ddrg/super_eurlex huggingface dataset:
COUNCIL RECOMMENDATION of 17 March 1997 concerning the discharge to be given to the Commission in respect of the implementation of the operations of the European Development Fund (1989) (Seventh EDF) for the financial year 1995 (97/191/EC)

THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION,

Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Community, and in particular Article 206 thereof,

Having regard to the Fourth ACP-EEC Convention, signed at Lomé on 15 December 1989,

Having regard to Council Decision 91/482/EEC of 25 July 1991 on the association of the overseas countries and territories with the European Economic Community (1),

Having regard to the Internal Agreement on the financing and administration of Community aid (2), signed in Brussels on 16 July 1990, and in particular Article 33 (3) thereof,

Having regard to the Financial Regulation of 29 July 1991 applicable to the Seventh European Development Fund (3), and in particular Articles 69 to 77 thereof,

Having examined the revenue and expenditure account and the balance sheet relating to the operations of the European Development Fund (1989) (Seventh EDF) as at 31 December 1995 and the Court of Auditors' report relating to the financial year 1995 together with the Commission's replies (4),

Whereas, pursuant to Article 33 (3) of the Internal Agreement, the discharge for the management of the European Development Fund (1989) (Seventh EDF) must be given to the Commission by the European Parliament on a recommendation from the Council;

Whereas the overall implementation by the Commission of the operations of the European Development Fund (1989) (Seventh EDF) during the financial year 1995 has been satisfactory,

HEREBY RECOMMENDS that the European Parliament give the Commission a discharge in respect of the implementation of the operations of the European Development Fund (1989) (Seventh EDF) for the financial year 1995.

Done at Brussels, 17 March 1997.

For the Council

The President

G. ZALM

(1) OJ No L 263, 19. 9. 1991, p. 1.

(2) OJ No L 229, 17. 8. 1991, p. 288.

(3) OJ No L 266, 21. 9. 1991, p. 1.

(4) OJ No C 340, 12. 11. 1996, pp. 290 to 333.
Corrigendum to Commission Recommendation 1999/829/Euratom of 6 December 1999 on the application of Article 37 of the Euratom Treaty

(Official Journal of the European Communities L 324 of 16 December 1999)

On page 25, point 4.1.(a) should read as follows:

4.1.(a) If a Member State envisages modifying a plan for the disposal of radioactive waste, on which an opinion has already been given under the terms of Article 37, a submission of general data containing at least the information set out in a standard form in Annex 4 is necessary if the authorised limits or associated requirements for the disposal of radioactive waste are less restrictive than in the existing plan or if the potential consequences of the reference accident(s) evaluated in the licensing procedure are increased.
Corrigendum to Commission Recommendation 2004/2/Euratom of 18 December 2003 on standardised information on radioactive airborne and liquid discharges into the environment from nuclear power reactors and reprocessing plants in normal operation

(Official Journal of the European Union L 2 of 6 January 2004)

On page 39, in the Annex, third column, the entry against "Kr-85":

for:

>TABLE>,

read:

>TABLE>.
3.

In case of a breach of EU and/or Chinese regulations, in particular in case of facilitation of illegal immigration, a consular office of a Member State in the PRC should withdraw the accreditation of a Chinese travel agency. The withdrawal imposed by a consular office of a Member State has immediate effect for all Member States. In order to ensure the uniform application by all Member States of the sanction imposed, the consular office should notify the withdrawal to the Commission and the other Member States consular offices in the PRC. In appropriate circumstances, the withdrawal of accreditation can be reviewed, if for instance the accredited travel agency proves that the violation of EU and/or Chinese regulations was limited to one of its employees, who no longer works for the Agency. Consular offices of Member States in the PRC can address warnings to the accredited travel agencies in case they suspect the agency is involved in minor violations. The Commission and other local consular offices of Member States should be informed immediately. The Commission shall inform the CNTA of any withdrawals and warnings addressed to accredited travel agencies.
EN Official Journal of the European Union L 81/10

