title: Decision of the European Parliament of 23 April 2009 on discharge in respect of the implementation of the budget of the European Environment Agency for the financial year 2007

text:
               26.9.2009

               EN

               Official Journal of the European Union

               L 255/180

         DECISION OF THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT
   of 23 April 2009
   on discharge in respect of the implementation of the budget of the European Environment Agency for the financial year 2007
   (2009/673/EC)
   THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT,

               —

               having regard to the final annual accounts of the European Environment Agency for the financial year 2007 (1),

               —

               having regard to the Court of Auditors’ report on the final annual accounts of the European Environment Agency for the financial year 2007, together with the Agency’s replies (2),

               —

               having regard to the Council’s recommendation of 10 February 2009 (5588/2009 — C6-0060/2009),

               —

               having regard to the EC Treaty, and in particular Article 276 thereof,

               —

               having regard to Council Regulation (EC, Euratom) No 1605/2002 of 25 June 2002 on the Financial Regulation applicable to the general budget of the European Communities (3), and in particular Article 185 thereof,

               —

               having regard to Council Regulation (EEC) No 1210/90 of 7 May 1990 on the establishment of the European Environment Agency and the European Environment Information and Observation Network (4), and in particular Article 13 thereof,

               —

               having regard to Commission Regulation (EC, Euratom) No 2343/2002 of 19 November 2002 on the framework Financial Regulation for the bodies referred to in Article 185 of Regulation (EC, Euratom) No 1605/2002 (5), and in particular Article 94 thereof,

               —

               having regard to Rule 71 of, and Annex V, to its Rules of Procedure,

               —

               having regard to the report of the Committee on Budgetary Control and the opinion of the Committee on the Environment, Public Health and Food Safety (A6-0171/2009),

               1.

               Grants the Executive Director of the European Environment Agency discharge in respect of the implementation of the Agency’s budget for the financial year 2007;

               2.

               Sets out its observations in the Resolution below;

               3.

               Instructs its President to forward this Decision and the Resolution that forms an integral part of it to the Executive Director of the European Environment Agency, the Council, the Commission and the Court of Auditors, and to arrange for their publication in the Official Journal of the European Union (L series).

            The President

         Hans-Gert PÖTTERING

            The Secretary-General

         Klaus WELLE

      (1)  OJ C 278, 31.10.2008, p. 4.

      (2)  OJ C 311, 5.12.2008, p. 64.

      (3)  OJ L 248, 16.9.2002, p. 1.

      (4)  OJ L 120, 11.5.1990, p. 1.

      (5)  OJ L 357, 31.12.2002, p. 72.
   RESOLUTION OF THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT
   of 23 April 2009
   with observations forming an integral part of the Decision on discharge in respect of the implementation of the budget of the European Environment Agency for the financial year 2007
   THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT,

               —

               having regard to the final annual accounts of the European Environment Agency for the financial year 2007 (1),

               —

               having regard to the Court of Auditors’ report on the final annual accounts of the European Environment Agency for the financial year 2007, together with the Agency’s replies (2),

               —

               having regard to the Council’s recommendation of 10 February 2009 (5588/2009 — C6-0060/2009),

               —

               having regard to the EC Treaty, and in particular Article 276 thereof,

               —

               having regard to Council Regulation (EC, Euratom) No 1605/2002 of 25 June 2002 on the Financial Regulation applicable to the general budget of the European Communities (3), and in particular Article 185 thereof,

               —

               having regard to Council Regulation (EEC) No 1210/90 of 7 May 1990 on the establishment of the European Environment Agency and the European Environment Information and Observation Network (4), and in particular Article 13 thereof,

               —

               having regard to Commission Regulation (EC, Euratom) No 2343/2002 of 19 November 2002 on the framework Financial Regulation for the bodies referred to in Article 185 of Regulation (EC, Euratom) No 1605/2002 (5), and in particular Article 94 thereof,

               —

               having regard to Rule 71 of, and Annex V, to its Rules of Procedure,

               —

               having regard to the report of the Committee on Budgetary Control and the opinion of the Committee on the Environment, Public Health and Food Safety (A6-0171/2009),

               A.

               whereas the Court of Auditors (ECA) stated that it has obtained reasonable assurance that the annual accounts for the financial year 2007 are reliable, and the underlying transactions are legal and regular,

               B.

               whereas on 22 April 2008 Parliament granted the Executive Director of the European Environment Agency discharge in respect of the implementation of the Agency’s budget for the financial year 2006 (6), and in its resolution accompanying the discharge decision, inter alia, noted from the Agency’s annual report that one-third of staff were of a single nationality, as well as the Agency’s goal (stated in its annual report) of improving the balance in, and diversity of, staff,

               1.

               Considers the European Environment Agency (the Agency) as a source of important environmental legislation for all EU institutions and policymaking; notes with satisfaction that the EEA has been able to coordinate the European environment information and observation network and to help the institutions of the EU and Member States to improve knowledge of environment data and information;

               2.

               Encourages the Agency to continue its efforts to further develop its communication methods in order to attract more media coverage for its findings and thus feed public debate on important environmental issues, such as climate change, biodiversity and the management of natural resources;

               3.

               Underlines the fact that the impact of environment programmes is often hampered by the lack of assessment of the environmental impacts of other Community legislation and programmes; believes that the Agency could provide support for policymaking by further developing its work in the field of environmental impact assessment;

               4.

               Emphasises the role of the Agency in the evaluation of the implementation of EU environmental legislation both within the EU and within prospective Member States;

               5.

               Welcomes the Agency initiative to offset the climate impacts of flights as regards Agency staff missions and participants in its activities;

         Recruitment procedures

               6.

               Notes the ECA’s audit results, according to which two recruitment procedures did not meet the requirements of transparency and non-discrimination, as candidates not fulfilling the selection criteria were considered for further evaluation and criteria for inviting the best candidates for interview were not documented;

               7.

               Notes the Agency’s reply that it included those candidates which came closest to the selection criteria in order to have more candidates in the competition; urges the Agency to stick to its promise to republish a post when similar situations occur in the future;

               8.

               Notes the Agency’s promise to better document the selection of short-listed candidates;

         Procurement procedures

               9.

               Notes that the ECA found two cases, with an approximate total value of EUR 26 000, of the direct award of services which did not comply with the Financial Regulation;

               10.

               Considers unsatisfactory the Agency’s reply that these contracts were awarded due to significant benefits that would accrue to the Agency, and that the unique nature of these cases was sufficiently documented;

               11.

               Further notes that the ECA reported a case, with an approximate value of EUR 215 000, of a specific contract for services which was not in line with the terms of the framework contract, which called into question the transparency of the procedure;

               12.

               Notes the Agency’s reply that this case concerned IT systems and that the original order was extended when an increase in storage and server capacity became necessary; notes the reply that in future substantial IT purchases will be put to tender;

               13.

               Calls on the Agency to ensure full compliance with procurement rules;

         Weaknesses in the management of grant agreements with European Topic Centres

               14.

               Notes the ECA’s remark that the Agency carried out only limited checks concerning payments made to the European Topic Centres on the basis of grant agreements;

               15.

               Is satisfied with the Agency’s reply that it introduced new control procedures in line with the ECA’s observations, including verification visits and other detailed checks prior to final payments; notes that the Agency carried out four verification visits in relation to 2007 subsidies;

               16.

               Notes the ECA’s finding that the grant agreements between the Agency and the European Topic Centres provide for a flat rate of 20 % of direct expenditure for their indirect expenditure (overheads), whereas the implementing rules of the Financial Regulation limit this rate to 7 %; notes that, according to those rules, this ceiling can only be exceeded following a reasoned decision by the Agency; notes that no such reasoned decision was taken by the Agency;

               17.

               Notes that, according to the ECA’s finding, if the 7 % rate had been applied, the amount paid in 2007 would have been EUR 300 000 less;

               18.

               Notes that the Agency acknowledges it had not taken the necessary reasoned decision, but that it had given extended consideration to the overhead rate before adoption of the agreements, and that the overhead rate was explicitly considered in preparing the terms of reference;

               19.

               Notes the Agency’s commitment to ensure that such a reasoned decision is taken by its Management Board for future calls concerning European Topic Centres, which are due in 2009/2010;

         Follow-up to previous discharge exercises

               20.

               Recalls its request, made in the resolution accompanying the discharge decision concerning the financial year 2005 (7), that the Agency, before 1 January 2010 and every five years thereafter, commission an independent external evaluation of its achievements on the basis of its founding regulation and the work programme decided upon by the Management Board;

               21.

               Notes that, according to information provided in its annual report, the Agency is awaiting the results of an independent external evaluation of the impact and effectiveness of its five-year strategy 2004-2008;

               22.

               Invites the Agency to inform the discharge authority of the results of the external evaluation as soon as they are available;

               23.

               Regrets that, according to the data provided in the Agency’s annual report, the situation with regard to balance in, and diversity of, staff did not improve significantly in 2007, as one-third of staff are still of a single nationality;

               24.

               Invites the Agency to step up its efforts to improve the balance in, and diversity of, staff;

               25.

               Refers for other observations accompanying its Decision on discharge which are of a horizontal nature to its Resolution of 23 April 2009 on financial management and control of EU agencies (8).

      (1)  OJ C 278, 31.10.2008, p. 4.

      (2)  OJ C 311, 5.12.2008, p. 64.

      (3)  OJ L 248, 16.9.2002, p. 1.

      (4)  OJ L 120, 11.5.1990, p. 1.

