title: Resolución del Consejo de 15 de diciembre de 1998 sobre una estrategia forestal para la Unión Europea

eurovoc_concepts:
European Union
ecosystem
environmental protection
forest
protected area

text: 26. 2. 1999 ES Diario Oficial de las Comunidades Europeas C 56/1 I (Comunicaciones) CONSEJO RESOLUCIŁN DEL CONSEJO de 15 de diciembre de 1998 sobre una estrategia forestal para la Uni(cid:246)n Europea (1999/C 56/01) EL CONSEJO DE LA UNIŁN EUROPEA, Reconociendo los beneficios de una estrategia forestal para la Uni(cid:246)n Europea tal como se establece en la pre(cid:220) sente Resoluci(cid:246)n basada principalmente en el an‘lisis ge(cid:220) neral y l(cid:242)neas directrices de la Comunicaci(cid:246)n de la Co(cid:220) misi(cid:246)n al Parlamento Europeo y al Consejo; legislaci(cid:246)n vigente del Tomando en consideraci(cid:246)n Consejo sobre el sector forestal, as(cid:242) como las propuestas presentadas en el marco de la Agenda 2000 para el apoyo a las medidas forestales de los Estados miembros; la Considerando las actividades y obligaciones asumidas por la Uni(cid:246)n Europea y sus Estados miembros en todos los foros internacionales que se ocupan del sector fores(cid:220) tal, en especial en la Conferencia de las Naciones Unidas sobre el Medio Ambiente y el Desarrollo, celebrada en R(cid:242)o de Janeiro en 1992, y en las Conferencias y foros consecutivos(cid:216)(cid:216)(˛) as(cid:242) como en las conferencias ministeria(cid:220) les sobre la protecci(cid:246)n de los bosques de Europa, y en los principios y recomendaciones establecidos en ellos para el sector forestal; 1. (cid:217)PONE DE RELIEVE la importancia del papel pluri(cid:220) funcional de los bosques y de la explotaci(cid:246)n sosteni(cid:220) ble del sector forestal, basados en sus funciones so(cid:220) cial, econ(cid:246)mica, medioambiental, ecol(cid:246)gica y cultu(cid:220) ral para el desarrollo de la sociedad y en particular de las zonas rurales, y pone de relieve la contribu(cid:220) ci(cid:246)n que los bosques y el sector forestal pueden ha(cid:220) cer a las pol(cid:242)ticas comunitarias vigentes; 2. (cid:217)IDENTIFICA como elementos esenciales de esta es(cid:220) trategia forestal comœn: (˛)(cid:217)UNCED, UNGASS, XI Congreso Forestal Mundial, Con(cid:220) venio sobre la diversidad biol(cid:246)gica, Convenci(cid:246)n sobre el cambio clim‘tico, convenci(cid:246)n de lucha contra la desertifica(cid:220) ci(cid:246)n y primera, segunda y tercera Conferencias ministeriales sobre la protecci(cid:246)n de los bosques en Europa. a)(cid:217) la explotaci(cid:246)n sostenible de los bosques, tal como fue definida en la Conferencia ministerial sobre los bosques en Europa celebrada en Hel(cid:220) sinki en 1993, y el papel plurifuncional de los bosques como m‘xima superior de actuaci(cid:246)n; b) el principio de subsidiariedad dado que el Tra(cid:220) tado consitutivo de la Comunidad Europea no tiene ninguna disposici(cid:246)n referente a una pol(cid:242)tica espec(cid:242)fica forestal comœn y que la responsabili(cid:220) dad de la pol(cid:242)tica forestal corresponde a los Es(cid:220) tados miembros, teniendo no obstante en cuenta que, con arreglo al principio de subsidiariedad y al concepto de responsabilidad compartida, la Comunidad puede contribuir positivamente a la aplicaci(cid:246)n de la explotaci(cid:246)n sostenible de los bosques y al papel plurifuncional de los bosques; c) d) e) f) la contribuci(cid:246)n que aportan los instrumentos ju(cid:220) r(cid:242)dicos comunitarios actuales y futuros para la aplicaci(cid:246)n de la estrategia forestal y el apoyo de los Estados miembros con vistas a una explota(cid:220) ci(cid:246)n sostenible y a un papel plurifuncional de los bosques, la protecci(cid:246)n de los bosques, el desa(cid:220) rrollo y conservaci(cid:246)n de las zonas rurales, el pa(cid:220) los trimonio forestal, la diversidad biol(cid:246)gica, cambios clim‘ticos, el aprovechamiento de la madera como fuente de energ(cid:242)a, etc. , evit‘ndose las medidas que puedan obstaculizar el funciona(cid:220) miento del mercado; la puesta en pr‘ctica de las obligaciones, princi(cid:220) pios y recomendaciones internacionales a trav~s de los programas forestales nacionales o subna(cid:220) cionales para los bosques o de los instrumentos correspondientes desarrollados por los Estados miembros; la participaci(cid:246)n activa en todos los procesos in(cid:220) ternacionales relacionados con el sector forestal; la necesidad de seguir mejorando la coordina(cid:220) ci(cid:246)n, comunicaci(cid:246)n y cooperaci(cid:246)n en todos los ‘mbitos de actuaci(cid:246)n pol(cid:242)tica relacionados con el sector forestal, tanto en el seno de la Comisi(cid:246)n como entre ~sta y los Estados miembros y de ~s(cid:220) tos entre s(cid:242); C 56/2 ES Diario Oficial de las Comunidades Europeas 26. 2. 1999 g) la significaci(cid:246)n de la sostenibilidad del sector fo(cid:220) restal para conservar y aumentar la diversidad biol(cid:246)gica y las condiciones de vida de animales y plantas, as(cid:242) como el hecho de que la gesti(cid:246)n fo(cid:220) restal sostenible es una de las muchas medidas de lucha contra el cambio clim‘tico; h) el fomento de una utilizaci(cid:246)n global de la ma(cid:220) dera y de otros productos forestales que no sean de madera procedentes de la explotaci(cid:246)n sosteni(cid:220) ble de los bosques como productos que respetan el medio ambiente en l(cid:242)nea con las reglas del mercado abierto; i) j) k) l) la contribuci(cid:246)n de la silvicultura y de las indus(cid:220) trias del sector forestal a los ingresos, el empleo y otros elementos que afectan la calidad de vida, reconociendo la estrecha conexi(cid:246)n entre estos dos sectores, que influye en su competitividad y viabilidad econ(cid:246)mica; la necesidad de integrar mejor los bosques y pro(cid:220) ductos forestales en todas las pol(cid:242)ticas comunes sectoriales, como la pol(cid:242)tica agr(cid:242)cola comœn y las pol(cid:242)ticas de medio ambiente, energ(cid:242)a, comercio, interior y investigaci(cid:246)n, mercado industria, ayuda para el desarrollo, al objeto de tener en cuenta tanto la contribuci(cid:246)n de los bosques y productos forestales a otras pol(cid:242)ticas como los efectos de otras pol(cid:242)ticas sobre bosques y pro(cid:220) ductos forestales, al objeto de garantizar la nece(cid:220) saria coherencia de un planteamiento global con miras a la explotaci(cid:246)n sostenible de los bosques; la necesidad de fomentar un planteamiento parti(cid:220) cipativo y transparente con todos los interesados que reconozca la amplia variedad de reg(cid:242)menes de propiedad dentro de la Comunidad que re(cid:220) quiere la participaci(cid:246)n de propietarios de bos(cid:220) ques; la necesidad de planteamientos y acciones espe(cid:220) c(cid:242)ficos para los distintos tipos de bosques, reco(cid:220) nociendo la amplia variedad de condiciones na(cid:220) turales, sociales, econ(cid:246)micas y culturales de los bosques en la Comunidad; m) el hecho de que esta estrategia constituye un proceso din‘mico en el cual deben producirse otras discusiones y actividades consecutivas acor(cid:220) des con el sentido indicado; ACCIONES COMUNITARIAS RELATIVAS A LOS BOSQUES Y EN MATERIA FORESTAL 3. (cid:217)SUBRAYA la contribuci(cid:246)n que los bosques aportan al fomento del empleo, de la calidad de vida y del me(cid:220) dio ambiente, de acuerdo con la perspectiva de una gesti(cid:246)n sostenible del sector forestal, que se basa en la funci(cid:246)n econ(cid:246)mica, ecol(cid:246)gica, social y cultural de los bosques; 4. (cid:217)PROPUGNA que la Comunidad siga participando ac(cid:220) tivamente en la aplicaci(cid:246)n de las resoluciones de las Conferencias ministeriales sobre la protecci(cid:246)n de los bosques en Europa y tome iniciativas en los foros in(cid:220) ternacionales de debate y negociaci(cid:246)n sobre cuestio(cid:220) nes forestales, en particular en el Foro Interguberna(cid:220) mental sobre los Bosques de las Naciones Unidas; 5. (cid:217)INVITA a la Comisi(cid:246)n a que emprenda una revisi(cid:246)n de las medidas del Reglamento (CEE) no 3528/86 del Consejo, de 17 de diciembre de 1986, relativo a la protecci(cid:246)n de los bosques en la Comunidad contra la contaminaci(cid:246)n atmosf~rica(cid:216)(cid:216)(˛), para evaluar y continuar mejorando la efectividad del sistema euro(cid:220) peo de supervisi(cid:246)n del estado de los bosques, te(cid:220) niendo en cuenta todos los posibles efectos sobre los ecosistemas forestales; 6. (cid:217)PROPUGNA que se continœe, evalœe y estudie la po(cid:220) sibilidad de mejorar la medida comunitaria de pro(cid:220) tecci(cid:246)n de los bosques comunitarios contra los in(cid:220) cendios establecida mediante el Reglamento (CEE) no 2158/92(cid:216)(ˇ), ya que ~sta ha contribuido a la efica(cid:220) cia de las medidas de prevenci(cid:246)n y al establecimiento de un sistema coherente para la protecci(cid:246)n de los bosques, e INVITA a la Comisi(cid:246)n a prestar un inter~s particular al desarrollo del sistema comunitario de informaci(cid:246)n sobre los incendios forestales, ya que con ~l se puede evaluar mejor la eficacia de las medi(cid:220) das de protecci(cid:246)n contra los incendios; 7. (cid:217)SUBRAYA la importancia de que se continœe desarro(cid:220) llando un sistema europeo de informaci(cid:246)n y comuni(cid:220) caci(cid:246)n forestal establecido mediante el Reglamento (CEE) no 1615/89(cid:216)(cid:216)(—) obteniendo datos mejores y m‘s fiables sobre los bosques, y pone de relieve asi(cid:220) mismo la cooperaci(cid:246)n con las organizaciones nacio(cid:220) nales e internacionales pertinentes; 8. (cid:217)CONSIDERA que las medidas comunitarias en el marco de la cooperaci(cid:246)n con los pa(cid:242)ses de Europa Central y Oriental as(cid:242) como en el marco de las con(cid:220) ferencias ministeriales sobre protecci(cid:246)n de los bos(cid:220) ques en Europa deben fomentar la explotaci(cid:246)n soste(cid:220) nible, el mantenimiento y el desarrollo sostenible de (˛)(cid:217)DO L 326 de 21. 