# Official Journal C 39/2018

| | ISSN 1977-091X |
| --- | --- |
| Official Journal
  of the European Union | C 39 |
| | |
| English edition | Information and Notices | Volume 612 February 2018 |

ISSN 1977-091X

Official Journal

of the European Union

C 39

English edition

Information and Notices

Volume 612 February 2018

---

| Notice No | Contents | page |
| --- | --- | --- |
| | II   Information |
| | INFORMATION FROM EUROPEAN UNION INSTITUTIONS, BODIES, OFFICES AND AGENCIES |
| | European Commission |
| 2018/C 39/01 | Non-opposition to a notified concentration (Case M.8715 — CVC/TMF) (
  1
  ) | 1 |

Notice No

Contents

page

II   Information

INFORMATION FROM EUROPEAN UNION INSTITUTIONS, BODIES, OFFICES AND AGENCIES

European Commission

2018/C 39/01

Non-opposition to a notified concentration (Case M.8715 — CVC/TMF) (
  1
  )

1

1

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| | IV   Notices |
| --- | --- |
| | NOTICES FROM EUROPEAN UNION INSTITUTIONS, BODIES, OFFICES AND AGENCIES |
| | European Commission |
| 2018/C 39/02 | Interest rate applied by the European Central Bank to its main refinancing operations: 0,00 % on 1 February 2018 — Euro exchange rates | 2 |
| 2018/C 39/03 | Commission Decision of 30 January 2018 setting up the Strategic Forum for Important Projects of Common European Interest | 3 |
| 2018/C 39/04 | Opinion of the Advisory Committee on restrictive practices and dominant positions given at its meeting of 30 May 2017 regarding a draft decision relating to Case AT.39780 — Envelopes — Rapporteur: Belgium | 8 |
| 2018/C 39/05 | Final Report of the Hearing Officer — Envelopes (re-imposition of a fine) (Case AT.39780) | 9 |
| 2018/C 39/06 | Summary of Commission Decision of 16 June 2017 amending Decision C(2014) 9295 final relating to a proceeding under Article 101 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union and Article 53 of the EEA Agreement (Case AT.39780 — Envelopes) (notified under document number C(2017) 4112) | 10 |
| | Authority for European Political Parties and European Political Foundations |
| 2018/C 39/07 | Decision of the Authority for European Political Parties and European Political Foundations of 20 September 2017 to register New Direction — The Foundation for European Reform | 13 |
| | NOTICES FROM MEMBER STATES |
| 2018/C 39/08 | List of Member States and their competent authorities concerning Articles 15(2), 17(8) and 21(3) of Council Regulation (EC) No 1005/2008 | 24 |

IV   Notices

NOTICES FROM EUROPEAN UNION INSTITUTIONS, BODIES, OFFICES AND AGENCIES

European Commission

2018/C 39/02

Interest rate applied by the European Central Bank to its main refinancing operations: 0,00 % on 1 February 2018 — Euro exchange rates

2

2018/C 39/03

Commission Decision of 30 January 2018 setting up the Strategic Forum for Important Projects of Common European Interest

3

2018/C 39/04

Opinion of the Advisory Committee on restrictive practices and dominant positions given at its meeting of 30 May 2017 regarding a draft decision relating to Case AT.39780 — Envelopes — Rapporteur: Belgium

8

2018/C 39/05

Final Report of the Hearing Officer — Envelopes (re-imposition of a fine) (Case AT.39780)

9

2018/C 39/06

Summary of Commission Decision of 16 June 2017 amending Decision C(2014) 9295 final relating to a proceeding under Article 101 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union and Article 53 of the EEA Agreement (Case AT.39780 — Envelopes) (notified under document number C(2017) 4112)

(notified under document number C(2017) 4112)

10

Authority for European Political Parties and European Political Foundations

2018/C 39/07

Decision of the Authority for European Political Parties and European Political Foundations of 20 September 2017 to register New Direction — The Foundation for European Reform

13

NOTICES FROM MEMBER STATES

2018/C 39/08

List of Member States and their competent authorities concerning Articles 15(2), 17(8) and 21(3) of Council Regulation (EC) No 1005/2008

24

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| | V   Announcements |
| --- | --- |
| | PROCEDURES RELATING TO THE IMPLEMENTATION OF COMPETITION POLICY |
| | European Commission |
| 2018/C 39/09 | Prior notification of a concentration (Case M.8798 — TA Associates/OTPP/Flexera Holdings) — Candidate case for simplified procedure (
  1
  ) | 31 |
| | OTHER ACTS |
| | European Commission |
| 2018/C 39/10 | Publication of an application pursuant to Article 50(2)(a) of Regulation (EU) No 1151/2012 of the European Parliament and of the Council on quality schemes for agricultural products and foodstuffs | 33 |

V   Announcements

PROCEDURES RELATING TO THE IMPLEMENTATION OF COMPETITION POLICY

European Commission

2018/C 39/09

Prior notification of a concentration (Case M.8798 — TA Associates/OTPP/Flexera Holdings) — Candidate case for simplified procedure (
  1
  )

1

31

OTHER ACTS

European Commission

2018/C 39/10

Publication of an application pursuant to Article 50(2)(a) of Regulation (EU) No 1151/2012 of the European Parliament and of the Council on quality schemes for agricultural products and foodstuffs

33

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| | Corrigenda |
| --- | --- |
| 2018/C 39/11 | Corrigendum to Decision of the Authority for European political parties and European political foundations of 27 September 2017 to register Transform Europe ( OJ C 31, 27.1.2018 ) | 37 |
| 2018/C 39/12 | Corrigendum to the statement of revenue and expenditure of the European Monitoring Centre for Drugs and Drug Addiction for the financial year 2017 — amending budget No 1 ( OJ C 311, 19.9.2017 ) | 38 |
| 2018/C 39/13 | Corrigendum to the statement of revenue and expenditure of the European Monitoring Centre for Drugs and Drug Addiction for the financial year 2017 — amending budget No 2 ( OJ C 25, 24.1.2018 ) | 39 |

Corrigenda

2018/C 39/11

Corrigendum to Decision of the Authority for European political parties and European political foundations of 27 September 2017 to register Transform Europe ( OJ C 31, 27.1.2018 )

37

2018/C 39/12

Corrigendum to the statement of revenue and expenditure of the European Monitoring Centre for Drugs and Drug Addiction for the financial year 2017 — amending budget No 1 ( OJ C 311, 19.9.2017 )

38

2018/C 39/13

Corrigendum to the statement of revenue and expenditure of the European Monitoring Centre for Drugs and Drug Addiction for the financial year 2017 — amending budget No 2 ( OJ C 25, 24.1.2018 )

39

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| --- | --- |
| | (1)   Text with EEA relevance. |

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(1)   Text with EEA relevance.

1

| EN | |
| --- | --- |

EN

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II Information

INFORMATION FROM EUROPEAN UNION INSTITUTIONS, BODIES, OFFICES AND AGENCIES

European Commission

| 2.2.2018 | EN | Official Journal of the European Union | C 39/1 |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |

2.2.2018

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 39/1

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Non-opposition to a notified concentration

(Case M.8715 — CVC/TMF)

(Text with EEA relevance)

(2018/C 39/01)

On 29 January 2018, the Commission decided not to oppose the above notified concentration and to declare it compatible with the internal market. This decision is based on Article 6(1)(b) of Council Regulation (EC) No 139/2004 (1). The full text of the decision is available only in English and will be made public after it is cleared of any business secrets it may contain. It will be available:

| — | in the merger section of the Competition website of the Commission (http://ec.europa.eu/competition/mergers/cases/). This website provides various facilities to help locate individual merger decisions, including company, case number, date and sectoral indexes, |
| --- | --- |

—

in the merger section of the Competition website of the Commission (http://ec.europa.eu/competition/mergers/cases/). This website provides various facilities to help locate individual merger decisions, including company, case number, date and sectoral indexes,

| — | in electronic form on the EUR-Lex website (http://eur-lex.europa.eu/homepage.html?locale=en) under document number 32018M8715. EUR-Lex is the online access to European law. |
| --- | --- |

—

in electronic form on the EUR-Lex website (http://eur-lex.europa.eu/homepage.html?locale=en) under document number 32018M8715. EUR-Lex is the online access to European law.

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(1)  OJ L 24, 29.1.2004, p. 1.

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IV Notices

NOTICES FROM EUROPEAN UNION INSTITUTIONS, BODIES, OFFICES AND AGENCIES

European Commission

| 2.2.2018 | EN | Official Journal of the European Union | C 39/2 |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |

2.2.2018

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 39/2

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Interest rate applied by the European Central Bank to its main refinancing operations (1):

0,00 % on 1 February 2018

Euro exchange rates (2)

1 February 2018

(2018/C 39/02)

1 euro =

| | Currency | Exchange rate |
| --- | --- | --- |
| USD | US dollar | 1,2459 |
| JPY | Japanese yen | 136,62 |
| DKK | Danish krone | 7,4428 |
| GBP | Pound sterling | 0,87520 |
| SEK | Swedish krona | 9,8030 |
| CHF | Swiss franc | 1,1603 |
| ISK | Iceland króna | 125,01 |
| NOK | Norwegian krone | 9,5705 |
| BGN | Bulgarian lev | 1,9558 |
| CZK | Czech koruna | 25,267 |
| HUF | Hungarian forint | 310,06 |
| PLN | Polish zloty | 4,1543 |
| RON | Romanian leu | 4,6548 |
| TRY | Turkish lira | 4,6677 |
| AUD | Australian dollar | 1,5567 |
| CAD | Canadian dollar | 1,5348 |
| HKD | Hong Kong dollar | 9,7429 |
| NZD | New Zealand dollar | 1,6944 |
| SGD | Singapore dollar | 1,6352 |
| KRW | South Korean won | 1 334,46 |
| ZAR | South African rand | 14,8245 |
| CNY | Chinese yuan renminbi | 7,8451 |
| HRK | Croatian kuna | 7,4325 |
| IDR | Indonesian rupiah | 16 717,30 |
| MYR | Malaysian ringgit | 4,8640 |
| PHP | Philippine peso | 64,330 |
| RUB | Russian rouble | 70,1220 |
| THB | Thai baht | 39,071 |
| BRL | Brazilian real | 3,9488 |
| MXN | Mexican peso | 23,1310 |
| INR | Indian rupee | 79,7660 |

Currency

Exchange rate

USD

US dollar

1,2459

JPY

Japanese yen

136,62

DKK

Danish krone

7,4428

GBP

Pound sterling

0,87520

SEK

Swedish krona

9,8030

CHF

Swiss franc

1,1603

ISK

Iceland króna

125,01

NOK

Norwegian krone

9,5705

BGN

Bulgarian lev

1,9558

CZK

Czech koruna

25,267

HUF

Hungarian forint

310,06

PLN

Polish zloty

4,1543

RON

Romanian leu

4,6548

TRY

Turkish lira

4,6677

AUD

Australian dollar

1,5567

CAD

Canadian dollar

1,5348

HKD

Hong Kong dollar

9,7429

NZD

New Zealand dollar

1,6944

SGD

Singapore dollar

1,6352

KRW

South Korean won

1 334,46

ZAR

South African rand

14,8245

CNY

Chinese yuan renminbi

7,8451

HRK

Croatian kuna

7,4325

IDR

Indonesian rupiah

16 717,30

MYR

Malaysian ringgit

4,8640

PHP

Philippine peso

64,330

RUB

Russian rouble

70,1220

THB

Thai baht

39,071

BRL

Brazilian real

3,9488

MXN

Mexican peso

23,1310

INR

Indian rupee

79,7660

---

(1)  Rate applied to the most recent operation carried out before the indicated day. In the case of a variable rate tender, the interest rate is the marginal rate.

(2)  Source: reference exchange rate published by the ECB.

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| 2.2.2018 | EN | Official Journal of the European Union | C 39/3 |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |

2.2.2018

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 39/3

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COMMISSION DECISION

of 30 January 2018

setting up the Strategic Forum for Important Projects of Common European Interest

(2018/C 39/03)

THE EUROPEAN COMMISSION,

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

Whereas:

| (1) | Article 173 of the Treaty assigned the Union and the Member States the task of ensuring that the conditions necessary for the competitiveness of the Union’s industry exist. |
| --- | --- |

(1)

Article 173 of the Treaty assigned the Union and the Member States the task of ensuring that the conditions necessary for the competitiveness of the Union’s industry exist.

| (2) | Article 107(3)(b) of the Treaty stipulates that aid to promote the execution of an important project of common European interest may be considered to be compatible with the internal market. |
| --- | --- |

(2)

Article 107(3)(b) of the Treaty stipulates that aid to promote the execution of an important project of common European interest may be considered to be compatible with the internal market.

| (3) | A successful industrial strategy should build on Europe’s strengths and assets in strategic value chains in new technologies, which often requires joint, well-coordinated efforts and investments by public authorities and industries from several Member States. |
| --- | --- |

(3)

A successful industrial strategy should build on Europe’s strengths and assets in strategic value chains in new technologies, which often requires joint, well-coordinated efforts and investments by public authorities and industries from several Member States.

| (4) | A more proactive approach with Member States and industry is necessary to foster new Important Projects of Common European Interest (IPCEI) (1), which can play a vital role in promoting policies and actions in key areas for economic growth. |
| --- | --- |

(4)

A more proactive approach with Member States and industry is necessary to foster new Important Projects of Common European Interest (IPCEI) (1), which can play a vital role in promoting policies and actions in key areas for economic growth.

| (5) | The Communication from the Commission entitled ‘Investing in a smart, innovative and sustainable Industry, A renewed EU Industrial Policy Strategy’ (2) calls for the establishment of a strategic forum involving key stakeholders to identify key value chains and investment projects and monitor progress achieved. |
| --- | --- |

(5)

The Communication from the Commission entitled ‘Investing in a smart, innovative and sustainable Industry, A renewed EU Industrial Policy Strategy’ (2) calls for the establishment of a strategic forum involving key stakeholders to identify key value chains and investment projects and monitor progress achieved.

| (6) | With a view to the above, the Commission needs to call upon the expertise of specialists in an advisory body. |
| --- | --- |

(6)

With a view to the above, the Commission needs to call upon the expertise of specialists in an advisory body.

| (7) | It is therefore necessary to set up a group of experts in the field of strategic value chains and investment projects, in particular in relation to Important Projects of Common European Interest, and to define its tasks, objectives and structure. |
| --- | --- |

(7)

It is therefore necessary to set up a group of experts in the field of strategic value chains and investment projects, in particular in relation to Important Projects of Common European Interest, and to define its tasks, objectives and structure.

| (8) | The group should provide the Commission with advice and expertise, with a view to helping to build a common Union vision on the key value chains for Europe and facilitate agreements to design and take forward new investment projects in key value chains in Europe through cooperation and coordination between public authorities and key stakeholders from several Member States. |
| --- | --- |

(8)

The group should provide the Commission with advice and expertise, with a view to helping to build a common Union vision on the key value chains for Europe and facilitate agreements to design and take forward new investment projects in key value chains in Europe through cooperation and coordination between public authorities and key stakeholders from several Member States.

| (9) | The group should be composed of high-level officials from Member States’ competent authorities, high-level representatives of other public entities, such as Union bodies and international organisations (operating in areas like technology and innovation, energy, transport, investment, economic analysis, security and defence), high-level representatives of organisations representing the interests of academia and research, finance, industry, SMEs, and employees and workers; and individuals appointed in a personal capacity. |
| --- | --- |

(9)

The group should be composed of high-level officials from Member States’ competent authorities, high-level representatives of other public entities, such as Union bodies and international organisations (operating in areas like technology and innovation, energy, transport, investment, economic analysis, security and defence), high-level representatives of organisations representing the interests of academia and research, finance, industry, SMEs, and employees and workers; and individuals appointed in a personal capacity.

| (10) | Rules on disclosure of information by members of the group should be laid down. |
| --- | --- |

(10)

Rules on disclosure of information by members of the group should be laid down.

| (11) | Personal data should be processed in accordance with Regulation (EC) No 45/2001 of the European Parliament and of the Council (3). |
| --- | --- |

(11)

Personal data should be processed in accordance with Regulation (EC) No 45/2001 of the European Parliament and of the Council (3).

| (12) | It is appropriate to fix a period for the application of this Decision. The Commission will in due time consider the advisability of an extension, |
| --- | --- |

(12)

It is appropriate to fix a period for the application of this Decision. The Commission will in due time consider the advisability of an extension,

HAS DECIDED AS FOLLOWS:

Article 1

Subject matter

The Strategic Forum for Important Projects of Common European Interest (‘the group’) is set up.

Article 2

Mandate and tasks

The mandate of the group shall be to facilitate agreements between public authorities and key stakeholders from several Member States for taking forward new Important Projects of Common European Interest and build a common vision at Union level for joint, well-coordinated efforts and investments in key value chains.

The group’s tasks shall be in particular:

| (a) | to advise the Commission on the key value chains for Europe, defined as the value chains of strategic importance for Europe which require joint, well-coordinated actions and investments by public authorities and industries from several Member States to ensure Europe stays or becomes a world industrial leader in key areas; |
| --- | --- |

(a)

to advise the Commission on the key value chains for Europe, defined as the value chains of strategic importance for Europe which require joint, well-coordinated actions and investments by public authorities and industries from several Member States to ensure Europe stays or becomes a world industrial leader in key areas;

| (b) | to help the Commission build a common European vision for these key value chains, shared among Member States and key stakeholders; |
| --- | --- |

(b)

to help the Commission build a common European vision for these key value chains, shared among Member States and key stakeholders;

| (c) | to advise the Commission on the Important Projects of Common European Interest needed within key value chains; |
| --- | --- |

(c)

to advise the Commission on the Important Projects of Common European Interest needed within key value chains;

| (d) | to help the Commission establish cooperation and coordination between public authorities and key stakeholders from several Member States to facilitate agreements to take forward new Important Projects of Common European Interest; |
| --- | --- |

(d)

to help the Commission establish cooperation and coordination between public authorities and key stakeholders from several Member States to facilitate agreements to take forward new Important Projects of Common European Interest;

| (e) | to help the Commission monitor progress achieved; report on bottlenecks or obstacles encountered when designing and taking forward Important Projects of Common European Interest; and propose solutions to overcome these obstacles or bottlenecks; |
| --- | --- |

(e)

to help the Commission monitor progress achieved; report on bottlenecks or obstacles encountered when designing and taking forward Important Projects of Common European Interest; and propose solutions to overcome these obstacles or bottlenecks;

| (f) | to advise the Commission on the accompanying measures necessary to ensure the successful implementation of new Important Projects of Common European Interest; |
| --- | --- |

(f)

to advise the Commission on the accompanying measures necessary to ensure the successful implementation of new Important Projects of Common European Interest;

| (g) | to advise the Commission on alternative solutions for fostering joint, well-coordinated investments in key value chains where an Important Project of Common European Interest is not feasible. |
| --- | --- |

(g)

to advise the Commission on alternative solutions for fostering joint, well-coordinated investments in key value chains where an Important Project of Common European Interest is not feasible.

