ddrg/super_eurlex huggingface dataset:
1.Foreword

In accordance with Article 7(3) of the 11th EDF Internal Agreement and Article 19(4) of the Council Regulation (EU) 2018/1877 on the Financial Regulation applicable to the 11th European Development Fund (hereinafter referred to as "11th EDF Financial Regulation"), the Commission presents in this document the commitments, payments and contributions made in 2018 and to be made in the years 2019 and 2020, taking into account the forecasts of the European Investment Bank (EIB).

This document sets out the financial implementation of the EDFs (Eighth to 11th) for 2018 and the forecasts of implementation for 2019 and 2020.

Member States contribute funds directly to the European Investment Bank (EIB) for the instruments, which it manages under the Ninth, 10th, and 11th EDFs (the Investment Facility and interest rate subsidies).

2.Introduction

The Commission and the EIB have updated their commitment and payment forecasts for 2019 and 2020 for each of the African, Caribbean and Pacific (ACP) countries and the Overseas Countries and Territories (OCTs). The payment forecasts in particular have been compiled with the aim of helping Member States to assess as accurately as possible the amounts they need to earmark in their national budgets while ensuring that sufficient financial resources are available for the EDF to avoid liquidity problems.

In accordance with Article 7(3) of the 11th EDF Internal Agreement and Article 19(4) of the 11th EDF Financial Regulation, the estimates of commitments and payments have been updated following the latest forecasts.

The graph below shows the general evolution in gross commitments and payments since 1999 until 2018 and projections for the period 2019-2020 (Commission and EIB cumulated amounts).





Gross commitments and payments: trend 1999-2020 (EUR million)

* Forecasts for 2019-2020

Note: Figures from implementation of the European Development Funds until 31 December 2018 (commitments and payments) and forecasts for 2019-2020.

3.Financial actuals 2018 and forecasts for 2019 - 2020 (EUR million)

The following table provides an update of the commitments, the payments and of the contributions, based on the Commission's latest forecasts.

Actuals 2018

Forecasts 2019-2020 (*) 2018 2019 2020 Commitments Commission 4 959 4 057 3 372 EIB 1.130 956 917 Total 6 089 5 013 4 289 Payments Commission 4 124 4 400 4 400 EIB 381 590 590 Total 4 505 4 990 4 990 Contributions Commission 4 250 4 400 4 400 EIB 250 300 300 Total 4 500 4 700 4 700

* Gross amounts, i.e. no decommitments or recoveries/reflows have been deducted. This approach is in line with that used for the general budget of the Union.

4.Non-binding Estimates of contributions for 2021 - 2022 (EUR million)
TO THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT on the activities and consultations of the Anti-Torture Coordination Group referred to in Article 31 of Regulation (EU) 2019/125 concerning trade in certain goods which could be used for capital punishment, torture or other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment

1.Introduction

Article 31(4) of Regulation (EU) 2019/125 of 16 January 2019 concerning trade in certain goods which could be used for capital punishment, torture or other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment ("the Regulation") requires the Commission to submit a report to the European Parliament on the activities, examinations and consultations of the Anti-Torture Coordination Group. It further specifies that the annual report shall be drawn up paying due regard to the need not to undermine the commercial interests of natural or legal persons.

Given the rather limited information in 2017, this report provides information on the activities of the Anti-Torture Coordination Group in 2017 and 2018, hence the period from the entry into force of the Regulation (EU) 2016/2134 of 23 November 2016, which established the group.

2.Regulatory Framework

The Regulation highlights the EU’s commitment to the eradication of torture and capital punishment. It prohibits exports and imports of goods specifically designed for capital punishment, for torture or for other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment. It also requires that exports of goods which could be used for torture and other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment, be subject to a prior export authorization issued by the competent authorities of the EU Member States.

The lists of prohibited and controlled goods are set out in the Annexes II, III and IV to the Regulation.

