ddrg/super_eurlex huggingface dataset:
EN Official Journal of the European Union L 264/5

COUNCIL DECISION (EU) 2017/1849

of 10 October 2017

amending Decision 1999/70/EC concerning the external auditors of the national central banks, as regards the external auditors of Národná banka Slovenska

THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION,

Having regard to Protocol No 4 on the Statute of the European System of Central Banks and of the European Central Bank, annexed to the Treaty on European Union and the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union, and in particular Article 27.1 thereof,

Having regard to the Recommendation of the European Central Bank of 8 September 2017 to the Council of the European Union on the external auditors of Národná banka Slovenska (ECB/2017/27) (1),

Whereas:

(1) The accounts of the European Central Bank (ECB) and of the national central banks of the Member States whose currency is the euro are to be audited by independent external auditors recommended by the ECB's Governing Council and approved by the Council of the European Union.

(2) The mandate of Národná banka Slovenska's current external auditors, Ernst & Young Slovakia, spol. s r.o., ended after the audit for the financial year 2016. It is therefore necessary to appoint external auditors for Národná banka Slovenska from the financial year 2017.

(3) Národná banka Slovenska has selected Deloitte Audit s.r.o. as its external auditors for the financial years 2017 to 2020, with an option to extend the mandate to the financial years 2021 to 2023.

(4) The Governing Council of the ECB has recommended that Deloitte Audit s.r.o. should be appointed as the external auditors of Národná banka Slovenska for the financial years 2017 to 2020.

(5) Following the recommendation of the Governing Council of the ECB, Council Decision 1999/70/EC (2) should be amended accordingly,

HAS ADOPTED THIS DECISION:

Article 1

In Article 1 of Decision 1999/70/EC, paragraph 16 is replaced by the following:

‘16. Deloitte Audit s.r.o. is hereby approved as the external auditors of Národná banka Slovenska for the financial years 2017 to 2020.’.

Article 2

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

Article 3

This Decision is addressed to the ECB.

Done at Luxembourg, 10 October 2017. For the Council The President T. TÕNISTE

(1) OJ C 310, 19.9.2017, p. 1.

(2) Council Decision 1999/70/EC of 25 January 1999 concerning the external auditors of the national central banks (OJ L 22, 29.1.1999, p. 69).
EN Official Journal of the European Union L 295/54

COUNCIL DECISION (EU) 2017/2070

of 6 November 2017

appointing an alternate member, proposed by the Republic of Finland, of the Committee of the Regions

THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION,

Having regard to the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union, and in particular Article 305 thereof,

Having regard to the proposal of the Finnish Government,

Whereas:

(1) On 26 January 2015, 5 February 2015 and 23 June 2015, the Council adopted Decisions (EU) 2015/116 (1), (EU) 2015/190 (2) and (EU) 2015/994 (3) appointing the members and alternate members of the Committee of the Regions for the period from 26 January 2015 to 25 January 2020.

(2) An alternate member's seat on the Committee of the Regions has become vacant following the end of the term of office of Mr Wille VALVE,

HAS ADOPTED THIS DECISION:

Article 1

The following is hereby appointed as an alternate member of the Committee of the Regions for the remainder of the current term of office, which runs until 25 January 2020:

— Mr Tony WIKSTRÖM, Ledamot i Ålands lagting.

Article 2

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

Done at Brussels, 6 November 2017. For the Council The President T. TAMM

(1) Council Decision (EU) 2015/116 of 26 January 2015 appointing the members and alternate members of the Committee of the Regions for the period from 26 January 2015 to 25 January 2020 (OJ L 20, 27.1.2015, p. 42).

(2) Council Decision (EU) 2015/190 of 5 February 2015 appointing the members and alternate members of the Committee of the Regions for the period from 26 January 2015 to 25 January 2020 (OJ L 31, 7.2.2015, p. 25).

