Proposal for a Council Decision on a Community position in the Joint Committee on the implementation of Article 66 of the Euro-Mediterranean Interim Association Agreement on Trade and Cooperation between the European Community, of the one part, and the Palestine Liberation Organisation (PLO) for the benefit of the Palestinian Authority of the West Bank and the Gaza Strip, on the other part
Date: 2008-08-19
Institutions: European Commission
Subjects: European Community, Palestine Liberation Organisation, administrative cooperation, association agreement, cooperation agreement, trading operation

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COMMISSION OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES 

Brussels, 19.8.2008 
COM(2008) 524 final 

Proposal for a 

COUNCIL DECISION 

on a Community position in the Joint Committee on the implementation of Article 66 of 
the Euro-Mediterranean Interim Association Agreement on Trade and Cooperation 
between the European Community, of the one part, and the Palestine Liberation 
Organisation (PLO) for the benefit of the Palestinian Authority of the West Bank and 
the Gaza Strip, on the other part 

(presented by the Commission) 

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1. 

2. 

3. 

4. 

5. 

6. 

7. 

EXPLANATORY MEMORANDUM 

The  Interim  Association  Agreement  forms  the  legal  basis  for  the  bilateral  relations 
between the European Union and the Palestinian Authority (PA). 

Article  66  the  Interim  Association  Agreement  provides  for  the  setting  up  of  the 
necessary bodies for its implementation.  

An  institutional  structure consisting of a number  of  subcommittees has  been set up 
for the implementation of other Euro-Mediterranean partner countries, such as Israel, 
Morocco, Egypt, Tunisia, Jordan and Lebanon. The present proposal largely follows 
the same scheme and structure.  

The  Palestinian  Authority  is  willing  to  strengthen  cooperation  in  the  various  areas 
covered  by  the  provisions  of  the  Interim  Association  Agreement.  Under  the 
European  Neighbourhood  Policy,  moreover,  the  aim  is  for  the  bilateral  relations 
between the EU and the Palestinian Authority to develop into an overall partnership 
with a coherent approach guaranteed by close and permanent coordination of all the 
various elements. 

In  view  of  the  above,  the  European  Commission  proposes  to  the  Council  that  four 
subcommittees be set up to support the Joint Committee in the implementation of the 
Interim  Association  Agreement  and  the  European  Neighbourhood  Policy  Action 
Plan. The subcommittees will discuss matter of a technical nature that cannot be fully 
dealt with in the framework of the Joint Committee.  

The  four  subcommittees  proposed  will  cover:  (i)  Economic  and  Financial  Matters, 
Trade,  Customs  Issues;  (ii)  Social  Affairs;  (iii)  Energy,  Environment,  Transport, 
Science and Technology; (iv) Human rights, good governance and rule of law. 

The  objective,  the  subjects  covered  by  each  subcommittee  and  the  implementing 
procedures are contained in the rules of procedure annexed. 

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Proposal for a 

COUNCIL DECISION 

on a Community position in the Joint Committee on the implementation of Article 66 of 
the Euro-Mediterranean Interim Association Agreement on Trade and Cooperation 
between the European Community, of the one part, and the Palestine Liberation 
Organisation (PLO) for the benefit of the Palestinian Authority of the West Bank and 
the Gaza Strip, on the other part 

THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION, 

Having  regard  to  the  Treaty  establishing  the  European  Community  and,  in  particular  the 
second subparagraph of Article 300 (2) thereof; 
Having regard to the proposal from the Commission1, 

Whereas: 

(1) 

The  Euro-Mediterranean  Interim  Association  Agreement  on  Trade  and  Cooperation 
between  the  European  Community,  of  the  one  part,  and  the  Palestine  Liberation 
Organisation (PLO) for the benefit of the Palestinian Authority of the West Bank and 
the Gaza  Strip, of the  other  part, was  signed on 24th February 1997 and entered into 
force on 1st July 1997, 

(2) 

Article  66  of  that  Agreement  provides  for  the  setting  up  of  committees  (hereafter 
referred to as subcommittees) to assist the Joint Committee in carrying out its duties, 

HAS DECIDED AS FOLLOWS: 

Sole Article 

The position to be adopted by the Community in the Joint Committee established by the Euro-
Mediterranean  Interim  Association  Agreement  on  Trade  and  Cooperation  between  the 
European  Community,  of  the  one  part,  and  the  Palestine  Liberation  Organisation  (PLO)  for 
the benefit of the Palestinian Authority of the West Bank and the Gaza Strip, of the other part, 
on the implementation of Article 66 of the Agreement, shall be based on the draft Decision of 
the Joint Committee annexed to this Decision. 