Article 3

Consultation

The Commission may consult the group on any matter relating to industrial value chains of strategic importance for Europe and related investments.

Article 4

Membership

1.   The group shall be composed of up to 50 members.

2.   Members shall be:

| (a) | individuals appointed in a personal capacity; |
| --- | --- |

(a)

individuals appointed in a personal capacity;

| (b) | organisations representing the interests of academia and research, finance, Industry, SMEs and employees and workers; |
| --- | --- |

(b)

organisations representing the interests of academia and research, finance, Industry, SMEs and employees and workers;

| (c) | Member States’ authorities; |
| --- | --- |

(c)

Member States’ authorities;

| (d) | other public entities. |
| --- | --- |

(d)

other public entities.

3.   Members appointed in a personal capacity shall act independently and in the public interest.

4.   Member States’ authorities, organisations and other public entities shall nominate their representatives and shall be responsible for ensuring that their representatives provide a high level of expertise. The Commission’s Directorate-General for Internal Market, Industry, Entrepreneurship and SMEs (‘DG GROW’) may refuse the nomination of a representative by an organisation if it considers this nomination inappropriate in light of the requirements specified in chapter 4 of the call for applications referred to in Article 5. In such case, the organisation concerned shall be asked to appoint another representative.

5.   Members who are no longer capable of contributing effectively to the expert group’s deliberations, who, in the opinion of the Commission department concerned, do not comply with the conditions set out in Article 339 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union or who resign, shall no longer be invited to participate in any meetings of the group and may be replaced for the remainder of their term of office.

Article 5

Selection process

1.   The selection of the group’s members referred to in Article 4(2)(a) and (b) shall be carried out via a public call for applications, to be published on the Register of Commission expert groups and other similar entities (‘the Register of expert groups’). In addition, the call for applications may be published through other means, including on dedicated websites. The call for applications shall clearly outline the selection criteria, including the required expertise and the interests to be represented in relation to the work to be performed. The minimum deadline for applications shall be four weeks.

2.   Individuals applying to be appointed as members of the group in a personal capacity shall disclose any circumstances that could give rise to a conflict of interest. In particular, the Commission shall require those individuals to submit a declaration of interests (‘DOI’) form on the basis of the standard DOI form for expert groups, together with an updated curriculum vitae (CV), as part of their application. Submission of a duly completed DOI form shall be necessary in order to be eligible to be appointed as a member in a personal capacity. The conflict of interest assessment shall be performed in compliance with the Commission’s horizontal rules on expert groups (‘the horizontal rules’).

3.   Registration in the Transparency Register is required in order for organisations to be appointed.

4.   The members of the group shall be appointed by the Director-General of DG GROW from specialists with competence in the areas referred to in Article 2 and Article 3 and who have responded to the call for applications.

5.   Members shall be appointed for 2 years. They shall remain in office until replaced or until the end of their term of office. Their term of office may be renewed.

6.   DG GROW shall establish a reserve list of suitable candidates that may be used to appoint members’ replacements. DG GROW shall ask applicants for their consent before including their names on the reserve list.

Article 6

Chair

The group shall be chaired by the Director-General of DG GROW.

Article 7

Operation

1.   The group shall act at the request of DG GROW in compliance with the horizontal rules.

2.   Meetings of the group shall, in principle, be held on Commission premises in Brussels.

3.   DG GROW shall provide secretarial services. Commission officials from other departments with an interest in the proceedings may attend meetings of the group and its sub-groups.

4.   In agreement with DG GROW, the group may, by simple majority of its members, decide that deliberations shall be public.

5.   Minutes on the discussion on each point on the agenda and on the opinions delivered by the group shall be meaningful and complete. Minutes shall be drafted by the secretariat under the responsibility of the Chair.

6.   The group shall adopt its opinions, recommendations or reports by consensus. In the event of a vote, the outcome of the vote shall be decided by simple majority of the members. Members who have voted against shall have the right to have a document summarising the reasons for their position annexed to the opinions, recommendations or reports.

Article 8

Sub-groups

1.   DG GROW may set up sub-groups for the purpose of examining specific questions on the basis of terms of reference defined by DG GROW. Sub-groups shall operate in compliance with the horizontal rules and shall report to the group. They shall be dissolved as soon as their mandate is fulfilled.

2.   The members of sub-groups that are not members of the group shall be selected via a public call for applications, in compliance with Article 5 and the horizontal rules.

3.   Individual Members may be appointed as rapporteurs on a specific topic. In between the meetings the work shall be carried out via electronic means.

Article 9

Invited experts

DG GROW may invite experts with specific expertise with respect to a subject matter on the agenda to take part in the work of the group or sub-groups on an ad hoc basis.

Article 10

Observers

1.   Individuals, organisations and public entities may be granted an observer status, in compliance with the horizontal rules, by direct invitation.

2.   Organisations and public entities appointed as observers shall nominate their representatives.

3.   Observers and their representatives may be permitted by the Chair to take part in the discussions of the group and provide expertise. However, they shall not have voting rights and shall not participate in the formulation of recommendations or advice of the group.

Article 11

Rules of procedure

On a proposal by and in agreement with DG GROW the group shall adopt its rules of procedure by simple majority of its members, on the basis of the standard rules of procedure for expert groups, in compliance with the horizontal rules.

Article 12

Professional secrecy and handling of classified information

The members of the group and sub-groups and their representatives, as well as invited experts and observers, are subject to the obligation of professional secrecy, which by virtue of the Treaties and the rules implementing them applies to all members of the institutions and their staff, as well as to the Commission’s rules on security regarding the protection of Union classified information, laid down in Commission Decisions (EU, Euratom) 2015/443 (4) and (EU, Euratom) 2015/444 (5). Should they fail to respect these obligations, the Commission may take all appropriate measures.

Article 13

Transparency

1.   The group and sub-groups shall be registered in the Register of expert groups.

2.   As concerns the group composition, the following data shall be published on the Register of expert groups:

| (a) | the name of individuals appointed in a personal capacity; |
| --- | --- |

(a)

the name of individuals appointed in a personal capacity;

| (b) | the name of member organisations; the interest represented shall be disclosed; |
| --- | --- |

(b)

the name of member organisations; the interest represented shall be disclosed;

| (c) | the name of other public entities; |
| --- | --- |

(c)

the name of other public entities;

| (d) | the name of observers; |
| --- | --- |

(d)

the name of observers;

| (e) | the name of Member States’ authorities. |
| --- | --- |

(e)

the name of Member States’ authorities.

3.   All relevant documents, including the agendas, the minutes and the participants’ submissions, shall be made available either on the Register of expert groups or via a link from the Register to a dedicated website, where this information can be found. Access to dedicated websites shall not be submitted to user registration or any other restriction. In particular, the agenda and other relevant background documents shall be published in due time ahead of the meeting, followed by timely publication of minutes. Exceptions to publication shall only be foreseen where it is deemed that disclosure of a document would undermine the protection of a public or private interest as defined in Article 4 of Regulation (EC) No 1049/2001 of the European Parliament and of the Council (6).

Article 14

Meeting expenses

1.   Participants in the activities of the group and sub-groups shall not be remunerated for the services they offer.

2.   Travel and subsistence expenses incurred by participants in the activities of the group and sub-groups shall be reimbursed by the Commission. Reimbursement shall be made in accordance with the provisions in force within the Commission and within the limits of the available appropriations allocated to the Commission departments under the annual procedure for the allocation of resources.

Article 15

Applicability

This Decision shall apply until 31 May 2020.

Done at Brussels, 30 January 2018.

For the Commission

The President

Jean-Claude JUNCKER

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(1)  The Commission provides State aid rules (Official Journal C 188 of 20 June 2014) specifically designed to guide Member States how to channel public funding towards integrated IPCEI which must have clear spill-over effects for a wider part of the Union economy and society, such as on Key Enabling Technologies (KETs). KETs are knowledge intensive and associated with high R & D intensity, rapid innovation cycles, high capital expenditure and highly-skilled employment – COM/2012/0341.

1

(2)  COM(2017) 479 final.

2

(3)  Regulation (EC) No 45/2001 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 18 December 2000 on the protection of individuals with regard to the processing of personal data by the Community institutions and bodies and on the free movement of such data (OJ L 8, 12.1.2001, p. 1).

3

(4)  Commission Decision (EU, Euratom) 2015/443 of 13 March 2015 on Security in the Commission (OJ L 72, 17.3.2015, p. 41).

4

(5)  Commission Decision (EU, Euratom) 2015/444 of 13 March 2015 on the security rules for protecting EU classified information (OJ L 72, 17.3.2015, p. 53).

5

(6)  These exceptions are intended to protect public security, military affairs, international relations, financial, monetary or economic policy, privacy and integrity of the individual, commercial interests, court proceedings and legal advice, inspections/investigations/audits and the institution’s decision-making process.

6

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| 2.2.2018 | EN | Official Journal of the European Union | C 39/8 |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |

2.2.2018

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 39/8

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Opinion of the Advisory Committee on restrictive practices and dominant positions given at its meeting of 30 May 2017 regarding a draft decision relating to Case AT.39780 — Envelopes

Rapporteur: Belgium

(2018/C 39/04)

| (1) | The Advisory Committee agrees with the Commission that the proceedings concerning Printeos SA can be concluded by means of a decision pursuant to Article 7(1) of Regulation (EC) No 1/2003. |
| --- | --- |

(1)

The Advisory Committee agrees with the Commission that the proceedings concerning Printeos SA can be concluded by means of a decision pursuant to Article 7(1) of Regulation (EC) No 1/2003.

| (2) | The Advisory Committee shares the Commission’s assessment of the fine to be imposed on Printeos SA expressed in its draft Decision as communicated to the Advisory Committee on 30 May 2017 under Article 101 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union (‘TFEU’) and Article 53 of the EEA Agreement. |
| --- | --- |

(2)

The Advisory Committee shares the Commission’s assessment of the fine to be imposed on Printeos SA expressed in its draft Decision as communicated to the Advisory Committee on 30 May 2017 under Article 101 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union (‘TFEU’) and Article 53 of the EEA Agreement.

| (3) | The Advisory Committee recommends the publication of its opinion in the Official Journal of the European Union. |
| --- | --- |

(3)

The Advisory Committee recommends the publication of its opinion in the Official Journal of the European Union.

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| 2.2.2018 | EN | Official Journal of the European Union | C 39/9 |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |

2.2.2018

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 39/9

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Final Report of the Hearing Officer (1)

Envelopes (re-imposition of a fine)

(Case AT.39780)

(2018/C 39/05)

The draft Decision amends the Commission’s previous decision of 10 December 2014 in the Envelopes case (hereafter: ‘the 2014 Decision’) (2). The amendment concerns five companies (Printeos SA, Printeos Cartera Industrial SL (3), Tompla Scandinavia AB, Tompla France SARL, and Tompla Druckerzeugnisse Vertriebs GmbH) belonging to the same undertaking (hereafter collectively ‘Printeos’).

Following the settlement procedure in cartel cases, the 2014 Decision found that five undertakings, including Printeos, had participated in a cartel in violation of Article 101 TFEU and Article 53 EEA and imposed fines on all the companies concerned.

Printeos brought an action against the 2014 Decision before the General Court, seeking annulment only of the fine, not of the finding of the infringement. By judgment of 13 December 2016, the General Court annulled the part of the 2014 Decision imposing the fine on Printeos, on the ground of failure to state adequate reasons as to the relative amounts of the fines imposed on the five undertakings (4).

By letter of 29 March 2017, the Directorate-General for Competition informed Printeos of the intention to adopt a fresh decision, re-imposing the same fine on Printeos, now with adequate reasoning, and invited Printeos to submit comments.

In its response of 17 April 2017, Printeos argues that the adoption of a new decision would infringe the ne bis in idem principle, because the 2014 Decision still exists and is final.

In my view, the adoption of the draft Decision does not infringe the ne bis in idem principle. According to the case-law of the Court of Justice, this principle ‘merely prohibits a fresh assessment in depth of the alleged commission of an offence which would result in the imposition of either a second penalty, in addition to the first, in the event that liability is established a second time, or a first penalty in the event that liability not established by the first decision is established by the second’ (5). The draft decision corresponds to neither of those two prohibited scenarios: liability was established in the 2014 Decision, and the draft Decision neither establishes liability a second time nor imposes a second fine in addition to a first fine, but merely re-imposes the first fine, following the annulment of that first fine by the General Court. Given that the General Court has not exercised its unlimited jurisdiction with regard to the fine, but merely annulled the fine because of inadequate reasoning, the Commission has not lost its power to impose the fine again (6).

Pursuant to Article 16 of Decision 2011/695/EU, I have examined whether the draft decision deals only with objections in respect of which the parties have been afforded the opportunity of making known their views. My conclusion is that it does.

Overall, I consider that the effective exercise of procedural rights has been respected in this case.

Brussels, 9 June 2017.

Wouter WILS

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(1)  Pursuant to Articles 16 and 17 of Decision 2011/695/EU of the President of the European Commission of 13 October 2011 on the function and terms of reference of the hearing officer in certain competition proceedings (OJ L 275, 20.10.2011, p. 29) (‘Decision 2011/695/EU’).

1

(2)  Commission Decision C(2014) 9295 final of 10 December 2014. A summary of the decision has been published in the Official Journal, OJ C 74, 3.3.2015, p. 5, together with the Hearing Officer’s Final Report (OJ C 74, 3.3.2015, p. 4).

2

(3)  Formerly named Tompla Sobre Exprés SL.

3

(4)  Judgment in Printeos v Commission, T-95/15, EU: T:2016:722.

4

Printeos

Commission

(5)  Judgment in Limburgse Vinyl Maatschappij and Others v Commission, C-238/99 P, C-244/99 P, C-245/99 P, C-247/99 P, C-250/99 P, C-251/99 P, C-252/99 P and C-254/99 P, EU:C:2002:582, paragraph 61.

5

Limburgse Vinyl Maatschappij and Others

Commission

(6)  Idem, paragraph 693.

6

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| 2.2.2018 | EN | Official Journal of the European Union | C 39/10 |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |

2.2.2018

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 39/10

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Summary of Commission Decision

of 16 June 2017

amending Decision C(2014) 9295 final relating to a proceeding under Article 101 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union and Article 53 of the EEA Agreement

(Case AT.39780 — Envelopes)

(notified under document number C(2017) 4112)

(Only the English text is authentic)

(2018/C 39/06)

On 16 June 2017, the Commission adopted a decision amending a decision relating to a proceeding under Article 101 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union and Article 53 of the EEA Agreement. In accordance with the provisions of Article 30 of Council Regulation (EC) No 1/2003
   (1), the Commission herewith publishes the names of the parties and the main content of the decision, including any penalties imposed, having regard to the legitimate interest of undertakings in the protection of their business secrets.

1.   INTRODUCTION

| (1) | The Decision relates to a single and continuous infringement of Article 101 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union and Article 53 of the EEA Agreement. |
| --- | --- |

(1)

The Decision relates to a single and continuous infringement of Article 101 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union and Article 53 of the EEA Agreement.

| (2) | The infringement concerns stock/catalogue envelopes and special printed (transactional and/or bespoke) envelopes of all shapes, colours and sizes. Standard/catalogue envelopes are envelopes of different sizes without print (branded/private label or no label), which are usually acquired in bulk on the basis of manufacturers' catalogues. Special printed (transactional and/or bespoke) envelopes are printed envelopes specifically designed and produced according to customers' specifications. |
| --- | --- |

(2)

The infringement concerns stock/catalogue envelopes and special printed (transactional and/or bespoke) envelopes of all shapes, colours and sizes. Standard/catalogue envelopes are envelopes of different sizes without print (branded/private label or no label), which are usually acquired in bulk on the basis of manufacturers' catalogues. Special printed (transactional and/or bespoke) envelopes are printed envelopes specifically designed and produced according to customers' specifications.

