title: Proposal for a Council Decision concerning the Community position within the Association Council on the association of the Slovak Republic to Community programmes in the field of research, technological development and demonstration (1998-2002) and to programmes for research and training activities (1998- 2002) - (Text with EEA relevance)

text: C 106/24 EN Official Journal of the European Communities 15. 4. 1999 Proposal for a COUNCIL DECISION of … concerning the Community position within the Association Council on the association of the Slovak Republic to Community programmes in the field of research, technological development and demonstration (1998 to 2002) and to programmes for research and training activities (1998 to 2002) (1999/C 106/03) (Text with EEA relevance) COM(1999) 84 final — 99/0062(CNS) (Submitted by the Commission on 25 February 1999) THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION, Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Community, and in particular Article 130m, in conjunction with Article 228(3), first subparagraph thereof, Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Atomic Energy Community, and in particular Article 101(2) thereof, Having regard to the proposal from the Commission, Having regard to the opinion of Parliament, the European the Europe Agreement Whereas an association between the European Communities and the one part, and the their Member States, of the other part, entered into Slovak Republic, of force on 1 February 1995; establishing to the Europe Agreement, the Additional Whereas according to Article 1 of the Slovak Protocol Republic may participate in Community framework programmes, specific programmes, projects or other actions notably research and in the technological development; field of the Additional Whereas according to Article 2 of Protocol the terms and to the Europe Agreement, conditions for the participation of the Slovak Republic in the activities referred to in Article 1 shall be decided by the Association Council; Whereas, by Decision No …/…/EC, the European Parliament and the Council of the European Union framework programme of European adopted a Community research, activities technological demonstration (1998-2000), hereinafter called the (cid:28)fifth framework programme’ (1), development field of in the and the European Union adopted a Whereas, by Decision No …/…/Euratom, the Council framework of Energy programme Community activities (1998-2002), hereinafter called the (cid:28)fifth Euratom framework programme’ (2), the research and training European Atomic of for HAS DECIDED AS FOLLOWS: established by The position to be taken by the Community within the Association Council the Europe Agreement between the European Communities and their Member States, of the one part, and the Slovak Republic the participation of the Slovak Republic in the fifth framework programme and in the fifth Euratom framework programme is that set out in the attached draft decision of the Association Council. concerning other part, the of For the Council … The President Done at … (1) OJ L … (2) OJ L … 15. 4. 1999 EN Official Journal of the European Communities C 106/25 Proposal for DECISION No …/… OF THE ASSOCIATION COUNCIL between the European Communities and their Member States of the one part, and the Slovak Republic, of the other part of … adopting the terms and conditions for the participation of Community programmes demonstration (1998-2002) and in programmes (1998-2002) in the field of research, the Slovak Republic in technological development and for research and training activities THE ASSOCIATION COUNCIL, Having regard to the Europe Agreement establishing an association between the European Communities and their Member States, of the one part, and the Slovak Republic of the other part (1), Having regard to the Additional Protocol to the Europe Agreement establishing an association between the European Communities and their Member States, of the one part, and the Slovak Republic of the other part, concerning Slovak participation in Community programmes (2), and in particular Articles 1 and 2 thereof, Whereas according to Article 1 of the said Additional Protocol, the Slovak Republic may participate in Community framework programmes, specific programmes, projects or other Community actions notably in the fields of research and technological development; Whereas the European Council at its meeting in Luxemburg on 12 and 13 December 1997 calls for the opening of certain Community programmes (such as in the field of research) to the candidate countries, as a way of familiarising themselves with the policies and working methods of the Union, each candidate country being expected to make a steadily increasing financial contribution of its own (PHARE will, if necessary, be able to part-finance the applicant States’ national contributions); Whereas the aforementioned conclusions also call for the participation of the candidate countries, as observers and for the points which concern them, in the committees assisting the Commission in the implementation of the programmes to which they contribute financially; Whereas, by Decision No …/…/EC, the European Parliament and the Council of the European Union adopted a framework programme of European Community activities in the field of technological development and demonstration (1998—2002), hereinafter called the (cid:28)fifth framework programme’; research, Whereas, by Decision No …/…/Euratom, the Council of the European Union adopted a Framework Programme of the European Atomic energy Community for research and training activities (cid:28)fifth Euratom framework programme’; (1998—2002), hereinafter called the Whereas according to Article 2 of the said Additional Protocol the terms and conditions for the participation of the Slovak Republic in the activities referred to in Article 1 are to be decided by the Association Council, (1) OJ L 359, 31. 