# Official Journal L 121/2015

| | ISSN 1977-0677 |
| --- | --- |
| Official Journal
  of the European Union | L 121 |
| | |
| English edition | Legislation | Volume 5814 May 2015 |

ISSN 1977-0677

Official Journal

of the European Union

L 121

English edition

Legislation

Volume 5814 May 2015

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| Contents | | II   Non-legislative acts | page |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| | | REGULATIONS |
| | * | Council Regulation (EU) 2015/768 of 11 May 2015 extending to the non-participating Member States the application of Regulation (EU) No 331/2014 of the European Parliament and of the Council establishing an exchange, assistance and training programme for the protection of the euro against counterfeiting (the Pericles 2020 programme) | 1 |
| | * | Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2015/769 of 12 May 2015 amending for the 231st time Council Regulation (EC) No 881/2002 imposing certain specific restrictive measures directed against certain persons and entities associated with the Al-Qaida network | 3 |
| | | Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2015/770 of 13 May 2015 establishing the standard import values for determining the entry price of certain fruit and vegetables | 5 |
| | | DECISIONS |
| | * | Council Decision (EU) 2015/771 of 7 May 2015 on the position to be taken on behalf of the European Union within the Joint Committee established under the Agreement between the European Community and its Member States, of the one part, and the Swiss Confederation, of the other, on the free movement of persons, as regards the amendment of Annex III (Mutual recognition of professional qualifications) to that Agreement | 7 |
| | * | Council Decision (EU) 2015/772 of 11 May 2015 establishing the Employment Committee and repealing Decision 2000/98/EC | 12 |
| | * | Council Decision (EU) 2015/773 of 11 May 2015 establishing the Social Protection Committee and repealing Decision 2004/689/EC | 16 |
| | * | Decision (EU) 2015/774 of the European Central Bank of 4 March 2015 on a secondary markets public sector asset purchase programme (ECB/2015/10) | 20 |

Contents

II   Non-legislative acts

page

REGULATIONS

*

Council Regulation (EU) 2015/768 of 11 May 2015 extending to the non-participating Member States the application of Regulation (EU) No 331/2014 of the European Parliament and of the Council establishing an exchange, assistance and training programme for the protection of the euro against counterfeiting (the Pericles 2020 programme)

1

*

Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2015/769 of 12 May 2015 amending for the 231st time Council Regulation (EC) No 881/2002 imposing certain specific restrictive measures directed against certain persons and entities associated with the Al-Qaida network

3

Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2015/770 of 13 May 2015 establishing the standard import values for determining the entry price of certain fruit and vegetables

5

DECISIONS

*

Council Decision (EU) 2015/771 of 7 May 2015 on the position to be taken on behalf of the European Union within the Joint Committee established under the Agreement between the European Community and its Member States, of the one part, and the Swiss Confederation, of the other, on the free movement of persons, as regards the amendment of Annex III (Mutual recognition of professional qualifications) to that Agreement

7

*

Council Decision (EU) 2015/772 of 11 May 2015 establishing the Employment Committee and repealing Decision 2000/98/EC

12

*

Council Decision (EU) 2015/773 of 11 May 2015 establishing the Social Protection Committee and repealing Decision 2004/689/EC

16

*

Decision (EU) 2015/774 of the European Central Bank of 4 March 2015 on a secondary markets public sector asset purchase programme (ECB/2015/10)

20

| | | Corrigenda |
| --- | --- | --- |
| | * | Corrigendum to the Additional Protocol to the Agreement on Trade, Development and Cooperation between the European Community and its Member States, of the one part, and the Republic of South Africa, of the other part, to take account of the accession of the Republic of Croatia to the European Union ( OJ L 117, 8.5.2015 ) | 25 |

Corrigenda

*

Corrigendum to the Additional Protocol to the Agreement on Trade, Development and Cooperation between the European Community and its Member States, of the one part, and the Republic of South Africa, of the other part, to take account of the accession of the Republic of Croatia to the European Union ( OJ L 117, 8.5.2015 )

( OJ L 117, 8.5.2015 )

25

| EN | Acts whose titles are printed in light type are those relating to day-to-day management of agricultural matters, and are generally valid for a limited period.
  The titles of all other Acts are printed in bold type and preceded by an asterisk. |
| --- | --- |

EN

Acts whose titles are printed in light type are those relating to day-to-day management of agricultural matters, and are generally valid for a limited period.

The titles of all other Acts are printed in bold type and preceded by an asterisk.

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II Non-legislative acts

REGULATIONS

| 14.5.2015 | EN | Official Journal of the European Union | L 121/1 |
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14.5.2015

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Official Journal of the European Union

L 121/1

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COUNCIL REGULATION (EU) 2015/768

of 11 May 2015

extending to the non-participating Member States the application of Regulation (EU) No 331/2014 of the European Parliament and of the Council establishing an exchange, assistance and training programme for the protection of the euro against counterfeiting (the ‘Pericles 2020’ programme)

THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION,

Having regard to the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union, and in particular Article 352 thereof,

Having regard to the proposal from the European Commission,

After transmission of the draft legislative act to the national parliaments,

Having regard to the consent of the European Parliament,

Acting in accordance with a special legislative procedure,

Whereas:

| (1) | Regulation (EU) No 331/2014 of the European Parliament and of the Council (1), which establishes the Pericles 2020 programme and replaces the Pericles programme established by Council Decision 2001/923/EC (2), provides that it is applicable in the Member States in accordance with the Treaties. Article 139 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union provides that measures governing the use of the euro referred to in Article 133 thereof are not applicable to the Member States with derogation. |
| --- | --- |

(1)

Regulation (EU) No 331/2014 of the European Parliament and of the Council (1), which establishes the Pericles 2020 programme and replaces the Pericles programme established by Council Decision 2001/923/EC (2), provides that it is applicable in the Member States in accordance with the Treaties. Article 139 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union provides that measures governing the use of the euro referred to in Article 133 thereof are not applicable to the Member States with derogation.

| (2) | However, the exchange of information and staff and the assistance and training measures implemented under the Pericles 2020 programme should be uniform throughout the Union and the requisite measures should therefore be taken to ensure the same level of protection for the euro in the Member States with derogation. |
| --- | --- |

(2)

However, the exchange of information and staff and the assistance and training measures implemented under the Pericles 2020 programme should be uniform throughout the Union and the requisite measures should therefore be taken to ensure the same level of protection for the euro in the Member States with derogation.

| (3) | The application of Regulation (EU) No 331/2014 should therefore be extended to Member States other than the participating Member States as defined in Council Regulation (EC) No 974/98 (3) (‘non-participating Member States’). |
| --- | --- |

(3)

The application of Regulation (EU) No 331/2014 should therefore be extended to Member States other than the participating Member States as defined in Council Regulation (EC) No 974/98 (3) (‘non-participating Member States’).

| (4) | It is appropriate to ensure a smooth transition without interruption between the Pericles programme and the Pericles 2020 programme and it is appropriate to align the duration of this Regulation with the Council Regulation (EU, Euratom) No 1311/2013 (4). Therefore, this Regulation should apply as from 1 January 2014, |
| --- | --- |

(4)

It is appropriate to ensure a smooth transition without interruption between the Pericles programme and the Pericles 2020 programme and it is appropriate to align the duration of this Regulation with the Council Regulation (EU, Euratom) No 1311/2013 (4). Therefore, this Regulation should apply as from 1 January 2014,

HAS ADOPTED THIS REGULATION:

Article 1

1.   The application of Regulation (EU) No 331/2014 shall be extended to Member States other than the participating Member States as defined in point (a) of Article 1 of Regulation (EC) No 974/98.

2.   The competent national authorities of Member States referred to in paragraph 1 of this Article shall be considered as eligible bodies for funding within the meaning of Article 5 of Regulation (EU) No 331/2014.

Article 2

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

It shall apply from 1 January 2014.

This Regulation shall be binding in its entirety and directly applicable in all Member States.

Done at Brussels, 11 May 2015.

For the Council

The President

J. DŪKLAVS

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(1)  Regulation (EU) No 331/2014 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 11 March 2014 establishing an exchange, assistance and training programme for the protection of the euro against counterfeiting (the ‘Pericles 2020’ programme) and repealing Council Decisions 2001/923/EC, 2001/924/EC, 2006/75/EC, 2006/76/EC, 2006/849/EC and 2006/850/EC (OJ L 103, 5.4.2014, p. 1).

1

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

2

(3)  Council Regulation (EC) No 974/98 of 3 May 1998 on the introduction of the euro (OJ L 139, 11.5.1998, p. 1).

3

(4)  Council Regulation (EU, Euratom) No 1311/2013 of 2 December 2013 laying down the multiannual financial framework for the years 2014-2020 (OJ L 347, 20.12.2013, p. 884).

4

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| 14.5.2015 | EN | Official Journal of the European Union | L 121/3 |
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14.5.2015

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Official Journal of the European Union

L 121/3

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COMMISSION IMPLEMENTING REGULATION (EU) 2015/769

of 12 May 2015

amending for the 231st time Council Regulation (EC) No 881/2002 imposing certain specific restrictive measures directed against certain persons and entities associated with the Al-Qaida network

THE EUROPEAN COMMISSION,

Having regard to the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union,

Having regard to Council Regulation (EC) No 881/2002 of 27 May 2002 imposing certain specific restrictive measures directed against certain persons and entities associated with the Al-Qaida network (1) and in particular Article 7(1)(a) and Article 7a(5) thereof,

Whereas:

| (1) | Annex I to Regulation (EC) No 881/2002 lists the persons, groups and entities covered by the freezing of funds and economic resources under that Regulation. |
| --- | --- |

(1)

Annex I to Regulation (EC) No 881/2002 lists the persons, groups and entities covered by the freezing of funds and economic resources under that Regulation.

| (2) | On 30 April 2015, the Sanctions Committee of the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) decided to remove six persons from its list of persons, groups and entities to whom the freezing of funds and economic resources should apply. |
| --- | --- |

(2)

On 30 April 2015, the Sanctions Committee of the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) decided to remove six persons from its list of persons, groups and entities to whom the freezing of funds and economic resources should apply.

| (3) | Annex I to Regulation (EC) No 881/2002 should therefore be updated accordingly, |
| --- | --- |

(3)

Annex I to Regulation (EC) No 881/2002 should therefore be updated accordingly,

HAS ADOPTED THIS REGULATION:

Article 1

Annex I to Regulation (EC) No 881/2002 is amended in accordance with the Annex to this Regulation.

Article 2

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

This Regulation shall be binding in its entirety and directly applicable in all Member States.

Done at Brussels, 12 May 2015.

For the Commission,

On behalf of the President,

Head of the Service for Foreign Policy Instruments

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(1)  
  OJ L 139, 29.5.2002, p. 9.