2.   CASE DESCRIPTION

2.1.   Procedure

| (3) | The investigation started as an ex-officio case, on the basis of information received from an informant. Following inspections, several undertakings, including Tompla (now ‘Printeos’), applied for a reduction of the fine under the Leniency Notice. |
| --- | --- |

(3)

The investigation started as an ex-officio case, on the basis of information received from an informant. Following inspections, several undertakings, including Tompla (now ‘Printeos’), applied for a reduction of the fine under the Leniency Notice.

| (4) | Settlement meetings took place between each party and the Commission between January and October 2014. In November 2014, all parties submitted a formal request to the Commission to settle the case under the terms of Commission Regulation (EC) No 773/2004 (2). |
| --- | --- |

(4)

Settlement meetings took place between each party and the Commission between January and October 2014. In November 2014, all parties submitted a formal request to the Commission to settle the case under the terms of Commission Regulation (EC) No 773/2004 (2).

| (5) | On 18 November 2014, the Commission adopted a Statement of Objections. In line with the settlement procedure, this was followed by the parties' immediate replies that the SO corresponded with their settlement submissions. |
| --- | --- |

(5)

On 18 November 2014, the Commission adopted a Statement of Objections. In line with the settlement procedure, this was followed by the parties' immediate replies that the SO corresponded with their settlement submissions.

| (6) | In December 2014, the Commission imposed fines totalling EUR 19 485 000 upon five undertakings, including fines of EUR 4 729 000 on five legal entities belonging to the Printeos group (Printeos SA, Tompla Sobre Expres SL, Tompla Scandinavia AB, Tompla France SARL and Tompla Druckerzeugnisse Vertriebs GmbH (collectively formerly known as ‘Tompla’, now ‘Printeos’) (3). |
| --- | --- |

(6)

In December 2014, the Commission imposed fines totalling EUR 19 485 000 upon five undertakings, including fines of EUR 4 729 000 on five legal entities belonging to the Printeos group (Printeos SA, Tompla Sobre Expres SL, Tompla Scandinavia AB, Tompla France SARL and Tompla Druckerzeugnisse Vertriebs GmbH (collectively formerly known as ‘Tompla’, now ‘Printeos’) (3).

| (7) | The 2014 Decision was adopted in the context of the settlement procedure within the meaning of Article 10a of Regulation (EC) No 773/2004 and the Commission Notice on the conduct of settlement procedures in view of the adoption of Decisions pursuant to Article 7 and Article 23 of Council Regulation (EC) No 1/2003 in cartel cases (4) (‘the Settlement Notice’). |
| --- | --- |

(7)

The 2014 Decision was adopted in the context of the settlement procedure within the meaning of Article 10a of Regulation (EC) No 773/2004 and the Commission Notice on the conduct of settlement procedures in view of the adoption of Decisions pursuant to Article 7 and Article 23 of Council Regulation (EC) No 1/2003 in cartel cases (4) (‘the Settlement Notice’).

| (8) | Following an appeal by Printeos against the fine it received, in December 2016 the General Court delivered a judgment (5) in which it annulled the fine imposed on Printeos for lack of sufficient reasoning in relation to the calculation of the fine. |
| --- | --- |

(8)

Following an appeal by Printeos against the fine it received, in December 2016 the General Court delivered a judgment (5) in which it annulled the fine imposed on Printeos for lack of sufficient reasoning in relation to the calculation of the fine.

| (9) | In order to comply with the Judgment, by letter dated 29 March 2017 (6), the Commission informed Printeos that it intended to adopt a new decision in order to impose a fine. On 17 April 2017, Printeos replied to the letter of 29 March 2017 (7) and outlined arguments as to why the undertaking believed that the Commission may not adopt a second decision. |
| --- | --- |

(9)

In order to comply with the Judgment, by letter dated 29 March 2017 (6), the Commission informed Printeos that it intended to adopt a new decision in order to impose a fine. On 17 April 2017, Printeos replied to the letter of 29 March 2017 (7) and outlined arguments as to why the undertaking believed that the Commission may not adopt a second decision.

| (10) | As the annulment of the fine of the 2014 Decision did not affect either the finding of the infringement in the 2014 decision or the legality of the preparatory acts, the Commission took up the procedure to the extent that and at the point at which the illegality occurred, i.e. the imposition of the fine in the 2014 Decision vitiated by a defective statement of reasons. |
| --- | --- |

(10)

As the annulment of the fine of the 2014 Decision did not affect either the finding of the infringement in the 2014 decision or the legality of the preparatory acts, the Commission took up the procedure to the extent that and at the point at which the illegality occurred, i.e. the imposition of the fine in the 2014 Decision vitiated by a defective statement of reasons.

| (11) | On 30 May 2017, the Advisory Committee on Restrictive Practices and Dominant Positions issued a favourable opinion on the decision. On 9 June 2017, the Hearing Officer issued a report which concurs with the Commission's assessment of the case in relation to the arguments raised by Printeos. |
| --- | --- |

(11)

On 30 May 2017, the Advisory Committee on Restrictive Practices and Dominant Positions issued a favourable opinion on the decision. On 9 June 2017, the Hearing Officer issued a report which concurs with the Commission's assessment of the case in relation to the arguments raised by Printeos.

| (12) | The Commission adopted the Decision on 16 June 2017. |
| --- | --- |

(12)

The Commission adopted the Decision on 16 June 2017.

| (13) | In line with the Judgment, the Decision provides further information on the facts that were taken into account in the 2014 Decision and explains in more detail the methodology that was applied by the Commission in reliance upon point 37 of the Commission's Guidelines in order to adjust the basic amount of the fine. The decision also substantiates the Commission's assessment of the case in relation to the arguments raised by Printeos in its letter of 17 April 2017 and imposes the same fine as set in the 2014 Decision for its participation in the infringement found in Article 1 of the 2014 Decision. |
| --- | --- |

(13)

In line with the Judgment, the Decision provides further information on the facts that were taken into account in the 2014 Decision and explains in more detail the methodology that was applied by the Commission in reliance upon point 37 of the Commission's Guidelines in order to adjust the basic amount of the fine. The decision also substantiates the Commission's assessment of the case in relation to the arguments raised by Printeos in its letter of 17 April 2017 and imposes the same fine as set in the 2014 Decision for its participation in the infringement found in Article 1 of the 2014 Decision.

2.2.   Addressees and duration

| (14) | The decision is addressed to the five legal entities of the Printeos Group: PRINTEOS SA, PRINTEOS CARTERA INDUSTRIAL SL (formerly TOMPLA SOBRE EXPRES SL), TOMPLA SCANDINAVIA AB, TOMPLA FRANCE SARL and TOMPLA DRUCKERZEUGNISSE VERTRIEBS GmbH. |
| --- | --- |

(14)

The decision is addressed to the five legal entities of the Printeos Group: PRINTEOS SA, PRINTEOS CARTERA INDUSTRIAL SL (formerly TOMPLA SOBRE EXPRES SL), TOMPLA SCANDINAVIA AB, TOMPLA FRANCE SARL and TOMPLA DRUCKERZEUGNISSE VERTRIEBS GmbH.

| (15) | As found in the 2014 Decision, Printeos infringed Article 101 of the Treaty and Article 53 of the EEA Agreement, by participating in anticompetitive practices in respect to the supply of paper envelopes between 8 October 2003 and 22 April 2008. |
| --- | --- |

(15)

As found in the 2014 Decision, Printeos infringed Article 101 of the Treaty and Article 53 of the EEA Agreement, by participating in anticompetitive practices in respect to the supply of paper envelopes between 8 October 2003 and 22 April 2008.

2.3.   Summary of the infringement

| (16) | The infringement is as described by the 2014 Decision. In line with the description of the infringement in that decision, the infringement consisted of price coordination, customer allocation and exchanges of commercially sensitive information relating to stock/catalogue envelopes (8) and special printed (transactional/bespoke) envelopes (9). This single and continuous infringement covered the territories of Denmark, France, Germany, Norway, Sweden and the United Kingdom. |
| --- | --- |

(16)

The infringement is as described by the 2014 Decision. In line with the description of the infringement in that decision, the infringement consisted of price coordination, customer allocation and exchanges of commercially sensitive information relating to stock/catalogue envelopes (8) and special printed (transactional/bespoke) envelopes (9). This single and continuous infringement covered the territories of Denmark, France, Germany, Norway, Sweden and the United Kingdom.

2.4.   Remedies

| (17) | The Decision applies the 2006 Guidelines on Fines (10) and imposes fines on the five legal entities in the Printeos group as listed under point 2.2 above. |
| --- | --- |

(17)

The Decision applies the 2006 Guidelines on Fines (10) and imposes fines on the five legal entities in the Printeos group as listed under point 2.2 above.

2.4.1.   Basic amount of the fine

| (18) | In setting the fines, the Commission took into account the undertakings' sales of stock/catalogue and special printed envelopes in the last full business year prior to the end of the cartel, the fact that price coordination arrangements are amongst the most harmful restrictions of competition, the duration of the cartel and an additional amount to deter undertakings from entering into price coordination practices. |
| --- | --- |

(18)

In setting the fines, the Commission took into account the undertakings' sales of stock/catalogue and special printed envelopes in the last full business year prior to the end of the cartel, the fact that price coordination arrangements are amongst the most harmful restrictions of competition, the duration of the cartel and an additional amount to deter undertakings from entering into price coordination practices.

2.4.2.   Adjustments to the basic amount

| (19) | The Commission did not apply any aggravating circumstances. |
| --- | --- |

(19)

The Commission did not apply any aggravating circumstances.

2.4.3.   Adaption of the adjusted basic amount

| (20) | The fine is calculated on the basis of the same parameters that were used when setting the original fine in the 2014 Decision. In view of the specific circumstances of the case, the Commission exercised its discretion in accordance with point 37 of the 2006 Fines Guidelines and adapted the fine in a way that takes into account the proportion of the sales of the cartelised product in relation to the total turnover and the differences between the parties in view of their individual participation in the infringement. This means that Printeos benefits from the discretionary reduction that was provided further to Article 37 of the Fines Guidelines to all addressees of the 2014 Decision. |
| --- | --- |

(20)

The fine is calculated on the basis of the same parameters that were used when setting the original fine in the 2014 Decision. In view of the specific circumstances of the case, the Commission exercised its discretion in accordance with point 37 of the 2006 Fines Guidelines and adapted the fine in a way that takes into account the proportion of the sales of the cartelised product in relation to the total turnover and the differences between the parties in view of their individual participation in the infringement. This means that Printeos benefits from the discretionary reduction that was provided further to Article 37 of the Fines Guidelines to all addressees of the 2014 Decision.

| (21) | The fine stays within the range that was disclosed and accepted by Printeos in the context of the settlement procedure. It does not exceed 10 % of Printeos' total turnover in 2015 or its estimated total turnover in 2016. |
| --- | --- |

(21)

The fine stays within the range that was disclosed and accepted by Printeos in the context of the settlement procedure. It does not exceed 10 % of Printeos' total turnover in 2015 or its estimated total turnover in 2016.

2.4.4.   Application of the 10 % turnover limit

| (22) | In this case, the fine does not exceed 10 % of Printeos' total turnover for 2015 or its estimated turnover for 2016. |
| --- | --- |

(22)

In this case, the fine does not exceed 10 % of Printeos' total turnover for 2015 or its estimated turnover for 2016.

2.4.5.   Application of the 2006 Leniency Notice

| (23) | The Commission granted a 50 % reduction of the fine to Printeos. |
| --- | --- |

(23)

The Commission granted a 50 % reduction of the fine to Printeos.

2.4.6.   Application of the Settlement Notice

| (24) | As a result of the application of the Settlement Notice, the amount of the fine for Printeos was reduced by 10 %. |
| --- | --- |

(24)

As a result of the application of the Settlement Notice, the amount of the fine for Printeos was reduced by 10 %.

3.   CONCLUSION

| (25) | The following fine was imposed pursuant to Article 23(2) of Regulation (EC) No 1/2003:
  PRINTEOS SA, PRINTEOS CARTERA INDUSTRIAL SL (formerly TOMPLA SOBRE EXPRES SL), TOMPLA SCANDINAVIA AB, TOMPLA FRANCE SARL and TOMPLA DRUCKERZEUGNISSE VERTRIEBS GmbH, jointly and severally liable: EUR 4 729 000. |
| --- | --- |

(25)

The following fine was imposed pursuant to Article 23(2) of Regulation (EC) No 1/2003:

PRINTEOS SA, PRINTEOS CARTERA INDUSTRIAL SL (formerly TOMPLA SOBRE EXPRES SL), TOMPLA SCANDINAVIA AB, TOMPLA FRANCE SARL and TOMPLA DRUCKERZEUGNISSE VERTRIEBS GmbH, jointly and severally liable: EUR 4 729 000.

---

(1)  OJ L 1, 4.1.2003, p. 1. Regulation as amended by Regulation (EC) No 411/2004 (OJ L 68, 6.3.2004, p. 1).

(2)  Commission Regulation (EC) No 773/2004 of 7 April 2004 relating to the conduct of proceedings by the Commission pursuant to Articles 81 and 82 of the EC Treaty (OJ L 123, 27.4.2004, p. 18).

(3)  On 15 July 2015, the name of Tompla Sobre Expres SL was changed to Printeos Cartera Industrial SL.

(4)  OJ C 167, 2.7.2008, p. 1.

(5)  Case T-95/15, Printeos, SA and Others v European Commission, EU:T:2016:722.

(6)  Letter of 29 March 2017, reference *D/2017/022104 COMP/G-2/MJ/dlj.

(7)  Printeos had already in a letter dated 3 March 2017 informed the Commission's services that it believed that the Commission could not adopt a second decision on the same facts and against the same undertakings, since this would infringe Printeos' fundamental right of ne bis in idem guaranteed in Article 50 of the Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union and Article 4(1) of Protocol No 7 of the European Convention on Human Rights.

(8)  Standard, plain envelopes which can be chosen from the manufacturer's standard catalogue and can be bought off-the-shelf in large quantities.

(9)  Special printed envelopes (transactional and/or bespoke) are designed and produced to the customer specification. They are used in the direct mail and also for sending utilities invoices, bank statements, etc.

(10)  OJ C 210, 1.9.2006, p. 2.

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Authority for European Political Parties and European Political Foundations

| 2.2.2018 | EN | Official Journal of the European Union | C 39/13 |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |

2.2.2018

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 39/13

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Decision of the Authority for European Political Parties and European Political Foundations

of 20 September 2017

to register New Direction — The Foundation for European Reform

(Only the English text is authentic)

(2018/C 39/07)

THE AUTHORITY FOR EUROPEAN POLITICAL PARTIES AND EUROPEAN POLITICAL FOUNDATIONS,

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

Having regard to Regulation (EU, Euratom) No 1141/2014 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 22 October 2014 on the statute and funding of European political parties and European political foundations (1), in particular Article 9 thereof,

Having regard to the application received from New Direction — The Foundation for European Reform,

Whereas:

| (1) | The Authority for European political parties and European political foundations (‘Authority’) received an application for registration as a European political foundation under Article 8(1) of Regulation (EU, Euratom) No 1141/2014 from New Direction — The Foundation for European Reform (the ‘applicant’) on 05/09/2017 and a revised version of part of that application on 14/09/2017, |
| --- | --- |

(1)

The Authority for European political parties and European political foundations (‘Authority’) received an application for registration as a European political foundation under Article 8(1) of Regulation (EU, Euratom) No 1141/2014 from New Direction — The Foundation for European Reform (the ‘applicant’) on 05/09/2017 and a revised version of part of that application on 14/09/2017,

| (2) | The applicant submitted documents proving that it satisfies the conditions laid down in Article 3 of Regulation (EU, Euratom) No 1141/2014, the declaration in the form set out in the Annex to that Regulation, and the statutes of the applicant, containing the provisions required by Article 5 of that Regulation, |
| --- | --- |

(2)

The applicant submitted documents proving that it satisfies the conditions laid down in Article 3 of Regulation (EU, Euratom) No 1141/2014, the declaration in the form set out in the Annex to that Regulation, and the statutes of the applicant, containing the provisions required by Article 5 of that Regulation,

| (3) | The application is further supported by a statement by notary Pieter Herman pursuant to Article 15(2) of Regulation (EU, Euratom) No 1141/2014 certifying that the applicant has its seat in Belgium and that the applicant’s statutes are in conformity with the relevant provisions of national law, |
| --- | --- |

(3)

The application is further supported by a statement by notary Pieter Herman pursuant to Article 15(2) of Regulation (EU, Euratom) No 1141/2014 certifying that the applicant has its seat in Belgium and that the applicant’s statutes are in conformity with the relevant provisions of national law,

| (4) | The applicant submitted additional documents in accordance with Articles 1 and 2 of Commission Delegated Regulation (EU, Euratom) 2015/2401 (2), |
| --- | --- |

(4)

The applicant submitted additional documents in accordance with Articles 1 and 2 of Commission Delegated Regulation (EU, Euratom) 2015/2401 (2),

| (5) | Pursuant to Article 9 of Regulation (EU, Euratom) No 1141/2014, the Authority has examined the application and supporting documentation submitted, and considers that the applicant satisfies the conditions for registration laid down in Article 3 of that Regulation and that the statutes contain the provisions required by Article 5 of that Regulation, |
| --- | --- |

(5)

Pursuant to Article 9 of Regulation (EU, Euratom) No 1141/2014, the Authority has examined the application and supporting documentation submitted, and considers that the applicant satisfies the conditions for registration laid down in Article 3 of that Regulation and that the statutes contain the provisions required by Article 5 of that Regulation,

HAS ADOPTED THIS DECISION:

Article 1

New Direction — The Foundation for European Reform is hereby registered as a European political foundation.

It shall acquire European legal personality on the date of the publication of this Decision in the Official Journal of the European Union.

Article 2

This Decision shall take effect on the day of its notification.

Article 3

This Decision is addressed to

| New Direction — The Foundation for European Reform |
| --- |
| Rue du Trône/Troonstraat 4 |
| 1000 Bruxelles/Brussel |
| BELGIQUE/BELGIË |

New Direction — The Foundation for European Reform

Rue du Trône/Troonstraat 4

1000 Bruxelles/Brussel

BELGIQUE/BELGIË

Done at Brussels, 20 September 2017.

For the Authority for European political parties and European political foundations

The Director

M. ADAM

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(1)  OJ L 317, 4.11.2014, p. 1.

1

(2)  Commission Delegated Regulation (EU, Euratom) 2015/2401 of 2 October 2015 on the content and functioning of the Register of European political parties and foundations (OJ L 333, 19.12.2015, p 50).

2

---

ANNEX

Image

ADOPTED BY GENERAL ASSEMBLY ON 13 JULY 2017

REGISTERED WITH MONITEUR BELGE 17 AUGUST 2017

ARTICLES OF ASSOCIATION OF THE APPLICANT — ENGLISH VERSION

‘NEW DIRECTION – THE FOUNDATION FOR EUROPEAN REFORM’

I.   NAME AND GENERAL PROVISIONS

| 1. | ‘New Direction – The Foundation for European Reform FPEU’ (hereafter referred to as ‘The Foundation’) is a European political foundation that does not pursue profit goals, is an entity which: (i) is formally affiliated with The Alliance of Conservatives and Reformists in Europe (hereafter referred to as ‘ACRE’), which (ii) is registered with the Authority for European Political Parties and Foundations (‘Authority’) in accordance with the conditions and procedures laid down in Regulation Number 1141/2014 (‘the Regulation’) of the European Parliament and of The Council of 22 October 2014 on the statute and funding of European political parties and European political foundations, and the provisions of Title I, Chapter I, and of Title III quater of the Belgian Act of 27 June 1921 regarding non-profit associations, international non-profit associations and foundations, European political parties and European political foundations (‘the Act’).
  The Foundation has legal personality in accordance with ‘the Regulation’ and ‘the Act’. |
| --- | --- |

1.