12. 1994, p. 2. (2) OJ L 115, 9. 5. 1996, p. 43. C 106/26 EN Official Journal of the European Communities 15. 4. 1999 HAS DECIDED AS FOLLOWS: Article 1 The Slovak Republic may participate in the specific programmes of the framework programme of European Community activities in the field of research, technological development and demonstration (1998-2002), hereinafter called the (cid:28)fifth framework programme’ and in the specific programmes of the fifth framework programme of the European Atomic Energy Community for research and training activities (1998-2002), hereinafter called the (cid:28)fifth Euratom framework programme’, according to the terms and conditions set out in Annexes I, II and III which shall form an integral part of this Decision. Article 2 This Decision shall apply for the duration of the fifth framework programme and of the fifth Euratom framework programme. This Decision shall enter into force on the first day of the month following its adoption. Article 3 Done at … For the Association Council … The Chairman 15. 4. 1999 EN Official Journal of the European Communities C 106/27 ANNEX I TERMS AND CONDITIONS FOR THE PARTICIPATION OF SLOVAKIA IN THE SPECIFIC PROGRAMMES OF THE FIFTH FRAMEWORK PROGRAMME AND OF THE FIFTH EURATOM FRAMEWORK PROGRAMME 1. Research entities established in Slovakia may participate in all the specific programmes of the fifth framework programme and of the fifth Euratom framework programme. Slovak scientists or research entities may participate in the activities of the Joint Research Centre. (cid:28)Research entities’, as referred to in this Decision, shall include inter alia universities, research including small and medium-sized enterprises, or natural organisations, persons. industrial companies, 2. This will imply the following: — participation of research entities established in Slovakia in the implementation of all specific programmes adopted under the fifth framework programme, in accordance with the terms and conditions laid down in the (cid:28)rules for the participation of undertakings, research centres and universities and for the dissemination of research results for the implementation of the fifth framework programme of the European Community’, — participation of research entities established in Slovakia in the implementation of all specific programmes adopted under the fifth Euratom framework programme in accordance with the terms and conditions laid down in the (cid:28)rules for the participation of undertakings, research centres and universities and for the implementation of the fifth framework programme of the European Atomic Energy Community’, — financial contribution by Slovakia to the budgets of the programmes adopted for the the fifth framework programme and the fifth Euratom framework implementation of programme on the basis of the ratio of the GDP of Slovakia to the sum of the GDP of the Member States of the European Union and that of Slovakia. 3. Research entities established in Slovakia participating in Community research programmes shall, as regards ownership, exploitation and dissemination of information and intellectual property arising from such participation, have the same rights and obligations as those of research entities established in the Community, subject to the provisions of Annex II. 4. The relevant sub-committee set up by the Association Council under the Europe Agreement shall review and evaluate the implementation of this Decision. 5. The financial contribution of Slovakia deriving from participation in the implementation of the specific programmes shall be established in proportion to, and in addition to, the amount available each year in the general budget of the European Union for commitment appropriations to meet the Commission’s financial obligations stemming from work to be carried out in the forms necessary for the implementation, management and operation of these programmes. — The proportionality factor governing the contribution of Slovakia shall be obtained by establishing the ratio between the gross domestic product of Slovakia, at market prices, and the sum of gross domestic products, at market prices, of the Member States of the European Union and Slovakia. This ratio shall be calculated on the basis of the latest statistical data the European Communities pertaining to the same year from the Statistical Office of (Eurostat), available at the time of publication of the preliminary draft budget of the European Union, — in order to facilitate its participation in the specific programmes, the contribution of Slovakia will be implemented as follows: year 1 of FP 5: contribution according to the proportionality factor fixed in accordance with the preceding indent, multiplied by 0,4, C 106/28 EN Official Journal of the European Communities 15. 