11. 1986, p. 2; Reglamento cuya œltima mo(cid:220) dificaci(cid:246)n la constituye el Reglamento (CE) no 307/97 (DO L 51 de 21. 2. 1997, p. 9). (ˇ)(cid:217)DO L 217 de 31. 7. 1992, p. 3; Reglamento modificado por el Reglamento (CE) no 308/97 (DO L 51 de 21. 2. 1997, p. 11). (—)(cid:217)DO L 165 de 15. 6. 1989, p. 12. 26. 2. 1999 ES Diario Oficial de las Comunidades Europeas C 56/3 los bosques; TOMA NOTA de que la Comisi(cid:246)n ha presentado una propuesta de Reglamento del Con(cid:220) sejo relativo a la ayuda comunitaria para la aplica(cid:220) ci(cid:246)n de medidas de preadhesi(cid:246)n en los sectores de la agricultura y el desarrollo rural de los pa(cid:242)ses candi(cid:220) datos de Europa Central y Oriental durante el per(cid:242)(cid:220) odo de preadhesi(cid:246)n y de que la promoci(cid:246)n de la agricultura y el desarrollo rural puede afectar tam(cid:220) bi~n, entre otras cosas, al sector forestal; CONSI(cid:220) DERA que esta propuesta puede contribuir a la ex(cid:220) plotaci(cid:246)n, mantenimiento y desarrollo sostenible de los bosques de la Europa Central y Oriental; desarrollo rural y de las medidas de protecci(cid:246)n fo(cid:220) restal as(cid:242) como por medio de acciones espec(cid:242)ficas ta(cid:220) les como investigaci(cid:246)n, conservaci(cid:246)n de recursos ge(cid:220) n~ticos con arreglo a lo dispuesto en el Reglamento (CE) no 1467/94(cid:216)((cid:209)) y apoyo a la aplicaci(cid:246)n de crite(cid:220) rios e indicadores paneuropeos para la explotaci(cid:246)n sostenible de los bosques; CONSIDERA que estas ac(cid:220) tividades y su valor a(cid:253)adido contribuyen a dar una respuesta al marco de acci(cid:246)n solicitado de la estrate(cid:220) gia de la Comunidad Europea en materia de diversi(cid:220) dad biol(cid:246)gica; 9. (cid:217)TOMA NOTA de que las actividades de investigaci(cid:246)n relacionadas con los bosques en el marco de los pro(cid:220) gramas comunitarios de IDT contribuyen a promo(cid:220) ver la explotaci(cid:246)n sostenible y el papel plurifuncional de los bosques y el aprovechamiento sostenible y di(cid:220) versificado de los recursos forestales, as(cid:242) como a me(cid:220) jorar el potencial de investigaci(cid:246)n y a fomentar la innovaci(cid:246)n; 10. (cid:217)SUBRAYA los beneficios de una coordinaci(cid:246)n efec(cid:220) tiva entre las distintas pol(cid:242)ticas sectoriales que tienen una influencia en el sector forestal, y de la coordina(cid:220) ci(cid:246)n a nivel comunitario; SUBRAYA el importante papel que tienen en este contexto el Comit~ forestal permanente, el Comit~ consultivo de los montes y la producci(cid:246)n del corcho y el Comit~ consultivo de la pol(cid:242)tica comunitaria en el sector de la madera, crea(cid:220) dos mediante la Decisi(cid:246)n 89/367/CEE(cid:216)(˛), la Deci(cid:220) si(cid:246)n 98/235/CE(cid:216)(ˇ) y la Decisi(cid:246)n 97/837/CE(cid:216)(—) res(cid:220) pectivamente, por su utilidad como foros de consulta ad hoc que proporcionan conocimiento especializado para todas las actividades relacionadas con el sector forestal en el marco de las actuales pol(cid:242)ticas comuni(cid:220) tarias tales como la polit(cid:242)ca agr(cid:242)cola comœn y las po(cid:220) l(cid:242)ticas de desarrollo rural, medio ambiente, comer(cid:220) cio, investigaci(cid:246)n, mercado interior, industria, coo(cid:220) peraci(cid:246)n al desarrollo y energ(cid:242)a; y PIDE a la Comi(cid:220) si(cid:246)n que presente a la mayor brevedad un informe al Consejo sobre c(cid:246)mo mejorar la coordinaci(cid:246)n; 11. (cid:217)CONSIDERA que la conservaci(cid:246)n e incremento de la diversidad biol(cid:246)gica forestal es un elemento b‘sico para una explotaci(cid:246)n sostenible y que deben inte(cid:220) grarse las medidas adecuadas en los programas fo(cid:220) restales o instrumentos equivalentes de los Estados miembros de acuerdo con el Programa de trabajo paneuropeo sobre la conservaci(cid:246)n y fomento de la diversidad biol(cid:246)gica y del paisaje en los ecosistemas forestales 1997(cid:220)2000; TOMA NOTA del valor a(cid:253)adi(cid:220) doque las acciones comunitarias pueden proporcio(cid:220) nar por medio de las medidas forestales dentro del (˛)(cid:217)DO L 165 de 15. 6. 1989, p. 14. (ˇ)(cid:217)DO L 88 de 24. 3. 1998, p. 59. (—)(cid:217)DO L 346 de 17. 12. 1997, p. 95. 12. (cid:217)RECONOCE, adem‘s, la necesidad de la conserva(cid:220) ci(cid:246)n y protecci(cid:246)n de todo tipo de zonas representati(cid:220) vas desde el punto de vista ecol(cid:246)gico y de las de in(cid:220) ter~s ecol(cid:246)gico particular; TOMA NOTA de la con(cid:220) tribuci(cid:246)n de la Comunidad al establecimiento, a tra(cid:220) v~s de la red ecol(cid:246)gica Natura 2000, de zonas prote(cid:220) gidas y de conservaci(cid:246)n especiales, en el marco de las Directivas 79/409/CEE(cid:216)((cid:210)) y 92/43/CE(cid:216)((cid:211)), te(cid:220) niendo en cuenta que hay que atender a las exigen(cid:220) cias econ(cid:246)micas, sociales y culturales, as(cid:242) como a las particularidades regionales y locales y a la participa(cid:220) ci(cid:246)n de los propietarios de bosques; 13. (cid:217)CONFIRMA que el papel de los bosques como dep(cid:246)(cid:220) sito y reserva de carbono dentro de la Uni(cid:246)n Euro(cid:220) pea puede garantizarse mejor mediante su explota(cid:220) ci(cid:246)n sostenible y que la contribuci(cid:246)n a la estrategia de la Uni(cid:246)n Europea y de los Estados miembros re(cid:220) lativa al cambio clim‘tico, que se adecua al proto(cid:220) colo de Kioto, puede alcanzarse por medio de la protecci(cid:246)n y fomento de las existencias actuales de carbono, el establecimiento de nuevas existencias de carbono y el fomento del uso de la biomasa y de productos derivados de la madera; 14. (cid:217)CONSIDERA que la econom(cid:242)a forestal y las activida(cid:220) des comerciales con ella relacionadas forman parte integrante de la econom(cid:242)a abierta y que sus funcio(cid:220) nes comerciales deber(cid:242)an estar guiadas principal(cid:220) mente por las fuerzas del mercado; TOMA NOTA de que la Comunidad ha creado una serie de instrumen(cid:220) tos destinados a un funcionamiento eficaz de la competencia; 15. (cid:217)PONE DE RELIEVE que debe darse prioridad a la mejora de la opini(cid:246)n pœblica y de los consumidores ((cid:209))(cid:217)DO L 159 de 28. 6. 1994, p. 1. ((cid:210))(cid:217)DO L 103 de 25. 4. 1979, p. 1; Directiva cuya œltima modifi(cid:220) caci(cid:246)n la constituye la Directiva 97/49/CE (DO L 223 de 13. 8. 1997, p. 9). ((cid:211))(cid:217)DO L 206 de 22. 7. 1992, p. 7; Directiva cuya œltima modifi(cid:220) caci(cid:246)n la constituye la Directiva 97/62/CE (DO L 305 de 8. 11. 1997, p. 42). C 56/4 ES Diario Oficial de las Comunidades Europeas 26. 2. 1999 acerca del sector forestal y de los productos foresta(cid:220) les, garantizando que los bosques se explotan de ma(cid:220) nera sostenible, se(cid:253)alando que los sistemas de certifi(cid:220) caci(cid:246)n forestal son instrumentos de mercado para mejorar el conocimiento de los consumidores res(cid:220) pecto al valor medioambiental de la explotaci(cid:246)n sos(cid:220) tenible de los bosques y para estimular la utilizaci(cid:246)n de la madera y de los productos forestales como ma(cid:220) teria prima respetuosa del medio ambiente y renova(cid:220) ble, y que los sistemas de certificaci(cid:246)n deben ser comparables y los requisitos que exijan deben ser compatibles con principios internacionalmente reco(cid:220) nocidos de gesti(cid:246)n sostenible de los bosques. Asi(cid:220) mismo, deben satisfacer condiciones relativas a su car‘cter voluntario, credibilidad, transparencia, rela(cid:220) ci(cid:246)n coste(cid:220)eficacia, libre acceso y el car‘cter no dis(cid:220) criminatorio con respecto a los tipos de bosques y las categor(cid:242)as de propietarios de bosques, y, conside(cid:220) rando que un punto esencial para garantizar la cre(cid:220) dibilidad debe ser el control independiente de la ex(cid:220) plotaci(cid:246)n de los bosques, INVITA a la Comisi(cid:246)n a que examine la posibilidad de una acci(cid:246)n a escala de la Uni(cid:246)n Europea; 16. (cid:217)RECONOCE que las medidas existentes en materia forestal as(cid:242) como el cap(cid:242)tulo especialmente dedicado al sector forestal dentro de la propuesta de Regla(cid:220) la Agenda mento relativa al desarrollo rural en 2000(cid:216)(˛) podr(cid:242)an proporcionar una base para la apli(cid:220) caci(cid:246)n de las l(cid:242)neas directrices de la presente Resolu(cid:220) ci(cid:246)n; CONVIENE en que todas las medidas comunes relativas al sector forestal y a los productos forestales deber(cid:242)an tener en cuenta los objetivos y recomenda(cid:220) ciones de dicha estrategia; 17. (cid:217)TOMA NOTA de que la Comisi(cid:246)n tiene la intenci(cid:246)n de presentar: -(cid:217)una Comunicaci(cid:246)n al Parlamento Europeo y al Consejo sobre la competitividad de las industrias del sector forestal, -(cid:217)una propuesta de revisi(cid:246)n de la Directiva 66/404/CEE del Consejo, de 14 de junio de 1966, relativa a la comercializaci(cid:246)n de los mate(cid:220) riales forestales de reproducci(cid:246)n(cid:216)(ˇ), -(cid:217)una comunicaci(cid:246)n espec(cid:242)fica al Parlamento Euro(cid:220) peo y al Consejo sobre la cooperaci(cid:246)n en el desa(cid:220) rrollo de los bosques, en breve; 18. (cid:217)INVITA a la Comisi(cid:246)n a informar al consejo sobre la aplicaci(cid:246)n de esta estrategia forestal en un plazo de cinco a(cid:253)os. (˛)(cid:217)DO C 170 de 4. 6. 1998, p. 67. (ˇ)(cid:217)DO 125 de 11. 7. 1966, p. 2326/66; Directiva cuya œltima modificaci(cid:246)n la constituye el Acta de adhesi(cid:246)n de 1994