‘New Direction – The Foundation for European Reform FPEU’ (hereafter referred to as ‘The Foundation’) is a European political foundation that does not pursue profit goals, is an entity which: (i) is formally affiliated with The Alliance of Conservatives and Reformists in Europe (hereafter referred to as ‘ACRE’), which (ii) is registered with the Authority for European Political Parties and Foundations (‘Authority’) in accordance with the conditions and procedures laid down in Regulation Number 1141/2014 (‘the Regulation’) of the European Parliament and of The Council of 22 October 2014 on the statute and funding of European political parties and European political foundations, and the provisions of Title I, Chapter I, and of Title III quater of the Belgian Act of 27 June 1921 regarding non-profit associations, international non-profit associations and foundations, European political parties and European political foundations (‘the Act’).

The Foundation has legal personality in accordance with ‘the Regulation’ and ‘the Act’.

| 2. | The name of the Foundation in its official languages is at Annex I. The official logo of the Foundation is a blue polygon lion and outlined in the Internal Regulations. |
| --- | --- |

2.

The name of the Foundation in its official languages is at Annex I. The official logo of the Foundation is a blue polygon lion and outlined in the Internal Regulations.

| 3. | The official language of the Foundation are the official languages of the Member States of the constituent parties. |
| --- | --- |

3.

The official language of the Foundation are the official languages of the Member States of the constituent parties.

II.   REGISTERED OFFICE

| 4. | The registered office of the Foundation is established at Rue du Trone 4, Brussels 1000, Belgium. The registered office may be transferred to any other location in a EU Member State by a decision of the General Assembly. |
| --- | --- |

4.

The registered office of the Foundation is established at Rue du Trone 4, Brussels 1000, Belgium. The registered office may be transferred to any other location in a EU Member State by a decision of the General Assembly.

III.   AIMS & OBJECTIVES OF THE FOUNDATION

| 5. | The Foundation is a non-profit organization, which through its activities, within the aims and fundamental values pursued by the Union, underpins and complements the objectives of ACRE by performing one or more of the following tasks:






  — | Providing decision-makers and opinion leaders with effective policy options based on the principles embodied in the Prague Declaration of the ECR Group of 30 March 2009 (Annex II) and ACRE's Reykavik Declaration (Annex III). |
| --- | --- | --- |

5.

The Foundation is a non-profit organization, which through its activities, within the aims and fundamental values pursued by the Union, underpins and complements the objectives of ACRE by performing one or more of the following tasks:

—

Providing decision-makers and opinion leaders with effective policy options based on the principles embodied in the Prague Declaration of the ECR Group of 30 March 2009 (Annex II) and ACRE's Reykavik Declaration (Annex III).

| — | observing, analysing and contributing to the debate on European public policy issues and on the process of European integration; |
| --- | --- |

—

observing, analysing and contributing to the debate on European public policy issues and on the process of European integration;

| — | developing activities linked to European public policy issues, such as organising and supporting seminars, training, conferences and studies on such issues between relevant stakeholders, including youth organisations and other representatives of civil society; |
| --- | --- |

—

developing activities linked to European public policy issues, such as organising and supporting seminars, training, conferences and studies on such issues between relevant stakeholders, including youth organisations and other representatives of civil society;

| — | developing cooperation in order to promote democracy, including in third countries; |
| --- | --- |

—

developing cooperation in order to promote democracy, including in third countries;

| — | serving as a forum for like-minded national political foundations and think-tanks, academics, and other relevant actors to work together at European level. |
| --- | --- |

—

serving as a forum for like-minded national political foundations and think-tanks, academics, and other relevant actors to work together at European level.

| — | encouraging strong transatlantic links. |
| --- | --- |

—

encouraging strong transatlantic links.

| 6. | The Foundation may carry out all operations and conduct all activities, which directly or indirectly increase or promote its aims and objectives, in accordance with the applicable legislation. |
| --- | --- |

6.

The Foundation may carry out all operations and conduct all activities, which directly or indirectly increase or promote its aims and objectives, in accordance with the applicable legislation.

IV.   TERM

| 7. | The Foundation is incorporated for an unlimited period of time. |
| --- | --- |

7.

The Foundation is incorporated for an unlimited period of time.

V.   MEMBERSHIP: GENERAL PROVISIONS, TYPES, ADMISSION, FEES & TERMINATION

| 8. | Membership is open to individual and global members.
  The Foundation shall consist of individual and global members. Natural persons or legal entities lawfully established in accordance with the laws and customs of their country of origin can become global members. |
| --- | --- |

8.

Membership is open to individual and global members.

The Foundation shall consist of individual and global members. Natural persons or legal entities lawfully established in accordance with the laws and customs of their country of origin can become global members.

| 9. | All members of the European Parliament are entitled to individual membership of the Foundation.
  Political Parties allied in ‘ACRE’ are entitled to global membership of the Foundation.
  Global members may also include individuals, national political foundations, think tanks, academic institutions, and corporations that are in agreement with the aims and objectives of the Foundation. |
| --- | --- |

9.

All members of the European Parliament are entitled to individual membership of the Foundation.

Political Parties allied in ‘ACRE’ are entitled to global membership of the Foundation.

Global members may also include individuals, national political foundations, think tanks, academic institutions, and corporations that are in agreement with the aims and objectives of the Foundation.

| 10. | The Foundation shall be composed of at least three members. |
| --- | --- |

10.

The Foundation shall be composed of at least three members.

| 11. | If a candidate member does not dispose of a legal status in accordance with the laws and the customs of its country of origin, it shall, in its written application for membership, appoint a natural person, who will act on behalf and for the account of all the members of such candidate member, in his/her capacity of common attorney-in-fact. |
| --- | --- |

11.

If a candidate member does not dispose of a legal status in accordance with the laws and the customs of its country of origin, it shall, in its written application for membership, appoint a natural person, who will act on behalf and for the account of all the members of such candidate member, in his/her capacity of common attorney-in-fact.

| 12. | Individual members shall pay a membership fee. The General Assembly shall decide on a fee that shall not exceed EUR 18 000. Individual members have the right to take part in the meetings of the General Assembly and to voice their opinion. They have the right to vote and they count towards quorum. The term of membership shall be for a period of one calendar year, renewable.
  Global members shall pay a membership fee. The General Assembly shall decide on a fee that shall not exceed EUR 180 000. Global members have the right to take part in the meetings of the General Assembly and to voice their opinion. They have the right to vote and they count towards quorum. The term of membership shall be for a period of one calendar year, renewable. |
| --- | --- |

12.

Individual members shall pay a membership fee. The General Assembly shall decide on a fee that shall not exceed EUR 18 000. Individual members have the right to take part in the meetings of the General Assembly and to voice their opinion. They have the right to vote and they count towards quorum. The term of membership shall be for a period of one calendar year, renewable.

Global members shall pay a membership fee. The General Assembly shall decide on a fee that shall not exceed EUR 180 000. Global members have the right to take part in the meetings of the General Assembly and to voice their opinion. They have the right to vote and they count towards quorum. The term of membership shall be for a period of one calendar year, renewable.

| 13. | A register containing an up-to-date list of all members of the Foundation will be held at the registered office. All members may have access to the register at the registered office of the Foundation. |
| --- | --- |

13.

A register containing an up-to-date list of all members of the Foundation will be held at the registered office. All members may have access to the register at the registered office of the Foundation.

| 14. | Global Members can apply for membership of the Foundation if they are proposed to the Board of Directors by at least three individual members of the Foundation and seconded by a Member of the Board. |
| --- | --- |

14.

Global Members can apply for membership of the Foundation if they are proposed to the Board of Directors by at least three individual members of the Foundation and seconded by a Member of the Board.

| 15. | Any application for global membership shall be sent to the Executive Director, with all necessary documentation evidencing that the applicant fulfils the membership requirements. The Executive Director shall submit the application and his/her preliminary report and opinion to the Board of Directors. The Board of Directors shall take its decision with a majority of two-thirds of the votes cast. The decision by the Board of Directors to admit or not the applicant shall be final. |
| --- | --- |

15.

Any application for global membership shall be sent to the Executive Director, with all necessary documentation evidencing that the applicant fulfils the membership requirements. The Executive Director shall submit the application and his/her preliminary report and opinion to the Board of Directors. The Board of Directors shall take its decision with a majority of two-thirds of the votes cast. The decision by the Board of Directors to admit or not the applicant shall be final.

VI.   MEMBERSHIP: TERMINATION OF MEMBERSHIP

| 16. | Any member may resign from the Foundation at any time by giving three months notice by registered letter addressed to the President. The resignation shall only come into force at the end of the financial year. |
| --- | --- |

16.

Any member may resign from the Foundation at any time by giving three months notice by registered letter addressed to the President. The resignation shall only come into force at the end of the financial year.

| 17. | A resigning member will remain liable for its financial obligations vis-à-vis the Foundation until the end of the financial year during which its resignation took place. |
| --- | --- |

17.

A resigning member will remain liable for its financial obligations vis-à-vis the Foundation until the end of the financial year during which its resignation took place.

| 18. | If a member fails to meet its financial obligations after a notice sent by the President to settle its debts within a period of three months, the voting right of the member will be suspended as from the end of the three months period. If a member fails to meet its financial obligations for two consecutive financial years, it will be considered as having resigned from the first day of the following financial year. |
| --- | --- |

18.

If a member fails to meet its financial obligations after a notice sent by the President to settle its debts within a period of three months, the voting right of the member will be suspended as from the end of the three months period. If a member fails to meet its financial obligations for two consecutive financial years, it will be considered as having resigned from the first day of the following financial year.

| 19. | Any member may be expelled for any of the following reasons:






  — | not abiding by the Statutes of the Foundation or the Internal Regulations; |
| --- | --- | --- |

19.

Any member may be expelled for any of the following reasons:

—

not abiding by the Statutes of the Foundation or the Internal Regulations;

| — | not abiding by the decisions of any body of the Foundations; |
| --- | --- |

—

not abiding by the decisions of any body of the Foundations;

| — | not fulfilling the conditions for membership anymore; |
| --- | --- |

—

not fulfilling the conditions for membership anymore;

| — | in case any of its acts is contrary to the interest and the values of the Foundation in general. |
| --- | --- |

—

in case any of its acts is contrary to the interest and the values of the Foundation in general.

| 20. | The General Assembly decides expulsion of members by a majority of two- thirds of the votes cast by the members present or represented. The member will be informed by registered mail of the expulsion proposal. The letter sets forth the grounds on which the proposed expulsion is based. |
| --- | --- |

20.

The General Assembly decides expulsion of members by a majority of two- thirds of the votes cast by the members present or represented. The member will be informed by registered mail of the expulsion proposal. The letter sets forth the grounds on which the proposed expulsion is based.

| 21. | The expulsion decision sets forth the grounds on which the expulsion is based but apart from that, the decision does not need to be justified. The President sends a copy of the decision to the expelled member by registered letter, within 15 calendar days. |
| --- | --- |

21.

The expulsion decision sets forth the grounds on which the expulsion is based but apart from that, the decision does not need to be justified. The President sends a copy of the decision to the expelled member by registered letter, within 15 calendar days.

| 22. | The expulsion shall come into force immediately but the expelled member shall remain liable for its financial obligations vis-à-vis the Foundation until the end of the financial year. A member who has resigned or been expelled shall have no claim against the assets of the Foundation. |
| --- | --- |

22.

The expulsion shall come into force immediately but the expelled member shall remain liable for its financial obligations vis-à-vis the Foundation until the end of the financial year. A member who has resigned or been expelled shall have no claim against the assets of the Foundation.

VII.   BODIES OF THE FOUNDATION

| 23. | The bodies of the Foundation are:






  (i) | The General Assembly; |
| --- | --- | --- |

23.

The bodies of the Foundation are:

(i)

The General Assembly;

| (ii) | The Board of Directors; |
| --- | --- |

(ii)

The Board of Directors;

VIII.   BODIES OF THE FOUNDATION – THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY

| 24. | The General Assembly shall consist of all members. |
| --- | --- |

24.

The General Assembly shall consist of all members.

| 25. | In accordance with the Internal Regulations, and upon prior invitation by the President, individuals and third parties may be granted the right to take part in a meeting of the General Assembly. They may voice their opinion but do not have the right to vote. |
| --- | --- |

25.

In accordance with the Internal Regulations, and upon prior invitation by the President, individuals and third parties may be granted the right to take part in a meeting of the General Assembly. They may voice their opinion but do not have the right to vote.

| 26. | The decisions taken by the General Assembly shall be binding on all members, including those absent or dissenting. |
| --- | --- |

26.

The decisions taken by the General Assembly shall be binding on all members, including those absent or dissenting.

| 27. | Any member may resign from the Foundation at any time by giving three months notice by registered letter addressed to the President. The resignation shall only come into force at the end of the financial year. |
| --- | --- |

27.

Any member may resign from the Foundation at any time by giving three months notice by registered letter addressed to the President. The resignation shall only come into force at the end of the financial year.

| 28. | A resigning member will remain liable for its financial obligations vis-à-vis the Foundation until the end of the financial year during which its resignation took place. |
| --- | --- |

28.

A resigning member will remain liable for its financial obligations vis-à-vis the Foundation until the end of the financial year during which its resignation took place.

| 29. | The following powers are restrictively reserved to the General Assembly:






  — | appointment, dismissal and discharge of the Members of the Board of Directors; |
| --- | --- | --- |

29.

The following powers are restrictively reserved to the General Assembly:

—

appointment, dismissal and discharge of the Members of the Board of Directors;

| — | approval of the common annual activity program, upon proposal of the Board of Directors; |
| --- | --- |

—

approval of the common annual activity program, upon proposal of the Board of Directors;

| — | approval of the annual accounts, the annual report, the budget and any other form of financing; |
| --- | --- |

—

approval of the annual accounts, the annual report, the budget and any other form of financing;

| — | admission, suspension and expulsion of individual members; |
| --- | --- |

—

admission, suspension and expulsion of individual members;

| — | amendments to the Statutes and approval to amendments to the Internal Regulations; |
| --- | --- |

—

amendments to the Statutes and approval to amendments to the Internal Regulations;

| — | interpretation of the Statutes and the Internal Regulations; |
| --- | --- |

—

interpretation of the Statutes and the Internal Regulations;

| — | dissolution and liquidation of the Foundation; |
| --- | --- |

—

dissolution and liquidation of the Foundation;

| — | upon proposal of the Board of Directors appointment of an external auditor each year; |
| --- | --- |

—

upon proposal of the Board of Directors appointment of an external auditor each year;

| — | upon proposal of the Board of Directors, appointment and dismissal of the Executive Director; |
| --- | --- |

—

upon proposal of the Board of Directors, appointment and dismissal of the Executive Director;

| 30. | The Board of Directors seized by the President convenes the General Assembly. The General Assembly shall meet at least once in each calendar year. |
| --- | --- |

30.

The Board of Directors seized by the President convenes the General Assembly. The General Assembly shall meet at least once in each calendar year.

| 31. | The Board of Directors or at least a third of the members may convene extraordinary meetings of the General Assembly. |
| --- | --- |

31.

The Board of Directors or at least a third of the members may convene extraordinary meetings of the General Assembly.

| 32. | The notice is sent by mail, facsimile, email or any other written or electronic means. For the rest, the rules related to the agenda, timetable and conduct of the meetings of the General Assembly will be laid down in the Internal Regulations. |
| --- | --- |

32.

The notice is sent by mail, facsimile, email or any other written or electronic means. For the rest, the rules related to the agenda, timetable and conduct of the meetings of the General Assembly will be laid down in the Internal Regulations.

| 33. | In respect of global members, the president or the nominated representative will represent its members at the General Assembly. |
| --- | --- |

33.

In respect of global members, the president or the nominated representative will represent its members at the General Assembly.

| 34. | Global members will be entitled to at least one delegate and a maximum of three, depending on the contribution. |
| --- | --- |

34.

Global members will be entitled to at least one delegate and a maximum of three, depending on the contribution.

| 35. | All members and delegates shall sign an attendance list of members prior to the meeting, under the name of the member they represent. |
| --- | --- |

35.

All members and delegates shall sign an attendance list of members prior to the meeting, under the name of the member they represent.

| 36. | Quorum: the General Assembly may validly proceed if at least one quarter of the members are present. Where this quorum is not reached, a new meeting shall be called no earlier than 15 calendar days after the first. The second meeting shall be entitled to validly take decisions, irrespective of the number of full members present. |
| --- | --- |

36.

Quorum: the General Assembly may validly proceed if at least one quarter of the members are present. Where this quorum is not reached, a new meeting shall be called no earlier than 15 calendar days after the first. The second meeting shall be entitled to validly take decisions, irrespective of the number of full members present.

| 37. | Decisions of the General Assembly, shall be taken with a simple majority of the votes cast if the Articles of Association do not foresee otherwise. Abstentions shall not be taken into account. In the case of a tie vote, the decision will be rejected. |
| --- | --- |

37.

Decisions of the General Assembly, shall be taken with a simple majority of the votes cast if the Articles of Association do not foresee otherwise. Abstentions shall not be taken into account. In the case of a tie vote, the decision will be rejected.

| 38. | The General Assembly may also appoint an Honorary President and Honorary Vice Presidents, whose position is titular and non-executive. |
| --- | --- |

38.

The General Assembly may also appoint an Honorary President and Honorary Vice Presidents, whose position is titular and non-executive.

| 39. | Decisions of the General Assembly may also be taken by circular letter. They are deemed to be taken at the registered office of the Foundation and are deemed to come into force on the date mentioned on the circular letter. |
| --- | --- |

39.

Decisions of the General Assembly may also be taken by circular letter. They are deemed to be taken at the registered office of the Foundation and are deemed to come into force on the date mentioned on the circular letter.

| 40. | The decisions of the General Assembly are recorded in minutes. The minutes are approved during the next meeting of the General Assembly and signed by the President. |
| --- | --- |

40.

The decisions of the General Assembly are recorded in minutes. The minutes are approved during the next meeting of the General Assembly and signed by the President.

| 41. | The minutes are kept in a register, at the members' disposal at the registered office of Foundation. |
| --- | --- |

41.

The minutes are kept in a register, at the members' disposal at the registered office of Foundation.

IX.   BODIES OF THE FOUNDATION — BOARD OF DIRECTORS

| 42. | The Board of Directors consists of a minimum of three members including the President, Vice-President and Treasurer. They are elected by the general Assembly for a 2,5 year period. The maximum number of Board members is twelve. |
| --- | --- |

42.