4. 1999 year 2 of FP 5: contribution according to the proportionality factor fixed in accordance with the preceding indent, multiplied by 0,6, year 3 of FP 5: contribution according to the proportionality factor fixed in accordance with the preceding indent, multiplied by 0,8, year 4 of FP 5: contribution according to the proportionality factor fixed in accordance with the preceding indent, — the rules for financial participation by the Community are set out in Annex … to Decision No …/…/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council, and in Annex III to Council Decision No …/…/Euratom, — the rules governing the financial contribution of Slovakia are set out in Annex III. 6. Without prejudice to the provisions of paragraph 3, research entities established in Slovakia participating in the fifth framework programme and in the fifth Euratom framework programme shall have the same contractual rights and obligations as entities established in the Community, taking into account the mutual interests of the Community and Slovakia. For Slovak research entities, the terms and conditions applicable for the submission and evaluation of proposals and those for the granting and conclusion of contracts under Community programmes shall be the same as those applicable for contracts concluded under the same programmes with research entities in the Community, taking into account the mutual interests of the Community and Slovakia. Slovak experts shall be taken into consideration, alongside Community experts, in the selection of evaluators or experts under the Community’s research and technological development and demonstration programmes and as members of the advisory groups and other consultative bodies which assist the Commission in the implementation of the fifth framework programme and the fifth Euratom framework programme. A Slovak research entity may be coordinator of a project under the same terms and conditions applicable to entities established in the Community. In conformity with the Community’s Financial Regulations, contractual arrangements a concluded with, or by, Slovak research entities shall provide for controls and audits to be carried out by, or under the authority of, the Commission and the Court of Audits. As far as financial audits are concerned, they may be carried out with the purpose of controlling such entities’ income and expenditures, related to the contractual obligations towards the Community. In a spirit of cooperation and mutual interest, the relevant Slovak authorities shall provide any reasonable and feasible assistance as may be necessary or helpful under the circumstances to perform such controls and audits. 7. The Community and Slovakia will make every effort, within the framework of the existing provisions, to facilitate the free movement and residence of research workers participating, in Slovakia and in the Community, in the activities covered by this Decision and to facilitate cross border movement of goods intended for use in such activities. Activities covered by this Decision shall be exempt from Slovak indirect taxes, customs duties, prohibitions and restrictions on imports and exports in respect of goods and services intended for use under such activities. 8. Slovak representatives will, for the points which concern them, participate as observers in the programme committees of the fifth framework programme and in the consultative committee of the fifth Euratom framework programme. These committees shall meet without the presence of Slovak representatives at the time of voting. Slovakia will be informed. Participation shall take the same form, including procedures for receipt of information and documentation, as that applicable to participants from Member States. 9. The Community and Slovakia may terminate activities under this Decision at any time upon 12 months’ notice in writing. Projects and activities in progress at the time of termination shall continue until their completion under the conditions laid down in this Decision. 15. 4. 1999 EN Official Journal of the European Communities C 106/29 Should the community decide to revise one or more Community programmes, activities under this Decision may be terminated under mutually agreed conditions. Slovakia shall be notified of the exact content of the revised programmes within one week of their adoption by the Community. The Community and Slovakia shall notify one another, within one month after the adoption of the Community decision, of any intention to terminate the activities. Where the Community adopts a new multiannual framework programme for research and development and/or for research and training activities, the Association Council may decide the terms and conditions for the participation of Slovakia. C 106/30 EN Official Journal of the European Communities 15. 4. 