title: Rådets resolution af 15. december 1998 om en skovbrugsstrategi for Den Europæiske Union

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text: 26. 2. 1999 DA De Europ»iske F»llesskabers Tidende C 56/1 I (Meddelelser) R¯DET R¯DETS RESOLUTION af 15. december 1998 om en skovbrugsstrategi for Den Europ»iske Union (1999/C 56/01) R¯DET FOR DEN EUROP`ISKE UNION, som erkender fordelene ved en skovbrugsstrategi for Den Europ»iske Union, s¿ledes som det beskrives i denne resolution, der hovedsagelig bygger p¿ den gene(cid:220) relle analyse og i Kommissionens retningslinjerne meddelelse til Europa(cid:220)Parlamentet og R¿det; som tager hensyn til R¿dets g»ldende bestemmelser vedr(cid:192)rende skovbrugssektoren samt de forslag til st(cid:192)tte for skovbrugsforanstaltninger i medlemsstaterne, som er fremsat inden for rammerne af Agenda 2000; som henviser til de aktiviteter og forpligtelser, som Den Europ»iske Union og dens medlemsstater har gennem(cid:220) f(cid:192)rt og indg¿et i international sammenh»ng, herunder is»r FN’s konference om milj(cid:192) og udvikling i Rio de Janeiro i 1992 og opf(cid:192)lgningen heraf(cid:216)(˛), samt minister(cid:220) konferencerne om beskyttelse af Europas skove og de principper og henstillinger vedr(cid:192)rende skovbrugssek(cid:220) toren, der findes heri; 1. (cid:217)SOM FREMH`VER betydningen af skovenes multi(cid:220) funktionelle rolle og en b»redygtig forvaltning af skovene, baseret p¿ deres sociale, (cid:192)konomiske, milj(cid:192)m»ssige, (cid:192)kologiske og kulturelle funktioner for udviklingen af samfundet og navnlig landdistrik(cid:220) terne, samt det bidrag, skove og skovbrug kan yde til eksisterende f»llesskabspolitikker; a)(cid:217) en b»redygtig forvaltning af skovene, s¿dan som fastlagt p¿ forstministerkonferencen i Helsinki i 1993, og skovenes multifunktionelle rolle som overordnet grunds»tning for handling b) n»rhedsprincippet, da der i traktaten om opret(cid:220) telse af Det Europ»iske F»llesskab ikke findes nogen bestemmelse om en specifik f»lles skov(cid:220) brugspolitik, og da ansvaret for skovbrugspoli(cid:220) tikken ligger hos medlemsstaterne, idet der dog tages hensyn til, at F»llesskabet i medf(cid:192)r af n»rhedsprincippet og medansvarsbegrebet kan bidrage positivt til gennemf(cid:192)relsen af en b»re(cid:220) dygtig skovforvaltning og skovenes multifunktio(cid:220) nelle rolle f»llesskabsplan yder c) det bidrag, som de eksisterende og fremtidige foranstaltninger p¿ til gennemf(cid:192)relsen af skovbrugsstrategien og som st(cid:192)tte til medlemsstaterne med henblik p¿ en b»redygtig skovforvaltning og skovenes multi(cid:220) funktionelle rolle, beskyttelse af skove, udvikling og bevarelse af landdistrikterne, skovarven og den biologiske mangfoldighed, modvirkning af klima»ndringer, udnyttelse af tr» som vedva(cid:220) rende energikilde mv. , idet markeds(cid:220) og konkur(cid:220) rencefordrejende foranstaltninger skal forhindres d) gennemf(cid:192)relsen af de internationale forpligtelser, principper og henstillinger ved hj»lp af nationale eller skovbrugsprogrammer eller instrumenter, som medlemsstaterne tilsvarende har udviklet subnationale 2. (cid:217)SOM ANSER f(cid:192)lgende FOR v»sentlige elementer i e) aktiv deltagelse i alle internationale processer, denne f»lles skovbrugsstrategi: som vedr(cid:192)rer skovbrugssektoren (˛)(cid:217)UNCED, UNGASS, XI. verdenskongres om skove, konven(cid:220) tionen om den biologiske mangfoldighed, rammekonven(cid:220) tionen om klima»ndringer, konventionen om bek»mpelse af (cid:192)rkenspredning og den f(cid:192)rste, anden og tredje ministerkon(cid:220) ference om beskyttelse af Europas skove. f) n(cid:192)dvendigheden af yderligere at forbedre koor(cid:220) samarbejdet dinationen, kommunikationen og i inden Kommissionen, mellem Kommissionen og medlemsstaterne samt mellem medlemsstaterne indbyrdes, skovbrugspolitiske omr¿der for alle C 56/2 DA De Europ»iske F»llesskabers Tidende 26. 2. 1999 g) betydningen af en b»redygtig skovforvaltning for bevarelsen og forbedringen af den biologiske mangfoldighed og livsbetingelserne for dyr og planter, idet denne b»redygtige skovforvaltning er en blandt mange foranstaltninger mod klima(cid:220) »ndringer h) fremme af anvendelsen af tr» og skovprodukter, der ikke best¿r af tr», fra b»redygtigt forvaltede skove som milj(cid:192)venlige produkter i overensstem(cid:220) melse med det frie markeds regler i) j) skovbrugsbaserede industriers skovbrugets og indt»gter, besk»ftigelse og andre bidrag til elementer, og der p¿virker erkender den n»re forbindelse mellem disse to omr¿der, der har indflydelse p¿ deres konkur(cid:220) renceevne og (cid:192)konomiske rentabilitet livskvaliteten, n(cid:192)dvendigheden af i h(cid:192)jere grad at integrere i alle sektorbestemte skove og skovprodukter f»llespolitikker s¿som den f»lles landbrugspo(cid:220) litik, milj(cid:192)(cid:220), energi(cid:220), handels(cid:220), industri(cid:220) og forsk(cid:220) ningspolitikken samt politikken med hensyn til det indre marked og udviklingsbistand, for at der s¿ledes kan tages hensyn til b¿de skoves og skov(cid:220) produkters bidrag til andre politikker og andre politikkers indvirkninger p¿ skove og skovpro(cid:220) dukter, med det form¿l at sikre n(cid:192)dvendige konsekvens i en helhedsstrategi for b»redygtig forvaltning af skove k) n(cid:192)dvendigheden af at fremme medbestemmelse og en gennemsigtig fremgangsm¿de i forhold til alle ber(cid:192)rte parter i F»llesskabet findes vidt forskellige ejerskabsord(cid:220) ninger, der n(cid:192)dvendigg(cid:192)r, at skovejere involveres i erkendelse af, at der l) n(cid:192)dvendigheden af s»rlige strategier og aktioner for de forskellige typer af skove i erkendelse af de vidt forskellige naturlige, sociale, (cid:192)konomiske og kulturelle betingelser for F»llesskabets skove m) den omst»ndighed, at der i forbindelse med denne strategi er tale om en dynamisk proces, hvor der skal finde yderligere dr(cid:192)ftelser og akti(cid:220) viteter sted som ovenfor beskrevet; F`LLESSKABSAKTIONER VEDR˘RENDE SKOVE OG SKOVBRUG 3. (cid:217)FREMH`VER det bidrag, som skovene yder til fremme af besk»ftigelse, velf»rd og milj(cid:192), hvilket er i overensstemmelse med princippet om en b»redygtig skovforvaltning, der bygger p¿ skovenes (cid:192)kono(cid:220) miske, (cid:192)kologiske, sociale og kulturelle funktioner; 4. (cid:217)G¯R IND FOR, at F»llesskabet fortsat skal g¿ aktivt ind i gennemf(cid:192)relsen af de afg(cid:192)relser, der blev truffet p¿ ministerkonferencen om beskyttelse af Europas skove, og deltage proaktivt i de internatio(cid:220) nale diskussions(cid:220) og forhandlingsfora vedr(cid:192)rende skovbrugssp(cid:192)rgsm¿l, navnlig De Forenede Nationers Mellemstatslige Skovforum; 5. (cid:217)OPFORDRER Kommissionen TIL at foretage en revi(cid:220) sion af foranstaltningerne i R¿dets forordning (E˘F) nr. 3528/86 af 17. november 1986 om beskyttelse af skovene i F»llesskabet mod luftforurening(cid:216)(˛) for at evaluere og til stadighed forbedre effektiviteten af det europ»iske overv¿gningssystem skovenes sundhedstilstand under hensyn til alle potentielle indvirkninger p¿ skovenes (cid:192)kosystemer; for 6. (cid:217)G¯R IND FOR at forts»tte, evaluere og overveje en eventuel forbedring af F»llesskabets foranstaltning til beskyttelse af skovene mod brande, som indf(cid:192)rt ved forordning (E˘F) nr. 2158/92(cid:216)(ˇ), da denne har kunnet bidrage til at g(cid:192)re de forebyggende foran(cid:220) staltninger mere effektive, og da det er vigtigt at skabe et sammenh»ngende system for beskyttelse af skove; OPFORDRER Kommissionen TIL i s»rlig grad at rette sin opm»rksomhed mod udviklingen af F»llesskabets skovbrandsinformationssystem, da man derved bedre kan vurdere effektiviteten af foranstalt(cid:220) ningerne til beskyttelse mod brande; at af betydningen for skovbruget, videref(cid:192)re 7. (cid:217)FREMH`VER information og kommunikation EF(cid:220)systemet vedr(cid:192)rende forordning (E˘F) nr. 1615/89(cid:216)(—), ved at man opererer med bedre og mere p¿lidelige oplysninger om skovene, og UNDERSTREGER betydningen af samarbejdet med de relevante nationale og internationale organisa(cid:220) tioner; indf(cid:192)rt ved 8. (cid:217)MENER, at F»llesskabets foranstaltninger som led i samarbejdet med Central(cid:220) og ˘steuropa samt inden for rammerne af ministerkonferencerne om beskyt(cid:220) telse af Europas skove b(cid:192)r fremme b»redygtig forvaltning, bevarelse og b»redygtig udvikling af skovene; NOTERER SIG, at Kommissionen har (˛)(cid:217)EFT L 326 af 21. 11. 1986, s. 2. Forordningen er senest »ndret ved forordning (EF) nr. 307/97 (EFT L 51 af 21. 2. 1997, s. 9). (ˇ)(cid:217)EFT L 217 af 31. 7. 1992, s. 3. Forordningen er »ndret ved forordning (EF) nr. 308/97 (EFT L 51 af 21. 2. 1997, s. 11). (—)(cid:217)EFT L 165 af 15. 6. 1989, s. 12. 26. 2. 