The Board of Directors consists of a minimum of three members including the President, Vice-President and Treasurer. They are elected by the general Assembly for a 2,5 year period. The maximum number of Board members is twelve.

| 43. | The mandate of the Board members is renewable. |
| --- | --- |

43.

The mandate of the Board members is renewable.

| 44. | The President, and Secretary-General of ‘ACRE’ are members of the Board of Directors. The Executive Director of the Foundation may be invited by the President to attend Board meetings as an observer. |
| --- | --- |

44.

The President, and Secretary-General of ‘ACRE’ are members of the Board of Directors. The Executive Director of the Foundation may be invited by the President to attend Board meetings as an observer.

| 45. | The function of member of the Board is not remunerated. Reasonable expenses supported by appropriate documentary evidence will be reimbursed. |
| --- | --- |

45.

The function of member of the Board is not remunerated. Reasonable expenses supported by appropriate documentary evidence will be reimbursed.

| 46. | The Board will give guidance and direction to the work of the Foundation through the Executive Director. The Board shall therefore be vested with the power to undertake any act necessary or useful to achieve the purpose and objectives of the Foundation, except for those powers that the Act or present Statutes reserve to the General Assembly. |
| --- | --- |

46.

The Board will give guidance and direction to the work of the Foundation through the Executive Director. The Board shall therefore be vested with the power to undertake any act necessary or useful to achieve the purpose and objectives of the Foundation, except for those powers that the Act or present Statutes reserve to the General Assembly.

| 47. | The Board may delegate, under its responsibility, part of its powers for particular or specific purposes to an attorney-in-fact. |
| --- | --- |

47.

The Board may delegate, under its responsibility, part of its powers for particular or specific purposes to an attorney-in-fact.

| 48. | The Board may set up an Advisory Council, an Academic Council and other working groups for any purpose it thinks fit. The composition, terms of reference and the rules of procedure of such advisory and working groups will be laid down in the Internal Regulations. |
| --- | --- |

48.

The Board may set up an Advisory Council, an Academic Council and other working groups for any purpose it thinks fit. The composition, terms of reference and the rules of procedure of such advisory and working groups will be laid down in the Internal Regulations.

| 49. | The term of office of a replacing member of the Board shall expire at the same time as the term of the replaced member of the Board of Directors. The appointment shall be ratified at the next meeting of the General Assembly. |
| --- | --- |

49.

The term of office of a replacing member of the Board shall expire at the same time as the term of the replaced member of the Board of Directors. The appointment shall be ratified at the next meeting of the General Assembly.

| 50. | The Board shall meet as required and at least two times a year. |
| --- | --- |

50.

The Board shall meet as required and at least two times a year.

| 51. | Meetings of the Board shall be called and chaired by the President. The notice calling the meeting shall contain the place, date, time and agenda and must be sent to all members of the Board by letter, facsimile or email at least seven calendar days prior to the date of the meeting. |
| --- | --- |

51.

Meetings of the Board shall be called and chaired by the President. The notice calling the meeting shall contain the place, date, time and agenda and must be sent to all members of the Board by letter, facsimile or email at least seven calendar days prior to the date of the meeting.

| 52. | Quorum: decisions shall be valid when at least half of the members are present. Where this quorum is not reached, a new meeting shall be called no earlier than seven calendar days after the first. The second meeting shall be entitled to take valid decisions irrespective of the number of members present. |
| --- | --- |

52.

Quorum: decisions shall be valid when at least half of the members are present. Where this quorum is not reached, a new meeting shall be called no earlier than seven calendar days after the first. The second meeting shall be entitled to take valid decisions irrespective of the number of members present.

| 53. | The Board may only deliberate on the matters set out in the agenda, unless all members of the Board are present and decide unanimously to discuss other matters. |
| --- | --- |

53.

The Board may only deliberate on the matters set out in the agenda, unless all members of the Board are present and decide unanimously to discuss other matters.

| 54. | Each member of the Board will have one vote. A member may not grant a power-of-attorney to another member of the Board. |
| --- | --- |

54.

Each member of the Board will have one vote. A member may not grant a power-of-attorney to another member of the Board.

| 55. | The decisions of the Board shall be taken with a simple majority of the votes cast. Abstentions shall not be taken into account and, in the case of a written vote, blank or invalid votes cannot be counted in the votes cast. In case of a tie vote, the chairman of the meeting shall have a casting vote. |
| --- | --- |

55.

The decisions of the Board shall be taken with a simple majority of the votes cast. Abstentions shall not be taken into account and, in the case of a written vote, blank or invalid votes cannot be counted in the votes cast. In case of a tie vote, the chairman of the meeting shall have a casting vote.

| 56. | Decisions may also be taken by conference call or videoconference. |
| --- | --- |

56.

Decisions may also be taken by conference call or videoconference.

| 57. | Decisions taken by the Board shall be recorded in minutes to be approved during the next meeting of the Board and signed by the President. |
| --- | --- |

57.

Decisions taken by the Board shall be recorded in minutes to be approved during the next meeting of the Board and signed by the President.

| 58. | They are kept in a register, at the disposal of the members of the Board at the registered office of the Foundation. |
| --- | --- |

58.

They are kept in a register, at the disposal of the members of the Board at the registered office of the Foundation.

X.   MANAGEMENT OF THE FOUNDATION

| 59. | The General Assembly shall delegate the daily management of the Foundation to the Executive Director upon proposal of the Board of Directors. The Board of Directors defines the scope and financial limitations of the daily management powers of the Executive-Director. The Treasurer will take a particular role with the Executive Director in administration and personnel management of the Foundation. |
| --- | --- |

59.

The General Assembly shall delegate the daily management of the Foundation to the Executive Director upon proposal of the Board of Directors. The Board of Directors defines the scope and financial limitations of the daily management powers of the Executive-Director. The Treasurer will take a particular role with the Executive Director in administration and personnel management of the Foundation.

| 60. | The term of office of the Executive Director shall be for a period of 2,5 years, renewable. |
| --- | --- |

60.

The term of office of the Executive Director shall be for a period of 2,5 years, renewable.

| 61. | The Executive Director shall be remunerated, according to decision of the Board of Directors. Reasonable expenses supported by appropriate documentary evidence will also be reimbursed. |
| --- | --- |

61.

The Executive Director shall be remunerated, according to decision of the Board of Directors. Reasonable expenses supported by appropriate documentary evidence will also be reimbursed.

XI.   REPRESENTATION OF THE FOUNDATION

| 62. | The Foundation shall be validly represented with respect to all acts, including court proceedings, by either the President or by the Board member appointed by him. |
| --- | --- |

62.

The Foundation shall be validly represented with respect to all acts, including court proceedings, by either the President or by the Board member appointed by him.

| 63. | The Executive Director shall individually represent the Foundation with respect to all acts of daily management, and shall not be obliged to offer proof to third parties of a prior decision of the Board of Directors. |
| --- | --- |

63.

The Executive Director shall individually represent the Foundation with respect to all acts of daily management, and shall not be obliged to offer proof to third parties of a prior decision of the Board of Directors.

| 64. | The Foundation is also validly represented by an attorney-in-fact, within the limits of his power-of-attorney. |
| --- | --- |

64.

The Foundation is also validly represented by an attorney-in-fact, within the limits of his power-of-attorney.

XII.   FINANCIAL ADMINISTRATION

| 65. | The Foundation shall be financed by membership fees, fundraising, donations, royalties or fees generated by its service and any resources granted by the European Parliament or other bodies. |
| --- | --- |

65.

The Foundation shall be financed by membership fees, fundraising, donations, royalties or fees generated by its service and any resources granted by the European Parliament or other bodies.

| 66. | The membership fees must be paid before the end of the financial year. |
| --- | --- |

66.

The membership fees must be paid before the end of the financial year.

| 67. | The financial year shall coincide with the calendar year. The Board shall produce accounts at the end of each financial year, along with an annual report. Both shall be presented to the General Assembly. |
| --- | --- |

67.

The financial year shall coincide with the calendar year. The Board shall produce accounts at the end of each financial year, along with an annual report. Both shall be presented to the General Assembly.

| 68. | The audit of the financial situation, the annual accounts and the verification that the transactions set out in the annual accounts comply with the Statutes and Internal Regulations of the Foundation as well as the financial rules of the European Parliament, shall be entrusted to the auditor appointed by the European Parliament. The auditor's report shall be presented to the General Assembly for approval. |
| --- | --- |

68.

The audit of the financial situation, the annual accounts and the verification that the transactions set out in the annual accounts comply with the Statutes and Internal Regulations of the Foundation as well as the financial rules of the European Parliament, shall be entrusted to the auditor appointed by the European Parliament. The auditor's report shall be presented to the General Assembly for approval.

XIII.   LIMITED LIABILITY

| 69. | The members of the Foundation, the members of the Board of Directors and the persons entrusted with the daily management of the Foundation will not be personally liable for the obligations of the Foundation. |
| --- | --- |

69.

The members of the Foundation, the members of the Board of Directors and the persons entrusted with the daily management of the Foundation will not be personally liable for the obligations of the Foundation.

| 70. | The liability of members of the Board of Directors or persons entrusted with daily management is limited to the proper performance of their mandate. |
| --- | --- |

70.

The liability of members of the Board of Directors or persons entrusted with daily management is limited to the proper performance of their mandate.

XIV.   AMENDMENTS TO THE STATUTES, DISSOLUTION AND LIQUIDATION OF THE FOUNDATION

| 71. | Any proposal to amend these Statutes or to dissolve the Foundation shall only be valid if proposed by the Board of Directors or one third of the members. |
| --- | --- |

71.

Any proposal to amend these Statutes or to dissolve the Foundation shall only be valid if proposed by the Board of Directors or one third of the members.

| 72. | The proposed amendments to the Statutes must be attached to the notice calling the meeting of the General Assembly. An attendance quorum of at least two-thirds of the members is required for decisions regarding amendments to the Statutes or the dissolution of the Foundation. Where this quorum is not reached, a new meeting of the General Assembly shall be called no earlier than 15 calendar days after the first meeting. The second meeting of the General Assembly shall be entitled to take valid decisions irrespective of the number of full members present. |
| --- | --- |

72.

The proposed amendments to the Statutes must be attached to the notice calling the meeting of the General Assembly. An attendance quorum of at least two-thirds of the members is required for decisions regarding amendments to the Statutes or the dissolution of the Foundation. Where this quorum is not reached, a new meeting of the General Assembly shall be called no earlier than 15 calendar days after the first meeting. The second meeting of the General Assembly shall be entitled to take valid decisions irrespective of the number of full members present.

| 73. | In the event that the Foundation is dissolved, the General Assembly shall decide by a simple majority of the votes cast on (i) the appointment, powers and remuneration of the liquidators, (ii) the methods and procedures for the liquidation of the Foundation and (iii) the destination to be given to the net assets of the Foundation. The net assets of the Foundation will have to be allocated to a non-profit purpose. |
| --- | --- |

73.

In the event that the Foundation is dissolved, the General Assembly shall decide by a simple majority of the votes cast on (i) the appointment, powers and remuneration of the liquidators, (ii) the methods and procedures for the liquidation of the Foundation and (iii) the destination to be given to the net assets of the Foundation. The net assets of the Foundation will have to be allocated to a non-profit purpose.

XV.   FINAL PROVISIONS

| 74. | The General Assembly shall adopt and may amend the Internal Regulations of the Foundation. The Internal Regulations regulate the functioning of the Foundation and its bodies in general and may not conflict with the Articles of Association. The Articles of Association supersede the Internal Regulations. |
| --- | --- |

74.

The General Assembly shall adopt and may amend the Internal Regulations of the Foundation. The Internal Regulations regulate the functioning of the Foundation and its bodies in general and may not conflict with the Articles of Association. The Articles of Association supersede the Internal Regulations.

| 75. | All matters not expressly provided for or regulated in these Articles of Association shall be governed by the Regulation. For the matters not governed by the Regulation or where the matter is only partially addressed, for the aspects not covered by the Regulation, the Foundation shall be governed by the applicable provisions of Belgian Law. |
| --- | --- |

75.

All matters not expressly provided for or regulated in these Articles of Association shall be governed by the Regulation. For the matters not governed by the Regulation or where the matter is only partially addressed, for the aspects not covered by the Regulation, the Foundation shall be governed by the applicable provisions of Belgian Law.

For matters not governed by the Regulation or by the provisions of Belgian Law, or where a matter is only partially addressed, for the aspects not covered by the Regulation and the Belgian Law, the Foundation is governed by the provisions of its Articles of Association and, by default, by its Internal Regulations.

The Foundation strictly complies with all transparency requirements imposed by the Regulation and Belgian Law, as well as any other statutory applicable provision, in particular as regards book-keeping, accounts, donations, privacy and the protection of personal data.

Any candidate for a governing body of the Foundation, will be selected on the bases of objective criteria including, at least, his/her relevant experience and his/her availability as well as, if necessary, any other criteria specified in the Internal Regulations. A candidate must also adhere to Chapter III. Purpose of the Foundation.

Annex I

The name of the Foundation in the official language is:

—   In English: New Direction – The Foundation for European Reform

—   In Polish: New Direction – Fundacja na rzecz Reformy Europy

—   In Czech: New Direction – Nadace pro Evropska Reformu

—   In Spanish: New Direction – La Fondacion Para Reformas Europeas

—   In French: New Direction – La Fondation pour les Reformes Europeennes

—   In Dutch: New Direction – Stichting voor Europese Hervorming

—   In Hungarian: New Direction – Alapitvany az Europai Reformokert

—   In Latvian: New Direction – Europas Reformu Fonds

—   In Lithuanian: New Direction – Europas Reformu Fondas

Annex II

The Prague Declaration of Principles, proclaimed on 30 March 2009:

CONSCIOUS OF THE URGENT NEED TO REFORM THE EU ON THE BASIS OF EUROREALISM, OPENNESS, ACCOUNTABILITY AND DEMOCRACY, IN A WAY THAT RESPECTS THE SOVEREIGNTY OF OUR NATIONS AND CONCENTRATES ON ECONOMIC RECOVERY, GROWTH AND COMPETITIVENESS, THE EUROPEAN CONSERVATIVES AND REFORMISTS GROUP IN THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT SHARES THE FOLLOWING PRINCIPLES:

| 1. | Free enterprise, free and fair trade and competition, minimal regulation, lower taxation, and small government as the ultimate catalysts for individual freedom and personal and national prosperity. |
| --- | --- |

1.

Free enterprise, free and fair trade and competition, minimal regulation, lower taxation, and small government as the ultimate catalysts for individual freedom and personal and national prosperity.

| 2. | Freedom of the individual, more personal responsibility and greater democratic accountability. |
| --- | --- |

2.

Freedom of the individual, more personal responsibility and greater democratic accountability.

| 3. | Sustainable, clean energy supply with an emphasis on energy security. |
| --- | --- |

3.

Sustainable, clean energy supply with an emphasis on energy security.

| 4. | The importance of the family as the bedrock of society. |
| --- | --- |

4.

The importance of the family as the bedrock of society.

| 5. | The sovereign integrity of the nation state, opposition to EU federalism and a renewed respect for true subsidiarity. |
| --- | --- |

5.

The sovereign integrity of the nation state, opposition to EU federalism and a renewed respect for true subsidiarity.

| 6. | The overriding value of the transatlantic security relationship in a revitalised NATO, and support for young democracies across Europe. |
| --- | --- |

6.

The overriding value of the transatlantic security relationship in a revitalised NATO, and support for young democracies across Europe.

| 7. | Effectively controlled immigration and an end to abuse of asylum procedures. |
| --- | --- |

7.

Effectively controlled immigration and an end to abuse of asylum procedures.

| 8. | Efficient and modern public services and sensitivity to the needs of both rural and urban communities. |
| --- | --- |

8.

Efficient and modern public services and sensitivity to the needs of both rural and urban communities.

| 9. | An end to waste and excessive bureaucracy and a commitment to greater transparency and probity in the EU institutions and use of EU funds. |
| --- | --- |

9.

An end to waste and excessive bureaucracy and a commitment to greater transparency and probity in the EU institutions and use of EU funds.

| 10. | Respect and equitable treatment for all EU countries, new and old, large and small. |
| --- | --- |

10.

Respect and equitable treatment for all EU countries, new and old, large and small.

Annex III

ACRE’S REYJAVIK DECLARATION

The Alliance of Conservatives and Reformists in Europe (ACRE) brings together parties committed to individual liberty, national sovereignty, parliamentary democracy, the rule of law, private property, low taxes, sound money, free trade, open competition, and the devolution of power.

| 1. | ACRE believes in a Europe of independent nations, working together for mutual gain while each retaining its identity and integrity. |
| --- | --- |

1.

ACRE believes in a Europe of independent nations, working together for mutual gain while each retaining its identity and integrity.

| 2. | ACRE is committed to the equality of all European democracies, whatever their size, and regardless of which international associations they join. |
| --- | --- |

2.

ACRE is committed to the equality of all European democracies, whatever their size, and regardless of which international associations they join.

| 3. | ACRE favours the exercise of power at the lowest practicable level – by the individual where possible, by local or national authorities in preference to supranational bodies. |
| --- | --- |

3.

ACRE favours the exercise of power at the lowest practicable level – by the individual where possible, by local or national authorities in preference to supranational bodies.

| 4. | ACRE understands that open societies rest upon the dignity and autonomy of the individual, who should be as free as possible from state coercion. The liberty of the individual includes freedom of religion and worship, freedom of speech and expression, freedom of movement and association, freedom of contract and employment, and freedom from oppressive, arbitrary or punitive taxation. |
| --- | --- |

4.

ACRE understands that open societies rest upon the dignity and autonomy of the individual, who should be as free as possible from state coercion. The liberty of the individual includes freedom of religion and worship, freedom of speech and expression, freedom of movement and association, freedom of contract and employment, and freedom from oppressive, arbitrary or punitive taxation.

| 5. | ACRE recognises the equality of all citizens before the law, regardless of ethnicity, sex or social class. It rejects all forms of extremism, authoritarianism and racism. |
| --- | --- |

5.

ACRE recognises the equality of all citizens before the law, regardless of ethnicity, sex or social class. It rejects all forms of extremism, authoritarianism and racism.

| 6. | ACRE cherishes the important role of civil associations, families and other bodies that fill the space between the individual and the government. |
| --- | --- |

6.

