EN Official Journal of the European Union L 323/8

COUNCIL DECISION (EU) 2015/2288

of 30 November 2015

on the financial contributions to be paid by Member States to finance the European Development Fund, including the ceiling for 2017, the amount for 2016, the first instalment for 2016 and an indicative and non-binding forecast for the expected annual amounts for the years 2018 and 2019

THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION,

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

Having regard to the Internal Agreement between the Representatives of the Governments of the Member States of the European Union, meeting within the Council, on the financing of European Union aid under the multiannual financial framework for the period 2014 to 2020, in accordance with the ACP-EU Partnership Agreement, and on the allocation of financial assistance for the Overseas Countries and Territories to which Part Four of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union applies (1) (‘the Internal Agreement’), and in particular Article 7 thereof,

Having regard to the Council Regulation (EU) 2015/323 of 2 March 2015 on the financial regulation applicable to the 11th European Development Fund (2) (‘the 11th EDF Financial Regulation’), and in particular Article 21(2) thereof,

Having regard to the proposal from the European Commission,

Whereas:

(1) In accordance with the procedure laid down in Articles 21 to 24 of the 11th EDF Financial Regulation, the Commission is to present a proposal specifying the ceiling of the annual amount of the Member States' contributions for 2017, the amount of the contribution for 2016, the amount of the first instalment of the contribution for 2016, and an indicative and non-binding forecast for contributions for 2018 and 2019.

(2) In accordance with Article 52 of the 11th EDF Financial Regulation, the European Investment Bank (EIB) has sent the Commission its updated estimates of commitments and payments under the instruments it manages.

(3) Article 22(1) of the 11th EDF Financial Regulation provides for calls for contributions to first use up the amounts provided by previous EDFs. Therefore, a call for funds under the 10th EDF should be made.

(4) On 10 November 2014, the Council adopted a decision setting the ceiling for the annual amount of the Member States' EDF contributions for 2016 at EUR 3 350 000 000 for the Commission, and at EUR 250 000 000 for the EIB.

(5) In accordance with the second subparagraph of Article 1 of Council Decision 2013/759/EU (3), the shares of the Member States' contributions set out in Article 1(2)(a) of the Internal Agreements of the 8th, 9th and 10th EDFs are to be reduced accordingly after the entry into force of the 11th EDF Internal Agreement. The reductions will have an impact on the Member States' contributions for 2015, 2016 and 2017 according to the option for adjustment chosen by each Member State,

HAS ADOPTED THIS DECISION:

Article 1

The ceiling for the annual amount of the Member States' EDF contributions for 2017 is hereby set at EUR 3 850 000 000 for the Commission, and at EUR 150 000 000 for the EIB.

Article 2

The annual amount of the Member States' EDF contributions for 2016 is hereby set at EUR 3 600 000 000. It shall be divided into EUR 3 450 000 000 for the Commission, and EUR 150 000 000 for the EIB.

Article 3

The individual EDF contributions to be paid by Member States to the Commission and the EIB as the first instalment for 2016 are set out in the Annex to this Decision.

Payments of those contributions may be combined with adjustments under the implementation of the deduction of the funds committed under Decision 2013/759/EU, following an adjustment plan communicated by each Member State to the Commission upon the adoption of the third instalment for 2015.

Article 4

The indicative forecast for the expected annual amount of contributions for 2018 is hereby set at EUR 4 150 000 000 for the Commission, and at EUR 250 000 000 for the EIB, and that for 2019 at EUR 4 150 000 000 for the Commission, and at EUR 300 000 000 for the EIB.

Article 5

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

Done at Brussels, 30 November 2015. For the Council The President É. SCHNEIDER

(1) OJ L 210, 6.8.2013, p. 1.

(2) OJ L 58, 3.3.2015, p. 17.

(3) Council Decision 2013/759/EU of 12 December 2013 regarding transitional EDF management measures from 1 January 2014 until the entry into force of the 11th European Development Fund (OJ L 335, 14.12.2013, p. 48).