1999 DA De Europ»iske F»llesskabers Tidende C 56/3 til f(cid:192)rtiltr»delsesforanstaltninger forelagt et forslag til R¿dets forordning om f»lles(cid:220) skabsst(cid:192)tte inden for landbrug og udvikling af landdistrikter i ans(cid:192)ger(cid:220) landene i Central(cid:220) og ˘steuropa i f(cid:192)rtiltr»delsespe(cid:220) rioden, og at fremme af landbruget og udvikling af landdistrikterne bl. a. ogs¿ kan omfatte skovbruget; ER AF DEN OPFATTELSE, at dette forslag kan bidrage forvaltning, bevarelse og b»redygtig udvikling af skovene i Central(cid:220) og ˘steuropa; til 9. (cid:217)ANERKENDER, at forskning p¿ skovbrugsomr¿det inden for rammerne af F»llesskabets FTU(cid:220)pro(cid:220) grammer bidrager til at fremme b»redygtig forvalt(cid:220) ning af skovene og deres multifunktionelle rolle samt b»redygtig og alsidig udnyttelse af skovressourcerne og udg(cid:192)r et incitament til forbedring af forsknings(cid:220) potentialet og fremme af innovation; 10. (cid:217)FREMH`VER fordelene ved en effektiv koordine(cid:220) ring mellem forskellige sektorer af politikker, der har indflydelse p¿ skovbrug, og ved koordinering p¿ f»llesskabsplan; FREMH`VER den v»sentlige rolle, som Den St¿ende Skovbrugskomit~, Den R¿dgi(cid:220) vende Komit~ for Skovbrug, herunder Korkproduk(cid:220) tion, samt Det R¿dgivende Udvalg for F»llesskabets Politik vedr(cid:192)rende Tr»(cid:220) og Papirindustrien, nedsat ved henholdsvis afg(cid:192)relse 89/367/E˘F(cid:216)(˛), afg(cid:192)relse 98/235/EF(cid:216)(ˇ) og afg(cid:192)relse 97/837/EF(cid:216)(—), spiller i denne forbindelse, idet disse komit~er og udvalg anvendes som ad hoc(cid:220)konsultationsfora, der afgiver ekspertudtalelser i alle skovbrugsanliggender inden for rammerne af eksisterende f»llesskabspolitikker landbrugspolitik og politik for s¿som den f»lles udvikling af landdistrikterne, milj(cid:192)(cid:220), handels(cid:220) og forskningspolitikken samt politikken med hensyn til det indre marked, industri, udviklingssamarbejde og energi; OPFORDRER Kommissionen TIL hurtigst muligt at forel»gge R¿det en rapport om, hvorledes koordineringen kan forbedres; i 11. (cid:217)MENER, at bevarelse og fremme af den biologiske mangfoldighed skovene er et grundl»ggende element i en b»redygtig forvaltning, og at der b(cid:192)r integreres i medlemsstaternes skovprogrammer eller tilsvarende linje med det paneurop»iske instrumenter p¿ (cid:176)arbejdsprogram for bevarelse og fremme af biolo(cid:220) gisk og landskabelig mangfoldighed i skov(cid:192)kosyste(cid:220) merne 1997(cid:220)2000(cid:133); TAGER TIL EFTERRETNING, hensigtsm»ssige foranstaltninger (˛)(cid:217)EFT L 165 af 15. 6. 1989, s. 14. (ˇ)(cid:217)EFT L 88 af 24. 3. 1998, s. 59. (—)(cid:217)EFT L 346 af 17. 12. 1997, s. 95. led i udviklingen af at F»llesskabet kan yde et bidrag gennem skovbrugs(cid:220) foranstaltninger som landdi(cid:220) strikter og foranstaltningerne til skovbeskyttelse samt ved s»rlige aktioner s¿som forskning, beskyttelse af genressourcerne i henhold til R¿dets forordning (EF) nr. 1467/94(cid:216)((cid:209)) og st(cid:192)tte til anvendelse af paneuro(cid:220) p»iske kriterier og parametre med henblik p¿ b»re(cid:220) dygtig skovforvaltning; MENER, at disse aktiviteter og dette bidrag kan medvirke til at f¿ opstillet den aktionsramme for F»llesskabets biodiversitetsstra(cid:220) tegi, som der er udtrykt (cid:192)nske om; 12. (cid:217)ANERKENDER desuden n(cid:192)dvendigheden af at bevare og beskytte repr»sentative omr¿der af enhver art skov(cid:192)kosystemer og omr¿der af s»rlig (cid:192)kologisk betydning; NOTERER SIG F»llesskabets bidrag til oprettelsen af beskyttelsesomr¿der gennem det (cid:192)kologiske net (cid:176)Natura 2000(cid:133), der best¿r af s»rlige beskyttelsesomr¿der og s»rlige bevaringsomr¿der inden for rammerne af direktiv 79/409/E˘F(cid:216)((cid:210)) og 92/43/E˘F(cid:216)((cid:211)), idet der tages hensyn til (cid:192)kono(cid:220) miske, sociale og kulturelle behov, s»rlige regionale og lokale forhold samt inddragelse af skovejere; 13. (cid:217)MENER, at skovenes rolle som kulstoflagre og i Unionen bedst kan sikres gennem (cid:220)reservoirer b»redygtig forvaltning af skovene, og at bidraget til EU’s og medlemsstaternes klima»ndringsstrategi er i overensstemmelse med Kyoto(cid:220)protokollen og bedst kan gennemf(cid:192)res ved, at man beskytter og fremmer eksisterende kulstoflagre, opretter nye kulstoflagre og tilskynder til anvendelse af biomasse og tr»base(cid:220) rede produkter; 14. (cid:217)ER AF DEN OPFATTELSE, at skovbrug og dermed forbundne kommercielle aktiviteter udg(cid:192)r en del af den frie (cid:192)konomi, og at deres kommercielle funk(cid:220) tioner prim»rt b(cid:192)r v»re underlagt markedskr»f(cid:220) terne; TAGER TIL EFTERRETNING, at F»llesskabet har gennemf(cid:192)rt en r»kke instrumenter med henblik p¿ en effektivt fungerende konkurrencepolitik; 15. (cid:217)FREMH`VER, at der m¿ l»gges s»rlig v»gt p¿ at bevidstg(cid:192)re offentlighed og forbrugere med hensyn ((cid:209))(cid:217)EFT L 159 af 28. 6. 1994, s. 1. ((cid:210))(cid:217)EFT L 103 af 25. 4. 1979, s. 1. Direktivet er senest »ndret ved direktiv 97/49/EF (EFT L 223 af 13. 8. 1997, s. 9). ((cid:211))(cid:217)EFT L 206 af 22. 7. 1992, s. 7. Direktivet er senest »ndret ved direktiv 97/62/EF (EFT L 305 af 8. 11. 1997, s. 42). C 56/4 DA De Europ»iske F»llesskabers Tidende 26. 2. 1999 at sig, skovcertificeringsordninger til skovbrug og skovprodukter, idet det garanteres dem, at skovene forvaltes p¿ en b»redygtig m¿de; noterer er markedsinstrumenter, som sigter mod at (cid:192)ge forbru(cid:220) gernes bevidsthed om milj(cid:192)fordelene ved b»redygtig skovforvaltning og fremme anvendelsen af tr» og som milj(cid:192)venlige og vedvarende skovprodukter r¿stoffer; v»re skovcertificeringsordninger sammenlignelige, og deres pr»sentationskrav b(cid:192)r v»re forenelige med internationalt anerkendte prin(cid:220) cipper om b»redygtig skovforvaltning; derudover skal de opfylde betingelser med hensyn til frivillig certificering, trov»rdighed, gennemsigtighed, om(cid:220) kostningseffektivitet, fri adgang og samme foruds»t(cid:220) ninger for alle skovtyper og alle kategorier af skove(cid:220) jere; den uafh»ngige kontrol med skovforvaltningen b(cid:192)r v»re en v»sentlig faktor for sikringen af trov»r(cid:220) digheden; OPFORDRER Kommissionen TIL at unders(cid:192)ge muligheden af en aktion p¿ EU(cid:220)plan; b(cid:192)r 16. (cid:217)ERKENDER, at de eksisterende skovbrugsforanstalt(cid:220) specielt ninger foresl¿ede som omhandler forordning om udvikling af landdistrikterne inden for rammerne af Agenda 2000(cid:216)(˛), kan danne grund(cid:220) sammen med skovbrug et kapitel, der i den led lag for gennemf(cid:192)relse af denne resolutions retnings(cid:220) linjer; ER ENIGT I, at alle f»lles foranstaltninger vedr(cid:192)rende skove og skovprodukter b(cid:192)r v»re p¿ linje med denne skovbrugsstrategis m¿l og henstil(cid:220) linger; 17. (cid:217)NOTERER SIG, at Kommissionen agter -(cid:217)at forel»gge Europa(cid:220)Parlamentet og R¿det en meddelelse om tr»industriens konkurrenceevne -(cid:217)at forel»gge et forslag om revision af R¿dets juni 1966 om direktiv 66/404/E˘F af 14. handelen med forstligt formeringsmateriale(cid:216)(ˇ); -(cid:217)snart at forel»gge R¿det og Europa(cid:220)Parlamentet en meddelelse om udviklingssamarbejdet p¿ skovbrugsomr¿det. 18. (cid:217)OPFORDRER Kommissionen TIL inden fem ¿r at afl»gge rapport til R¿det om gennemf(cid:192)relsen af skovbrugsstrategien. (˛)(cid:217)EFT C 170 af 4. 6. 1998, s. 67. (ˇ)(cid:217)EFT 125 af 11. 7. 1966, s. 2326. Direktivet er senest »ndret ved tiltr»delsesakten af 1994


title: Council Regulation (EC) No 2799/98 of 15 December 1998 establishing agrimonetary arrangements for the euro

eurovoc_concepts:
European Monetary System
agri-monetary policy
common agricultural policy
exchange rate
national currency
representative rate

formats: fmx4 html pdf print xhtml

text: 24. 12. 98 EN Official Journal of the European Communities L 349/1 I (Acts whose publication is obligatory) COUNCIL REGULATION (EC) No 2799/98 of 15 December 1998 establishing agrimonetary arrangements for the euro THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION, Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Community, and in particular Articles 42 and 43 thereof, Having regard to the proposal from the Commission (1), Having regard to the opinion of the European Parlia- ment (2), Having regard to the opinion of the Economic and Social Committee (3), Having Committee (4), regard to the opinion of the Monetary (1) Whereas Council Regulation (EC) No 974/98 of 3 the euro (5) May 1998 on the introduction of provides that from 1 January 1999 the currency of the Member States participating in economic and monetary union shall be the euro; whereas the agri- monetary arrangements provided for on the basis of: — Council Regulation (EEC) No 3813/92 of 28 December 1992 on the unit of account and the conversion rates to be applied for the purposes of the common agricultural policy (6); — Council Regulation (EC) No 1527/95 of 29 June 1995 regulating compensation for reduc- tions in the agricultural conversion rates of certain national currencies (7); — Council Regulation (EC) No 2990/95 of 18 December 1995 regulating compensation for (1) OJ C 224, 17. 7. 1998, p. 15. (2) OJ C 328, 26. 10. 1998. (3) Opinion delivered on 9 September 1998 (not yet published in the Official Journal). (4) Opinion delivered on 30 September 1998 (not yet published in the Official Journal). (5) OJ L 139, 11. 5. 1998, p. 1. (6) OJ L 387, 31. 12. 1992, p. 1. Regulation as last amended by Regulation (EC) No 150/95 (OJ L 22, 31. 1. 1995, p. 1). (7) OJ L 148, 30. 6. 