natgillin/translations-raw huggingface dataset:
While the main objective is not to focus on concrete projects, mention could be made of results such as the water purification systems being set up in towns in Syria and Lebanon, media training possibilities for over 200 journalists from the Maghreb and the Mashrak, and numerous occasions of joint research between Community and Mediterranean researchers on agricultural, biological and medical themes. 
While the main objective is not to focus on concrete projects, mention could be made of results such as the water purification systems being set up in towns in Syria and Lebanon, media training possibilities for over 200 journalists from the Maghreb and the Mashrak, and numerous occasions of joint research between Community and Mediterranean researchers on agricultural, biological and medical themes.
Measures taken 10. 
Measures taken 10.
The Commission, accepting that certain undesirable situations were created during the launching of the programmes and that there is scope for tightening their financial and administrative control and after a useful dialogue with the Court, has already taken a number of measures: a letter was sent on 1 2 December 1 995 informing ARTM that all contracts with the Commission would not be renewed; similar letters were sent to all Technical Assistance Offices, a contract was signed with ARTM on 16February 1996, ending on 30 June 1996 defining the terms and conditions for the completion of their outstanding contractual obligations; this is the only remaining contract with ARTM, an audit of ARTM has been carried out by DG XX and another audit of the Technical Assistance Offices will follow, all networks selected for financing under the next phase of the Med programmes were informed in early January 1996 that there would be a delay in starting the 1996 phase pending a review of the form of management used for the decentralized cooperation programmes, a new management system for decentralized coopera¬ tion has been proposed and is under discussion in the Commission. 
The Commission, accepting that certain undesirable situations were created during the launching of the programmes and that there is scope for tightening their financial and administrative control and after a useful dialogue with the Court, has already taken a number of measures: a letter was sent on 1 2 December 1 995 informing ARTM that all contracts with the Commission would not be renewed; similar letters were sent to all Technical Assistance Offices, a contract was signed with ARTM on 16February 1996, ending on 30 June 1996 defining the terms and conditions for the completion of their outstanding contractual obligations; this is the only remaining contract with ARTM, an audit of ARTM has been carried out by DG XX and another audit of the Technical Assistance Offices will follow, all networks selected for financing under the next phase of the Med programmes were informed in early January 1996 that there would be a delay in starting the 1996 phase pending a review of the form of management used for the decentralized cooperation programmes, a new management system for decentralized coopera¬ tion has been proposed and is under discussion in the Commission.
New general framework Internal redeployment and increases in staff resources will strengthen budgetary control and management in DG IB. 
New general framework Internal redeployment and increases in staff resources will strengthen budgetary control and management in DG IB.
A Directorate for Finance and Resources is being created responsible for budgetary and financial matters, contracts and tendering procedures, evaluation methods and personnel management. 
A Directorate for Finance and Resources is being created responsible for budgetary and financial matters, contracts and tendering procedures, evaluation methods and personnel management.
A Division responsible for internal audit and relations with the Court of Auditors directly attached to the Director General has also been created. 
A Division responsible for internal audit and relations with the Court of Auditors directly attached to the Director General has also been created.
Within the Directorate responsible for relations with Mediterranean countries a horizontal unit has been created responsible for programming and economic cooperation including the Med programmes. 
Within the Directorate responsible for relations with Mediterranean countries a horizontal unit has been created responsible for programming and economic cooperation including the Med programmes.
96 ΓΕΝ" Official Journal of the European Communities No C 240/29 It is proposed that a new framework will be implemented for decentralized cooperation, with not only the Mediterranean partners but also the countries óf Asia and Latin America, reflecting the political importance now attached to support¬ ing the role of civil society in the Community's cooperation programmes. 
96 ΓΕΝ" Official Journal of the European Communities No C 240/29 It is proposed that a new framework will be implemented for decentralized cooperation, with not only the Mediterranean partners but also the countries óf Asia and Latin America, reflecting the political importance now attached to support¬ ing the role of civil society in the Community's cooperation programmes.
The procedures for the approval by the Commission of this general framework is currently under way. 
The procedures for the approval by the Commission of this general framework is currently under way.
It will be based on the following principles: 2. receipt, examination and processing of applications; 3. preparation of draft contracts decided by the Commis¬ sion; 4. follow up of the action and its implementation including preparation of regular reports; 5. carrying out of payments on the basis of a specific and precise delegation from the Commission using funds properly guaranteed. 
It will be based on the following principles: 2. receipt, examination and processing of applications; 3. preparation of draft contracts decided by the Commis¬ sion; 4. follow up of the action and its implementation including preparation of regular reports; 5. carrying out of payments on the basis of a specific and precise delegation from the Commission using funds properly guaranteed.