The sub-committees to be set up shall be chaired by a European Commission representative 
on behalf of the European Community.  

The Decision shall enter into force on the day of its adoption. 

Done at Brussels, […] 

For the Council 
The President 
[…] 

1 

OJ C […], […], p. […]. 

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ANNEX A 

Draft 

DECISION OF THE EC-PLO JOINT COMMITTEE 

Setting up Interim Association Committee subcommittees 

The Joint Committee of the Interim Association Agreement between the EC and the PLO (for 
the benefit of the Palestinian Authority), 

Having  regard  to  the  Euro-Mediterranean  Interim  Association  Agreement  on  Trade  and 
Cooperation between the European Community, of the one part, and the Palestine Liberation 
Organisation  (PLO)  for  the  benefit  of  the  Palestinian  Authority  of  the  West  Bank  and  the 
Gaza Strip, of the other part, 

Whereas: 

(1) 

The  EU's  relations  with  the  southern  Mediterranean  countries  are  becoming 
increasingly  complex  as  a  result  of  the  implementation  of  the  Euro-Mediterranean 
Agreements and the continuation of the Euro-Mediterranean partnership. Furthermore, 
the functioning of the European Neighbourhood Policy and its Action Plans in a wide 
range of sectoral areas requires the establishment of the proposed subcommittees. 

(2)  Whereas  the  EC-PLO  Interim  Association  Agreement  has  entered  a  new  phase  of 
the  European  Neighbourhood  Policy  and 

the  context  of 

implementation 
developments in the region. 

in 

(3) 

Article  66  of  the  Agreement  provides  for  the  setting  up  of  any  other  committee 
(hereafter referred to as subcommittees) that can assist it in carrying out its duties, 

HAS DECIDED AS FOLLOWS: 

Sole Article 

The subcommittees of the EC-PLO Joint Committee listed in Annex 1 are hereby set up and 
the rules of procedure of those subcommittees in Annex 2 hereby adopted. 

The subcommittees shall work under the authority of the Joint Committee, to which they shall 
report  after  each  of  their  meetings.  The  above-mentioned  subcommittees  shall  have  no 
decision-making power. 

The Joint Committee shall take any action needed to ensure that they operate properly. The 
Joint Committee may decide to set up further subcommittees or groups or to abolish existing 
subcommittees or groups. 

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

Done at [...] 

For the Joint Committee 

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ANNEX I 

EC-PLO INTERIM ASSOCIATION AGREEMENT 

SUBCOMMITTEES ATTACHED TO THE JOINT COMMITTEE 

Economic and Financial Matters, Trade, Customs Issues  

Social Affairs 

Energy, Environment, Transport, Science and Technology 

Human rights, good governance and rule of law. 

1. 

2. 

3. 

4. 

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ANNEX II 

Rules of procedures 

Subcommittee of the EC-PLO Joint Committee 

Economic and Financial Matters, Trade, Customs Issues 

1. 

Composition and chair 

The  subcommittee  shall  be  composed  of  representatives  of  the  European  Community  and 
representatives of the Palestinian Authority. It shall be chaired alternately by the two parties.  

2. 

Role 

The  subcommittee  shall  work  under  the  authority  of  the  Joint  Committee,  to  which  it  shall 
report  after  each  meeting.  The  subcommittee  does  not  have  any  decision-making  power  but 
may submit proposals to the Joint Committee. 

3. 

Subject matter 

The subcommittee shall discuss the implementation of the Interim Association Agreement and 
the  related  European  Neighbourhood  Policy  Action  Plan  including  in  the  areas  listed  below 
and shall assess progress on the objectives and actions which have been identified and agreed 
upon in the Action Plan. Where relevant, co-operation in public administration matters shall 
be  discussed.  The  subcommittee  shall  examine  any  problems  that  may  arise  in  the  sectors 
listed below and shall suggest possible steps to be undertaken. 

