European Parliament legislative resolution of 20 November 2013 on the joint text on the draft general budget of the European Union for the financial year 2014 approved by the Conciliation Committee under the budgetary procedure (16106/2013 ADD 1-5 – C7-0413/2013 – 2013/2145(BUD))

P7_TA(2013)0472 A7-0387/2013

The European Parliament,

–  having regard to the joint text approved by the Conciliation Committee (16106/2013 ADD 1-5 – C7‑0413/2013) and the Parliament, Council and Commission statements annexed to this resolution,

–  having regard to its resolution of 23 October 2013 on the draft general budget of the European Union for the financial year 2014 as modified by the Council – all sections(1) and the budgetary amendments therein,

–  having regard to the draft general budget of the European Union for the financial year 2014, adopted by the Commission on 28 June 2013 (COM(2013)0450),

–  having regard to the position on the draft general budget of the European Union adopted by the Council on 2 September 2013 and forwarded to Parliament on 12 September 2013 (13176/2013 – C7-0260/2013),

–  having regard to Amending Letters No 1/2014 (COM(2013)0644) and 2/2014 (COM(2013)0719) to the draft general budget of the European Union for the financial year 2014 presented by the Commission on 18 September 2013 and 16 October 2013 respectively,

–  having regard to Article 314 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union and to Article 106a of the Treaty establishing the European Atomic Energy Community,

–  having regard to Council Decision 2007/436/EC, Euratom of 7 June 2007 on the system of the European Communities' own resources(2),

–  having regard to Regulation (EU, Euratom) No 966/2012 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 25 October 2012 on the financial rules applicable to the general budget of the Union and repealing Council Regulation (EC, Euratom) No 1605/2002(3),

–  having regard to the Interinstitutional Agreement of 17 May 2006 between the European Parliament, the Council and the Commission on budgetary discipline and sound financial management(4),

–  having regard to the Draft Interinstitutional Agreement between the European Parliament, the Council and the Commission on budgetary discipline, cooperation in budgetary matters and on sound financial management,

–  having regard to the draft Council Regulation laying down the multiannual financial framework for the years 2014 - 2020,

–  having regard to Rules 75d and 75e of its Rules of Procedure,

–  having regard to the report of its delegation to the Conciliation Committee (A7-0387/2013),

1.  Approves the joint text agreed by the Conciliation Committee, which consists of the following documents taken together:

2.  Confirms the joint statements by Parliament, the Council and the Commission included in the joint conclusions agreed by the Conciliation Committee annexed to this resolution;

3.  Confirms the joint statements by Parliament and the Commission on payment appropriations, as well as by Parliament and the Council, on heading 5 and salary adjustments, and on EU Special Representatives, annexed to this resolution;

4.  Instructs its President to declare that the general budget of the European Union for the financial year 2014 has been definitively adopted and to arrange for its publication in the Official Journal of the European Union;

5.  Instructs its President to forward this legislative resolution to the Council, the Commission, the other institutions and bodies concerned and the national parliaments.

ANNEX

FINAL 12.11.2013

Budget 2014 – Joint conclusions

These joint conclusions cover the following sections:

1.  Budget 2014

2.  Budget 2013 – Amending Budgets No 8/2013 and No 9/2013

3.  Statements

1.  Budget 2014

1.1.  'Closed' lines

Unless stated otherwise below in these conclusions, all budget lines not amended by either Council or Parliament, and those for which Parliament accepted Council's amendments during their respective reading are confirmed.

For the other budget items, the Conciliation Committee has reached the following conclusions:

1.2.  Horizontal issues

Decentralised agencies

The number of posts for all decentralised agencies is set at the level proposed by the Commission in the Draft Budget, with the exception of:

—  European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), for which 7 additional posts are agreed;

—  European Banking Authority (EBA), for which 8 additional posts are agreed;

—  European Insurance and Occupational Pensions Authority (EIOPA), for which 3 additional posts are agreed;

—  European Securities and Markets Authority (ESMA), for which 5 additional posts are agreed;

—  European Asylum Support Office (EASO), for which 2 additional posts are agreed; and

—  EUROPOL, for which 2 additional posts are agreed.

The EU contribution (in commitment appropriations and in payment appropriations) for decentralised agencies is set at the level proposed by the Commission in the Draft Budget (DB), with the exception of:

—  European Banking Authority (EBA), for which an additional amount of EUR 2.1 million is agreed, on the basis of the EU funding key of 40% (60% to be co-financed by national supervisory authorities);

—  European Insurance and Occupational Pensions Authority (EIOPA), for which an additional amount of EUR 1.2 million is agreed, on the basis of the EU funding key of 40% (60% to be co-financed by national supervisory authorities);

—  European Securities and Markets Authority (ESMA), for which an additional amount of EUR 2.0 million is agreed, on the basis of the EU funding key of 40% (60% to be co-financed by national supervisory authorities);

—  European Asylum Support Office (EASO), for which an additional amount of EUR 0,130 million is agreed;

—  EUROPOL, for which an additional amount of EUR 1.7 million is agreed; and

—  FRONTEX, for which an additional amount of EUR 2.0 million is agreed.

The Conciliation Committee agrees on the joint statement on decentralised agencies as set out in Section 3.4.

Executive agencies

The EU contribution (in commitment appropriations and in payment appropriations) and the number of posts for executive agencies are set at the level proposed by the Commission in Amending Letter 2/2014.

Joint Technology Initiatives (JTIs)

The EU contribution (in commitment appropriations and in payment appropriations) and the number of posts for Joint Technology Initiatives are set at the level proposed at the level proposed by the Commission in the Draft Budget (DB), as amended by Amending Letter No 1/2014.

Pilot Projects/Preparatory Actions

A comprehensive package of 68 pilot projects/preparatory actions (PP/PA), for an amount of EUR 79.4 million in commitment appropriations is agreed, as proposed by the Parliament. When a pilot project or a preparatory action appears to be covered by an existing legal basis, the Commission may propose the transfer of appropriations to the corresponding legal basis in order to facilitate the implementation of the action.

This package fully respects the ceilings for pilot projects and preparatory actions provided in the Financial Regulation.

1.3.  Expenditure headings of the financial framework - commitment appropriations

After taking into account the above conclusions on 'closed' budget lines, agencies and pilot projects and preparatory actions, the Conciliation Committee has agreed on the following:

Heading 1a

Commitment appropriations are set at the level proposed by the Commission in the Draft Budget, as amended by Amending Letter No 1 and No 2/2014, with the following exceptions:

in EUR million

As a consequence, and after taking into account pilot projects and preparatory actions, as well as decentralised agencies, the margin under the expenditure ceiling of heading 1a amounts to EUR 76.0 million.

Heading 1b

Commitment appropriations are set at the level proposed in the Draft Budget, as amended by Amending Letter No 1/2014, with the exception of the following budget lines, for each of which an amount of EUR 2.5 million in commitments is agreed:

—  13 03 67 'Macro regional strategies 2014-2020: European strategy for the Baltic Sea region – Technical assistance' and

—  13 03 68 'Macro regional strategies 2014-2020: European strategy for the Danube region – Technical assistance'.

Furthermore, for the Fund for European Aid to the Most Deprived (FEAD, chapter 04 06) an additional amount of EUR 134.9 million in commitments is agreed. A corresponding amount in commitments is transferred from the European Social Fund (ESF, chapter 04 02), broken down as follows:

—  - EUR 67.9 million for the "Less developed regions" (budget line 04 02 60)

—  - EUR 22.2 million for the "Transition regions" (budget line 04 02 61)

—  - EUR 44.8 million for the "More developed regions" (budget line 04 02 62)

The Flexibility Instrument will be mobilised for an amount of EUR 89.3 million for additional assistance to Cyprus.

Heading 2

Commitment appropriations are set at the level proposed by the Commission in the Draft Budget, as amended by Amending Letter No 2/2014, with the exception of:

—   budget line 05 08 80 Union participation at the World Exposition 2015 “Feeding the Planet – Energy for Life” in Milan, for which an additional amount of EUR 1 million in commitments is agreed.

As a consequence, and after taking into account pilot projects and preparatory actions, the margin under the expenditure ceiling of heading 2 amounts to EUR 35.8 million.

Heading 3

Commitment appropriations are set at the level proposed by the Commission in the Draft Budget, as amended by Amending Letter No 2/2014, with the following exceptions:

in EUR million

As a consequence, and after taking into account pilot projects and preparatory actions, as well as decentralised agencies, the margin under the expenditure ceiling of heading 3 amounts to EUR 7.0 million.

Heading 4

Commitment appropriations are set at the level proposed by the Commission in the Draft Budget, as amended by Amending Letter No 2/2014, with the following exceptions:

in EUR million

As a consequence, and after taking into account pilot projects and preparatory actions, the margin under the expenditure ceiling of heading 4 amounts to EUR 10.0 million.

Heading 5

As far as establishment plan posts of the Sections are concerned, the level proposed by the Commission in the Draft Budget, as amended by Amending Letter No 2/2014, is agreed, with the exception of the European Parliament, for which its own reading is agreed.

Commitment appropriations are set at the level proposed by the Commission in the Draft Budget, as amended by Amending Letter No 2/2014, with the exception of:

—  The amounts corresponding to the possible impact of the 2011 and 2012 salary adjustments, which are not included in the budgets of each Section at this stage, pending the ruling of the Court of Justice. The Conciliation Committee agrees on the joint statement as set out in Section 3.5;

—  Furthermore, as far as the appropriations of the other Sections are concerned, the level proposed by the European Parliament is agreed, with the following exceptions:

—  For the Court of Auditors (Section V), the abatement rate proposed by the Council is agreed;

—  For the Court of Justice (Section IV), excluding the reduction of EUR 0.6 million proposed by the European Parliament;

—  For the European External Action Service (Section X), excluding the transfer of the EU Special Representatives proposed by the European Parliament. The Conciliation Committee agrees on the joint statement as set out in Section 3.6.

—  In addition, three new lines (30 01 16 01, 30 01 16 02, 30 01 16 03) are included in the budget of the Commission (Section III), with the corresponding level of appropriations proposed by the European Parliament in its reading.

As a consequence, and after taking into account pilot projects and preparatory actions, the margin under the expenditure ceiling of heading 5 amounts to EUR 316.8 million.

Creation of function group AST/SC

The establishment plans of all EU Institutions and bodies will be modified to take account of the creation in the Staff Regulations of the new AST/SC function group, as proposed in Amending Letter No 2/2014.

Heading 6

Commitment appropriations are set at the level proposed by the Commission in the Draft Budget.

1.4.  Special instruments

Commitment appropriations for the Emergency Aid Reserve (EAR) and the European Globalisation Adjustment Fund (EGF) are set at the level proposed by the Commission in the Draft Budget.

1.5.  Payment appropriations

The overall level of payment appropriations in the 2014 budget is set at EUR 135 504 613 000.

