ddrg/super_eurlex huggingface dataset:
EN Official Journal of the European Union L 106/15

COMMISSION DECISION

of 20 April 2011

on the clearance of the accounts of certain paying agencies in Germany, Italy and Romania concerning expenditure financed by the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development (EAFRD) for the 2009 financial year

(notified under document C(2011) 2748)

(Only the German, Italian and Romanian texts are authentic)

(2011/254/EU)

THE EUROPEAN COMMISSION,

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

Having regard to Council Regulation (EC) No 1290/2005 of 21 June 2005 on the financing of the common agricultural policy (1), and in particular Articles 30 and 33 thereof,

After consulting the Fund Committee,

Whereas:

(1) Commission Decisions 2010/263/EU (2) and 2010/722/EU (3), cleared for the 2009 financial year, the accounts of all the paying agencies except for the German paying agencies ‘Bayern’ and ‘Rheinland-Pfalz’, the Italian paying agency ‘ARBEA’ and the Romanian paying agency ‘PARDF’.

(2) Following the transmission of new information and after additional checks, the Commission can now take a decision concerning expenditure financed by the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development (EAFRD) on the integrality, accuracy and veracity of the accounts submitted by the German paying agencies ‘Bayern’ and ‘Rheinland-Pfalz’, the Italian paying agency ‘ARBEA’ and the Romanian paying agency ‘PARDF’.

(3) In accordance with Article 30(2) of Regulation (EC) No 1290/2005, this Decision does not prejudice decisions taken subsequently by the Commission excluding from EU financing expenditure not effected in accordance with EU rules,

HAS ADOPTED THIS DECISION:

Article 1

The accounts of the German paying agencies ‘Bayern’ and ‘Rheinland-Pfalz’, the Italian paying agency ‘ARBEA’ and the Romanian paying agency ‘PARDF’ concerning expenditure financed by the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development (EAFRD), in respect of the 2009 financial year, are hereby cleared.

The amounts which are recoverable from, or payable to, each Member State under each rural development programme pursuant to this Decision, including those resulting from the application of Article 33(8) of Regulation (EC) No 1290/2005, are set out in Annex.

Article 2

This Decision is addressed to the Federal Republic of Germany, the Italian Republic and Romania.

Done at Brussels, 20 April 2011. For the Commission Dacian CIOLOŞ Member of the Commission

(1) OJ L 209, 11.8.2005, p. 1.

(2) OJ L 113, 6.5.2010, p. 14.

(3) OJ L 312, 27.11.2010, p. 25.
EN Official Journal of the European Union L 94/28

COUNCIL DECISION

of 31 March 2011

establishing the position to be taken by the European Union within the International Grains Council with respect to the extension of the Grains Trade Convention 1995

(2011/224/EU)

THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION,

Having regard to the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union, and in particular Article 207 in conjunction with Article 218(9) thereof,

Having regard to the proposal from the European Commission,

Whereas the Grains Trade Convention 1995, which was concluded on behalf of the Community by the Council through Decision 96/88/EC (1), was regularly extended for successive periods of 2 years. This Convention was last extended by a decision of the International Grains Council of 8 June 2009 and it shall remain in force until 30 June 2011. A further extension is in the interest of the Union. The Commission, which represents the Union within the International Grains Council, should therefore be authorised to vote in favour of such extension,

HAS ADOPTED THIS DECISION:

Article 1

The position to be taken by the Union within the International Grains Council shall be to vote in favour of the extension of the Grains Trade Convention 1995 for a further period of up to 2 years.

The Commission is hereby authorised to express this position within the International Grains Council.

Article 2

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

Done at Brussels, 31 March 2011. For the Council The President VÖLNER P.

(1) OJ L 21, 27.1.1996, p. 47.
EN Official Journal of the European Union L 132/14

COUNCIL DECISION

of 13 May 2011

establishing the position to be taken by the European Union within the General Council of the World Trade Organization on the accession of the Republic of Vanuatu to the World Trade Organization

(2011/287/EU)

THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION,

Having regard to the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union, and in particular Article 91, Article 100(2) and Article 207, in conjunction with Article 218(9), thereof,

Having regard to the proposal from the European Commission,

Whereas:

(1) On 7 July 1995 the Government of the Republic of Vanuatu applied for accession to the Agreement establishing the World Trade Organization (WTO), pursuant to Article XII of that Agreement.

(2) A Working Party on Vanuatu’s accession was established on 11 July 1995 in order to reach agreement on terms of accession acceptable to the Republic of Vanuatu and all WTO Members.

(3) The Commission, on behalf of the Union, negotiated a comprehensive series of market opening commitments on the part of the Republic of Vanuatu which are of particular importance to the Union.

