Preliminary draft supplementary and amending budget No 3 to the budget for 2001 Section III - Commission Section VI - Economic and Social Committee Section VII - Committee of the Regions
Date: 2001-05-02
Institutions: Directorate-General for Budget, European Commission
Subjects: European Anti-fraud Office, European Commission, European Committee of the Regions, European Economic and Social Committee, amending budget, research and development, supplementary budget













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52001SC0663

Preliminary draft supplementary and amending budget No 3 to the budget for 2001 Section III - Commission Section VI - Economic and Social Committee Section VII - Committee of the Regions  /* SEC/2001/0663 final */  









PRELIMINARY DRAFT SUPPLEMENTARY AND AMENDING BUDGET No 3 TO THE BUDGET FOR 2001 SECTION III - COMMISSION SECTION VI - ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL COMMITTEE SECTION VII - COMMITTEE OF THE REGIONS(presented by the Commission)Having regard to:- Article 78 of the Treaty establishing the European Coal and Steel Community,- Article 272 of the Treaty establishing the European Community,- Article 177 of the Treaty establishing the European Atomic Energy Community,- Article 15 of the Financial Regulation of 21 December 1977 applicable to the general budget of the European Communities, [1] as last amended by Regulation No 2673/1999 [2] of 13 December 1999,[1]  OJ L 356, 31.12.1977, p. 1.[2]  OJ L 326, 18.12.1999, p. 1.The European Commission hereby presents to the budgetary authority the draft supplementary and amending budget No 3 to the 2001 budget for the reasons set out in the explanatory memorandum.TABLE OF CONTENTS1. Explanatory Memorandum1.1. Research and development1.1.1. Establishment of the European Research Area and introduction of the reform of finance and internal control1.1.2. Redeployment between programmes1.1.3. Transfer of tasks in relation to space policy and coordination1.1.4. Adjustment of the establishment plan for research ("Opération blanche")1.1.5. Budgetary aspects1.2. European Anti-Fraud Office1.2.1. Background1.2.2. Proposed adjustments to the Preliminary Draft1.2.3. Budgetary impact1.2.4. Conclusion1.3. Economic and Social Committee1.3.1. Introduction1.3.2. Purpose of the application1.3.3. Budgetary impact1.3.4. List of the main tasks for the strengthened project team for the renovation of the Belliard buildings (ESC)1.4. Committee of the Regions1.4.1. Introduction1.4.2. Strengthening the project team responsible for supervising the renovation works on the Belliard buildings1.4.3. Budgetary impact1.4.4. List of the main tasks for the civil engineer (1 A5 T) to head the team responsible for the renovation of the Belliard buildings2. General statement of revenue - C. Staff2.1. Section III: Commission2.1.1. Research and Technological Development - Joint Research Centre2.1.2. Research and Technological Development - Indirect action2.1.3. European Anti-Fraud Office2.2. Section VI: Economic and Social Committee2.3. Section VII: Committee of the Regions3. Statement of expenditure3.1. Section III: Commission1.  Explanatory MemorandumPreliminary draft amending budget No 3 to the 2001 budget presents the changes proposed in the establishment plans of several institutions: the Commission (as regards research and development activities and the European Anti-Fraud Office), the Economic and Social Committee and the Committee of the Regions.The common aspect in all the proposed changes is that there is no need to change the revenue side nor the expenditure total. This is because of the time that will be required to complete the recruitment procedures, after completion of the procedure for the adoption of the SAB itself. It can be expected that the proposed new posts will be filled towards the end of the year, and so will have no significant impact on this year's budget.The main change proposed for research and development activities is the creation of 27 new posts in the establishment plan for Research and Technological Development - Indirect actions. This will address the needs identified for these activities by the 'peer review' exercise in 2000, and not presented in Letter of Amendment No 1/2000 (where 400 new posts were requested for the Commission's activities other than research) because further studies were going on at that time on the needs of the research and development area. [3] The proposed transfer of appropriations included in this PDSAB, between administrative and operational lines within Subsection B6, is designed to balance the staff needs between specific programmes.