1999 ANNEX II PRINCIPLES ON THE ALLOCATION OF INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY RIGHTS Rights to intellectual property created or furnished under this Decision shall be allocated as provided in this Annex. I. Application This Annex is applicable to research carried out pursuant to this Decision (hereinafter referred to as (cid:28)joint research’) except as, otherwise specifically agreed by the Community and Slovakia, (hereinafter referred to as (cid:28)the parties’). II. Ownership, allocation and exercise of rights 1. For purposes of this Decision (cid:28)intellectual property’ shall have the meaning found in Article 2 of the Convention establishing the World Intellectual Property Organisation, done at Stockholm, 14 July 1967. 2. This Annex addresses the allocation of rights, interests and royalties of the parties and their participants. Each party and its participants shall ensure that the other party and its participants may obtain the rights to intellectual property allocated to it in accordance with the Annex. This Annex does not otherwise alter or prejudice the allocation of rights, interests, and royalties between a party and its nationals or participants, which shall be determined by the laws and practices applicable to each party. 3. The following principles shall apply and shall be provided for in the contractual arrangements: (a) adequate protection of their participants, as appropriate, shall ensure that they notify one another within a reasonable time of the creation of any intellectual property arising under this Decision or implementing arrangements and to seek protection for such intellectual property in a timely fashion; intellectual property. The parties, their agencies and/or (b) taking account of the contributions of the parties or their participants in determining the rights and interests of the parties and participants; (c) effective exploitation of results; (d) non-discriminatory treatment of participants from the other party as compared with the treatment given to its own participants; (e) protection of business-confidential information. 4. The participants shall jointly develop a technology management plan (TMP) in respect of the ownership and use, including publication, of information and intellectual property to be created in the course of joint research. The indicative features of a TMP are contained in the Appendix to this Annex. The TMP shall be approved by the responsible funding agency or department of the party involved in financing the research, before the conclusion of the specific research and development cooperation contract to which it is attached. The TMPs shall be developed taking into account the aims of the joint research, the relative financial or other contributions of the parties or participants, the advantages and disadvantages of licensing by territory or for fields of use, requirements imposed by the applicable laws including those of the parties concerning IP rights and other factors deemed appropriate by the participants. The rights and obligations concerning the research generated by visiting researchers in respect of IP shall also be addressed in the joint technology management plans. 5. Information or IP created in the course of joint research and not addressed in the technology management plan shall be allocated, with the approval of the parties, according to the principles 15. 4. 1999 EN Official Journal of the European Communities C 106/31 set out in the technology management plan. In case of disagreement, such information or IP shall be owned jointly by all the participants involved in the joint research from which the information orIP results. Each participant to whom this provision applies shall have the right to use such information or IP for his own commercial exploitation with no geographical limitation. 6. Each party shall ensure that the other party and its participants may have the rights to IP allocated to them in accordance with these principles. 7. While maintaining the conditions of competition in areas affected by this Decision, each party shall endeavour to ensure that rights acquired pursuant to this Decision and arrangements made under it are exercised in such a way as to encourage, in particular (i) the dissemination and use of information created, disclosed or otherwise made available, under this Decision, and (ii) the adoption and implementation of international standards. 8. Termination of the cooperation shall not affect rights or obligations under this Annex. III. Copyright works Copyright belonging to the parties or to their participants shall be accorded treatment consistent with the TRIPS Agreement Intellectual Property Rights (Agreement on Trade Related Aspects of administered by the World Trade Organisation) as well as the Berne Convention (Paris Act 1971). IV. Scientific literary works Without prejudice to Section V, and unless otherwise agreed in the TMP, publication of results of research shall be made jointly by the parties or participants to that joint research. subject to the foregoing general rule, the following procedures shall apply: 1. In the case of publication by a party or public bodies of that party of scientific and technical journals, articles, reports, books, including video and software arising from joint research pursuant to this Decision, the other party shall be entitled to a worldwide, non-exclusive, irrevocable, royalty-free licence to translate, reproduce, adapt, transmit and publicly distribute such works. 