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

      (6)  OJ L 88, 31.3.2009, p. 159.

      (7)  OJ L 187, 15.7.2008, p. 107.

      (8)  See page 206 of this Official Journal.


Avis juridique important

|

31982D0728

82/728/EEC: Council Decision of 26 October 1982 on the conclusion of an Agreement between the European Economic Community and Indonesia negotiated under Article XXVIII of GATT on the tariff concessions in Schedule XXI

Official Journal L 310 , 06/11/1982 P. 0022 - 0022 Finnish special edition: Chapter 11 Volume 10 P. 0147  Spanish special edition: Chapter 11 Volume 16 P. 0098  Swedish special edition: Chapter 11 Volume 10 P. 0147  Portuguese special edition Chapter 11 Volume 16 P. 0098

*****COUNCIL  DECISION  of 26 October 1982  on the conclusion of an Agreement between the European Economic Community and Indonesia negotiated under Article XXVIII of GATT on the tariff concessions in Schedule XXI  (82/728/EEC)  THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN  COMMUNITIES,  Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Economic Community, and in particular Article 113 thereof,  Having regard to the recommendation from the Commission,  Whereas Indonesia, under Article XXVIII of the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT), has announced its intention to unbind the total amount of the tariff concessions included in its Schedule XXI, following the revision of the Indonesian customs tariff;  Whereas the Commission has entered into negotiations with Indonesia under Article XXVIII of GATT, the Community being a direct beneficiary of the principal supplier in the case of certain of those concessions; whereas a satisfactory Agreement has been reached with that country,  HAS DECIDED AS FOLLOWS:  Article 1  The Agreement between the European Economic Community and Indonesia, negotiated under Article XXVIII of GATT on the modification of the tariff concessions included in Indonesia's Schedule XXI, is hereby approved on behalf of the Community.  The text of the Agreement is attached to this Decision.  Article 2  The President of the Council is hereby authorized to designate the person empowered to sign the Agreement in order to bind the Community.  Done at Luxembourg, 26 October 1982.  For the Council  The President  U. ELLEMANN-JENSENCONDENSERS FOR VAPOUR ENGINES AND POWER UNITS  30  84.08.919 84.08.922 84.08.929 84.08.999  // PARTS OF OTHER ENGINES AND MOTORS  30 30 50 30  84.20.190  OTHER WEIGHING MACHINERY  30  84.30.600  MACHINERY FOR SUGAR MANUFACTURE  30  84.34.290  OTHER PRINTING BLOCKS, PLATES, CYLINDERS AND LITHOGRAPHIC STONES  30  84.35.100  ROTARY PRESSES  30  84.35.200  PLATEN PRESSES  30  84.35.300  OTHER PRINTING MACHINERY  30  84.35.400  MACHINERY FOR USES ANCILLARY TO PRINTING  30  84.37.100  WEAVING MACHINES  30  84.56.100 84.56.200 84.56.310 84.56.390 84.56.410 84.56.490 84.56.900  // MACHINES FOR SORTING, WASHING, CRUSHING EARTH AND STONES, ETC . ( HEADING NO 84.56 AS A WHOLE )  30 30 30 30 30 30 30  84.59.200 84.59.300 84.59.400 84.59.600 84.59.700  // MACHINERY, NES  30 30 30 30 30  85.13.122  PRINTER TYPE TELEGRAPHIC RECEIVERS  30  85.13.129  OTHER TELEGRAPHIC APPARATUS  30  85.05.000  FLOATING STRUCTURES OTHER THAN VESSELS  30  90.20.000  X-RAY APPARATUS  30  //  //  //


               17.10.2017

               EN

               Official Journal of the European Union

               C 349/115

         P8_TA(2015)0357
   Appointment of Managing Director of EFSI
   European Parliament decision of 14 October 2015 on the proposal for the appointment of the Managing Director of the European Fund for Strategic Investments (C8-0304/2015 — 2015/0901(NLE))
   (Approval)
   (2017/C 349/34)

      The European Parliament,

               —

               having regard to the proposal of the Steering Board of the European Fund for Strategic Investments (EFSI) of 2 October 2015 for the appointment of its Managing Director (C8-0304/2015),

               —

               having regard to Article 7(6) of Regulation (EU) 2015/1017 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 25 June 2015 on the European Fund for Strategic Investments, the European Investment Advisory Hub and the European Investment Project Portal and amending Regulations (EU) No 1291/2013 and (EU) No 1316/2013 — the European Fund for Strategic Investments (1),

               —

               having regard to its Rules of Procedure,

               —

               having regard to the joint deliberations of the Committee on Budgets and the Committee on Economic and Monetary Affairs under Rule 55 of the Rules of Procedure,

               —

               having regard to the report of the Committee on Budgets and the Committee on Economic and Monetary Affairs (A8-0292/2015),

               A.

               whereas Article 7(6) of Regulation (EU) 2015/1017 provides that the Managing Director and Deputy Managing Director of the EFSI are to be appointed by the European Investment Bank (EIB) after approval by the European Parliament following an open and transparent selection process in line with EIB procedures, during which the European Parliament shall be kept duly informed in a timely manner at all stages;

               B.

               whereas, on 2 October 2015, the Steering Board of the EFSI adopted a proposal for the appointment of the Managing Director and Deputy Managing Director of the EFSI and transmitted this proposal to the European Parliament;

               C.

               whereas, on 13 October 2015, the Committee on Budgets and the Committee on Economic and Monetary Affairs held a hearing with Wilhelm Molterer, the proposed candidate for the function of Managing Director of the EFSI, at which he made an opening statement and then responded to questions from the members of the Committees;

               1.

               Approves the appointment of Wilhelm Molterer for the position of Managing Director of the EFSI;

               2.

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

      (1)  OJ L 169, 1.7.2015, p. 1.


title: Decision (EU) 2015/287 of the European Central Bank of 31 December 2014 on the paying-up of capital, transfer of foreign reserve assets and contributions by Lietuvos bankas to the European Central Bank's reserves and provisions (ECB/2014/61)

text:
               21.2.2015

               EN

               Official Journal of the European Union

               L 50/44

         DECISION (EU) 2015/287 OF THE EUROPEAN CENTRAL BANK
   of 31 December 2014
   on the paying-up of capital, transfer of foreign reserve assets and contributions by Lietuvos bankas to the European Central Bank's reserves and provisions (ECB/2014/61)
   THE GOVERNING COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN CENTRAL BANK,
   Having regard to the Statute of the European System of Central Banks and of the European Central Bank, and in particular Articles 30.1, 30.3, 48.1 and 48.2 thereof,
   Whereas:

               (1)

               Pursuant to Article 1 of Council Decision 2014/509/EU (1), in accordance with Article 140(2) of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union, Lithuania fulfils the necessary conditions for adoption of the euro and the derogation in favour of Lithuania referred to in Article 4 of the 2003 Act of Accession (2) will be abrogated with effect from 1 January 2015.

               (2)

               Article 48.1 of the Statute of the European System of Central Banks and of the European Central Bank (hereinafter the ‘Statute of the ESCB’) provides that the national central bank (NCB) of a Member State whose derogation has been abrogated must pay up its subscribed share of the capital of the European Central Bank (ECB) to the same extent as the NCBs of the other Member States whose currency is the euro. The NCBs of the existing Member States whose currency is the euro have paid up their shares in the ECB's subscribed capital in full (3). The weighting of Lietuvos bankas in the ECB's capital key is 0,4132 %, pursuant to Article 2 of Decision ECB/2013/28 (4). Lietuvos bankas has already paid up part of its share in the ECB's subscribed capital, pursuant to Article 1 of Decision ECB/2013/31 (5). The outstanding amount is therefore EUR 43 051 594,36, which results from multiplying the ECB's subscribed capital (EUR 10 825 007 069,61) by the capital key weighting of Lietuvos bankas (0,4132 %), minus the part of its share in the ECB's subscribed capital that has already been paid up.

               (3)

               Article 48.1, in conjunction with Article 30.1, of the Statute of the ESCB provides that the NCB of a Member State whose derogation has been abrogated must also transfer foreign reserve assets to the ECB. Pursuant to Article 48.1 of the Statute of the ESCB, the sum to be transferred is determined by multiplying the euro value at current exchange rates of the foreign reserve assets which have already been transferred to the ECB in accordance with Article 30.1 of the Statute of the ESCB by the ratio between the number of shares subscribed by the NCB concerned and the number of shares already paid up by the NCBs of the other Member States whose currency is the euro. When determining the ‘foreign reserve assets which have already been transferred to the ECB in accordance with Article 30.1’, due account should be taken of previous capital key adjustments (6) pursuant to Article 29.3 of the Statute of the ESCB and the ECB capital key expansions pursuant to Article 48.3 of the Statute of the ESCB (7). As a result, pursuant to Decision ECB/2013/26 (8), the euro equivalent of the foreign reserve assets which have already been transferred to the ECB under Article 30.1 of the Statute of the ESCB is EUR 338 656 541,82.

               (4)

               The foreign reserve assets to be transferred by Lietuvos bankas should be in or be denominated in US dollars and gold.

               (5)

               Article 30.3 of the Statute of the ESCB provides that the ECB must credit each NCB of a Member State whose currency is the euro with a claim equivalent to the foreign reserve assets that it has transferred to the ECB. The provisions regarding the denomination and remuneration of the claims that have already been credited to the NCBs of the Member States whose currency is the euro (9) should also apply to the denomination and remuneration of the claims of Lietuvos bankas.