1

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ANNEX

In Annex I to Regulation (EC) No 881/2002, the following entries under the heading ‘Natural persons’ are deleted:

| (a) | ‘Riadh Ben Belkassem Ben Mohamed Al-Jelassi. Address: Italy. Date of birth: 15.12.1970. Place of birth: Al-Mohamedia, Tunisia. Nationality: Tunisian. Passport No: L276046 (Tunisian passport issued on 1.7.1996 which expired on 30.6.2001). Other information: (a) Mother's name is Reem Al-Askari, (b) Member of Tunisian Combatant Group. Date of designation referred to in Article 2a(4)(b): 3.9.2002.’ |
| --- | --- |

(a)

‘Riadh Ben Belkassem Ben Mohamed Al-Jelassi. Address: Italy. Date of birth: 15.12.1970. Place of birth: Al-Mohamedia, Tunisia. Nationality: Tunisian. Passport No: L276046 (Tunisian passport issued on 1.7.1996 which expired on 30.6.2001). Other information: (a) Mother's name is Reem Al-Askari, (b) Member of Tunisian Combatant Group. Date of designation referred to in Article 2a(4)(b): 3.9.2002.’

| (b) | ‘Samir Abd El Latif El Sayed Kishk (alias Samir Abdellatif el Sayed Keshk). Date of birth: 14.5.1955. Place of birth: Gharbia, Egypt. Nationality: Egyptian. Other information: Deported from Italy to Egypt on 2.7.2003. Date of designation referred to in Article 2a (4)(b): 3.9.2002.’ |
| --- | --- |

(b)

‘Samir Abd El Latif El Sayed Kishk (alias Samir Abdellatif el Sayed Keshk). Date of birth: 14.5.1955. Place of birth: Gharbia, Egypt. Nationality: Egyptian. Other information: Deported from Italy to Egypt on 2.7.2003. Date of designation referred to in Article 2a (4)(b): 3.9.2002.’

| (c) | ‘Al-Azhar Ben Mohammed Ben El-Abed Al-Tlili (alias Lazar Ben Mohammed Tlili). Address: Via Carlo Porta 97, Legnano, Italy. Date of birth: 26.3.1969. Place of birth: Feriana, Al-Kasrain, Tunisia. Nationality: Tunisian. Passport No: M351140 (Tunisian passport expired on 16.6.2005). Other information: (a) Italian fiscal code: TLLLHR69C26Z352G; (b) Released from prison in Italy on 15.1.2007 (c) Mother's name is Essayda Bint Salih Al-Tlili. Date of designation referred to in Article 2a(4)(b): 3.9.2002.’ |
| --- | --- |

(c)

‘Al-Azhar Ben Mohammed Ben El-Abed Al-Tlili (alias Lazar Ben Mohammed Tlili). Address: Via Carlo Porta 97, Legnano, Italy. Date of birth: 26.3.1969. Place of birth: Feriana, Al-Kasrain, Tunisia. Nationality: Tunisian. Passport No: M351140 (Tunisian passport expired on 16.6.2005). Other information: (a) Italian fiscal code: TLLLHR69C26Z352G; (b) Released from prison in Italy on 15.1.2007 (c) Mother's name is Essayda Bint Salih Al-Tlili. Date of designation referred to in Article 2a(4)(b): 3.9.2002.’

| (d) | ‘Faouzi Ben Mohamed Ben Ahmed Al-Jendoubi (alias (a) Jendoubi Faouzi, (b) Said, (c) Samir). Date of birth: 30.1.1966. Place of birth: (a) Tunis, Tunisia; (b) Morocco. Nationality: Tunisian. Passport No: K459698 (Tunisian passport issued on 6.3.1999, expired on 5.3.2004). Other information: (a) Mother's name is Um Hani al-Tujani; (b) Inadmissible to the Schengen area; (c) Reported untraceable by the Italian authorities since June 2002. Date of designation referred to in Article 2a (4) (b): 25.6.2003.’ |
| --- | --- |

(d)

‘Faouzi Ben Mohamed Ben Ahmed Al-Jendoubi (alias (a) Jendoubi Faouzi, (b) Said, (c) Samir). Date of birth: 30.1.1966. Place of birth: (a) Tunis, Tunisia; (b) Morocco. Nationality: Tunisian. Passport No: K459698 (Tunisian passport issued on 6.3.1999, expired on 5.3.2004). Other information: (a) Mother's name is Um Hani al-Tujani; (b) Inadmissible to the Schengen area; (c) Reported untraceable by the Italian authorities since June 2002. Date of designation referred to in Article 2a (4) (b): 25.6.2003.’

| (e) | ‘Ahmed Hosni Rarrbo (alias (a) Rarrbo Abdallah, (b) Rarrbo Abdullah, (c) Rarrbo Ahmed Hosni). Address: Algeria. Date of birth: 12.9.1974. Place of birth: (a) Bologhine, Algeria; (b) France. Nationality: Algerian. Date of designation referred to in Article 2a(4)(b): 25.6.2003.’ |
| --- | --- |

(e)

‘Ahmed Hosni Rarrbo (alias (a) Rarrbo Abdallah, (b) Rarrbo Abdullah, (c) Rarrbo Ahmed Hosni). Address: Algeria. Date of birth: 12.9.1974. Place of birth: (a) Bologhine, Algeria; (b) France. Nationality: Algerian. Date of designation referred to in Article 2a(4)(b): 25.6.2003.’

| (f) | ‘Najib Ben Mohamed Ben Salem Al-Waz (alias (a) Ouaz Najib, (b) Ouaz Nagib). Address: Via Tovaglie Number 26, Bologna, Italy. Date of birth: 12.4.1960. Place of birth: Al Haka'imah, Governorate of Mahdia, Tunisia. Nationality: Tunisian. Passport No: K815205 (Tunisian passport issued on 17.9.1994, expired on 16.9.1999). Other information: (a) Mother's name is Salihah Amir; (b) Inadmissible to the Schengen area. Date of designation referred to in Article 2a(4) (b): 25.6.2003.’ |
| --- | --- |

(f)

‘Najib Ben Mohamed Ben Salem Al-Waz (alias (a) Ouaz Najib, (b) Ouaz Nagib). Address: Via Tovaglie Number 26, Bologna, Italy. Date of birth: 12.4.1960. Place of birth: Al Haka'imah, Governorate of Mahdia, Tunisia. Nationality: Tunisian. Passport No: K815205 (Tunisian passport issued on 17.9.1994, expired on 16.9.1999). Other information: (a) Mother's name is Salihah Amir; (b) Inadmissible to the Schengen area. Date of designation referred to in Article 2a(4) (b): 25.6.2003.’

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| 14.5.2015 | EN | Official Journal of the European Union | L 121/5 |
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14.5.2015

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

L 121/5

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COMMISSION IMPLEMENTING REGULATION (EU) 2015/770

of 13 May 2015

establishing the standard import values for determining the entry price of certain fruit and vegetables

THE EUROPEAN COMMISSION,

Having regard to the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union,

Having regard to Regulation (EU) No 1308/2013 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 17 December 2013 establishing a common organisation of the markets in agricultural products and repealing Council Regulations (EEC) No 922/72, (EEC) No 234/79, (EC) No 1037/2001 and (EC) No 1234/2007 (1),

Having regard to Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) No 543/2011 of 7 June 2011 laying down detailed rules for the application of Council Regulation (EC) No 1234/2007 in respect of the fruit and vegetables and processed fruit and vegetables sectors (2), and in particular Article 136(1) thereof,

Whereas:

| (1) | Implementing Regulation (EU) No 543/2011 lays down, pursuant to the outcome of the Uruguay Round multilateral trade negotiations, the criteria whereby the Commission fixes the standard values for imports from third countries, in respect of the products and periods stipulated in Annex XVI, Part A thereto. |
| --- | --- |

(1)

Implementing Regulation (EU) No 543/2011 lays down, pursuant to the outcome of the Uruguay Round multilateral trade negotiations, the criteria whereby the Commission fixes the standard values for imports from third countries, in respect of the products and periods stipulated in Annex XVI, Part A thereto.

| (2) | The standard import value is calculated each working day, in accordance with Article 136(1) of Implementing Regulation (EU) No 543/2011, taking into account variable daily data. Therefore this Regulation should enter into force on the day of its publication in the Official Journal of the European Union, |
| --- | --- |

(2)

The standard import value is calculated each working day, in accordance with Article 136(1) of Implementing Regulation (EU) No 543/2011, taking into account variable daily data. Therefore this Regulation should enter into force on the day of its publication in the Official Journal of the European Union,

HAS ADOPTED THIS REGULATION:

Article 1

The standard import values referred to in Article 136 of Implementing Regulation (EU) No 543/2011 are fixed in the Annex to this Regulation.

Article 2

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

This Regulation shall be binding in its entirety and directly applicable in all Member States.

Done at Brussels, 13 May 2015.

For the Commission,

On behalf of the President,

Jerzy PLEWA

Director-General for Agriculture and Rural Development

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(1)  
  OJ L 347, 20.12.2013, p. 671.

1

(2)  
  OJ L 157, 15.6.2011, p. 1.

2

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ANNEX

Standard import values for determining the entry price of certain fruit and vegetables

| (EUR/100 kg) |
| --- |
| CN code | Third country code (1) | Standard import value |
| 0702 00 00 | AL | 83,5 |
| MA | 93,0 |
| MK | 106,3 |
| TR | 69,0 |
| ZZ | 88,0 |
| 0707 00 05 | AL | 36,9 |
| EG | 191,6 |
| MK | 32,3 |
| TR | 102,3 |
| ZZ | 90,8 |
| 0709 93 10 | MA | 110,7 |
| TR | 118,8 |
| ZZ | 114,8 |
| 0805 10 20 | EG | 45,4 |
| IL | 70,7 |
| MA | 53,2 |
| MO | 59,6 |
| ZA | 60,1 |
| ZZ | 57,8 |
| 0805 50 10 | MA | 83,0 |
| TR | 102,4 |
| ZZ | 92,7 |
| 0808 10 80 | AR | 99,8 |
| BR | 93,5 |
| CL | 119,0 |
| MK | 28,2 |
| NZ | 174,5 |
| US | 179,5 |
| ZA | 117,6 |
| ZZ | 116,0 |

(EUR/100 kg)

CN code

Third country code (1)

Standard import value

0702 00 00

AL

83,5

MA

93,0

MK

106,3

TR

69,0

ZZ

88,0

0707 00 05

AL

36,9

EG

191,6

MK

32,3

TR

102,3

ZZ

90,8

0709 93 10

MA

110,7

TR

118,8

ZZ

114,8

0805 10 20

EG

45,4

IL

70,7

MA

53,2

MO

59,6

ZA

60,1

ZZ

57,8

0805 50 10

MA

83,0

TR

102,4

ZZ

92,7

0808 10 80

AR

99,8

BR

93,5

CL

119,0

MK

28,2

NZ

174,5

US

179,5

ZA

117,6

ZZ

116,0

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(1)  Nomenclature of countries laid down by Commission Regulation (EU) No 1106/2012 of 27 November 2012 implementing Regulation (EC) No 471/2009 of the European Parliament and of the Council on Community statistics relating to external trade with non-member countries, as regards the update of the nomenclature of countries and territories (OJ L 328, 28.11.2012, p. 7). Code ‘ZZ’ stands for ‘of other origin’.

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DECISIONS

| 14.5.2015 | EN | Official Journal of the European Union | L 121/7 |
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14.5.2015

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Official Journal of the European Union

L 121/7

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COUNCIL DECISION (EU) 2015/771

of 7 May 2015

on the position to be taken on behalf of the European Union within the Joint Committee established under the Agreement between the European Community and its Member States, of the one part, and the Swiss Confederation, of the other, on the free movement of persons, as regards the amendment of Annex III (Mutual recognition of professional qualifications) to that Agreement

THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION,

Having regard to the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union, and in particular Articles 46, 53 and 62, in conjunction with Article 218(9) thereof,

Having regard to the proposal from the European Commission,

Whereas:

| (1) | The Agreement between the European Community and its Member States, of the one part, and the Swiss Confederation, of the other, on the free movement of persons (1) (‘the Agreement’) was signed on 21 June 1999 and entered into force on 1 June 2002. |
| --- | --- |

(1)

The Agreement between the European Community and its Member States, of the one part, and the Swiss Confederation, of the other, on the free movement of persons (1) (‘the Agreement’) was signed on 21 June 1999 and entered into force on 1 June 2002.

| (2) | Pursuant to Article 18 of the Agreement, amendments to Annex III (Mutual recognition of professional qualifications) thereto are to be adopted by decision of the Joint Committee established under Article 14 of the Agreement (‘the Joint Committee’). |
| --- | --- |

(2)

Pursuant to Article 18 of the Agreement, amendments to Annex III (Mutual recognition of professional qualifications) thereto are to be adopted by decision of the Joint Committee established under Article 14 of the Agreement (‘the Joint Committee’).

| (3) | In order to maintain the consistent and correct application of legal acts of the Union and to avoid administrative, and possibly legal, difficulties, Annex III (Mutual recognition of professional qualifications) to the Agreement should be amended to take account of new legal acts of the Union to which the Agreement does not currently refer. |
| --- | --- |

(3)

In order to maintain the consistent and correct application of legal acts of the Union and to avoid administrative, and possibly legal, difficulties, Annex III (Mutual recognition of professional qualifications) to the Agreement should be amended to take account of new legal acts of the Union to which the Agreement does not currently refer.

| (4) | It is appropriate to establish the position to be taken on behalf of the Union within the Joint Committee as regards the amendment of Annex III (Mutual recognition of professional qualifications) to the Agreement. |
| --- | --- |

(4)

It is appropriate to establish the position to be taken on behalf of the Union within the Joint Committee as regards the amendment of Annex III (Mutual recognition of professional qualifications) to the Agreement.

| (5) | The position of the Union within the Joint Committee should therefore be based on the attached draft Decision, |
| --- | --- |

(5)

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

HAS ADOPTED THIS DECISION:

Article 1

The position to be adopted on behalf of the European Union within the Joint Committee established under Article 14 of the Agreement between the European Community and its Member States, of the one part, and the Swiss Confederation, of the other, on the free movement of persons (‘the Joint Committee’), as regards the amendment of Annex III (Mutual recognition of professional qualifications) thereto shall be based on the draft Decision of the Joint Committee attached to this Decision.