The Council position on the Draft Budget is used as a starting point to apply the following allocation of payment appropriations across budget lines in 2014:

1.  First, account is taken of the agreed level of commitment appropriations for non-differentiated expenditure, for which the level of payment appropriations by definition is equal to the level of commitments;

2.  By analogy, the same applies to decentralised agencies, for which the EU contribution in payment appropriations is set at the level proposed in section 1.2 above;

3.  The payment appropriations for all new pilot projects and preparatory actions are set at 50% of the corresponding commitment appropriations, or to the level proposed by Parliament if lower; in the case of extension of existing pilot projects and preparatory actions the level of payments is the one defined in the Draft Budget plus 50% of the corresponding new commitments, or to the level proposed by Parliament if lower;

4.  The following specific amounts in payment appropriations are agreed:

a.  The level of payment appropriations for the EU Solidarity Fund in 2014 is set at EUR 150 million;

b.  The level of payment appropriations for the Joint Technology Initiatives is set at the level proposed in Amending Letter No 1/2014, whereas the level of payment appropriations for the International Fisheries Agreements is set at the level proposed in Amending Letter No 2/2014;

c.  The level of payment appropriations for 'Support to peace process and financial assistance to Palestine and to the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA)' is set at EUR 200 million;

d.  The level of payment appropriations for the Macro-regional strategies 2014-2020 is set at 50% of the level of commitments defined under heading 1b in section 1.3 above;

e.  The level of payment appropriations for the Special Annual Events is set at the level of commitments defined under heading 1a in section 1.3 above.

5.  The level of payment appropriations set in paragraphs 2 to 4 has a net impact of EUR 285 million compared with the Council position on the Draft Budget for the expenditure items concerned. Taking into account the difference between the overall level of payment appropriations of EUR 135 504 613 000 and the Council position on the Draft Budget, the remaining amount of EUR 215 million allows for an increase of payment appropriations across all budget lines with differentiated appropriations for which no specific rules have been defined in the paragraphs 2 to 4 above, in proportion with the difference between the Draft Budget proposed by the Commission and the Council position.

As part of the overall compromise, the Conciliation Committee agrees on the joint statement on payment appropriations as set out in section 3.1 below.

The Council takes note of the joint statement of the European Parliament and the Commission on payment appropriations as set out in section 3.2 below.

1.6.  Budgetary remarks

All amendments introduced by the European Parliament or the Council to the text of budgetary remarks are agreed with changes as set out in Annex 1. This is with the understanding that they cannot modify or extend the scope of an existing legal base, or impinge on the administrative autonomy of institutions, and that the action can be covered by available resources.

1.7.  New budget lines

Unless mentioned otherwise in the joint conclusions agreed by the Conciliation Committee or agreed jointly by both arms of the budgetary authority in their respective reading, the budget nomenclature as proposed by the Commission in its Draft Budget and its Amending Letters No 1 and No 2/2014 will remain unchanged, with the exception of pilot projects and preparatory actions.

These commonly agreed nomenclature changes concern the following budget lines:

The budget remarks for the new budget lines on Social Dialogue, as proposed by the Commission, are set out in the Annex.

1.8.  Reserves

The reserve of EUR 2 million set by the European Parliament on budget line 01 02 01 'Coordination, surveillance and communication on the economic and monetary union, including the euro' is agreed.

1.9.  Revenues

The revenue side of the budget is approved as proposed by the Commission in the Draft Budget, as amended by Amending Letter No 2/2014 adjusted to the level of payments agreed in the Conciliation Committee.

2.  Budget 2013

Draft Amending Budget (DAB) No 8/2013 is agreed with the amounts as proposed by the Council.

DAB No 9/2013 is agreed as proposed by the Council, with the following amendments:

1.   A reinforcement of EUR 200 million to meet outstanding needs for payment appropriations in 2013 in the field of research is agreed, on the following budget lines:

in EUR million

2.  A redeployment of payment appropriations for a total amount of EUR 50 million in 2013 is agreed from the following budget lines:

in EUR million

The redeployment of payment appropriations for administrative support expenditure for research (chapter 08 01) in 2013 concerns non-differentiated expenditure, which leads to a corresponding reduction in commitment appropriations (- EUR 26.9 million) on the last three lines in the table above.

An amount of EUR 250 million of payment appropriations for the EU Solidarity Fund in included in the 2013 budget, whereas an amount of EUR 150 million of payment appropriations for the EU Solidarity Fund is included in the 2014 budget.

3.  Statements

3.1.  Joint statement on payment appropriations

The European Parliament, the Council, and the Commission recall their shared responsibility, as laid down in Article 323 of the Treaty on the Functioning the European Union (TFEU), that ‘the European Parliament, the Council and the Commission shall ensure that the financial means are made available to allow the Union to fulfil its legal obligation in respect of third parties’.

The European Parliament and the Council recall the need to ensure, in the light of implementation, an orderly progression of payments so as to avoid any abnormal shift of outstanding commitments (‘RAL’) onto the 2015 budget. In this respect, they will have recourse, when appropriate, to the various flexibility mechanisms included in the MFF Regulation, among others in its Article 13.

The European Parliament and the Council agree to set the level of payment appropriations for 2014 at EUR 135 504 613 000. They ask the Commission to initiate any necessary action, on the basis of the provisions of the draft MFF Regulation and the Financial Regulation, to cover the responsibility assigned by the Treaty and, in particular, after having examined the scope for reallocation of the relevant appropriations, with particular reference to any expected under-implementation of appropriations (Financial Regulation Article 41§2) to request additional payment appropriations in an amending budget if the appropriations entered in the 2014 budget are insufficient to cover expenditure.

The European Parliament and the Council will take position on any draft amending budget as quickly as possible in order to avoid any shortfall in payment appropriations. In addition, the European Parliament and the Council undertake to process swiftly any possible transfer of payment appropriations, including across financial framework headings, in order to make the best possible use of payment appropriations entered in the budget and align them to actual execution and needs.

The European Parliament, the Council and the Commission will, throughout the year, actively monitor the state of implementation of the 2014 budget, in particular under sub-heading 1b (Economic, social and territorial cohesion) and rural development under heading 2 (Sustainable Growth: Natural Resources). This will take the form of dedicated inter-institutional meetings, in accordance with point 36 of the Annex of the Interinstitutional Agreement, to take stock of payment implementation and revised forecasts.

3.2.  European Parliament and Commission statement on payment appropriations

The European Parliament and the Commission recall the need for specific and maximum flexibility within the 2014-2020 MFF. Changes to the proposed legal bases agreed by the legislative authority will lead to further pressure on the payment ceilings under the 2014-2020 MFF. In the context of the finalisation of the legislative package for the Cohesion policy 2014-2020 and taking into account the possible impact of the SME initiative, the Commission issued a declaration on the impact of the agreement reached on the performance reserve and pre-financing levels, on payment needs. Whilst the overall impact of these changes on additional payment appropriations in the 2014-2020 MFF is considered to remain limited, the Commission stated that the annual fluctuations in the global level of payments would be managed through the use of the global margin for payments. If needed, the Commission may also have recourse to the Flexibility Instrument and the Contingency Margin agreed upon in the draft MFF Regulation.

Therefore, the Commission intends to propose correcting measures in light of implementation, using, to the extent necessary, all the tools offered by the new MFF. Specifically, in the course of 2014 the Commission may have to propose to have recourse to the Contingency Margin, in accordance with Article 13 of the draft MFF Regulation.

3.3.  Council statement on payment appropriations

The Council recalls that the special instruments can only be activated to cater for genuinely unforeseen circumstances.

It recalls that the Contingency Margin shall not result in exceeding the total ceilings of commitment and payment appropriations.

As regards other special instruments, the Council recalls that Article 3(2) of the draft MFF Regulation states that commitment appropriations may be entered in the budget over and above the ceilings of the relevant headings.

3.4.  Joint statement on decentralised agencies

The European Parliament, the Council and the Commission recall the importance to progressively reduce the staffing levels of all EU institutions, bodies and agencies by 5% over five years, as agreed in point 23 of the draft Interinstitutional Agreement on budgetary discipline, cooperation in budgetary matters and on sound financial management.

The European Parliament and the Council commit to pursue progressively the above-mentioned 5% staff reduction for the period 2013-2017 while insisting as well on the proper functioning of the agencies so that they can fulfil the tasks they have been assigned by the legislative authority. In this respect, they consider that further measures, including structural ones, may be required to achieve this reduction for decentralised agencies. In this context, the Commission will continue its assessment of the possibilities to merge and/or wind-up some of the existing agencies, and/or other ways to achieve synergies.

Further to the work carried out by the Inter-Institutional Working Group, which resulted in the Common Approach on decentralised agencies agreed in July 2012, the European Parliament, the Council and the Commission agree on the need for a closer and more permanent scrutiny on the development of decentralised agencies to ensure a coherent approach. Without prejudice to their respective prerogatives, they agree to establish a specific inter-institutional working group with the aim of defining a clear development path for agencies, based on objective criteria. The Group should in particular discuss:

—  Evaluation of establishment plans on a case-by-case basis;

—  Ways to provide adequate appropriations and staff for additional tasks, assigned to individual agencies by the legislative authority;

—  Treatment of agencies which are fully or partially fee-financed;

—  Administrative structure of agencies, financing models, treatment of assigned revenues;

—  Reassessment of needs; potential mergers/closures; transfer of tasks to the Commission.

The European Parliament and the Council will take into due account the results achieved by the Inter-Institutional Working Group in their deliberations as legislative and budgetary authority.

3.5.  Joint statement on heading 5 and salary adjustments

The European Parliament and the Council agree that pending the outcome of the cases before the European Court of Justice, the appropriations related to the proposed salary adjustments of 1.7% for 2011 and 1.7% for 2012 will not be included at this stage in the 2014 budget.

Should the Court of Justice rule in favour of the Commission, the Commission will present a Draft Amending Budget in 2014 in order to cover the proposed salary adjustments, for all the Sections. Under such a scenario, the European Parliament and the Council undertake to act swiftly on the relevant Draft Amending Budget.

3.6.  Joint statement on EU Special Representatives

The Parliament and the Council agree to examine the transfer of appropriations for the European Union Special Representatives from the Commission's budget (Section III) to the budget of the European External Action Service (Section X) in the context of the 2015 budgetary procedure.

Annex 1 – Modification of budgetary remarks

With reference to section 1.6 of the joint conclusions, as compared to the budgetary remarks voted by the Council and the Parliament, the following modifications are agreed:

Heading 1A

Remarks

This appropriation is intended to cover expenditure on information and training measures for workers’ organisations, including representatives of workers’ organisations in the candidate countries, deriving from the implementation of Union action in the framework of the implementation of the Union social dimension action. These measures should help workers’ organisations to help address the overarching challenges facing European employment and social policy as laid down in the Europe 2020 Strategy and the Social Agenda and within the context of Union initiatives to address the consequences of the economic crisis.

Moreover, this appropriation is also intended to support the work programmes of the two institutes – ETUI (European Trade Union Institute) and EZA (European Centre for Workers’ Questions) - which have been established to promote capacity-building through educational measures and research at European level, including in candidate countries, to include worker representatives in decision-making processes to a greater extent.

This appropriation is intended to cover in particular the following activities:

—  Support for the work programmes of the two specific trade union institutes, ETUI (European Trade Union Institute) and EZA (European Centre for Workers’ Questions), which have been established to facilitate capacity-building through training and research at European level, as well as to improve the degree of involvement of workers' representatives in European governance,

—  Information and training measures for workers’ organisations, including representatives of workers’ organisations in the candidate countries, deriving from the implementation of Union action in the framework of the implementation of the Union social dimension,

—  Measures involving representatives of the social partners in the candidate countries with the specific purpose of promoting social dialogue at Union level. It is also intended to promote equal participation of women and men in the decision-making bodies of workers’ organisations."