               (6)

               Article 48.2 of the Statute of the ESCB provides that the NCB of a Member State whose derogation has been abrogated must contribute to the ECB's reserves, to those provisions equivalent to reserves, and to the amount still to be appropriated to the reserves and provisions corresponding to the balance of the profit and loss account as at 31 December of the year prior to the abrogation of the derogation. The amount of this contribution is determined in accordance with Article 48.2 of the Statute of the ESCB.

               (7)

               By analogy with Article 3.5 of the Rules of Procedure of the European Central Bank (10), the Governor of Lietuvos bankas has had the opportunity to make observations on this Decision before its adoption,

         HAS ADOPTED THIS DECISION:
   Article 1
   Definitions
   For the purposes of this Decision:

               (a)

               ‘foreign reserve assets’ means gold or US dollars;

               (b)

               ‘gold’ means fine troy ounces of gold in the form of London Good Delivery bars, as specified by the London Bullion Market Association;

               (c)

               ‘US dollar’ means the lawful currency of the United States.

         Article 2
   Extent and form of paid-up capital
   1.   With effect from 1 January 2015, Lietuvos bankas shall pay up the remaining part of its share in the ECB's subscribed capital, which corresponds to EUR 43 051 594,36.
   2.   Lietuvos bankas shall pay the amount specified in paragraph 1 to the ECB on 2 January 2015 by means of a separate transfer via the Trans-European Automated Real-time Gross settlement Express Transfer system (TARGET2).
   3.   Lietuvos bankas shall pay to the ECB on 2 January 2015, by a separate TARGET2 transfer, the interest accrued on 1 January 2015 on the amount due to the ECB under paragraph 2. This interest shall be calculated on a daily basis, using the actual-over-360 day-count method of calculation, at a rate equal to the marginal interest rate used by the Eurosystem in its most recent main refinancing operation.
   Article 3
   Transfer of foreign reserve assets
   1.   Lietuvos bankas shall transfer to the ECB, with effect from 1 January 2015 and in accordance with this Article and the arrangements taken pursuant to it, an amount of foreign reserve assets that is equivalent to EUR 338 656 541,82 as follows:

               Euro-equivalent amount of US dollars in the form of cash

               Euro-equivalent amount of gold

               Aggregate euro-equivalent amount

               287 858 060,55

               50 798 481,27

               338 656 541,82

         2.   The euro-equivalent amount of foreign reserve assets to be transferred by Lietuvos bankas under paragraph 1 shall be calculated on the basis of the exchange rates between the euro and the US dollar established as a result of the 24-hour written consultation procedure on 31 December 2014 between the Eurosystem and Lietuvos bankas and, in the case of gold, on the basis of the US dollar price of gold per fine troy ounce established in the London gold fixing at 10.30 a.m., London time, on 31 December 2014.
   3.   The ECB shall confirm to Lietuvos bankas as soon as possible the amount calculated in accordance with paragraph 2.
   4.   In accordance with paragraph 1, Lietuvos bankas shall transfer to the ECB an amount of US dollars in the form of cash that is equivalent to the amount of euro laid down in the table in paragraph 1.
   5.   The transfer of the amount of US dollars in the form of cash that is equivalent to the amount of euro laid down in the table in paragraph 1 shall take place to such accounts as are specified by the ECB. The settlement date for the amount of US dollars in the form of cash to be transferred to the ECB shall be 5 January 2015. Lietuvos bankas shall give instructions to execute such transfer to the ECB.
   6.   The value of the gold which Lietuvos bankas transfers to the ECB in accordance with paragraph 1 shall be as close as possible to, but no more than, EUR 50 798 481,27.
   7.   Lietuvos bankas shall transfer the gold referred to in paragraph 1 in uninvested form to such accounts and such locations as are specified by the ECB. The settlement date for the gold to be transferred to the ECB shall be 5 January 2015. Lietuvos bankas shall give instructions to execute such transfer to the ECB.
   8.   If Lietuvos bankas transfers gold to the ECB with a value of less than the amount specified in paragraph 1, then on 5 January 2015 it shall transfer an amount of US dollars in the form of cash equivalent to the shortfall to an account of the ECB as specified by the ECB. Any such US dollars in the form of cash shall not form part of the foreign reserve assets which Lietuvos bankas transfers to the ECB in accordance with paragraph 4.
   9.   The difference, if any, between the aggregate euro-equivalent amount mentioned in paragraph 1 and the amount mentioned in Article 4(1) shall be settled in accordance with the Agreement of 31 December 2014 between Lietuvos bankas and the European Central Bank regarding the claim credited to Lietuvos bankas by the European Central Bank under Article 30.3 of the Statute of the European System of Central Banks and of the European Central Bank (11).
   Article 4
   Denomination, remuneration and maturity of the claim equivalent to the contribution
   1.   With effect from 1 January 2015, and subject to the specifications in Article 3 regarding the settlement dates of the transfers of foreign reserve assets, the ECB shall credit Lietuvos bankas with a claim denominated in euro, equivalent to the aggregate euro amount of its contribution of foreign reserve assets. This claim corresponds to EUR 239 453 709,58.
   2.   The claim credited by the ECB to Lietuvos bankas shall be remunerated from the settlement date. The interest accruing shall be calculated on a daily basis, using the actual-over-360 day-count method of calculation, at a rate equivalent to 85 % of the marginal interest rate used by the Eurosystem in its most recent main refinancing operation.
   3.   The accrued interest calculated in accordance with paragraph 2 shall be paid to Lietuvos bankas at the end of each financial year. Each quarter the ECB shall inform Lietuvos bankas of the cumulative amount.
   4.   The claim shall not be redeemable.
   Article 5
   Contributions to the ECB's reserves and provisions
   1.   With effect from 1 January 2015, Lietuvos bankas shall contribute to the ECB's reserves, to those provisions equivalent to reserves, and to the amount still to be appropriated to the reserves and provisions corresponding to the balance of the profit and loss account at 31 December 2014.
   2.   The amounts to be contributed by Lietuvos bankas shall be determined in accordance with Article 48.2 of the Statute of the ESCB. The references in Article 48.2 to ‘the number of shares subscribed by the central bank concerned’ and ‘the number of shares already paid up by the other central banks’ shall refer to the respective weightings of Lietuvos bankas and the NCBs of the other Member States whose currency is the euro in the ECB's capital key, pursuant to Decision ECB/2013/26.
   3.   For the purposes of paragraph 1, ‘the ECB's reserves’ and ‘provisions equivalent to reserves’ shall include the ECB's general reserve fund, balances on revaluation accounts and provisions for foreign exchange rate, interest rate, credit, market price and gold price risks.
   4.   At the latest on the first working day following the Governing Council's approval of the ECB's annual accounts for the year 2014, the ECB shall calculate and confirm to Lietuvos bankas the amount to be contributed by Lietuvos bankas under paragraph 1.
   5.   On the second working day following the Governing Council's approval of the ECB's annual accounts for the year 2014, Lietuvos bankas shall, via TARGET2, pay to the ECB:

               (a)

               the amount due to the ECB calculated under paragraph 4, less any amount transferred in excess of the claim referred to in Article 4(1) on the settlement dates laid down in Articles 3(5) and 3(7) (an ‘advance contribution’), if any; and

               (b)

               the interest accrued from 1 January 2015 until the payment date on the amount due to the ECB calculated under paragraph 4, less any advance contribution.

         6.   Any interest accruing under paragraph 5(b) shall be calculated on a daily basis, using the actual-over-360 day-count method of calculation, at a rate equal to the marginal interest rate used by the Eurosystem in its most recent main refinancing operation.
   Article 6
   Competencies
   1.   To the extent necessary, the ECB's Executive Board shall issue instructions to Lietuvos bankas to further specify and give effect to any provision of this Decision and to provide for appropriate remedies to address any problems that may arise.
   2.   Any instruction issued by the Executive Board under paragraph 1 shall be promptly notified to the Governing Council, and the Executive Board shall comply with any decision of the Governing Council thereon.
   Article 7
   Final provision
   This Decision shall enter into force on 1 January 2015.

      Done at Frankfurt am Main, 31 December 2014.

            The President of the ECB

         Mario DRAGHI

      (1)  Council Decision 2014/509/EU of 23 July 2014 on the adoption by Lithuania of the euro on 1 January 2015 (OJ L 228, 31.7.2014, p. 29).

      (2)  Act concerning the conditions of accession of the Czech Republic, the Republic of Estonia, the Republic of Cyprus, the Republic of Latvia, the Republic of Lithuania, the Republic of Hungary, the Republic of Malta, the Republic of Poland, the Republic of Slovenia and the Slovak Republic and the adjustments to the Treaties on which the European Union is founded (OJ L 236, 23.9.2003, p. 33).

      (3)  Decision ECB/2013/30 of 29 August 2013 on the paying-up of the European Central Bank's capital by the national central banks of Member States whose currency is the euro (OJ L 16, 21.1.2014, p. 61).

      (4)  Decision ECB/2013/28 of 29 August 2013 on the national central banks' percentage shares in the key for subscription to the European Central Bank's capital (OJ L 16, 21.1.2014, p. 53).

      (5)  Decision ECB/2013/31 of 30 August 2013 on the paying-up of the European Central Bank's capital by the non-euro area national central banks (OJ L 16, 21.1.2014, p. 63).

      (6)  See footnote 4.

      (7)  Decision ECB/2013/17 of the European Central Bank of 21 June 2013 on the national central banks' percentage shares in the key for subscription to the European Central Bank's capital (OJ L 187, 6.7.2013, p. 15).

