natgillin/translations-raw huggingface dataset:
The analysis of outstanding commitments includes all the Structural Funds commitments classified under the Policy areas 04 (Employment and Social affairs), 05 (Agriculture and Rural Development), 11 (Fisheries) and 13 (Regional Policy).
The analysis of outstanding commitments includes all the Structural Funds commitments classified under the Policy areas 04 (Employment and Social affairs), 05 (Agriculture and Rural Development), 11 (Fisheries) and 13 (Regional Policy).
Table 5: Implementation of commitments and payments and outstanding commitments at the end of each year (€ million)
Table 5: Implementation of commitments and payments and outstanding commitments at the end of each year (€ million)
Table 6: Outstanding commitments at the end of the year in million € (left scale) and rate of increase (right scale)
Table 6: Outstanding commitments at the end of the year in million € (left scale) and rate of increase (right scale)
According to the Commission, the increase of the RAL in 2006 is due to two factors.
According to the Commission, the increase of the RAL in 2006 is due to two factors.
Firstly, still relatively low levels of execution for EU-10 programmes, combined with the fact that all advance payments for these programmes were made in 2004 and 2005.
Firstly, still relatively low levels of execution for EU-10 programmes, combined with the fact that all advance payments for these programmes were made in 2004 and 2005.
Secondly, atypically low payments to Spain.
Secondly, atypically low payments to Spain.
Table 7: Outstanding commitments by fund at the end of 2006 (in percentage of the total amount)
Table 7: Outstanding commitments by fund at the end of 2006 (in percentage of the total amount)
In 2006 Italy and Spain were the Member States with the highest RAL, followed by Greece and Germany.
In 2006 Italy and Spain were the Member States with the highest RAL, followed by Greece and Germany.
The pre-2000 RAL is no longer significant for any Member State.
The pre-2000 RAL is no longer significant for any Member State.
If Member States executed programmes at roughly comparable speeds, their RAL should be proportional to their share in commitments made.
If Member States executed programmes at roughly comparable speeds, their RAL should be proportional to their share in commitments made.
Discrepancies between the two rankings arise because some Member States execute faster than others.
Discrepancies between the two rankings arise because some Member States execute faster than others.
In relative terms, the highest increase in the RAL was for EU-10 programmes (over 50%), while the RAL for EU-15 programmes increased by less than 10%.
In relative terms, the highest increase in the RAL was for EU-10 programmes (over 50%), while the RAL for EU-15 programmes increased by less than 10%.
Consequently, the EU-10 share in total RAL increased to 12% in 2006, from 8% in 2005.
Consequently, the EU-10 share in total RAL increased to 12% in 2006, from 8% in 2005.
Forecast for 2007
Forecast for 2007
According to the recent Information Note on the Budget Forecast Alert the Commission identifies payments on outstanding commitments (RAL) for structural interventions (in large part DG REGIO) as one area of concern.
According to the recent Information Note on the Budget Forecast Alert the Commission identifies payments on outstanding commitments (RAL) for structural interventions (in large part DG REGIO) as one area of concern.
Currently implementation of payments for the Structural Interventions is almost EUR 1 billion behind forecast, due mainly to late submission of invoices and suspended payments.
Currently implementation of payments for the Structural Interventions is almost EUR 1 billion behind forecast, due mainly to late submission of invoices and suspended payments.
The overall end-year result for the EU Budget depends largely on this area.
The overall end-year result for the EU Budget depends largely on this area.
The Commission gives is the following detailed information on the different funds:
The Commission gives is the following detailed information on the different funds:
ERDF: ERDF Objective 2 (-€ 250m) and to a lesser extent Urban (-€ 20m) have seen fewer payments than expected due to a Commission decision to suspend payments to England.
ERDF: ERDF Objective 2 (-€ 250m) and to a lesser extent Urban (-€ 20m) have seen fewer payments than expected due to a Commission decision to suspend payments to England.
Progress depends on England's ability to meet the requirements.
Progress depends on England's ability to meet the requirements.