[3]  See Letter of Amendment No 1/2001, Table I and footnote 9, p. 8, and Annex 1 and footnote 16, p. 44.The proposed changes for the European Anti-Fraud Office seek to provide the right balance between permanent and temporary posts within the new Office, in line with the Commission communication on its strategy for the protection of financial interests and the fight against fraud (presented in June 2000) and with Parliament's resolution of 16 May 2000. The OLAF proposals, submitted in February 2001 and approved by the Supervisory Committee on 30 March 2001, should allow Parliament to unblock the 76 posts voted in the 2001 budget, thus allowing the Office to implement its new human resource policy for its investigative tasks.The requests presented by the Economic and Social Committee and by the Committee of the Regions, and hereby transmitted by the Commission, are linked to the renovation of the Belliard building and the agreement between these institutions and the European Parliament on the statute and management of the Belliard and Montoyer buildings. One supplementary temporary post is requested by each of the two institutions in order to complete the team monitoring the renovation of the Belliard building.1.1.  Research and developmentIn 2000 the Commission undertook an in-depth assessment of its activities and the human resources allocated to them. The results are contained in the communication "Matching the Commission's activities with its human resources- The means to match its ambitions". [4][4]  SEC(2000) 2000/3The Commission presented to the budgetary authority letter of amendment No 1 to the preliminary draft budget for 2001 to follow up this communication as regards posts in the establishment plan for administrative staff. It was stated in this letter of amendment that a further proposal would subsequently be presented to the budgetary authority for research staff. For these activities, the Peer Group's conclusions found that 27 new posts were required for shared-cost projects (covered by this preliminary draft supplementary and amending budget) and prompted a rationalisation exercise for direct action (Joint Research Centre) which means that a reduction of 175 posts will be proposed in the preliminary draft budget for 2002.Apart from this request for new posts in 2001, additional measures are proposed for the redeployment of staff between programmes. The impact of all these requests on the budget is set out below and the annex contains a table showing all the changes proposed and a summary table of the proposal's budgetary implications.1.1.1. Establishment of the European Research Area and introduction of the reform of finance and internal controlThe 27 new posts required for shared-cost projects result from a combination of the savings to be achieved by simplifying procedures, increasing the scale of projects, shifting the emphasis of international cooperation and ending certain administrative functions (saving 98 posts) and the 110 posts required for the establishment of the European Research Area and the extra 15 posts needed for reform of finance and internal control.To face these new challenges, the Commission recently reorganised the departments responsible for shared-cost projects in the research sector. New bodies were set up to speed up establishment of the European Research Area and to step up the control of financial operations. At the same time, effective measures were taken to simplify procedures, gradually reduce the number of projects and shift the emphasis of international cooperation.1.1.2. Redeployment between programmesNow that the Fifth Framework Programme has been in operation for two years, the breakdown of posts between the various programmes requires adjustment. This concerns 20 posts for the Nuclear Energy R&T Specific Programme (of which 10 are old JET posts). These 20 posts should be redeployed to other programmes so that the human resources allocated to the management of research and technological development can be used to best effect. The impact of this operation on the budget is neutral and the details are set out in the attached table.1.1.3. Transfer of tasks in relation to space policy and coordinationThe coordination of space activities used to form part of the JRC's activities. To boost efficiency, it is now proposed that it should be transferred to indirect action and incorporated into general research policy. A new unit - Space research policy and coordination - has been set up for this purpose within the Directorate-General for Research, while the Space unit no longer features in the JRC organisation chart. It is proposed that 3 posts (1 A, 1 B and 1 C) should be transferred from the establishment plan for the Joint Research Centre to shared-cost projects.1.1.4. Adjustment of the establishment plan for research ("Opération blanche")This operation was announced to the budgetary authority during the 2000 budget procedure and was intended to secure the exchange of 19 research posts for the specific programme concerning the information society (part of the old Esprit programme) against the same number of administrative posts from the Directorate-General for Research. The operation