      (8)  Decision ECB/2013/26 of 29 August 2013 laying down the measures necessary for the contribution to the European Central Bank's accumulated equity value and for adjusting the national central banks' claims equivalent to the transferred foreign reserve assets (OJ L 16, 21.1.2014, p. 47).

      (9)  Pursuant to Guideline ECB/2000/15 of 3 November 1998 as amended by the Guideline of 16 November 2000 on the composition, valuation and modalities for the initial transfer of foreign-reserve assets, and the denomination and remuneration of equivalent claims (OJ L 336, 30.12.2000, p. 114).

      (10)  Decision ECB/2004/2 of 19 February 2004 adopting the Rules of Procedure of the European Central Bank (OJ L 80, 18.3.2004, p. 33).

      (11)  OJ C 64, 21.2.2015, p. 5.


title: 2010/427/EU: Council Decision of 26 July 2010 establishing the organisation and functioning of the European External Action Service

text:
               3.8.2010

               EN

               Official Journal of the European Union

               L 201/30

         COUNCIL DECISION
   of 26 July 2010
   establishing the organisation and functioning of the European External Action Service
   (2010/427/EU)
   THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION,
   Having regard to the Treaty on European Union, and in particular Article 27(3) thereof,
   Having regard to the proposal from the High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy (‘the High Representative’),
   Having regard to the Opinion of the European Parliament,
   Having regard to the consent of the European Commission,
   Whereas:

               (1)

               The purpose of this Decision is to establish the organisation and functioning of the European External Action Service (‘EEAS’), a functionally autonomous body of the Union under the authority of the High Representative, set up by Article 27(3) of the Treaty on European Union (‘TEU’), as amended by the Treaty of Lisbon. This Decision and, in particular, the reference to the term ‘High Representative’ will be interpreted in accordance with his/her different functions under Article 18 TEU.

               (2)

               In accordance with the second subparagraph of Article 21(3) TEU, the Union will ensure consistency between the different areas of its external action and between those areas and its other policies. The Council and the Commission, assisted by the High Representative, will ensure that consistency and will cooperate to that effect.

               (3)

               The EEAS will support the High Representative, who is also a Vice-President of the Commission and the President of the Foreign Affairs Council, in fulfilling his/her mandate to conduct the Common Foreign and Security Policy (‘CFSP’) of the Union and to ensure the consistency of the Union’s external action as outlined, notably, in Articles 18 and 27 TEU. The EEAS will support the High Representative in his/her capacity as President of the Foreign Affairs Council, without prejudice to the normal tasks of the General Secretariat of the Council. The EEAS will also support the High Representative in his/her capacity as Vice-President of the Commission, in respect of his/her responsibilities within the Commission for responsibilities incumbent on it in external relations, and in coordinating other aspects of the Union’s external action, without prejudice to the normal tasks of the Commission services.

               (4)

               In its contribution to the Union’s external cooperation programmes, the EEAS should seek to ensure that the programmes fulfil the objectives for external action as set out in Article 21 TUE, in particular in paragraph (2)(d) thereof, and that they respect the objectives of the Union’s development policy in line with Article 208 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union (‘TFEU’). In this context, the EEAS should also promote the fulfilment of the objectives of the European Consensus on Development (1) and the European Consensus on Humanitarian Aid (2).

               (5)

               It results from the Treaty of Lisbon that, in order to implement its provisions, the EEAS must be operational as soon as possible after the entry into force of that Treaty.

               (6)

               The European Parliament will fully play its role in the external action of the Union, including its functions of political control as provided for in Article 14(1) TEU, as well as in legislative and budgetary matters as laid down in the Treaties. Furthermore, in accordance with Article 36 TEU, the High Representative will regularly consult the European Parliament on the main aspects and the basic choices of the CFSP and will ensure that the views of the European Parliament are duly taken into consideration. The EEAS will assist the High Representative in this regard. Specific arrangements should be made with regard to access for Members of the European Parliament to classified documents and information in the area of CFSP. Until the adoption of such arrangements, existing provisions under the Interinstitutional Agreement of 20 November 2002 between the European Parliament and the Council concerning access by the European Parliament to sensitive information of the Council in the field of security and defence policy (3) will apply.

               (7)

               The High Representative, or his/her representative, should exercise the responsibilities provided for by the respective acts founding the European Defence Agency (4), the European Union Satellite Centre (5), the European Union Institute for Security Studies (6), and the European Security and Defence College (7). The EEAS should provide those entities with the support currently provided by the General Secretariat of the Council.

               (8)

               Provisions should be adopted relating to the staff of the EEAS and their recruitment where such provisions are necessary to establish the organisation and functioning of the EEAS. In parallel, necessary amendments should be made, in accordance with Article 336 TFEU, to the Staff Regulations of Officials of the European Communities (‘Staff Regulations’) and the Conditions of Employment of Other Servants of those Communities (8) (‘CEOS’) without prejudice to Article 298 TFEU. For matters relating to its staff, the EEAS should be treated as an institution within the meaning of the Staff Regulations and the CEOS. The High Representative will be the Appointing Authority, in relation both to officials subject to the Staff Regulations and agents subject to the CEOS. The number of officials and servants of the EEAS will be decided each year as part of the budgetary procedure and will be reflected in the establishment plan.

               (9)

               The staff of the EEAS should carry out their duties and conduct themselves solely with the interest of the Union in mind.

               (10)

               Recruitment should be based on merit whilst ensuring adequate geographical and gender balance. The staff of the EEAS should comprise a meaningful presence of nationals from all the Member States. The review foreseen for 2013 should also cover this issue, including, as appropriate, suggestions for additional specific measures to correct possible imbalances.

               (11)

               In accordance with Article 27(3) TEU, the EEAS will comprise officials from the General Secretariat of the Council and from the Commission, as well as personnel coming from the diplomatic services of the Member States. For that purpose, the relevant departments and functions in the General Secretariat of the Council and in the Commission will be transferred to the EEAS, together with officials and temporary agents occupying a post in such departments or functions. Before 1 July 2013, the EEAS will recruit exclusively officials originating from the General Secretariat of the Council and the Commission, as well as staff coming from the diplomatic services of the Member States. After that date, all officials and other servants of the European Union should be able to apply for vacant posts in the EEAS.

               (12)

               The EEAS may, in specific cases, have recourse to specialised seconded national experts (‘SNEs’), over whom the High Representative will have authority. SNEs in posts in the EEAS will not be counted in the one third of all EEAS staff at Administrator (‘AD’) level which staff from Member States should represent when the EEAS will have reached its full capacity. Their transfer in the phase of setting up of the EEAS will not be automatic and will be made with the consent of the authorities of the originating Member States. By the date of expiry of the contract of an SNE transferred to the EEAS under Article 7, the relevant function will be converted into a temporary agent post in cases where the function performed by the SNE corresponds to a function normally carried out by staff at AD level, provided that the necessary post is available under the establishment plan.

               (13)

               The Commission and the EEAS will agree on detailed arrangements relating to the issuing of instructions from the Commission to delegations. These should provide in particular that when the Commission will issue instructions to delegations, it will simultaneously provide a copy thereof to the Head of Delegation and to the EEAS central administration.

               (14)

               Council Regulation (EC, Euratom) No 1605/2002 of 25 June 2002 on the Financial Regulation applicable to the general budget of the European Communities (9) (the ‘Financial Regulation’) should be amended in order to include the EEAS in Article 1 thereof, with a specific section in the Union budget. In accordance with the applicable rules, and as is the case for other institutions, a part of the annual report of the Court of Auditors will also be dedicated to the EEAS, and the EEAS will respond to such reports. The EEAS will be subject to the procedures regarding the discharge as provided for in Article 319 TFEU and in Articles 145 to 147 of the Financial Regulation. The High Representative will provide the European Parliament with all necessary support for the exercise of the European Parliament’s right as discharge authority. The implementation of the operational budget will be the Commission’s responsibility in accordance with Article 317 TFEU. Decisions having a financial impact will, in particular, comply with the responsibilities laid down in Title IV of the Financial Regulation, especially Articles 64 to 68 thereof regarding liability of financial actors, and Article 75 thereof regarding expenditure operations.

               (15)

               The establishment of the EEAS should be guided by the principle of cost-efficiency aiming towards budget neutrality. To this end, transitional arrangements and a gradual build-up of capacity will have to be used. Unnecessary duplication of tasks, functions and resources with other structures should be avoided. All opportunities for rationalisation should be availed of.
               In addition, a number of additional posts for Member States’ temporary agents will be necessary, which will have to be financed within the framework of the current multiannual financial framework.

               (16)

               Rules should be laid down covering the activities of the EEAS and its staff as regards security, the protection of classified information, and transparency.

               (17)

               It is recalled that the Protocol on the Privileges and Immunities of the European Union will apply to the EEAS, its officials and other agents, who will be subject either to the Staff Regulations or the CEOS.

               (18)

               The European Union and the European Atomic Energy Community continue to be served by a single institutional framework. It is therefore essential to ensure consistency between the external relations of both, and to allow the Union Delegations to undertake the representation of the European Atomic Energy Community in third countries and at international organisations.