Minor technical changes to the draft Decision may be agreed by the representatives of the Union within the Joint Committee without the need for a further Council Decision.

Article 2

After its adoption, the Decision of the Joint Committee shall be published in the Official Journal of the European Union.

Article 3

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

Done at Brussels, 7 May 2015.

For the Council

The President

E. RINKĒVIČS

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(1)  
  OJ L 114, 30.4.2002, p. 6.

1

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DRAFT

DECISION No .../2015 OF THE JOINT COMMITTEE

established under Article 14 of the Agreement between the European Community and its Member States, of the one part, and the Swiss Confederation, of the other, on the free movement of persons

of ...

amending Annex III (Mutual recognition of professional qualifications) to that Agreement

THE JOINT COMMITTEE,

Having regard to the Agreement between the European Community and its Member States, of the one part, and the Swiss Confederation, of the other, on the free movement of persons (1) (‘the Agreement’), and in particular Articles 14 and 18 thereof,

Whereas:

| (1) | The Agreement was signed on 21 June 1999 and entered into force on 1 June 2002. |
| --- | --- |

(1)

The Agreement was signed on 21 June 1999 and entered into force on 1 June 2002.

| (2) | Annex III (Mutual recognition of professional qualifications) to the Agreement was replaced by Decision No 2/2011 of the EU-Swiss Joint Committee (2) and should be updated to take into account new legal acts of the European Union and Switzerland since that date, |
| --- | --- |

(2)

Annex III (Mutual recognition of professional qualifications) to the Agreement was replaced by Decision No 2/2011 of the EU-Swiss Joint Committee (2) and should be updated to take into account new legal acts of the European Union and Switzerland since that date,

HAS ADOPTED THIS DECISION:

Article 1

Annex III (Mutual recognition of professional qualifications) to the Agreement is amended as set out in the Annex to this Decision.

Article 2

This Decision is drawn up in Bulgarian, Croatian, Czech, Danish, Dutch, English, Estonian, Finnish, French, German, Greek, Hungarian, Italian, Latvian, Lithuanian, Maltese, Polish, Portuguese, Romanian, Slovak, Slovenian, Spanish and Swedish languages, the texts in each of these languages being equally authentic.

Article 3

This Decision shall enter into force on the date of its adoption by the Joint Committee.

Done at ...,

For the Joint Committee

The Chairperson

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(1)  
  OJ L 114, 30.4.2002, p. 6.

1

(2)  
  OJ L 277, 22.10.2011, p. 20.

2

---

ANNEX

Annex III (Mutual recognition of professional qualifications) to the Agreement between the European Community and its Member States, of the one part, and the Swiss Confederation, of the other, on the free movement of persons is hereby amended as follows:

| 1. | under ‘SECTION A: ACTS REFERRED TO’ the following indents are added to point 1a:






  ‘— | Commission Regulation (EU) No 623/2012 of 11 July 2012 amending Annex II to Directive 2005/36/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council on the recognition of professional qualifications (OJ L 180, 12.7.2012, p. 9); |
| --- | --- | --- |

1.

under ‘SECTION A: ACTS REFERRED TO’ the following indents are added to point 1a:

‘—

Commission Regulation (EU) No 623/2012 of 11 July 2012 amending Annex II to Directive 2005/36/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council on the recognition of professional qualifications (OJ L 180, 12.7.2012, p. 9);

| — | Communication from the Commission — Notification of the professional associations or organisations fulfilling the conditions of Article 3(2) listed under Annex I to Directive 2005/36/EC (OJ C 182, 23.6.2011, p. 1); |
| --- | --- |

—

Communication from the Commission — Notification of the professional associations or organisations fulfilling the conditions of Article 3(2) listed under Annex I to Directive 2005/36/EC (OJ C 182, 23.6.2011, p. 1);

| — | Communication from the Commission — Notification of evidence of formal qualifications — Directive 2005/36/EC on recognition of professional qualifications (Annex V) (OJ C 183, 24.6.2011, p. 1); |
| --- | --- |

—

Communication from the Commission — Notification of evidence of formal qualifications — Directive 2005/36/EC on recognition of professional qualifications (Annex V) (OJ C 183, 24.6.2011, p. 1);

| — | Communication from the Commission — Notification of evidence of formal qualifications — Directive 2005/36/EC on recognition of professional qualifications (Annex V) (OJ C 367, 16.12.2011, p. 5); |
| --- | --- |

—

Communication from the Commission — Notification of evidence of formal qualifications — Directive 2005/36/EC on recognition of professional qualifications (Annex V) (OJ C 367, 16.12.2011, p. 5);

| — | Communication from the Commission — Notification of evidence of formal qualifications — Directive 2005/36/EC on recognition of professional qualifications (Annex V) (OJ C 244, 14.8.2012, p. 1); |
| --- | --- |

—

Communication from the Commission — Notification of evidence of formal qualifications — Directive 2005/36/EC on recognition of professional qualifications (Annex V) (OJ C 244, 14.8.2012, p. 1);

| — | Communication from the Commission — Notification of evidence of formal qualifications — Directive 2005/36/EC on recognition of professional qualifications (Annex V) (OJ C 396, 21.12.2012, p. 1); |
| --- | --- |

—

Communication from the Commission — Notification of evidence of formal qualifications — Directive 2005/36/EC on recognition of professional qualifications (Annex V) (OJ C 396, 21.12.2012, p. 1);

| — | Communication from the Commission — Notification of evidence of formal qualifications — Directive 2005/36/EC on recognition of professional qualifications (Annex V) (OJ C 183, 28.6.2013, p. 4); |
| --- | --- |

—

Communication from the Commission — Notification of evidence of formal qualifications — Directive 2005/36/EC on recognition of professional qualifications (Annex V) (OJ C 183, 28.6.2013, p. 4);

| — | Communication from the Commission — Notification of evidence of formal qualifications — Directive 2005/36/EC on recognition of professional qualifications (Annex V) (OJ C 301, 17.10.2013, p. 1).’ |
| --- | --- |

—

Communication from the Commission — Notification of evidence of formal qualifications — Directive 2005/36/EC on recognition of professional qualifications (Annex V) (OJ C 301, 17.10.2013, p. 1).’

;

| 2. | in point 1g, the following entries are added:






  ‘Country | Title |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Medical oncology
  Minimum period of training: 5 years |
| Switzerland | Medizinische Onkologie
  Oncologie médicale
  Oncologia medica |

2.

in point 1g, the following entries are added:

‘Country

Title

Medical oncology

Minimum period of training: 5 years

Switzerland

Medizinische Onkologie

Oncologie médicale

Oncologia medica

| Country | Title |
| --- | --- |
| Medical genetics
  Minimum period of training: 4 years |
| Switzerland | Medizinische Genetik
  Génétique médicale
  Genetica medica’ |

Country

Title

Medical genetics

Minimum period of training: 4 years

Switzerland

Medizinische Genetik

Génétique médicale

Genetica medica’

| 3. | in point 1g, the entry concerning the heading ‘General (internal) medicine’ is replaced by the following:






  ‘Country | Title |
| --- | --- | --- |
| General (internal) medicine
  Minimum period of training: 5 years |
| Switzerland | Allgemeine Innere Medizin
  Médecine interne générale
  Medicina interna generale’ |

3.

in point 1g, the entry concerning the heading ‘General (internal) medicine’ is replaced by the following:

‘Country

Title

General (internal) medicine

Minimum period of training: 5 years

Switzerland

Allgemeine Innere Medizin

Médecine interne générale

Medicina interna generale’

;

| 4. | in point 1i, the following entry is added:









  ‘Country | Evidence of formal qualifications | Body awarding the evidence of qualifications | Professional title | Reference date |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Switzerland | 3. | Diplomierte Pflegefachfrau HF, diplomierter Pflegefachmann HF
  Infirmière diplômée ES, infirmier diplômé ES
  Infermiera diplomata SSS, infermiere diplomato SSS |

4.

in point 1i, the following entry is added:

‘Country

Evidence of formal qualifications

Body awarding the evidence of qualifications

Professional title

Reference date

Switzerland

3.

Diplomierte Pflegefachfrau HF, diplomierter Pflegefachmann HF

Infirmière diplômée ES, infirmier diplômé ES

Infermiera diplomata SSS, infermiere diplomato SSS

Höhere Fachschulen, die staatlich anerkannte Bildungsgänge durchführen

Écoles supérieures qui proposent des filières de formation reconnues par l'État

Scuole specializzate superiori che propongono dei cicli di formazione riconosciuti dallo Stato

Pflegefachfrau, Pflegefachmann

Infirmière, infirmier

Infermiera, infermiere

1 June 2002’

;

| 5. | in point 1m, the table is replaced by the following:









  ‘Country | Evidence of formal qualifications | Body awarding the evidence of qualifications | Professional title | Reference date |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Switzerland | 1. | Diplomierte Hebamme
  Sage-femme diplômée
  Levatrice diplomata |

5.

in point 1m, the table is replaced by the following:

‘Country

Evidence of formal qualifications

Body awarding the evidence of qualifications

Professional title

Reference date

Switzerland

1.

Diplomierte Hebamme

Sage-femme diplômée

Levatrice diplomata

Schulen, die staatlich anerkannte Bildungsgänge durchführen

Écoles qui proposent des filières de formation reconnues par l'État

Scuole che propongono dei cicli di formazione riconosciuti dallo Stato

Hebamme

Sage-femme

Levatrice

1 June 2002

| 2. | [Bachelor of Science [Name of the UAS] in Midwifery]
  “Bachelor of Science HES-SO de Sage-femme” (Bachelor of Science HES-SO in Midwifery)
  “Bachelor of Science BFH Hebamme”(Bachelor of Science BFH in Midwifery)
  “Bachelor of Science ZFH Hebamme”(Bachelor of Science ZHAW in Midwifery) |
| --- | --- |

2.

[Bachelor of Science [Name of the UAS] in Midwifery]

“Bachelor of Science HES-SO de Sage-femme” (Bachelor of Science HES-SO in Midwifery)

“Bachelor of Science BFH Hebamme”(Bachelor of Science BFH in Midwifery)

“Bachelor of Science ZFH Hebamme”(Bachelor of Science ZHAW in Midwifery)

Schulen, die staatlich anerkannte Bildungsgänge durchführen

Écoles qui proposent des filières de formation reconnues par l'État

Scuole che propongono dei cicli di formazione riconosciuti dallo Stato

Hebamme

Sage-femme

Levatrice

1 June 2002’

.