COUNCIL RECOMMENDATION

of 14 March 2006

concerning the discharge to be given to the Commission in respect of the implementation of the operations of the European Development Fund (Seventh EDF) for the financial year 2004

(2006/221/EC)

THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION,

Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Community,

Having regard to the Fourth ACP-EC Convention, signed at Lomé on 15 December 1989, as amended by the Agreement signed at Mauritius on 4 November 1995,

Having regard to Internal Agreement 91/401/EEC on the financing and administration of Community aid under the Fourth ACP-EC Convention (1), setting up, amongst others, the Seventh European Development Fund (Seventh EDF) and in particular Article 33(3) thereof,

Having regard to Financial Regulation 91/491/EEC of 29 July 1991 applicable to development finance cooperation under the Fourth ACP-EC Convention (2), and in particular Articles 69 to 77 thereof,

Having examined the revenue and expenditure account and the balance sheet relating to the operations of the Seventh EDF as of 31 December 2004 and the Court of Auditors' report concerning the financial year 2004 together with the Commission's replies (3),

Whereas pursuant to Article 33(3) of the Internal Agreement, the discharge for the financial management of the Seventh EDF is to be given to the Commission by the European Parliament on the recommendation of the Council;

Whereas the overall implementation by the Commission of the operations of the Seventh EDF during the financial year 2004 has been satisfactory;

HEREBY RECOMMENDS that the European Parliament give the Commission a discharge in respect of the implementation of the operations of the Seventh EDF for the financial year 2004.

Done at Brussels, 14 March 2006. For the Council The President K.-H. GRASSER

(1) OJ L 229, 17.8.1991, p. 288.

(2) OJ L 266, 21.9.1991, p. 1.

(3) OJ C 301, 30.11.2005, p. 249.
(1)

The International Labour Organisation has revised the previous version of the International Standard Classification of Occupations used hitherto (ISCO-88) with the objective of making available a more effective classification, which can be used by countries in the next round of population censuses, as well as in national employment services and other client-oriented applications. In order to ensure comparability between data on occupations from the EU Member States and the rest of the world it is important to adopt this revised classification (ISCO-08) in the main European Statistical System surveys collecting data on occupations before the next round of population census that will take place in 2011.
3.

Member States are encouraged to include the following actions, as part of the strategic research agenda and of the implementation plan: (a) identifying and exchanging information on relevant national programmes and research activities; (b) identifying areas or research activities that would benefit from coordination or joint calls for proposals or pooling of resources; (c) exchanging information, resources, best practices, methods and guidelines, particularly while establishing large cohorts and clinical studies; (d) defining the procedure, including quality criteria, for research to be undertaken jointly, in the areas referred to in point (b); (e) sharing, where appropriate, existing research infrastructure or developing new facilities such as coordinated databases, biobanks or models for data extrapolation to humans; (f) exporting and disseminating knowledge, innovation and interdisciplinary approaches and ensuring the effective use of research outputs to enhance European competitiveness and policy making; (g) encouraging and supporting closer collaboration between the public and private sectors, together with open innovation between different business sectors; (h) creating a network between existing centres specialising particularly in consumer science, nutrition and processing technologies.
3.

Member States are encouraged to include the following actions, as part of the strategic research agenda and of the implementation plan: (a) identifying and exchanging information on relevant national programmes, research activities and Union coordinated research programmes; (b) reinforcing joint foresight exercises and technology assessment capacities; (c) exchanging information, resources, best practices, methodologies and guidelines; (d) identifying areas, research or pilot-testing activities that would benefit from coordination, from joint calls for proposals or from pooling of resources (including financial resources); (e) defining the modalities for research to be undertaken jointly in the areas referred to in point (d); (f) ensuring the coordination and development of synergies with existing research and innovation schemes in the Union, e.g. Framework Programme, and other related joint programming initiatives, in particular the ‘Connecting climate knowledge for Europe’, the ‘Urban Europe — global urban challenges, joint European solutions’ and the ‘Healthy and productive seas and oceans’ joint programming initiatives; (g) sharing, where appropriate, existing research infrastructures or developing new facilities such as coordinated databanks or the development of models for studying water-related processes; (h) encouraging better collaboration between public and private sectors, as well as open innovation between different research activities and business sectors related to water; (i) exporting and publishing knowledge, innovation and interdisciplinary methodological approaches, in particular regarding policy relevant results; (j) feeding policy-making at national and Union level with appropriate scientific and technological information; (k) creating networks between centres dedicated to water research.
(9)