               (19)

               The High Representative should, by mid-2013, provide a review of the organisation and functioning of the EEAS, accompanied, if necessary, by proposals for a revision of this Decision. Such a revision should be adopted no later than the beginning of 2014,

         HAS ADOPTED THIS DECISION:
   Article 1
   Nature and scope
   1.   This Decision establishes the organisation and functioning of the European External Action Service (‘EEAS’).
   2.   The EEAS, which has its headquarters in Brussels, shall be a functionally autonomous body of the European Union, separate from the General Secretariat of the Council and from the Commission with the legal capacity necessary to perform its tasks and attain its objectives.
   3.   The EEAS shall be placed under the authority of the High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy (‘High Representative’).
   4.   The EEAS shall be made up of a central administration and of the Union Delegations to third countries and to international organisations.
   Article 2
   Tasks
   1.   The EEAS shall support the High Representative in fulfilling his/her mandates as outlined, notably, in Articles 18 and 27 TEU:

               —

               in fulfilling his/her mandate to conduct the Common Foreign and Security Policy (‘CFSP’) of the European Union, including the Common Security and Defence Policy (‘CSDP’), to contribute by his/her proposals to the development of that policy, which he/she shall carry out as mandated by the Council and to ensure the consistency of the Union’s external action,

               —

               in his/her capacity as President of the Foreign Affairs Council, without prejudice to the normal tasks of the General Secretariat of the Council,

               —

               in his/her capacity as Vice-President of the Commission for fulfilling within the Commission the responsibilities incumbent on it in external relations, and in coordinating other aspects of the Union’s external action, without prejudice to the normal tasks of the services of the Commission.

         2.   The EEAS shall assist the President of the European Council, the President of the Commission, and the Commission in the exercise of their respective functions in the area of external relations.
   Article 3
   Cooperation
   1.   The EEAS shall support, and work in cooperation with, the diplomatic services of the Member States, as well as with the General Secretariat of the Council and the services of the Commission, in order to ensure consistency between the different areas of the Union’s external action and between those areas and its other policies.
   2.   The EEAS and the services of the Commission shall consult each other on all matters relating to the external action of the Union in the exercise of their respective functions, except on matters covered by the CSDP. The EEAS shall take part in the preparatory work and procedures relating to acts to be prepared by the Commission in this area.
   This paragraph shall be implemented in accordance with Chapter 1 of Title V of the TEU, and with Article 205 TFEU.
   3.   The EEAS may enter into service-level arrangements with relevant services of the General Secretariat of the Council, the Commission, or other offices or interinstitutional bodies of the Union.
   4.   The EEAS shall extend appropriate support and cooperation to the other institutions and bodies of the Union, in particular to the European Parliament. The EEAS may also benefit from the support and cooperation of those institutions and bodies, including agencies, as appropriate. The EEAS internal auditor will cooperate with the internal auditor of the Commission to ensure a consistent audit policy, with particular reference to the Commission’s responsibility for operational expenditure. In addition, the EEAS shall cooperate with the European Anti-Fraud Office (‘OLAF’) in accordance with Regulation (EC) No 1073/1999 (10). It shall, in particular, adopt without delay the decision required by that Regulation on the terms and conditions for internal investigations. As provided in that Regulation, both Member States, in accordance with national provisions, and the institutions shall give the necessary support to enable OLAF’s agents to fulfil their tasks.
   Article 4
   Central administration of the EEAS
   1.   The EEAS shall be managed by an Executive Secretary-General who will operate under the authority of the High Representative. The Executive Secretary-General shall take all measures necessary to ensure the smooth functioning of the EEAS, including its administrative and budgetary management. The Executive Secretary-General shall ensure effective coordination between all departments in the central administration as well as with the Union Delegations.
   2.   The Executive Secretary-General shall be assisted by two Deputy Secretaries-General.
   3.   The central administration of the EEAS shall be organised in directorates-general.

               (a)

               It shall, in particular, include:

                           —

                           a number of directorates-general comprising geographic desks covering all countries and regions of the world, as well as multilateral and thematic desks. These departments shall coordinate as necessary with the General Secretariat of the Council and with the relevant services of the Commission,

                           —

                           a directorate-general for administrative, staffing, budgetary, security and communication and information system matters, working in the EEAS framework managed by the Executive Secretary-General. The High Representative shall appoint, in accordance with the normal rules of recruitment, a Director-General for budget and administration who shall work under the authority of the High Representative. He/she shall be responsible to the High Representative for the administrative and internal budgetary management of the EEAS. He/she shall follow the same budget lines and administrative rules as are applicable in the part of Section III of the Union’s budget which falls under Heading 5 of the Multiannual Financial Framework,

                           —

                           the crisis management and planning directorate, the civilian planning and conduct capability, the European Union Military Staff and the European Union Situation Centre, placed under the direct authority and responsibility of the High Representative, and which shall assist him/her in the task of conducting the Union’s CFSP in accordance with the provisions of the Treaty while respecting, in accordance with Article 40 TEU, the other competences of the Union.

                     The specificities of these structures, as well as the particularities of their functions, recruitment and the status of the staff shall be respected.
               Full coordination between all the structures of the EEAS shall be ensured.

               (b)

               The central administration of the EEAS shall also include:

                           —

                           a strategic policy planning department,

                           —

                           a legal department under the administrative authority of the Executive Secretary-General which shall work closely with the Legal Services of the Council and of the Commission,

                           —

                           departments for interinstitutional relations, information and public diplomacy, internal audit and inspections, and personal data protection.