The Regulation was amended once during the period covered by this report. Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2018/181 of 18 October 2017 added the Dominican Republic, Sao Tome and Principe and Togo to the list of countries of destination to which the Union General Export Authorisation (currently Annex V) applies.

3.Activities of the Anti-Torture Coordination Group

The Anti-Torture Coordination Group (ATCG) was established by Regulation (EU) 2016/2134 of the European Parliament and of the Council to examine questions concerning the application of the Regulation.

The ATCG serves as a platform for Member States' experts and the Commission to exchange information on administrative practices and to discuss questions of interpretation of the Regulation, technical issues with respect to the goods listed, developments related to the Regulation and any other questions that may arise. Furthermore, when preparing delegated acts, the Commission consults the ATCG in accordance with the principles laid down in the Interinstitutional Agreement of 13 April 2016 on Better Law-Making.
COMMUNICATION FROM THE COMMISSION TO THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT pursuant to the second subparagraph of Article 251(2) of the EC Treaty concerning the Common position adopted by the Council with a view to adopting a Directive of the European Parliament and of the Council amending Council Directive 74/60/EEC on the approximation of the laws of the Member States relating to the interior fittings of motor vehicles (interior parts of the passenger compartment other than the interior rear-view mirrors, layout of controls, the roof or sliding roof, the backrest and rear part of the seats)

COMMUNICATION FROM THE COMMISSION TO THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT pursuant to the second subparagraph of Article 251(2) of the EC Treaty concerning the

Common position adopted by the Council with a view to adopting a Directive of the European Parliament and of the Council amending Council Directive 74/60/EEC on the approximation of the laws of the Member States relating to the interior fittings of motor vehicles (interior parts of the passenger compartment other than the interior rear-view mirrors, layout of controls, the roof or sliding roof, the backrest and rear part of the seats)

1. Background

- Date of transmission of proposal: 02.04.1998 (document COM(1998)159 final - 98/0089 COD, 02.04.1998);

- Date of European Parliament opinion at first reading: 10.02.1999;

- Date of Economic and Social Committee opinion: 09.09.1998;

- Date of adoption of common position: 28.10.1999.

2. Subject of the Commission proposal

This proposal for a directive is designed to introduce into Council Directive 74/60/EEC, as last amended by Commission Directive 78/632/EEC, requirements on power-operated windows in order to remove the danger to children which can occur when closing these windows; similar requirements are provided for power-operated roof panel systems and partition systems.

It is also proposed to align the administrative provisions of Directive 74/60/EEC with those of the EC type-approval Directive 70/156/EEC so that type-approval may be computerised.

3. Comments on the common position

3.1. General comments

The Council's common position involves no changes of substance to the Commission's initial proposal.

3.2. Amendments proposed by Parliament

Parliament delivered its opinion without a debate and without amendments.

4. Conclusions

The Commission supports the Council's common position.
Draft DECISION OF THE EEA JOINT COMMITTEE amending Protocol 31 to the EEA Agreement, on cooperation in specific fields outside the four freedoms - Draft common position of the Community

(presented by the Commission)

EXPLANATORY MEMORANDUM

1. Protocol 31 to the EEA Agreement contains specific provisions on the cooperation between the Community and the EFTA-EEA States outside the four freedoms.

2. The attached draft Decision of the EEA Joint Committee aims to modify Protocol 31 to extend cooperation in the field of culture. It provides for a framework for cooperation and sets out the modalities for full participation of the EFTA-EEA States in the Community programme and actions in this field:

- 32000 D 0508: Decision No 508/2000/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 14 February 2000 establishing the Culture 2000 programme (OJ L 63, 10.3.2000, p. 1).

3. Article 1.3 (b) of Council Regulation (EC) No 2894/94 concerning the arrangements for implementing the EEA Agreement envisages that the Council establishes the Community position for such Decisions on a proposal from the Commission.

4. The draft Decision of the EEA Joint Committee is submitted for the approval of the Council. The Commission would hope to be able to put forward the position of the Community in the EEA Joint Committee in March 2000.