DG REGIO at this stage expects full-implementation at year-end.
DG REGIO at this stage expects full-implementation at year-end.
Cohesion Fund: the current difference from forecast (-€ 400m) should be reduced following payment claims received recently from Greece.
Cohesion Fund: the current difference from forecast (-€ 400m) should be reduced following payment claims received recently from Greece.
In general, three countries (Poland, Hungary, Czech Republic) are currently significantly behind their own forecasts.
In general, three countries (Poland, Hungary, Czech Republic) are currently significantly behind their own forecasts.
In the case of Poland, payment requests for the Cohesion Fund tend to be submitted towards the end of the year.
In the case of Poland, payment requests for the Cohesion Fund tend to be submitted towards the end of the year.
The year 2007 fits into this pattern, and payment claims are expected to be received from September onwards.
The year 2007 fits into this pattern, and payment claims are expected to be received from September onwards.
For Hungary, a reorganisation of the implementing structure of the transport sector might have slowed down payment requests.
For Hungary, a reorganisation of the implementing structure of the transport sector might have slowed down payment requests.
Finally, the Ministry of Transport of the Czech Republic has had major problems to adjust to a change in the financial flows system in the country, and therefore no payment requests have been sent yet for transport projects for the Cohesion Fund this year.
Finally, the Ministry of Transport of the Czech Republic has had major problems to adjust to a change in the financial flows system in the country, and therefore no payment requests have been sent yet for transport projects for the Cohesion Fund this year.
DG REGIO at this stage still expects full implementation at year-end.
DG REGIO at this stage still expects full implementation at year-end.
ESF: overall implementation is more or less in line with forecast, with ESF Objective 1 (+ € 129m) slightly above forecast and ESF Objective 3 (-€ 166m) slightly below forecast.
ESF: overall implementation is more or less in line with forecast, with ESF Objective 1 (+ € 129m) slightly above forecast and ESF Objective 3 (-€ 166m) slightly below forecast.
The latter results partly from blocked payments to the Netherlands, awaiting the results of national audit checks following a negative Commission audit.
The latter results partly from blocked payments to the Netherlands, awaiting the results of national audit checks following a negative Commission audit.
DG EMPL considers it too early to draw conclusions on year-end implementation.
DG EMPL considers it too early to draw conclusions on year-end implementation.
Rural development: as regards EAGGF/Guidance, the key payment issue relates to the EU-25 Objective 1 programmes (-€ 235m).
Rural development: as regards EAGGF/Guidance, the key payment issue relates to the EU-25 Objective 1 programmes (-€ 235m).
The EAGGF/Guarantee line for EU-I0 is currently significantly ahead of forecast (+ € 485m), mainly due to the fact that an important payment claim from Poland has been received earlier than expected.
The EAGGF/Guarantee line for EU-I0 is currently significantly ahead of forecast (+ € 485m), mainly due to the fact that an important payment claim from Poland has been received earlier than expected.
DG AGRI at this stage expects full implementation at year-end for the appropriations for rural development.
DG AGRI at this stage expects full implementation at year-end for the appropriations for rural development.
Start-up of new multiannual programmes (2007-2013)
Start-up of new multiannual programmes (2007-2013)
According to the Commission (recent information on Budget Forecast Alert by DG Budget) the start-up of the new programmes concerning structural interventions is still not fully implemented, yet.
According to the Commission (recent information on Budget Forecast Alert by DG Budget) the start-up of the new programmes concerning structural interventions is still not fully implemented, yet.
The Commission has recently made a comparison with the start-up phase of the 2000-2006 programmes.
The Commission has recently made a comparison with the start-up phase of the 2000-2006 programmes.
The start-up of the new Structural Interventions programmes depends essentially on the timely submission by the Member States of good quality operational programmes, and their subsequent adoption by the Commission.
The start-up of the new Structural Interventions programmes depends essentially on the timely submission by the Member States of good quality operational programmes, and their subsequent adoption by the Commission.