In addition, the financial management of projects in the framework of the Med programmes will be improved by revising the terms of reference of the networks. 
In addition, the financial management of projects in the framework of the Med programmes will be improved by revising the terms of reference of the networks.
Standard contracts will be made between the Commission and the networks and with all the projects being subject to independent external audit, under terms of reference defined by the Commission so as to detect and correct the type of situations noted by the Court. 
Standard contracts will be made between the Commission and the networks and with all the projects being subject to independent external audit, under terms of reference defined by the Commission so as to detect and correct the type of situations noted by the Court.
An increase in Commission staffing would enable closer supervision to take place. 
An increase in Commission staffing would enable closer supervision to take place.
However, if the essential characteristics of decentralized cooperation are to be maintained, the operation of the system will need to continue to rely on the participants respecting the contractual obligations which they have entered into and on regular external auditing. 
However, if the essential characteristics of decentralized cooperation are to be maintained, the operation of the system will need to continue to rely on the participants respecting the contractual obligations which they have entered into and on regular external auditing.
For the future, all members of a network will be required to give a binding undertaking to cooperate, and the Commission will be taking up with the Member States and the Mediterranean Partners any cases where national legislation impedes the effective implemen¬ tation of decentralized cooperation. 
For the future, all members of a network will be required to give a binding undertaking to cooperate, and the Commission will be taking up with the Member States and the Mediterranean Partners any cases where national legislation impedes the effective implemen¬ tation of decentralized cooperation.
Detailed comments Paragraphs 33 and 34 As far as letters notifying the coordinator of each network about the results ofjthe selection procedures are concerned, ARTM's role was secretarial. 
Detailed comments Paragraphs 33 and 34 As far as letters notifying the coordinator of each network about the results ofjthe selection procedures are concerned, ARTM's role was secretarial.
After the experimental phase, decisions were taken in the Approval Committees, which were not only chaired, but controlled, by the representative of the Commission who had the right to veto any decision. 
After the experimental phase, decisions were taken in the Approval Committees, which were not only chaired, but controlled, by the representative of the Commission who had the right to veto any decision.
Paragraphs 39 to 45 Concerning the principle. of delegation of competence to ARTM, the Commission considers that Article 6 (1) of Regulation (EEC) No 1763/92 could not exclude the option opened by Article 105 of the Financial Regulation: the reference to the EIB was linked to the specific provisions relating to the Bank's interventions. 
Paragraphs 39 to 45 Concerning the principle. of delegation of competence to ARTM, the Commission considers that Article 6 (1) of Regulation (EEC) No 1763/92 could not exclude the option opened by Article 105 of the Financial Regulation: the reference to the EIB was linked to the specific provisions relating to the Bank's interventions.
In any case the Commission proposes to clarify the situation in the framework of the new MEDA regulation. 
In any case the Commission proposes to clarify the situation in the framework of the new MEDA regulation.
1 . 
1 .
3. combining the flexibility required to support initiatives from civil society (an aim specifically supported in the Declaration of the Barcelona Euro-Mediterranean Ministerial Conference and other Ministerial and high-level conferences in Latin America and Asia) with the control of the Commission over the implementation of the policy; providing the technical assistance offices and the decentralized cooperation networks . with a standard framework in,order to ensure overall consistency of operation particularly through 'manual of procedures' to guarantee this objective, which will also cover questions of financial management; drawing up standard contracts with the technical assistance offices and the networks to avoid emergence of a multiplicity of different ad hoc arrangements. 
3. combining the flexibility required to support initiatives from civil society (an aim specifically supported in the Declaration of the Barcelona Euro-Mediterranean Ministerial Conference and other Ministerial and high-level conferences in Latin America and Asia) with the control of the Commission over the implementation of the policy; providing the technical assistance offices and the decentralized cooperation networks . with a standard framework in,order to ensure overall consistency of operation particularly through 'manual of procedures' to guarantee this objective, which will also cover questions of financial management; drawing up standard contracts with the technical assistance offices and the networks to avoid emergence of a multiplicity of different ad hoc arrangements.
The large number of operations involved in decentralized cooperation will often require recourse to external organi¬ zations. 
The large number of operations involved in decentralized cooperation will often require recourse to external organi¬ zations.
In that context, the following tasks will remain the sole responsibility of the Commission: 1 . 
In that context, the following tasks will remain the sole responsibility of the Commission: 1 .
3 . 
3 .
4. decision on the eligibility criteria of the actions as well as final decisions over the actions to be financed; signature of financing contracts and technical assistance contracts to assure support for the execution of the actions; evaluation of actions carried out by the beneficiaries and the technical assistance offices; overall evaluation of the results of the programmes according to their objectives. 