Legal Basis

Task resulting from specific powers directly conferred on the Commission by the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union pursuant to Article 154.

Convention concluded in 1959 between the ECSC High Authority and the International Occupational Safety and Health Information Centre (CIS) of the International Labour Office.

Council Directive 89/391/EEC of 12 June 1989 on the introduction of measures to encourage improvements in the safety and health of workers at work (OJ L 183, 29.6.1989, p. 1), and the associated individual Directives.

Council Directive 92/29/EEC of 31 March 1992 on the minimum safety and health requirements for improved medical treatment on board vessels (OJ L 113, 30.4.1992, p. 19).

Remarks

This appropriation is intended to provide funding for action to foster the development of employee involvement in undertakings in furtherance of Directives 97/74/EC and 2009/38/EC on European Works Councils, Directives 2001/86/EC and 2003/72/EC on employees’ involvement in the European Company and in the European Cooperative Society respectively, Directive 2002/14/EC establishing a general framework for informing and consulting employees in the European Community, and Article 16 of Directive 2005/56/EC on cross-border mergers of limited liability companies.

This appropriation covers the funding of measures to strengthen transnational cooperation between workers’ and employers’ representatives in respect of information, consultation and participation of employees within companies operating in more than one Member State. Short training courses for negotiators and representatives in transnational information, consultation and participation bodies may be funded in that context. This may involve social partners from candidate countries. This appropriation may be used to finance measures enabling social partners to exercise their rights and discharge their duties as regards employee involvement, especially on European Works Councils and in SMEs, to familiarise them with transnational company agreements, and to cooperate to a greater extent in connection with Union law on employee involvement.

In addition, it may be used to finance measures to develop expertise on employee involvement across Member States, to promote cooperation between relevant authorities and stakeholders, and to foster relations with EU institutions so as to support implementation of Union law on employee involvement and make it more effective.

This appropriation is intended to cover in particular the following activities:

—  Measures to set the conditions for social dialogue in companies and proper employee involvement in undertakings as provided under directive 2009/38/EC on European Works Councils, Directives 2001/86/EC and 2003/72/EC on employees’ involvement in the European company and in the European cooperative society, respectively, Directive 2002/14/EC establishing a general framework for informing and consulting employees in the European Community, Directive 98/59/EC on collective redundancies and Article 16 of Directive 2005/56/EC on cross-border mergers of limited liability companies.

—  Initiatives to strengthen transnational cooperation between workers’ and employers’ representatives in respect of information, consultation and participation of employees within companies operating in more than one Member State and short training actions for negotiators and representatives in transnational information, consultation and participation bodies may be funded in that context. This may involve social partners from candidate countries.

—  Measures to enable social partners to exercise their rights and duties as regards employee involvement, especially within the framework of European Works Councils, to familiarise them with transnational company agreements and strengthen their cooperation in respect to Union law on employee involvement.

—  Operations fostering the development of employee involvement in undertakings.

—  Innovative actions relating to employee involvement, with the view of supporting the anticipation of change and the prevention and resolution of disputes in the context of corporate restructuring, mergers, take-overs and relocation in union-scale undertakings and union-scale groups of undertakings.

—  Measures to strengthen cooperation between the social partners for the development of employee involvement in the design of solutions addressing the consequences of the economic crisis, such as mass redundancies, or the need for a shift towards an inclusive, sustainable and low-carbon economy.

—  Transnational exchange of information and good practice in matters relevant for social dialogue at company level.

Legal Basis

Task resulting from specific powers directly conferred on the Commission by the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union pursuant to Articles 154 and 155.

Council Directive 97/74/EC of 15 December 1997 extending to the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland Directive 94/45/EC on the establishment of a European Works Council or a procedure in Community-scale undertakings and Community-scale groups of undertakings for the purposes of informing and consulting employees (OJ L 10, 16.1.1998, p. 22).

Council Directive 2001/86/EC of 8 October 2001 supplementing the Statute for a European Company with regard to the involvement of employees (OJ L 294, 10.11.2001, p. 22).

Directive 98/59/EC on the approximation of the laws of the Member States relating to collective redundancies (OJ L 225, 12.8.1998, p. 16).

Directive 2001/23/EC on the approximation of the laws of the Member States relating to the safeguarding of employees' rights in the event of transfers of undertakings, businesses or parts of undertakings or businesses (OJ L 82, 22.3.2001, p. 16).

Directive 2002/14/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 11 March 2002 establishing a general framework for informing and consulting employees in the European Community (OJ L 80, 23.3.2002, p. 29).

Council Directive 2003/72/EC of 22 July 2003 supplementing the Statute for a European Cooperative Society with regard to the involvement of employees (OJ L 207 of 18.8.2003, p. 25).

Directive 2005/56/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 26 October 2005 on cross-border mergers of limited liability companies (OJ L 310, 25.11.2005, p. 1).

Directive 2009/38/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 6 May 2009 on the establishment of a European Works Council or a procedure in Community-scale undertakings and Community-scale groups of undertakings for the purposes of informing and consulting employees (Recast) (OJ L 122, 16.5.2009, p. 28).

Convention concluded in 1959 between the ECSC High Authority and the International Occupational Safety and Health Information Centre (CIS) of the International Labour Office.

Remarks

The objective of this activity is to strengthen the role of social dialogue and promote the adoption of agreements and other joint actions between the social partners at the EU level. This appropriation is intended to cover the financing of the social partners’ participation The actions financed should help social partner organisations to address in the European employment strategy and of the social partners’ contribution to addressing the overarching challenges facing European employment and social policy as laid down in the Europe 2020 Strategy and the Social Agenda and within the context of Union initiatives to address the consequences of the economic crisis and to contribute to the improvement and dissemination of knowledge of industrial relations institutions and practices. It is intended to cover grants for promoting social dialogue at cross-industry and sectoral level in accordance with Article 154 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union. The appropriations shall therefore be used to finance consultations, meetings, negotiations and other operations designed to achieve these objectives.

In addition, this appropriation is intended to cover support for industrial relations measures, in particular those designed to develop expertise and the exchange of Union-relevant information.

This appropriation is also intended to cover the funding of measures involving representatives of the social partners in the candidate countries with the specific purpose of promoting social dialogue at Union level. A gender sensitive approach is taken into account in the implementation of these objectives and it is, therefore, intended to promote equal participation of women and men in the decision-making bodies of both trade unions and employers’ organisations. These last two components are cross-cutting.

On the basis of these objectives, two sub-programmes have been established:

–  support for European social dialogue

–  improvement of expertise in industrial relations.

This appropriation is intended to cover in particular the following activities:

—  Studies, consultations, meetings of experts, negotiations, information, publications and other operations directly linked to the achievement of the above objective or measures falling under this budget line, plus any other expenditure on technical and administrative assistance not involving public authority tasks outsourced by the Commission under ad hoc service contracts.

—  Actions undertaken by social partners to promote social dialogue (including capacity of social partners) at cross-industry and sector level,

—  Actions to improve knowledge on industrial relations institutions and practices across the EU and dissemination of results,

—  Measures involving representatives of the social partners in the candidate countries with the specific purpose of promoting social dialogue at Union level. It is also intended to promote equal participation of women and men in the decision-making bodies of both trade unions and employers’ organisations,

—  Actions to support industrial relations measures, in particular those designed to develop expertise and the exchange of Union-relevant information.

Legal Basis

Task resulting from specific powers directly conferred on the Commission by the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union pursuant to Articles 154 and 155.

Remarks

The remarks for this budget line read as follows:

Add following text:

This appropriation is intended to cover completion costs of measures supported as special annual sport events.

Special Annual Event: The European MOVE Week

Commitments: EUR 1 000 000; Payments: EUR 1 000 000

The European MOVE Week is a European-wide flagship event promoting grassroots sport and physical activity and their positive impact on European citizens and societies.

As part of the vision to get 100 million more Europeans to be active in sport and physical activity by 2020, the MOVE Week 2014 is a bottom-up approach, involving local communities, sports clubs, schools, workplaces and cities in a large-scale celebration of sport and physical activity. It is an integrated part of the European NowWeMove campaign and thus a sustainable contribution to more physically active and healthy European citizens.

MOVE Week 2014 will feature a minimum of 300 events from all 28 EU member states and a minimum of 150 cities, introducing new sport and physical activity initiatives and highlighting the myriad of successful existing actions.

Special Annual Event: European Special Olympics Summer Games in Antwerp, Belgium 2014

Commitments: EUR 2 000 000; Payments: EUR 2 000 000

This appropriation is intended to cover costs of measures supported as special annual events. The amount of 2 000 000 Euro allocated to co-finance the multi- annual event of The European Special Olympics Summer Games in Antwerp, Belgium (13-20 Sept 2014). This funding will also allow participating athletes from all 28 member states to train, to prepare and to attend the games in Belgium.

This event will see 2,000 athletes and their delegations from 58 countries competing over 10 days. More than 4,000 volunteers will help to make this multi-sport event unique. Along with the Sports Programme, other Scientific, Educational and Family Programmes will be set up. 30 Belgian cities will host the athletes and Antwerp will host the event. Many special events will be organised before, during, and after the Games.

(1) Texts adopted, P7_TA(2013)0437. (2) OJ L 163, 23.6.2007, p. 17. (3) OJ L 298, 26.10.2012, p. 1. (4) OJ C 139, 14.6.2006, p. 1.

European Parliament resolution of 20 November 2013 on the proposal for a decision of the European Parliament and of the Council on the mobilisation of the Flexibility Instrument (COM(2013)0647 – C7-0302/2013 – 2013/2223(BUD))

P7_TA(2013)0473 A7-0388/2013

The European Parliament,

–  having regard to the Commission Draft Budget for the financial year 2014 (COM(2013)0450), presented on 28 June 2013, as amended by amending letter No 1 presented by the Commission on 18 September 2013 (COM(2013)0644),

–  having regard to the Commission proposal to the European Parliament and the Council (COM(2013)0647 – C7‑0302/2013),

–  having regard to Council Regulation (EU, Euratom) No 1311/2013 laying down the multiannual financial framework for the years 2014-2020(1), and in particular Article 11 thereof,

–  having regard to the Interinstitutional Agreement between the European Parliament, the Council and the Commission on budgetary discipline, cooperation in budgetary matters and sound financial management(2), and in particular Point 12 thereof,

–  having regard to its position adopted on 23 October 2013 on the 2014 draft general budget,

–  having regard to the joint text approved by the Conciliation Committee on 12 November 2013 (16106/2013 ADD 1-5 – C7-0413/2013),

–  having regard to the report of the Committee on Budgets (A7-0388/2013),

A.  whereas, after having examined all possibilities for reallocating commitment appropriations under heading 1b, it appears necessary to mobilise the Flexibility Instrument for commitment appropriations,

B.  whereas the Commission has proposed to mobilise the Flexibility Instrument to complement the financing in the general budget of the European Union for the financial year 2014, beyond the ceiling of heading 1b, of EUR 78 million towards the financing of the Cypriot Structural Funds programmes to grant an additional allocation from the Structural Funds to Cyprus for the year 2014 by a total amount of EUR 100 000 000,

1.  Notes that despite contained reinforcements in commitment appropriations on a limited number of budget items and several decreases on other budget items, the 2014 ceilings of subheading 1b in commitments do not allow for the adequate financing of important and urgent political priorities of the Union carried out by Parliament and the Council;

2.  Agrees with the mobilisation of the Flexibility Instrument in commitment appropriations for the financing - under subheading 1b - of the Cypriot Structural Funds programmes for a total amount of EUR 89 330 000;

3.  Reiterates that the mobilisation of this instrument, as provided for in Article 11 of Council Regulation (EU, Euratom) No 1311/2013, highlights, once more, the crucial need for the Union budget to be increasingly flexible;

4.  Approves the decision annexed to this resolution;

5.  Instructs its President to sign the decision with the President of the Council and arrange for its publication in the Official Journal of the European Union;

6.  Instructs its President to forward this resolution, including its annex, to the Council and the Commission.

ANNEX

DECISION OF THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND OF THE COUNCIL

on the mobilisation of the Flexibility Instrument

(The text of this annex is not reproduced here since it corresponds to the final act, Decision 2014/97/EU.)