For the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) and the European Social Fund (ESF) under Heading IB (Cohesion), the process of negotiating new programmes is well underway.
For the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) and the European Social Fund (ESF) under Heading IB (Cohesion), the process of negotiating new programmes is well underway.
· Some commitments for both ERDF and ESF have already been made, ahead of schedule.
· Some commitments for both ERDF and ESF have already been made, ahead of schedule.
Most of the operational programmes are expected to be adopted in September and October, which should leave enough time to make the corresponding advance payments before year-end as planned.
Most of the operational programmes are expected to be adopted in September and October, which should leave enough time to make the corresponding advance payments before year-end as planned.
Risks are however that programmes are not satisfactory (in terms of content) and need revising, which would lead to delays.
Risks are however that programmes are not satisfactory (in terms of content) and need revising, which would lead to delays.
· As compared to 2000, the start-up of new programmes should nonetheless be smoother, as all the Regulations were in place in 2006 (as compared especially to the 2000 -2006 Objective 2 Regulation, which was only adopted late in 2000).
· As compared to 2000, the start-up of new programmes should nonetheless be smoother, as all the Regulations were in place in 2006 (as compared especially to the 2000 -2006 Objective 2 Regulation, which was only adopted late in 2000).
Furthermore, the Cohesion Fund is now programmed along with the Structural Funds, as Cohesion Fund projects are incorporated into operational programmes.
Furthermore, the Cohesion Fund is now programmed along with the Structural Funds, as Cohesion Fund projects are incorporated into operational programmes.
This allows for earlier commitments (and advance payments).
This allows for earlier commitments (and advance payments).
As regards the Rural (EAFRD) and the European Fisheries Fund (EFF) under Heading 2 (Natural Resources), the picture is currently as follows:
As regards the Rural (EAFRD) and the European Fisheries Fund (EFF) under Heading 2 (Natural Resources), the picture is currently as follows:
DG AGRI received programmes for a part of the envelope for the period, and the first programmes were expected to be adopted in June.
DG AGRI received programmes for a part of the envelope for the period, and the first programmes were expected to be adopted in June.
However, according to the information received by your rapporteurs only 2 programmes out of the expected 94 programmes have been approved so far.
However, according to the information received by your rapporteurs only 2 programmes out of the expected 94 programmes have been approved so far.
This is a very poor performance bearing in mind that rural development policy is one of the priorities when dealing with the structural operations under the new financial perspectives.
This is a very poor performance bearing in mind that rural development policy is one of the priorities when dealing with the structural operations under the new financial perspectives.
Also some Member States have not sent their programmes for approval, yet.
Also some Member States have not sent their programmes for approval, yet.
The current state of play seems to be unacceptable because the programming period started 8 months ago (see Joint Statement of Council and Parliament which was agreed at the conciliation meeting of 13 July 2007 - according to this declaration the EP will monitor rigorously the approval of operational programmes).
The current state of play seems to be unacceptable because the programming period started 8 months ago (see Joint Statement of Council and Parliament which was agreed at the conciliation meeting of 13 July 2007 - according to this declaration the EP will monitor rigorously the approval of operational programmes).
In the framework on the reform of the CAP direct payments have been modulated in order to get more money for rural development.
In the framework on the reform of the CAP direct payments have been modulated in order to get more money for rural development.
This project has to be in place as soon as possible.
This project has to be in place as soon as possible.
In this respect the Commission has a clear responsibility for a timely implementation and a smooth execution of rural development policy.
In this respect the Commission has a clear responsibility for a timely implementation and a smooth execution of rural development policy.
· EFF: DG FISH signals a risk that operational programmes (one per Member State) will be delayed for some Member States.
· EFF: DG FISH signals a risk that operational programmes (one per Member State) will be delayed for some Member States.
Contrary to the other Structural Funds, the EFF Regulation does not impose deadlines for submitting operational programmes.
Contrary to the other Structural Funds, the EFF Regulation does not impose deadlines for submitting operational programmes.