---

| 14.5.2015 | EN | Official Journal of the European Union | L 121/12 |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |

14.5.2015

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

L 121/12

---

COUNCIL DECISION (EU) 2015/772

of 11 May 2015

establishing the Employment Committee and repealing Decision 2000/98/EC

THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION,

Having regard to the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union, and in particular Article 150 thereof,

Having regard to the opinion of the European Parliament,

Whereas:

| (1) | Article 5 of the Treaty states that the Union is to take measures to ensure coordination of the employment policies of the Member States with a view to enhancing their effectiveness by developing a coordinated strategy for employment. |
| --- | --- |

(1)

Article 5 of the Treaty states that the Union is to take measures to ensure coordination of the employment policies of the Member States with a view to enhancing their effectiveness by developing a coordinated strategy for employment.

| (2) | Title IX of Part Three of the Treaty establishes the procedures by which Member States and the Union should work towards developing a coordinated strategy for employment and particularly for promoting a skilled, trained and adaptable workforce and labour markets responsive to economic change. |
| --- | --- |

(2)

Title IX of Part Three of the Treaty establishes the procedures by which Member States and the Union should work towards developing a coordinated strategy for employment and particularly for promoting a skilled, trained and adaptable workforce and labour markets responsive to economic change.

| (3) | In fulfilling its tasks, which include advising and contributing to the work of the Council and the Commission, the Employment Committee (‘the Committee’) should contribute to ensuring that the European Employment Strategy, macroeconomic policy coordination and the process of economic reform are formulated and implemented in a consistent and mutually supportive way. |
| --- | --- |

(3)

In fulfilling its tasks, which include advising and contributing to the work of the Council and the Commission, the Employment Committee (‘the Committee’) should contribute to ensuring that the European Employment Strategy, macroeconomic policy coordination and the process of economic reform are formulated and implemented in a consistent and mutually supportive way.

| (4) | The Committee should collaborate closely with the social partners, in particular with those represented at the Tripartite Social Summit for Growth and Employment established by Council Decision 2003/174/EC (1). |
| --- | --- |

(4)

The Committee should collaborate closely with the social partners, in particular with those represented at the Tripartite Social Summit for Growth and Employment established by Council Decision 2003/174/EC (1).

| (5) | In its conclusions of 27 and 28 June 2013, the European Council stated that the social dimension of the Economic and Monetary Union should be strengthened. As a first step, it is important to better monitor and take into account the social and labour market situation within the Economic and Monetary Union, notably by using appropriate social and employment indicators within the European Semester. It is also important to ensure better coordination of employment and social policies, while fully respecting national competences. |
| --- | --- |

(5)

In its conclusions of 27 and 28 June 2013, the European Council stated that the social dimension of the Economic and Monetary Union should be strengthened. As a first step, it is important to better monitor and take into account the social and labour market situation within the Economic and Monetary Union, notably by using appropriate social and employment indicators within the European Semester. It is also important to ensure better coordination of employment and social policies, while fully respecting national competences.

| (6) | In its conclusions of 24 and 25 October 2013, the European Council stated that the coordination of economic, employment and social policies will be further enhanced in line with existing procedures while fully respecting national competences. The European Council considered that this requires more work to strengthen cooperation between the various Council configurations in order to ensure consistency of those policies in line with the common objectives. |
| --- | --- |

(6)

In its conclusions of 24 and 25 October 2013, the European Council stated that the coordination of economic, employment and social policies will be further enhanced in line with existing procedures while fully respecting national competences. The European Council considered that this requires more work to strengthen cooperation between the various Council configurations in order to ensure consistency of those policies in line with the common objectives.

| (7) | This Decision should reflect the development of the European Semester and the role of the Committee in this process. In particular, Council Regulation (EC) No 1466/97 (2) provides that the Economic and Financial Committee, the Economic Policy Committee, the Employment Committee and the Social Protection Committee are to be consulted within the framework of the European Semester, where appropriate. Moreover, Regulation (EU) No 1176/2011 of the European Parliament and of the Council (3) provides that the in-depth reviews are to take into account, where appropriate, Council recommendations or invitations addressed to Member States. It also provides that a corrective action plan for any Member States for which an excessive imbalance procedure is opened is to take into account the economic and social impact of the policy actions and is to be consistent with the broad economic policy guidelines and the employment guidelines. |
| --- | --- |

(7)

This Decision should reflect the development of the European Semester and the role of the Committee in this process. In particular, Council Regulation (EC) No 1466/97 (2) provides that the Economic and Financial Committee, the Economic Policy Committee, the Employment Committee and the Social Protection Committee are to be consulted within the framework of the European Semester, where appropriate. Moreover, Regulation (EU) No 1176/2011 of the European Parliament and of the Council (3) provides that the in-depth reviews are to take into account, where appropriate, Council recommendations or invitations addressed to Member States. It also provides that a corrective action plan for any Member States for which an excessive imbalance procedure is opened is to take into account the economic and social impact of the policy actions and is to be consistent with the broad economic policy guidelines and the employment guidelines.

| (8) | The Committee and the Union bodies involved in the coordination of economic and social policies, in particular the Economic and Financial Committee, the Economic Policy Committee and the Social Protection Committee, should work closely together. Where appropriate and mutually agreed between the involved Committees, the Committee's cooperation with the Social Protection Committee, the Economic and Financial Committee and the Economic Policy Committee may include the organisation of joint meetings, in particular in the context of the Committees' respective roles within the European Semester. |
| --- | --- |

(8)

The Committee and the Union bodies involved in the coordination of economic and social policies, in particular the Economic and Financial Committee, the Economic Policy Committee and the Social Protection Committee, should work closely together. Where appropriate and mutually agreed between the involved Committees, the Committee's cooperation with the Social Protection Committee, the Economic and Financial Committee and the Economic Policy Committee may include the organisation of joint meetings, in particular in the context of the Committees' respective roles within the European Semester.

| (9) | In order to effectively deliver on its Treaty mandate and to allow for the necessary flexibility to adapt to the timetable of the activities of the Committee, in particular within the framework of the European Semester cycle, the governance provisions relating to the functioning of the Committee should be revised with a view to ensuring efficiency and continuity. |
| --- | --- |

(9)

In order to effectively deliver on its Treaty mandate and to allow for the necessary flexibility to adapt to the timetable of the activities of the Committee, in particular within the framework of the European Semester cycle, the governance provisions relating to the functioning of the Committee should be revised with a view to ensuring efficiency and continuity.

| (10) | Council Decision 2000/98/EC (4) should be repealed, |
| --- | --- |

(10)

Council Decision 2000/98/EC (4) should be repealed,

HAS ADOPTED THIS DECISION:

Article 1

Establishment

An Employment Committee (‘the Committee’) with advisory status is hereby established to promote coordination between Member States on employment and labour market policies, in full compliance with the Treaty and with due regard for the powers of the Union institutions and bodies.

Article 2

Tasks

1.   The tasks of the Committee shall be:

| (a) | to monitor the employment situation and employment policies in the Member States and the Union; |
| --- | --- |

(a)

to monitor the employment situation and employment policies in the Member States and the Union;

| (b) | without prejudice to Article 240 of the Treaty, to formulate opinions at the request of either the Council or the Commission or on its own initiative, and to contribute to the preparation of the Council proceedings referred to in Article 148 of the Treaty. |
| --- | --- |

(b)

without prejudice to Article 240 of the Treaty, to formulate opinions at the request of either the Council or the Commission or on its own initiative, and to contribute to the preparation of the Council proceedings referred to in Article 148 of the Treaty.

2.   For the purposes of paragraph 1, the Committee shall, in particular, endeavour:

| (a) | to promote the consideration of the objective of a high level of employment in the formulation and implementation of Union policies and activities; |
| --- | --- |

(a)

to promote the consideration of the objective of a high level of employment in the formulation and implementation of Union policies and activities;

| (b) | to contribute to the procedure leading to the adoption of the broad economic guidelines in order to ensure consistency between the employment guidelines and those guidelines and contribute to the synergy between the European Employment Strategy, macroeconomic policy coordination and the process of economic reform in a mutually supportive way; |
| --- | --- |

(b)

to contribute to the procedure leading to the adoption of the broad economic guidelines in order to ensure consistency between the employment guidelines and those guidelines and contribute to the synergy between the European Employment Strategy, macroeconomic policy coordination and the process of economic reform in a mutually supportive way;

| (c) | to participate actively in the macroeconomic dialogue at Union level; |
| --- | --- |

(c)

to participate actively in the macroeconomic dialogue at Union level;

| (d) | to contribute to all aspects of the European Semester within its mandate and report on them to the Council; |
| --- | --- |

(d)

to contribute to all aspects of the European Semester within its mandate and report on them to the Council;

| (e) | to promote exchanges of information and experience between Member States and with the Commission. |
| --- | --- |

(e)

to promote exchanges of information and experience between Member States and with the Commission.

3.   Each year, the Committee shall adopt a work programme, taking into account the policy priorities of the Council and the Commission. The work programme shall be transmitted to the Council.

4.   The Committee may call on external experts where appropriate to its agenda.

Article 3

Membership

1.   Each Member State and the Commission shall appoint two members of the Committee. They may also appoint two alternate members.

2.   The members of the Committee and the alternate members shall be selected from among senior officials or experts possessing outstanding competence in the field of employment and labour market policy in the Member States.

3.   Member States and the Commission shall use their best endeavours to achieve a gender balance in the composition of the Committee.

Article 4

Operation

1.   The Committee shall elect its Chairperson from among the members appointed by the Member States for a term of two years. The Chairperson may be re-elected once for a further term of two years. The Committee may decide to extend the Chairperson's term by up to eight months in duly justified cases, to ensure the efficiency and continuity of its work. The Chairperson may serve up to a total of four years and eight months.

2.   The Chairperson shall be assisted by four Vice-Chairpersons, of whom two shall be elected by the Committee from among its members for a term of two years, which shall be renewable once. The third Vice-Chairperson shall be a representative from the Member State holding the Presidency of the Council. The fourth Vice-Chairperson shall be a representative from the Member State which will hold the next Presidency.

3.   The Chairperson shall delegate his voting right to his alternate.

4.   Meetings of the Committee shall be convened by the Chairperson, either on his own initiative or at the request of a majority of the members of the Committee.

5.   The Committee shall establish its own rules of procedure.

6.   Expenses shall be reimbursed in accordance with the administrative rules in force.

7.   The Commission shall provide adequate analytical and organisational support for the Committee. The Commission shall designate a member of its staff as Secretary. The Secretary and the staff assisting him shall act on the instructions of the Committee when assisting the Committee in carrying out its tasks. The Secretary shall liaise with the General Secretariat of the Council with regard to the holding of meetings.

8.   The Committee shall work, as appropriate, in cooperation with other relevant bodies and committees dealing with social and economic policy matters, such as the Social Protection Committee, the Economic and Financial Committee, the Economic Policy Committee, the Education Committee and the governing board of the European Network of Public Employment Services.

Article 5

Working groups

1.   The Committee may entrust the study of specific questions to its alternate members or may establish working groups to this end. The Chair of such a working group shall be taken by either a Vice-Chairperson of the Committee, a member or an alternate member of the Committee, a Commission official, or a member of the working group itself appointed by the Committee.

2.   The Commission shall provide adequate analytical and organisational support for the workings groups.

3.   The working groups may call upon experts to assist them.

4.   The Committee may equally establish joint working groups with other committees or bodies, the governing rules of which shall be determined jointly.

Article 6

Consultation of the social partners

In fulfilling its mandate, the Committee shall consult the social partners. It shall, in this context, establish contacts with the social partners represented at the Tripartite Social Summit for Growth and Employment.

Article 7

Transitional provisions

The term of any member elected in accordance with Article 3 of Decision 2000/98/EC shall continue until the end of that term as determined in accordance with Article 4 of this Decision. The date of the beginning of such a term shall be considered to be the date of the election having taken place in accordance with Article 3 of Decision 2000/98/EC.

Article 8

Repeal

Decision 2000/98/EC shall be repealed as from the date of the first meeting of the Committee following the entry into force of this Decision. That meeting shall take place no later than four months after the date of adoption of this Decision.

Article 9

Entry into force

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

Official Journal of the European Union

Done at Brussels, 11 May 2015.

