natgillin/translations-raw huggingface dataset:
The reason for this strategy was the novelty of the approach and the fact that this was the first time external aid was managed on a fully decentralised basis. 
The reason for this strategy was the novelty of the approach and the fact that this was the first time external aid was managed on a fully decentralised basis.
The detailed steps and the time required for elaborating and agreeing the financial implementing arrangements are outlined in the Commission’s Sapard Annual Report 2000. 
The detailed steps and the time required for elaborating and agreeing the financial implementing arrangements are outlined in the CommissionŐs Sapard Annual Report 2000.
These steps involved the adoption of the implementing Regulation (adopted on 18 April 2000), the elaboration and adoption of the Multi-annual Financing Agreement (MAFA) and the 2000 Annual Financing Agreement (AFA) by the Commission (adopted on 29 November 2000), and the negotiation of bilateral agreements (MAFA and AFA) with each of the 10 Sapard countries (all agreements were signed between 18 December 2000 and end of March 2001). 
These steps involved the adoption of the implementing Regulation (adopted on 18 April 2000), the elaboration and adoption of the Multi-annual Financing Agreement (MAFA) and the 2000 Annual Financing Agreement (AFA) by the Commission (adopted on 29 November 2000), and the negotiation of bilateral agreements (MAFA and AFA) with each of the 10 Sapard countries (all agreements were signed between 18 December 2000 and end of March 2001).
The Commission has, on various occasions, advised Sapard countries to avoid unnecessary administrative procedures not required by the MAFA, where appropriate via seminars, meetings or letters. 
The Commission has, on various occasions, advised Sapard countries to avoid unnecessary administrative procedures not required by the MAFA, where appropriate via seminars, meetings or letters.
The Sapard systems are designed by the national authorities not only on the basis of the accreditation criteria but also taking into account national legislation and their knowledge of the risk areas in their countries. 
The Sapard systems are designed by the national authorities not only on the basis of the accreditation criteria but also taking into account national legislation and their knowledge of the risk areas in their countries.
Stricter rules are necessary in some situations to protect the financial interests of the Community (see point 20 concerning double checks). 
Stricter rules are necessary in some situations to protect the financial interests of the Community (see point 20 concerning double checks).
The capacity of Romania to spend EU funds has been the subject of ongoing discussions and exchange of letters between the Commission and Romania. 
The capacity of Romania to spend EU funds has been the subject of ongoing discussions and exchange of letters between the Commission and Romania.
Although the Romanian Sapard Agency has committed a large amount, the Commission is closely monitoring the situation (because of the low uptake in terms of payments) and providing advice as appropriate to reduce bot-tlenecks and risks in the procedures. 
Although the Romanian Sapard Agency has committed a large amount, the Commission is closely monitoring the situation (because of the low uptake in terms of payments) and providing advice as appropriate to reduce bottlenecks and risks in the procedures.
The Commission has formally addressed this issue with Poland on several occasions, during bilateral meetings and at the Monitoring Committee meetings. 
The Commission has formally addressed this issue with Poland on several occasions, during bilateral meetings and at the Monitoring Committee meetings.
For example, the Commission urged the Polish authorities to ‘review the elements of Polish legislation which could slow down a smooth implementation of the programme’. 
For example, the Commission urged the Polish authorities to Ôreview the elements of Polish legislation which could slow down a smooth implementation of the programmeŐ.
However, the choice remains with the country concerned. 
However, the choice remains with the country concerned.
The Commission cannot prevent Sapard countries from applying their own internal administrative arrangements as long as the Sapard rules are respected. 
The Commission cannot prevent Sapard countries from applying their own internal administrative arrangements as long as the Sapard rules are respected.
30.11.2004 CS Úřední věstník Evropské unie C 295/25 Notwithstanding the stricter national provisions for contracting and payments, Poland expects to commit all available funds for 2000-2003 to final beneficiaries. 
30.11.2004 EN Official Journal of the European Union C 295/25 Notwithstanding the stricter national provisions for contracting and payments, Poland expects to commit all available funds for 2000-2003 to final beneficiaries.
The Lithuanian authorities acknowledge this situation and state that they recruited additional staff for project evaluation. 
The Lithuanian authorities acknowledge this situation and state that they recruited additional staff for project evaluation.
The Commission considered that these additional checks were essential to protect the financial interests of the Community. 
The Commission considered that these additional checks were essential to protect the financial interests of the Community.
32.-33. 
32.-33.
The Commission considers that it has allocated a sufficient number of qualified staff, in the Sapard Unit as well as in the services responsible for overseeing the accreditation process and carrying out audits, to ensure proper monitoring and financial management and control of the use of Community funds in the Sapard countries. 