ACRE cherishes the important role of civil associations, families and other bodies that fill the space between the individual and the government.

| 7. | ACRE acknowledges the unique democratic legitimacy of the nation-state. |
| --- | --- |

7.

ACRE acknowledges the unique democratic legitimacy of the nation-state.

| 8. | ACRE is committed to the spread of free commerce and open competition, in Europe and globally. |
| --- | --- |

8.

ACRE is committed to the spread of free commerce and open competition, in Europe and globally.

| 9. | ACRE supports the principles of the Prague Declaration of March 2009 and the work of the European Conservatives and Reformists in the European Parliament and allied groups on the other European assemblies. |
| --- | --- |

9.

ACRE supports the principles of the Prague Declaration of March 2009 and the work of the European Conservatives and Reformists in the European Parliament and allied groups on the other European assemblies.

---

NOTICES FROM MEMBER STATES

| 2.2.2018 | EN | Official Journal of the European Union | C 39/24 |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |

2.2.2018

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 39/24

---

List of Member States and their competent authorities concerning Articles 15(2), 17(8) and 21(3) of Council Regulation (EC) No 1005/2008

(2018/C 39/08)

The publication of this list is in accordance with Article 22(2) of Council Regulation (EC) No 1005/2008 of 29 September 2008 (1). The competent authorities have been notified in accordance with the following articles of that Regulation:

| (a) | Article 15(1): The exportation of catches made by fishing vessels flying the flag of a Member State shall be subject to the validation of a catch certificate by the competent authorities of the flag Member State, as established in Article 12(4), if required within the framework of the cooperation laid down in Article 20(4).
  Article 15(2): Flag Member States shall notify to the Commission their competent authorities for the validation of the catch certificates referred to in paragraph 1. |
| --- | --- |

(a)

Article 15(1): The exportation of catches made by fishing vessels flying the flag of a Member State shall be subject to the validation of a catch certificate by the competent authorities of the flag Member State, as established in Article 12(4), if required within the framework of the cooperation laid down in Article 20(4).

Article 15(2): Flag Member States shall notify to the Commission their competent authorities for the validation of the catch certificates referred to in paragraph 1.

| (b) | Article 17(8): Member States shall notify to the Commission their competent authorities for the checks and verifications of the catch certificates in accordance with Article 16 and paragraphs (1) to (6) of this Article. |
| --- | --- |

(b)

Article 17(8): Member States shall notify to the Commission their competent authorities for the checks and verifications of the catch certificates in accordance with Article 16 and paragraphs (1) to (6) of this Article.

| (c) | Article 21(3): Member States shall notify to the Commission their competent authorities for the validation and the verification of the section ‘re-export’ of catch certificates in accordance with the procedure defined in Article 15. |
| --- | --- |

(c)

Article 21(3): Member States shall notify to the Commission their competent authorities for the validation and the verification of the section ‘re-export’ of catch certificates in accordance with the procedure defined in Article 15.

| Member State | Competent authorities |
| --- | --- |
| Belgium | (a), (b), (c):






  — | Vlaamse Overheid; Dienst Zeevisserij (Flemish Government; Marine Fisheries Service) |

Member State

Competent authorities

Belgium

(a), (b), (c):

—

Vlaamse Overheid; Dienst Zeevisserij (Flemish Government; Marine Fisheries Service)

Bulgaria

(a), (b), (c):

| — | Изпълнителна агенция по рибарство и аквакултури (National Agency for Fisheries and Aquaculture) |
| --- | --- |

—

Изпълнителна агенция по рибарство и аквакултури (National Agency for Fisheries and Aquaculture)

Czech Republic

(a):

| — | not applicable |
| --- | --- |

—

not applicable

(b), (c):

| — | Celní úřad pro Středočeský kraj (Customs Office of Central Bohemian Region) |
| --- | --- |

—

Celní úřad pro Středočeský kraj (Customs Office of Central Bohemian Region)

| — | Celní úřad pro hlavní město Prahu (Customs Office of Capital City Prague) |
| --- | --- |

—

Celní úřad pro hlavní město Prahu (Customs Office of Capital City Prague)

| — | Celní úřad Praha Ruzyně (Customs Office of Prague Ruzyně) |
| --- | --- |

—

Celní úřad Praha Ruzyně (Customs Office of Prague Ruzyně)

| — | Celní úřad pro Jihočeský kraj (Customs Office of South Bohemian Region) |
| --- | --- |

—

Celní úřad pro Jihočeský kraj (Customs Office of South Bohemian Region)

| — | Celní úřad pro Plzeňský kraj (Customs Office of Pilsen Region) |
| --- | --- |

—

Celní úřad pro Plzeňský kraj (Customs Office of Pilsen Region)

| — | Celní úřad pro Karlovarský kraj (Customs Office of Karlovy Vary Region) |
| --- | --- |

—

Celní úřad pro Karlovarský kraj (Customs Office of Karlovy Vary Region)

| — | Celní úřad pro Ústecký kraj (Customs Office of Ústí nad Labem Region) |
| --- | --- |

—

Celní úřad pro Ústecký kraj (Customs Office of Ústí nad Labem Region)

| — | Celní úřad pro Liberecký kraj (Customs Office of Liberec Region) |
| --- | --- |

—

Celní úřad pro Liberecký kraj (Customs Office of Liberec Region)

| — | Celní úřad pro Královéhradecký kraj (Customs Office of Hradec Králové Region) |
| --- | --- |

—

Celní úřad pro Královéhradecký kraj (Customs Office of Hradec Králové Region)

| — | Celní úřad pro Pardubický kraj (Customs Office of Pardubice Region) |
| --- | --- |

—

Celní úřad pro Pardubický kraj (Customs Office of Pardubice Region)

| — | Celní úřad pro Kraj Vysočina (Customs Office of Vysočina Region) |
| --- | --- |

—

Celní úřad pro Kraj Vysočina (Customs Office of Vysočina Region)

| — | Celní úřad pro Jihomoravský kraj (Customs Office of South Moravian Region) |
| --- | --- |

—

Celní úřad pro Jihomoravský kraj (Customs Office of South Moravian Region)

| — | Celní úřad pro Olomoucký kraj (Customs Office of Olomouc Region) |
| --- | --- |

—

Celní úřad pro Olomoucký kraj (Customs Office of Olomouc Region)

| — | Celní úřad pro Moravskoslezský kraj (Customs Office of Moravian-Silesian Region) |
| --- | --- |

—

Celní úřad pro Moravskoslezský kraj (Customs Office of Moravian-Silesian Region)

| — | Celní úřad pro Zlínský kraj (Customs Office of Zlín Region) |
| --- | --- |

—

Celní úřad pro Zlínský kraj (Customs Office of Zlín Region)

Denmark

(a):

| — | NaturErhvervstyrelsen (The Danish AgriFish Agency) |
| --- | --- |

—

NaturErhvervstyrelsen (The Danish AgriFish Agency)

(b):

| — | NaturErhvervstyrelsen — kun direkte landinger (The Danish AgriFish Agency — direct landings only) |
| --- | --- |

—

NaturErhvervstyrelsen — kun direkte landinger (The Danish AgriFish Agency — direct landings only)

| — | Fødevarestyrelsen — anden import (The Danish Veterinary and Food Administration — other imports) |
| --- | --- |

—

Fødevarestyrelsen — anden import (The Danish Veterinary and Food Administration — other imports)

(c):

| — | Fødevarestyrelsen (The Danish Veterinary and Food Administration) |
| --- | --- |

—

Fødevarestyrelsen (The Danish Veterinary and Food Administration)

Germany

(a), (b), (c):

| — | Bundesanstalt für Landwirtschaft und Ernährung (Federal Office for Agriculture and Food) |
| --- | --- |

—

Bundesanstalt für Landwirtschaft und Ernährung (Federal Office for Agriculture and Food)

Estonia

(a):

| — | Veterinaar- ja Toiduamet, kalapüügikorralduse büroo (Veterinary and Food Board Fishing Regulation Office) |
| --- | --- |

—

Veterinaar- ja Toiduamet, kalapüügikorralduse büroo (Veterinary and Food Board Fishing Regulation Office)

(b):

| — | Maksu- ja Tolliamet; Veterinaar- ja Toiduamet; Keskkonnaministeerium (Estonian Tax and Customs Board; Veterinary and Food Board; Ministry of Environment) |
| --- | --- |

—

Maksu- ja Tolliamet; Veterinaar- ja Toiduamet; Keskkonnaministeerium (Estonian Tax and Customs Board; Veterinary and Food Board; Ministry of Environment)

(c):

| — | Maksu- ja Tolliamet (Estonian Tax and Customs Board) |
| --- | --- |

—

Maksu- ja Tolliamet (Estonian Tax and Customs Board)

Ireland

(a), (b), (c):

| — | The Sea Fisheries Protection Authority |
| --- | --- |

—

The Sea Fisheries Protection Authority

Greece

(a):

| — | Υπουργείο Αγροτικής Ανάπτυξης και Τροφίμων, Γενική Διεύθυνση Αλιείας, Διεύθυνση Ελέγχου Αλιευτικών Δραστηριοτήτων και Προϊόντων, Τμήμα Καταπολέμησης Παράνομης, Λαθραίας και Άναρχης Αλιείας (Ministry of Rural Development and Food, Directorate-General for Fisheries, Directorate of Fishing Activities and Products Control, IUU Department) |
| --- | --- |

—

Υπουργείο Αγροτικής Ανάπτυξης και Τροφίμων, Γενική Διεύθυνση Αλιείας, Διεύθυνση Ελέγχου Αλιευτικών Δραστηριοτήτων και Προϊόντων, Τμήμα Καταπολέμησης Παράνομης, Λαθραίας και Άναρχης Αλιείας (Ministry of Rural Development and Food, Directorate-General for Fisheries, Directorate of Fishing Activities and Products Control, IUU Department)

(b), (c):

| — | Υπουργείο Αγροτικής Ανάπτυξης και Τροφίμων, Γενική Διεύθυνση Αλιείας, Διεύθυνση Ελέγχου Αλιευτικών Δραστηριοτήτων και Προϊόντων, Τμήμα Καταπολέμησης Παράνομης, Λαθραίας και Άναρχης Αλιείας (Ministry of Rural Development and Food, Directorate-General for Fisheries, Directorate of Fishing Activities and Products Control, IUU Department) |
| --- | --- |

—

Υπουργείο Αγροτικής Ανάπτυξης και Τροφίμων, Γενική Διεύθυνση Αλιείας, Διεύθυνση Ελέγχου Αλιευτικών Δραστηριοτήτων και Προϊόντων, Τμήμα Καταπολέμησης Παράνομης, Λαθραίας και Άναρχης Αλιείας (Ministry of Rural Development and Food, Directorate-General for Fisheries, Directorate of Fishing Activities and Products Control, IUU Department)

| — | Υπουργείο Αγροτικής Ανάπτυξης και Τροφίμων, Γενική Διεύθυνση Αλιείας, Διεύθυνση Ελέγχου Αλιευτικών Δραστηριοτήτων και Προϊόντων, Τμήμα Καταπολέμησης Παράνομης, Λαθραίας και Άναρχης Αλιείας, Γραφείο Ελέγχου Αλιευτικών Προϊόντων (Ministry of Rural Development and Food, Directorate-General for Fisheries, Directorate of Fishing Activities and Products Control, IUU Department, Control Unit of Fishery Products — located at Athens International Airport) |
| --- | --- |

—

Υπουργείο Αγροτικής Ανάπτυξης και Τροφίμων, Γενική Διεύθυνση Αλιείας, Διεύθυνση Ελέγχου Αλιευτικών Δραστηριοτήτων και Προϊόντων, Τμήμα Καταπολέμησης Παράνομης, Λαθραίας και Άναρχης Αλιείας, Γραφείο Ελέγχου Αλιευτικών Προϊόντων (Ministry of Rural Development and Food, Directorate-General for Fisheries, Directorate of Fishing Activities and Products Control, IUU Department, Control Unit of Fishery Products — located at Athens International Airport)

Spain

(a), (b), (c):

| — | Ministerio de Agricultura y PESCA, Alimentación y Medio Ambiente; Secretaria General de PESCA; Dirección General de Ordenación Pesquera; Subdirección General de Control e Inspección (Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries, Food and Environment; Secretary-General of Fisheries; Directorate-General of Fisheries Management; Subdirectorate General of Control and Inspection) |
| --- | --- |

—

Ministerio de Agricultura y PESCA, Alimentación y Medio Ambiente; Secretaria General de PESCA; Dirección General de Ordenación Pesquera; Subdirección General de Control e Inspección (Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries, Food and Environment; Secretary-General of Fisheries; Directorate-General of Fisheries Management; Subdirectorate General of Control and Inspection)

France

(a):

| — | Les directions départementales des territoires et de la mer — délégations à la mer et au littoral; direction de la mer Guadeloupe; direction de la mer Martinique; direction de la mer Guyane; direction de la mer sud Océan indien (Departmental Directorates of territories and the sea — Delegations to the sea and the coastline; Directorate of the sea Guadeloupe; Directorate of the sea Martinique; Directorate of the sea French Guiana; Directorate of the sea South Indian Ocean) |
| --- | --- |

—

Les directions départementales des territoires et de la mer — délégations à la mer et au littoral; direction de la mer Guadeloupe; direction de la mer Martinique; direction de la mer Guyane; direction de la mer sud Océan indien (Departmental Directorates of territories and the sea — Delegations to the sea and the coastline; Directorate of the sea Guadeloupe; Directorate of the sea Martinique; Directorate of the sea French Guiana; Directorate of the sea South Indian Ocean)

| — | Le Centre national de surveillance des pêches (National Fisheries Surveillance Center) |
| --- | --- |

—

Le Centre national de surveillance des pêches (National Fisheries Surveillance Center)

(b):

| — | Les bureaux de douane des directions régionales (Regional Directorates' Customs Offices) |
| --- | --- |

—

Les bureaux de douane des directions régionales (Regional Directorates' Customs Offices)

| — | La Direction des Pêches Maritimes et de l'Aquaculture (Directorate for Sea Fisheries and Aquaculture) |
| --- | --- |

—

La Direction des Pêches Maritimes et de l'Aquaculture (Directorate for Sea Fisheries and Aquaculture)

(c):

| — | Les bureaux de douane des directions régionales (Regional Directorates' Customs Offices) |
| --- | --- |

—

Les bureaux de douane des directions régionales (Regional Directorates' Customs Offices)

Croatia

(a):

| — | Ministarstvo poljoprivrede; Uprava ribarstva (Ministry of Agriculture; Directorate of Fisheries) |
| --- | --- |

—

Ministarstvo poljoprivrede; Uprava ribarstva (Ministry of Agriculture; Directorate of Fisheries)

(b), (c):

| — | Ministarstvo financija; Carinska uprava (Ministry of Finance; Customs Service) |
| --- | --- |

—

Ministarstvo financija; Carinska uprava (Ministry of Finance; Customs Service)

Italy

(a), (c):

| — | Autorità Marittime (Guardia Costiera) (Maritime Authority (Coast Guard)) |
| --- | --- |

—

Autorità Marittime (Guardia Costiera) (Maritime Authority (Coast Guard))

(b):

| — | Agenzia delle Dogane (Customs Agency) |
| --- | --- |

—

Agenzia delle Dogane (Customs Agency)

| — | Ministero della Salute (Ministry of Health) |
| --- | --- |

—

Ministero della Salute (Ministry of Health)

Cyprus

(a), (b), (c):

| — | Υπουργείο Γεωργίας, Αγροτικής Ανάπτυξης και Περιβάλλοντος; Τμήματος Αλιείας και Θαλασσίων Ερευνών (Ministry of Agriculture, Rural Development and Environment; Department of Fisheries and Marine Research) |
| --- | --- |

—

Υπουργείο Γεωργίας, Αγροτικής Ανάπτυξης και Περιβάλλοντος; Τμήματος Αλιείας και Θαλασσίων Ερευνών (Ministry of Agriculture, Rural Development and Environment; Department of Fisheries and Marine Research)

Latvia

(a):

| — | Zemkopības ministrijas Zivsaimniecības departaments (Ministry of Agriculture; Fisheries Department) |
| --- | --- |

—

Zemkopības ministrijas Zivsaimniecības departaments (Ministry of Agriculture; Fisheries Department)

(b):

Nozvejas sertifikātu pārbaudes un verifikācijas procedūras (for the check and verification procedures of the catch certificates):

| — | Valsts vides dienesta Zvejas kontroles departaments (State Environmental Service; Fisheries Control Department); |
| --- | --- |

—

Valsts vides dienesta Zvejas kontroles departaments (State Environmental Service; Fisheries Control Department);

Muitas kontroles (for the customs control):

| — | Valsts ieņēmumu dienesta Muitas pārvalde (National Customs Board; State Revenue Service). |
| --- | --- |

—

Valsts ieņēmumu dienesta Muitas pārvalde (National Customs Board; State Revenue Service).

(c):

| — | Valsts vides dienesta Zvejas kontroles departaments (State Environmental Service; Fisheries Control Department). |
| --- | --- |

—

Valsts vides dienesta Zvejas kontroles departaments (State Environmental Service; Fisheries Control Department).