(3) Council Decision (EU) 2015/994 of 23 June 2015 appointing the members and alternate members of the Committee of the Regions for the period from 26 January 2015 to 25 January 2020 (OJ L 159, 25.6.2015, p. 70).
EN Official Journal of the European Union L 289/8

COUNCIL DECISION (EU) 2017/1999

of 6 November 2017

appointing a member and two alternate members, proposed by the Kingdom of Belgium, of the Committee of the Regions

THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION,

Having regard to the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union, and in particular Article 305 thereof,

Having regard to the proposal of the Belgian Government,

Whereas:

(1) On 26 January 2015, 5 February 2015 and 23 June 2015, the Council adopted Decisions (EU) 2015/116 (1), (EU) 2015/190 (2) and (EU) 2015/994 (3) appointing the members and alternate members of the Committee of the Regions for the period from 26 January 2015 to 25 January 2020.

(2) A member's seat on the Committee of the Regions has become vacant following the end of the term of office of Mr Jean-François ISTASSE.

(3) An alternate member's seat on the Committee of the Regions has become vacant following the end of the term of office of Mr Rudy DEMOTTE.

(4) An alternate member's seat on the Committee of the Regions has become vacant following the appointment of Mr Marc HENDRICKX as a member of the Committee of the Regions,

HAS ADOPTED THIS DECISION:

Article 1

The following are hereby appointed to the Committee of the Regions for the remainder of the current term of office, which runs until 25 January 2020:

(a) as a member: — Mr Marc HENDRICKX, Lid van het Vlaams Parlement,

(b) as alternate members: — Mr Jan VAN ESBROECK, Lid van het Vlaams Parlement, — Mr Jean-François ISTASSE, Conseiller communal de Verviers.

Article 2

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

Done at Brussels, 6 November 2017. For the Council The President T. TAMM

(1) Council Decision (EU) 2015/116 of 26 January 2015 appointing the members and alternate members of the Committee of the Regions for the period from 26 January 2015 to 25 January 2020 (OJ L 20, 27.1.2015, p. 42).

(2) Council Decision (EU) 2015/190 of 5 February 2015 appointing the members and alternate members of the Committee of the Regions for the period from 26 January 2015 to 25 January 2020 (OJ L 31, 7.2.2015, p. 25).

(3) Council Decision (EU) 2015/994 of 23 June 2015 appointing the members and alternate members of the Committee of the Regions for the period from 26 January 2015 to 25 January 2020 (OJ L 159, 25.6.2015, p. 70).
EN Official Journal of the European Union L 324/52

COUNCIL DECISION (CFSP) 2017/2264

of 7 December 2017

amending Decision 2014/219/CFSP on the European Union CSDP Mission in Mali (EUCAP Sahel Mali)

THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION,

Having regard to the Treaty on European Union and in particular Article 28, Article 42(4) and Article 43(2) thereof,

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

Whereas:

(1) On 15 April 2014, the Council adopted Decision 2014/219/CFSP (1).

(2) On 11 January 2017, the Council adopted Decision (CFSP) 2017/50 (2) amending Decision 2014/219/CFSP extending the mandate for a period of two years, until 14 January 2019, and providing for a financial reference amount until 14 January 2018.

(3) Decision 2014/219/CFSP should be amended to provide for a financial reference amount for the period from 15 January 2018 until 14 January 2019.

(4) Decision 2014/219/CFSP should therefore be amended accordingly,

HAS ADOPTED THIS DECISION:

Article 1

In Article 14 of Decision 2014/219/CFSP, paragraph (1) is replaced by the following:

‘(1) The financial reference amount intended to cover the expenditure related to EUCAP Sahel Mali from 15 April 2014 to 14 January 2015 shall be EUR 5 500 000. The financial reference amount intended to cover the expenditure related to EUCAP Sahel Mali from 15 January 2015 to 14 January 2016 shall be EUR 11 400 000. The financial reference amount intended to cover the expenditure related to EUCAP Sahel Mali between 15 January 2016 and 14 January 2017 shall be EUR 19 775 000. The financial reference amount intended to cover the expenditure related to EUCAP Sahel Mali between 15 January 2017 and 14 January 2018 shall be EUR 29 800 000. The financial reference amount intended to cover the expenditure related to EUCAP Sahel Mali between 15 January 2018 and 14 January 2019 shall be EUR 28 450 000.’.

Article 2

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

Done at Brussels, 7 December 2017. For the Council The President A. ANVELT

(1) Council Decision 2014/219/CFSP of 15 April 2014 on the European Union CSDP mission in Mali (EUCAP Sahel Mali) (OJ L 113, 16.4.2014, p. 21).