(4) These commitments are now embodied in the Protocol of Accession of the Republic of Vanuatu to the WTO.

(5) Accession to the WTO is expected to make a positive and lasting contribution to the process of economic reform and sustainable development in the Republic of Vanuatu.

(6) The Protocol of Accession should therefore be approved.

(7) Article XII of the Agreement establishing the WTO provides that the terms of accession are to be agreed between the acceding Member and the WTO, and that the Ministerial Conference of the WTO approves the terms of accession on the WTO side. Article IV.2 of the Agreement establishing the WTO provides that in the intervals between meetings of the Ministerial Conference, its functions shall be conducted by the General Council.

(8) Accordingly, it is necessary to establish the position to be taken by the Union within the General Council,

HAS ADOPTED THIS DECISION:

Article 1

The position to be taken by the European Union within the General Council of the WTO on the accession of the Republic of Vanuatu to the WTO, is to approve the accession.

Article 2

This decision shall enter into force on the day of its adoption.
(5)

Based on data provided by the Commission (Eurostat) in accordance with Article 14 of Regulation (EC) No 479/2009 following the notification by Finland before 1 April 2011 and on the Commission services’ spring 2011 forecast, the following conclusions are warranted: — while the EDP notification of April 2010 planned for a deficit of 4,1 % of GDP in 2010, the actual outcome was considerably better at a deficit of 2,5 % of GDP, — the better-than-planned deficit outturn is primarily explained by stronger-than-expected economic growth and an improved labour market situation boosting tax revenues (notably VAT and income tax), while expenditure growth remained overall contained, — the Commission services’ spring 2011 forecast projects the deficit to fall further to 1 % of GDP in 2011. Similarly, the 2011 update of the stability programme projects a deficit of 0,9 % of GDP in 2011. The improvement of the fiscal balance from the previous year is driven by cyclical factors, reflecting the expected continuation of relatively robust economic activity, and some discretionary tax increases (mostly energy and product taxes) worth about ½ % of GDP. The deficit is forecast by both the Commission services and the 2011 update of the stability programme to marginally improve further to 0,7 % of GDP in 2012, — according to the Commission services’ spring 2011 forecast and the structural balances (recalculated by the Commission services on the basis of the information in the latest stability programme update, using the commonly agreed methodology) in 2011, the structural balance is estimated to reach a more favourable level than the medium-term objective, which is set by the Finnish authorities at a structural surplus of 0,5 % of GDP. However, the structural balance is estimated to weaken somewhat and turn negative in the medium term. The apparent decline in the structural balance estimate results from a broadly stable headline deficit against the backdrop of favourable projections for economic growth closing the currently large output gap. As a result, and unless further measures are taken, in 2015 the budget balance net of cyclical factors and one-off and other temporary measures is currently estimated to move slightly below the minimum benchmark of – 1,2 % of GDP which under normal cyclical fluctuations ensures a safety margin against breaching the 3 % of GDP reference value. The stability programme projections, extending until 2015, forecast the general government deficit to settle at about 1 % of GDP over 2013-2015, — the Commission services’ spring 2011 forecast projects the debt ratio to climb from 48,4 % of GDP recorded in 2010 to 52,2 % of GDP in 2012. The stability programme update projects the debt ratio to climb to 51,3 % of GDP by 2012.
EN Official Journal of the European Union L 243/1

COUNCIL DECISION

of 12 July 2011

on the signing, on behalf of the Union, of the Agreement between the European Union and Georgia on protection of geographical indications of agricultural products and foodstuffs

(2011/620/EU)

THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION,

Having regard to the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union, and in particular the first subparagraph of Article 207(4), in conjunction with Article 218(5) thereof,

Having regard to the proposal from the European Commission,

Whereas:

(1) The Commission has negotiated, on behalf of the Union, an Agreement between the European Union and Georgia on protection of geographical indications of agricultural products and foodstuffs (the ‘Agreement’).

(2) The Agreement will enable the reciprocal protection of the geographical indications of the respective Parties and will contribute to the approximation of legislation among the EU neighbouring countries.

(3) The Agreement should be signed,

HAS ADOPTED THIS DECISION:

Article 1

The signing of the Agreement between the European Union and Georgia on protection of geographical indications of agricultural products and foodstuffs is hereby authorised on behalf of the Union, subject to the conclusion of the said Agreement (1).

Article 2

The President of the Council is hereby authorised to designate the person(s) empowered to sign the Agreement on behalf of the Union.