(a)  Financial Accountability and Sound Management of Public Finances 

(b)  Economic Reform and Development 

(c)  Market and Regulatory Reform 

(d)  Trade-related Issues 

(e)  Customs Issues 

(f) 

Industry and small and medium enterprises (SMEs) 

(g)  Agriculture and fisheries 

(h)  Statistics 

The  above  list  is  not  exhaustive  and  other  subjects,  including  horizontal  matters,  may  be 
added by the Joint Committee. 

The subcommittee may discuss matters relating to one, several or all of the above sectors. 

4. 

Secretariat 

An official of the European Commission and an official of the Palestinian Authority shall act 
jointly as permanent secretaries of the subcommittee. 

All communications concerning the subcommittee shall be forwarded to the secretaries.  

5. 

Meetings 

The subcommittee shall meet whenever circumstances require. A meeting may be convened 
on  the  basis  of  a  request  from  the  chairperson  of  either  party,  channelled  through  their 
secretary,  who  will  pass  the  request  onto  the  other  party.  Upon  receipt  of  a  request  for  a 
subcommittee  meeting,  the  secretary  of  the  other  party  shall  reply  within  fifteen  working 
days.  

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In  cases  of  particular  urgency,  subcommittees  may  be  convened  at  shorter  notice  subject  to 
the agreement of both parties. All requests to convene meetings should be in writing. 

Each meeting of the subcommittee shall be held at a time and place agreed by both parties. 

The meetings shall be convened by the secretary in charge in agreement with the chair. Before 
each meeting, the chair will be informed of the intended composition of the delegation of each 
party. 

If  both  parties  agree,  the  subcommittee  may  invite  experts  to  its  meetings  to  provide  the 
specific information so requested. 

6. 

Agenda of the meetings 

All  requests  for  items  to  be  included  in  the  subcommittee  agenda  shall  be  forwarded  to  the 
secretaries. 

A provisional agenda will be drawn up by the chair for each meeting. It shall be forwarded by 
the secretary in charge to his or her counterpart not later than ten days before the beginning of 
the meeting. 

The  provisional  agenda  shall  include  the  items  in  respect  of  which  the  secretaries  have 
received a request for inclusion in the agenda no later than fifteen days before the beginning 
of the meeting. Supporting documentation must be received by both parties at least seven days 
ahead of the meeting. To take account of urgent matters, these time limits may be shortened 
provided both parties agree. 

The agenda shall be adopted by the subcommittee at the beginning of each meeting. 

7. 

Minutes 

Minutes  shall  be  taken  and  agreed  by  both  secretaries  after  each  meeting.  A  copy  of  the 
minutes, including the subcommittee's proposals, shall be forwarded by the secretaries of the 
subcommittee to the secretaries and chair of the Joint Committee. 

8. 

Publicity 

Unless otherwise decided, the meetings of the subcommittee shall not be public. 

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Rules of procedures 

Subcommittee of the EC-PLO Joint Committee 

Social Affairs 

1. 

Composition and chair 

The  subcommittee  shall  be  composed  of  representatives  of  the  European  Community  and 
representatives of the Palestinian Authority. It shall be chaired alternately by the two parties.  

2. 

Role 

The  subcommittee  shall  work  under  the  authority  of  the  Joint  Committee,  to  which  it  shall 
report  after  each  meeting.  The  subcommittee  does  not  have  any  decision-making  power  but 
may submit proposals to the Joint Committee. 

3. 

Subject matter 

The subcommittee shall discuss the implementation of the Interim Association Agreement and 
the  related  European  Neighbourhood  Policy  Action  Plan  including  in  the  areas  listed  below 
and shall assess progress on the objectives and actions which have been identified and agreed 
upon in the Action Plan. Where relevant, co-operation in public administration matters shall 
be  discussed.  The  subcommittee  shall  examine  any  problems  that  may  arise  in  the  sectors 
listed below and shall suggest possible steps to be undertaken. 

