ddrg/super_eurlex huggingface dataset:
(11)

Based on the assessment of the Stability Programme pursuant to Regulation (EC) No 1466/97, the Council is of the opinion that the macroeconomic scenario underpinning the budgetary projections in that Programme is plausible. The Stability Programme’s projections for 2012-13 are broadly in line with the Commission services’ 2012 spring forecast as regards the pace and pattern of economic growth as well as labour market developments. The Stability Programme’s projections for economic growth in the outer years are broadly in line with the Commission’s estimate of Germany’s medium-term potential growth rate. The objective of the budgetary strategy outlined in the Stability Programme is to meet the medium-term budgetary objective (MTO) already in 2012 and to reach virtually balanced nominal budgets as from 2014, starting from a nominal deficit of 1,0 % of GDP in 2011, thus below the 3 % of GDP Treaty reference value, significantly ahead of the 2013 deadline. The Stability Programme specifies the previous MTO of a structural deficit of ½ % of GDP, (interpreted as a narrow range around 0,5 % of GDP), which adequately reflects the requirements of the Stability and Growth Pact, to imply a deficit not exceeding 0,5 % of GDP. Risks to the deficit and debt targets may arise in particular if additional measures to stabilise the financial sector turn out to be required. Based on the (recalculated) structural budget balance (6), Germany plans to respect its MTO throughout the Stability Programme period, which should also be the case taking into account the risk assessment. According to the information provided in the Stability Programme and also taking into account the risk assessment, the growth rate of government expenditure, taking into account discretionary revenue measures, would exceed the expenditure benchmark of the Stability and Growth Pact in 2012, while respecting it in 2013. Gross debt is planned to increase by 0,8 percentage points to 82,0 % of GDP in 2012, before falling to 80 % of GDP in 2013 and remaining on a downward path thereafter. Following the correction of the excessive deficit, Germany is in a transitional period and, according to its plans, is making sufficient progress towards compliance with the debt reduction benchmark of the Stability and Growth Pact.
(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 is cautious in 2012, taking into account the latest available information, and plausible in 2013. While macroeconomic projections for 2012 in the Convergence Programme scenario are very close to those in the Commission services’ 2012 spring forecast (with GDP growth projections respectively at 2,0 % and 2,2 %), recent economic data indicates that the outturn may be higher. The objective of the budgetary strategy outlined in the Convergence Programme is to correct an excessive deficit by 2012 and to approach the medium-term budgetary objective (MTO) by the end of the Convergence Programme period. The 2012-15 Convergence Programme has changed the MTO from – 1,0 % to – 0,5 % of GDP; the new MTO adequately reflects the requirements of the Stability and Growth Pact. The planned headline deficit in 2012 complies with the deadline for correction of the excessive deficit established in Council Recommendation of 7 July 2009. For 2013, the Convergence Programme targets a headline deficit of 1,4 % of GDP, although the planned expenditure reduction is not yet fully supported by measures. Based on the (recalculated) structural budget balance (6), Latvia will approach its MTO by the end of the Convergence Programme period in 2015. While the recalculated information suggests that progress towards the MTO is less than 0,5 % of GDP in structural terms in outer years of the Convergence Programme, planned expenditure restraint would ensure that the growth rate of government expenditure, taking into account discretionary revenue measures, would be in line with the expenditure benchmark of the Stability and Growth Pact. At the same time, tax changes from the second half of 2012, as adopted by Parliament on 24 May 2012, which are not yet reflected in the Convergence Programme scenario but acknowledged in the letter accompanying the submission of the Convergence Programme, represent a risk to the attainment of targets in 2013 and beyond. The general government debt ratio is below 60 % of GDP, increasing from 42,6 % of GDP in 2011 to 46,7 % of GDP in 2014, as the authorities pre-fund large repayments related to the international financial assistance programme that are due in 2014-15, and falling to 38,9 % in 2015 as these repayments are made.
EN Official Journal of the European Union L 55/32

COUNCIL RECOMMENDATION

of 21 February 2012

concerning the discharge to be given to the Commission in respect of the implementation of the operations of the European Development Fund (eighth EDF) for the financial year 2010

(2012/127/EU)

THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION,

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

Having regard to the fourth ACP-EEC Convention, signed at Lomé on 15 December 1989 (1) and amended by the Agreement signed in Mauritius on 4 November 1995 (2),