Article 3

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

Done at Brussels, 12 July 2011. For the Council The President J. VINCENT-ROSTOWSKI

(1) The text of the Agreement will be published together with the decision on its conclusion.
EN Official Journal of the European Union L 285/22

COUNCIL DECISION

of 10 October 2011

opposing the adoption by the European Commission of the draft Directive amending Directive 2009/43/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council as regards the list of defence-related products

(2011/713/EU)

THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION,

Having regard to Council Decision 1999/468/EC of 28 June 1999 laying down the procedures for the exercise of implementing powers conferred on the Commission (1), and in particular Article 5a(3)(b) thereof,

Having regard to Directive 2009/43/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 6 May 2009 simplifying terms and conditions of transfers of defence-related products within the Community (2),

Having regard to the draft Commission Directive amending Directive 2009/43/EC, which the Commission submitted on 15 July 2011 to the Council for scrutiny in accordance with Article 5a(3)(a) of Decision 1999/468/EC,

Whereas:

The draft Directive submitted by the Commission exceeds the implementing powers provided for in the basic act, by requiring Member States to give notice of their transposition measures in the form of correlation tables,

HAS ADOPTED THIS DECISION:

Article 1

In accordance with Article 5a(3)(b) of Decision 1999/468/EC, the Council opposes the adoption by the Commission of the draft Directive amending Directive 2009/43/EC, which the Commission has submitted to the Council for scrutiny in accordance with Article 5a(3)(a) of Decision 1999/468/EC.

Article 2

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

Done at Luxembourg, 10 October 2011. For the Council The President A. KRASZEWSKI

(1) OJ L 184, 17.7.1999, p. 23.

(2) OJ L 146, 10.6.2009, p. 1.
EN Official Journal of the European Union L 291/45

COUNCIL DECISION

of 26 November 2007

on the signing, on behalf of the Community, of an Agreement between the United States of America and the European Community on cooperation in the regulation of civil aviation safety

(2011/720/EC)

THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION,

Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Community, and in particular Articles 80(2) and 133(4) in conjunction with the first sentence of the first subparagraph of Article 300(2) thereof,

Having regard to the proposal from the Commission,

Whereas:

(1) The Commission has negotiated on behalf of the Community an Agreement between the United States of America and the European Community on cooperation in the regulation of civil aviation safety (hereinafter referred to as ‘the Agreement’) in accordance with the Council Decision authorising the Commission to open negotiations.

(2) The Agreement should be signed, subject to its possible conclusion at a later stage,

HAS DECIDED AS FOLLOWS:

Article 1

The signing of the Agreement between the United States of America and the European Community on cooperation in the regulation of civil aviation safety (hereinafter referred to as ‘the Agreement’) is hereby approved on behalf of the Community, subject to a Council Decision concerning the conclusion of the Agreement.

Article 2

The President of the Council is hereby authorised to designate the person(s) empowered to sign the Agreement on behalf of the Community, subject to its conclusion.

Article 3

Member States shall take all necessary measures to ensure that their bilateral agreements with the United States listed in Attachment 1 of the Agreement can be amended or terminated, as appropriate, upon entry into force of the Agreement.
EN Official Journal of the European Union L 314/35

COUNCIL DECISION 2011/764/CFSP

of 28 November 2011

repealing Decision 2011/210/CFSP on a European Union military operation in support of humanitarian assistance operations in response to the crisis situation in Libya (EUFOR Libya)

THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION,

Having regard to the Treaty on European Union, and in particular Articles 42(4) and 43(2) thereof,

Having regard to the proposal made by the High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy,

Whereas:

(1) On 1 April 2011, the Council adopted Decision 2011/210/CFSP (1).

(2) By letter dated 27 October 2011, the European Union Operation Commander notified the closure of the Operational Headquarters on 10 November 2011. Decision 2011/210/CFSP should therefore be repealed pursuant to Article 13(3) thereof, with effect from 10 November 2011.

(3) Council Decision 2008/975/CFSP of 18 December 2008 establishing a mechanism to administer the financing of the common costs of European Union operations having military or defence implications (Athena) (2) determines the procedures for the audit and presentation of the accounts of an operation,

HAS ADOPTED THIS DECISION:

Article 1

Decision 2011/210/CFSP is hereby repealed with effect from 10 November 2011. This repeal shall be without prejudice to the procedures laid down in Decision 2008/975/CFSP regarding the audit and presentation of the accounts of the operation.

Article 2

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

Done at Brussels, 28 November 2011. For the Council The President K. SZUMILAS

(1) OJ L 89, 5.4.2011, p. 17.