For the Council

The President

J. DŪKLAVS

---

(1)  Council Decision 2003/174/EC of 6 March 2003 establishing a Tripartite Social Summit for Growth and Employment (OJ L 70, 14.3.2003, p. 31).

1

(2)  Council Regulation (EC) No 1466/97 of 7 July 1997 on the strengthening of the surveillance of budgetary positions and the surveillance and coordination of economic policies (OJ L 209, 2.8.1997, p. 1).

2

(3)  Regulation (EU) No 1176/2011 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 16 November 2011 on the prevention and correction of macroeconomic imbalances (OJ L 306, 23.11.2011, p. 25).

3

(4)  Council Decision 2000/98/EC of 24 January 2000 establishing the Employment Committee (OJ L 29, 4.2.2000, p. 21).

4

---

| 14.5.2015 | EN | Official Journal of the European Union | L 121/16 |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |

14.5.2015

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

L 121/16

---

COUNCIL DECISION (EU) 2015/773

of 11 May 2015

establishing the Social Protection Committee and repealing Decision 2004/689/EC

THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION,

Having regard to the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union, and in particular Article 160 thereof,

Having regard to the opinion of the European Parliament,

Whereas:

| (1) | In its Communication ‘A Concerted Strategy for modernising social protection’ of 14 July 1999 the Commission made suggestions for the enhancement of cooperation in the field of social protection by, among other things, setting up a group of high-level officials. |
| --- | --- |

(1)

In its Communication ‘A Concerted Strategy for modernising social protection’ of 14 July 1999 the Commission made suggestions for the enhancement of cooperation in the field of social protection by, among other things, setting up a group of high-level officials.

| (2) | In its resolution of 16 February 2000, the European Parliament welcomed the Commission's communication and the creation of such a group. |
| --- | --- |

(2)

In its resolution of 16 February 2000, the European Parliament welcomed the Commission's communication and the creation of such a group.

| (3) | In its Conclusions of 17 December 1999 on the strengthening of cooperation for modernising and improving social protection (1), the Council supported the Commission's proposal to establish a mechanism for enhanced cooperation, brought about by the work of the group of high-level officials, for the implementation of this action. The Council stressed that this kind of cooperation should cover all forms of social protection and, where necessary, help the Member States to improve and strengthen their social protection systems in accordance with their national priorities. It also recalled the competence of the Member States for the organisation and financing of social protection and endorsed the four broad objectives within the overall challenge of modernising social protection systems as identified by the Commission: namely to make work pay and provide secure income, to make pensions safe and pension systems sustainable, to promote social inclusion and to ensure high quality and sustainable health care. It also underlined that equality between women and men must be mainstreamed in all activities aiming at these four objectives. Finally, the Council recognised that the aspects relating to finance are common to all the objectives. |
| --- | --- |

(3)

In its Conclusions of 17 December 1999 on the strengthening of cooperation for modernising and improving social protection (1), the Council supported the Commission's proposal to establish a mechanism for enhanced cooperation, brought about by the work of the group of high-level officials, for the implementation of this action. The Council stressed that this kind of cooperation should cover all forms of social protection and, where necessary, help the Member States to improve and strengthen their social protection systems in accordance with their national priorities. It also recalled the competence of the Member States for the organisation and financing of social protection and endorsed the four broad objectives within the overall challenge of modernising social protection systems as identified by the Commission: namely to make work pay and provide secure income, to make pensions safe and pension systems sustainable, to promote social inclusion and to ensure high quality and sustainable health care. It also underlined that equality between women and men must be mainstreamed in all activities aiming at these four objectives. Finally, the Council recognised that the aspects relating to finance are common to all the objectives.

| (4) | The conclusions of the Lisbon European Council on 23 and 24 March 2000 acknowledged the importance of social protection in further developing and modernising an active and dynamic welfare state in Europe, and called upon the Council to strengthen cooperation between Member States by exchanging experiences and best practice on the basis of improved information networks. |
| --- | --- |

(4)

The conclusions of the Lisbon European Council on 23 and 24 March 2000 acknowledged the importance of social protection in further developing and modernising an active and dynamic welfare state in Europe, and called upon the Council to strengthen cooperation between Member States by exchanging experiences and best practice on the basis of improved information networks.

| (5) | At Nice and at its subsequent meetings, the European Council has regularly endorsed the work done by the Social Protection Committee in promoting and enhancing the Union policy exchange and coordination of social protection. |
| --- | --- |

(5)

At Nice and at its subsequent meetings, the European Council has regularly endorsed the work done by the Social Protection Committee in promoting and enhancing the Union policy exchange and coordination of social protection.

| (6) | The Social Protection Committee set up by Council Decision 2000/436/EC (2) repealed and replaced by Council Decision 2004/689/EC (3) has clearly demonstrated its utility as an advisory body for both the Council and the Commission and has contributed actively to the development of the Open Method of Coordination (OMC), as established by the Lisbon European Council on 23 and 24 March 2000. The opinion of the Social Protection Committee ‘Reinvigorating the social OMC in the context of the Europe 2020 Strategy’ as endorsed by the Council on 17 June 2011, reaffirms the validity of the objectives and tools of the social OMC. The Committee's role in the framework of the OMC should be reflected in this Decision. |
| --- | --- |

(6)

The Social Protection Committee set up by Council Decision 2000/436/EC (2) repealed and replaced by Council Decision 2004/689/EC (3) has clearly demonstrated its utility as an advisory body for both the Council and the Commission and has contributed actively to the development of the Open Method of Coordination (OMC), as established by the Lisbon European Council on 23 and 24 March 2000. The opinion of the Social Protection Committee ‘Reinvigorating the social OMC in the context of the Europe 2020 Strategy’ as endorsed by the Council on 17 June 2011, reaffirms the validity of the objectives and tools of the social OMC. The Committee's role in the framework of the OMC should be reflected in this Decision.

| (7) | In its conclusions of 27 and 28 June 2013, the European Council stated that the social dimension of the Economic and Monetary Union should be strengthened. As a first step, it is important to better monitor and take into account the social and labour market situation within the Economic and Monetary Union, notably by using appropriate social and employment indicators within the European Semester. It is also important to ensure better coordination of employment and social policies, while fully respecting national competences. |
| --- | --- |

(7)

In its conclusions of 27 and 28 June 2013, the European Council stated that the social dimension of the Economic and Monetary Union should be strengthened. As a first step, it is important to better monitor and take into account the social and labour market situation within the Economic and Monetary Union, notably by using appropriate social and employment indicators within the European Semester. It is also important to ensure better coordination of employment and social policies, while fully respecting national competences.

| (8) | In its conclusions of 24 and 25 October 2013, the European Council stated that the coordination of economic, employment and social policies will be further enhanced in line with existing procedures while fully respecting national competences. The European Council considered that this requires more work to strengthen cooperation between the various Council configurations in order to ensure consistency of those policies in line with the common objectives. |
| --- | --- |

(8)

In its conclusions of 24 and 25 October 2013, the European Council stated that the coordination of economic, employment and social policies will be further enhanced in line with existing procedures while fully respecting national competences. The European Council considered that this requires more work to strengthen cooperation between the various Council configurations in order to ensure consistency of those policies in line with the common objectives.

| (9) | This Decision should reflect the development of the European Semester and the role of the Committee in this process. In particular, Council Regulation (EC) No 1466/97 (4) provides that the Economic and Financial Committee, the Economic Policy Committee, the Employment Committee and the Social Protection Committee are to be consulted within the framework of the European Semester, where appropriate. Moreover, Regulation (EU) No 1176/2011 of the European Parliament and of the Council (5) provides that the in-depth reviews are to take into account, where appropriate, Council recommendations or invitations addressed to Member States. It also provides that a corrective action plan for any Member States for which an excessive imbalance procedure is opened is to take into account the economic and social impact of the policy actions and is to be consistent with the broad economic policy guidelines and the employment guidelines. |
| --- | --- |

(9)

This Decision should reflect the development of the European Semester and the role of the Committee in this process. In particular, Council Regulation (EC) No 1466/97 (4) provides that the Economic and Financial Committee, the Economic Policy Committee, the Employment Committee and the Social Protection Committee are to be consulted within the framework of the European Semester, where appropriate. Moreover, Regulation (EU) No 1176/2011 of the European Parliament and of the Council (5) provides that the in-depth reviews are to take into account, where appropriate, Council recommendations or invitations addressed to Member States. It also provides that a corrective action plan for any Member States for which an excessive imbalance procedure is opened is to take into account the economic and social impact of the policy actions and is to be consistent with the broad economic policy guidelines and the employment guidelines.

| (10) | The Committee and the Union bodies involved in the coordination of economic and social policies, in particular the Employment Committee, the Economic and Financial Committee and the Economic Policy Committee, should work closely together. Where appropriate and mutually agreed between the involved Committees, the Committee's cooperation with the Employment Committee, the Economic and Financial Committee and the Economic Policy Committee may include the organisation of joint meetings, in particular in the context of the Committees' respective roles within the European Semester. |
| --- | --- |

(10)

The Committee and the Union bodies involved in the coordination of economic and social policies, in particular the Employment Committee, the Economic and Financial Committee and the Economic Policy Committee, should work closely together. Where appropriate and mutually agreed between the involved Committees, the Committee's cooperation with the Employment Committee, the Economic and Financial Committee and the Economic Policy Committee may include the organisation of joint meetings, in particular in the context of the Committees' respective roles within the European Semester.

| (11) | In order to effectively deliver on its Treaty mandate and to allow for the necessary flexibility to adapt to the timetable of the activities of the Committee, in particular within the framework of the European Semester cycle, the governance provisions relating to the functioning of the Committee should be revised with a view to ensuring efficiency and continuity. |
| --- | --- |

(11)

In order to effectively deliver on its Treaty mandate and to allow for the necessary flexibility to adapt to the timetable of the activities of the Committee, in particular within the framework of the European Semester cycle, the governance provisions relating to the functioning of the Committee should be revised with a view to ensuring efficiency and continuity.

| (12) | Decision 2004/689/EC should be repealed, |
| --- | --- |

(12)

Decision 2004/689/EC should be repealed,

HAS ADOPTED THIS DECISION:

Article 1

Establishment

A Social Protection Committee (‘the Committee’) with advisory status is hereby established to promote cooperation on social protection policies between Member States and with the Commission, in full compliance with the Treaty and with due regard for the powers of the Union institutions and bodies.

Article 2

Tasks

1.   The tasks of the Committee shall be:

| (a) | to monitor the social situation and the development of social protection policies in the Member States and the Union; |
| --- | --- |

(a)

to monitor the social situation and the development of social protection policies in the Member States and the Union;

| (b) | to promote exchanges of information, experience and good practice between Member States and with the Commission; |
| --- | --- |

(b)

to promote exchanges of information, experience and good practice between Member States and with the Commission;

| (c) | without prejudice to Article 240 of the Treaty, to prepare reports, formulate opinions or undertake other work within its fields of competence, at the request of either the Council or the Commission or on its own initiative. |
| --- | --- |

(c)

without prejudice to Article 240 of the Treaty, to prepare reports, formulate opinions or undertake other work within its fields of competence, at the request of either the Council or the Commission or on its own initiative.

2.   For the purposes of paragraph 1, the Committee shall, in particular, endeavour:

| (a) | to make use of the open method of coordination, including by applying jointly agreed monitoring instruments and implementing mutually agreed evaluation arrangements in the implementation of common objectives agreed by the Council; |
| --- | --- |

(a)

to make use of the open method of coordination, including by applying jointly agreed monitoring instruments and implementing mutually agreed evaluation arrangements in the implementation of common objectives agreed by the Council;

| (b) | to contribute to all aspects of the European Semester within its field of competence and report on them to the Council; |
| --- | --- |

(b)

to contribute to all aspects of the European Semester within its field of competence and report on them to the Council;

| (c) | to work, as appropriate, in cooperation with other relevant bodies and committees dealing with social and economic policy matters, such as the Employment Committee, the Economic and Financial Committee, the Economic Policy Committee and the Working Party on Public Health at Senior Level. |
| --- | --- |

(c)

to work, as appropriate, in cooperation with other relevant bodies and committees dealing with social and economic policy matters, such as the Employment Committee, the Economic and Financial Committee, the Economic Policy Committee and the Working Party on Public Health at Senior Level.