Lithuania

(a):

| — | Žuvininkystės tarnyba prie Žemės ūkio ministerijos (Fisheries Service under the Ministry of Agriculture) |
| --- | --- |

—

Žuvininkystės tarnyba prie Žemės ūkio ministerijos (Fisheries Service under the Ministry of Agriculture)

(b), (c):

| — | Muitinės departamentas prie Finansų ministerijos (Customs Department under the Ministry of Finance) |
| --- | --- |

—

Muitinės departamentas prie Finansų ministerijos (Customs Department under the Ministry of Finance)

Luxembourg

(a):

| — | not applicable |
| --- | --- |

—

not applicable

(b), (c):

| — | Administration des services vétérinaires (Veterinary Services Administration) |
| --- | --- |

—

Administration des services vétérinaires (Veterinary Services Administration)

Hungary

(a):

| — | not applicable |
| --- | --- |

—

not applicable

(b), (c):

| — | Nemzeti Élelmiszerlánc-biztonsági Hivatal (National Food Chain Safety Office) |
| --- | --- |

—

Nemzeti Élelmiszerlánc-biztonsági Hivatal (National Food Chain Safety Office)

Malta

(a), (b), (c):

| — | Dipartiment tas-Sajd u l-Akwakultura; Ministeru għall-Iżvilupp Sostenibbli, l-Ambjent u Tibdil fil-Klima (Department of Fisheries and Aquaculture; Ministry for Sustainable Development, the Environment and Climate Change) |
| --- | --- |

—

Dipartiment tas-Sajd u l-Akwakultura; Ministeru għall-Iżvilupp Sostenibbli, l-Ambjent u Tibdil fil-Klima (Department of Fisheries and Aquaculture; Ministry for Sustainable Development, the Environment and Climate Change)

Netherlands

(a), (c):

| — | Nederlandse Voedsel en Waren Autoriteit (Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority) |
| --- | --- |

—

Nederlandse Voedsel en Waren Autoriteit (Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority)

(b):

| — | Douane (Customs Department) |
| --- | --- |

—

Douane (Customs Department)

| — | Nederlandse Voedsel en Waren Autoriteit (Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority) |
| --- | --- |

—

Nederlandse Voedsel en Waren Autoriteit (Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority)

Austria

(a):

| — | not applicable |
| --- | --- |

—

not applicable

(b), (c):

| — | Österreichische Agentur für Gesundheit und Ernährungssicherheit; Bundesamt für Ernährungssicherheit (Austrian Agency for Health and Food Safety; Federal Office of Food Safety) |
| --- | --- |

—

Österreichische Agentur für Gesundheit und Ernährungssicherheit; Bundesamt für Ernährungssicherheit (Austrian Agency for Health and Food Safety; Federal Office of Food Safety)

Poland

(a):

| — | Ministerstwo Gospodarki Morskiej i Żeglugi Śródlądowej; Departament Rybołówstwa (Ministry of Maritime Economy and Inland Waterways; Fisheries Department) |
| --- | --- |

—

Ministerstwo Gospodarki Morskiej i Żeglugi Śródlądowej; Departament Rybołówstwa (Ministry of Maritime Economy and Inland Waterways; Fisheries Department)

(b):

w przypadku importu drogą lądową i lotniczą (in case of imports by land or air):

| — | Ministerstwo Gospodarki Morskiej i Żeglugi Śródlądowej; Departament Rybołówstwa (Ministry of Maritime Economy and Inland Waterways; Fisheries Department) |
| --- | --- |

—

Ministerstwo Gospodarki Morskiej i Żeglugi Śródlądowej; Departament Rybołówstwa (Ministry of Maritime Economy and Inland Waterways; Fisheries Department)

w przypadku importu drogą morską (in case of imports by sea):

| — | Okręgowy Inspektorat Rybołówstwa Morskiego w Gdyni (Regional Sea Fisheries Inspectorate in Gdynia) |
| --- | --- |

—

Okręgowy Inspektorat Rybołówstwa Morskiego w Gdyni (Regional Sea Fisheries Inspectorate in Gdynia)

| — | Okręgowy Inspektorat Rybołówstwa Morskiego w Szczecinie (Regional Sea Fisheries Inspectorate in Szczecin) |
| --- | --- |

—

Okręgowy Inspektorat Rybołówstwa Morskiego w Szczecinie (Regional Sea Fisheries Inspectorate in Szczecin)

(c):

| — | Ministerstwo Gospodarki Morskiej i Żeglugi Śródlądowej; Departament Rybołówstwa (Ministry of Maritime Economy and Inland Waterways; Fisheries Department) |
| --- | --- |

—

Ministerstwo Gospodarki Morskiej i Żeglugi Śródlądowej; Departament Rybołówstwa (Ministry of Maritime Economy and Inland Waterways; Fisheries Department)

| — | Okręgowy Inspektorat Rybołówstwa Morskiego w Gdyni (Regional Sea Fisheries Inspectorate in Gdynia) |
| --- | --- |

—

Okręgowy Inspektorat Rybołówstwa Morskiego w Gdyni (Regional Sea Fisheries Inspectorate in Gdynia)

| — | Okręgowy Inspektorat Rybołówstwa Morskiego w Szczecinie (Regional Sea Fisheries Inspectorate in Szczecin) |
| --- | --- |

—

Okręgowy Inspektorat Rybołówstwa Morskiego w Szczecinie (Regional Sea Fisheries Inspectorate in Szczecin)

Portugal

(a), (c):

| — | Continente: Direção-Geral de Recursos Naturais, Segurança e Serviços Marítimos; Autoridade Nacional de PESCA (Mainland: Directorate-General of Natural Resources, Security and Maritime Services; National Fishing Authority) |
| --- | --- |

—

Continente: Direção-Geral de Recursos Naturais, Segurança e Serviços Marítimos; Autoridade Nacional de PESCA (Mainland: Directorate-General of Natural Resources, Security and Maritime Services; National Fishing Authority)

| — | Açores: Secretaria Regional do Ambiente e do Mar; Gabinete do Subsecretário Regional das Pescas (Azores: Regional Secretariat for the Environment and the Sea; Regional Office of the Undersecretary of Fisheries) |
| --- | --- |

—

Açores: Secretaria Regional do Ambiente e do Mar; Gabinete do Subsecretário Regional das Pescas (Azores: Regional Secretariat for the Environment and the Sea; Regional Office of the Undersecretary of Fisheries)

| — | Açores: Inspeção Regional das Pescas (Azores: Regional Fisheries Inspection) |
| --- | --- |

—

Açores: Inspeção Regional das Pescas (Azores: Regional Fisheries Inspection)

| — | Madeira: Direção Regional de Pescas (Madeira: Regional Fisheries Directorate) |
| --- | --- |

—

Madeira: Direção Regional de Pescas (Madeira: Regional Fisheries Directorate)

(b):

| — | Continente: Direção-Geral de Recursos Naturais, Segurança e Serviços Marítimos; Autoridade Nacional de PESCA; Direção de Serviços de Inspeção (Mainland: Directorate-General of Natural Resources, Security and Maritime Services; National Fishing Authority; Directorate of Inspection Services) |
| --- | --- |

—

Continente: Direção-Geral de Recursos Naturais, Segurança e Serviços Marítimos; Autoridade Nacional de PESCA; Direção de Serviços de Inspeção (Mainland: Directorate-General of Natural Resources, Security and Maritime Services; National Fishing Authority; Directorate of Inspection Services)

| — | Açores: Direcção Regional das Pescas (Azores: Fisheries Directorate) |
| --- | --- |

—

Açores: Direcção Regional das Pescas (Azores: Fisheries Directorate)

| — | Madeira: Direção Regional de Pescas (Madeira: Regional Fisheries Directorate) |
| --- | --- |

—

Madeira: Direção Regional de Pescas (Madeira: Regional Fisheries Directorate)

| — | Alfândega de Viana do Castelo (Customs office of Viana do Castelo) |
| --- | --- |

—

Alfândega de Viana do Castelo (Customs office of Viana do Castelo)

| — | Alfândega de Leixões (Customs office of Leixões) |
| --- | --- |

—

Alfândega de Leixões (Customs office of Leixões)

| — | Alfândega do Aeroporto do Porto (Customs office of Porto airport) |
| --- | --- |

—

Alfândega do Aeroporto do Porto (Customs office of Porto airport)

| — | Alfândega de Aveiro (Customs office of Aveiro) |
| --- | --- |

—

Alfândega de Aveiro (Customs office of Aveiro)

| — | Alfândega de Peniche (Customs office of Peniche) |
| --- | --- |

—

Alfândega de Peniche (Customs office of Peniche)

| — | Alfândega Marítima de Lisboa (Maritime customs office of Lisbon) |
| --- | --- |

—

Alfândega Marítima de Lisboa (Maritime customs office of Lisbon)

| — | Alfândega do Aeroporto de Lisboa (Customs office of Lisbon airport) |
| --- | --- |

—

Alfândega do Aeroporto de Lisboa (Customs office of Lisbon airport)

| — | Alfândega de Setúbal (Customs office of Setúbal) |
| --- | --- |

—

Alfândega de Setúbal (Customs office of Setúbal)

| — | Delegação Aduaneira de Sines; Alfândega de Setúbal (Customs delegation to Sines, Customs office of Setúbal) |
| --- | --- |

—

Delegação Aduaneira de Sines; Alfândega de Setúbal (Customs delegation to Sines, Customs office of Setúbal)

| — | Delegação Aduaneira do Aeroporto de Faro (Customs delegation to Faro airport) |
| --- | --- |

—

Delegação Aduaneira do Aeroporto de Faro (Customs delegation to Faro airport)

| — | Alfândega de Ponta Delgada (Customs office of Ponta Delgada) |
| --- | --- |

—

Alfândega de Ponta Delgada (Customs office of Ponta Delgada)

| — | Delegação Aduaneira da Horta (Customs delegation to Horta) |
| --- | --- |

—

Delegação Aduaneira da Horta (Customs delegation to Horta)

| — | Alfândega do Funchal (Customs office of Funchal) |
| --- | --- |

—

Alfândega do Funchal (Customs office of Funchal)

| — | Delegação Aduaneira do Aeroporto da Madeira (Customs delegation to Madeira Airport) |
| --- | --- |

—

Delegação Aduaneira do Aeroporto da Madeira (Customs delegation to Madeira Airport)

Romania

(a), (b), (c):

| — | Agenția Națională pentru Pescuit și Acvacultură (National Agency for Fisheries and Aquaculture) |
| --- | --- |

—

Agenția Națională pentru Pescuit și Acvacultură (National Agency for Fisheries and Aquaculture)

Slovenia

(a):

| — | Finančni urad Koper (Koper Financial Office) |
| --- | --- |

—

Finančni urad Koper (Koper Financial Office)

(b), (c):

| — | Finančni urad Celje (Celje Financial Office) |
| --- | --- |

—

Finančni urad Celje (Celje Financial Office)

| — | Finančni urad Koper (Koper Financial Office) |
| --- | --- |

—

Finančni urad Koper (Koper Financial Office)

| — | Finančni urad Kranj (Kranj Financial Office) |
| --- | --- |

—

Finančni urad Kranj (Kranj Financial Office)

| — | Finančni urad Ljubljana (Ljubljana Financial Office) |
| --- | --- |

—

Finančni urad Ljubljana (Ljubljana Financial Office)

| — | Finančni urad Maribor (Maribor Financial Office) |
| --- | --- |

—

Finančni urad Maribor (Maribor Financial Office)

| — | Finančni urad Murska Sobota (Murska Sobota Financial Office) |
| --- | --- |

—

Finančni urad Murska Sobota (Murska Sobota Financial Office)

| — | Finančni urad Nova Gorica (Nova Gorica Financial Office) |
| --- | --- |

—

Finančni urad Nova Gorica (Nova Gorica Financial Office)

| — | Finančni urad Novo mesto (Novo Mesto Financial Office) |
| --- | --- |

—

Finančni urad Novo mesto (Novo Mesto Financial Office)

Slovakia

(a):

| — | not applicable |
| --- | --- |

—

not applicable

(b), (c):

| — | Štátna veterinárna a potravinová správa Slovenskej republiky (State Veterinary and Food Administration of the Slovak Republic) |
| --- | --- |

—

Štátna veterinárna a potravinová správa Slovenskej republiky (State Veterinary and Food Administration of the Slovak Republic)

Finland

(a), (b), (c):

| — | Varsinais-Suomen elinkeino-, liikenne- ja ympäristökeskus (Centre for Economic Development, Transport and the Environment for Southwest Finland) |
| --- | --- |

—

Varsinais-Suomen elinkeino-, liikenne- ja ympäristökeskus (Centre for Economic Development, Transport and the Environment for Southwest Finland)

Sweden

(a), (b), (c):

| — | Havs- och vattenmyndigheten (Agency for Marine and Water Management) |
| --- | --- |

—

Havs- och vattenmyndigheten (Agency for Marine and Water Management)

United Kingdom

(a):

| — | Marine Management Organisation |
| --- | --- |

—

Marine Management Organisation

| — | Marine Scotland |
| --- | --- |

—

Marine Scotland

(b):

| — | Marine Management Organisation |
| --- | --- |

—

Marine Management Organisation

| — | UK Port Health Authorities |
| --- | --- |

—

UK Port Health Authorities

(c):

| — | Marine Management Organisation |
| --- | --- |

—

Marine Management Organisation

---

(1)  OJ L 286, 29.10.2008, p. 1.

---

V Announcements

PROCEDURES RELATING TO THE IMPLEMENTATION OF COMPETITION POLICY

European Commission

| 2.2.2018 | EN | Official Journal of the European Union | C 39/31 |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |

2.2.2018

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 39/31

---

Prior notification of a concentration

(Case M.8798 — TA Associates/OTPP/Flexera Holdings)

Candidate case for simplified procedure

(Text with EEA relevance)

(2018/C 39/09)

| 1. | On 26 January 2018, the Commission received notification of a proposed concentration pursuant to Article 4 of Council Regulation (EC) No 139/2004 (1). This notification concerns the following undertakings:






  — | TA Associates, L.P. (USA), |
| --- | --- | --- |

1.

On 26 January 2018, the Commission received notification of a proposed concentration pursuant to Article 4 of Council Regulation (EC) No 139/2004 (1). This notification concerns the following undertakings:

—

TA Associates, L.P. (USA),

| — | Ontarios Teachers’ Pension Plan Board (‘OTPP’) (Canada), |
| --- | --- |

—

Ontarios Teachers’ Pension Plan Board (‘OTPP’) (Canada),

| — | Flexera Holdings LP (USA). |
| --- | --- |

—

Flexera Holdings LP (USA).

TA Associates, L.P. and OTPP acquire within the meaning of Article 3(1)(b) and 3(4) of the Merger Regulation joint control of the whole of Flexera Holdings LP. The concentration is accomplished by way of purchase of shares.

| 2. | The business activities of the undertakings concerned are:
  —   for TA Associates, L.P.: private equity investments through various funds in selected industries, including business services, consumer, financial services, healthcare and technologies,
  —   for OTPP: administration of pension benefits and investment of pension plan assets on behalf of active and retired teachers in the Canadian province of Ontario,
  —   for Flexera Holdings LP: provision of software products and services to IoT device manufacturers, software publishers and enterprise customers. |
| --- | --- |

2.

The business activities of the undertakings concerned are:

—   for TA Associates, L.P.: private equity investments through various funds in selected industries, including business services, consumer, financial services, healthcare and technologies,

—   for OTPP: administration of pension benefits and investment of pension plan assets on behalf of active and retired teachers in the Canadian province of Ontario,

—   for Flexera Holdings LP: provision of software products and services to IoT device manufacturers, software publishers and enterprise customers.

| 3. | On preliminary examination, the Commission finds that the notified transaction could fall within the scope of the Merger Regulation. However, the final decision on this point is reserved.
  Pursuant to the Commission Notice on a simplified procedure for treatment of certain concentrations under the Council Regulation (EC) No 139/2004 (2) it should be noted that this case is a candidate for treatment under the procedure set out in the Notice. |
| --- | --- |

3.

On preliminary examination, the Commission finds that the notified transaction could fall within the scope of the Merger Regulation. However, the final decision on this point is reserved.

Pursuant to the Commission Notice on a simplified procedure for treatment of certain concentrations under the Council Regulation (EC) No 139/2004 (2) it should be noted that this case is a candidate for treatment under the procedure set out in the Notice.

| 4. | The Commission invites interested third parties to submit their possible observations on the proposed operation to the Commission. Observations must reach the Commission not later than 10 days following the date of this publication. The following reference should always be specified:
  M.8798 — TA Associates/OTPP/Flexera Holdings
  Observations can be sent to the Commission by email, by fax, or by post. Please use the contact details below:





  Email: |
| --- | --- |
| COMP-MERGER-REGISTRY@ec.europa.eu |
| Fax |
| +32 22964301 |
| Postal address: |
| European Commission |
| Directorate-General for Competition |
| Merger Registry |
| 1049 Bruxelles/Brussel |
| BELGIQUE/BELGIË |

4.

The Commission invites interested third parties to submit their possible observations on the proposed operation to the Commission. Observations must reach the Commission not later than 10 days following the date of this publication. The following reference should always be specified:

M.8798 — TA Associates/OTPP/Flexera Holdings

Observations can be sent to the Commission by email, by fax, or by post. Please use the contact details below:

Email:

COMP-MERGER-REGISTRY@ec.europa.eu

Fax

+32 22964301

Postal address:

European Commission

Directorate-General for Competition

Merger Registry

1049 Bruxelles/Brussel

BELGIQUE/BELGIË

---

(1)  OJ L 24, 29.1.2004, p. 1 (the ‘Merger Regulation’).

(2)  OJ C 366, 14.12.2013, p. 5.

---

OTHER ACTS

European Commission

| 2.2.2018 | EN | Official Journal of the European Union | C 39/33 |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |

2.2.2018

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 39/33

---

Publication of an application pursuant to Article 50(2)(a) of Regulation (EU) No 1151/2012 of the European Parliament and of the Council on quality schemes for agricultural products and foodstuffs

(2018/C 39/10)

This publication confers the right to oppose the application pursuant to Article 51 of Regulation (EU) No 1151/2012 of the European Parliament and of the Council (1).

SINGLE DOCUMENT

‘Cidre Cotentin’/‘Cotentin’

EU No: PDO-FR-02206 — 21.11.2016

PDO ( X ) PGI ( )

1.   Name(s)

‘Cidre Cotentin’/‘Cotentin’

2.   Member State or Third Country

France

3.   Description of the agricultural product or foodstuff

3.1.   Type of product

Class 1.8. Other products listed in Annex I to the Treaty (spices, etc.)

3.2.   Description of the product to which the name in (1) applies

‘Cidre Cotentin’/‘Cotentin’ is an unpasteurised, ungasified sparkling cider made from the pure juice of cider apples of specific traditional varieties.

‘Cidre Cotentin’/‘Cotentin’ is distinguished by its colour, which falls between straw yellow and orange yellow, and its fine sparkle. To the nose, it has subtle aromas where you can often find notes of butter and dried grass. It has a good balance in the mouth, with dominant bitter tastes. Its discreet acidity adds freshness to this bitterness.

In ‘Cidre Cotentin’/‘Cotentin’‘extra brut’, the tannic structure and dominance of the bitter tastes are more marked.