(2) Council Decision (CFSP) 2017/50 of 11 January 2017 amending Decision 2014/219/CFSP on the European Union CSDP Mission in Mali (EUCAP Sahel Mali) (OJ L 7, 12.1.2017, p. 18).
EN Official Journal of the European Union L 343/77

COUNCIL DECISION (CFSP) 2017/2426

of 21 December 2017

amending Decision 2014/512/CFSP concerning restrictive measures in view of Russia's actions destabilising the situation in Ukraine

THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION,

Having regard to the Treaty on European Union, and in particular Article 29 thereof,

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

Whereas:

(1) On 31 July 2014, the Council adopted Decision 2014/512/CFSP (1).

(2) On 19 March 2015, the European Council agreed that the necessary measures would be taken to clearly link the duration of the restrictive measures to the complete implementation of the Minsk agreements, bearing in mind that the complete implementation was foreseen for 31 December 2015.

(3) On 28 June 2017, the Council renewed Decision 2014/512/CFSP until 31 January 2018 in order to enable it to further assess the implementation of the Minsk agreements.

(4) Having assessed the implementation of the Minsk agreements, Decision 2014/512/CFSP should be renewed for a further six months in order to enable the Council to further assess their implementation.

(5) Decision 2014/512/CFSP should therefore be amended accordingly,

HAS ADOPTED THIS DECISION:

Article 1

The first subparagraph of Article 9(1) of Decision 2014/512/CFSP is replaced by the following:

‘1. This Decision shall apply until 31 July 2018.’.

Article 2

This Decision shall enter into force on the day following that of its publication in the Official Journal of the European Union.

Done at Brussels, 21 December 2017. For the Council The President M. MAASIKAS

(1) Council Decision 2014/512/CFSP of 31 July 2014 concerning restrictive measures in view of Russia's actions destabilising the situation in Ukraine (OJ L 229, 31.7.2014, p. 13).
EN Official Journal of the European Union L 337/34

COUNCIL DECISION (CFSP) 2017/2371

of 18 December 2017

amending Decision 2014/486/CFSP on the European Union Advisory Mission for Civilian Security Sector Reform Ukraine (EUAM Ukraine)

THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION,

Having regard to the Treaty on European Union and in particular Article 28, Article 42(4) and Article 43(2) thereof,

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

Whereas:

(1) On 22 July 2014, the Council adopted Decision 2014/486/CFSP (1) on the European Union Advisory Mission for Civilian Security Sector Reform Ukraine (EUAM Ukraine).

(2) On 20 November 2017, the Council adopted Decision (CFSP) 2017/2161 (2) amending Decision 2014/486/CFSP, extending the mandate until 31 May 2019 and providing EUAM Ukraine with a financial reference amount for the same period.

(3) Following a recommendation by the Civilian Operation Commander, the Political and Security Committee agreed on 13 December 2017 to open a regional presence in Odessa.

(4) A revised financial reference amount for the period until 31 May 2019 should therefore be provided for, and Decision 2014/486/CFSP should be amended accordingly.

(5) EUAM Ukraine will be conducted in the context of a situation which may deteriorate and could impede the achievement of the objectives of the Union's external action as set out in Article 21 of the Treaty,

HAS ADOPTED THIS DECISION:

Article 1

In Article 14(1) of Decision 2014/486/CFSP, the fifth and sixth subparagraphs are replaced by the following:

‘The financial reference amount intended to cover the expenditure related to EUAM Ukraine for the period from 1 December 2017 to 31 May 2019 shall be EUR 33 843 302,49.’.

Article 2

Entry into force

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

Done at Brussels, 18 December 2017. For the Council The President K. SIMSON

(1) Council Decision 2014/486/CFSP of 22 July 2014 on the European Union Advisory Mission for Civilian Security Sector Reform Ukraine (EUAM Ukraine) (OJ L 217, 23.7.2014, p. 42).