was planned in two stages: the first (10 posts) was already carried out in late 2000 while the second (9 posts) should be completed in 2001 by means of this preliminary draft supplementary and amending budget.1.1.5. Budgetary aspects* Budgetary implications of the changes proposed to the establishment planThe changes proposed to the establishment plan will have few repercussions in terms of appropriations.Opération blanche cannot be completed and the new posts cannot really be used until early 2002 in view of the time needed for recruitment procedures once this supplementary and amending budget has been adopted. The cost of these operations has therefore only been incorporated in the preparations for the preliminary draft budget for 2002.The other transfers between specific programmes have an ultimately neutral impact on the budget. A table is attached to show the changes to the allocations for the programmes concerned. These changes are consistent with the amounts for each of the specific programmes concerned.* Other budget movements proposedThe administrative allocations required for the smooth operation of each programme in 2001 were revised at the start of the year. A number of savings were made in relation to the expenditure forecasts drawn up when the preliminary draft budget for 2001 was prepared; it is proposed that the total EUR 5.6 million involved be returned to operating expenditure.The following tables set out all the changes proposed for research and development activities in the establishment plans and the budget lines.&gt;TABLE POSITION&gt;Summary table of changes proposed by budget line&gt;TABLE POSITION&gt;1.2. European Anti-Fraud OfficeThis Preliminary Draft Amending Budget for 2001 is presented to enable OLAF to exercise its activity to the full in accordance with the tasks entrusted to it, in particular by Regulation No 1073/99. It was approved by the Supervisory Committee on 30 March 2001. It is consistent with the European Parliament's orientations regarding OLAF, in particular the Resolutions of 16 May 2000 and 13 December 2000. Its main purpose is to amend OLAF's establishment plan, without affecting the overall budgetary allocation for 2001.1.2.1. BackgroundThe Preliminary Draft Budget for 2001 was presented at the same time as OLAF's new Director-General was being appointed and before the Commission communication of 28 June 2000 on its new strategy for the protection of financial interests and the fight against fraud was presented. The Preliminary Draft was thus compiled before the Office's strategic orientations were defined and accordingly reflects its real needs only imperfectly. When the 2001 budget was finally adopted on 15 December 2000, the budgetary authority amended the establishment plan originally set out in the Preliminary Draft. The new establishment plan as adopted changed the distribution of posts between categories A and B and proposed a distribution between permanent and temporary posts that was somewhat different from what was proposed in the Preliminary Draft. The budgetary authority also froze 76 posts pending implementation of paragraphs 20 and 21 of the resolution of 16 May 2000 and the opinion of the OLAF Supervisory Committee.The object pursued by the budgetary authority with these amendments was twofold:- ensure that in its recruitment of specialist investigators and judicial officers to monitor investigations and relations with the national judicial authorities, the Office would give preference to temporary staff from the administrations and departments of the Member States;- enable the Director to be sure that the staff available properly matched OLAF's new functions.This approach was substantially shared by the Supervisory Committee.The budgetary authority's initiative has been beneficial. It broadly matches the objectives of the Director-General; he took up office only on 1 March 2000 and was unable to influence the preliminary draft budget for 2001. The establishment plan in the budget as adopted proposes a distribution of posts that more closely matches OLAF's needs and the desire of the Directorate-General to employ highly-qualified temporary staff from the Member States to direct and conduct investigations. The initiative was also supported by the Director-General for Administration as regards the principle of reassigning to Commission departments those OLAF officials whose qualifications did not correspond or no longer corresponded to those required by OLAF's new functions. The Office, in conjunction with the Commission, is currently evaluating the aptitude and suitability of its staff for the posts they occupy.But while the changes made by the budgetary authority are a step in the right direction, they need refining and adapting in line with the real situation as regards posts occupied on 1 January 2001 and the likely development of the Office and the new tasks entrusted to it. Approval