(1) OJ L 347, 20.12.2013, p. 884. (2) OJ C 373, 20.12.2013, p. 1.

European Parliament resolution of 20 November 2013 on the Council position on Draft amending budget No 9/2013 of the European Union for the financial year 2013, Section III – Commission (14872/2013 – C7-0388/2013 – 2013/2257(BUD))

P7_TA(2013)0474 A7-0390/2013

The European Parliament,

–  having regard to Article 314 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union and Article 106a of the Euratom Treaty,

–  having regard to Regulation (EU, Euratom) No 966/2012 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 25 October 2012 on the financial rules applicable to the general budget of the Union and repealing Council Regulation (EC, Euratom) No 1605/2002(1),

–  having regard to the general budget of the European Union for the financial year 2013, as definitively adopted on 12 December 2012(2),

–  having regard to the Interinstitutional Agreement of 17 May 2006 between the European Parliament, the Council and the Commission on budgetary discipline and sound financial management(3) (hereafter referred to as "IIA"),

–  having regard to Draft amending budget No 9/2013 of the European Union for the financial year 2013, which the Commission adopted on 3 October 2013 (COM(2013)0691),

–  having regard to the position adopted by the Council on 30 October 2013 on Draft amending budget No 9/2013 (14872/2013 – C7‑0388/2013),

–  having regard to the joint conclusions approved by the Conciliation Committee on 12 November 2013(4),

–  having regard to Rules 75b of its Rules of Procedure,

–  having regard to the report of the Committee on Budgets (A7-0390/2013),

A.  whereas Draft amending budget No 9 (DAB No 9/2013) for the year 2013 covers the mobilisation of the EU Solidarity Fund ('the Fund') for an amount of EUR 400,5 million in commitment and payment appropriations to Romania in relation to the drought and forest fires in summer 2012, and to Germany, Austria and the Czech Republic in relation to flooding in May and June 2013,

B.  whereas the purpose of DAB No 9/2013 is to formally enter this budgetary adjustment into the 2013 budget,

1.  Takes note of DAB No 9/2013, as submitted by the Commission;

2.  Calls on the Council to cease presenting its positions under Article 314(3) Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union in the form of legal acts (“Decision”), since this is not in conformity with Article 314 TFEU, as interpreted by the Court of Justice in its judgment of 17 September 2013 in Case C-77/11 Council v Parliament; recalls that a position under Article 314(3) TFEU is a preparatory act and is valid as from its date of adoption; stresses that it will reject and ignore any clause by which the Council purports to make the validity of its position in a budgetary procedure conditional on the prior approval by Parliament of a different budget, amending budget or legislative act;

3.  Deplores the Council’s position on DAB No 9/2013, which amends the Commission’s proposal with a view to fully financing the mobilisation of the Fund through redeployments from budget lines for which underimplementation is expected by the end of 2013, as identified by the Commission in its proposal for 2013 global transfer (DEC 26/2013);

4.  Endorses the agreement reached on 12 November 2013 in the framework of the Conciliation Committee with a view to financing this mobilisation up to a level of EUR 250,5 million in payment appropriations in 2013 through redeployments and EUR 150 million in 2014 through fresh appropriations; notes with satisfaction that this will allow for the financing of research needs identified in the global transfer for EUR 200 million, allowing in particular for the signing of a number of new research contracts still this year;

5.  Stresses, however, that it maintains its position of principle that the financing of special instruments, like the Fund, should be entered in the budget over and above the multiannual financial framework ceilings and does not support Council's unilateral statement on payment appropriations annexed to the joint conclusions on Budget 2014;

6.  Therefore amends the position of the Council as follows:

(in EUR million)

7.  Instructs its President to forward this resolution to the Council, the Commission and the national parliaments.

BUDGETARY ANNEX:

Draft amending budget No. 9/2013

Expenditure — EXPENDITURE

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Title XX — Administrative expenditure allocated to policy areas

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Classification by type

Chapter XX 01 — Administrative expenditure allocated to policy areas

Article XX 01 05 — Expenditure related to staff in active employment for indirect research

Item XX 01 05 01 — Remuneration and allowances related to staff in active employment for indirect research

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Remarks

The following comments apply to all the policy areas (Enterprise and Industry, Mobility and Transport, Research, Information Society and Media, Education and Culture, Energy) involved in indirect actions under the Seventh Framework Programme for research.

This appropriation covers expenditure relating to staff covered by the Staff Regulations occupying posts on the authorised establishment plans engaged in indirect action under the nuclear and non-nuclear programmes, including staff posted in Union delegations.

The breakdown of these appropriations for staff expenditure is as follows:

The contributions from the EFTA States pursuant to the Agreement on the European Economic Area, and in particular Article 82 thereof and Protocol 32 thereto, must be added to the appropriations entered in this item. By way of information, these amounts derive from contributions from the EFTA States entered against Article 6 3 0 of the statement of revenue, which constitute assigned revenue in accordance with Article 21(2)(e) to (g) of the Financial Regulation; they give rise to the provision of corresponding appropriations and to implementation under the ‘European Economic Area’ Annex to this part of the statement of expenditure in this section, which forms an integral part of the general budget.

Legal basis

Decision No 1982/2006/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 18 December 2006 concerning the Seventh Framework Programme of the European Community for research, technological development and demonstration activities (2007-2013) (OJ L 412, 30.12.2006, p. 1).

Council Decision 2006/970/Euratom of 18 December 2006 concerning the Seventh Framework Programme of the European Atomic Energy Community (Euratom) for nuclear research and training activities (2007 to 2011) (OJ L 400, 30.12.2006, p. 60).

Council Decision 2006/971/EC of 19 December 2006 concerning the specific programme ‘Cooperation’ implementing the Seventh Framework Programme of the European Community for research, technological development and demonstration activities (2007 to 2013) (OJ L 400, 30.12.2006, p. 86).

Council Decision 2006/972/EC of 19 December 2006 concerning the specific programme: ‘Ideas’ implementing the Seventh Framework Programme of the European Community for research, technological development and demonstration activities (2007 to 2013) (OJ L 400, 30.12.2006, p. 243).

Council Decision 2006/973/EC of 19 December 2006 concerning the specific programme: ‘People’ implementing the Seventh Framework Programme of the European Community for research, technological development and demonstration activities (2007 to 2013) (OJ L 400, 30.12.2006, p. 270).

Council Decision 2006/974/EC of 19 December 2006 on the specific programme: ‘Capacities’ implementing the Seventh Framework Programme of the European Community for research, technological development and demonstration activities (2007 to 2013) (OJ L 400, 30.12.2006, p. 299).

Council Decision 2006/976/Euratom of 19 December 2006 concerning the specific programme implementing the Seventh Framework Programme of the European Atomic Energy Community (Euratom) for nuclear research and training activities (2007 to 2011) (OJ L 400, 30.12.2006, p. 404).

Council Decision 2012/93/Euratom of 19 December 2011 concerning the Framework Programme of the European Atomic Energy Community for nuclear research and training activities (2012-2013) (OJ L 47, 18.2.2012, p. 25).

Council Regulation (Euratom) No 139/2012 of 19 December 2011 laying down the rules for the participation of undertakings, research centres and universities in indirect actions under the Framework Programme of the European Atomic Energy Community and for the dissemination of research results (2012-2013) (OJ L 47, 18.2.2012, p. 1).

Council Decision 2012/94/Euratom of 19 December 2011 concerning the specific programme, to be carried out by means of indirect actions, implementing the Framework Programme of the European Atomic Energy Community for nuclear research and training activities (2012-2013) (OJ L 47, 18.2.2012, p. 33).

Item XX 01 05 03 — Other management expenditure for indirect research

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Remarks

The following comments apply to all the policy areas (Enterprise and Industry, Mobility and Transport, Research, Information Society and Media, Education and Culture, Energy) involved in indirect actions under the Seventh Framework Programme for research.

This appropriation is intended to cover other administrative expenditure for all management of research in the form of indirect action under the nuclear and non-nuclear programmes, including other administrative expenditure incurred by staff posted in Union delegations.

The breakdown of these appropriations for staff expenditure is as follows:

The contributions from the EFTA States pursuant to the Agreement on the European Economic Area, and in particular Article 82 thereof and Protocol 32 thereto, must be added to the appropriations entered in this item. By way of information, these amounts derive from contributions from the EFTA States entered against Article 6 3 0 of the statement of revenue, which constitute assigned revenue in accordance with Article 21(2)(e) to (g) of the Financial Regulation; they give rise to the provision of corresponding appropriations and to implementation under the ‘European Economic Area’ Annex to this part of the statement of expenditure in this section, which forms an integral part of the general budget.

Legal basis

Decision No 1982/2006/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 18 December 2006 concerning the Seventh Framework Programme of the European Community for research, technological development and demonstration activities (2007-2013) (OJ L 412, 30.12.2006, p. 1).

Council Decision 2006/970/Euratom of 18 December 2006 concerning the Seventh Framework Programme of the European Atomic Energy Community (Euratom) for nuclear research and training activities (2007 to 2011) (OJ L 400, 30.12.2006, p. 60).

Council Decision 2006/971/EC of 19 December 2006 concerning the specific programme ‘Cooperation’ implementing the Seventh Framework Programme of the European Community for research, technological development and demonstration activities (2007 to 2013) (OJ L 400, 30.12.2006, p. 86).

Council Decision 2006/972/EC of 19 December 2006 concerning the specific programme: ‘Ideas’ implementing the Seventh Framework Programme of the European Community for research, technological development and demonstration activities (2007 to 2013) (OJ L 400, 30.12.2006, p. 243).

Council Decision 2006/973/EC of 19 December 2006 concerning the specific programme: ‘People’ implementing the Seventh Framework Programme of the European Community for research, technological development and demonstration activities (2007 to 2013) (OJ L 400, 30.12.2006, p. 270).

Council Decision 2006/974/EC of 19 December 2006 on the specific programme: ‘Capacities’ implementing the Seventh Framework Programme of the European Community for research, technological development and demonstration activities (2007 to 2013) (OJ L 400, 30.12.2006, p. 299).