(2) Council Decision (CFSP) 2017/2161 of 20 November 2017 amending Decision 2014/486/CFSP on the European Union Advisory Mission for Civilian Security Sector Reform Ukraine (EUAM Ukraine) (OJ L 304, 21.11.2017, p. 48).
EN Official Journal of the European Union L 344/37

COUNCIL DECISION (EU, Euratom) 2017/2436

of 18 December 2017

appointing a member, proposed by the Italian Republic, of the European Economic and Social Committee

THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION,

Having regard to the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union, and in particular Article 302 thereof,

Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Atomic Energy Community, and in particular Article 106a thereof,

Having regard to the proposal of the Italian Government,

Having regard to the opinion of the European Commission,

Whereas:

(1) On 18 September 2015 and 1 October 2015, the Council adopted Decisions (EU, Euratom) 2015/1600 (1) and (EU, Euratom) 2015/1790 (2) appointing the members of the European Economic and Social Committee for the period from 21 September 2015 to 20 September 2020.

(2) A member's seat on the European Economic and Social Committee has become vacant following the end of the term of office of Mr Giancarlo DURANTE,

HAS ADOPTED THIS DECISION:

Article 1

Mr Giovanni SABATINI, Direttore Generale dell'ABI (Associazione Bancaria Italiana), is hereby appointed as a member of the European Economic and Social Committee for the remainder of the current term of office, which runs until 20 September 2020.

Article 2

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

Done at Brussels, 18 December 2017. For the Council The President K. SIMSON

(1) Council Decision (EU, Euratom) 2015/1600 of 18 September 2015 appointing the members of the European Economic and Social Committee for the period from 21 September 2015 to 20 September 2020 (OJ L 248, 24.9.2015, p. 53).

(2) Council Decision (EU, Euratom) 2015/1790 of 1 October 2015 appointing the members of the European Economic and Social Committee for the period from 21 September 2015 to 20 September 2020 (OJ L 260, 7.10.2015, p. 23).
EN Official Journal of the European Union L 106/1

COUNCIL DECISION (CFSP) 2017/718

of 27 March 2017

concerning the signing and conclusion of the Agreement between the European Union and the Republic of Moldova on security procedures for exchanging and protecting classified information

THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION,

Having regard to the Treaty on European Union, and in particular Article 37 thereof, in conjunction with Article 218(5) and the first subparagraph of Article 218(6) of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union,

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

Whereas:

(1) At its meeting on 26 May 2015, the Council decided to authorise the High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy (HR) to open negotiations pursuant to Article 37 of the Treaty on European Union and in accordance with the procedure laid down in Article 218(3) of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union in order to conclude an Agreement on the security of information between the European Union and the Republic of Moldova.

(2) Following that authorisation, the HR negotiated an Agreement with the Republic of Moldova on security procedures for exchanging and protecting classified information.

(3) That Agreement should be approved,

HAS ADOPTED THIS DECISION:

Article 1

The Agreement between the European Union and the Republic of Moldova on security procedures for exchanging and protecting classified information is hereby approved on behalf of the Union.

The text of the Agreement is attached to this Decision.

Article 2

The President of the Council is hereby authorised to designate the person(s) empowered to sign the Agreement in order to bind the Union.

Article 3

This Decision shall enter into force on the date of its adoption.
(7)

A legal act of the Union for the purpose of implementing the Treaties cannot be adopted for the purpose of strengthening within the EU the place of citizens belonging to a national minority, with the aim of ensuring that their legitimate concerns are taken into consideration in the election of Members of the European Parliament. Article 20(2) TFEU provides for the rights of the citizens of the Union. Those rights include the right to vote and to stand as candidates in elections to the European Parliament in the Member State of residence, under the same conditions as nationals of that State. Article 25 TFEU provides that on the basis of a report from the Commission the Council, acting unanimously in accordance with a special legislative procedure and after obtaining the consent of the European Parliament, may adopt provisions to strengthen or to add to the rights listed in Article 20(2) TFEU. However, the rights strengthened or added by such provisions must be directed against other Member States than that of which the Union citizen concerned is a national or against the Union institutions. Conversely, the legal act envisaged by the proposed citizens' initiative entitled ‘Minority SafePack — one million signatures for diversity in Europe’ contains no similar qualifications. Accordingly, it would also create rights enforceable against the Member State of which the Union citizen is a national. Therefore Article 25 and Article 20(2) TFEU cannot constitute legal bases for the adoption of a legal act of the Union for the purpose of implementing the Treaties ‘for the purpose of strengthening within the EU the place of citizens belonging to a national minority, with the aim of ensuring that their legitimate concerns are taken into consideration in the election of Members of the European Parliament’. Inasmuch the legal act envisaged by the proposed citizens' initiative entitled ‘Minority SafePack — one million signatures for diversity in Europe’ would in essence regard the provisions necessary for the election of the Members of the European Parliament by direct universal suffrage, it is the latter institution which, in accordance with Article 223 TFEU, shall draw up a proposal to lay down these provisions, in accordance with a uniform procedure in all Member States or with principles common to all Member States. Therefore, the Commission is not empowered by the Treaties to submit a proposal for such a legal act.
EN Official Journal of the European Union L 256/9