(a) 

(b) 

(c) 

(d) 

(e) 

Social development 

Education and vocational training 

Public Health 

Culture 

Youth 

The  above  list  is  not  exhaustive  and  other  subjects,  including  horizontal  matters,  may  be 
added by the Joint Committee. 

The subcommittee may discuss matters relating to one, several or all of the above sectors. 

4. 

Secretariat 

An official of the European Commission and an official of the Palestinian Authority shall act 
jointly as permanent secretaries of the subcommittee. 

All communications concerning the subcommittee shall be forwarded to the secretaries.  

5. 

Meetings 

The subcommittee shall meet whenever circumstances require. A meeting may be convened 
on  the  basis  of  a  request  from  the  chairperson  of  either  party,  channelled  through  their 
secretary,  who  will  pass  the  request  onto  the  other  party.  Upon  receipt  of  a  request  for  a 
subcommittee  meeting,  the  secretary  of  the  other  party  shall  reply  within  fifteen  working 
days.  

In  cases  of  particular  urgency,  subcommittees  may  be  convened  at  shorter  notice  subject  to 
the agreement of both parties. All requests to convene meetings should be in writing. 

Each meeting of the subcommittee shall be held at a time and place agreed by both parties. 

The meetings shall be convened by the secretary in charge in agreement with the chair. Before 
each meeting, the chair will be informed of the intended composition of the delegation of each 
party. 

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If  both  parties  agree,  the  subcommittee  may  invite  experts  to  its  meetings  to  provide  the 
specific information so requested. 

6. 

Agenda of the meetings 

All  requests  for  items  to  be  included  in  the  subcommittee  agenda  shall  be  forwarded  to  the 
secretaries. 

A provisional agenda will be drawn up by the chair for each meeting. It shall be forwarded by 
the secretary in charge to his or her counterpart not later than ten days before the beginning of 
the meeting. 

The  provisional  agenda  shall  include  the  items  in  respect  of  which  the  secretaries  have 
received a request for inclusion in the agenda no later than fifteen days before the beginning 
of the meeting. Supporting documentation must be received by both parties at least seven days 
ahead of the meeting. To take account of urgent matters, these time limits may be shortened 
provided both parties agree. 

The agenda shall be adopted by the subcommittee at the beginning of each meeting. 

7. 

Minutes 

Minutes  shall  be  taken  and  agreed  by  both  secretaries  after  each  meeting.  A  copy  of  the 
minutes, including the subcommittee's proposals, shall be forwarded by the secretaries of the 
subcommittee to the secretaries and chair of the Joint Committee. 

8. 

Publicity 

Unless otherwise decided, the meetings of the subcommittee shall not be public. 

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Rules of procedures 

Subcommittee of the EC-PLO Joint Committee 

Energy, Environment, Transport, Science and Technology 

1. 

Composition and chair 

The  subcommittee  shall  be  composed  of  representatives  of  the  European  Community  and 
representatives of the Palestinian Authority. It shall be chaired alternately by the two parties.  

2. 

Role 

The  subcommittee  shall  work  under  the  authority  of  the  Joint  Committee,  to  which  it  shall 
report  after  each  meeting.  The  subcommittee  does  not  have  any  decision-making  power  but 
may submit proposals to the Joint Committee. 

3. 

Subject matter 

The subcommittee shall discuss the implementation of the Interim Association Agreement and 
the  related  European  Neighbourhood  Policy  Action  Plan  including  in  the  areas  listed  below 
and shall assess progress on the objectives and actions which have been identified and agreed 
upon in the Action Plan. Where relevant, co-operation in public administration matters shall 
be  discussed.  The  subcommittee  shall  examine  any  problems  that  may  arise  in  the  sectors 
listed below and shall suggest possible steps to be undertaken. 

(a)  Energy 

(b)  Environment including Water 

(c)  Transport 

(d) 

Information Society and Audiovisual Policy 

(e)  Science and Technology, Research and Development  

The  above  list  is  not  exhaustive  and  other  subjects,  including  horizontal  matters,  may  be 
added by the Joint Committee. 

The subcommittee may discuss matters relating to one, several or all of the above sectors. 

4. 

Secretariat 

An official of the European Commission and an official of the Palestinian Authority shall act 
jointly as permanent secretaries of the subcommittee. 

