the Treaties.

                     (7)

                     Furthermore, the citizens' committee has been formed and the contact persons have been designated in accordance with Article 3(2) of the Regulation and the proposed citizens' initiative is neither manifestly abusive, frivolous or vexatious nor manifestly contrary to the values of the Union as set out in Article 2 TEU.

                     (8)

                     The proposed citizens' initiative entitled ‘Eat ORIGINal! Unmask your food’ should therefore be registered.

               HAS ADOPTED THIS DECISION:

            Article 1
            The proposed citizens' initiative entitled ‘Eat ORIGINal! Unmask your food’ is hereby registered.

            Article 2
            This Decision shall enter into force on 2 October 2018.

            Article 3
            This Decision is addressed to the organisers (members of the citizens' committee) of the proposed citizens' initiative entitled ‘Eat ORIGINal! Unmask your food’, represented by Mr Roberto Moncalvo and Ms Christiane Foulier Lambert acting as contact persons.

            Done at Brussels, 19 September 2018.

                  For the Commission

               Frans TIMMERMANS

                  First Vice-President

            (1)  OJ L 65, 11.3.2011, p. 1.