2007/409/EC: Council Decision of 11 June 2007 amending Decision 2004/585/EC establishing Regional Advisory Councils under the Common Fisheries Policy
Date: 2007-06-11
Institutions: Council of the European Union
Subjects: EU financing, advisory committee (EU), common fisheries policy, operation of the Institutions

L 155/68

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Official Journal of the European Union

15.6.2007

(Acts adopted under the EC Treaty/Euratom Treaty whose publication is not obligatory)

II

DECISIONS

COUNCIL

COUNCIL DECISION

of 11 June 2007

amending Decision 2004/585/EC establishing Regional Advisory Councils under the Common
Fisheries Policy

(2007/409/EC)

THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION,

Advisory Councils to ensure their effective functioning,
as well as to cover their interpretation and translation
costs.

Having regard to the Treaty
Community, and in particular Article 37 thereof,

establishing the European

Having regard to the proposal from the Commission,

Having regard to the opinion of the European Parliament,

Whereas:

(1)

Council Regulation (EC) No 2371/2002 of 20 December
2002 on the conservation and sustainable exploitation of
fisheries resources under the Common Fisheries Policy (1)
and in particular Articles 31 and 32 thereof, provides for
new forms of participation by stakeholders
in the
Common Fisheries Policy through the establishment of
Regional Advisory Councils.

(2)

Decision 2004/585/EC (2) defines a common framework
to be complied with by each of the Regional Advisory
Councils.

(3)

Article 9 of Decision 2004/585/EC provides
for
Community financial aid to be granted to the Regional

(4)

(5)

(6)

(7)

Regional Advisory Councils offer advice on the Common
Fisheries Policy to the Commission and Member States
and ensure effective involvement of stakeholders which is
one of the essential pillars of the reformed Common
Fisheries Policy and a prerequisite of good governance.

should,

therefore,

Regional Advisory Councils
be
considered, as bodies pursuing an aim of general
European interest within the meaning of Article 162(b)
of Commission Regulation (EC, Euratom) No 2342/2002
of 23 December 2002 laying down detailed rules for the
implementation of Council Regulation (EC, Euratom) No
1605/2002 on the Financial Regulation applicable to the
general budget of the European Communities (3).

by

providing

Regional Advisory Councils need to be granted financial
stability
and
permanent funding in order to continue to pursue effec-
tively their advisory role within the Common Fisheries
Policy.

them with

sufficient

In order to simplify the management of the Community
funding received by the Regional Advisory Councils,
there should be a single financial
instrument to cover
all costs.

(1) OJ L 358, 31.12.2002, p. 59.
(2) OJ L 256, 3.8.2004, p. 17.

(3) OJ L 357, 31.12.2002, p. 1. Regulation as last amended by Regu-
lation (EC, Euratom) No 478/2007 (OJ L 111, 28.4.2007, p. 13).

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(8)

In view of the Community financial aid allocated to the
Regional Advisory Councils,
the
in addition to the audit controls, should
Commission,
be
that Regional
able
Advisory Councils are operating in conformity with the
tasks assigned to them.

any moment

to check at

is important

that

it

including translation and interpretation costs

costs,
accordance with Annex II.
___________
(*) OJ L 357, 31.12.2002, p. 1. Regulation as last amended
by Regulation (EC, Euratom) No 478/2007 (OJ L 111,
28.4.2007, p. 13).’;

in

(9)

Decision 2004/585/EC should,
accordingly,

therefore, be amended

2. the following Article shall be inserted:

HAS DECIDED AS FOLLOWS:

Article 1

Decision 2004/585/EC is hereby amended as follows:

1. Article 9 shall be replaced by the following:

‘Article 9

Financing

1.
A Regional Advisory Council which has acquired legal
personality may apply for Community financial aid as a
body pursuing an aim of general European interest within
the meaning of Article 162(b) of Commission Regulation
(EC, Euratom) No 2342/2002 of 23 December 2002
laying down detailed rules
the implementation of
Council Regulation (EC, Euratom) No 1605/2002 on the
financial Regulation applicable to the general budget of the
European Communities (*).

for

2.
The Commission shall sign a grant agreement with
each Regional Advisory Council to cover their operational

‘Article 9a

Commission verifications

The Commission may carry out all verifications it considers
necessary to ensure compliance with the tasks assigned by
Regulation (EC) No 2371/2002 and this Decision to the
Regional Advisory Councils.’;

3. Annex II shall be replaced by the Annex set out hereto.

Article 2

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

Done at Luxembourg, 11 June 2007.

For the Council
The President

H. SEEHOFER

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ANNEX

‘ANNEX II

Community contribution towards the costs incurred by the Regional Advisory Councils

The Community shall contribute to part of the operating costs of the Regional Advisory Councils as bodies pursuing an
aim of general European interest. The grant allocated by the Community to each Regional Advisory Council for its
operating costs shall not exceed 90 % of the operating budget of the Regional Advisory Council. In the following years,
the financial contribution shall be permanent and depend on the budget available. Each year, the Commission shall
conclude with each Regional Advisory Council an “operating grant agreement” setting the precise terms and conditions
and the procedure for the grant allocation.

The eligible costs shall consist of the costs necessary to ensure the normal operation of the Regional Advisory Councils
and enable them to pursue their aims. Only the actual expenses will be subject to the Community contribution, which
will be granted on condition that the other sources of financing have been allocated.

The following direct costs shall be eligible:

— personnel expenses (cost of personnel per day of work on the project),

— meeting room facilities,

— new or used equipment,

— materials and supplies,

— dissemination of information to members,

— travel and accommodation expenses of experts attending Committee meetings (based on scales or rules laid down by

the Commission departments),

— audits,

— interpretation and translation costs,

— a contingency reserve of not more than 5 % of eligible direct costs.’