Council Decision 2006/976/Euratom of 19 December 2006 concerning the specific programme implementing the Seventh Framework Programme of the European Atomic Energy Community (Euratom) for nuclear research and training activities (2007 to 2011) (OJ L 400, 30.12.2006, p. 404).

Council Decision 2012/93/Euratom of 19 December 2011 concerning the Framework Programme of the European Atomic Energy Community for nuclear research and training activities (2012-2013) (OJ L 47, 18.2.2012, p. 25).

Council Regulation (Euratom) No 139/2012 of 19 December 2011 laying down the rules for the participation of undertakings, research centres and universities in indirect actions under the Framework Programme of the European Atomic Energy Community and for the dissemination of research results (2012-2013) (OJ L 47, 18.2.2012, p. 1).

Council Decision 2012/94/Euratom of 19 December 2011 concerning the specific programme, to be carried out by means of indirect actions, implementing the Framework Programme of the European Atomic Energy Community for nuclear research and training activities (2012-2013) (OJ L 47, 18.2.2012, p. 33).

Title 01 — Economic and financial affairs

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Chapter 01 03 — International economic and financial affairs

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Article 01 03 02 — Macro-financial assistance

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Remarks

This exceptional assistance aims to ease financial constraints on certain third countries experiencing macro-financial difficulties characterised by balance of payment deficits and/or serious budgetary imbalances.

It is directly linked to the implementation by the recipient countries of macro-financial stabilisation and structural adjustment measures. Union action generally complements that of the International Monetary Fund, coordinated with other bilateral donors.

The Commission informs the budgetary authority twice a year of the macro-financial situation of the beneficiary countries and reports extensively on the implementation of this assistance on a yearly basis.

Appropriations under this article will also be used to cover financial aid for the reconstruction in Georgia of the areas affected by the conflict with Russia. The actions should be primarily geared to the macro-financial stabilisation of the country. The total financial allocation for the aid was decided at an international donors’ conference in 2008.

Legal basis

Council Decision 2006/880/EC of 30 November 2006 providing exceptional Community financial assistance to Kosovo (OJ L 339, 6.12.2006, p. 36).

Council Decision 2007/860/EC of 10 December 2007 providing Community macro-financial assistance to Lebanon (OJ L 337, 21.12.2007, p. 111).

Council Decision 2009/889/EC of 30 November 2009 providing macro-financial assistance to Georgia (OJ L 320, 5.12.2009, p. 1).

Council Decision 2009/890/EC of 30 November 2009 providing macro-financial assistance to Armenia (OJ L 320, 5.12.2009, p. 3).

Decision No 938/2010/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council of 20 October 2010 providing macro-financial assistance to the Republic of Moldova (OJ L 277, 21.10.2010, p. 1).

Title 04 — Employment and social affairs

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Chapter 04 05 — European Globalisation Adjustment Fund (EGF)

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Article 04 05 01 — European Globalisation Adjustment Fund (EGF)

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Remarks

This appropriation is intended to cover the European Globalisation Adjustment Fund (EGF) so as to enable the Union to provide temporary and targeted support for workers made redundant as a result of major structural changes in world trade patterns due to globalisation where these redundancies have a significant adverse impact on the regional or local economy. For applications submitted before 31 December 2011, it may also be used to provide support to workers made redundant as a direct result of the global financial and economic crisis.

The maximum amount of expenditure from the Fund shall be EUR 500 000 000 per year.

The aim of this reserve, in accordance with point 28 of the Interinstitutional Agreement of 17 May 2006, is to provide additional temporary support for workers who suffer from the consequences of major structural changes in world trade patterns and to assist them with their reintegration into the labour market.

The actions undertaken by the EGF should be complementary to those of the European Social Fund. There must be no double funding from these instruments.

The rules for entering the appropriations in this reserve and for mobilising the Fund are laid down in point 28 of the Interinstitutional Agreement of 17 May 2006 and in Article 12 of Regulation (EC) No 1927/2006.

Legal basis

Regulation (EC) No 1927/2006 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 20 December 2006 on establishing the European Globalisation Adjustment Fund (OJ L 406, 30.12.2006, p. 1).

Regulation (EC) No 546/2009 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 18 June 2009 amending Regulation (EC) No 1927/2006 on establishing the European Globalisation Adjustment Fund (OJ L 167, 29.6.2009, p. 26).

Reference acts

Interinstitutional Agreement of 17 May 2006 between the European Parliament, the Council and the Commission on budgetary discipline and sound financial management (OJ C 139, 14.6.2006, p. 1).

Title 05 — Agriculture and rural development

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Chapter 05 05 — Pre-accession measures in the field of agriculture and rural development

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Article 05 05 02 — Instrument for Pre-accession Assistance for Rural Development (IPARD)

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Remarks

This appropriation is intended to cover the Union assistance to the candidate countries covered by the IPA in progressive alignment with the standards and policies of the Union, including where appropriate the acquis of the Union, with a view to membership. The rural development component shall support countries in their preparations for the implementation and management of the common agricultural policy, alignment to Union structures and post-accession Union-funded rural development programmes.

Legal basis

Council Regulation (EC) No 1085/2006 of 17 July 2006 establishing an Instrument for Pre-Accession Assistance (IPA) (OJ L 210, 31.7.2006, p. 82)

Title 06 — Mobility and transport

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Chapter 06 06 — Research related to transport

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Remarks

These remarks are applicable to all the budget headings in this chapter.

These appropriations will be used for the Seventh Framework Programme of the European Community for research, technological development and demonstration activities, which covers the period 2007 to 2013.

The programme will be carried out in order to pursue the general objectives described in Article 179 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union, in order to contribute to the creation of a society of knowledge, based on the European Research Area, i.e. supporting transnational cooperation at all levels throughout the Union, taking the dynamism, creativity and the excellence of European research to the limits of knowledge, strengthening human resources for research and for technology in Europe, quantitatively and qualitatively and research and innovation capacities in the whole of Europe and ensuring optimum use thereof.

Also entered against these articles and items are the costs of high-level scientific and technological meetings, conferences, workshops and seminars of European interest organised by the Commission, the funding of high-level scientific and technological analyses and evaluations carried out on behalf of the Union to investigate new areas of research suitable for Union action, inter alia, in the context of the European Research Area, and measures to monitor and disseminate the results of the programmes, including measures under previous framework programmes.

These appropriations also cover administrative expenditure, including expenditure on staff, information, publications, administrative and technical operation, and certain other expenditure items relating to internal infrastructure to achieve the objective of the measure of which they form an integral part, including the action and measures necessary to prepare and monitor of the Union’s RTD strategy.

The possibility of third countries or institutes from third countries taking part in European cooperation in the field of scientific and technical research is envisaged for some of these projects. Any financial contribution will be entered in Items 6 0 1 3 and 6 0 1 5 of the statement of revenue and may give rise to the provision of additional appropriations in accordance with Article 21 of the Financial Regulation.

Revenue from States taking part in the European Cooperation in the field of scientific and technical research will be entered in Item 6 0 1 6 of the of the statement of revenue and may give rise to the provision of additional appropriations in accordance with Article 21 of the Financial Regulation.

Any revenue from the contributions from candidate countries and, if applicable, the western Balkan potential candidate countries for participating in Union programmes entered in Item 6 0 3 1 of the statement of revenue may give rise to the provision of additional appropriations in accordance with Article 21(2)(e) to (g) of the Financial Regulation.

Any revenue from the contribution by outside bodies to Union activities will be entered in Item 6 0 3 3 of the statement of revenue and may give rise to the provision of additional appropriations in accordance with Article 21 of the Financial Regulation.

Additional appropriations will be made available under Article 06 06 04.

Article 06 06 02 — Research related to transport (including aeronautics)

Item 06 06 02 03 — SESAR Joint Undertaking

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Remarks

This appropriation is intended to cover the development phase of the SESAR programme for the implantation of the technological component of the single European sky policy (SESAR), including the functioning of the SESAR Joint Undertaking.

The contributions from the EFTA States pursuant to the Agreement on the European Economic Area, and in particular Article 82 thereof and Protocol 32 thereto, must be added to the appropriations entered in this item. By way of information, these amounts derive from contributions from the EFTA States entered against Article 6 3 0 of the statement of revenue, which constitute assigned revenue in accordance with Article 21(2)(e) to (g) of the Financial Regulation; they give rise to the provision of corresponding appropriations and to implementation under the ‘European Economic Area’ Annex to this part of the statement of expenditure in this section, which forms an integral part of the general budget.

Legal basis

Decision No 1982/2006/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 18 December 2006 concerning the Seventh Framework Programme of the European Community for research, technological development and demonstration activities (2007-2013) (OJ L 412, 30.12.2006, p. 1).

Regulation (EC) No 1906/2006 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 18 December 2006 laying down the rules for the participation of undertakings, research centres and universities in actions under the Seventh Framework Programme and for the dissemination of research results (2007-2013) (OJ L 391, 30.12.2006, p. 1).

Council Decision 2006/971/EC of 19 December 2006 concerning the specific programme ‘Cooperation’ implementing the Seventh Framework Programme of the European Community for research, technological development and demonstration activities (2007 to 2013) (OJ L 400, 30.12.2006, p. 86).

Council Regulation (EC) No 219/2007 of 27 February 2007 on the establishment of a Joint Undertaking to develop the new generation European air traffic management system (SESAR) (OJ L 64, 2.3.2007, p. 1).

Council Regulation (EC) No 1361/2008 of 16 December 2008 amending Regulation (EC) No 219/2007 on the establishment of a joint undertaking to develop the new generation European air traffic management system (SESAR) (OJ L 352, 31.12.2008, p. 12).

Title 08 — Research

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Remarks

These remarks apply to all the budget headings in this title (with the exception of Chapter 08 22).

These appropriations will be used in accordance with Regulation (EC) No 1906/2006 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 18 December 2006 laying down the rules for the participation of undertakings, research centres and universities in actions under the Seventh Framework Programme and for the dissemination of research results (2007-2013) (OJ L 391, 30.12.2006, p. 1) and Council Regulation (Euratom) No 1908/2006 of 19 December 2006 laying down the rules for the participation of undertakings, research centres and universities in action under the seventh framework programme of the European Atomic Energy Community and for the dissemination of research results (2007 to 2011) (OJ L 400, 30.12.2006, p. 1).

For all appropriations under this title the same definition of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) as is used for the horizontal SME-specific programmes within the same framework programme shall apply. That definition reads as follows: ‘An eligible SME is a legal entity that complies with the SME definition set out in Commission Recommendation 2003/361/EC and is not a research centre, research institute, contract research organisation or consultancy firm’. All research activities conducted pursuant to the Seventh Framework Programme will be carried out in compliance with fundamental ethical principles (in accordance with Article 6(1) of Decision No 1982/2006/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 18 December 2006 concerning the Seventh Framework Programme of the European Community for research, technological development and demonstration activities (2007-2013) (OJ L 412, 30.12.2006, p. 1)), including animal welfare requirements. This will include, in particular, the principles laid down in Article 6 of the Treaty on European Union and in the Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union. Particular account will be taken of the need to step up efforts to enhance the participation and role of women in science and research.