4. decision on the eligibility criteria of the actions as well as final decisions over the actions to be financed; signature of financing contracts and technical assistance contracts to assure support for the execution of the actions; evaluation of actions carried out by the beneficiaries and the technical assistance offices; overall evaluation of the results of the programmes according to their objectives.
The Commission will maintain overall control over the application of its programmes through the examination and approval of reports submitted by external organizations on their activities and must maintain the possibility of carrying out ad hoc checks on the spot on individual documents. 
The Commission will maintain overall control over the application of its programmes through the examination and approval of reports submitted by external organizations on their activities and must maintain the possibility of carrying out ad hoc checks on the spot on individual documents.
Subject to these stipulations, the following tasks may be entrusted to external organizations under the control of the Commission and in the context of a clearly defined legal framework: 1 . promotion of and information on the actions envisaged in the programmes; 
Subject to these stipulations, the following tasks may be entrusted to external organizations under the control of the Commission and in the context of a clearly defined legal framework: 1 . promotion of and information on the actions envisaged in the programmes;
No C 240/30 EN Official Journal of the European Communities 19. 
No C 240/30 EN Official Journal of the European Communities 19.
96 In accordance with Article 105 (3) of the Financial Regulation, the contract entrusted ARTM with the imple¬ mentation of specific tasks of management under the control of the Commission. 
96 In accordance with Article 105 (3) of the Financial Regulation, the contract entrusted ARTM with the imple¬ mentation of specific tasks of management under the control of the Commission.
As results from the contractual provisions, the services entrusted to ARTM included in particular the conclusion of contracts with beneficiaries and Technical Assistance Offices designated by the Commission, as well as the direct control of the Commission, of the financial administration of the contracts with the beneficia¬ ries chosen by the Commission, with the Commission also fixing the amount of the financial contribution, the terms of the contract and the payment modalities. 
As results from the contractual provisions, the services entrusted to ARTM included in particular the conclusion of contracts with beneficiaries and Technical Assistance Offices designated by the Commission, as well as the direct control of the Commission, of the financial administration of the contracts with the beneficia¬ ries chosen by the Commission, with the Commission also fixing the amount of the financial contribution, the terms of the contract and the payment modalities.
Concerning the procedure followed for awarding the ARTM contract, the Commission notes that the arrangement flows from the financing decisions taken for the Med programmes, adopted by the Commission. 
Concerning the procedure followed for awarding the ARTM contract, the Commission notes that the arrangement flows from the financing decisions taken for the Med programmes, adopted by the Commission.
Concerning the use of the reserve funds see paragraphs 73 and 74. 
Concerning the use of the reserve funds see paragraphs 73 and 74.
Paragraphs 46 to 48, and 52 The Commission, under political and time pressure, awarded contracts by private treaty in the experimental phase of the Med programmes. 
Paragraphs 46 to 48, and 52 The Commission, under political and time pressure, awarded contracts by private treaty in the experimental phase of the Med programmes.
Such procedures are permitted by the Financial Regulation in exceptional circumstances. 
Such procedures are permitted by the Financial Regulation in exceptional circumstances.
After the end of the 'experimental phase all contracts awarded for financial management or technical assistance were awarded· following standard tender procedures (see also point 4 of 'General remarks'). 
After the end of the 'experimental phase all contracts awarded for financial management or technical assistance were awarded· following standard tender procedures (see also point 4 of 'General remarks').
The contracts with the TAOs awarded during the experi¬ mental phase of the programmes were signed in accordance with the Commission's instructions. 
The contracts with the TAOs awarded during the experi¬ mental phase of the programmes were signed in accordance with the Commission's instructions.
Paragraph 54 The CCRE and CUD are organizations with specific knowledge of urban affairs. 
Paragraph 54 The CCRE and CUD are organizations with specific knowledge of urban affairs.
They give their advice to many organizations such as the Committee of the Regions and the Council of Europe and to DG XVI "and DG IA of the European Commission. 
They give their advice to many organizations such as the Committee of the Regions and the Council of Europe and to DG XVI "and DG IA of the European Commission.
The team providing the MED-Urbs technical assistance is a highly qualified team specialized in the Mediterranean region. 
The team providing the MED-Urbs technical assistance is a highly qualified team specialized in the Mediterranean region.
The Commission has seen no evidence that they have discriminated unfairly in the assistance they have given to the networks. 
The Commission has seen no evidence that they have discriminated unfairly in the assistance they have given to the networks.
Paragraph 56 The Commission agrees that the long delay before the resignation of the TAO representatives from the ARTM board, after assurances were given that they would resign, is unacceptable. 