To date only a few Member States have submitted their operational programmes, for relatively small amounts compared to the total EFF envelope.
To date only a few Member States have submitted their operational programmes, for relatively small amounts compared to the total EFF envelope.
DG FISH expects to the larger operational programmes by end-July.
DG FISH expects to the larger operational programmes by end-July.
A state of play by mid September should provide a better picture of possible risks.
A state of play by mid September should provide a better picture of possible risks.
Member States' payments´ forecasts for 2008
Member States' payments´ forecasts for 2008
The Commission has requested Member States to provide the payment forecasts for 2008 by 30 April 2007.
The Commission has requested Member States to provide the payment forecasts for 2008 by 30 April 2007.
COBU has asked for this information as it will be crucial for the 2008 budgetary procedure in relation to the payments level.
COBU has asked for this information as it will be crucial for the 2008 budgetary procedure in relation to the payments level.
Several Member States provided the information belatedly; others have still to provide the forecasts for several programmes.
Several Member States provided the information belatedly; others have still to provide the forecasts for several programmes.
In consequence, at this stage the Commission is not yet in a position to give a consolidated view of the forecasts.
In consequence, at this stage the Commission is not yet in a position to give a consolidated view of the forecasts.
In particular, it is not possible to have a summary of the forecast for the new 2007-2013 programmes yet.
In particular, it is not possible to have a summary of the forecast for the new 2007-2013 programmes yet.
For the 2000-2006 programmes, the situation is a little better, 85% of the forecast for the Structural Fund programmes have been provided and verified, though only 50% of the forecasts for INTERREG programmes have been sent.
For the 2000-2006 programmes, the situation is a little better, 85% of the forecast for the Structural Fund programmes have been provided and verified, though only 50% of the forecasts for INTERREG programmes have been sent.
For the pre-2007 projects of the Cohesion Fund, information is missing for 3 Member States.
For the pre-2007 projects of the Cohesion Fund, information is missing for 3 Member States.
However, the Commission could give a consolidated view of the information received and verified so far, on the basis of the following assumptions:
However, the Commission could give a consolidated view of the information received and verified so far, on the basis of the following assumptions:
• For the 2007-2013 programmes, the Commission assumes that forecasts are equal to the PDB
• For the 2007-2013 programmes, the Commission assumes that forecasts are equal to the PDB
• For the programmes and projects of the period 2000-2006, the Commission assumes that the missing forecasts are equal to the forecasts provided for the 2006 payment claims.
• For the programmes and projects of the period 2000-2006, the Commission assumes that the missing forecasts are equal to the forecasts provided for the 2006 payment claims.
Under these assumptions, the Commission gives a comparison of Member States' payment forecasts for 2008 with PDB 2008 in the following table 20:
Under these assumptions, the Commission gives a comparison of Member States' payment forecasts for 2008 with PDB 2008 in the following table 20:
Source: European Commission
Source: European Commission
Member States' payment forecasts, computed as above, exceed the PDB by 30 % or almost EUR 13 billion.
Member States' payment forecasts, computed as above, exceed the PDB by 30 % or almost EUR 13 billion.
To put this into context, it should be noted that the forecasts have typically been over-optimistic, exceeding actual execution by over 20%.
To put this into context, it should be noted that the forecasts have typically been over-optimistic, exceeding actual execution by over 20%.
In 2006, the forecasts over-estimated execution by 33% or EUR 9.6 billion.
In 2006, the forecasts over-estimated execution by 33% or EUR 9.6 billion.
According to the Commission The estimation errors implicit in Member States' forecasts have always been above EUR 6 billion.
According to the Commission The estimation errors implicit in Member States' forecasts have always been above EUR 6 billion.
It should also be pointed out that in December 2006 there was a shortage in payments appropriations for the Structural Funds which amounted to 500 million.
It should also be pointed out that in December 2006 there was a shortage in payments appropriations for the Structural Funds which amounted to 500 million.
Conclusions - TIME IS MONEY!