by the budgetary authority of the adjustments proposed in this Preliminary Draft would make it possible to press ahead with the reorganisation of the Office and the recruitment of the staff it needs to operate efficiently.1.2.2. Proposed adjustmentsThe total number of posts stays at 300 but the breakdown between permanent and temporary staff posts would now be 2/3, 1/3 (200 permanent officials, 100 temporary staff). The attached establishment plan reproduces the pattern of post allocations between the 2000 budget and this PDAB.The main changes are as follows:* In category AIn relation to the 2000 budget, the Preliminary Draft preserves a stable situation regarding permanent posts (up from 83 to 84) and a considerable expansion in temporary staff (up from 15 to 60), taking the total for category A from 98 to 144 staff.In relation to the 2001 budget, it redistributes posts (+ 31 permanent posts, - 1 temporary post), which generates an increase of 30 in the total staff in this category.The effect of these changes will be (a) that officials in place on 1 January can be paid while (b) the new temporary staff in category A needed following the restructuring of the Office can be recruited. The main measures are:- the establishment of a unit consisting of fifteen or so experienced judicial officers on temporary posts;- the establishment of a new directorate to handle intelligence and operational strategy;- reinforcement of the managerial staff in charge of investigations and operations, particularly internal investigations;- the establishment of an internal financial control and audit unit as required by the financial reforms initiated by the Commission;- the secondment of one member of the temporary staff to the European Technical and Scientific Centre (CTSE) responsible for the protection of the euro (coins);- assignment of three members of staff responsible in particular for drafting the Green Paper on the European Prosecutor;- reinforcement of the cigarettes task force;- the establishment of a unit responsible for recovery of amounts lost through fraud;- the establishment of a unit responsible for monitoring enlargement and support for the future new Member States.* In category BIn relation to the 2000 budget, the Preliminary Draft reduces the number of permanent officials (from 60 to 52) and strongly increases the number of temporary posts (from 15 to 40), taking the aggregate for category B from 75 to 92.In relation to the 2001 budget as adopted by the budgetary authority, it reduces the number of staff (by 30) and redistributes posts towards the starting grade in the category.The main effect of these adjustments will be to allow the recruitment of 17 new career investigators, some of them younger (less than ten years' experience) and some of them more experienced, mainly from national investigation services. These new staff will, where necessary, strengthen the directorates and departments referred to in the second, third, sixth and seventh indents of the paragraph relating to category A.* In the other categories (C and D)The PDSAB proposes no changes.* Conversion of postsThis proposal leads to the conversion of 30 posts from category B into category A.1.2.3. Budgetary impactNo change in the appropriations in the 2001 budget is requested, given that the situation regarding the occupation of authorised posts means that the relevant expenditure can be covered from existing appropriations.1.2.4. ConclusionThe ratio of temporary staff to official changes from 1:6 in 2000 to 1:2 in 2001. This redistribution of the relevant shares of temporary staff and permanent officials reflects the orientation put forward by the European Parliament. In addition to the non-permanent staff there are also a set of experts seconded by the national authorities (about 20 in all).Acceptance of this PDSAB will entail the release by the budgetary authority of 76 posts in the establishment plan.Summary table of the changes proposed in the OLAF establishment plan&gt;TABLE POSITION&gt;1.3.  Economic and Social Committee1.3.1. IntroductionDuring the 1999 budget procedure the budgetary authority entered EUR 26 million in Section VI of the budget to renovate the Belliard building. This appropriation was subject to a non-automatic carryover, that was approved at the CoBu meeting on 12 and 13 October 2000.Following the agreements between the European Parliament on the one hand and the Committee of the Regions and Economic and Social Committee on the other, the legal situation with regard to the Belliard and Montoyer buildings has been clarified with the signature by the two committees of a new long lease with option to purchase on the Belliard and Montoyer buildings. The contract was signed on 15 December 2000 with the owner, and it marks the end of the contract between the owner and the European Parliament and of the administrative agreement between the Parliament and the two