Draft DECISION OF THE EEA JOINT COMMITTEE amending Protocol 31 to the EEA Agreement, on cooperation in specific fields outside the four freedoms

THE EEA JOINT COMMITTEE,

Having regard to the Agreement on the European Economic Area, as adjusted by the Protocol adjusting the Agreement on the European Economic Area, hereinafter referred to as 'the Agreement', and in particular Articles 86 and 98 thereof,

Whereas:

(1) Protocol 31 to the Agreement was amended by Decision of the EEA Joint Committee No ... of ... [1].

[1] OJ L ...

(2) It is appropriate to extend the cooperation of the Contracting Parties to the Agreement to include a single financing and programming instrument for cultural cooperation (Culture 2000 programme) (Decision No 508/2000/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council [2]).

[2] OJ L 63, 10.3.2000, p. 1.

(3) Protocol 31 to the Agreement should therefore be amended in order to allow for this extended cooperation to take place from 1 January 2000,

HAS DECIDED AS FOLLOWS:

Article 1

The following indent shall be added in Article 13(4) of Protocol 31 to the Agreement:

'- 32000 D 0508: Decision No 508/2000/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 14 February 2000 establishing the Culture 2000 programme (OJ L 63, 10.3.2000, p. 1).'

Article 2

This Decision shall enter into force on the day after the last notification under Article 103(1) of the Agreement has been made to the EEA Joint Committee.

It shall apply from 1 January 2000.

Article 3

This Decision shall be published in the EEA Section of, and in the EEA Supplement to, the Official Journal of the European Communities.

Done at Brussels, ... 2000.

For the EEA Joint Committee

The President F. Barbaso

The Secretaries to the EEA Joint Committee G. Vik E. Gerner
Recommendation for a COUNCIL DECISION concerning the participation of the Community in the twentieth meeting of the Standing Committee of the Bern Convention on the Conservation of European Wildlife and Natural Habitats

(presented by the Commission)

I. SUBJECT

The Bern Convention concerns the conservation of European wildlife and natural habitats. This objective falls within Article 174 of the EC Treaty, which refers to preserving, protecting and improving the quality of the environment.

The Community approved this Convention by Council Decision 82/72/EEC [1].

[1] JO L 38, 10.2.1982.

The twentieth meeting of the Standing Committee of the Bern Convention will be held in Strasbourg from 27 November to 1 December 2000.

The Commission will conduct negotiations with the Member States during this meeting in accordance with negotiating Directives.

II. RECOMMENDATION

In the light of the above, the Commission recommends that the Council decide:

- that, in respect of matters falling within its competence, the Community will participate, under the Bern Convention, in the negotiations conducted during the twentieth meeting of the Standing Committee of the Bern Convention.

The Commission will conduct these negotiations in consultation with a committee of representatives of the Member States, either in Brussels or on the spot in accordance with the negotiating Directives referred to below

- that, insofar as the Convention also covers aspects not falling within the Community's competence, the Commission and the Member States will ensure a united front in the international representation of the Community by means of close cooperation during the negotiating process.

Negotiating Directives

(a) The Commission will ensure that the decisions of the Standing Committee are consistent with Community legislation in this area and with the relevant international rules that the Community is required to observe.

(b) The Commission will report to the Council on the outcome of the negotiations and, where appropriate, on any problems which might arise in the course of those negotiations.
COMMUNICATION FROM THE COMMISSION TO THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT pursuant to the second subparagraph of Article 251 (2) of the EC Treaty concerning the COMMON POSITION OF THE COUNCIL CONCERNING THE PROPOSAL FOR A RECOMMENDATION OF THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND OF THE COUNCIL ON EUROPEAN COOPERATION IN QUALITY EVALUATION IN SCHOOL EDUCATION

2000/0022 (COD)