Conclusions - TIME IS MONEY!
The following urgent and immediate steps must be undertaken in order to avoid further delays in the implementation of the 2007-2013 programmes and in order to avoid as much as possible the repetition of the problems experienced with the 2000-2006 programmes:
The following urgent and immediate steps must be undertaken in order to avoid further delays in the implementation of the 2007-2013 programmes and in order to avoid as much as possible the repetition of the problems experienced with the 2000-2006 programmes:
The next most urgent steps ahead will clearly be the finalisation of operational programmes.
The next most urgent steps ahead will clearly be the finalisation of operational programmes.
On 17 August not more than 61 out of 314 operational programmes for the ERDF and the Cohesion Fund were adopted, the adoption of most of them by the Commission was still missing (see table 8 below).
On 17 August not more than 61 out of 314 operational programmes for the ERDF and the Cohesion Fund were adopted, the adoption of most of them by the Commission was still missing (see table 8 below).
Special attention should be attached to rural development programmes because they are clearly legging behind schedule.
Special attention should be attached to rural development programmes because they are clearly legging behind schedule.
An important step forward in this direction was the adoption of the following JOINT STATEMENT of Council and Parliament which was agreed at the conciliation meeting on 13 July 2007:
An important step forward in this direction was the adoption of the following JOINT STATEMENT of Council and Parliament which was agreed at the conciliation meeting on 13 July 2007:
Structural and Cohesion Funds and Rural Development 2007-2013 programmes
Structural and Cohesion Funds and Rural Development 2007-2013 programmes
" The European Parliament and the Council attach the greatest importance to a rapid approval by the Commission of the operational programmes and projects presented by Member States in relation with the new Structural and Cohesion Funds programmes for the 2007-2013 period, as well as for programmes financed under rural development.
" The European Parliament and the Council attach the greatest importance to a rapid approval by the Commission of the operational programmes and projects presented by Member States in relation with the new Structural and Cohesion Funds programmes for the 2007-2013 period, as well as for programmes financed under rural development.
In order to avoid the past experience during the beginning of the 2000-2006 programming period, the European Parliament and the Council will monitor rigorously and on a regular basis the process of approval of operational programmes and projects in view of more efficiency and good administration.
In order to avoid the past experience during the beginning of the 2000-2006 programming period, the European Parliament and the Council will monitor rigorously and on a regular basis the process of approval of operational programmes and projects in view of more efficiency and good administration.
To this end, the Commission is requested to continue to provide regularly specific monitoring tools, including a flow chart, during the budgetary procedure ."
To this end, the Commission is requested to continue to provide regularly specific monitoring tools, including a flow chart, during the budgetary procedure ."
In the framework of the budgetary procedure 2008 special attention has to be paid to the adoption of programmes and the reduction of RAL.
In the framework of the budgetary procedure 2008 special attention has to be paid to the adoption of programmes and the reduction of RAL.
The few remaining National Strategic Reference Frameworks (NSRF) should be completed and decided as soon as possible with the greatest urgency.
The few remaining National Strategic Reference Frameworks (NSRF) should be completed and decided as soon as possible with the greatest urgency.
Important progress needs to be made on the RAL payments: as mentioned above RAL for Structural Funds stood at nearly EUR 78 billion (!) by the end of 2006.
Important progress needs to be made on the RAL payments: as mentioned above RAL for Structural Funds stood at nearly EUR 78 billion (!) by the end of 2006.
This is quite an impressive amount compared to the overall payments in the PDB for 2008 amount to 121 billion.
This is quite an impressive amount compared to the overall payments in the PDB for 2008 amount to 121 billion.
Furthermore, the rapporteurs do not share the Commission's assumption that RAL amounting to two years´ commitments can be regarded as "normal".
Furthermore, the rapporteurs do not share the Commission's assumption that RAL amounting to two years´ commitments can be regarded as "normal".
The delays have shown again that the current procedure is too time consuming and detailed.
The delays have shown again that the current procedure is too time consuming and detailed.