committees.Since that date, preparations for the necessary work have begun. A crucial phase will begin in a few months time, during which it will be necessary to monitor closely the work of the consultants and adopt the requisite administrative measures.In view of the cost of installing the Committee of the Regions and the Economic and Social Committee in the Belliard and Montoyer buildings, it is essential that all measures necessary to protect that investment be taken with immediate effect. A project team, comprising one A5, two A7, one B5 and one grade C is required for this task.The EP has already stressed the importance of the two committees taking the measures necessary to ensure that the best possible result is obtained from the works, and the need for expert financial, technical and legal support to ensure that this is achieved.Until the very end of financial 2000, the outcome of negotiations with the buildings' owner was uncertain. It was not therefore possible to submit this application as part of the normal 2001 budget adoption procedure, which explains why the present SAB is being used.1.3.2. Purpose of the application* Strengthening the project team responsible for supervising the renovation works on the Belliard buildingsThe committees request the assignment to the current team of two temporary staff members, at A5 and A7 level, to be divided between the two committees. The preliminary draft SAB proposes the creation of a new temporary A7 post at the ESC for the duration of the work (which is scheduled to end in December 2003). The budget authority is asked to make this post available to the Economic and Social Committee as soon as possible, in view of the imminent start on preparations for the works.* Extension of the project team's current temporary postsThe current team comprises two temporary staff members, at A5 and A7 level. The budgetary authority granted these posts to the ESC for 2000 and 2001. As the work will last until December 2003, both committees are asking for these two temporary posts to be extended to cover the same period.* Allocation of a C5 grade staff memberA C5 grade official will be made available to the project team thanks to re-deployment within the two committees' joint services.1.3.3. Budgetary impactThe creation of this new post will have no budgetary impact for the ESC in 2001, as the requisite appropriations can be obtained from savings in the management of recruitment policy.1.3.4. List of the main tasks for the strengthened project team for the renovation of the Belliard buildings (ESC)* For the 2 specialist engineers (technical or similar) (2 A 7 (T)):- Participate in the definition of the two committees' needs and technical specifications;- Verify on-site that these technical specifications are observed;- Monitor and follow up calls for tender placed by the project supervisor;- Monitor quality;- Monitor costs;- Monitor compliance with safety and environmental protection regulations and standards for the duration of the work.* For the person responsible for administrative follow-up (1 B5 (T)):- Assistance and follow-up of the project's administrative management, in particular with respect to costs;- Follow up calls for tender placed by the project supervisor;- Implementation and follow-up of the works schedule;- Participation in the project team and contacts with the relevant departments;- Cooperation in preparing the committees' removal and installation in the buildings.1.4.  Committee of the Regions1.4.1. IntroductionDuring the 1999 budget procedure the budgetary authority included EUR 26 million in the budget of the common organisational structure to renovate the Belliard building (Part C, Section VI). This appropriation was subject to a carryover that was approved at the CoBu meeting on 12 and 13 October 2000.Following the agreements between the European Parliament on the one hand and the Committee of the Regions and the Economic and Social Committee on the other, the legal situation with regard to the Belliard and Montoyer buildings has been clarified with the signature by the two Committees of a new long lease with option to purchase on the Belliard and Montoyer buildings. The contract was signed on 15 December 2000 with the company that owns the building, and it marks the end of the contract between this company and the European Parliament and of the administrative agreement between the Parliament and the two committees.Since that date preparations for the necessary works have begun. A crucial phase will begin in a few months time, during which it will be necessary to monitor closely the work of the consultants and adopt all the necessary administrative measures.In view of the cost of installing the Committee of the Regions and the Economic and Social Committee in the Belliard and Montoyer buildings, it is essential that all measures necessary to protect that investment be taken with immediate