Based on the assessment of the Convergence Programme pursuant to Regulation (EC) No 1466/97, the Council is of the opinion that the macroeconomic scenario underpinning the budgetary projections in the Programme is plausible. According to the Convergence Programme, GDP growth is expected to reach 0,2 % and 1,3 % in 2012 and 2013 respectively, compared to 0 % and 1,5 % in 2012 and 2013 respectively in the Commission services 2012 spring forecast. The objective of the budgetary strategy outlined in the Convergence Programme is to reach a balanced budget in 2016. The general government deficit target of 2,9 % of GDP in 2013 is in line with the deadline for correcting the excessive deficit set out in the Council recommendations of 2 December 2009. The average annual fiscal effort of 0,9 % of GDP over the period 2010-2013, based on the (recalculated) structural budget balance (5), is slightly below the effort of 1 % of GDP recommended by the Council. The Convergence Programme confirms the previous medium-term budgetary objective (MTO) of a deficit of 1 % of GDP, which adequately reflects the requirements of the Stability and Growth Pact, to be reached in 2015. The progress towards the MTO is 0,8 % and 0,7 % of GDP in 2014 and 2015 respectively, based on the (recalculated) structural budget balance and the rate of growth of government expenditure complies with the expenditure benchmark of the Stability and Growth Pact. The budgetary projections of the Convergence Programme are subject to several risks. The law on financial compensation to churches, currently discussed in Parliament, would increase the general government deficit by 1,5 % of GDP once in the year of entry into force. More generally, the nature and extent of the envisaged consolidation measures on both the revenue and the expenditure side entails a considerable risk for the sustainability of the fiscal adjustment beyond the programme period. Budgetary adjustment has so far relied mostly on across-the-board cuts, which affect also growth-enhancing expenditure. Additional savings in public administration expenditures amounting to almost 1 % of GDP are planned for 2013-2015, but details are not sufficiently specified in the programme. Finally, most of the planned revenue measures are of a temporary nature and should expire in 2015. According to the Convergence Programme, the debt-to-GDP ratio is expected to peak at 45,1 % of GDP in 2013 and decline thereafter, mainly on account of the projected continuous improvement of the primary balance.
(13)

The budget for 2012 targets a government deficit of 4,5 % of GDP, which is in line with the Economic Adjustment Programme requirements and with the Council recommendations to Portugal under the excessive deficit procedure. Medium-term fiscal consolidation plans presented in the Stability Programme are also consistent with the Economic Adjustment Programme’s deficit headline targets and a deficit-to-GDP ratio of 3 % of GDP is expected by 2013. The 2012 budget includes consolidation measures amounting to more than 5 % of GDP, which are made up of permanent structural measures. Two thirds of the measures are on the expenditure side and include a significant cut of public sector wages and pensions, a reduction in the number of government employees by 2 % (full-time equivalent) and a rationalisation of state-owned enterprises. On the revenue side, the budget envisages a reduction in tax exemptions, an increase in the number of goods and services taxed at the standard VAT rate, higher personal income and corporate taxes, an increase in excise taxes and enhanced efforts to fight tax evasion and fraud. The deficit is expected to decrease further to 1,8 % of GDP in 2014 and to 1 % of GDP in 2015. The main risks to the budgetary targets are mainly related to the state-owned enterprise sector and local and regional governments. In terms of the structural balance, the fiscal structural adjustment is expected to be over 7 percentage points of GDP in 2011-12. The medium-term budgetary objective of – 0,5 % of GDP adequately reflects the requirements of the Stability and Growth Pact. As regards public debt, it is expected to peak at 115,7 % of GDP in 2013 and gradually decline thereafter. The fourth review at staff level of the Economic Adjustment Programme confirmed that the fiscal deficit target for 2012 remains within reach, as budgetary execution in the first four months of 2012 was consistent with the expectations and as downside risks stemming from a steeper increase in unemployment and a less tax-friendly growth composition as compared with budget projections are being addressed by savings in other parts of the budget.
(10)