Having regard to the Internal Agreement between the Representatives of the Governments of the Member States, meeting within the Council, on the financing and administration of the Community aid under the Second Financial Protocol to the fourth ACP-EC Convention (3) (the ‘Internal Agreement’) setting up, amongst others, the eighth European Development Fund (eighth EDF), and in particular Article 33(3) thereof,

Having regard to the Financial Regulation of 16 June 1998 applicable to development finance cooperation under the fourth ACP-EC Convention (4), and in particular Articles 66 to 74 thereof,

Having examined the revenue and expenditure account and the balance sheet relating to the operations of the eighth EDF as at 31 December 2010, 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 2010, together with the Commission’s replies contained in that Annual Report,

Whereas:

(1) Pursuant to Article 33(3) of the Internal Agreement, the discharge for the financial management of the eighth 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 eighth EDF during the financial year 2010 has been satisfactory,

HEREBY RECOMMENDS that the European Parliament give the Commission a discharge in respect of the implementation of the operations of the eighth EDF for the financial year 2010.

Done at Brussels, 21 February 2012. For the Council The President M. VESTAGER

(1) OJ L 229, 17.8.1991, p. 3.

(2) OJ L 156, 29.5.1998, p. 3.

(3) OJ L 156, 29.5.1998, p. 108.

(4) OJ L 191, 7.7.1998, p. 53.

(5) OJ C 326, 10.11.2011, p. 251.
EN Official Journal of the European Union C 183/35

Corrigendum to Council Recommendation of 21 June 2013 with a view to bringing an end to the situation of an excessive government deficit in Spain

( Official Journal of the European Union C 180 of 26 June 2013 )

2013/C 183/18

The publication of Council Recommendation 2013/C 180/02 is to be considered null and void.
(10)

Based on the assessment of the Stability 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 optimistic for 2014, when compared with the Commission services 2013 spring forecast. That scenario is plausible as of 2015. However, this is under the assumption of the full implementation of the adopted structural reforms, which remains challenging. The budgetary strategy outlined in the Stability Programme was confirmed by the new Government and endorsed by Parliament. It aims at maintaining the deficit below the 3 % of GDP Treaty reference value throughout the Programme period, reaching the medium-term objective (MTO) in 2013 and putting the debt to GDP ratio on a declining path as from 2014. The Stability Programme confirms the MTO of a balanced budgetary position in structural terms, which is in line with the Stability and Growth Pact. The deficit was brought to the 3 % of GDP Treaty reference value in 2012 and, according to the Commission services 2013 spring forecast, it is expected to remain below the Treaty reference value in 2013-14. The provisions adopted by the Italian government on 17 May are assessed as having no significant impact on the deficit, if consistently implemented. As described in the Decision abrogating the excessive deficit procedure adopted by the Council on 21 June 2013, two safeguard clauses have been enacted in legislation to ensure the achievement of the budgetary targets. After improving by 2,7 percentage points of GDP in cumulative terms between 2009 and 2012, and assuming no further policy changes, the structural balance as a share of GDP is forecast to improve by a further percentage point in 2013, to -0,5 %, and then deteriorate marginally in 2014. The structural primary balance would reach nearly 5 % of GDP in 2014. The forecast structural adjustment for 2013 is appropriate, also based on an analysis of expenditure net of discretionary revenue measures, while for 2014, on the basis of the Commission services 2013 spring forecast, it shows a deviation from the adjustment path towards the MTO. The Stability Programme projects the government debt ratio to peak in 2013 and to start declining thereafter, also thanks to foreseen privatisation proceeds amounting to 1 percentage point of GDP per year. In the forecast however, the debt to GDP ratio continues increasing to 132,2 % of GDP by 2014 on a no-policy change assumption, also due to the settlement of commercial debt, which adds around 2,5 percentage points over 2013-2014, while no privatisation proceeds are included as the details have not yet been specified. As of 2013, Italy is in a three-year transitional period regarding compliance with the debt criterion and the debt trajectory in the Stability Programme ensures sufficient progress towards compliance with it. However, the deficit and debt projections in the Stability Programme are predicated upon full implementation of the budgetary measures and adoption of structural reforms, which are essential to anchor market confidence and boost growth and jobs.
EN Official Journal of the European Union L 272/17

COMMISSION RECOMMENDATION

of 11 September 2014

amending the Annex to Recommendation 2013/711/EU on the reduction of the presence of dioxins, furans and PCBs in feed and food

(Text with EEA relevance)

(2014/663/EU)

THE EUROPEAN COMMISSION,

Having regard to the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union, and in particular Article 292 thereof,

Whereas:

(1) Action levels for dioxins and dioxin-like PCBs have been set by Commission Recommendation 2013/711/EU (1) in order to stimulate a pro-active approach to reduce the presence of dioxins and dioxin-like PCBs in food.