3.   Each year, the Committee shall adopt a work programme, taking into account the policy priorities of the Council and the Commission. The work programme shall be transmitted to the Council.

4.   In fulfilling its mandate, the Committee shall cooperate with the social partners. It shall, in this context, establish contacts with the social partners represented at the Tripartite Social Summit for Growth and Employment established by Council Decision 2003/174/EC (6). The Committee shall establish appropriate contacts with social non-governmental organisations, account being taken of their respective roles and responsibilities in the social protection sphere. The European Parliament shall also be informed of the activities of the Committee.

5.   The Committee may call on external experts where its agenda so requires.

6.   The Committee shall establish contacts with representatives of the candidate countries.

Article 3

Membership

1.   Each Member State and the Commission shall appoint two members of the Committee. They may also appoint two alternate members.

2.   Member States and the Commission shall use their best endeavours to achieve a gender balance in the composition of the Committee.

Article 4

Operation

1.   The Committee shall elect its Chairperson from among the members appointed by the Member States for a term of 2 years. The Chairperson may be re-elected once for a further term of 2 years. The Committee may decide to extend the Chairperson's term by up to 8 months in duly justified cases, to ensure the efficiency and continuity of its work. The Chairperson may serve up to a total of 4 years and 8 months.

2.   The Chairperson shall be assisted by four Vice-Chairpersons of whom two shall be elected by the Committee from among its members for a term of 2 years, which shall be renewable once. The third Vice-Chairperson shall be a representative from the Member State holding the Presidency of the Council. The fourth Vice-Chairperson shall be a representative from the Member State that will hold the next Presidency.

3.   The Chairperson shall delegate his voting right to his alternate.

4.   Meetings of the Committee shall be convened by the Chairperson, either on his own initiative or at the request of at least half of the members of the Committee.

5.   The Committee shall establish its own rules of procedure.

6.   Expenses shall be reimbursed in accordance with the administrative rules in force.

7.   The Commission shall provide adequate analytical and organisational support for the Committee. The Commission shall designate a member of its staff as Secretary. The Secretary and the staff assisting him shall act on the instructions of the Committee when assisting the Committee in carrying out its tasks. The Secretary shall liaise with the General Secretariat of the Council with regard to the holding of meetings.

Article 5

Working groups

1.   The Committee may entrust the study of specific questions to its alternate members or may establish working groups to this end. The Chair of such a working group shall be taken by either a Vice-Chairperson of the Committee, a member or an alternate member of the Committee, a Commission official, or a member of the working group itself appointed by the Committee.

2.   The Commission shall provide adequate analytical and organisational support for the working groups.

3.   The working groups may call upon experts to assist them.

4.   The Committee may equally establish joint working groups with other committees or bodies, the establishment and governing rules of which shall be determined jointly.

Article 6

Transitional provisions

The term of any member elected in accordance with Article 3 of Decision 2004/689/EC shall continue until the end of that term as determined in accordance with Article 4 of this Decision. The date of the beginning of such a term shall be considered to be the date of the election having taken place in accordance with Article 3 of Decision 2004/689/EC.

Article 7

Repeal

Decision 2004/689/EC shall be repealed as from the date of the first meeting of the Committee following the entry into force of this Decision. That meeting of the Committee shall take place no later than 4 months after the date of adoption of this Decision.

Article 8

Entry into force

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

Official Journal of the European Union

Done at Brussels, 11 May 2015.

For the Council

The President

J. DŪKLAVS

---

(1)  
  OJ C 8, 12.1.2000, p. 7.

1

(2)  Council Decision 2000/436/EC of 29 June 2000 setting up a Social Protection Committee (OJ L 172, 12.7.2000, p. 26).

2

(3)  Council Decision 2004/689/EC of 4 October 2004 establishing a Social Protection Committee and repealing Decision 2000/436/EC (OJ L 314, 13.10.2004, p. 8).

3

(4)  Council Regulation (EC) No 1466/97 of 7 July 1997 on the strengthening of the surveillance of budgetary positions and the surveillance and coordination of economic policies (OJ L 209, 2.8.1997, p. 1).

4

(5)  Regulation (EU) No 1176/2011 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 16 November 2011 on the prevention and correction of macroeconomic imbalances (OJ L 306, 23.11.2011, p. 25).

5

(6)  Council Decision 2003/174/EC of 6 March 2003 establishing a Tripartite Social Summit for Growth and Employment (OJ L 70, 14.3.2003, p. 31).

6

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| 14.5.2015 | EN | Official Journal of the European Union | L 121/20 |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |

14.5.2015

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

L 121/20

---

DECISION (EU) 2015/774 OF THE EUROPEAN CENTRAL BANK

of 4 March 2015

on a secondary markets public sector asset purchase programme (ECB/2015/10)

THE GOVERNING COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN CENTRAL BANK,

Having regard to the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union, and in particular to the first indent of Article 127(2) thereof,

Having regard to the Statute of the European System of Central Banks and of the European Central Bank, and in particular to the second subparagraph of Article 12.1 in conjunction with the first indent of Article 3.1, and Article 18.1 thereof,

Whereas:

| (1) | In accordance with Article 18.1 of the Statute of the European System of Central Banks and of the European Central Bank (hereinafter the ‘Statute of the ESCB’), the European Central Bank (ECB), together with the national central banks of the Member States whose currency is the euro (hereinafter the ‘NCBs’) may operate in the financial markets by, among other things, buying and selling marketable instruments outright, in order to achieve the objectives of the ESCB. |
| --- | --- |

(1)

In accordance with Article 18.1 of the Statute of the European System of Central Banks and of the European Central Bank (hereinafter the ‘Statute of the ESCB’), the European Central Bank (ECB), together with the national central banks of the Member States whose currency is the euro (hereinafter the ‘NCBs’) may operate in the financial markets by, among other things, buying and selling marketable instruments outright, in order to achieve the objectives of the ESCB.

| (2) | On 4 September 2014, the Governing Council decided to initiate a third covered bond purchase programme (hereinafter the ‘CBPP3’) and an asset-backed securities purchase programme (ABSPP). Alongside the targeted longer-term refinancing operations introduced in September 2014, these asset purchase programmes are aimed at further enhancing the transmission of monetary policy, facilitating credit provision to the euro area economy, easing borrowing conditions of households and firms and contributing to returning inflation rates to levels closer to 2 %, consistent with the primary objective of the ECB to maintain price stability. |
| --- | --- |

(2)

On 4 September 2014, the Governing Council decided to initiate a third covered bond purchase programme (hereinafter the ‘CBPP3’) and an asset-backed securities purchase programme (ABSPP). Alongside the targeted longer-term refinancing operations introduced in September 2014, these asset purchase programmes are aimed at further enhancing the transmission of monetary policy, facilitating credit provision to the euro area economy, easing borrowing conditions of households and firms and contributing to returning inflation rates to levels closer to 2 %, consistent with the primary objective of the ECB to maintain price stability.

| (3) | On 22 January 2015, the Governing Council decided that asset purchases should be expanded to include a secondary markets public sector asset purchase programme (hereinafter the ‘PSPP’). Under the PSPP the NCBs, in proportions reflecting their respective shares in the ECB's capital key, and the ECB may purchase outright eligible marketable debt securities from eligible counterparties on the secondary markets. This decision was taken as part of the single monetary policy in view of a number of factors that have materially increased the downside risk to the medium-term outlook on price developments, thus jeopardising the achievement of the ECB's primary objective of maintaining price stability. These factors include lower than expected monetary stimulus from adopted monetary policy measures, a downward drift in most indicators of actual and expected euro area inflation — both headline measures and measures excluding the impact of volatile components, such as energy and food — towards historical lows, and the increased potential of second-round effects on wage and price-setting stemming from a significant decline in oil prices. |
| --- | --- |

(3)

On 22 January 2015, the Governing Council decided that asset purchases should be expanded to include a secondary markets public sector asset purchase programme (hereinafter the ‘PSPP’). Under the PSPP the NCBs, in proportions reflecting their respective shares in the ECB's capital key, and the ECB may purchase outright eligible marketable debt securities from eligible counterparties on the secondary markets. This decision was taken as part of the single monetary policy in view of a number of factors that have materially increased the downside risk to the medium-term outlook on price developments, thus jeopardising the achievement of the ECB's primary objective of maintaining price stability. These factors include lower than expected monetary stimulus from adopted monetary policy measures, a downward drift in most indicators of actual and expected euro area inflation — both headline measures and measures excluding the impact of volatile components, such as energy and food — towards historical lows, and the increased potential of second-round effects on wage and price-setting stemming from a significant decline in oil prices.

| (4) | The PSPP is a proportionate measure for mitigating the risks to the outlook on price developments, as it will further ease monetary and financial conditions, including those relevant to the borrowing conditions of euro area non-financial corporations and households, thereby supporting aggregate consumption and investment spending in the euro area and ultimately contributing to a return of inflation rates to levels below but close to 2 % over the medium term. In an environment where key ECB interest rates are at their lower bound, and purchase programmes focussing on private sector assets are judged to have provided measurable, but insufficient, scope to address the prevailing downside risks to price stability, it is necessary to add to the Eurosystem's monetary policy measures the PSPP as an instrument that features a high transmission potential to the real economy. Thanks to its portfolio re-balancing effect, the sizable purchase volume of the PSPP will contribute to achieving the underlying monetary policy objective of inducing financial intermediaries to increase their provision of liquidity to the interbank market and credit to the euro area economy. |
| --- | --- |

(4)

The PSPP is a proportionate measure for mitigating the risks to the outlook on price developments, as it will further ease monetary and financial conditions, including those relevant to the borrowing conditions of euro area non-financial corporations and households, thereby supporting aggregate consumption and investment spending in the euro area and ultimately contributing to a return of inflation rates to levels below but close to 2 % over the medium term. In an environment where key ECB interest rates are at their lower bound, and purchase programmes focussing on private sector assets are judged to have provided measurable, but insufficient, scope to address the prevailing downside risks to price stability, it is necessary to add to the Eurosystem's monetary policy measures the PSPP as an instrument that features a high transmission potential to the real economy. Thanks to its portfolio re-balancing effect, the sizable purchase volume of the PSPP will contribute to achieving the underlying monetary policy objective of inducing financial intermediaries to increase their provision of liquidity to the interbank market and credit to the euro area economy.

| (5) | The PSPP contains a number of safeguards to ensure that the envisaged purchases will be proportionate to its aims, and that the related financial risks have been duly taken into account in its design and will be contained through risk management. To allow for the smooth operation of markets in eligible marketable debt securities, and to avoid obstructing orderly debt restructurings, thresholds will apply to the purchases of those securities by the Eurosystem central banks. |
| --- | --- |

(5)

The PSPP contains a number of safeguards to ensure that the envisaged purchases will be proportionate to its aims, and that the related financial risks have been duly taken into account in its design and will be contained through risk management. To allow for the smooth operation of markets in eligible marketable debt securities, and to avoid obstructing orderly debt restructurings, thresholds will apply to the purchases of those securities by the Eurosystem central banks.

| (6) | The PSPP complies fully with the obligations of the Eurosystem central banks under the Treaties, including the monetary financing prohibition, and does not impair the operation of the Eurosystem in accordance with the principle of an open market economy with free competition. |
| --- | --- |

(6)

The PSPP complies fully with the obligations of the Eurosystem central banks under the Treaties, including the monetary financing prohibition, and does not impair the operation of the Eurosystem in accordance with the principle of an open market economy with free competition.