COMMUNICATION FROM THE COMMISSION TO THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT pursuant to the second subparagraph of Article 251 (2) of the EC Treaty concerning the COMMON POSITION OF THE COUNCIL CONCERNING THE PROPOSAL FOR A RECOMMENDATION OF THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND OF THE COUNCIL ON EUROPEAN COOPERATION IN QUALITY EVALUATION IN SCHOOL EDUCATION

1. Background

- Forwarding of the initial proposal: 24 January 2000 [1]

[1] COM (1999) 709 final, 24 January 2000

- Opinion of the Economic and Social Committee: 27 April 2000 [2]

[2] CES 476/2000, 27 April 2000

- Opinion of the Committee of the Regions: 15 June 2000 [3]

[3] CDR 21/2000, 15 June 2000

- Opinion of the European Parliament at first reading: 6 July 2000 [4]

[4] PE A5-0185/2000 - 2000/0022 (COD), 6 July 2000

- Forwarding of the amended proposal: 3 August 2000 [5]

[5] COM (2000) 523 final, 3 August 2000

- Adoption of the common position: 9 November 2000 [6]

[6] (...)

2. Subject of the recommendation

The proposal for a recommendation concerns European cooperation in the quality evaluation of school education. It asks the Member States to establish transparent quality assurance systems and to encourage the self-evaluation and external evaluation of schools. The Commission, for its part, is asked to promote cooperation between schools and the national authorities involved in evaluating school education and to encourage their networking at European level.

3. Commission's comments on the common position

The Commission notes with satisfaction that the common position of the Council respects the substance and spirit of its proposal. It notes that the Council shares the central objective of the proposal, which is to strengthen European cooperation in the quality evaluation of school education.

The common position of the Council is based on the amended proposal adopted by the Commission following the opinion expressed by Parliament at first reading. The Commission welcomes the fact that the Council, in its common position, has accepted - either in full, in substance or in part - the amendments proposed by Parliament and accepted by the Commission, particularly with regard to:

- strengthening the follow-up measures recommended in the Commission's proposal;

- introducing explicit references to the crucial role played by performance indicators and benchmarks;

- extending and clarifying the political scope of the recommendation;

- introducing new recitals which clarify the proposal and stress the various objectives behind efforts to evaluate the quality of school education.

4. Conclusion

On the basis of this common position, the legislative procedure can now move ahead constructively with the second reading at the European Parliament. The Commission fully supports the Council's position.
COMMUNICATION FROM THE COMMISSION TO THE COUNCIL on the renewal of the terms of office of the President and of the Vice-President of the Community Plant Variety Office

In accordance with Article 43 of Council Regulation (EC) 2100/94 [1] of 27 July 1994, as last amended by Council Regulation (EC) N° 2506/95 of 25 October 1995 [2], the Council appointed in 1996 Mr Bart KIEWIET as President, and Mr José ELENA ROSSELLO as Vice-President, of the Community Plant Variety Office, from a list of candidates proposed by the Commission after obtaining the opinion of the Administrative Council, for a term of office of five years. This term of office will expire on 31 July 2001and 28 February 2002 respectively.

[1] OJ L 227, 1.9.1994, p. 1.

[2] OJ L 258, 28.10.1995, p. 3.

Article 43 (2), second sentence of Regulation (EC) 2100/94 stipulates that the terms of office shall be renewable.

In conformity with the provisions of Article 43 (1) of the said Regulation, the Administrative Council has been consulted on the available options and delivered the attached opinion at its meeting on 18 October 2000. The Commission has decided to endorse the Administrative Council's opinion and consequently proposes to the Council the renewal of the terms of office of both senior officials for another five years.
Recommandation for a COUNCIL DECISION concerning the participation of the Community in the twenty-first meeting of the Standing Committee of the Bern Convention on the Conservation of European Wildlife and Natural Habitats

(presented by the Commission)

I. JUSTIFICATION

The Bern Convention concerns the conservation of European wildlife and natural habitats. This objective falls within Article 174 of the EC Treaty, which refers to preserving, protecting and improving the quality of the environment.

The Community approved this Convention by Council Decision 82/72/EEC [1].

[1] OJ No L 38, 10.02.1982.