Paragraph 56 The Commission agrees that the long delay before the resignation of the TAO representatives from the ARTM board, after assurances were given that they would resign, is unacceptable.
The Commission was not aware of the meeting of the ARTM Board at which representatives of FERE and Ismeri made their withdrawal conditional on being granted technical assistance contracts and on the right to choose their own replacements. 
The Commission was not aware of the meeting of the ARTM Board at which representatives of FERE and Ismeri made their withdrawal conditional on being granted technical assistance contracts and on the right to choose their own replacements.
The Commission has seen the minutes of this meeting only during the preparation of the Court of Auditors report. 
The Commission has seen the minutes of this meeting only during the preparation of the Court of Auditors report.
There is no trace of the minutes of the Board meeting having been sent to the Commission at the time. 
There is no trace of the minutes of the Board meeting having been sent to the Commission at the time.
While it is true that the delay before the resignation took place was excessive, it is to some extent explained by the fact that the members of the Board concerned were not clear whether their resignation would be required until the outcome of the bidding process for the technical assistance contracts, which took some months, was known. 
While it is true that the delay before the resignation took place was excessive, it is to some extent explained by the fact that the members of the Board concerned were not clear whether their resignation would be required until the outcome of the bidding process for the technical assistance contracts, which took some months, was known.
Paragraph 57 The contracts concerned have not been renewed (see 'General remarks') and the audit of ARTM will be pursued by auditing the TAOs. . ' 
Paragraph 57 The contracts concerned have not been renewed (see 'General remarks') and the audit of ARTM will be pursued by auditing the TAOs. . '
Paragraphs 58 to 60 The high level of cash in hand on 31 December 1994 is partly due to the slow rate of implementation of the MED-Invest programme (Part B). 
Paragraphs 58 to 60 The high level of cash in hand on 31 December 1994 is partly due to the slow rate of implementation of the MED-Invest programme (Part B).
The Commission is currently preparing new guidelines for the implementation of this programme. 
The Commission is currently preparing new guidelines for the implementation of this programme.
In addition, financing decisions for the MED programmes have generally been taken towards the end of the year. 
In addition, financing decisions for the MED programmes have generally been taken towards the end of the year.
Commitment decisions have been made often in December and corresponding payments the following year. 
Commitment decisions have been made often in December and corresponding payments the following year.
The result is that the figures presented in this section giving the situation on . 
The result is that the figures presented in this section giving the situation on .
31 December 1994 generally relate to commitments made over three years and corresponding payments over only two years. 
31 December 1994 generally relate to commitments made over three years and corresponding payments over only two years.
Paragraph 61 The costs presented by the Court for the management of the programmes should not be seen as excessive since they include costs of technical assistance; technical assistance tasks are inherent to the exchange of knowledge and. expertise which are among the objectives of the programmes. 
Paragraph 61 The costs presented by the Court for the management of the programmes should not be seen as excessive since they include costs of technical assistance; technical assistance tasks are inherent to the exchange of knowledge and. expertise which are among the objectives of the programmes.
These tasks include supporting the setting up of networks, assistance to ongoing network activities, helping to organize meetings, seminars and workshops, etc. 
These tasks include supporting the setting up of networks, assistance to ongoing network activities, helping to organize meetings, seminars and workshops, etc.
Since the audit of the Court the situation has evolved: an audit of ARTM carried out by DG XX found that, as of 3 1 December 1995, the costs necessary for the management of the programmes were lower than indicated by the Court. 
Since the audit of the Court the situation has evolved: an audit of ARTM carried out by DG XX found that, as of 3 1 December 1995, the costs necessary for the management of the programmes were lower than indicated by the Court.
Paragraphs 64 and 65 Prior to 1994, ARTM's contract was financed on operational credits (Part Β of the budget) reflecting the policy previously in force on 'mini-budgets'. 
Paragraphs 64 and 65 Prior to 1994, ARTM's contract was financed on operational credits (Part Β of the budget) reflecting the policy previously in force on 'mini-budgets'.
Since 1994, since ARTM carried out both administrative functions attributable to Part A of the 
Since 1994, since ARTM carried out both administrative functions attributable to Part A of the
19.8.96 ΓΈΝΙ Official Journal of the European Communities No C 240/31. budget and information and communications functions . attributable to Part B, this distinction has been respected in financing ARTM, consistent with the Commission's policy of repatriating 'mini-budgets' to Part A of the budget. 
19.8.96 ΓΈΝΙ Official Journal of the European Communities No C 240/31. budget and information and communications functions . attributable to Part B, this distinction has been respected in financing ARTM, consistent with the Commission's policy of repatriating 'mini-budgets' to Part A of the budget.