The Commission considers that it has allocated a sufficient number of qualified staff, in the Sapard Unit as well as in the services responsible for overseeing the accreditation process and carrying out audits, to ensure proper monitoring and financial management and control of the use of Community funds in the Sapard countries.
Desk officers in the Commission Sapard unit are responsible, as a general rule, for only one programme of a Sapard country. 
Desk officers in the Commission Sapard unit are responsible, as a general rule, for only one programme of a Sapard country.
Only very experienced and qualified Commission officials are responsible for two programmes. 
Only very experienced and qualified Commission officials are responsible for two programmes.
The Commission allocated more staff to Sapard than to the Member States programmes where in many cases desk officers are responsible for more than two programmes. 
The Commission allocated more staff to Sapard than to the Member States programmes where in many cases desk officers are responsible for more than two programmes.
The most experienced staff member of the Commission’s Sapard unit, together with the Deputy Head of Unit, monitored the Bulgaria and Romania Sapard programmes until the end of 2003. 
The most experienced staff member of the CommissionŐs Sapard unit, together with the Deputy Head of Unit, monitored the Bulgaria and Romania Sapard programmes until the end of 2003.
The Commission could not give a ‘commitment to speed up implementation’ due to the reasons the Court rightly cites. 
The Commission could not give a Ôcommitment to speed up implementationŐ due to the reasons the Court rightly cites.
Yet it offered to give any help to the Sapard countries which could speed up implementation, e.g. speedily adopting justified programme amendments, sending advice and interpretation letters, and conducting seminars. 
Yet it offered to give any help to the Sapard countries which could speed up implementation, e.g. speedily adopting justified programme amendments, sending advice and interpretation letters, and conducting seminars.
It also asked the countries to indicate possible opportunities to simplify the delivery system of Sapard without weakening the sound financial practices set up. 
It also asked the countries to indicate possible opportunities to simplify the delivery system of Sapard without weakening the sound financial practices set up.
All via-ble proposals were accepted via modifications to the MAFA or via changes in the relevant Regulations. 
All viable proposals were accepted via modifications to the MAFA or via changes in the relevant Regulations.
A key feature of the system set up is that the countries concerned first identify problems. 
A key feature of the system set up is that the countries concerned first identify problems.
In such instances the Commission has consistently provided guidance and advice to the Sapard countries. 
In such instances the Commission has consistently provided guidance and advice to the Sapard countries.
These actions have been described in detail in the Commission’s Sapard 2000 to 2002 annual reports. 
These actions have been described in detail in the CommissionŐs Sapard 2000 to 2002 annual reports.
MAIN RESULTS OF SAPARD 36. 
MAIN RESULTS OF SAPARD 36.
By 31 December 2003, against the 2000-2003 allocation of EUR 2 183 million, the total commitment to final beneficiaries amounted to EUR 1 214 million (56 %), while actual payments made to beneficiaries totalled EUR 323 million (15 % of allocation). 
By 31 December 2003, against the 2000-2003 allocation of EUR 2 183 million, the total commitment to final beneficiaries amounted to EUR 1 214 million (56 %), while actual payments made to beneficiaries totalled EUR 323 million (15 % of allocation).
At this stage, in terms of the level of commitments made by the Sapard Agencies to the final beneficiaries, according to information received from the countries, at least seven countries out of the eight due to join the EU will be able to commit all available funds relating to the 2000-2003 period at the date of transition to the post-accession regime. 
At this stage, in terms of the level of commitments made by the Sapard Agencies to the final beneficiaries, according to information received from the countries, at least seven countries out of the eight due to join the EU will be able to commit all available funds relating to the 2000-2003 period at the date of transition to the post-accession regime.
38.-40. 
38.-40.
The rule on the eligibility of VAT for EU part-financing applies to the Sapard countries as well as to the Member States receiving support under the Structural Funds. 
The rule on the eligibility of VAT for EU part-financing applies to the Sapard countries as well as to the Member States receiving support under the Structural Funds.
22.-23. such an analysis it actively monitored the implementation process and provided advice to the relevant agencies in the Sapard countries. 
22.-23. such an analysis it actively monitored the implementation process and provided advice to the relevant agencies in the Sapard countries.
The Commission will consider including such an analysis in the synthesis evaluation planned in 2004, which will also summarise the findings of the mid-term evaluations. 
The Commission will consider including such an analysis in the synthesis evaluation planned in 2004, which will also summarise the findings of the mid-term evaluations.
The Commission agrees that such an analysis could be useful if similar exercises were to be prepared in the future. 
The Commission agrees that such an analysis could be useful if similar exercises were to be prepared in the future.
24.-25. 
24.-25.
The budgets for the first three years were based on the most reliable but limited information available at the time. 
The budgets for the first three years were based on the most reliable but limited information available at the time.
In this context the Commission reiterates its remarks to point 2.39 of the Court’s 2002 Annual Report in which the reasons for the under-utilisation of the budgets are stated. 