The twenty-first meeting of the Standing Committee of the Bern Convention will be held in Strasbourg from 26 to 30 November 2001.

The Commission will conduct negotiations with the Member States during this meeting in accordance with negotiating directives.

II. RECOMMENDATION

The Commission recommends:

a) that the Council authorise the Commission to take part in the negotiations concerning the twenty-first meeting of the Standing Committee of the Bern Convention on the Conservation of European Wildlife and Natural Habitats which will be held in Strasbourg from 26 to 30 November 2001;

b) that, since in accordance with the Treaty the Commission will conduct these negotiations on behalf of the European Community, the Council appoint a special committee to assist it in this task;

c) that in so far as the decisions to be taken are within the competence of the Member States, the Commission and the Member States ensure a united front in the international representation of the Community through close cooperation during the negotiations;

d) that the Council adopt the negotiating directives annexed hereto.

ANNEX

NEGOTIATING DIRECTIVES

1. The Commission shall ensure that the decisions of the Standing Committee are consistent with relevant Community legislation.

2. The Commission shall report to the Council on the outcome of the negotiations and on any problems that have arisen in the course of the negotiations.
Draft DECISION OF THE EEA JOINT COMMITTEE amending Protocol 31 to the EEA Agreement, on cooperation in specific fields outside the four freedoms - Draft common position of the Community

(presented by the Commission)

EXPLANATORY MEMORANDUM

1. Protocol 31 to the EEA Agreement contains specific provisions on the cooperation between the Community and the EEA EFTA States outside the four freedoms.

2. The attached draft Decision of the EEA Joint Committee aims to modify Protocol 31 to extend cooperation in the field of social policy. It provides a framework for cooperation and sets out the modalities for full participation of the EEA EFTA States in the Community programme and actions in this field:

- 32001 D 0903: Council Decision 2001/903/EC of 3 December 2001 on the European Year of People with Disabilities 2003 (OJ L 335, 19.12.2001, p. 15).

3. Article 1.3(b) of Council Regulation (EC) No 2894/94 concerning the arrangements for implementing the EEA Agreement envisages that the Council establish the Community position for such Decisions on a proposal from the Commission.

4. The draft Decision of the EEA Joint Committee is submitted for the approval of the Council. The Commission would hope to be able to put forward the position of the Community in the EEA Joint Committee in May 2002.

Draft DECISION OF THE EEA JOINT COMMITTEE amending Protocol 31 to the EEA Agreement, on cooperation in specific fields outside the four freedoms

THE EEA JOINT COMMITTEE,

Having regard to the Agreement on the European Economic Area, as amended by the Protocol adjusting the Agreement on the European Economic Area, hereinafter referred to as 'the Agreement', and in particular Articles 86 and 98 thereof,

Whereas:

(1) Protocol 31 to the Agreement was amended by Decision of the EEA Joint Committee No .../... of ... [1].

[1] OJ L ....

(2) Council Decision 2001/903/EC of 3 December 2001 on the European Year of People with Disabilities 2003 [2] is to be incorporated into the Agreement,

[2] OJ L 335, 19.12.2001, p. 15.

HAS DECIDED AS FOLLOWS:

Article 1

The following indent shall be added in Article 5(8) of Protocol 31 to the Agreement:

'- 32001 D 0903: Council Decision 2001/903/EC of 3 December 2001 on the European Year of People with Disabilities 2003 (OJ L 335, 19.12.2001, p. 15).'

Article 2

This Decision shall enter into force on [...], provided that all the notifications under Article 103(1) of the Agreement have been made to the EEA Joint Committee [3].

[3] [No constitutional requirements indicated.] [Constitutional requirements indicated.]

It shall apply from 1 January 2002.

Article 3

This Decision shall be published in the EEA Section of, and in the EEA Supplement to, the Official Journal of the European Communities.

Done at Brussels, [...].

For the EEA Joint Committee

The President [...]

The Secretaries to the EEA Joint Committee [...]