COUNCIL DECISION (EU) 2017/1790

of 25 September 2017

on the position to be taken, on behalf of the European Union, within the Cooperation Council established by the Partnership and Cooperation Agreement between the European Communities and their Member States, of the one part, and the Republic of Armenia, of the other part, with regard to the adoption of the EU-Armenia Partnership Priorities

THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION,

Having regard to the Treaty on European Union, and in particular Article 37 thereof,

Having regard to the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union, and in particular Articles 207 and 209, in conjunction with Article 218(9) thereof,

Having regard to the proposal from the European Commission and the High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy,

Whereas:

(1) The Partnership and Cooperation Agreement between the European Communities and their Member States, of the one part, and the Republic of Armenia, of the other part (1) (the ‘Agreement’), was signed on 22 April 1996 and entered into force on 1 July 1999.

(2) In accordance with Article 78 of the Agreement, the Cooperation Council established by the Agreement may make appropriate recommendations to attain the objectives of the Agreement.

(3) The Parties have agreed to establish Partnership Priorities with a view to providing guidance and focus for their joint work on a sector-by-sector basis.

(4) The Partnership Priorities will be adopted by the Cooperation Council.

(5) The position of the Union within the Cooperation Council with regard to the adoption of the EU-Armenia Partnership Priorities is to be adopted by the Council,

HAS ADOPTED THIS DECISION:

Article 1

The position to be taken, on behalf of the Union, within the Cooperation Council established by the Partnership and Cooperation Agreement between the European Communities and their Member States, of the one part, and the Republic of Armenia, of the other part, with regard to the adoption of the EU-Armenia Partnership Priorities, shall be based on the draft Recommendation of the Cooperation Council, as attached to this Decision.

Article 2

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

Done at Brussels, 25 September 2017. For the Council The President M. MAASIKAS

(1) OJ L 239, 9.9.1999, p. 3.
EN Official Journal of the European Union L 326/5

COUNCIL DECISION (EU) 2017/2270

of 9 October 2017

on the conclusion of the Framework Agreement on Partnership and Cooperation between the European Union and its Member States, of the one part, and Mongolia, of the other part

THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION,

Having regard to the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union, and in particular Articles 207 and 209, in conjunction with Article 218(6)(a) thereof,

Having regard to the proposal from the European Commission,

Having regard to the consent of the European Parliament (1),

Whereas:

(1) In accordance with Council Decision 2012/273/EU (2) the Framework Agreement on Partnership and Cooperation between the European Union and its Member States, of the one part, and Mongolia, of the other part, was signed on 30 April 2013, subject to its conclusion at a later date.

(2) The Agreement should be approved,

HAS ADOPTED THIS DECISION:

Article 1

The Framework Agreement on Partnership and Cooperation between the European Union and its Member States, of the one part, and Mongolia, of the other part, is hereby approved on behalf of the Union.

The text of the Agreement is attached to this Decision.

Article 2

The High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy shall chair the Joint Committee provided for in Article 56 of the Agreement.

The Union or, as the case may be, the Union and the Member States shall be represented in the Joint Committee depending on the subject matter.

Article 3

The President of the Council shall, on behalf of the Union, give the notification provided for in Article 63(1) of the Agreement (3).

Article 4

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

Done at Luxembourg, 9 October 2017. For the Council The President S. KIISLER

(1) Consent of 15 February 2017 (not yet published in the Official Journal).

(2) Council Decision 2012/273/EU of 14 May 2012 on the signing, on behalf of the Union, of the Framework Agreement on Partnership and Cooperation between the European Union and its Member States, of the one part, and Mongolia, of the other part (OJ L 134, 24.5.2012, p. 4).

(3) The date of entry into force of the Agreement will be published in the Official Journal of the European Union by the General Secretariat of the Council.