All communications concerning the subcommittee shall be forwarded to the secretaries.  

5. 

Meetings 

The subcommittee shall meet whenever circumstances require. A meeting may be convened 
on  the  basis  of  a  request  from  the  chairperson  of  either  party,  channelled  through  their 
secretary,  who  will  pass  the  request  onto  the  other  party.  Upon  receipt  of  a  request  for  a 
subcommittee  meeting,  the  secretary  of  the  other  party  shall  reply  within  fifteen  working 
days.  

In  cases  of  particular  urgency,  subcommittees  may  be  convened  at  shorter  notice  subject  to 
the agreement of both parties. All requests to convene meetings should be in writing. 

Each meeting of the subcommittee shall be held at a time and place agreed by both parties. 

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The meetings shall be convened by the secretary in charge in agreement with the chair. Before 
each meeting, the chair will be informed of the intended composition of the delegation of each 
party. 

If both parties agree, the subcommittee may invite experts from both sides to its meetings to 
provide the specific information and knowledge requested. 

6. 

Agenda of the meetings 

All  requests  for  items  to  be  included  in  the  subcommittee  agenda  shall  be  forwarded  to  the 
secretaries. 

A provisional agenda will be drawn up by the chair for each meeting. It shall be forwarded by 
the secretary in charge to his or her counterpart not later than ten days before the beginning of 
the meeting. 

The  provisional  agenda  shall  include  the  items  in  respect  of  which  the  secretaries  have 
received a request for inclusion in the agenda no later than fifteen days before the beginning 
of the meeting. Supporting documentation must be received by both parties at least seven days 
ahead of the meeting. To take account of urgent matters, these time limits may be shortened 
provided both parties agree. 

The agenda shall be adopted by the subcommittee at the beginning of each meeting. 

7. 

Minutes 

Minutes  shall  be  taken  and  agreed  by  both  secretaries  after  each  meeting.  A  copy  of  the 
minutes, including the subcommittee's proposals, shall be forwarded by the secretaries of the 
subcommittee to the secretaries and chair of the Joint Committee. 

8. 

Publicity 

Unless otherwise decided, the meetings of the subcommittee shall not be public. 

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Rules of procedures 

Subcommittee of the EC-PLO Joint Committee 

Human rights, good governance and rule of law 

1. 

Composition and chair 

The  subcommittee  shall  be  composed  of  representatives  of  the  European  Community  and 
representatives of the Palestinian Authority. It shall be chaired alternately by the two parties.  

2. 

Role 

The  subcommittee  shall  work  under  the  authority  of  the  Joint  Committee,  to  which  it  shall 
report  after  each  meeting.  The  subcommittee  does  not  have  any  decision-making  power  but 
may submit proposals to the Joint Committee. 

3. 

Subject matter 

The subcommittee shall discuss the implementation of the Interim Association Agreement and 
the  related  European  Neighbourhood  Policy  Action  Plan  including  in  the  areas  listed  below 
and shall assess progress on the objectives and actions which have been identified and agreed 
upon in the Action Plan. Where relevant, co-operation in public administration matters shall 
be  discussed.  The  subcommittee  shall  examine  any  problems  that  may  arise  in  the  sectors 
listed below and shall suggest possible steps to be undertaken. 

(a)  Human rights 

(b)  Good governance 

(c)  Rule of law 

The  above  list  is  not  exhaustive  and  other  subjects,  including  horizontal  matters,  may  be 
added by the Joint Committee. 

The subcommittee may discuss matters relating to one, several or all of the above sectors. 

4. 

Secretariat 

An official of the European Commission and an official of the Palestinian Authority shall act 
jointly as permanent secretaries of the subcommittee. 

All communications concerning the subcommittee shall be forwarded to the secretaries.  

5. 

Meetings 

The subcommittee shall meet whenever circumstances require. A meeting may be convened 
on  the  basis  of  a  request  from  the  chairperson  of  either  party,  channelled  through  their 
secretary,  who  will  pass  the  request  onto  the  other  party.  Upon  receipt  of  a  request  for  a 
subcommittee  meeting,  the  secretary  of  the  other  party  shall  reply  within  fifteen  working 
days.  