Also entered against these articles and items are the costs of high-level scientific and technological meetings, conferences, workshops and seminars of European interest organised by the Commission, the funding of high-level scientific and technological analyses and evaluations carried out on behalf of the Union to investigate new areas of research suitable for Union action, inter alia, in the context of the European Research Area, and measures to monitor and disseminate the results of the programmes, including measures under previous framework programmes.

These appropriations also cover administrative expenditure, including expenditure on staff, whether covered by the Staff Regulations or not, information, publications, administrative and technical operation, and certain other expenditure items relating to internal infrastructure linked with the achievement of the objective of the measure of which they form an integral part, including the action and initiatives necessary for preparation and monitoring of the Union’s strategy on research, technological development and demonstration (RTD).

Revenue resulting from cooperation agreements between the European Atomic Energy Community and Switzerland or the multilateral European Fusion Development Agreement (EFDA) will be entered in Items 6 0 1 1 and 6 0 1 2 of the statement of revenue and may give rise to the provision of additional appropriations in accordance with Article 21 of the Financial Regulation.

The possibility of third countries or institutes from third countries taking part in European Cooperation in the field of Scientific and Technical Research is envisaged for some of these projects. Any financial contribution will be entered in Items 6 0 1 3 and 6 0 1 5 of the statement of revenue and may give rise to the provision of additional appropriations in accordance with Article 21 of the Financial Regulation.

Revenue from States taking part in the European Cooperation in the field of Scientific and Technical Research will be entered in Item 6 0 1 6 of the of the statement of revenue and may give rise to the provision of additional appropriations in accordance with Article 21 of the Financial Regulation.

Any revenue from the contributions from candidate countries and, if applicable, the western Balkan potential candidate countries for participating in Union programmes entered in Item 6 0 3 1 of the statement of revenue may give rise to the provision of additional appropriations in accordance with Article 21(2)(e) to (g) of the Financial Regulation.

Any revenue from the contribution by outside bodies to Union activities will be entered in Item 6 0 3 3 of the statement of revenue and may give rise to the provision of additional appropriations in accordance with Article 21 of the Financial Regulation.

Additional appropriations will be made available under Article 08 22 04.

In order to be able to meet the goal of 15 % SME participation in the projects financed by these appropriations, as laid down in Decision No 1982/2006/EC, more specific action is needed. Qualifying projects under the SME specific programmes should be made eligible for funding under the thematic programme when they fulfil the necessary (thematic) requirements.

Chapter 08 01 — Administrative expenditure of the ‘Research’ policy area

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Article 08 01 04 — Support expenditure for operations of the ‘Research’ policy area

Item 08 01 04 31 — Research Executive Agency (REA)

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Remarks

This appropriation is intended to cover the operating costs of the Research Executive Agency incurred as a result of the Agency’s role in the management of certain areas of the specific ‘People’, ‘Capacities’ and ‘Cooperation’ programmes in the field of research.

The contributions from the EFTA States pursuant to the Agreement on the European Economic Area, and in particular Article 82 thereof and Protocol 32 thereto, must be added to the appropriations entered in this item. By way of information, these amounts derive from contributions from the EFTA States entered against Article 6 3 0 of the statement of revenue, which constitute assigned revenue in accordance with Article 21(2)(e) to (g) of the Financial Regulation; they give rise to the provision of corresponding appropriations and to implementation under the ‘European Economic Area’ Annex to this part of the statement of expenditure in this section, which forms an integral part of the general budget.

The Agency’s establishment plan is set out in the Part entitled ‘Establishment plan staff’ of Section III — Commission (Volume 3).

Legal basis

Decision No 1982/2006/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 18 December 2006 concerning the Seventh Framework Programme of the European Community for research, technological development and demonstration activities (2007-2013) (OJ L 412, 30.12.2006, p. 1).

Regulation (EC) No 1906/2006 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 18 December 2006 laying down the rules for the participation of undertakings, research centres and universities in actions under the Seventh Framework Programme and for the dissemination of research results (2007-2013) (OJ L 391, 30.12.2006, p. 1).

Council Decision 2006/971/EC of 19 December 2006 concerning the specific programme ‘Cooperation’ implementing the Seventh Framework Programme of the European Community for research, technological development and demonstration activities (2007 to 2013) (OJ L 400, 30.12.2006, p. 86).

Council Decision 2006/973/EC of 19 December 2006 concerning the specific programme ‘People’ implementing the Seventh Framework Programme of the European Community for research, technological development and demonstration activities (2007 to 2013) (OJ L 400, 30.12.2006, p. 269).

Council Decision 2006/974/EC of 19 December 2006 on the specific programme ‘Capacities’ implementing the Seventh Framework Programme of the European Community for research, technological development and demonstration activities (2007 to 2013) (OJ L 400, 30.12.2006, p. 299).

Reference acts

Commission Decision 2008/46/EC of 14 December 2007 setting up the ‘Research Executive Agency’ for the management of certain areas of the specific Community programmes People, Capacities and Cooperation in the field of research in application of Council Regulation (EC) No 58/2003 (OJ L 11, 15.1.2008, p. 9).

Article 08 01 05 — Support expenditure for operations in the ‘Research’ policy area

Item 08 01 05 01 — Expenditure related to research staff

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Item 08 01 05 03 — Other management expenditure for research

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Chapter 08 02 — Cooperation — Health

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Article 08 02 02 — Cooperation — Health — Innovative Medicines Initiative Joint Undertaking

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Remarks

The Innovative Medicines Initiative Joint Undertaking shall contribute to the implementation of the Seventh Framework Programme and in particular the ‘Health’ theme of the specific ‘Cooperation’ programme implementing the Seventh Framework Programme. It shall have the objective of significantly improving the efficiency and effectiveness of the drug development process with the long-term aim that the pharmaceutical sector will produce more effective and safer innovative medicines. In particular it shall:

—  support ‘pre-competitive pharmaceutical research and development’ in the Member States and countries associated to the Seventh Framework Programme via a coordinated approach to overcome the identified research bottlenecks in the drug development process,

—  support the implementation of the research priorities as set out by the Research Agenda of the Joint Technology Initiative on Innovative Medicines (‘Research Activities’), notably by awarding grants following competitive calls for proposals,

—  ensure complementarity with other activities of the Seventh Framework Programme,

—  be a public-private partnership aiming at increasing the research investment in the biopharmaceutical sector in the Member States and countries associated to the Seventh Framework Programme by pooling resources and fostering collaboration between the public and private sectors,

—  promote the involvement of small and medium-sized enterprises in its activities, in line with the objectives of the Seventh Framework Programme.

The contributions from the EFTA States pursuant to the Agreement on the European Economic Area, and in particular Article 82 thereof and Protocol 32 thereto, must be added to the appropriations entered in this article. By way of information, these amounts derive from contributions from the EFTA States entered against Article 6 3 0 of the statement of revenue, which constitute assigned revenue in accordance with Article 21(2)(e) to (g) of the Financial Regulation; they give rise to the provision of corresponding appropriations and to implementation under the ‘European Economic Area’ Annex to this part of the statement of expenditure in this section, which forms an integral part of the general budget.

Legal basis

Decision No 1982/2006/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 18 December 2006 concerning the Seventh Framework Programme of the European Community for research, technological development and demonstration activities (2007-2013) (OJ L 412, 30.12.2006, p. 1).

Council Decision 2006/971/EC of 19 December 2006 concerning the specific programme ‘Cooperation’ implementing the Seventh Framework Programme of the European Community for research, technological development and demonstration activities (2007 to 2013) (OJ L 400, 30.12.2006, p. 86).

Council Regulation (EC) No 73/2008 of 20 December 2007 setting up the Joint Undertaking for the implementation of the Joint Technology Initiative on Innovative Medicines (OJ L 30, 4.2.2008, p. 38).

Chapter 08 04 — Cooperation — Nanosciences, nanotechnologies, materials and new production technologies

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Article 08 04 01 — Cooperation — Nanosciences, nanotechnologies, materials and new production technologies

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Remarks

The actions carried out in this area are intended to help reach the critical mass of capacities needed to develop and exploit, in particular with a view to eco-efficiency and reducing the discharge of dangerous substances into the environment, state-of-the-art technologies which are the basis for products, services and manufacturing procedures in years to come, based mainly on knowledge and intelligence.

Sufficient appropriations must be provided for nano research in connection with environmental and health risk assessment, since only 5 to 10 % of global nano research is devoted to this today.

Sufficient budgetary appropriations must be provided for activities promoting research and the emergence of resource-efficiency processes and practices including eco-design, reusability, recyclability and research into substitution of hazardous or critical substances.

Expenditure on meetings, conferences, workshops and high-level scientific or technological seminars of European interest organised by the Commission, the funding of studies, grants, monitoring and assessment of specific programmes, funding the IMS secretariat, high-level scientific or technological assessments and evaluations, as well as actions carried out under the previous framework programmes will also be charged.

The contributions from the EFTA States pursuant to the Agreement on the European Economic Area, and in particular Article 82 thereof and Protocol 32 thereto, must be added to the appropriations entered in this article. By way of information, these amounts derive from contributions from the EFTA States entered against Article 6 3 0 of the statement of revenue, which constitute assigned revenue in accordance with Article 21(2)(e) to (g) of the Financial Regulation; they give rise to the provision of corresponding appropriations and to implementation under the ‘European Economic Area’ Annex to this part of the statement of expenditure in this section, which forms an integral part of the general budget.

Legal basis

Decision No 1982/2006/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 18 December 2006 concerning the Seventh Framework Programme of the European Community for research, technological development and demonstration activities (2007-2013) (OJ L 412, 30.12.2006, p. 1).

Regulation (EC) No 1906/2006 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 18 December 2006 laying down the rules for the participation of undertakings, research centres and universities in actions under the Seventh Framework Programme and for the dissemination of research results (2007-2013) (OJ L 391, 30.12.2006, p. 1).

Council Decision 2006/971/EC of 19 December 2006 concerning the specific programme ‘Cooperation’ implementing the Seventh Framework Programme of the European Community for research, technological development and demonstration activities (2007 to 2013) (OJ L 400, 30.12.2006, p. 86).

Chapter 08 06 — Cooperation — Environment (including climate change)

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Article 08 06 01 — Cooperation — Environment (including climate change)

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Remarks

Environmental research within the Seventh Framework Programme will be implemented through the ‘Environment (including climate change)’ theme. The objective is to promote sustainable management of the natural and human environment and its resources by advancing our knowledge of the interactions between the biosphere, ecosystems and human activities, and developing new technologies, tools and services, in order to address in an integrated way global environmental issues. Emphasis will be put on prediction of climate, ecological, earth and ocean systems changes and on tools and technologies, for monitoring, prevention and mitigation of environmental pressures and risks including on human health, and for the sustainability of the natural and man-made environment.

Research on this theme will contribute to the implementation of international commitments and initiatives such as Global Earth Observation (GEO). In addition, it will support the research needs arising from the existing and future Union legislation and policies, associated thematic strategies and the action plans on environmental technologies and on environment and health. Research will also contribute technological developments that will improve the market positioning of European enterprises, in particular of small and medium-sized enterprises, in areas such as environmental technologies.