effect. Parliament has already stressed the importance of the two committees taking the measures necessary to ensure that the best possible result is obtained from the works, and the need for expert financial, technical and legal support to ensure that this is achieved.1.4.2. Strengthening the project team responsible for supervising the renovation works on the Belliard buildingsThe Committee of the Regions and the Economic and Social Committee are requesting the assignment to the current team of two temporary staff members, at A5 and A7 level, to be divided between the two committees. The preliminary draft SAB proposes the creation of a new temporary A5 post at the Committee of the Regions for the duration of the works (the end of which is scheduled for December 2003) and for the period covering completion and acceptance of the works. The budgetary authority is asked to make this post available to the COR as soon as possible in view of the imminent start on preparations for the works.This responds to the Parliament's repeated call in a number of resolutions for steps to be taken to ensure that the budget made available to the two committees for the works (EUR 26 million) is not exceeded. This will involve a major effort on the part of both committees in managing and supervising the work of the consultants and carrying out additional work.This application for a post could not have been submitted during the procedure for the adoption of the 2001 budget, as the outcome of the negotiations with the company that owns the building had been uncertain for some time, making it impossible to predict when the work would begin; the application therefore has to be made now by means of an SAB. It was only after the lease had been signed and a start made on planning the work that it became possible to determine exactly what would be needed to ensure that the works were properly executed. This new post will strengthen the current team consisting of one temporary A7 official and one B5. The posts were granted to the ESC by the budget authority for 2000 and 2001. The ESC is requesting an extension of these two posts for the same period. The joint services will now also set about redeploying a C official to the team.1.4.3. Budgetary impactThe creation of this new post will have no budgetary impact for the COR in 2001, as it can be financed by available appropriations, given the probable date on which the SAB should be adopted.1.4.4. List of the main tasks for the civil engineer (1 A5 T) to head the team responsible for the renovation of the Belliard buildings- Co-ordination and management of the team responsible for the new buildings- Contacts with the authorities- Checking plans (technical, civil engineering)- To assist the Committees in defining their needs and to work with the relevant departments to draw up plans for occupation- Participation in the preparation of the technical specifications with the project supervisor in accordance with our wishes- Monitor in co-operation with the consultant - the pre-site preparatory phase (administrative permits, monitor calls for tender, etc.)- Conduct site meetings during the works- Monitor site and deadlines set by the project supervisor and the various companies- Participation in the provisional acceptance and collection of feedback from companies- Participation in the final acceptance- Preparation of work order plans- Co-ordination and organisation of required moves2.  General statement of revenue   C. Staff2.1.  Section III: Commission2.1.1. Research and Technological Development - Joint Research Centre&gt;TABLE POSITION&gt;2.1.2.  Research and Technological Development - Indirect action&gt;TABLE POSITION&gt;2.1.3.  European Anti-Fraud Office&gt;TABLE POSITION&gt;(1) Of which one post for the Director of the Secretariat of the Supervisory Committee.(2) For the Director, Intelligence and Operational Strategy; for the Director, Investigations and Operations; for a Chief Adviser, Cooperation in combating fraud in the acceding countries.(3) Of which one post for the Secretariat of the Supervisory Committee.2.2.  Section VI: Economic and Social Committee&gt;TABLE POSITION&gt;2.3. Section VII: Committee of the Regions&gt;TABLE POSITION&gt;(1) Of which one A3, one A7, one B3 and one C3 as temporary posts assigned to the President's private office; and five A7s, three A6s, two B5s, three C5s and one C4 as temporary posts assigned to the political groups.(2) The effects of filling certain posts with part-timers may be offset by recruiting additional staff, subject to the balance of posts thus released in each category.(3) The following upgradings: - three A7 to A6, three A7T to A6T, one B3 to B2 and one C5T to C4T - are provisional; they are conditional on the presentation of a report on the COR's long term staff and staff promotion policy. Once this report has been presented, the budgetary authority will review the upgradings and take a decision on the release of the requisite appropriations.