Based on the assessment of the Convergence Programme pursuant to Regulation (EC) No 1466/97, the Council is of the opinion that the macroeconomic scenario underpinning the budgetary projections in the Programme is plausible. The objective of the budgetary strategy outlined in the Convergence Programme is to implement the necessary fiscal consolidation to achieve the Government’s fiscal targets on net debt and cyclically-adjusted current balance. The Convergence Programme does not include a medium-term budgetary objective as foreseen by the Stability and Growth Pact. According to programme projections, the deadline to correct the excessive deficit set by the Council in its recommendation of 2 December 2009 is expected to be missed by one year. The government deficit in 2014-15, the deadline set by the Council, is estimated at 4,4 % of GDP, implying, based on the (recalculated) structural balance (5), an average fiscal effort of 1,25 % of GDP between 2010-11 and 2014-15 which is below the 1¾ % effort set out in the Council recommendation under the excessive deficit procedure (EDP). Although the Government has not deviated from its fiscal consolidation strategy which initially, based on previous macroeconomic projections, appeared sufficient to comply with EDP targets, the fiscal performance and outlook have been affected by a deterioration of economic growth prospects. Revenue measures have been significantly front-loaded in the adjustment path of the fiscal consolidation. Almost 40 % of the total annual fiscal consolidation planned for the 2010-11 to 2014-15 period has been achieved by the end of 2011-12, including 30 % of the spending cuts and two thirds of the net tax increases. The potential revenue contribution from an increased efficiency of the tax system, stemming from a review of the VAT rate structure, remains relatively underexploited. According to the Convergence Programme, the general government deficit is expected to be 8,3 % of GDP in 2011-12, 5,9 % of GDP in 2012-13, 6,0 % of GDP in 2013-14, 4,4 % of GDP in 2014-15, 2,9 % of GDP in 2015-16 and 1,2 % of GDP in 2016-17. These estimates are somewhat lower than those given in the Commission services 2012 spring forecast, namely, a deficit of 6,1 % of GDP in 2012-13 (which would be 7,9 % without an upcoming one-off pension fund transfer) and 6,5 % of GDP in 2013-14. The differences stem from a lower growth forecast and amendments made by Eurostat to UK data. Some adjustments were made to the Government’s fiscal plans in the 2011 Autumn Statement to prioritise growth-enhancing expenditure, but public sector investment is still set to fall sharply by 2014-15. Government debt, forecast at 94,7 % in 2013-14, is expected to peak in 2014-15.
(6)

The physical determination of the contamination rate of cereals by rye ergot is often inaccurate, as size and weight of the sclerotia may vary considerably. Moreover, this physical determination is impossible in processed feed and food. Hence, it has been suggested to provide in addition to control by physical methods also the possibility to control by chemical analysis of potentially contaminated feed and food, as various chromatographic methods are available to detect ergot alkaloids in feed and food. The methods are confined, however, to a selected number of ergot alkaloids.
EN Official Journal of the European Union C 88/2

COUNCIL RECOMMENDATION

of 21 March 2013

concerning the discharge to be given to the Commission in respect of the implementation of the operations of the European Development Fund (ninth EDF) for the financial year 2011

2013/C 88/02

THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION,

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

Having regard to the Partnership agreement between the members of the African, Caribbean and Pacific Group of States of the one part, and the European Community and its Member States, of the other part, signed in Cotonou on 23 June 2000 (1) and amended by the Agreement signed in Luxembourg on 25 June 2005 (2),