(2) OJ L 345, 23.12.2008, p. 96.
EN Official Journal of the European Union L 104/45

DECISION OF THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND OF THE COUNCIL

of 5 April 2011

on the mobilisation of the European Globalisation Adjustment Fund, in accordance with point 28 of the Interinstitutional Agreement of 17 May 2006 between the European Parliament, the Council and the Commission on budgetary discipline and sound financial management (application EGF/2010/013 PL/Podkarpackie — manufacture of machinery)

(2011/249/EU)

THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION,

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

Having regard to the Interinstitutional Agreement of 17 May 2006 between the European Parliament, the Council and the Commission on budgetary discipline and sound financial management (1), and in particular point 28 thereof,

Having regard to Regulation (EC) No 1927/2006 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 20 December 2006 establishing the European Globalisation Adjustment Fund (2), and in particular Article 12(3) thereof,

Having regard to the proposal from the European Commission,

Whereas:

(1) The European Globalisation Adjustment Fund (EGF) was established to provide additional support for workers made redundant as a result of major structural changes in world trade patterns due to globalisation and to assist them with their reintegration into the labour market.

(2) The scope of the EGF was broadened for applications submitted from 1 May 2009 to include support for workers made redundant as a direct result of the global financial and economic crisis.

(3) The Interinstitutional Agreement of 17 May 2006 allows the mobilisation of the EGF within the annual ceiling of EUR 500 million.

(4) Poland submitted an application on 27 April 2010 to mobilise the EGF in respect of redundancies in three enterprises operating in the NACE Revision 2 Division 28 (‘Manufacture of machinery and equipment’) in the NUTS II region of Podkarpackie (PL32) and supplemented it with additional information up to 4 August 2010. This application complies with the requirements for determining the financial contributions as laid down in Article 10 of Regulation (EC) No 1927/2006. The Commission, therefore, proposes to mobilise an amount of EUR 453 570.

(5) The EGF should, therefore, be mobilised in order to provide a financial contribution for the application submitted by Poland,

HAVE ADOPTED THIS DECISION:

Article 1

For the general budget of the European Union for the financial year 2011, the European Globalisation Adjustment Fund shall be mobilised to provide the sum of EUR 453 570 in commitment and payment appropriations.

Article 2

This Decision shall be published in the Official Journal of the European Union.

Done at Strasbourg, 5 April 2011. For the European Parliament The President J. BUZEK For the Council The President GYŐRI E.

(1) OJ C 139, 14.6.2006, p. 1.

(2) OJ L 406, 30.12.2006, p. 1.
EN Official Journal of the European Union L 317/29

DECISION OF THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND OF THE COUNCIL

of 16 November 2011

on the mobilisation of the European Globalisation Adjustment Fund in accordance with point 28 of the Interinstitutional Agreement of 17 May 2006 between the European Parliament, the Council and the Commission on budgetary discipline and sound financial management (application EGF/2011/004 EL/ALDI Hellas from Greece)

(2011/771/EU)

THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION,

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

Having regard to the Interinstitutional Agreement of 17 May 2006 between the European Parliament, the Council and the Commission on budgetary discipline and sound financial management (1), and in particular point 28 thereof,

Having regard to Regulation (EC) No 1927/2006 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 20 December 2006 establishing the European Globalisation Adjustment Fund (2), and in particular Article 12(3) thereof,

Having regard to the proposal from the European Commission,

Whereas:

(1) The European Globalisation Adjustment Fund (EGF) was established to provide additional support for workers made redundant as a result of major structural changes in world trade patterns due to globalisation and to assist them with their reintegration into the labour market.

(2) The scope of the EGF was broadened for applications submitted from 1 May 2009 to include support for workers made redundant as a direct result of the global financial and economic crisis.

(3) The Interinstitutional Agreement of 17 May 2006 allows the mobilisation of the EGF within the annual ceiling of EUR 500 million.

(4) Greece submitted an application on 10 May 2011 to mobilise the EGF in respect of redundancies in the enterprise ALDI Hellas Supermarket Holding EPE & Assoc. EE and one supplier — Thessaloniki Logistics SA — and supplemented it by additional information up to 22 June 2011. This application complies with the requirements for determining the financial contributions laid down in Article 10 of Regulation (EC) No 1927/2006. The Commission, therefore, proposes to mobilise an amount of EUR 2 918 500.

(5) The EGF should, therefore, be mobilised in order to provide a financial contribution for the application submitted by Greece,

HAVE ADOPTED THIS DECISION:

Article 1

For the general budget of the European Union for the financial year 2011, the European Globalisation Adjustment Fund shall be mobilised to provide the sum of EUR 2 918 500 in commitment and payment appropriations.

Article 2

This Decision shall be published in the Official Journal of the European Union.

Done at Strasbourg, 16 November 2011. For the European Parliament The President J. BUZEK For the Council The President W. SZCZUKA

(1) OJ C 139, 14.6.2006, p. 1.

(2) OJ L 406, 30.12.2006, p. 1.