(4) Three LA4 and three C1 posts to be abolished in accordance with Article 55(2) of the Financial Regulation.3.  Statement of expenditure3.1. Section III: CommissionTITLE B6-6INDIRECT ACTION -- SHARED-COST PROJECTS AND CONCERTED ACTION -- FIFTH FRAMEWORK PROGRAMME 1998-2002SUMMARY TABLE&gt;TABLE POSITION&gt;TITLE B6-6INDIRECT ACTION -- SHARED-COST PROJECTS AND CONCERTED ACTION -- FIFTH FRAMEWORK PROGRAMME 1998-2002CHAPTER B6-6 1 -- FIRST ACTIVITY: RESEARCH, TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENT AND DEMONSTRATION PROGRAMMESArticle B6-6 1 1 -- Quality of life and management of living resourcesItem B6-6 1 1 0 -- Quality of life and management of living resources: Administrative expenditure&gt;TABLE POSITION&gt;Amend the remarks as follows (bold italic):This appropriation is intended to cover staff expenditure in respect of 218 staff (117 A, 46 B and 55 C).To the appropriations entered in this item must be added the contributions from the EFTA States pursuant to the Agreement on the European Economic Area, and in particular Article 82 thereof and Protocol 32 thereto:- EUR 601 262 in commitments,- EUR 601 262 in payments.-----------------------------------------------------------Item B6-6 1 1 1 -- Quality of life and management of living resources: Operating expenditure&gt;TABLE POSITION&gt;Amend the remarks as follows (bold italic):&gt;TABLE POSITION&gt;To the appropriations entered in this item must be added the contributions from the EFTA States pursuant to the Agreement on the European Economic Area, and in particular Article 82 thereof and Protocol 32 thereto:- EUR 11 336 738 in commitments,- EUR 7 463 938 in payments.-----------------------------------------------------------Article B6-6 1 2 -- User-friendly information societyItem B6-6 1 2 0 -- User-friendly information society: Administrative expenditureAmend the remarks as follows (bold italic):This appropriation is intended to cover staff expenditure in respect of 528 staff (285 A, 80 B and 163 C).-----------------------------------------------------------Article B6-6 1 3 -- Competitive and sustainable growthItem B6-6 1 3 0 -- Competitive and sustainable growth: Administrative expenditure&gt;TABLE POSITION&gt;Amend the remarks as follows (bold italic):This appropriation is intended to cover staff expenditure in respect of 233 staff (132 A, 43 B and 58 C).To the appropriations entered in this item must be added the contributions from the EFTA States pursuant to the Agreement on the European Economic Area, and in particular Article 82 thereof and Protocol 32 thereto:- EUR 674 619 in commitments,- EUR 674 619 in payments.-----------------------------------------------------------Item B6-6 1 3 1 -- Competitive and sustainable growth: Operating expenditure&gt;TABLE POSITION&gt;Amend the remarks as follows (bold italic):The likely schedule of payments vis-à-vis commitments is as follows:&gt;TABLE POSITION&gt;To the appropriations entered in this item must be added the contributions from the EFTA States pursuant to the Agreement on the European Economic Area, and in particular Article 82 thereof and Protocol 32 thereto:- EUR 12 534 261 in commitments,- EUR 8 217 781 in payments.-----------------------------------------------------------Article B6-6 1 4 -- Energy, environment and sustainable development (EC) -- Environment and sustainable developmentItem B6-6 1 4 0 -- Energy, environment and sustainable development (EC) -- Environment and sustainable development - Administrative expenditure&gt;TABLE POSITION&gt;Amend the remarks as follows (bold italic):This appropriation is intended to cover staff expenditure in respect of 108 staff (61 A, 14 B and 33 C).To the appropriations entered in this item must be added the contributions from the EFTA States pursuant to the Agreement on the European Economic Area, and in particular Article 82 thereof and Protocol 32 thereto:- EUR 317 419 in commitments,- EUR 317 419 in payments.-----------------------------------------------------------Item B6-6 1 4 1 -- Energy, environment and sustainable development (EC) -- Environment and sustainable development - Operating expenditure&gt;TABLE POSITION&gt;Amend the remarks as follows (bold italic):The likely schedule of payments vis-à-vis commitments is as follows:&gt;TABLE POSITION&gt;To the appropriations entered in this item must be added the contributions from the EFTA States pursuant to the Agreement on the European Economic Area, and in particular Article 82 thereof and Protocol 32 thereto:- EUR 5 164 661 in commitments,- EUR 2 427 381 in payments.