1995, p. 1. appreciable conversion rates before 1 January 1997 (8); reductions in the agricultural — Council Regulation (EC) No 724/97 of 22 April 1997 determining measures and compensation relating to appreciable revaluations that affect farm incomes (9) essentially consist in a system of specific agricul- tural conversion rates different from the actual exchange rates of the currencies; whereas such a system is incompatible with the introduction of the euro; whereas agrimonetary arrangements adapted to the new situation should therefore be established and the Regulations laying down the former agri- monetary arrangements should be repealed; it (2) Whereas in the present monetary situation, where the gaps between exchange rates and agricultural conversion rates are moderate, is possible to establish a simpler agrimonetary system closer to the actual monetary situation; whereas conse- quently the conversion into the national currency of the non-participating Member States prices and amounts fixed in euro in legal instruments relating to the common agricultural policy may be done with the exchange rate of the euro in those curren- cies; whereas such a provision has the further advantage of considerably simplifying the manage- ment of the common agricultural policy; (3) Whereas the rate of exchange of the euro into national currency may vary in the course of the period during which an operation is carried out; whereas amounts applicable concerned must be determined; whereas in general account must be taken of the event through which the economic objective of the operation is attained; to the rate the (8) OJ L 312, 23. 12. 1995, p. 7. Regulation as amended by Regulation (EC) No 1451/96 (OJ L 187, 26. 7. 1996, p. 1). (9) OJ L 108, 25. 4. 1997, p. 9. Regulation as amended by Regu- lation (EC) No 942/98 (OJ L 132, 6. 5. 1998, p. 1). L 349/2 EN Official Journal of the European Communities 24. 12. 98 whereas the rate of exchange applied should be that of the date on which this event occurs; whereas it may be necessary to specify this operative event or to waive its application, observing certain criteria and in particular the rapidity with which currency movements are passed on; (4) Whereas, in cases of major currency revaluation with potential effects on prices and amounts other than direct aid, farm incomes may in certain condi- tions be reduced; whereas as a consequence provi- sion could justifiably be made for temporary, degressive aid to offset the effects of revaluations, and keep pace with the development of agricultural prices in a manner compatible with the rules of the general economy; (5) Whereas specific rules adapted to the type of aid are required to offset the effects of major currency revaluations on the level of certain direct aids in national currency; (6) Whereas the arrangements for financing compens- atory aid must provide for a financial contribution from the European Union and the Member State; (7) Whereas in the longer term the agricultural sector must adjust, like other sectors of the economy, to the monetary reality; whereas consequently a cut-off date should be set for the compensation arrangements; whereas the setting of such a cut-off date is part of the budgetary discipline; (8) Whereas reason dictates that special rules be laid down for dealing with exceptional situations arising either within the European Union or on the world market and requiring immediate action to ensure that the common agricultural policy operate effectively; established under arrangements the HAS ADOPTED THIS REGULATION: Article 1 For the purposes of this Regulation: (a) ‘legal instruments relating to the common agricultural policy' means: — legal instruments based directly or indirectly on Article 43 of the Treaty, with the exception of the Common Customs Tariff and other legal instru- ments of customs legislation applicable to both agricultural and industrial products, — legal instruments applicable to goods processed from agricultural products and subject to specific trade arrangements; the Member ‘participating Member States' means: States which have adopted the single currency in accordance with the Treaty; ‘non-participating Member States' means: the Member States which have not adopted the single currency; ‘national currencies' means: the national currencies of the non-participating Member States and of third countries; ‘exchange rate' means: the currency market exchange rate between the euro and national currency; ‘appreciable revaluation' means: a situation where the annual average exchange rate is below a threshold defined as the lowest average annual conversion rate applied during the preceding three years and the exchange rate of 1 January 1999; the ‘appreciable part of percentage by which the annual average falls short of the threshold referred to in point (f). revaluation' means: a (b) (c) (d) (e) (f) (g) Article 2 Prices and amounts 1. instruments relating to the common agricultural policy shall be expressed in euro. fixed in legal (9) Whereas a Member State that is not participating in economic and monetary union must have the option of making payments expenditure for resulting from legal instruments relating to the common agricultural policy in euro rather than in national currency; whereas steps should be taken to ensure that this option does not lead to any unjusti- fied advantage for parties making or receiving payment; 2. They shall be granted or collected in euro in the participating Member States. In the other Member States, they shall be converted into their national currency by means of an exchange rate, and, without prejudice to Article 8, granted or collected in national currency. 3. However, for amounts relating to imports and for export taxes, fixed in euro by a legal instrument relating to the common agricultural policy and applicable by the Member States in national currency, the conversion rate shall be specifically equal to the rate applicable pursuant to Article 18(1) of Regulation (EEC) No 2913/92 (1). (10) Whereas provision should be made for the poss- ibility of interim measures to facilitate the intro- duction of the new agrimonetary arrangements, (1) OJ L 302, 19. 10. 1992, p. 1. Regulation as last amended by Regulation (EC) No 82/97 of the European Parliament and of the Council (OJ L 17, 21. 1. 1997, p. 1). 24. 12. 98 EN Official Journal of the European Communities L 349/3 Article 3 1. The operative event for the exchange rate shall be: — the completion of customs import or export formal- ities in the case of amounts collected or granted in trade with third countries, — the event whereby the economic objective of the operation is attained in all other cases. 2. Where the operative event as referred to in paragraph 1 has to be specified or cannot be taken into account for reasons peculiar to the market organisation or the amount in question, a specific operative event shall be determined in accordance with the procedure laid down in Article 9, taking account of the following criteria: (a) actual applicability as soon as possible of adjustments to the exchange rate; (b) similarity of the operative events for analogous opera- tions carried out under different market organisations; (c) coherence in the operative events for the various prices and amounts relating to a single market organ- isation; (d) practicability and effectiveness of checks on the application of suitable exchange rates. Article 4 1. For prices and amounts other than those referred to in Article 5, the Member State may grant compensatory aid to farmers in cases of appreciable revaluation. The payments shall be made in three successive tranches lasting twelve months each, starting in March following the month of the appreciable revaluation. These compensatory payments shall not take the form of aid linked to production, other than production during a stipulated, prior period. They shall not favour any partic- ular type of production or be dependent on production subsequent to the period stipulated. the first The maximum amount of 2. tranche of compensatory aid shall be established, for the Member State concerned as a whole, in accordance with the pro- cedure laid down in Article 9, by multiplying the appre- ciable part of the revaluation by the flat-rate income loss determined in accordance with points 1 to 3 of the Annex. 3. The maximum amount of the first tranche shall be reduced or cancelled where appropriate, taking account of the market situation observed during the year up to the time of the appreciable revaluation. 4. No aid shall be granted for the portion of the amount calculated in accordance with paragraph 2 that does not exceed appreciable revaluation of 2,6 %. the second and third The amounts paid out under tranches shall be reduced or cancelled as a function of the effect on incomes of the development of exchange rates recorded until the beginning of the month preceding the first month of the relevant tranche, and taking account of the market situation observed over the same period. 6. The market situation shall be taken into account pursuant to paragraph 3 and the second subparagraph of paragraph 5 in accordance with the following criteria: The amount of one or more tranches in one or more sectors may be reduced when it has been observed that: (a) over the year during which an appreciable revaluation occurs or over the period between the beginning of the preceding tranche and the beginning of the month preceding the first month of the tranche concerned, the market price for the Member State concerned was on average equal to or higher than the average market prices in the Member States whose currencies had not been appreciably revalued during the same period. Market prices shall be compared using an index of base 100 for market prices in national currency or in euro, or (b) the relation between the dates of operative events in the sector concerned and the date of the appreciable revaluation is such that there is no justification for concluding that the revaluation had an impact throughout the period considered. In cases where point (b) is applied, the reduction of at least one third referred to in Article 4(5) shall be calcu- lated on the basis of the amount of the first tranche that would have been granted if point (b) had not been applied. These criteria may be amended, in the light of experi- in accordance with the procedure laid down in ence, Article 9. Article 5 In cases where the exchange rate applicable on the 1. date of the operative event for: — flat-rate aid calculated per hectare or per livestock unit, or — a compensatory premium per sheep or goat, or — amounts of a structural or environmental nature The amounts paid out under the second and third 5. tranches shall each be reduced, vis-(cid:133)-vis the level of the previous tranche, by at least a third of the amount paid out in the first tranche. is below that applicable previously, the Member State concerned may make compensatory payments to farmers in three successive tranches lasting twelve months each, starting on the date of the operative event. L 349/4 EN Official Journal of the European Communities 24. 