In this context the Commission reiterates its remarks to point 2.39 of the CourtŐs 2002 Annual Report in which the reasons for the under-utilisation of the budgets are stated.
One of the reasons for not fully utilising the budget was that greater priority was given to firm management of appropriations. 
One of the reasons for not fully utilising the budget was that greater priority was given to firm management of appropriations.
Payments made in 2003 under Sapard represent 61 % of the available payment appropriations in the 2003 budget. 
Payments made in 2003 under Sapard represent 61 % of the available payment appropriations in the 2003 budget.
Payment applications received during the fourth quarter indicate that payment execution has now reached cruising speed. 
Payment applications received during the fourth quarter indicate that payment execution has now reached cruising speed.
DECENTRALISED IMPLEMENTATION 27. 
DECENTRALISED IMPLEMENTATION 27.
For the Commission it was essential for the Sapard countries to be able to gain experience of the management and control system used under EAGGF from running Sapard to protect the financial interests of the Community after accession when EAGGF expenditure in the new Member States is expected to be EUR 4 billion in 2005 and rising. 
For the Commission it was essential for the Sapard countries to be able to gain experience of the management and control system used under EAGGF from running Sapard to protect the financial interests of the Community after accession when EAGGF expenditure in the new Member States is expected to be EUR 4 billion in 2005 and rising.
28.-30. 
28.-30.
Sapard was originally conceived as a seven-year programme, irrespective of the politically set targets for accession. 
Sapard was originally conceived as a seven-year programme, irrespective of the politically set targets for accession.
For countries joining the EU during this seven-year period, Article 15 of Regulation (EC) No 1268/1999 sets out that Sapard countries shall not receive support on accession to the EU. 
For countries joining the EU during this seven-year period, Article 15 of Regulation (EC) No 1268/1999 sets out that Sapard countries shall not receive support on accession to the EU.
The Commission refers to its reply to point 35. 
The Commission refers to its reply to point 35.
Although the Commission did not formally prepare 
Although the Commission did not formally prepare
C 295/26 CS Úřední věstník Evropské unie 30.11.2004 The Commission will examine the impact of this after the programme has been completed. 
C 295/26 EN Official Journal of the European Union 30.11.2004 The Commission will examine the impact of this after the programme has been completed.
An assessment will be made in the framework of the clearance of accounts procedure, and the appropriate conclusions will be drawn. 
An assessment will be made in the framework of the clearance of accounts procedure, and the appropriate conclusions will be drawn.
41.-43. 
41.-43.
The Commission is of the opinion that this balance between measures in the programmes is consistent with the objectives of Sapard under Article 1(2) of Council Regulation (EC) No 1268/1999 already mentioned in point 2 of the report, with the provisions under Article 4(3), which provides that ‘... priority is given to measures to improve market efficiency, quality and health standards and measures to create employment in rural areas ...’, and with the commitments adopted in the Accession Partnership pursuant to Article 6 of Regulation (EC) No 1268/1999. 
The Commission is of the opinion that this balance between measures in the programmes is consistent with the objectives of Sapard under Article 1(2) of Council Regulation (EC) No 1268/1999 already mentioned in point 2 of the report, with the provisions under Article 4(3), which provides that Ô... priority is given to measures to improve market efficiency, quality and health standards and measures to create employment in rural areas ...Ő, and with the commitments adopted in the Accession Partnership pursuant to Article 6 of Regulation (EC) No 1268/1999.
Article 4(3) of Regulation (EC) No 1268/1999 places the Sapard programmes on two pillars — market and employment. 
Article 4(3) of Regulation (EC) No 1268/1999 places the Sapard programmes on two pillars Đ market and employment.
The objectives of Sapard as set out in Article 1 provide that these two pillars contribute to the ‘implementation of the acquis’ and to ‘su-stainable adaptation of the agricultural sector’. 
The objectives of Sapard as set out in Article 1 provide that these two pillars contribute to the Ôimplementation of the acquisŐ and to Ôsus-tainable adaptation of the agricultural sectorŐ.
The programmes approved by the Commission contain a well-balanced set of different measures which meet these conditions. 
The programmes approved by the Commission contain a well-balanced set of different measures which meet these conditions.
These measures were therefore considered, by both the Commission and the Sapard countries, to be ones that should be implemented as a priority, to assist in the restructuring of the agri-food sector and in the countries’ preparation for the application of the acquis. 
These measures were therefore considered, by both the Commission and the Sapard countries, to be ones that should be implemented as a priority, to assist in the restructuring of the agri-food sector and in the countriesŐ preparation for the application of the acquis.
It is normal and inevitable that measures which can be directly linked to the sustainable adaptation of the agricultural sector, such as ‘investments in agricultural holdings’ and ‘processing and marketing’, modernise production methods and lead also in certain cases to an increase in production at project level. 