         4.   The High Representative shall designate the chairpersons of Council preparatory bodies that are chaired by a representative of the High Representative, including the chair of the Political and Security Committee, in accordance with the detailed arrangements set out in Annex II to Council Decision 2009/908/EU of 1 December 2009 laying down measures for the implementation of the European Council Decision on the exercise of the Presidency of the Council, and on the chairmanship of preparatory bodies of the Council (11).
   5.   The High Representative and the EEAS shall be assisted where necessary by the General Secretariat of the Council and the relevant departments of the Commission. Service-level arrangements may be drawn up to that effect by the EEAS, the General Secretariat of the Council and the relevant Commission departments.
   Article 5
   Union delegations
   1.   The decision to open or close a delegation shall be adopted by the High Representative, in agreement with the Council and the Commission.
   2.   Each Union Delegation shall be placed under the authority of a Head of Delegation.
   The Head of Delegation shall have authority over all staff in the delegation, whatever their status, and for all its activities. He/she shall be accountable to the High Representative for the overall management of the work of the delegation and for ensuring the coordination of all actions of the Union.
   Staff in delegations shall comprise EEAS staff and, where appropriate for the implementation of the Union budget and Union policies other than those under the remit of the EEAS, Commission staff.
   3.   The Head of Delegation shall receive instructions from the High Representative and the EEAS, and shall be responsible for their execution.
   In areas where the Commission exercises the powers conferred upon it by the Treaties, the Commission may, in accordance with Article 221(2) TFEU, also issue instructions to delegations, which shall be executed under the overall responsibility of the Head of Delegation.
   4.   The Head of Delegation shall implement operational credits in relation to the Union’s projects in the corresponding third country, where sub-delegated by the Commission, in accordance with the Financial Regulation.
   5.   The operation of each delegation shall be periodically evaluated by the Executive Secretary-General of the EEAS; evaluation shall include financial and administrative audits. For this purpose, the Executive Secretary-General of the EEAS may request assistance from the relevant Commission departments. In addition to internal measures by the EEAS, OLAF shall exercise its powers, notably by conducting anti-fraud measures, in accordance with Regulation (EC) No 1073/1999.
   6.   The High Representative shall enter into the necessary arrangements with the host country, the international organisation, or the third country concerned. In particular, the High Representative shall take the necessary measures to ensure that host States grant the Union delegations, their staff and their property, privileges and immunities equivalent to those referred to in the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations of 18 April 1961.
   7.   Union delegations shall have the capacity to respond to the needs of other institutions of the Union, in particular the European Parliament, in their contacts with the international organisations or third countries to which the delegations are accredited.
   8.   The Head of Delegation shall have the power to represent the Union in the country where the delegation is accredited, in particular for the conclusion of contracts, and as a party to legal proceedings.
   9.   The Union delegations shall work in close cooperation and share information with the diplomatic services of the Member States.
   10.   The Union delegations shall, acting in accordance with the third paragraph of Article 35 TEU, and upon request by Member States, support the Member States in their diplomatic relations and in their role of providing consular protection to citizens of the Union in third countries on a resource-neutral basis.
   Article 6
   Staff
   1.   This Article, except paragraph 3, shall apply without prejudice to the Staff Regulations of Officials of the European Communities (‘Staff Regulations’) and the Conditions of Employment of Other Servants of those Communities (‘CEOS’), including the amendments made to those rules, in accordance with Article 336 TFEU, in order to adapt them to the needs of the EEAS.
   2.   The EEAS shall comprise officials and other servants of the European Union, including personnel from the diplomatic services of the Member States appointed as temporary agents.
   The Staff Regulations and the CEOS shall apply to this staff.
   3.   If necessary, the EEAS may, in specific cases, have recourse to a limited number of specialised seconded national experts (SNEs).
   The High Representative shall adopt rules, equivalent to those laid down in Council Decision 2003/479/EC of 16 June 2003 concerning the rules applicable to national experts and military staff on secondment to the General Secretariat of the Council (12), under which SNEs are put at the disposal of the EEAS in order to provide specialised expertise.
   4.   The staff of the EEAS shall carry out their duties and conduct themselves solely with the interests of the Union in mind. Without prejudice to the third indent of Article 2(1) and Articles 2(2) and 5(3), they shall neither seek nor take instructions from any government, authority, organisation or person outside the EEAS or from any body or person other than the High Representative. In accordance with the second paragraph of Article 11 of the Staff Regulations, EEAS staff shall not accept any payments of any kind whatever from any other source outside the EEAS.
   5.   The powers conferred on the appointing authority by the Staff Regulations and on the authority authorised to conclude contracts by the CEOS shall be vested in the High Representative, who may delegate those powers inside the EEAS.
   6.   Recruitment to the EEAS shall be based on merit whilst ensuring adequate geographical and gender balance. The staff of the EEAS shall comprise a meaningful presence of nationals from all the Member States. The review provided for in Article 13(3) shall also cover this issue, including, as appropriate, suggestions for additional specific measures to correct possible imbalances.
   7.   Officials of the Union and temporary agents coming from the diplomatic services of the Member States shall have the same rights and obligations and be treated equally, in particular as concerns their eligibility to assume all positions under equivalent conditions. No distinction shall be made between temporary agents coming from national diplomatic services and officials of the Union as regards the assignment of duties to perform in all areas of activities and policies implemented by the EEAS. In accordance with the provisions of the Financial Regulation, the Member States shall support the Union in the enforcement of financial liabilities of EEAS temporary agents coming from the Member States’ diplomatic services which result from a liability under Article 66 of the Financial Regulation.
   8.   The High Representative shall establish the selection procedures for EEAS staff, which shall be undertaken through a transparent procedure based on merit with the objective of securing the services of staff of the highest standard of ability, efficiency and integrity, while ensuring adequate geographical and gender balance, and a meaningful presence of nationals from all Member States in the EEAS. Representatives of the Member States, the General Secretariat of the Council and of the Commission shall be involved in the recruitment procedure for vacant posts in the EEAS.
   9.   When the EEAS has reached its full capacity, staff from Member States, as referred to in the first subparagraph of paragraph 2, should represent at least one third of all EEAS staff at AD level. Likewise, permanent officials of the Union should represent at least 60 % of all EEAS staff at AD level, including staff coming from the diplomatic services of the Member States who have become permanent officials of the Union in accordance with the provisions of the Staff Regulations. Each year, the High Representative shall present a report to the European Parliament and the Council on the occupation of posts in the EEAS.
   10.   The High Representative shall lay down the rules on mobility so as to ensure that the members of the staff of the EEAS are subject to a high degree of mobility. Specific and detailed arrangements shall apply to the personnel referred to in the third indent of Article 4(3)(a). In principle, all EEAS staff shall periodically serve in Union delegations. The High Representative shall establish rules to that effect.
   11.   In accordance with the applicable provisions of its national law, each Member State shall provide its officials who have become temporary agents in the EEAS with a guarantee of immediate reinstatement at the end of their period of service to the EEAS. This period of service, in accordance with the provisions of Article 50b of the CEOS, shall not exceed eight years, unless, it is extended for a maximum period of two years in exceptional circumstances and in the interest of the service.
   Officials of the Union serving in the EEAS shall have the right to apply for posts in their institution of origin on the same terms as internal applicants.
   12.   Steps shall be taken in order to provide EEAS staff with adequate common training, building in particular on existing practices and structures at national and Union level. The High Representative shall take appropriate measures to that effect within the year following the entry into force of this Decision.
   Article 7
   Transitional provisions regarding staff
   1.   The relevant departments and functions in the General Secretariat of the Council and in the Commission listed in the Annex shall be transferred to the EEAS. Officials and temporary agents occupying a post in departments or functions listed in the Annex shall be transferred to the EEAS. This shall apply mutatis mutandis to contract and local staff assigned to such departments and functions. SNEs working in those departments or functions shall also be transferred to the EEAS with the consent of the authorities of the originating Member State.
   These transfers shall take effect on 1 January 2011.
   In accordance with the Staff Regulations, upon their transfer to the EEAS, the High Representative shall assign each official to a post in his/her function group which corresponds to that official’s grade.
   2.   The procedures for recruiting staff for posts transferred to the EEAS which are ongoing at the date of entry into force of this Decision shall remain valid: they shall be carried on and completed under the authority of the High Representative in accordance with the relevant vacancy notices and the applicable rules of the Staff Regulations and the CEOS.
   Article 8
   Budget
   1.   The duties of authorising officer for the EEAS section of the general budget of the European Union shall be delegated in accordance with Article 59 of the Financial Regulation. The High Representative shall adopt the internal rules for the management of the administrative budget lines. Operational expenditure shall remain within the Commission section of the budget.
   2.   The EEAS shall exercise its powers in accordance with the Financial Regulation applicable to the general budget of the European Union within the limits of the appropriations allocated to it.
   3.   When drawing up estimates of administrative expenditure for the EEAS, the High Representative will hold consultations with, respectively, the Commissioner responsible for Development Policy and the Commissioner responsible for Neighbourhood Policy regarding their respective responsibilities.
   4.   In accordance with Article 314(1) TFEU, the EEAS shall draw up estimates of its expenditure for the following financial year. The Commission shall consolidate those estimates in a draft budget, which may contain different estimates. The Commission may amend the draft budget as provided for in Article 314(2) TFEU.
   5.   In order to ensure budgetary transparency in the area of external action of the Union, the Commission will transmit to the budgetary authority, together with the draft general budget of the European Union, a working document presenting, in a comprehensive way, all expenditure related to the external action of the Union.
   6.   The EEAS shall be subject to the procedures regarding the discharge provided for in Article 319 TFEU and in Articles 145 to 147 of the Financial Regulation. The EEAS will, in this context, fully cooperate with the institutions involved in the discharge procedure and provide, as appropriate, the additional necessary information, including through attendance at meetings of the relevant bodies.
   Article 9
   External action instruments and programming
   1.   The management of the Union’s external cooperation programmes is under the responsibility of the Commission without prejudice to the respective roles of the Commission and of the EEAS in programming as set out in the following paragraphs.
   2.   The High Representative shall ensure overall political coordination of the Union’s external action, ensuring the unity, consistency and effectiveness of the Union’s external action, in particular through the following external assistance instruments:

               —

               the Development Cooperation Instrument (13),

               —

               the European Development Fund (14),

               —

               the European Instrument for Democracy and Human Rights (15),

               —

               the European Neighbourhood and Partnership Instrument (16),

               —

               the Instrument for Cooperation with Industrialised Countries (17),

               —

               the Instrument for Nuclear Safety Cooperation (18),

               —

               the Instrument for Stability, regarding the assistance provided for in Article 4 of Regulation (EC) No 1717/2006 (19).

         3.   In particular, the EEAS shall contribute to the programming and management cycle for the instruments referred to in paragraph 2, on the basis of the policy objectives set out in those instruments. It shall have responsibility for preparing the following decisions of the Commission regarding the strategic, multiannual steps within the programming cycle:

               (i)

               country allocations to determine the global financial envelope for each region, subject to the indicative breakdown of the multiannual financial framework. Within each region, a proportion of funding will be reserved for regional programmes;

               (ii)

               country and regional strategic papers;

               (iii)

               national and regional indicative programmes.

         In accordance with Article 3, throughout the whole cycle of programming, planning and implementation of the instruments referred to in paragraph 2, the High Representative and the EEAS shall work with the relevant members and services of the Commission without prejudice to Article 1(3). All proposals for decisions will be prepared by following the Commission’s procedures and will be submitted to the Commission for adoption.
   4.   With regard to the European Development Fund and the Development Cooperation Instrument, any proposals, including those for changes in the basic regulations and the programming documents referred to in paragraph 3, shall be prepared jointly by the relevant services in the EEAS and in the Commission under the responsibility of the Commissioner responsible for Development Policy and shall be submitted jointly with the High Representative for adoption by the Commission.
   Thematic programmes, other than the European Instrument for Democracy and Human Rights, the Instrument for Nuclear Safety Cooperation and that part of the Instrument for Stability referred to in the seventh indent of paragraph 2, shall be prepared by the appropriate Commission service under the guidance of the Commissioner responsible for Development Policy and presented to the College of Commissioners in agreement with the High Representative and the other relevant Commissioners.
   5.   With regard to the European Neighbourhood and Partnership Instrument, any proposals, including those for changes in the basic regulations and the programming documents referred to in paragraph 3, shall be prepared jointly by the relevant services in the EEAS and in the Commission under the responsibility of the Commissioner responsible for Neighbourhood Policy and shall be submitted jointly with the High Representative for adoption by the Commission.
   6.   Actions undertaken under: the CFSP budget; the Instrument for Stability other than the part referred to in the seventh indent of paragraph 2; the Instrument for Cooperation with Industrialised Countries; communication and public Diplomacy actions, and election observation missions, shall be under the responsibility of the High Representative/the EEAS. The Commission shall be responsible for their financial implementation under the authority of the High Representative in his/her capacity as Vice-President of the Commission. The Commission department responsible for this implementation shall be co-located with the EEAS.
   Article 10
   Security
   1.   The High Representative shall, after consulting the Committee referred to in point 3 of Section I of Part II of the Annex to Council Decision 2001/264/EC of 19 March 2001 adopting the Council’s security regulations (20), decide on the security rules for the EEAS and take all appropriate measures in order to ensure that the EEAS manages effectively the risks to its staff, physical assets and information, and that it fulfils its duty of care and responsibilities in this regard. Such rules shall apply to all EEAS staff, and all staff in Union Delegations, regardless of their administrative status or origin.
   2.   Pending the Decision referred to in paragraph 1:

               —

               with regard to the protection of classified information, the EEAS shall apply the security measures set out in the Annex to Decision 2001/264/EC,

               —

               with regard to other aspects of security, the EEAS shall apply the Commission’s Provisions on Security, as set out in the relevant Annex to the Rules of Procedure of the Commission (21).