(2) It is appropriate to align the action level for dioxin-like PCBs in clays as food supplement to the action level applicable to the same clays intended for animal feed as established by Directive 2002/32/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council (2) and to align the action level for dioxins and dioxin-like PCBs in cereals intended for human consumption to the action levels applicable to cereals intended for animal feed.

(3) Oilseeds have been found contaminated with dioxins and dioxin-like PCBs and while an action level was established for oilseeds intended for animal feed, no such level was established for oilseeds intended for human consumption. Therefore, it is appropriate to set action levels for dioxins and dioxin-like PCBs in oilseeds intended for human consumption.

(4) For dried fruits and vegetables (including dried herbs) it is appropriate to apply specific concentration factors for the drying as provided for in Article 2 of Commission Regulation (EC) No 1881/2006 (3).

(5) Recommendation 2013/711/EU should therefore be amended accordingly,

HAS ADOPTED THIS RECOMMENDATION:

The Annex to Recommendation 2013/711/EU is replaced by the Annex to this Recommendation

Done at Brussels, 11 September 2014. For the Commission Tonio BORG Member of the Commission

(1) Commission Recommendation 2013/711/EU of 3 December 2013 on the reduction of the presence of dioxins, furans and PCBs in feed and food (OJ L 323, 4.12.2013, p. 37).

(2) Directive 2002/32/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 7 May 2002 on undesirable substances in animal feed (OJ L 140, 30.5.2002, p. 10).

(3) Commission Regulation (EC) No 1881/2006 of 19 December 2006 setting maximum levels for certain contaminants in foodstuffs (OJ L 364, 20.12.2006, p. 5).
(6)

Following the abrogation of the excessive deficit procedure, Slovenia is in the preventive arm of the Stability and Growth Pact and subject to the transitional debt rule. In its 2016 Stability Programme, the Government plans a gradual improvement of the headline balance from 2,2 % in 2016 to 0,4 % of GDP in 2019. The medium-term budgetary objective — a balance budget in structural terms, which does not respect the requirements of the Stability and Growth Pact — is planned to be achieved in 2020, beyond the Programme's horizon. However, the recalculated structural balance (5) points to a structural deficit of 1,2 % of GDP in 2019. According to the Stability Programme, the government debt-to-GDP ratio is expected to fall to 80,2 % of GDP in 2016 and continue to fall to 73,8 % of GDP in 2019. The macroeconomic scenario underpinning these budgetary projections is plausible. However, the measures needed to support the planned deficit targets from 2017 onwards have not been sufficiently specified. According to the Commission 2016 spring forecast, Slovenia's output gap in 2017 is estimated at 1,8 % of GDP, while potential growth is projected at 1,1 % and real GDP growth at 2,3 % of GDP. On this basis, Slovenia is assessed to be in ‘good times’ in 2017, requiring a structural adjustment of 1 % of GDP. However, there is significant uncertainty regarding the calculation of potential growth and the output gap in the specific case of Slovenia because of the specific situation of the labour market, the particularly large economic contraction in 2008-2013 and the structural reforms being implemented. Alternative output gap estimations covering a longer time horizon, reflecting the ongoing review of the estimation method, suggest a smoother output gap profile for Slovenia, implying that it would be premature to conclude that the Slovenian economy is in ‘good times’ in 2017. Therefore, requiring a structural effort in 2017 in line with ‘normal times’ conditions appears more appropriate at the current juncture. There appears to be a risk of some deviation from the recommended adjustment towards the medium-term objective in 2016 and, under unchanged policies, a risk of a significant deviation in 2017. The conclusion for 2016 would not change in case the budgetary impact of the exceptional inflow of refugees was excluded from the assessment. Slovenia is forecast to comply with the transitional debt rule in 2016 and to broadly comply with it in 2017. Based on its assessment of the Stability Programme and taking into account the Commission 2016 spring forecast, the Council is of the opinion that there is a risk that Slovenia will not comply with the provisions of the Stability and Growth Pact. Therefore, further measures will be needed to ensure compliance in 2016 and 2017.
(7)

