[pic] | COMMISSION OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES |

Brussels, 10.10.2008

COM(2008) 631 final

Proposal for a

COUNCIL DECISION

on the financial contributions to be paid by the Member States to finance the European Development Fund in 2009 and 2010

(presented by the Commission)

EXPLANATORY MEMORANDUM

The Internal Agreement and Financial Regulation of the 10th EDF provide for a new procedure for the calls for contributions to be paid by Member States to finance the EDF. According to Article 157 of the Financial Regulation, this new procedure shall apply for the first time for the contributions of 2009.

In accordance with Article 57(2) of the Financial Regulation, this proposal covers:

- the ceiling for the annual amount of the contribution for 2010;

- the annual amount of the contribution for 2009; and

- the amount of the first instalment of the contribution for 2009.

In accordance with Article 57(7) of the Financial Regulation, the amount managed by the Commission and the amount managed by the EIB is specified for each of these amounts.

In accordance with Article 145 of the Financial Regulation, the EIB has sent the Commission its updated estimates of commitments and payments under the instruments it manages.

In accordance with Article 57(2) of the Financial Regulation, the Council must decide on this proposal by 15 November 2008 and Member States must pay the first instalment of the contribution at the latest by 21 January 2009.

Article 58(2) of the Financial Regulation provides that calls for contributions first use up the amounts laid down for previous EDFs, one after the other. The calls for contributions in this proposal therefore concern amounts under the 9th EDF.

Note that Article 60(1) of the Financial Regulation provides that a Member State which fails to pay the instalment of the contribution due by the deadline will be required to pay interest on the amount unpaid; the arrangements for the payment of interest are specified in the same Article.

Proposal for a

COUNCIL DECISION

on the financial contributions to be paid by the Member States to finance the European Development Fund in 2009 and 2010

THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION,

Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Community,

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[1], and in particular Article 10(1) thereof,

Having regard to the Internal Agreement between the Representatives of the Governments of the Member States, meeting within the Council, on the financing of Community aid under the multiannual financial framework for the period 2008 to 2013 in accordance with the ACP-EC Partnership Agreement and on the allocation of financial assistance for the Overseas Countries and Territories to which Part Four of the EC Treaty applies[2], and in particular Article 7 thereof,

Having regard to the Financial Regulation of 18 February 2008 applicable to the 10th European Development Fund (hereinafter referred to as "the 10th EDF Financial Regulation")[3], and in particular Articles 57 and 58(2) thereof,

Having regard to the proposal from the Commission[4],

Whereas:

(1) Article 58(2) of the 10th EDF Financial Regulation provides that calls for contributions first use up the amounts laid down for previous EDFs. Therefore a call for funds under the 9th EDF should be made on the basis of Article 10(1) of the Internal Agreement for the 9th EDF.

(2) However, Article 157 of the 10th EDF Financial Regulation stipulates that the procedure laid down in Articles 57 to 61 shall apply for the first time for 2009. In accordance with this procedure, the Commission is presenting a proposal for 15 October 2008 specifying (a) the ceiling for the annual amount of the contribution for 2010; (b) the annual amount of the contribution for 2009; and (c) the amount of the first instalment of the contribution for 2009. The Council shall decide on this proposal by 15 November 2008 and Member States pay the first instalment of the contribution for 2009 at the latest by 21 January 2009.

(3) In accordance with the first paragraph of Article 145 of the 10th EDF Financial Regulation, the European Investment Bank has sent the Commission its updated estimates of commitments and payments under the instruments it manages.

HAS ADOPTED THIS DECISION:

Article 1

The ceiling for the annual amount of the contribution for 2010 is hereby set at EUR 3 500 000 000 for the Commission and at EUR 280 000 000 for the European Investment Bank.

Article 2

The annual amount of the contribution for 2009 is hereby set at EUR 3 300 000 000 for the Commission and at EUR 200 000 000 for the European Investment Bank.

Article 3

The contributions to be paid by the Member States to the Commission and the European Investment Bank as the first instalment for 2009 are set out in the table in the Annex.

Article 4

This decision shall apply from the date of its adoption.

Article 5

This decision is addressed to the Member States contributing to the 9th EDF.

Done at Brussels,

For the Council

The President

ANNEX

First instalment of contributions for 2009 (in euro)

Member State | to the European Investment Bank | to the Commission |

GERMANY | 16 352 000 | 408 800 000 |

BELGIUM | 2 744 000 | 68 600 000 |

DENMARK | 1 498 000 | 37 450 000 |

SPAIN | 4 088 000 | 102 200 000 |

FRANCE | 17 010 000 | 425 250 000 |

GREECE | 875 000 | 21 875 000 |

IRELAND | 434 000 | 10 850 000 |

ITALY | 8 778 000 | 219 450 000 |

LUXEMBOURG | 203 000 | 5 075 000 |

NETHERLANDS | 3 654 000 | 91 350 000 |

PORTUGAL | 679 000 | 16 975 000 |

UNITED KINGDOM | 8 883 000 | 222 075 000 |

AUSTRIA | 1 855 000 | 46 375 000 |

FINLAND | 1 036 000 | 25 900 000 |

SWEDEN | 1 911 000 | 47 775 000 |

TOTAL | 70 000 000 | 1 750 000 000 |

[1] OJ L 317, 15.12.2000, p. 355.

[2] OJ L 247, 9.9.2006, p. 32.

[3] OJ L 78, 19.3.2008, p. 1.

[4] OJ C …, …, p. .