It is normal and inevitable that measures which can be directly linked to the sustainable adaptation of the agricultural sector, such as Ôinvestments in agricultural holdingsŐ and Ôprocessing and marketingŐ, modernise production methods and lead also in certain cases to an increase in production at project level.
On the other hand, measures under ‘diversification’ are aimed at creating sustainable income possibilities outside agriculture. 
On the other hand, measures under ÔdiversificationŐ are aimed at creating sustainable income possibilities outside agriculture.
While the Court found little evidence of any effect on the quality, health or environmental standards, the Commission considers that increased or modernised production at project level is not incompatible with improvement of standards. 
While the Court found little evidence of any effect on the quality, health or environmental standards, the Commission considers that increased or modernised production at project level is not incompatible with improvement of standards.
All the entrepreneurs in the Sapard countries were well aware that continued profitability relies on meeting the minimum standards of the EU. 
All the entrepreneurs in the Sapard countries were well aware that continued profitability relies on meeting the minimum standards of the EU.
All the new equipment meets these standards. 
All the new equipment meets these standards.
A final analysis can be made only after the programme is implemented in full. 
A final analysis can be made only after the programme is implemented in full.
The meeting of standards is not incompatible with commercial investment. 
The meeting of standards is not incompatible with commercial investment.
Commercial investment normally sets the example for the private sector and thus serves as a pacesetter for rural development. 
Commercial investment normally sets the example for the private sector and thus serves as a pacesetter for rural development.
Investments in the milk and meat sector were low due to the depressed market situation in particular in key markets, like Russia. 
Investments in the milk and meat sector were low due to the depressed market situation in particular in key markets, like Russia.
The first substantiated information on the implementation of a significant set of measures was included in the 2002 implementation reports from five countries and now in the mid-term evaluation reports for the 10 programmes. 
The first substantiated information on the implementation of a significant set of measures was included in the 2002 implementation reports from five countries and now in the mid-term evaluation reports for the 10 programmes.
Once the implementation reports were received, the Commission asked for more detailed information and advised countries to refocus the programmes whenever necessary. 
Once the implementation reports were received, the Commission asked for more detailed information and advised countries to refocus the programmes whenever necessary.
The Commission services have also identified certain problems with the respect of minimum standards in the Sapard countries, and have made recommendations for improvements in systems and controls. 
The Commission services have also identified certain problems with the respect of minimum standards in the Sapard countries, and have made recommendations for improvements in systems and controls.
The Commission considers that increasing production capacity at project level is compatible with improving standards and the need for restructuring to improve market efficiency (see also replies to points 41 to 45). 
The Commission considers that increasing production capacity at project level is compatible with improving standards and the need for restructuring to improve market efficiency (see also replies to points 41 to 45).
See reply to point 41: the employment problem in rural areas cannot be seen separately from the other measures of a rural development plan. 
See reply to point 41: the employment problem in rural areas cannot be seen separately from the other measures of a rural development plan.
The overall impact on job creation cannot be assessed by coun-ting the number of jobs declared by project beneficiaries in their application form. This element can only be fully assessed in the evaluation studies, once the programme has been completed. 
The overall impact on job creation cannot be assessed by counting the number of jobs declared by project beneficiaries in their application form. This element can only be fully assessed in the evaluation studies, once the programme has been completed.
There is no commonly agreed definition of the term ‘rural areas’. 
There is no commonly agreed definition of the term Ôrural areasŐ.
To confine this definition to ‘population density’ is not possible. 
To confine this definition to Ôpopulation densityŐ is not possible.
Therefore, as in the Member States programmes, each of the Sapard programmes contains a definition of ‘rural areas’ according to the national standards of the country concerned. 
Therefore, as in the Member States programmes, each of the Sapard programmes contains a definition of Ôrural areasŐ according to the national standards of the country concerned.
For example, Bulgaria lays down in its programme that ‘rural areas are the municipalities which do not have on their territory a town with population above 30 000 people and where the municipality population density is below 150 people per km2. 
For example, Bulgaria lays down in its programme that Ôrural areas are the municipalities which do not have on their territory a town with population above 30 000 people and where the municipality population density is below 150 people per km2.
All settlements in the municipalities identified as rural areas are settlements belonging to rural areas.’ 50.-51. 
All settlements in the municipalities identified as rural areas are settlements belonging to rural areas.Ő 50.-51.
The Commission considers it has reported on all relevant elements in its annual reports on Sapard implementation. 
The Commission considers it has reported on all relevant elements in its annual reports on Sapard implementation.
The Commission’s annual Sapard report contains contributions made by the Sapard countries with an analysis of these assessments. 
The CommissionŐs annual Sapard report contains contributions made by the Sapard countries with an analysis of these assessments.