Having regard to the Internal Agreement between Representatives of the Governments of the Member States, meeting within the Council, on the Financing and Administration of Community Aid under the Financial Protocol to the Partnership Agreement between the African, Caribbean and Pacific States and the European Community and its Member States signed in Cotonou (Benin) on 23 June 2000 and the allocation of financial assistance for the Overseas Countries and Territories to which Part Four of the EC Treaty applies (3) (the ‘Internal Agreement’), setting up, amongst others, the ninth European Development Fund (ninth EDF), and in particular Article 32(3) thereof,

Having regard to the Financial Regulation of 27 March 2003 applicable to the ninth European Development Fund (4), and in particular Articles 96 to 103 thereof,

Having examined the revenue and expenditure account and the balance sheet relating to the operations of the ninth EDF as at 31 December 2011 and the Annual Report of the Court of Auditors on the activities funded by the eighth, ninth and tenth European Development Funds (EDFs) (5), concerning the financial year 2011, together with the Commission's replies contained in that Annual Report,

Whereas:

(1) Pursuant to Article 32(3) of the Internal Agreement, the discharge for the financial management of the ninth EDF is to be given to the Commission by the European Parliament on the recommendation of the Council.

(2) The overall implementation by the Commission of the operations of the ninth EDF during the financial year 2011 has been satisfactory,

HEREBY RECOMMENDS that the European Parliament give the Commission a discharge in respect of the implementation of the operations of the ninth EDF for the financial year 2011.

Done at Brussels, 21 March 2013. For the Council The President P. HOGAN

(1) OJ L 317, 15.12.2000, p. 3.

(2) OJ L 287, 28.10.2005, p. 4.

(3) OJ L 317, 15.12.2000, p. 355.

(4) OJ L 83, 1.4.2003, p. 1.

(5) OJ C 344, 12.11.2012, p. 243.
(11)

Based on the assessment of the Convergence Programme pursuant to Regulation (EC) No 1466/97, the Council is of the opinion that the macroeconomic scenario underpinning the budgetary projections in the Programme is plausible. The objective of the budgetary strategy outlined in the Convergence Programme is to achieve a cyclically-adjusted current budget of close to balance at the end of a five-year rolling period. The general government deficit peaked at 11,5 % of GDP in 2009/10 (5) and was reduced to 5,6 % of GDP in 2012/13, due to one-off measures that reduced the deficit by 2 percentage points in 2012/13. However, the Convergence Programme shows that the Government is projected to miss the deadline of 2014/15 for correction of the excessive deficit set by the Council as the deficit is estimated at 6,0 % of GDP that year. According to programme projections, the year in which the excessive deficit will be corrected is in 2017/18 at 2,3 % of GDP, three years after the deadline set by the Council in December 2009. The Convergence Programme implies that the structural general government deficit, as recalculated by the Commission, improving marginally from 5,6 % of GDP in 2013/14 to 5,1 % of GDP in 2014/15. Over the period 2010/11 to 2012/13, the average non-adjusted fiscal effort is estimated at 1,1 % of GDP, well below the 1¾ % of GDP recommended by the Council, before correcting for the impact of any revisions to potential output growth, or revenue windfalls or shortfalls. The main risks to the budgetary projections stem from lower-than-expected growth due to persistently high inflation curtailing private consumption and a potential deterioration in the international environment that could affect trade and investment. The Convergence Programme does not include a medium-term budgetary objective (MTO) as foreseen by the Stability and Growth Pact. The Government has continued with its fiscal consolidation strategy but, because of higher-than-expected expenditure due to the operation of automatic stabilisers and lower-than-expected tax revenues, the deficit is higher than forecast. Also, the consolidation measures taken so far have not been sufficient in attaining the annual average fiscal effort recommended to correct the excessive deficit. Moreover, the potential revenue contribution from structural reform, e.g. aiming to increase the efficiency of the tax system through revisions of the VAT rate structure, remains relatively under-exploited. Government debt as a percentage of GDP rose from 56,1 % in 2008/09 to 90,7 % in 2012/13. According to the Convergence Programme, the general government debt ratio is projected to increase to 100,8 % in 2015/16 and 2016/17 before falling back to 99,4 % in 2017/18.