2. The parties shall ensure that literary works of a scientific character arising from joint research pursuant to this Decision and published by independent publishers shall be disseminated as widely as possible. 3. All copies of a copyright work to be publicly distributed and prepared under this provision shall indicate the names of the author(s) of the work unless an author explicitly declines to be named. They shall also bear a clearly visible acknowledgement of the cooperative support of the parties. V. Undisclosed information A. Documentary undisclosed information 1. Each party, its agencies or its participants, as appropriate, shall identify at the earliest possible moment and preferably in the technology management plan the information that they wish to remain undisclosed, taking into account inter alia the following criteria: (a) confidentiality of the information in the sense that it is not, as a body or in the precise configuration or assembly of its components, generally known among or readily accessible by lawful means to experts in the field; (b) the actual or potential commercial value of the information by virtue of its confidentiality; (c) previous protection of the information in the sense that it has been subject to steps that were to maintain its reasonable under the circumstances by the person lawfully in control, confidentiality. C 106/32 EN Official Journal of the European Communities 15. 4. 1999 The parties, their agencies and their participants, as appropriate, may in certain cases agree that, unless otherwise indicated, parts or all of the information provided, exchanged or created in the course of joint research may not be disclosed. 2. Each party shall ensure that it and its participants clearly identify undisclosed information, for example by means of an appropriate marking or restrictive legend. This also applies to any reproduction of the said information, in whole or in part. A party and a participant receiving undisclosed information shall respect the privileged nature thereof. These limitations shall automatically terminate when this information is disclosed by the owner into the public domain. 3. Undisclosed information communicated under this Decision may be disseminated by the receiving party or its organisation to persons within or employed by the receiving party or organisation authorised for the specific purposes of the joint research under way, provided that any undisclosed information so disseminated shall be pursuant to an agreement of confidentiality and shall be readily recognisable as such, as set out above. 4. With the prior written consent of the party providing undisclosed information, the receiving party may disseminate such undisclosed information more widely than otherwise permitted in paragraph 3. The parties shall cooperate in developing procedures for requesting and obtaining prior written consent for such wider dissemination, and each party will grant such approval to the extent permitted by its domestic policies, regulations and laws. B. Non-documentary undisclosed information Non-documentary undisclosed or other confidential information provided in seminars and other meetings arranged under this Decision, or information arising from the attachment of staff, use of facilities, or joint projects, shall be treated by the parties or their participants according to the principles specified for documentary information in the Decision; provided, however, that the recipient of such undisclosed or other confidential or privileged information has been made aware of the confidential character of the information communicated at the time such communication is made. C. Control Each party shall endeavour to ensure that undisclosed information received by it under this Decision shall be controlled as provided herein. If one of the parties becomes aware that it will be, or may be reasonably expected to become, unable to meet the non-dissemination provisions of Sections A and B, it shall to define an appropriate course of action. immediately inform the other party. The parties shall thereafter consult Appendix to Annex II Indicative features of a technology management plan (TMP) The TMP is a specific agreement to be concluded between the participants about the implementation of joint research and the respective rights and obligations of the participants. With respect to IP, the TMP will normally address, among other things, ownership, protection, user rights for research and development purposes, exploitation and dissemination, including arrangements the rights and obligations of visiting researchers and dispute settlement for joint publication, procedures. The TMP may also address foreground and background information, licensing and deliverables. 15. 4. 