         3.   The EEAS shall have a department responsible for security matters, which shall be assisted by the relevant services of the Member States.
   4.   The High Representative shall take any measure necessary in order to implement security rules in the EEAS, in particular as regards the protection of classified information and the measures to be taken in the event of a failure by EEAS staff to comply with the security rules. For that purpose, the EEAS shall seek advice from the Security Office of the General Secretariat of the Council, from the relevant services of the Commission and from the relevant services of the Member States.
   Article 11
   Access to documents, archives and data protection
   1.   The EEAS shall apply the rules laid down in Regulation (EC) 1049/2001 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 30 May 2001 regarding public access to European Parliament, Council and Commission documents (22). The High Representative shall decide on the implementing rules for the EEAS.
   2.   The Executive Secretary-General of the EEAS shall organise the archives of the service. The relevant archives of the departments transferred from the General Secretariat of the Council and the Commission shall be transferred to the EEAS.
   3.   The EEAS shall protect individuals with regard to the processing of their personal data in accordance with the rules laid down in Regulation (EC) No 45/2001 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 18 December 2000 on the protection of individuals with regard to the processing of personal data by the Community institutions and bodies and on the free movement of such data (23). The High Representative shall decide on the implementing rules for the EEAS.
   Article 12
   Immovable property
   1.   The General Secretariat of the Council and the relevant Commission services shall take all necessary measures so that the transfers referred to in Article 7 can be accompanied by the transfers of the Council and Commission buildings necessary for the functioning of the EEAS.
   2.   The terms on which immovable property is made available to the EEAS central administration and to the Union Delegations shall be decided on jointly by the High Representative and the General Secretariat of the Council and the Commission, as appropriate.
   Article 13
   Final and general provisions
   1.   The High Representative, the Council, the Commission and the Member States shall be responsible for implementing this Decision and shall take all measures necessary in furtherance thereof.
   2.   The High Representative shall submit a report to the European Parliament, the Council and the Commission on the functioning of the EEAS by the end of 2011. That report shall, in particular, cover the implementation of Article 5(3) and (10) and Article 9.
   3.   By mid-2013, the High Representative shall provide a review of the organisation and functioning of the EEAS, which will cover inter alia the implementation of Article 6(6), (8) and (11). The review shall, if necessary, be accompanied by appropriate proposals for the revision of this Decision. In that case, the Council shall, in accordance with Article 27(3) TEU, revise this Decision in the light of the review by the beginning of 2014.
   4.   This Decision shall enter into force on the date of its adoption. The provisions on financial management and recruitment shall take effect once the necessary amendments to the Staff Regulations, the CEOS and the Financial Regulation, as well as the amending budget, have been adopted. To ensure a smooth transition, the High Representative, the General Secretariat of the Council and the Commission shall enter into the necessary arrangements, and they shall undertake consultations with the Member States.
   5.   Within one month after the entry into force of this Decision, the High Representative shall submit to the Commission an estimate of the revenue and expenditure of the EEAS, including an establishment plan, in order for the Commission to present a draft amending budget.
   6.   This Decision shall be published in the Official Journal of the European Union.

      Done at Brussels, 26 July 2010.

            For the Council

            The President

         S. VANACKERE

      (1)  OJ C 46, 24.2.2006, p. 1.

      (2)  Communication from the Commission to the European Parliament and the Council — Towards a European Consensus on Humanitarian Aid (COM(2007) 317 final). Not published in the Official Journal.

      (3)  OJ C 298, 30.11.2002, p. 1.

      (4)  Council Joint Action 2004/551/CFSP of 12 July 2004 on the establishment of the European Defence Agency (OJ L 245, 17.7.2004, p. 17).

      (5)  Council Joint Action 2001/555/CFSP of 20 July 2001 on the establishment of a European Union Satellite Centre (OJ L 200, 25.7.2001, p. 5).

      (6)  Council Joint Action 2001/554/CFSP of 20 July 2001 on the establishment of a European Union Institute for Security Studies (OJ L 200, 25.7.2001, p. 1).

      (7)  Council Joint Action 2008/550/CFSP of 23 June 2008 establishing a European Security and Defence College (ESDC) (OJ L 176, 4.7.2008, p. 20).

      (8)  Regulation No 31 (EEC), 11 (EAEC), laying down the Staff Regulations of Officials and the Conditions of Employment of Other Servants of the European Economic Community and the European Atomic Energy Community (OJ 45, 14.6.1962, p. 1387/62. English special edition: Series I Chapter 1959-1962 p. 135).

      (9)  OJ L 248, 16.9.2002, p. 1.

      (10)  Regulation (EC) No 1073/1999 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 25 May 1999 concerning investigations conducted by the European Anti-Fraud Office (OLAF) (OJ L 136, 31.5.1999, p. 1).

      (11)  OJ L 322, 9.12.2009, p. 28.

      (12)  OJ L 160, 28.6.2003, p. 72.

      (13)  Regulation (EC) No 1905/2006 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 18 December 2006 establishing a financing instrument for development cooperation (OJ L 378, 27.12.2006, p. 41).

      (14)  Council Regulation No 5 laying down rules relating to calls for and transfers of financial contributions, budgetary arrangements and administration of the resources of the Development Fund for the Overseas Countries and Territories (OJ 33, 31.12.1958, p. 681/58).

      (15)  Regulation (EC) No 1889/2006 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 20 December 2006 on establishing a financing instrument for the promotion of democracy and human rights worldwide (OJ L 386, 29.12.2006, p. 1).

      (16)  Regulation (EC) No 1638/2006 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 24 October 2006 laying down general provisions establishing a European Neighbourhood and Partnership Instrument (OJ L 310, 9.11.2006, p. 1).

      (17)  Council Regulation (EC) No 382/2001 of 26 February 2001 concerning the implementation of projects promoting cooperation and commercial relations between the European Union and the industrialised countries of North America, the Far East and Australasia (OJ L 57, 27.2.2001, p. 10).

      (18)  Council Regulation (Euratom) No 300/2007 of 19 February 2007 establishing an Instrument for Nuclear Safety Cooperation (OJ L 81, 22.3.2007, p. 1).

      (19)  Regulation (EC) No 1717/2006 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 15 November 2006 establishing an Instrument for Stability (OJ L 327, 24.11.2006, p. 1).

      (20)  OJ L 101, 11.4.2001, p. 1.

      (21)  OJ L 308, 8.12.2000, p. 26.

      (22)  OJ L 145, 31.5.2001, p. 43.

      (23)  OJ L 8, 12.1.2001, p. 1.

      ANNEX

         DEPARTMENTS AND FUNCTIONS TO BE TRANSFERRED TO THE EEAS
          (1)

      The following is a list of all the administrative entities to be transferred en bloc to the EEAS. This prejudges neither the additional needs and the allocation of resources to be determined in the overall budget negotiations establishing the EEAS, nor decisions on the provision of adequate staff responsible for support functions, nor the linked need for service-level arrangements between the General Secretariat of the Council and the Commission and the EEAS.
      1.   GENERAL SECRETARIAT OF THE COUNCIL
      All staff in the departments and functions listed below shall be transferred en bloc to the EEAS, except for a very limited number of staff to perform the normal tasks of the General Secretariat of the Council in line with the second indent of Article 2(1), and except for certain specific functions which are indicated below:

         Policy Unit

         CSDP and crisis management structures

                  —

                  Crisis Management and Planning Directorate (CMPD)

                  —

                  Civilian Planning and Conduct Capability (CPCC)

                  —

                  European Union Military Staff (EUMS)

                              —

                              Departments under the direct authority of DGEUMS

                              —

                              Concepts and Capability Directorate

                              —

                              Intelligence Directorate

                              —

                              Operations Directorate

                              —

                              Logistics Directorate

                              —

                              Communications and Information Systems Directorate

                  —

                  EU Situation Centre (SITCEN)

            Exception:

                  —

                  Staff in the SITCEN supporting the Security Accreditation Authority

         Directorate-General E

                  —

                  Entities placed under the direct authority of the Director-General

                  —

                  Directorate for the Americas and the United Nations

                  —

                  Directorate for the Western Balkans, Eastern Europe and Central Asia

                  —

                  Directorate for Non-Proliferation of Weapons of Mass Destruction

                  —

                  Directorate for Parliamentary Affairs in the area of CFSP

                  —

                  New York Liaison Office

                  —

                  Geneva Liaison Office

         Officials of the General Secretariat of the Council on secondment to European Union Special Representatives and CSDP missions

      2.   COMMISSION (INCLUDING DELEGATIONS)
      All staff in the departments and functions listed below shall be transferred en bloc to the EEAS, except for a limited number of staff mentioned below as exceptions.