| (7) | In terms of the size of the PSPP, the ABSPP and the CBPP3, the liquidity provided to the market by the combined monthly purchases will amount to EUR 60 billion. Purchases are intended to be carried out until the end of September 2016 and will, in any case, be conducted until the Governing Council sees a sustained adjustment in the path of inflation which is consistent with its aim of achieving inflation rates below, but close to, 2 % over the medium term. |
| --- | --- |

(7)

In terms of the size of the PSPP, the ABSPP and the CBPP3, the liquidity provided to the market by the combined monthly purchases will amount to EUR 60 billion. Purchases are intended to be carried out until the end of September 2016 and will, in any case, be conducted until the Governing Council sees a sustained adjustment in the path of inflation which is consistent with its aim of achieving inflation rates below, but close to, 2 % over the medium term.

| (8) | With a view to ensuring the effectiveness of the PSPP, the Eurosystem hereby clarifies that it accepts the same (pari passu) treatment as private investors as regards the marketable debt securities that the Eurosystem may purchase under the PSPP, in accordance with the terms of such instruments. |
| --- | --- |

(8)

With a view to ensuring the effectiveness of the PSPP, the Eurosystem hereby clarifies that it accepts the same (pari passu) treatment as private investors as regards the marketable debt securities that the Eurosystem may purchase under the PSPP, in accordance with the terms of such instruments.

| (9) | The purchases of eligible marketable debt instruments by the Eurosystem under the PSPP should be implemented in a decentralised manner, giving due regard to market price formation and market functioning considerations, and coordinated by the ECB, thereby safeguarding the singleness of the Eurosystem's monetary policy, |
| --- | --- |

(9)

The purchases of eligible marketable debt instruments by the Eurosystem under the PSPP should be implemented in a decentralised manner, giving due regard to market price formation and market functioning considerations, and coordinated by the ECB, thereby safeguarding the singleness of the Eurosystem's monetary policy,

HAS ADOPTED THIS DECISION:

Article 1

Establishment and scope of PSPP

The Eurosystem hereby establishes the PSPP under which the Eurosystem central banks shall purchase eligible marketable debt securities, as defined in Article 3, on the secondary markets, from eligible counterparties, as defined in Article 7, under specific conditions.

Article 2

Definitions

For the purposes of this Decision, the following definitions apply:

| (1) | ‘Eurosystem central bank’ means the ECB and the national central banks of the Member States whose currency is the euro (hereinafter the 'NCBs'); |
| --- | --- |

(1)

‘Eurosystem central bank’ means the ECB and the national central banks of the Member States whose currency is the euro (hereinafter the 'NCBs');

| (2) | ‘recognised agency’ means an entity that the Eurosystem has classified as such for the purpose of the PSPP; |
| --- | --- |

(2)

‘recognised agency’ means an entity that the Eurosystem has classified as such for the purpose of the PSPP;

| (3) | ‘international organisation’ means an entity within the meaning of Article 118 of Regulation (EU) No 575/2013 of the European Parliament and of the Council (1) and that the Eurosystem has classified as such for the purpose of the PSPP; |
| --- | --- |

(3)

‘international organisation’ means an entity within the meaning of Article 118 of Regulation (EU) No 575/2013 of the European Parliament and of the Council (1) and that the Eurosystem has classified as such for the purpose of the PSPP;

1

| (4) | ‘multilateral development bank’ means an entity within the meaning of Article 117(2) of Regulation (EU) No 575/2013 and that the Eurosystem has classified as such for the purpose of the PSPP; |
| --- | --- |

(4)

‘multilateral development bank’ means an entity within the meaning of Article 117(2) of Regulation (EU) No 575/2013 and that the Eurosystem has classified as such for the purpose of the PSPP;

| (5) | ‘positive outcome of a review’ means the later of the following two decisions: the decision by the Board of Directors of the European Stability Mechanism and, in case the International Monetary Fund co-finances the financial assistance programme, the Executive Board of the International Monetary Fund to approve the next disbursement under that programme, on the understanding that both decisions are necessary for the resumption of purchases under the PSPP. |
| --- | --- |

(5)

‘positive outcome of a review’ means the later of the following two decisions: the decision by the Board of Directors of the European Stability Mechanism and, in case the International Monetary Fund co-finances the financial assistance programme, the Executive Board of the International Monetary Fund to approve the next disbursement under that programme, on the understanding that both decisions are necessary for the resumption of purchases under the PSPP.

Lists of the entities referred to in points (2) to (4) are published on the ECB's website.

Article 3

Eligibility criteria for marketable debt securities

1.   Subject to requirements laid down in this Article, euro-denominated marketable debt securities issued by central governments of a Member State whose currency is the euro, recognised agencies located in the euro area, international organisations located in the euro area and multilateral development banks located in the euro area shall be eligible for purchases by the Eurosystem central banks under the PSPP. In exceptional circumstances, where the envisaged purchase amount cannot be attained, the Governing Council may decide to purchase marketable debt securities issued by other entities located in the euro area, in accordance with the conditions laid down in paragraph 4.

2.   In order to be eligible for purchases under the PSPP, marketable debt securities shall comply with the eligibility criteria for marketable assets for Eurosystem credit operations pursuant to Annex I to Guideline ECB/2011/14 (2), subject to the following requirements:

| (a) | the issuer or guarantor of the marketable debt securities shall have a credit quality assessment of at least Credit Quality Step 3 in the Eurosystem's harmonised rating scale expressed in the form of at least one public credit rating provided by an external credit assessment institution (ECAI) accepted within the Eurosystem credit assessment framework; |
| --- | --- |

(a)

the issuer or guarantor of the marketable debt securities shall have a credit quality assessment of at least Credit Quality Step 3 in the Eurosystem's harmonised rating scale expressed in the form of at least one public credit rating provided by an external credit assessment institution (ECAI) accepted within the Eurosystem credit assessment framework;

| (b) | if multiple ECAI issuer or ECAI guarantor ratings are available, the first-best rule shall apply, i.e. the best available ECAI issuer or guarantor rating shall apply. If the fulfilment of the credit quality requirements are established based on an ECAI guarantor rating, the guarantee shall fulfil the features of an acceptable guarantee as laid down in Section 6.3.2(c)(i) to (iv) of Annex I to Guideline ECB/2011/14; |
| --- | --- |

(b)

if multiple ECAI issuer or ECAI guarantor ratings are available, the first-best rule shall apply, i.e. the best available ECAI issuer or guarantor rating shall apply. If the fulfilment of the credit quality requirements are established based on an ECAI guarantor rating, the guarantee shall fulfil the features of an acceptable guarantee as laid down in Section 6.3.2(c)(i) to (iv) of Annex I to Guideline ECB/2011/14;

| (c) | if the credit assessment provided by an accepted ECAI for the issuer or guarantor does not comply with at least Credit Quality Step 3 in the Eurosystem's harmonised rating scale, marketable debt securities shall be eligible only if they are issued or fully guaranteed by the central governments of euro area Member States under a financial assistance programme and in respect of which the application of the Eurosystem's credit quality threshold is suspended by the Governing Council pursuant to Article 8 of Guideline ECB/2014/31 (3); |
| --- | --- |

(c)

if the credit assessment provided by an accepted ECAI for the issuer or guarantor does not comply with at least Credit Quality Step 3 in the Eurosystem's harmonised rating scale, marketable debt securities shall be eligible only if they are issued or fully guaranteed by the central governments of euro area Member States under a financial assistance programme and in respect of which the application of the Eurosystem's credit quality threshold is suspended by the Governing Council pursuant to Article 8 of Guideline ECB/2014/31 (3);

| (d) | In the event of a review of an ongoing financial assistance programme, eligibility for PSPP purchases shall be suspended and shall resume only in the event of a positive outcome of the review. |
| --- | --- |

(d)

In the event of a review of an ongoing financial assistance programme, eligibility for PSPP purchases shall be suspended and shall resume only in the event of a positive outcome of the review.

3.   In order to be eligible for purchases under the PSPP, debt securities, within the meaning of paragraphs 1 to 2, shall have a minimum remaining maturity of two years and a maximum remaining maturity of 30 years at the time of their purchase by the relevant Eurosystem central bank. In order to facilitate smooth implementation, marketable debt instruments with a remaining maturity of 30 years and 364 days shall be eligible under the PSPP. National central banks shall also carry out substitute purchases of marketable debt securities issued by international organisations and multilateral development banks if the envisaged amounts to be purchased in marketable debt securities issued by central governments and recognised agencies cannot be attained.

4.   Eurosystem central banks may, in exceptional circumstances, propose to the Governing Council public non-financial corporations located in their jurisdiction as issuers of marketable debt instruments to be purchased as substitutes in case the envisaged amount to be purchased in marketable debt instruments issued by central governments or recognised agencies located in their jurisdiction cannot be attained. The proposed public non-financial corporations shall at least fulfil both of the following criteria:

| — | be a ‘non-financial corporation’ as defined in Regulation (EU) No 549/2013 of the European Parliament and of the Council (4), |
| --- | --- |

—

be a ‘non-financial corporation’ as defined in Regulation (EU) No 549/2013 of the European Parliament and of the Council (4),

| — | be a ‘public sector’ entity, meaning an entity within the meaning of Article 3 of Council Regulation (EC) No 3603/93 (5). |
| --- | --- |

—

be a ‘public sector’ entity, meaning an entity within the meaning of Article 3 of Council Regulation (EC) No 3603/93 (5).

Following approval by the Governing Council, euro-denominated marketable debt instruments issued by such public non-financial corporations located in the euro area which comply with (i) the eligibility criteria for marketable assets as collateral for Eurosystem credit operations, as per Section 6.2.1 of Annex I to Guideline ECB/2011/14; and (ii) the requirements in paragraphs 2 and 3 shall be eligible for purchases as substitutes under the PSPP.

5.   In principle, purchases of nominal marketable debt instruments at a negative yield to maturity (or yield to worst) above the deposit facility rate are permissible.

Article 4

Limitations on the execution of purchases

1.   To permit the formation of a market price for eligible securities, no purchases shall be permitted in a newly issued or tapped security and the marketable debt instruments with a remaining maturity that are close in time, before and after, to the maturity of the marketable debt instruments to be issued, over a period to be determined by the Governing Council (‘blackout period’). For syndications, the blackout period in question is to be respected on a best effort basis before the issuance.

2.   For debt securities issued or fully guaranteed by the central governments of euro area Member States under a financial assistance programme, the period of purchases under the PSPP after a positive outcome of each programme review shall, as a rule, be limited to two months, unless there are exceptional circumstances justifying a suspension of purchases before or a continuation of purchases after such period and until the start of the next review.

Article 5

Purchase limits

1.   Subject to Article 3, an issue share limit per international securities identification number shall apply under the PSPP to marketable debt securities fulfilling the criteria laid down in Article 3, after consolidating holdings in all of the portfolios of the Eurosystem central banks. The limit will initially be set at 25 %, for the first six months of purchases and subsequently reviewed by the Governing Council.

2.   In case of debt securities referred to in Article 3(2)(c), a different issue share limit will apply.

3.   Under the PSPP, an aggregate limit of 33 % of an issuer's outstanding securities shall apply to all eligible marketable debt securities in respect of the maturities defined in Article 3, after consolidating holdings in all of the portfolios of the Eurosystem central banks.

Article 6

Allocation of portfolios

1.   Of the total value of purchased marketable debt securities eligible under PSPP, 12 % shall be purchased in securities issued by eligible international organisations and multilateral development banks, and 88 % shall be purchased in securities issued by eligible central governments and recognised agencies. This allocation is subject to revision by the Governing Council. Purchases in debt securities issued by eligible international organisations and multilateral development banks shall be conducted by NCBs only.

2.   The NCBs' share of the total market value of purchases of marketable debt securities eligible under PSPP shall be 92 %, and the remaining 8 % shall be purchased by the ECB. The distribution of purchases across jurisdictions shall be according to the key for subscription of the ECB's capital as referred to in Article 29 of the Statute of the ESCB.