12. 98 Compensatory aid must be granted in the form of an addition to the aid, premiums and amounts referred to in the first subparagraph. conferred on it by these instruments in each individual case derogate from this Regulation, in particular in the following cases: the first The maximum amount of 2. tranche of compensatory aid shall be established, for the Member State concerned as a whole, in accordance with the pro- cedure laid down in Article 9, in accordance with point 4 of the Annex. However, the Member State may waive the grant of the compensatory aid when this amount cor- responds to a reduction of less than 0,5 %. 3. The amounts paid out under the second and third tranches shall each be reduced, vis-(cid:133)-vis the level of the previous tranche, by at least a third of the amount paid out in the first tranche. 4. The amounts referred to in paragraph 3 shall be reduced or cancelled if necessary as a function of the effect on income of the development of the exchange rates recorded on the first day of the second and third tranches. 5. This Article shall not apply to amounts to which a rate lower than the new rate was applicable during the twenty-four months immediately before the new rate took effect. Article 6 1. The Community’s contribution to financing shall be: — 50 % of the amounts actually paid for the compens- atory aid referred to in Article 4, — 50 % of the amounts that may be granted for the compensatory aid referred to in Article 5. However, the Member State may withdraw from national parti- cipation in financing the aid. 2. For the purposes of the financing of the common agricultural policy, this contribution shall be deemed to be part of intervention intended to stabilise the agricul- tural markets. — where a country uses abnormal exchange techniques such as multiple exchange rates or operates barter agreements, — where countries have currencies which are not quoted on official foreign exchange markets or where the trend in such currencies is likely to create distortion in trade. Article 8 1. If a non-participating Member State decides to pay the expenditure resulting from legal instruments relating to the common agricultural policy in euro rather than in its national currency the Member State shall take such kind of measures that the use of the euro does not provide a systematic advantage compared with the use of national currency. 2. The Member State shall notify the Commission of the measures planned before they come into effect. The measures may not take effect until the Commission has notified its agreement thereto. Article 9 Detailed rules for the application of this Regulation shall be adopted in accordance with the procedure laid down in: (a) Article 23 of Council Regulation (EEC) No 1766/92 of 30 June 1992 on the common organisation of the market in cereals (1), or (b) the corresponding articles of the other regulations on the common organisation of the markets in agricul- tural or fishery products, Article 7 or 1. Where exceptional monetary practices concerning the national currency are liable to jeopardise the applica- tion of the legal instruments relating to the common agricultural policy, the Commission shall decide upon suitable safeguard measures, which may, where necessary, derogate from the existing legal instruments relating to the common agricultural policy. The Council and the Member States shall be notified forthwith of the measures referred to in the first subpara- graph. Any Member State may refer the Commission’s decision to the Council during the three working days following that on which they are notified of safeguard measures. The Council, acting by a qualified majority, may take a different decision within one month of notification of the measures in question. 2. Where exceptional monetary practices concerning a national currency are liable to jeopardise the application of the legal instruments relating to the common agricul- tural policy, the Commission may, by virtue of the powers (c) the corresponding articles of other Community provi- sions introducing a similar procedure. Article 10 1. Where transitional measures prove necessary to facil- itate the initial application of this Regulation, such meas- ures shall be adopted by the Commission in accordance with the procedure laid down in Article 9 and shall remain applicable for the period strictly necessary to facil- itate the introduction of the new arrangements. 2. Regulations (EEC) No 3813/92, (EC) No 1527/95, (EC) No 2990/95 and (EC) No 724/97 are hereby repealed. 3. References to the agricultural conversion rate in legal instruments relating to the common agricultural policy (1) OJ L 181, 1. 7. 1992, p. 21. Regulation as last amended by Commission Regulation (EC) No 923/96 (OJ L 126, 24. 5. 1996, p. 37). 24. 12. 98 EN Official Journal of the European Communities L 349/5 shall be taken from 1 January 1999 to refer to the conver- sion rate irrevocably fixed by the Council in accordance with Article 109l(4) of the Treaty for national currency units, and the rate referred to in Article 2(2) and, where applicable, Article 2(3) of this Regulation for national currencies. References to the representative market rate of the ecu in legal instruments relating to the common agricultural policy shall be taken from 1 January 1999 to refer to the rate of exchange of the euro. References to the compensatory aid provided for in Regu- lation (EEC) No 3813/92 and Regulation (EC) No 724/97 shall be deemed to be references to Articles 4, 5 and 6 of this Regulation. References to the operative events provided for in Article 6 of Regulation (EEC) No 3813/92 shall be deemed to be references to Article 3 of this Regulation. Article 11 This Regulation shall enter into force on the seventh day following that of its publication in the Official Journal of the European Communities. It shall apply from 1 January 1999. Articles 4, 5 and 6 shall only apply to appreciable revalu- ations having occurred before 1 January 2002. This Regulation shall be binding in its entirety and directly applicable in all Member States. Done at Brussels, 15 December 1998. For the Council The President W. MOLTERER L 349/6 EN Official Journal of the European Communities 24. 12. 98 ANNEX 1. The flat-rate income loss referred to in Article 4(2) of the Regulation is to be equal to: (a) the sum of 1 %: — of final agricultural production of cereals including rice, sugar beet, milk and milk products and beef and veal, and — of the value of the quantities of products supplied under a contract imposing, in accordance with Community rules, a minimum price to the producer, for products not referred to in the first indent, and — of aid or premiums paid to farmers, with the exception of those referred to in Article 5 of the Regulation; (b) after subtraction of: — 0,5 % of the value of intermediate consumption in the form of animal feed, and — the impact on tax of the reduction in gross value added at market prices resulting from the operations concerning point (a) and the preceding indent, and — a deduction corresponding to 1 % of forecast EAGGF expenditure on the following items: — the full amount of flat-rate per hectare aid, — half the amount of structural or environmental aid, and — 130 % of sheepmeat and goatmeat premiums. 2. The amounts referred to in the second and third indents of point 1(a) are not to be taken into account when their sum is less than 0,01 % of the final agricultural production of the relevant Member State in the product sector concerned. For the purposes of this Regulation, the product sectors correspond to the statistical aggregates identified in the economic accounts for agriculture, drawn up by Eurostat, or to groups of those aggregates, as listed below: 1. Cereals and rice 2. Sugar beet 3. Milk and milk products 4. Beef/veal 5. Oilseeds and olive oil 6. Fresh fruit and vegetables 7. Potatoes 8. Wines and musts 9. Flowers and nursery plants 10. Pigmeat 11. Sheepmeat and goatmeat 12. Eggs and poultry 13. Other. 3. The flat-rate income loss is to be determined on the basis of information relating to: (a) the economic accounts for agriculture available from Eurostat for the last calendar year ending before the date of appreciable revaluation, for the first indent of point 1(a) and the first and second indents of point 1(b); 24. 12. 98 EN Official Journal of the European Communities L 349/7 (b) the budget outturn, or, failing that, the budgets or draft budgets or preliminary draft budgets relating to: — income for the year referred to in (a), for the second and third indents of point 1(a), — the budget year beginning during the marketing year for cereals in which the appreciable revaluation occurred, for the third indent of point 1(b). For the purposes of applying point 2 in marginal cases, consideration of the information referred to in point (a) above will take account of the relevant figures for the preceding two years also. 4. The aid referred to in Article 5(1) of the Regulation will be calculated as a function of the data referred to in the first indent of point 3(b) of this Annex


title: Prix du gaz pour les consommateurs domestiques de l'UE au 1er juillet 1998 : Tendance à la baisse.