         Directorate-General for External Relations

                  —

                  All hierarchy posts and support staff directly attached to them

                  —

                  Directorate A (Crisis Platform and Policy Coordination in CFSP)

                  —

                  Directorate B (Multilateral Relations and Human Rights)

                  —

                  Directorate C (North America, East Asia, Australia, New Zealand, EEA, EFTA, San Marino, Andorra, Monaco)

                  —

                  Directorate D (European Neighbourhood Policy Coordination)

                  —

                  Directorate E (Eastern Europe, Southern Caucasus, Central Asia Republics)

                  —

                  Directorate F (Middle East, South Mediterranean)

                  —

                  Directorate G (Latin America)

                  —

                  Directorate H (Asia, except Japan and Korea)

                  —

                  Directorate I (Headquarters resources, information, interinstitutional relations)

                  —

                  Directorate K (External Service)

                  —

                  Directorate L (Strategy, Coordination and Analysis)

                  —

                  Task Force on the Eastern Partnership

                  —

                  Unit Relex-01 (Audit)

            Exceptions:

                  —

                  Staff responsible for the management of financial instruments

                  —

                  Staff responsible for the payment of salaries and allowances to staff in delegations

         External Service

                  —

                  All Heads of Delegation and Deputy Heads of Delegation and support staff directly attached to them

                  —

                  All political sections or cells and staff

                  —

                  All information and public diplomacy sections and staff

                  —

                  All administration sections

            Exceptions

                  —

                  Staff responsible for the implementation of financial instruments

         Directorate-General for Development

                  —

                  Directorate D (ACP II – West and Central Africa, Caribbean and OCT) except OCT task force

                  —

                  Directorate E (Horn of Africa, East and Southern Africa, Indian Ocean and Pacific)

                  —

                  Unit CI (ACP I: Aid programming and management): Staff responsible for programming

                  —

                  Unit C2 (Pan-African issues and institutions, governance and migration): Staff responsible for Pan-African relations

                  —

                  Applicable hierarchy posts and support staff directly attached to them.

         (1)  The human resources to be transferred are all financed from the expenditure heading 5 (Administration) of the multiannual financial framework.


Avis juridique important

|

32000D0812

2000/812/EC: Council Decision of 14 December 2000 on the conclusion of an Agreement in the form of an Exchange of Letters concerning the provisional application of the Protocol setting out, for the period 1 July 2000 to 30 June 2003, the fishing opportunities and financial contribution provided for in the Agreement between the European Economic Community and the Republic of Côte d'Ivoire on fishing off the coast of Côte d'Ivoire

Official Journal L 329 , 27/12/2000 P. 0001 - 0002

Council Decisionof 14 December 2000on the conclusion of an Agreement in the form of an Exchange of Letters concerning the provisional application of the Protocol setting out, for the period 1 July 2000 to 30 June 2003, the fishing opportunities and financial contribution provided for in the Agreement between the European Economic Community and the Republic of Côte d'Ivoire on fishing off the coast of Côte d'Ivoire(2000/812/EC)THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION,Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Community, and in particular Article 300(2) thereof,Having regard to the proposal from the Commission,Whereas:(1) Pursuant to the Agreement between the European Economic Community and the Republic of Côte d'Ivoire on fishing off the coast of Côte d'Ivoire(1), the Community and the Côte d'Ivoire conducted negotiations to determine the amendments or additions to be made to the Agreement at the end of the period of application of the Protocol annexed thereto.(2) As a result of those negotiations, a new Protocol was initialled on 26 May 2000.(3) Under the said Protocol, Community fishermen enjoy fishing opportunities in waters under the sovereignty or jurisdiction of Côte d'Ivoire from 1 July 2000 to 30 June 2003.(4) The Protocol in question must be applied at the earliest opportunity if fishing activities by Community vessels are not to be interrupted. To that end, the two Parties initialled an Agreement in the form of an Exchange of Letters providing for the provisional application of the initialled Protocol from the day following that on which the Protocol in force expired. That Agreement should be approved pending a final decision to be adopted in accordance with Article 37 of the Treaty.(5) The method of allocating the fishing opportunities among the Member States should also be defined on the basis of the traditional allocation of fishing opportunities under the Fisheries Agreement,HAS DECIDED AS FOLLOWS:Article 1The Agreement in the form of an Exchange of Letters concerning the provisional application of the Protocol setting out, for the period 1 July 2000 to 30 June 2003, the fishing opportunities and financial contribution provided for in the Agreement between the European Economic Community and the Republic of Côte d'Ivoire on fishing off the coast of Côte d'Ivoire is hereby approved on behalf of the Community.The texts of the Agreement in the form of an Exchange of Letters and the Protocol are attached to this Decision.Article 2The fishing opportunities set out in the Protocol shall be allocated among the Member States as follows:(a) demersal species:>TABLE>(b) tuna fishing:(i) tuna seiners>TABLE>(ii) surface longliners>TABLE>(iii) pole-and-line tuna vessels>TABLE>If licence applications from these Member States do not exhaust the fishing opportunities set out in the Protocol, the Commission may consider licence applications from any other Member State.Article 3The President of the Council is hereby authorised to designate the person(s) empowered to sign the Agreement in the form of an Exchange of Letters in order to bind the Community.Done at Brussels, 14 December 2000.For the CouncilThe PresidentJ. Glavany(1) OJ L 379, 31.12.1990, p. 3.


title: 2004/806/EC: Commission Decision of 19 November 2004 terminating the examination procedure concerning obstacles to trade consisting of trade practices maintained by Canada in relation to certain geographical indications for wines (notified under document number C(2004) 4388)

text:
               30.11.2004

               EN

               Official Journal of the European Union

               L 354/30

      COMMISSION DECISION

   of 19 November 2004
   terminating the examination procedure concerning obstacles to trade consisting of trade practices maintained by Canada in relation to certain geographical indications for wines
   (notified under document number C(2004) 4388)
   (2004/806/EC)
   THE COMMISSION OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES,
   Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Community,
   Having regard to Council Regulation (EC) No 3286/94 of 22 December 1994 laying down Community procedures in the field of the common commercial policy in order to ensure the exercise of the Community’s rights under international trade rules, in particular those established under the auspices of the World Trade Organisation (1), and in particular Article 11(1) thereof,
   After consulting the Advisory Committee,
   Whereas:

               (1)

               On 6 December 2001, the Conseil interprofessionnel du vin de Bordeaux (CIVB) lodged a complaint pursuant to Article 4 of Regulation (EC) No 3286/94 (hereinafter ‘the Regulation’).

               (2)

               CIVB claimed that Community sales of Bordeaux and Médoc in Canada are hindered by a number of obstacles to trade within the meaning of Article 2(1) of the Regulation, i.e. ‘a practice adopted or maintained by a third country and in respect of which international trade rules establish a right of action’.

               (3)

               The alleged obstacle to trade resulted from the C-57 Amendment to the Canadian Trademarks Act, which deprived the geographical indications Bordeaux and Médoc of a standard protection in compliance with the protection requirements laid down by the WTO Agreement on Trade Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights (TRIPS) for geographical indications for wines.

               (4)

               The Commission decided that the complaint contained sufficient evidence to justify the initiation of an examination procedure. A corresponding notice was published in the Official Journal of the European Communities
                   (2).

               (5)

               The investigation confirmed the complainant’s legal claim that the C-57 Amendment to the Canadian Trademarks Act violated Article 23.1 and 2 as well as Article 24.3 (the standstill clause) of TRIPS and that such infringements could not be justified on the basis of the exception under Article 24.6 of TRIPS.

               (6)

               The examination procedure also concluded that the C-57 Amendment threatens to cause adverse trade effects to the complainant, within the meaning of Article 2(4) and 10(4) of the Regulation.

               (7)

               On 12 February 2003, the Advisory Committee established by the Regulation considered the final report on the examination procedure.

               (8)

               On 24 April 2003, the Commission initialled a Bilateral Agreement with Canada on trade in wine and spirits, which provided for the definitive elimination of the names listed as ‘generic’ in Canada, including ‘Bordeaux’, ‘Médoc’ and ‘Medoc’ by the entry into force of the agreement.

               (9)

               On 9 July 2003, the Commission decided to suspend (3) the examination procedure with a view to terminate it as soon as Canada effectively eliminated these names from the list of generic names provided by the C-57 Amendment.

               (10)

               On 30 July 2003, the Council approved the conclusion, on behalf of the European Community, of the Bilateral Agreement with Canada on trade in wine and spirits (4). On 1 June 2004, the Bilateral Agreement entered into force (5).

               (11)

               By the Order Amending Subsections 11.18(3) and (4) of the Trade-marks Act (6), Canada eliminated Bordeaux, Médoc and Medoc from the list of generic names provided by the C-57 Amendment.

               (12)

               Accordingly, it is appropriate to terminate the examination procedure,

         HAS DECIDED AS FOLLOWS:
   Sole Article
   The examination procedure concerning obstacles to trade, consisting of trade practices maintained by Canada in relation to certain geographical indications for wines, is hereby terminated.

      Done at Brussels, 19 November 2004.

            For the Commission

         Pascal LAMY

            Member of the Commission

      (1)  OJ L 349, 31.12.1994, p. 71. Regulation as amended by Regulation (EC) No 356/95 (OJ L 41, 23.2.1995, p. 3).

      (2)  OJ C 124, 25.5.2002, p. 6.

      (3)  OJ L 170, 9.7.2003, p. 29.

      (4)  OJ L 35, 6.2.2004, p. 1.

      (5)  Article 41 of the Bilateral Agreement provided that: ‘This Agreement shall enter into force on the first day of the second month following the date on which the Contracting Parties have exchanged diplomatic notes confirming the completion of their respective procedures for the entry into force of this Agreement’. The EC note was delivered on 16 September 2003 and Canada’s response was delivered on 26 April 2004.

      (6)  The Department of Industry published the Order Amending Subsections 11.18(3) and (4) of the Trade-marks Act in the Part II of the Canada Gazette of 5 May 2004. The Order is effective as of the date of registration, which is 22 April 2004.