In  cases  of  particular  urgency,  subcommittees  may  be  convened  at  shorter  notice  subject  to 
the agreement of both parties. All requests to convene meetings should be in writing. 

Each meeting of the subcommittee shall be held at a time and place agreed by both parties. 

The meetings shall be convened by the secretary in charge in agreement with the chair. Before 
each meeting, the chair will be informed of the intended composition of the delegation of each 
party. 

If both parties agree, the subcommittee may invite experts from both sides to its meetings to 
provide the specific information and knowledge requested. 

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6. 

Agenda of the meetings 

All  requests  for  items  to  be  included  in  the  subcommittee  agenda  shall  be  forwarded  to  the 
secretaries. 

A provisional agenda will be drawn up by the chair for each meeting. It shall be forwarded by 
the secretary in charge to his or her counterpart not later than ten days before the beginning of 
the meeting. 

The  provisional  agenda  shall  include  the  items  in  respect  of  which  the  secretaries  have 
received a request for inclusion in the agenda no later than fifteen days before the beginning 
of the meeting. Supporting documentation must be received by both parties at least seven days 
ahead of the meeting. To take account of urgent matters, these time limits may be shortened 
provided both parties agree. 

The agenda shall be adopted by the subcommittee at the beginning of each meeting. 

7. 

Minutes 

Minutes  shall  be  taken  and  agreed  by  both  secretaries  after  each  meeting.  A  copy  of  the 
minutes, including the subcommittee's proposals, shall be forwarded by the secretaries of the 
subcommittee to the secretaries and chair of the Joint Committee. 

8. 

Publicity 

Unless otherwise decided, the meetings of the subcommittee shall not be public. 

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ANNEX 

FINANCIAL STATEMENT 

BUDGET HEADING: 

DATE:  
APPROPRIATIONS: 

TITLE: 
Community  position  in  the  Joint  Committee  on  the  implementation  of  Article  66  of  the  Euro-
Mediterranean  Interim  Association  Agreement  on  Trade  and  Cooperation  between  the  European 
Community,  of  the  one  part,  and  the  Palestine  Liberation  Organisation  (PLO)  for  the  benefit  of  the 
Palestinian Authority of the West Bank and the Gaza Strip, on the other part 

LEGAL BASIS: 
Art. 66 of the Euro-Mediterranean Interim Association Agreement 
AIMS: 
Setting up four sub-committees 
FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS 

12 MONTH 
PERIOD 

(EUR million) 

CURRENT 
FINANCIAL 
YEAR 
2008 
(EUR million) 

FOLLOWING 
FINANCIAL 
YEAR 
2009 
(EUR million) 

1. 

2. 

3. 

4. 

5. 

5.0 

CHARGED TO THE EC BUDGET 

EXPENDITURE 
- 
(REFUNDS/INTERVENTIONS) 
- 
- 

NATIONAL AUTHORITIES 
OTHER 

5.1  REVENUE 

OWN RESOURCES OF THE EC  

- 
(LEVIES/CUSTOMS DUTIES) 
NATIONAL 
- 

5.0.1  ESTIMATED EXPENDITURE 
5.1.1  ESTIMATED REVENUE 
5.2  METHOD OF CALCULATION: 

n/a 

n/a 

n/a 

2010 
- 
- 

n/a 

2011 
- 
- 

2012 
- 
- 

6.0  CAN THE PROJECT BE FINANCED FROM APPROPRIATIONS ENTERED IN THE 

RELEVANT CHAPTER OF THE CURRENT BUDGET? 

6.1  CAN THE PROJECT BE FINANCED BY TRANSFER BETWEEN CHAPTERS OF 

THE CURRENT BUDGET? 

6.2  WILL A SUPPLEMENTARY BUDGET BE NECESSARY? 
6.3  WILL APPROPRIATIONS NEED TO BE ENTERED IN FUTURE BUDGETS? 
OBSERVATIONS: 
The meetings of the sub-committees will take place in Brussels or in Ramallah. When in oPt, the mission budget 
of the participants will cover their expenses. 

n/a 

n/a 

2013 
- 
- 

YES 

YES 
NO 
NO 

. 

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