eurovoc_concepts:
EU Member State
consumer price
energy market
natural gas
price of energy


title: Fourth annual report from the Commission to the Council, the European Parliament, the Economic and Social Committee and the Committee of the Regions-The European Economic Area Financial mechanism

eurovoc_concepts:
EFTA countries
EIB loan
European Economic Area
development aid
interest rate subsidy

text: COMMISSION OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES Brussels, 15. 12. 1998 COM(1998) 758 final FOURTH ANNUAL REPORT FROM THE COMMISSION TO THE COUNCIL. THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT. THE ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL COMMITTEE AND THE COMMITTEE OF THE REGIONS THE EUROPEAN ECONOMIC AREA FINANCIAL MECHANISM I. The Financial Mechanism With the objective of stimulating economic cohesion and development between the European Economic Area (EEA) regions, a Financial Mechanism to support development projects in Greece, Ireland, Northern Ireland, Portugal and parts of Spain (the objective 1 regions as defined in 1988) was established on 1st January 1994 (article 115-116 of the EEA Agreement and Protocol 38). Over the five-year period ending 31 December 1998, the Financial Mechanism will allocate funds to the beneficiary regions of ECU 500 million in grant aid and interest rebates of 2 percentage points per annum on ECU 1. 5 billion in loans, from the European Investment Bank (EEB). Priority should be given to projects which place particular emphasis on the environment (including urban development), on transport (including transport infrastructure) or on education and training. Among projects submitted by private undertakings, special consideration is given to small and medium-sized enterprises. to financial, economic and The Mechanism is administered by the EIB. The EEB appraises each project its according compatibility with the EU objectives, sectorial policies and environmental regulations and standards. The EIB then submits proposals to the Financial Mechanism Committee, appointed by the participating EFTA States and the Commission, which decides on the allocation of the financial resources available under the Mechanism. technical criteria as well as The Mechanism was initially funded by the participating EFTA States. The role of the Commission was to give an opinion on the basis of the proposals before the approval of the EFTA Financial Mechanism Committee. From 1 January 1995, following the accession of the Republic of Austria, the Republic of Finland and the Kingdom of Sweden to the European Union, Articles 83, 111 and 136 of the act concerning the conditions of this accession and the modification to the treaties on which the European Union is founded provide that the obligations of the three acceding countries for financing the Mechanism as laid down in article 116 of the EEA Agreement are financed out of the general budget of the European Communities. In consequence, the Commission has become co-responsible for the Mechanism in line with Art. 205 of the Treaty whereby the Commission shall implement the budget. The Communication by the Commission,adopted on the 30 march 1995 (C(95) 753), established the operational aspects for dealing with the Financial Mechanism within the Commission. Following entry into force of the EEA Agreement for the Principality of Liechtenstein on 1 May 1995, the Principality now fully participates in the Mechanism. II. The fourth annual report A first annual report was presented by the Commission to the Council in June 1995, concerning the activity of the Mechanism during the period from 01. 01. 94 to 31. 05. 1995. The second annual report presented the activity concerning the Mechanism during the period from 01. 01. 95 to 30. 06. 96 and the third from 01. 7. 96 to 30. 06. 97. This fourth annual report presents the activity from 01. 07. 97 to 30. 06. 98. 1. The activity of the Mechanism up to 30. 06. 98 Since the creation of the Mechanism up to 30. 06. 98, the Financial Mechanism Committee has approved: grant applications to a total of ECU 386. 928 million corresponding to 77% of the total grant facility; interest rebates on a total loan portfolio of ECU 1330. 60 million corresponding to 89% of the total EIB loan portfolio for which the interest rebate facility has been made available. In order to ensure full utilisation of funds by 31 December 1998, which is the deadline for new commitments, a letter was sent on 23 February 1998 to all beneficiary government reminding them of the deadline and informing them (i) of the possibility to decommit surplus funds by 31 July 1998 for recommitment in connection with new projects and (ii) of the deadline of 30 September 1998 for submission of new applications or modifications. 1. 1. The progress of the grant activity up to 30. 06. 98 The distribution by beneficiary country of the grants approved by the Financial Committee up to 30. 06. 98 and their sectorial distribution are shown below: Grants distribution by country MECU APPROVED GRANTS Greece Ireland Northern Ireland Portugal Spain TOTAL 61. 1 35. 5 11. 0 523 227. 0 386. 9 1 Sectorial distribution Transport Environment Education Other ECU 59 600 000 244162 200 82 045 000 1071000 Total 15. 4% 63. 1% 21. 2% 0. 3% The grant allocations for Ireland, Northern Ireland and Spain have been fully committed. to Portugal has submitted project proposals which have been subject preconsultation with a positive result. Commitments are likely to be given for the remaining balance before the end of the year. Also Greece has produced proposals that would exhaust the available funds, provided that the Committee deems them eligible for granting commitments. However, uncertainties prevail in connection with several cases, and for that reason, the Committee has impressed on the Ministry of National Economy to process a sufficient number of proposals in order to ensure that the facility will be fully exhausted by end of 1998. As of 30 June 1998, the grant disbursement amounted to ECU 141. 54 million (excluding the EEB's fee of 0. 5%) corresponding to 28% of the total facility. 4 1. 2. The progress of the interest rebate activity up to 30. 06. 98 The distribution by beneficiary country of the EIB loans benefiting from interest rebates approved by the Financial Committee up to 30. 06. 98 and their sectorial distribution are shown below: Loans distribution by country MECU APPROVED LOANS Greece Ireland Northern Ireland Portugal Spain TOTAL 299. 8 106. 5 0. 0 260. 6 663. 7 1330. 6 Sectorial distribution Transport Environment Education ECU 844 460 000 447 140 000 39 000 000 Total 63. 5% 33. 6% 2. 9% 2,9% 3 3 , 6 % ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ | ^ ^ ^^ Ireland has already fully absorbed the alloted interest rebates. It is expected that eligible projects in EIB's portfolio will absorb the remaining allotments in the other countries. In Northern Ireland, indications are that the interest rebates will be requested in support of EIB global loans. As of 30 June 1998, the EIB loans disbursement benefiting from interest rebates amounted to ECU 986. 058 million, corresponding to 66% of the total facility. 2. The approval of grants and interest rebates from 01. 07. 97 to 30. 06. 98 The following grant applications, amounting to ECU 77. 7102 million, were approved: Greece The Corfu Old Town Centre Renovation project ECU 4. 13 million for renovation and development of the technical infrastructure in the old town including water distribution and sewage, telecommunication and electricity transmission and street pavement restoration. The area concerned comprises some 80% of the historical heritage of the city of Corfu. The project will allow the municipality to fully exploit its architectural and heritage assets. The Rehabilitation of Mount Athos Monasteries ECU 1. 1502 million for rehabilitation and construction works at the Simonos Petras Monastery to supplement assistance already granted by the Financial Mechanism ECU 4. 3 million for the reconstruction of important buildings in the monasteries of Aghiou Pavlou, Profitou Ilia and Xenophondos and for the Ormylia Convent for the further development of the Diagnostic Centre, safety and security measures for the ikons under survey or restauration as well as a pilot training programme for ikons researches and conservators. The realisation of the rehabilitations projects will contribute to the preservation of a unique cultural monument and will enable the development of the region's tourism potential and its diversification towards up-marked cultural tourism. Ireland The Technical Education project (secondphase) ECU 13 million for investments in 13 educational institutions at tertiary level in cofinancing with the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF). The project covers the construction of new buildings and extensions to provide teaching, training and general facilities at three national Universities and ten Technical Colleges. The project will help reinforce links between Colleges and industry through applied research and will meet industry and service demand for skilled staff and qualified professionals. Northern Ireland The Calgach Hotel Derry project ECU 3 million for construction of a 108 rooms three-star hotel in the central part of Derry. The promoter is a non-profit organisation. The project will complete a comprehensive reconstruction and revitalisation programme in Derry in the framework of the process of peace and reconciliation. Spain The Urban Renewal in Toledo ECU 22. 94 million for renovation and urban rehabilitation works in the historic centre, pedestrianisation and construction of car parks. The project aims to contribute to the recovery of the historic centre for economic and social activities and draw back a part of the population that moved out of the area. The Via de la Plata (Extremadura) project ECU 15. 