The contributions from the EFTA States pursuant to the Agreement on the European Economic Area, and in particular Article 82 thereof and Protocol 32 thereto, must be added to the appropriations entered in this article. By way of information, these amounts derive from contributions from the EFTA States entered against Article 6 3 0 of the statement of revenue, which constitute assigned revenue in accordance with Article 21(2)(e) to (g) of the Financial Regulation; they give rise to the provision of corresponding appropriations and to implementation under the ‘European Economic Area’ Annex to this part of the statement of expenditure in this section, which forms an integral part of the general budget.

Legal basis

Decision No 1982/2006/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 18 December 2006 concerning the Seventh Framework Programme of the European Community for research, technological development and demonstration activities (2007-2013) (OJ L 412, 30.12.2006, p. 1).

Regulation (EC) No 1906/2006 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 18 December 2006 laying down the rules for the participation of undertakings, research centres and universities in actions under the Seventh Framework Programme and for the dissemination of research results (2007-2013) (OJ L 391, 30.12.2006, p. 1).

Council Decision 2006/971/EC of 19 December 2006 concerning the specific programme ‘Cooperation’ implementing the Seventh Framework Programme of the European Community for research, technological development and demonstration activities (2007 to 2013) (OJ L 400, 30.12.2006, p. 86).

Chapter 08 10 — Ideas

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Article 08 10 01 — Ideas

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Remarks

The general aim of the activities carried out as part of the specific ‘Ideas’ programme, through the creation of the European Research Council, is to identify the best research teams in Europe and to stimulate research at the frontiers of knowledge by funding high-risk and multi-disciplinary projects evaluated according to the sole criteria of excellence as judged by peers at European level, while encouraging in particular the creation of networks among research groups in different countries in order to promote the development of a European scientific community.

The contributions from the EFTA States pursuant to the Agreement on the European Economic Area, and in particular Article 82 thereof and Protocol 32 thereto, must be added to the appropriations entered in this article. By way of information, these amounts derive from contributions from the EFTA States entered against Article 6 3 0 of the statement of revenue, which constitute assigned revenue in accordance with Article 21(2)(e) to (g) of the Financial Regulation; they give rise to the provision of corresponding appropriations and to implementation under the ‘European Economic Area’ Annex to this part of the statement of expenditure in this section, which forms an integral part of the general budget.

This appropriation will also cover expenditure corresponding to revenue giving rise to the provision of additional appropriations from (non-European Economic Area) third parties or third countries participating in projects in the field of research and technological development.

In accordance with Article 21 of the Financial Regulation, any revenue entered in Items 6 0 1 3, 6 0 1 5, 6 0 1 6, 6 0 3 1 and 6 0 3 3 of the statement of revenue may give rise to the provision of additional appropriations.

Legal basis

Decision No 1982/2006/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 18 December 2006 concerning the Seventh Framework Programme of the European Community for research, technological development and demonstration activities (2007 to 2013) (OJ L 412, 30.12.2006, p. 1).

Regulation (EC) No 1906/2006 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 18 December 2006 laying down the rules for the participation of undertakings, research centres and universities in actions under the Seventh Framework Programme and for the dissemination of research results (2007-2013) (OJ L 391, 30.12.2006, p. 1).

Council Decision 2006/972/EC of 19 December 2006 concerning the specific programme ‘Ideas’ implementing the Seventh Framework Programme of the European Community for research, technological development and demonstration activities (2007 to 2013) (OJ L 400, 30.12.2006, p. 243).

Chapter 08 19 — Capacities — Support for coherent development of research policies

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Article 08 19 01 — Capacities — Support for coherent development of research policies

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Remarks

Increasing investment in research and development up to the 3 % objective and improving its effectiveness is a top priority under the Europe 2020 Strategy. Thus, the development of a coherent mix of policies to leverage public and private research investments is a major concern for public authorities. Actions under this heading will support the development of effective and coherent research policies at regional, national and Union level, through the provision of structured information, indicators and analyses, and through actions aimed at coordinating research policies, in particular application of the open method of coordination to research policy.

The contributions from the EFTA States pursuant to the Agreement on the European Economic Area, and in particular Article 82 thereof and Protocol 32 thereto, must be added to the appropriations entered in this article. By way of information, these amounts derive from contributions from the EFTA States entered against Article 6 3 0 of the statement of revenue, which constitute assigned revenue in accordance with Article 21(2)(e) to (g) of the Financial Regulation; they give rise to the provision of corresponding appropriations and to implementation under the ‘European Economic Area’ Annex to this part of the statement of expenditure in this section, which forms an integral part of the general budget.

Legal basis

Decision No 1982/2006/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 18 December 2006 concerning the Seventh Framework Programme of the European Community for research, technological development and demonstration activities (2007 to 2013) (OJ L 412, 30.12.2006, p. 1).

Regulation (EC) No 1906/2006 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 18 December 2006 laying down the rules for the participation of undertakings, research centres and universities in actions under the Seventh Framework Programme and for the dissemination of research results (2007-2013) (OJ L 391, 30.12.2006, p. 1).

Council Decision 2006/974/EC of 19 December 2006 on the specific programme ‘Capacities’ implementing the Seventh Framework Programme of the European Community for research, technological development and demonstration activities (2007 to 2013) (OJ L 400, 30.12.2006, p. 299).

Chapter 08 20 — Euratom — Fusion energy

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Article 08 20 02 — Euratom — European Joint Undertaking for ITER — Fusion for Energy (F4E)

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Remarks

Fusion offers the prospect of an almost limitless supply of clean energy, with ITER being the crucial next step in the progress towards this ultimate goal. To this end, the European Organisation for ITER and the Development of Fusion Energy, in the form of a Joint Undertaking was established. This European Joint Undertaking for ITER and the Development of Fusion Energy (Fusion for Energy) has the following tasks:

(a)  to provide the contribution of Euratom to the ITER International Fusion Energy Organization;

(b)  to provide the contribution of Euratom to broader approach activities with Japan for the rapid realisation of fusion energy;

(c)  to implement a programme of activities in preparation for the construction of a demonstration fusion reactor and related facilities including the International Fusion Materials Irradiation Facility (IFMIF).

Legal basis

Council Decision of 25 September 2006 concerning the conclusion, by the Commission, of the Agreement on the Establishment of the ITER International Fusion Energy Organization for the Joint Implementation of the ITER Project, of the Arrangement on Provisional Application of the Agreement on the Establishment of the ITER International Fusion Energy Organization for the Joint Implementation on the ITER Project and of the Agreement on the Privileges and Immunities of the ITER International Fusion Energy Organization for the Joint Implementation of the ITER Project.

Commission Decision 2006/943/Euratom of 17 November 2006 on Provisional Application of the Agreement on the Establishment of the ITER International Fusion Energy Organization for the Joint Implementation of the ITER Project and of the Agreement on Privileges and Immunities of the ITER International Fusion Energy Organization for the Joint Implementation of the ITER Project (OJ L 358, 16.12.2006, p. 60).

Council Decision 2006/970/Euratom of 18 December 2006 concerning the Seventh Framework Programme of the European Atomic Energy Community (Euratom) for nuclear research and training activities (2007 to 2011) (OJ L 400, 30.12.2006, p. 60).

Council Regulation (Euratom) No 1908/2006 of 19 December 2006 laying down the rules for the participation of undertakings, research centres and universities in action under the seventh framework programme of the European Atomic Energy Community and for the dissemination of research results (2007 to 2011) (OJ L 400, 30.12.2006, p. 1).

Council Decision 2006/976/Euratom of 19 December 2006 concerning the specific programme implementing the Seventh Framework Programme of the European Atomic Energy Community (Euratom) for nuclear research and training activities (2007 to 2011) (OJ L 400, 30.12.2006, p. 404).

Council Decision 2007/198/Euratom of 27 March 2007 establishing the European Joint Undertaking for ITER and the Development of Fusion Energy and conferring advantages upon it (OJ L 90, 30.3.2007, p. 58).

Council Decision 2012/93/Euratom of 19 December 2011 concerning the Framework Programme of the European Atomic Energy Community for nuclear research and training activities (2012 to 2013) (OJ L 47, 18.2.2012, p. 25).

Council Regulation (Euratom) No 139/2012 of 19 December 2011 laying down the rules for the participation of undertakings, research centres and universities in indirect actions under the Framework Programme of the European Atomic Energy Community and for the dissemination of research results (2012-2013) (OJ L 47, 18.2.2012, p. 1).

Council Decision 2012/94/Euratom of 19 December 2011 concerning the specific programme, to be carried out by means of indirect actions, implementing the Framework Programme of the European Atomic Energy Community for nuclear research and training activities (2012-2013) (OJ L 47, 18.2.2012, p. 33).

Title 09 — Communications networks, content and technology

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Chapter 09 04 — Cooperation — information and communication technologies (ICTs)

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Article 09 04 01 — Support for research cooperation in the area of information and communication technologies (ICTs — Cooperation)

Item 09 04 01 01 — Support for research cooperation in the area of information and communication technologies (ICTs — Cooperation)

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Remarks

The objective of the Seventh Framework Programme of the European Community for research, technological development and demonstration activities (2007-2013) and the ‘Information and Communication Technologies’ theme of the specific ‘Cooperation’ programme is to improve the competitiveness of European industry and to enable Europe to master and shape the future developments in ICTs in accordance with a long-term European ICT strategy so that the demands of its society and economy are met and European standards help shape the global ICT developments rather than being overtaken by other growing global markets.

Activities will strengthen Europe’s scientific and technology base and ensure its global leadership in ICTs, help drive and stimulate innovation through ICT use and ensure that ICT progress is rapidly transformed into benefits for Europe’s citizens, businesses, industry and governments.

The ICT theme prioritises strategic research around key technology pillars, ensures end-to-end integration of technologies and provides the knowledge and the means to develop a wide range of innovative ICT applications.

The activities leverage industrial and technological advances in the ICT sector and improve the competitive edge of important ICT-intensive sectors — both through innovative high-value ICT-based products and services and from new or improved organisational processes in businesses and administrations alike. The ICT theme also supports other policies of the Union by mobilising ICTs to meet public and societal demands.

Activities cover collaboration and exchange of best practices with a view to setting common standards for the Union that are compatible with, or set, a global standard, networking actions and national programme coordination initiatives. This appropriation is also intended to cover the costs of independent experts assisting in proposal evaluations and project reviews, the costs of events, meetings, conferences, workshops and seminars of European interest organised by the Commission, the costs of studies, analyses and evaluations, the costs of monitoring and evaluation of the specific programmes and of the framework programmes and the costs of measures to monitor and disseminate the results of the programmes, including measures under previous framework programmes.

The contributions from the EFTA States pursuant to the Agreement on the European Economic Area and in particular Article 82 thereof and Protocol 32 thereto, must be added to the appropriations entered in this item. By way of information, these amounts derive from contributions from the EFTA States entered against Article 6 3 0 of the statement of revenue, which constitute assigned revenue in accordance with Article 21(2)(e) to (g) of the Financial Regulation; they give rise to the provision of corresponding appropriations and to implementation under the ‘European Economic Area’ Annex to this part of the statement of expenditure in this section, which forms an integral part of the general budget.

