24.7.2023
EN
Official Journal of the European Union
L 185/9
(12)
The Instrument will be coherent with existing collaborative Union defence-related initiatives such as in the European Defence Fund, the proposed EDIRPA, as well as the EPF, and will generate synergies with other Union programmes.
The Instrument is fully coherent with the ambition of the Strategic Compass.
(13)
Regulation (EU, Euratom) 2018/1046 of the European Parliament and of the Council (3) (the ‘Financial Regulation’) should apply to the Instrument, unless otherwise specified.
(14)
In accordance with Article 193(2) of the Financial Regulation, a grant may be awarded for an action which has already begun, provided that the applicant can demonstrate the need for starting the action prior to signature of the grant agreement.
However, costs incurred prior to the date of submission of the grant application are not eligible, except in duly justified exceptional cases.
In order to address the call by the Council of 20 March 2023 to speed up the delivery of relevant defence products, in the financing decision it should be possible to provide for financial contributions in relation to actions that cover a period starting from that date.
(15)
This Regulation lays down a financial envelope for the entire duration of the Instrument which is to constitute the prime reference amount, within the meaning of point 18 of the Interinstitutional Agreement of 16 December 2020 between the European Parliament, the Council of the European Union and the European Commission on budgetary discipline, on cooperation in budgetary matters and on sound financial management, as well as on new own resources, including a roadmap towards the introduction of new own resources (4), for the European Parliament and for the Council during the annual budgetary procedure.
(16)
The possibilities provided for in Article 73(4) of Regulation (EU) 2021/1060 of the European Parliament and of the Council (5) could be applied provided that the project complies with the rules set out in that Regulation and the scope of the European Regional Development Fund and the European Social Fund Plus as set out in Regulations (EU) 2021/1058 (6) and (EU) 2021/1057 (7) of the European Parliament and of the Council, respectively.
In line with Article 24 of Regulation (EU) 2021/1060, the Commission is to assess the amended programmes submitted by the Member State and make observations within two months of the submission of the amended programme.
Given the urgency of the situation, the Commission should strive to conclude the assessment of the amended national programmes without undue delay.
(17)
When proposing amended or new recovery and resilience plans, in accordance with Article 21 of Regulation (EU) 2021/241 of the European Parliament and of the Council (8), Member States should be able to propose measures which also contribute to the objectives of the Instrument, in line with the purposes and requirements laid down by Council Decision (EU, Euratom) 2020/2053 (9), Council Regulation (EU) 2020/2094 (10) and Regulation
(3) Regulation (EU, Euratom) 2018/1046 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 18 July 2018 on the financial rules applicable to the general budget of the Union, amending Regulations (EU) No 1296/2013, (EU) No 1301/2013, (EU) No 1303/2013, (EU) No 1304/2013, (EU) No 1309/2013, (EU) No 1316/2013, (EU) No 223/2014, (EU) No 283/2014, and Decision No 541/2014/EU and repealing Regulation (EU, Euratom) No 966/2012 (OJ L 193, 30.7.2018, p. 1).
(4) OJ L 433 I, 22.12.2020, p. 28.
(5) Regulation (EU) 2021/1060 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 24 June 2021 laying down common provisions on the European Regional Development Fund, the European Social Fund Plus, the Cohesion Fund, the Just Transition Fund and the European Maritime, Fisheries and Aquaculture Fund and financial rules for those and for the Asylum, Migration and Integration Fund, the Internal Security Fund and the Instrument for Financial Support for Border Management and Visa Policy (OJ L 231, 30.6.2021, p. 159).
(6) Regulation (EU) 2021/1058 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 24 June 2021 on the European Regional Development Fund and on the Cohesion Fund (OJ L 231, 30.6.2021, p. 60).
(7) Regulation (EU) 2021/1057 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 24 June 2021 establishing the European Social Fund Plus (ESF+) and repealing Regulation (EU) No 1296/2013 (OJ L 231, 30.6.2021, p. 21).
(8) Regulation (EU) 2021/241 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 12 February 2021 establishing the Recovery and Resilience Facility (OJ L 57, 18.2.2021, p. 17).
(9) Council Decision (EU, Euratom) 2020/2053 of 14 December 2020 on the system of own resources of the European Union and repealing Decision 2014/335/EU, Euratom (OJ L 424, 15.12.2020, p. 1).
(10) Council Regulation (EU) 2020/2094 of 14 December 2020 establishing a European Union Recovery Instrument to support the recovery in the aftermath of the COVID-19 crisis (OJ L 433 I, 22.12.2020, p. 23).