Member State policies to reduce early leaving from education and training in accordance with the Council Recommendation of 28 June 2011 (1) and the Council conclusions of 23 November 2015 on policies to reduce early school-leaving, based on prevention, intervention and compensation measures, are having a positive effect. In 2015, the Union average rate of early school-leaving among those aged 18 to 24 was around one percentage point below the Europe 2020 headline target of 10 %, but with wide variations across Member States. Even if the headline target were to be achieved, the remaining 10 % of people would enter adulthood facing serious problems with regard to access to sustainable employment. Moreover, there are still large numbers of people aged 25 and above who left school early, many of them third-country nationals and other people with a migrant or disadvantaged background.
EN Official Journal of the European Union C 58/2

COUNCIL RECOMMENDATION

of 21 February 2017

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 2015

(2017/C 58/02)

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 9th 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 2015 and the Annual Report of the Court of Auditors on the activities funded by the 8th, 9th, 10th and 11th European Development Funds (EDFs) concerning the financial year 2015, together with the Commission’s replies (5) 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 2015 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 2015.

Done at Brussels, 21 February 2017. For the Council The President E. SCICLUNA

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

(2) OJ L 209, 11.8.2005, p. 27.

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

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

(5) OJ C 375, 13.10.2016, p. 287.
(13)

There is a broad coherence of the objectives within and between the dimensions, in particular on decarbonisation and energy efficiency. In the final plan, Spain should also describe the interlinkages between planned policies and measures and further quantify these where possible. A focus could be the synergies between the decarbonisation, the energy security and internal market dimensions with the energy efficiency first principle, by explaining how energy efficiency contributes to the cost-effective delivery of the national goals of a competitive low-carbon economy, security of energy supply and its link to addressing energy poverty. The interactions of the planned policies related to the phase out of coal-fired power plants and nuclear power plants, including the strategy for the use of nuclear fuel cycle facilities existing in the country, the impact of climate change risks on energy supply, and the impact of the increased penetration of renewable energy on the internal market are also important elements to be addressed in the final plan. The objectives under the research, innovation and competitiveness dimension need to underpin the efforts planned for the other Energy Union dimensions.
Official Journal of the European Union

COUNCIL RECOMMENDATION

of 8 November 2019

on the appointment of a member of the Executive Board of the European Central Bank

(2019/C 385/01)

THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION,

Having regard to the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union, and in particular Articles 283(2) and 139(2) thereof,

Having regard to Protocol No 4 on the Statute of the European System of Central Banks and of the European Central Bank, and in particular Article 11.2 thereof,

HEREBY RECOMMENDS TO THE EUROPEAN COUNCIL THAT:

Ms Isabel SCHNABEL be appointed as a member of the Executive Board of the European Central Bank for a term of office of eight years with effect from 1 January 2020.
6.

New point 7 is replaced by the following: ‘Member States should require persons travelling for any essential or non-essential reason, function, or need, with the exception of transport and frontier workers, to have tested negative for COVID-19 on the basis of a polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test taken at the earliest 72 hours before departure, and to submit the appropriate proof of such a test result in the form stipulated by the authorities. If tests on departure are not possible, persons referred to in point 6 (a) and (b) should have the possibility to carry out the test after arrival, in accordance with national procedures. This is without prejudice to any obligation to undergo any further measure, including quarantine, after arrival. In addition, Member States may require self-isolation, quarantine and contact tracing for a period of up to 14 days, as well as further COVID-19 testing as needed during the same period, provided that they impose the same requirements on their own nationals when travelling from the same third country. For those travellers arriving from a third country where a variant of concern of the virus has been detected, Member States should impose such requirements and in particular, quarantine upon arrival and additional testing upon or after arrival. As regards travel undertaken in connection with an essential function or need as set out in Annex II: — Member States may decide, in a coordinated way, to waive some or all of the above measures in those cases where such measure would impede the very purpose of the travel, — For transport personnel, seafarers and frontier workers, Member States should not require more than a negative Rapid Antigen Test on arrival to enter into the EU+ area. In the specific case of transport personnel coming from a country where a high incidence of variants of concern of the virus is detected, Member States may require a negative Rapid Antigen Test before departure, — Air crews should be exempted from any testing if their stay in a third country was less than 12 hours, unless they arrive from a third country where a variant of concern has been detected, in which case they should undergo proportionate testing. This is without prejudice to general public health requirements that may be imposed by the Member States such as physical distancing and the requirement to wear a mask.’