7 million for the restoration of historical buildings and urban environment and construction of tourist facilities on several locations along the historical Via de la Plata. The project will contribute to protection and preservation of the region's valuable historical heritage. The Urban Renewal in Granada ECU 6. 69 million for restoration or rehabilitation of roofs and facades in Albaicin in the old Moorish settlement, pedestrianisation and construction of an underground car park. The project aims to create a better urban environment, more conducive to the establishment of small artisan workshop and commerce and to develop tourism in the lower Albaicin and lower Alhambra areas of Granada. The Espacios Industrials (Las Palmas) project ECU 6. 8 million for the rehabilitation of five small industrial areas within the city of Las Palmas. The project forms part of a larger programme for urban renewal, investment promotion and employment generation. The following interest rebate applications, amounting to a total loan amount of ECU 488. 5 million were approved: Greece The South Pathe Motorway project Interest rebate on a loan of ECU 100. 4 million for upgrading to motorway standard of the principal trunk road of the stretches connecting Yliki-Aghios Konstantinos and Raches-Aghii Theodori. Ireland The Irish Infrastructure Framework project Interest rebate on a loan of ECU 66. 5 million for infrastructure improvements including road works, sewerage works and used water treatment facilities. The project forms part of the priority Trans European Network (TEN) infrastructure and receives cofinancing from the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) and from the Cohesion Fund. Spain The BCL Environmental Global Loan II Interest rebate on a loan of ECU 18 million for the Banco de Credito Local (BCL) for financing of small and medium-scale environmental investments undertaken by private and public entities. This new global loan to BCL will contribute to the protection of the environment in objective 1 areas in Spain. The Technical Education project in Valencia Interest rebate on a loan of ECU 15 million for the extension of facilities and provision of new equipment for the University of Valencia. The project aims at meeting university based training needs and enhancing professionnal qualifications in various technical and business administration fields at the University. The Leon-Burgos Motorway project Interest rebate on a loan of ECU 24. 3 million for the construction of a stretch motorway connecting Onzonilla-Santas Martas and Sahagun-San Marnes de Campos of the Leon-Burgos Motorway. The Regional Road Network project in Asturias Interest rebate on a loan of ECU 15 million for repair and upgrading of several road schemes in Asturias. The Reconstruction of Infrastructure in Andalucia Interest rebate on a loan of ECU 18 million for urgent restoration works located throughout the region following severe winter flooding. The project responds to an emergency situation and intends to repair existing roads, urban and environmental infrastructure. The Improvement to Education Infrastructure in Galicia Interest rebate on a loan of ECU 24 million for the construction and rehabilitation of mainly secondary and vocational school blocks at different locations in Galicia. These investments will bring Galicia's educational infrastructure up to the minimum Spanish legal requirements for educational institutions. The Extension of the Port of Valencia Interest rebate on a loan of ECU 12 million for the construction of a breakwater in the new area of the port, the construction of quays for container traffic, the landfilling and re-organisation of the road/rail network within the port. The project will provide additional capacity to one of the major Spanish and mediterranean ports which is also an important node in the Transeuropean Network. 3. The funding of the Financial Mechanism The Act of Accession (Articles 83, 111, 136) specifies that the shares of the new Member States in the Mechanism are to be met from the general budget of the Communities. On a proposal from the Commission (COM(94) 398), the financial perspective has already been reworked accordingly by adding a new heading under "Structural Activities". The budget adopted for 1998 contains a heading with the relevant comments (B2-401). The amount forecast for each year is ECU 108 million. As far as the actual payments are concerned, taking over the shares of the new Member States means complying with the terms of Article 4A of the Cooperation Agreement between the EFTA countries and the EIB dated 30 June 1992, as amended by the amending protocol of 18 June 1993. In line with these procedures, the contribution for 1998 and the shares between the participating EFTA countries and the Commission were decided respectively by the Financial Mechanism Committee on 16 December 1997. These contributions were calculated in accordance with the gross national product at market prices using data for the last three calendar years and assuming a total annual contribution of ECU 135 million. 3. 1. A total contribution of ECU 135 million for 1998 At the creation of the Financial Mechanism a first estimate was made corresponding to an annual instalment of ECU 130 million. However, during the years 1994-1996, initial funding and replenishment of ECU 110 million of the Financial Mechanism took place as shown in the table below together with the aggregated contributions during the same period. Article 4 of the Cooperation Agreement states that the participating EFTA States and the Community budget shall deposit the amounts necessary to meet the commitment schedules, the consequent disbursements and the associated administrative costs of the interest payments and the grants. The Bank and the Committee shall review the amount of grants and the interest subsidies disbursed in order to determine the amounts of the subsequent instalments to be deposited by the participating EFTA States and the Commission. Any amount outstanding at the time of termination of operations shall be repaid to the participating EFTA States and the Community budget. On 17 December 1996 and on 16 december 1997, the Financial Mechanism Committee decided that the contributions from the donors would have to rise accordingly in order to meet the final obligations. Even though all the contributions have not been used it is important to keep a reasonable contribution to the Mechanism account each year in order to be able to match reasonably the future final obligations in terms of commitments at the end of 1998. An increase Trom ECU 110 mill, to ECU 130 mill, in the replenishment for 1997 and a replenishment of ECU 135 million for 1998 have been decided. 3. 2. The share between the Commission and the participating EFTA countries The cost sharing of the initial funding and replenishment of the Financial Mechanism calculated in accordance with the gross national product at market prices using data for the last three calendar years is the following: Iceland Norway. Liechtenstein Austria Finland Sweden Total Community budget from 1995 1994 1. 078 18. 436 0. 187 29. 348 20. 526 40. 425 110 ECU million (0. 98 %) (16. 76 %) (0. 17%) (26. 68 %) Total: 1995 1. 111 19. 063 0. 198 (1. 01 %) (17. 33 %) (0. 18%) 1996 1. 122 21. 604 0. 198 (1. 02 %) (19. 64 %) (0. 18%) 1997 1. 300 25. 935 0. 247 (1. 00%) (19. 95 %) (0. 19%) 1998 1. 296 27. 916 0. 2565 (0. 96 %) (20. 16%) (0. 19%) Total 4. 907 112. 254 1. 0865 (36. 75 %) (18. 66%) (82. 09 %) 89. 6281 (81. 48%) 87. 076 (79. 16%) 102. 518 (78. 86 %) 106. 2315 (78. 69 %) 475. 7525 110 110 130 135 595 In consequence, the Commission approved on 19 February 1998 the Community budget contribution for 1998 of ECU 106 231 500. 1 The Commission did not request a transfer of Liechtenstein's reimbursement in August 1995. Accordingly, this amount was deducted from the third instalment in 1996. 10 4. The Mechanism account at the EIB As of 31 December 1997, the balance of the Financial Mechanism account was ECU 281 003 164. 01. In summary, the account transactions during the second semester of year 1997 were as follows: ECU 337 377 385. 34 Balance as of 30 June 1997 Crediting Accrued interest 6 491813. 77 Debiting Interest subsidies Grant disbursements Liaison Officer function cost - 23 888 846. 55 - 38 750 500. 55 - 226 688. 00 Balance as of 31 December 1997 281 003 164. 01 As of 30 June 1998, the balance of the Financial Mechanism account was ECU 399 184 268. 33. In summary, the account transactions up to 30. 06. 98 have been the following: ECU 281 003 164. 01 Balance as of 31 December 1997 Crediting Fifth instalment in 1998 Accrued interest up to 30. 06. 98 Debiting Interest subsidies Grant disbursements 135 000 000. 00 7 223 206. 51 - 7 433 788. 14 -16 608 314. 05 Balance as of 30 June 1998 399 184 268. 33 5. Coordination and complementarity with other financial instruments of the European Union The Commission ensures, within the framework of the partnership, coordination and consistency between the projects carried out under the Financial Mechanism and measures undertaken by the Structural Funds, the Cohesion Fund, the European Investment Bank and the other financial instruments of the European Union. In that respect, operating rules concerning the combination and overlapping of the Financial Mechanism aid with other Community assistance, have been clearly defined in the "Operational arrangements" concluded between the Commission and the European Investment Bank, on 9 March 1994. 11 ISSN 0254-1475 COM(98) 758 final DOCUMENTS EN 09 10 01 17 Catalogue number : CB-C0-98-758-EN-C Office for Official Publications of the European Communities L-2985 Luxembourg