3.   Eurosystem central banks shall apply a specialisation scheme for the allocation of marketable debt securities to be purchased under the PSPP. The Governing Council shall allow for ad hoc deviations from the specialisation scheme should objective considerations obstruct the achievement of the said scheme or otherwise render deviations advisable in the interests of attaining the overall monetary policy objectives of the PSPP. In particular, each NCB shall purchase eligible securities of issuers of its own jurisdiction. Securities issued by eligible international organisations and multilateral development banks may be purchased by all NCBs. The ECB shall purchase securities issued by central governments and recognised agencies of all jurisdictions.

Article 7

Eligible counterparties

The following shall be eligible counterparties for the PSPP:

| (a) | entities that fulfil the eligibility criteria to participate in Eurosystem monetary policy operations pursuant to Section 2.1 of Annex I to Guideline ECB/2011/14; and |
| --- | --- |

(a)

entities that fulfil the eligibility criteria to participate in Eurosystem monetary policy operations pursuant to Section 2.1 of Annex I to Guideline ECB/2011/14; and

| (b) | any other counterparties that are used by Eurosystem central banks for the investment of their euro-denominated investment portfolios. |
| --- | --- |

(b)

any other counterparties that are used by Eurosystem central banks for the investment of their euro-denominated investment portfolios.

Article 8

Transparency

1.   The Eurosystem shall publish on a weekly basis the aggregate book value of the securities held under the PSPP in the commentary of its consolidated weekly financial statement.

2.   The Eurosystem shall publish on a monthly basis the weighted average residual maturity by issuer residence, separating international organisations and multilateral development banks from other issuers, of its PSPP holdings.

3.   The book value of securities held under the PSPP shall be published on the ECB's website under the open market operations section on a weekly basis.

Article 9

Securities lending

The Eurosystem shall make securities purchased under PSPP available for lending, including repos, with a view to ensuring the effectiveness of the PSPP.

Article 10

Final provision

This Decision shall enter into force on the day following its publication on the ECB's website. It shall apply from 9 March 2015.

Done at Nicosia, 4 March 2015.

The President of the ECB

Mario DRAGHI

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(1)  Regulation (EU) No 575/2013 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 26 June 2013 on prudential requirements for credit institutions and investment firms and amending Regulation (EU) No 648/2012 (OJ L 176, 27.6.2013, p. 1).

1

(2)  Guideline ECB/2011/14 of 20 September 2011 on monetary policy instruments and procedures of the Eurosystem (OJ L 331, 14.12.2011, p. 1).

2

(3)  Guideline ECB/2014/31 of 9 July 2014 on additional temporary measures relating to Eurosystem refinancing operations and eligibility of collateral and amending Guideline ECB/2007/9 (OJ L 240, 13.8.2014, p. 28).

3

(4)  Regulation (EU) No 549/2013 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 21 May 2013 on the European system of national and regional accounts in the European Union (OJ L 174, 26.6.2013, p. 1).

4

(5)  Council Regulation (EC) No 3603/93 of 13 December 1993 specifying definitions for the application of the prohibitions referred to in Articles 104 and 104b (1) of the Treaty (OJ L 332, 31.12.1993, p. 1).

5

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Corrigenda

| 14.5.2015 | EN | Official Journal of the European Union | L 121/25 |
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14.5.2015

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

L 121/25

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Corrigendum to the Additional Protocol to the Agreement on Trade, Development and Cooperation between the European Community and its Member States, of the one part, and the Republic of South Africa, of the other part, to take account of the accession of the Republic of Croatia to the European Union

(
  Official Journal of the European Union L 117 of 8 May 2015
  )

On page 10:

for:

‘Съставено в Кейп Таун на дванадесети март и в Рига на двадесет и седми март две хиляди и петнадесета година.

Hecho en Ciudad del Cabo el doce de marzo y en Riga el veintisiete de marzo de dos mil quince.

V Kapském Městě dne dvanáctého března a v Rize dne dvacátého sedmého března dva tisíce patnáct.

Udfærdiget i Cape Town den tolvte marts og i Riga den syvogtyvende marts to tusind og femten.

Geschehen zu Kapstadt am zwölften März und zu Riga am siebenundzwanzigsten März zweitausendfünfzehn.

Sõlmitud kahe tuhande viieteistkümnenda aasta märtsikuu kaheteistkümnendal päeval Kaplinnas ja kahekümne seitsmendal päeval Riias.

Έγινε στο Κέιπ Τάουν τη δωδέκατη ημέρα του Μαρτίου και στη Ρίγα την εικοστή έβδομη ημέρα του Μαρτίου του έτους δύο χιλιάδες δεκαπέντε.

Done at Cape Town on the twelfth day of March and at Riga on the twenty-seventh day of March in the year two thousand and fifteen.

Fait au Cap, le douze mars, et à Riga, le vingt-sept mars deux mille quinze.

Sastavljeno u Cape Townu dana dvanaestog ožujka te u Rigi dana dvadeset sedmog ožujka godine dvije tisuće petnaeste.

Fatto a Città del Capo il dodici marzo e a Riga il ventisette marzo dell'anno duemilaquindici.

Keiptaunā, divi tūkstoši piecpadsmitā gada divpadsmitajā martā, un Rīgā, divi tūkstoši piecpadsmitā gada divdesmit septītajā martā.

Priimta Keiptaune du tūkstančiai penkioliktųjų metų kovo dvyliktą dieną ir Rygoje kovo dvidešimt septintą dieną.

Kelt Fokvárosban, a kétezer-tizenötödik év március havának tizenkettedik napján, illetve Rigában, március havának huszonhetedik napján.

Magħmul f'Cape Town fit-tnax-il jum ta' Marzu u f'Riga fis-sebgħa u għoxrin jum ta' Marzu tas-sena elfejn u ħmistax.

Gedaan te Kaapstad, de twaalfde maart, en te Riga, de zevenentwintigste maart tweeduizend vijftien.

Sporządzono w Cape Town dnia dwunastego marca oraz w Rydze dnia dwudziestego siódmego marca dwa tysiące piętnastego roku.

Feito na Cidade do Cabo aos doze dias do mês de março e em Riga aos vinte e sete dias do mês de março de dois mil e quinze.

Întocmit la Cape Town, la doisprezece martie și la Riga, la douăzeci și șapte martie, în anul două mii cincisprezece.

V Kapskom Meste dvanásteho marca a v Rige dvadsiateho siedmeho marca roku dvetisíc pätnásť.

V Cape Townu, dvanajstega marca, in v Rigi, sedemindvajsetega marca dva tisoč petnajst.

Tehty Kapkaupungissa kahdentenatoista päivänä maaliskuuta ja Riiassa kahdentenakymmenentenäseitsemäntenä päivänä maaliskuuta vuonna kaksituhattaviisitoista.

Som skedde i Kapstaden den tolfte mars och i Riga den tjugosjunde mars år tjugohundrafemton.’

read:

‘Съставено в Кейп Таун на дванадесети март и в Рига на двадесет и седми март две хиляди и петнадесета година.

Hecho en Ciudad del Cabo el doce de marzo y en Riga el veintisiete de marzo de dos mil quince.

V Kapském Městě dne dvanáctého března a v Rize dne dvacátého sedmého března dva tisíce patnáct.

Udfærdiget i Cape Town den tolvte marts og i Riga den syvogtyvende marts to tusind og femten.

Geschehen zu Kapstadt am zwölften März und zu Riga am siebenundzwanzigsten März zweitausendfünfzehn.

Sõlmitud kahe tuhande viieteistkümnenda aasta märtsikuu kaheteistkümnendal päeval Kaplinnas ja kahekümne seitsmendal päeval Riias.

Έγινε στο Κέιπ Τάουν τη δωδέκατη ημέρα του Μαρτίου και στη Ρίγα την εικοστή έβδομη ημέρα του Μαρτίου του έτους δύο χιλιάδες δεκαπέντε.

Done at Cape Town on the twelfth day of March and at Riga on the twenty-seventh day of March in the year two thousand and fifteen.

Fait au Cap, le douze mars, et à Riga, le vingt-sept mars deux mille quinze.

Sastavljeno u Cape Townu dana dvanaestog ožujka te u Rigi dana dvadeset sedmog ožujka godine dvije tisuće petnaeste.

Fatto a Città del Capo il dodici marzo e a Riga il ventisette marzo dell'anno duemilaquindici.

Keiptaunā, divi tūkstoši piecpadsmitā gada divpadsmitajā martā, un Rīgā, divi tūkstoši piecpadsmitā gada divdesmit septītajā martā.

Priimta Keiptaune du tūkstančiai penkioliktųjų metų kovo dvyliktą dieną ir Rygoje kovo dvidešimt septintą dieną.

Kelt Fokvárosban, a kétezer-tizenötödik év március havának tizenkettedik napján, illetve Rigában, március havának huszonhetedik napján.

Magħmul f'Cape Town fit-tnax-il jum ta' Marzu u f'Riga fis-sebgħa u għoxrin jum ta' Marzu tas-sena elfejn u ħmistax.

Gedaan te Kaapstad, de twaalfde maart, en te Riga, de zevenentwintigste maart tweeduizend vijftien.

Sporządzono w Cape Town dnia dwunastego marca oraz w Rydze dnia dwudziestego siódmego marca dwa tysiące piętnastego roku.

Feito na Cidade do Cabo aos doze dias do mês de março e em Riga aos vinte e sete dias do mês de março de dois mil e quinze.

Întocmit la Cape Town, la doisprezece martie și la Riga, la douăzeci și șapte martie, în anul două mii cincisprezece.

V Kapskom Meste dvanásteho marca a v Rige dvadsiateho siedmeho marca roku dvetisíc pätnásť.

V Cape Townu, dvanajstega marca, in v Rigi, sedemindvajsetega marca dva tisoč petnajst.

Tehty Kapkaupungissa kahdentenatoista päivänä maaliskuuta ja Riiassa kahdentenakymmenentenäseitsemäntenä päivänä maaliskuuta vuonna kaksituhattaviisitoista.

Som skedde i Kapstaden den tolfte mars och i Riga den tjugosjunde mars år tjugohundrafemton.

За държавите-членки

Por los Estados miembros

Za členské státy

For medlemsstaterne

Für die Mitgliedstaaten

Liikmesriikide nimel

Για τα κράτη μέλη

For the Member States

Pour les États membres

Za države članice

Per gli Stati membri

Dalībvalstu vārdā

Valstybių narių vardu

A tagállamok részéről

Għall-Istati Membri

Voor de lidstaten

W imieniu Państw Członkowskich

Pelos Estados-Membros

Pentru statele membre

Za členské štáty

Za države članice

Jäsenvaltioiden puolesta

På medlemsstaternas vägnar

Image 1

За Европейската общнoст

Por la Comunidad Europea

Za Evropské společenství

For Det Europæiske Fællesskab

Für die Europäische Gemeinschaft

Euroopa Ühenduse nimel

Για την Ευρωπαϊκή Κοινότητα

For the European Community

Pour la Communauté européenne

Za Europsku uniju

Per la Comunità europea

Eiropas Kopienas vārdā

Europos bendrijos vardu

az Európai Közösség részéről

Għall-Komunità Ewropea

Voor de Europese Gemeenschap

W imieniu Wspólnoty Europejskiej

Pela Comunidade Europeia

Pentru Comunitatea Europeană

Za Európske spoločenstvo

za Evropsko skupnost

Euroopan yhteisön puolesta

På Europeiska gemenskapens vägnar

Image 2

For the Republic of South Africa

wa Repapoliki ya Afrika Borwa

Ya Rephaboliki ya Afrika Borwa

Wa Rephaboliki ya Aforika Borwa

WeRiphabliki yaseNingizimu Afrika

wa Rephabuliki ya Afurika Tshipembe

Wa Riphabliki ra Afrika-Dzonga

Vir die Republiek van Suid-Afrika

WeRiphabhliki yeSewula Afrika

WeRiphablikhi yoMzantsi Afrika

WeRiphabhulikhi yaseNingizimu Afrika

Image 3

  ’

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