Part of these appropriations is intended to foster common approaches to key global challenges, such as an ICT strategy that is not only able to compete with rapidly emerging ICT markets (e.g. in Asia), but that can also set standards for global ICT policy-making in the interest of European values, by pooling resources and fostering the exchange of best practices for the advancement of research, development and innovation in the field of ICT. Measures will aim at improving the efficacy of actions by the international community and will be complementary to existing mechanisms and successful working relationships. The appropriations will be used to fund innovative ventures between European and third countries. The scope of such ventures will go beyond what could be undertaken by a single country and will benefit both the Union and its partners in preparing their leading role for setting future ICT standards. In implementing this action, the Commission will ensure a balanced distribution of subsidies. It will help actors at a global level to engage in research partnerships in order to foster innovation in the field of ICT.

Legal basis

Decision No 1982/2006/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 18 December 2006 concerning the Seventh Framework Programme of the European Community for research, technological development and demonstration activities (2007-2013) (OJ L 412, 30.12.2006, p. 1).

Regulation (EC) No 1906/2006 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 18 December 2006 laying down the rules for the participation of undertakings, research centres and universities in actions under the Seventh Framework Programme and for the dissemination of research results (2007 to 2013) (OJ L 391, 30.12.2006, p. 1).

Council Decision 2006/971/EC of 19 December 2006 concerning the Specific Programme "Cooperation" implementing the Seventh Framework Programme of the European Community for research, technological development and demonstration activities (2007 to 2013) (OJ L 400, 30.12.2006, p. 86).

Title 10 — Direct research

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Remarks

These remarks apply to all the budget headings in the ‘Direct research’ policy area (with the exception of Chapter 10 05).

The appropriations cover not only expenditure on operations and staff covered by the Staff Regulations, but also other expenditure on staff, contracting, infrastructure, information and publications and any other administrative expenditure arising from research and technological development operations, including exploratory research.

In accordance with Article 21 of the Financial Regulation, any revenue entered in Items 6 2 2 4 and 6 2 2 5 of the statement of revenue may give rise to the provision of additional appropriations.

Miscellaneous revenue may give rise to the provision of additional appropriations to be used in Chapters 10 02, 10 03 or 10 04 or Article 10 01 05, depending on their purpose.

Any revenue from the contributions from candidate countries and, if applicable, the western Balkan potential candidate countries for participating in Union programmes entered in Item 6 0 3 1 of the statement of revenue may give rise to the provision of additional appropriations in accordance with Article 21(2)(e) to (g) of the Financial Regulation.

The possibility of third countries or organisations from third countries taking part in European cooperation in the field of scientific and technical research is envisaged for some of these projects. Any financial contribution will be entered in Item 6 0 1 3 of the statement of revenue and may give rise to the provision of additional appropriations in accordance with Article 21 of the Financial Regulation.

The additional appropriations will be provided under Articles 10 02 02 and 10 03 02.

The appropriations in this title cover the cost of the staff working in the financial and administrative departments of the Joint Research Centre and of the support which they need (approximately 15 % of the cost).

Chapter 10 03 — Directly financed research operational appropriations — Seventh Framework Programme (2007 to 2011 and 2012 to 2013) — Euratom

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Article 10 03 01 — Nuclear activities of the Joint Research Centre (JRC)

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Remarks

This appropriation is intended to cover the scientific and technical support and research activities carried out by the Joint Research Centre in accordance with the nuclear specific programme for the following themes:

—  nuclear waste management, environmental impact, basic knowledge and research on decommissioning,

—  nuclear safety,

—  nuclear security.

It covers the activities necessary for implementing safeguards pursuant to Chapter 7 of Title II of the Euratom Treaty and the obligations arising from the Non-Proliferation Treaty and implementation of the Commission’s programme to support the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).

It covers specific expenditure relating to the research and support activities in question (purchases of all types and contracts). This includes expenditure on scientific infrastructure directly incurred for the projects concerned.

It is also intended to cover expenditure of any type concerning research activities relating to activities under this article entrusted to the Joint Research Centre within the framework of its participation on a competitive basis in indirect actions.

In accordance with Article 21 and Article 183(2) of the Financial Regulation, any revenue entered in Items 6 2 2 3 and 6 2 2 6 of the statement of revenue may give rise to the provision of additional appropriations.

Legal basis

Council Decision 2006/970/Euratom of 18 December 2006 concerning the Seventh Framework Programme of the European Atomic Energy Community (Euratom) for nuclear research and training activities (2007 to 2011) (OJ L 400, 30.12.2006, p. 60).

Council Decision 2006/977/Euratom of 19 December 2006 concerning the Specific Programme to be carried out by means of direct actions by the Joint Research Centre implementing the Seventh Framework Programme of the European Atomic Energy Community (Euratom) for nuclear research and training activities (2007 to 2011) (OJ L 400, 30.12.2006, p. 434).

Council Regulation (Euratom) No 1908/2006 of 19 December 2006 laying down the rules for the participation of undertakings, research centres and universities in action under the seventh framework programme of the European Atomic Energy Community and for the dissemination of research results (2007 to 2011) (OJ L 400, 30.12.2006, p. 1).

Council Decision 2012/93/Euratom of 19 December 2011 concerning the Framework Programme of the European Atomic Energy Community for nuclear research and training activities (2012-2013) (OJ L 47, 18.2.2012, p. 25).

Council Regulation (Euratom) No 139/2012 of 19 December 2011 laying down the rules for the participation of undertakings, research centres and universities in indirect actions under the Framework Programme of the European Atomic Energy Community and for the dissemination of research results (2012-2013) (OJ L 47, 18.2.2012, p. 1).

Council Decision 2012/95/Euratom of 19 December 2011 concerning the specific programme, to be carried out by means of direct actions by the Joint Research Centre, implementing the Framework Programme of the European Atomic Energy Community for nuclear research and training activities (2012-2013) (OJ L 47, 18.2.2012, p. 40).

Title 13 — Regional policy

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Chapter 13 05 — Pre-accession operations related to the structural policies

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Article 13 05 01 — Instrument for Structural Policies for Pre-accession (ISPA) — Completion of previous projects (2000 to 2006)

Remarks

Aid provided by the Instrument for Structural Policies for Pre-accession (ISPA) was intended to help the candidate countries of Central and Eastern Europe in their accession to the Union. ISPA was used to help the beneficiary countries to comply with the acquis of the Union in the environment and transport fields.

Item 13 05 01 01 — Instrument for Structural Policies for Pre-accession (ISPA) — Completion of other previous projects (2000 to 2006)

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Remarks

This appropriation is intended to cover assistance under ISPA and the technical assistance provided outside the Commission which is required for implementation in the candidate countries of Central and Eastern Europe.

Irrespective of the beneficiary, no administrative expenditure against this item is authorised.

Legal basis

Council Regulation (EC) No 1266/1999 of 21 June 1999 on coordinating aid to the applicant countries in the framework of the pre-accession strategy (OJ L 161, 26.6.1999, p. 68).

Council Regulation (EC) No 1267/1999 of 21 June 1999 establishing an Instrument for Structural Policies for Pre-accession (OJ L 161, 26.6.1999, p. 73).

Council Regulation (EC) No 2257/2004 of 20 December 2004 amending Regulations (EEC) No 3906/89, (EC) No 1267/1999, (EC) No 1268/1999 and (EC) No 2666/2000, to take into account Croatia’s candidate status (OJ L 389, 30.12.2004, p. 1).

Chapter 13 06 — Solidarity Fund

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Article 13 06 01 — European Union Solidarity Fund — Member States

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Remarks

This article is intended to record appropriations resulting from the mobilisation of the European Union Solidarity Fund in the event of major disasters in the Member States. Assistance should be provided mainly in connection with natural disasters, but may also be provided, where warranted by the urgency of the situation, to the Member States concerned, with a deadline being laid down for use of the financial assistance awarded and provision being made for beneficiary states to substantiate the use made of the assistance they receive. Assistance received which is subsequently offset by third-party payments, under the ‘polluter pays’ principle, for example, or received in excess of the final valuation of damage should be recovered.

Allocation of the appropriations will be decided on in an amending budget with the sole purpose of mobilising the European Union Solidarity Fund.

Legal basis

Council Regulation (EC) No 2012/2002 of 11 November 2002 establishing the European Union Solidarity Fund (OJ L 311, 14.11.2002, p. 3).

Reference acts

Proposal for a Regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council, submitted by the Commission on 6 April 2005, establishing the European Union Solidarity Fund (COM(2005)0108).

Interinstitutional Agreement of 17 May 2006 between the European Parliament, the Council and the Commission on budgetary discipline and sound financial management (OJ C 139, 14.6.2006, p. 1).

Title 15 — Education and culture

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Chapter 15 07 — People — Programme for the mobility of researchers

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Article 15 07 77 — People

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Remarks

Europe needs to become more attractive to researchers, in order to increase its capacity and performance in research and technological development, while consolidating and further developing the European Research Area. Against the background of growing competition at world level, the development of an open and competitive European labour market for researchers with diverse, attractive career prospects is needed.

The added value of the support provided by the specific ‘People’ programme (implemented through the Marie Curie Actions, the Researchers’ Night and the EURAXESS action) is the promotion of the international, interdisciplinary and intersectoral mobility of researchers as a key driver for European Innovation. Marie Curie Actions also foster stronger cooperation between education, research and businesses from different countries in the training and career development of researchers to broaden their skills and prepare them for the jobs of tomorrow. The Marie Curie Actions reinforce a closer partnership between education and businesses in order to increase knowledge exchange and enhance PhD training adapted to the needs of industry. By promoting employment conditions in line with the European researchers’ charter and code, they contribute to making a research career in Europe more attractive.

The contributions from the EFTA States pursuant to the Agreement on the European Economic Area, and in particular Article 82 thereof and Protocol 32 thereto, must be added to the appropriations entered in this article. By way of information, these amounts derive from contributions from the EFTA States entered against Article 6 3 0 of the statement of revenue, which constitute assigned revenue in accordance with Article 21(2)(e) to (g) of the Financial Regulation; they give rise to the provision of corresponding appropriations and to implementation under the ‘European Economic Area’ Annex to this part of the statement of expenditure in this section, which forms an integral part of the general budget.

This appropriation will also cover expenditure corresponding to revenue giving rise to the provision of additional appropriations from (non-European Economic Area) third parties or third countries participating in projects in the field of research and technological development.

Any revenue entered in Items 6 0 1 3, 6 0 1 5, 6 0 1 6, 6 0 3 1 and 6 0 3 3 of the statement of revenue may give rise to the provision of additional appropriations in accordance with Article 21 of the Financial Regulation.

Legal basis

Regulation (EC) No 1906/2006 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 18 December 2006 laying down the rules for the participation of undertakings, research centres and universities in actions under the Seventh Framework Programme and for the dissemination of research results (2007-2013) (OJ L 391, 30.12.2006, p. 1).

Decision No 1982/2006/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 18 December 2006 concerning the Seventh Framework Programme of the European Community for research, technological development and demonstration activities (2007-2013) (OJ L 412, 30.12.2006, p. 1).

Council Decision 2006/973/EC of 19 December 2006 concerning the specific programme ‘People’ implementing the Seventh Framework Programme of the European Community for research, technological development and demonstration activities (2007 to 2013) (OJ L 400, 30.12.2006, p. 269).

(1) OJ L 298, 26.10.2012, p. 1. (2) OJ L 66, 8.3.2013. (3) OJ C 139, 14.6.2006, p. 1. (4) Annex to P7_TA(2013)0472 of 20 November 2013.