‘Cidre Cotentin’/‘Cotentin’ has the following characteristics:

| — | an actual alcoholic strength by volume of more than 3,5 % vol., |
| --- | --- |

—

an actual alcoholic strength by volume of more than 3,5 % vol.,

| — | a total alcoholic strength by volume of more than 5,5 % vol., |
| --- | --- |

—

a total alcoholic strength by volume of more than 5,5 % vol.,

| — | a sugar content of more than 18 grams per litre and less than or equal to 35 grams per litre, |
| --- | --- |

—

a sugar content of more than 18 grams per litre and less than or equal to 35 grams per litre,

| — | a density of more than 1 009 and less than or equal to 1 017,5 at 20 °C, |
| --- | --- |

—

a density of more than 1 009 and less than or equal to 1 017,5 at 20 °C,

| — | a minimum pressure of 1 bar at 20 °C or 2 g/l of CO2. |
| --- | --- |

—

a minimum pressure of 1 bar at 20 °C or 2 g/l of CO2.

‘Cidre Cotentin’/‘Cotentin’ supplemented by the words ‘extra-brut’ has the following characteristics:

| — | an actual alcoholic strength by volume of more than 5 % vol., |
| --- | --- |

—

an actual alcoholic strength by volume of more than 5 % vol.,

| — | a total alcoholic strength by volume of more than 5,5 % vol., |
| --- | --- |

—

a total alcoholic strength by volume of more than 5,5 % vol.,

| — | a sugar content of less than or equal to 18 grams per litre, |
| --- | --- |

—

a sugar content of less than or equal to 18 grams per litre,

| — | a density of less than or equal to 1 009 at 20 °C, |
| --- | --- |

—

a density of less than or equal to 1 009 at 20 °C,

| — | a minimum pressure of 1 bar at 20 °C or 2 g/l of CO2. |
| --- | --- |

—

a minimum pressure of 1 bar at 20 °C or 2 g/l of CO2.

3.3.   Feed (for products of animal origin only) and raw materials (for processed products only)

The cider apples used come from orchards located in the geographical area and identified as suitable for producing ‘Cidre Cotentin’/‘Cotentin’ on the basis of identification criteria related to the location approved for the designation.

These wooded orchards are entirely under grass and at least 30 % of the trees are trained into high stems.

The apples belong to a positive list of traditional varieties, the vast majority of which are bitter or bittersweet.

The principal varieties in the orchards, covering at least 60 % of the area, are the following:

Bitter and bittersweet
  : Belle fille de la Manche, Binet Rouge, Bois Jingant, Cartigny, Closette, Feuillard, Gros amer, Marin Onfroy, Peau de Chien, Petit amer, Rouge de Cantepie, Sans Pareille, Tapin, Tête de Brebis, Taureau.

The secondary varieties in the orchards, covering not more than 40 % of the area, are the following:

Bitter and bittersweet
  : Argile rouge, Bedan, Doux moine, Fréquin, Kermerrien, Marie-Ménard, Sergent.

Sweet
  : Clos Renaux, Douce Coët, Doux Lozon.

Acidic
  : Petit Jaune, Grasselande, Gros jaune.

Unlisted cider apple tree varieties trained into high stems are authorised, provided that they do not cover more than 20 % of the entire area of the orchards.

At least 60 % of each batch, or cuvée, must be made up of the principal varieties.

3.4.   Specific steps in production that must take place in the defined geographical area

All the operations, from the production of the apples to the secondary fermentation of the cider exclusively in the bottle, are carried out in the geographical area defined in point 4.

Bottling is done in the geographical area. Secondary fermentation takes place exclusively in the bottle by fermenting part of the residual sugar and lasts at least 8 weeks, after which the cider may be marketed.

3.5.   Specific rules concerning slicing, grating, packaging, etc. of the product the registered name refers to

Ciders claiming the designation of origin ‘Cidre Cotentin’/‘Cotentin’ may not be declared after production, offered for sale to the public, shipped, put on sale or sold unless the aforementioned designation along with the European Union PDO logo are printed on declarations, in advertisements and on any leaflets, labels, invoices and containers. The logo may be supplemented by ‘AOP’ or ‘appellation d’origine protégée’.

The name of the protected designation of origin and the words ‘Appellation d’origine’ or ‘Appellation’ and ‘protégée’ must be indicated in conspicuous, clearly legible and indelible characters large enough to be clearly distinguishable from all other written or graphic information.

On the label, the words ‘appellation d’origine protégée’ must be placed immediately below the name of the protected designation of origin, with no words in between.

The words ‘extra brut’ must be added for ciders having a sugar content of less than or equal to 18 grams per litre.

4.   Concise definition of the geographical area

In the departement of la Manche:

All of the cantons of Agon-Coutainville, Bricquebec, Cherbourg-Octeville 1, Cherbourg-Octeville 2, Cherbourg-Octeville 3, Créances, Equeurdreville-Hainneville, La Hague, Les Pieux, Saint-Lô, Saint-Lô 1, Tourlaville, Valognes and Val-de-Saire.

The canton of Carentan, with the exception of the municipalities of Catz and Carentan les Marais for the territory of the delegated municipalities of Brévands, Saint-Pellerin and Les Veys.

In the canton of Condé-sur-Vire: the municipalities of Condé-Sur-Vire, Moyon Villages for the territory of the delegated municipality of Mesnil-Opac, and Thorigny-les-villes for the territory of the delegated municipality of Brectouville. The canton of Coutances, with the exception of the municipalities of Orval-sur-Sienne and Regnéville-sur-Mer.

The canton of Saint-Lô 2, with the exception of the municipalities of La Barre-de-Semilly, La Luzerne and Soulles.

In the canton of Pont-Hébert: the municipalities of Amigny, Cavigny, Le Dézert, Graignes-Mesnil-Angot, Le Hommet-d’Arthenay, La Meauffe, Le Mesnil-Rouxelin, Le Mesnil-Véneron, Pont-Hébert, Rampan, Remilly les Marais, Saint-Georges-Montcocq and Tribehou.

In the canton of Quettreville-sur-Sienne: the municipalities of Belval, Cametours, Cerisy-la-Salle, Montpinchon, Ouville and Savigny.

5.   Link with the geographical area

Specificity of the geographical area

Description of the natural factors relevant to the link

The geographical area comprises the northern half of the department of La Manche. Most of the territory belongs to the Armorican Massif (slaty and sandy sediments, granite from the Palaeozoic Era), with the exception of a small north-eastern strip, where it is covered by chalk formations belonging to the Paris basin. The entire area has a relatively thick loamy surface. This area corresponds closely to the Cotentin peninsula.

The landscape of the region consists of low undulating plateaus with very gentle hills whose altitude does not exceed 170 metres. Visibility is limited everywhere by the fairly dense network of hedgerows.

The parcels selected for planting the orchards and harvesting the apples are located in areas of hedgerows and form small islets bordered by natural copses. The soils are diverse, deep and well-drained but never sandy or sandy-stony.

The Cotentin enjoys a distinctly oceanic climate, further accentuated by the peninsular nature of the territory. This climate is characterised by precipitation that is frequent (more than 150 days/year) and quite abundant (900 to 1 000 mm on average), by a narrow range of temperatures that rarely dip below freezing and by frequent, occasionally violent, winds mostly from the west.

Description of the human factors relevant to the link

With the arrival by sea of tannic varieties from north-western Spain, the Cotentin became known for its cider orchards from the 13th century onwards. Cider developed in the area as successive regulations prohibited first beer, then wine, in order to reserve as much of the arable land as possible for cereals. It is in this context that the practice of meadow orchards was introduced. Meadows intended for the feeding of herds were given a second use by harvesting the fruit of the apple trees planted there. With this double use, the parcels are enclosed by hedges that provide a place for keeping the animals and sheltering them, and the trees, from wind.

Cider-making developed and improved gradually. Cider production became a science in the Cotentin in the 16th century with men like Guillaume Dursus or Sire de Gouberville Le premier, who selected apple varieties to create renowned ciders. By processing the fruit variety by variety, Sire de Gouberville set apart the most excellent-quality fruit, a few varieties of which still exist today, such as the Marin Onfroy.

More recently, alongside traditional meadow orchards trained into high stems, specialised orchards trained into low stems have been established, and they are likewise wooded and under grass.

The local and specific varieties of the geographical area, the great majority of which are bitter and bittersweet and rich in phenolic compounds, such as the Petite amer, Taureau or Cartigny, are well represented throughout the geographical area and in the different types of orchards.

The present cider-making practices reflect the creation and transmission of know-how related to the making of ‘Cidre Cotentin’/‘Cotentin’ from local varieties, through natural secondary fermentation in the bottle and the banning of pasteurisation.

Specificity of the product

‘Cidre Cotentin’/‘Cotentin’ is an unpasteurised, ungasified cider made from the pure juice of cider apples. It is characterised by its straw yellow to orange yellow colour and fine sparkle. In the mouth, its discreet acidity provides a fine balance and allows room for bitterness that has much freshness. When ‘Cidre Cotentin’/‘Cotentin’ is supplemented by the words ‘extra brut’, the tannic structure and dominance of the bitter tastes are more marked.

Causal link

The geographical area is distinguished by its highly oceanic climate and the coexistence of livestock farming and apple production. Selecting parcels with a deep soil that are sheltered by hedges helps the apple trees adapt to the windy conditions, thereby preventing the fruit from falling before it is completely ripe and limiting the risk of trees being uprooted. In addition, keeping the orchards permanently under grass affects the composition of the apples (sugar content, limited nitrogen content), making them well suited to cider production.

The quality of the harvests is enhanced by the grass surface, which cushions the fall of the apples and ensures they keep well on the ground.

The bitter quality of the cider is obtained through various ways of combining bitter and bittersweet varieties, which are dominant in the orchards and mostly result from centuries of local selection, while the low acidity of the product in the mouth is explained by the moderate presence of acidic varieties in the geographical area. The continuous application of traditional processing methods, which require the use of indigenous yeasts naturally present on the surface of the fruit for the first fermentation and exclude all gasification and pasteurisation, gives ‘Cidre Cotentin’/‘Cotentin’ a bitter freshness.

‘Cidre Cotentin’/‘Cotentin’ has an age-old reputation. In the 16th century Julien le Paulmier, a physician, wrote the following in his illustrious medical treatise ‘de vino et pomaco’: ‘The ciders produced in Cotentin are the best ciders in the province of Normandy’.

This is confirmed by the first prizes won by producers from Quibou, Valognes, Turqueville, Dangy, Saint-Lô and Saussey at competitions organised by the Association pomologique Française during its annual pomological congresses from the end of the 19th century to the 1930s.

Nowadays the local fondness for ‘Cidre Cotentin’/‘Cotentin’ is clear from the many competitions and various municipal festivals held in its honour. This product has also been noted by big names in French and international gastronomy, such as l’Etoile, the Michelin Guide magazine, which awarded the cider a ‘Coup de coeur’ in its June-July 2006 issue. More recently, in 2011, all ciders produced in Cotentin were praised in the prestigious American food and drink magazine The Art of Eating.

Reference to publication of the specification

(the second subparagraph of Article 6(1) of this Regulation)

https://info.agriculture.gouv.fr/gedei/site/bo-agri/document_administratif-50b2dc68-9cbe-48a6-93c9-3d8befac98d0/telechargement

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(1)  OJ L 343, 14.12.2012, p. 1.

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Corrigenda

| 2.2.2018 | EN | Official Journal of the European Union | C 39/37 |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |

2.2.2018

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 39/37

---

Corrigendum to Decision of the Authority for European political parties and European political foundations of 27 September 2017 to register Transform Europe

(
  Official Journal of the European Union C 31 of 27 January 2018
  )

(2018/C 39/11)

On page 9:

for:

‘ANNEX

STATUTS’,

read:

read:

‘ANNEX

Image

STATUTS’.

---

| 2.2.2018 | EN | Official Journal of the European Union | C 39/38 |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |

2.2.2018

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 39/38

---

Corrigendum to the statement of revenue and expenditure of the European Monitoring Centre for Drugs and Drug Addiction for the financial year 2017 — amending budget No 1

(
  Official Journal of the European Union C 311 of 19 September 2017
  )

(2018/C 39/12)

On page 7, table ‘Revenue’, for the row relating to Chapter 1 2 — European Union Special funding for specific projects:

| — | in column ‘Amending budget No 1’: the amount ‘340 000’ must be inserted, |
| --- | --- |

—

in column ‘Amending budget No 1’: the amount ‘340 000’ must be inserted,

| — | in column ‘New amount’: instead of ‘—’ read ‘340 000’. |
| --- | --- |

—

in column ‘New amount’: instead of ‘—’ read ‘340 000’.

On page 7, table ‘Revenue’, for the row relating to Title 1 — Total:

| — | in column ‘Amending budget No 1’: the amount ‘340 000’ must be inserted, |
| --- | --- |

—

in column ‘Amending budget No 1’: the amount ‘340 000’ must be inserted,

| — | in column ‘New amount’: instead of ‘15 135 600’, read ‘15 475 600’. |
| --- | --- |

—

in column ‘New amount’: instead of ‘15 135 600’, read ‘15 475 600’.

On page 7, table ‘Revenue’, for the row relating to Grand total:

| — | in column ‘Amending budget No 1’: instead of ‘1 467,82’ read ‘341 467,82’, |
| --- | --- |

—

in column ‘Amending budget No 1’: instead of ‘1 467,82’ read ‘341 467,82’,

| — | in column ‘New amount’: instead of ‘15 808 631,84’ read ‘16 148 631,84’. |
| --- | --- |

—

in column ‘New amount’: instead of ‘15 808 631,84’ read ‘16 148 631,84’.

On page 8, table ‘Expenditure’, for the row relating to Chapter 4 1 — Projects:

| — | in column ‘Amending budget No 1’: the amount ‘340 000’ must be inserted, |
| --- | --- |

—

in column ‘Amending budget No 1’: the amount ‘340 000’ must be inserted,

| — | in column ‘New amount’: instead of ‘—’ read ‘340 000’. |
| --- | --- |

—

in column ‘New amount’: instead of ‘—’ read ‘340 000’.

On page 8, table ‘Expenditure’, for the row relating to Title 4 – Total:

| — | in column ‘Amending budget No 1’: the amount ‘340 000’ must be inserted, |
| --- | --- |

—

in column ‘Amending budget No 1’: the amount ‘340 000’ must be inserted,

| — | in column ‘New amount’: instead of ‘—’ read ‘340 000’. |
| --- | --- |

—

in column ‘New amount’: instead of ‘—’ read ‘340 000’.

On page 8, table ‘Expenditure’: for the row relating to Grand total:

| — | in column ‘Amending budget No 1’: instead of ‘1 467,82’ read ‘341 467,82’, |
| --- | --- |

—

in column ‘Amending budget No 1’: instead of ‘1 467,82’ read ‘341 467,82’,

| — | in column ‘New amount’: instead of ‘15 808 631,84’ read ‘16 148 631,84’. |
| --- | --- |

—

in column ‘New amount’: instead of ‘15 808 631,84’ read ‘16 148 631,84’.

---

| 2.2.2018 | EN | Official Journal of the European Union | C 39/39 |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |

2.2.2018

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 39/39

---

Corrigendum to the statement of revenue and expenditure of the European Monitoring Centre for Drugs and Drug Addiction for the financial year 2017 — amending budget No 2

(
  Official Journal of the European Union C 25 of 24 January 2018
  )

(2018/C 39/13)

On page 2, table ‘Revenue’, for the row relating to Chapter 1 2 — European Union special funding for specific projects:

| — | in column ‘Budget 2017’: instead of ‘—’ read ‘340 000’, |
| --- | --- |

—

in column ‘Budget 2017’: instead of ‘—’ read ‘340 000’,

| — | in column ‘New amount’: instead of ‘—’ read ‘340 000’. |
| --- | --- |

—

in column ‘New amount’: instead of ‘—’ read ‘340 000’.

On page 2, table ‘Revenue’: for the row relating to Title 1 — Total:

| — | in column ‘Budget 2017’: instead of ‘15 135 600’ read ‘15 475 600’, |
| --- | --- |

—

in column ‘Budget 2017’: instead of ‘15 135 600’ read ‘15 475 600’,

| — | in column ‘New amount’: instead of ‘15 135 600’ read ‘15 475 600’. |
| --- | --- |

—

in column ‘New amount’: instead of ‘15 135 600’ read ‘15 475 600’.

On page 2, table ‘Revenue’, for the row relating to Grand total:

| — | in column ‘Budget 2017’: instead of ‘15 808 631,84’ read ‘16 148 631,84’, |
| --- | --- |

—

in column ‘Budget 2017’: instead of ‘15 808 631,84’ read ‘16 148 631,84’,

| — | in column ‘New amount’: instead of ‘15 828 389,18’ read ‘16 168 389,18’. |
| --- | --- |

—

in column ‘New amount’: instead of ‘15 828 389,18’ read ‘16 168 389,18’.

On page 3, table ‘Expenditure’, for the row relating to Chapter 4 1 — Projects:

| — | in column ‘Appropriations 2017’, instead of ‘—’ read ‘340 000’, |
| --- | --- |

—

in column ‘Appropriations 2017’, instead of ‘—’ read ‘340 000’,

| — | in column ‘New amount’, instead of ‘—’ read ‘340 000’. |
| --- | --- |

—

in column ‘New amount’, instead of ‘—’ read ‘340 000’.

On page 3, table ‘Expenditure’, for the row relating to Title 4 — Total:

| — | in column ‘Appropriations 2017’, instead of ‘—’ read ‘340 000’, |
| --- | --- |

—

in column ‘Appropriations 2017’, instead of ‘—’ read ‘340 000’,

| — | in column ‘New amount’, instead of ‘—’ read ‘340 000’. |
| --- | --- |

—

in column ‘New amount’, instead of ‘—’ read ‘340 000’.

On page 3, table ‘Expenditure’, for the row relating to Grand total:

| — | in column ‘Appropriations 2017’, instead of ‘15 808 631,84’ read ‘16 148 631,84’, |
| --- | --- |

—

in column ‘Appropriations 2017’, instead of ‘15 808 631,84’ read ‘16 148 631,84’,

| — | in column ‘New amount’, instead of ‘15 828 389,18’ read ‘16 168 389,18’. |
| --- | --- |

—

in column ‘New amount’, instead of ‘15 828 389,18’ read ‘16 168 389,18’.

---