-----------------------------------------------------------Article B6-6 1 5 -- Energy, environment and sustainable development (EC) -- EnergyItem B6-6 1 5 0 -- Energy, environment and sustainable development (EC) -- Energy: Administrative expenditure&gt;TABLE POSITION&gt;Amend the remarks as follows (bold italic):This appropriation is intended to cover staff expenditure in respect of 101 staff (56 A, 21 B and 24 C).To the appropriations entered in this item must be added the contributions from the EFTA States pursuant to the Agreement on the European Economic Area, and in particular Article 82 thereof and Protocol 32 thereto:- EUR 314 505 in commitments,- EUR 314 505 in payments.-----------------------------------------------------------Item B6-6 1 5 1 -- Energy, environment and sustainable development (EC) -- Energy: Operating expenditure&gt;TABLE POSITION&gt;Amend the remarks as follows (bold italic):The likely schedule of payments vis-à-vis commitments is as follows:&gt;TABLE POSITION&gt;To the appropriations entered in this item must be added the contributions from the EFTA States pursuant to the Agreement on the European Economic Area, and in particular Article 82 thereof and Protocol 32 thereto:- EUR 4 923 175 in commitments,- EUR 3 107 095 in payments.-----------------------------------------------------------CHAPTER B6-6 2 -- SECOND ACTIVITY: COOPERATION WITH THIRD COUNTRIES AND INTERNATIONAL ORGANISATIONSArticle B6-6 2 1 -- Confirming the international role of Community researchItem B6-6 2 1 0 -- Confirming the international role of Community research: Administrative expenditure&gt;TABLE POSITION&gt;Amend the remarks as follows (bold italic):To the appropriations entered in this item must be added the contributions from the EFTA States pursuant to the Agreement on the European Economic Area, and in particular Article 82 thereof and Protocol 32 thereto:- EUR 235 207 in commitments,- EUR 235 207 in payments.-----------------------------------------------------------Item B6-6 2 1 1 -- Confirming the international role of Community research: Operating expenditure&gt;TABLE POSITION&gt;Amend the remarks as follows (bold italic):The likely schedule of payments vis-à-vis commitments is as follows:&gt;TABLE POSITION&gt;To the appropriations entered in this item must be added the contributions from the EFTA States pursuant to the Agreement on the European Economic Area, and in particular Article 82 thereof and Protocol 32 thereto:- EUR 2 319 713 in commitments,- EUR 1 456 793 in payments.-----------------------------------------------------------CHAPTER B6-6 4 -- FOURTH ACTIVITY: TRAINING AND MOBILITY OF RESEARCHERSArticle B6-6 4 1 -- Improving the human research potential and the socioeconomic knowledge baseItem B6-6 4 1 0 -- Improving the human research potential and the socioeconomic knowledge base: Administrative expenditure&gt;TABLE POSITION&gt;Amend the remarks as follows (bold italic):This appropriation is intended to cover staff expenditure in respect of 125 staff (66 A, 20 B and 39 C).To the appropriations entered in this item must be added the contributions from the EFTA States pursuant to the Agreement on the European Economic Area, and in particular Article 82 thereof and Protocol 32 thereto:- EUR 372 522 in commitments,- EUR 372 522 in payments,-----------------------------------------------------------Item B6-6 4 1 1 -- Improving the human research potential and the socioeconomic knowledge base: Operating expenditure&gt;TABLE POSITION&gt;Amend the remarks as follows (bold italic):The likely schedule of payments vis-à-vis commitments is as follows:&gt;TABLE POSITION&gt;To the appropriations entered in this item must be added the contributions from the EFTA States pursuant to the Agreement on the European Economic Area, and in particular Article 82 thereof and Protocol 32 thereto:- EUR 5 743 118 in commitments,- EUR 4 421 478 in payments,-----------------------------------------------------------CHAPTER B6-6 5 -- EURATOM FRAMEWORK PROGRAMMEArticle B6-6 5 1 -- Nuclear energy (Euratom) - Nuclear fissionItem B6-6 5 1 0 -- Nuclear energy (Euratom) -- Nuclear fission: Administrative expenditure&gt;TABLE POSITION&gt;-----------------------------------------------------------Item B6-6 5 1 1 -- Nuclear energy (Euratom) -- Nuclear fission: Operating expenditure&gt;TABLE POSITION&gt;Amend the remarks as follows (bold italic):The likely schedule of payments vis-à-vis commitments is as follows:&gt;TABLE POSITION&gt;-----------------------------------------------------------Article B6-6 5 2 -- Nuclear energy (Euratom) -- controlled thermonuclear fusionItem B6-6 5 2 0 -- Nuclear energy (Euratom) -- controlled thermonuclear fusion: Administrative expenditure&gt;TABLE POSITION&gt;Amend the remarks as follows (bold italic):This appropriation is intended to cover staff expenditure in respect of 188 staff (153 A, 25 B and 10 C).-----------------------------------------------------------Item B6-6 5 2 1 -- Nuclear energy (Euratom) -- controlled thermonuclear fusion: Operating expenditure&gt;TABLE POSITION&gt;Amend the remarks as follows (bold italic):The likely schedule of payments vis-à-vis commitments is as follows:&gt;TABLE POSITION&gt;