1999 EN Official Journal of the European Communities C 106/33 ANNEX III FINANCIAL RULES GOVERNING THE FINANCIAL CONTRIBUTION OF SLOVAKIA REFERRED TO IN ANNEX I(5) OF THIS DECISION 1. The Commission shall communicate to Slovakia, and shall inform the sub-committee referred to in Annex I(4) of this Decision, together with relevant background material, as soon as possible, and at the latest on 1 September, of each financial year: — the amounts in commitment appropriations, in the statement of expenditure of the preliminary draft budget of the European Union corresponding to the fifth framework programme and to the fifth Euratom framework programme; — the estimated amount of the contributions derived from the preliminary draft budget, corresponding to the participation of Slovakia in the fifth framework programme and in the fifth Euratom framework programme. Nonetheless, in order to facilitate internal budgetary procedures, the Commission services shall provide corresponding indicative figures at the latest on 30 May of each year. As soon as the general budget has been finally adopted the Commission shall communicate to Slovakia the above amounts in the statement of expenditure corresponding to the participation of Slovakia. 2. The Commission shall issue, at the latest on 1 January and 15 June of each financial year, a call for funds to Slovakia corresponding to its contribution under this Decision. These calls for funds shall provide, respectively, for the payment: — of six twelfths of the contribution of Slovakia not later than 20 February, — and six twelfths of its contribution not later than 15 July. However, the six twelfths, to be paid not later than 20 February are calculated on the basis of the amount set out in the statement of revenue of the preliminary draft budget: the regularisation of the amount thus paid shall occur with the payment of the six twelfths not later than 15 July. For the first year of implementation of this Decision, the Commission shall issue a first call for funds within 30 days of its entry into force. Should this call be issued after 15 June, it shall provide for the payment of twelve twelfths of the contribution of Slovakia within 30 days, calculated on the basis of the amount set out in the statement of the revenue of the budget. The contribution of Slovakia shall be expressed and paid in euros. Slovakia shall pay its contribution under this Decision according to the schedule in this paragraph. Any delay in payment shall give rise to the payment of interest at a rate equal to the one-month interbank offered rate (IBOR) in euros as quoted by the International Swap Dealers’ Association on the page ISDA of Reuters. This rate shall be increased by 1,5 % for each month of delay. The increased rate shall be applied to the entire period of delay. However, the interest shall be due only if the contribution is paid more than 30 days after the scheduled payment dates mentioned in this paragraph. Travel costs incurred by Slovak representatives and experts for the purposes of taking part in the work of the committee referred to in Annex I(6) and (8) and those involved in the implementation of the fifth framework programme and the fifth Euratom framework programme shall be reimbursed by the Commission on the same basis as and in accordance with the procedures currently in force for the representatives and experts of the Member States of the European Union. 3. The financial contribution of Slovakia to the fifth framework programme and the fifth Euratom framework programme in accordance with Annex I(5) shall normally remain unchanged for the financial year in question. C 106/34 EN Official Journal of the European Communities 15. 4. 1999 The Commission, at the time of the closure of the accounts relating to each financial year (n), within the framework of the establishment of the revenue and expenditure account, shall proceed to the regularisation of the accounts with respect to the participation of Slovakia, taking into consideration modifications which have taken place, either by transfer, cancellations, carry-overs, decommitments, or by supplementary and amending budgets during the financial year. This for the year n+1. Further regularisation shall occur at regularisation shall occur every year until July 2006. the second payment the time of Payment by Slovakia shall be credited to the Community programmes as budget receipts allocated to the appropriate budget heading in the statement of revenue of the general budget of the European Union. The financial regulation applicable to the general budget of the European Union shall apply to the management of the appropriations. 4. At the latest on 31 May of each financial year (n+1), the statement of appropriations for the fifth framework programme and the fifth Euratom framework programme related to the previous financial year (n), shall be prepared and transmitted to Slovakia for information, according to the format of the Commission’s revenue and expenditure account


title: Regulamento (CE) n° 403/1999 da Comissão de 24 de Fevereiro de 1999 que determina em que medida podem ser aceites os pedidos dos certificados de importação apresentados em Fevereiro de 1999 para os contingentes pautais de carne de bovino previstos no Regulamento (CE) n° 1926/96 para a Estónia, a Letónia e a Lituânia

eurovoc_concepts:
Estonia
Latvia
Lithuania
beef
import licence
tariff quota

formats: pdf print

text: L 49/24 PT Jornal Oficial das Comunidades Europeias 25. 2. 1999 REGULAMENTO (CE) Nº 403/1999 DA COMISS(cid:212)O de 24 de Fevereiro de 1999 que determina em que medida podem ser aceites os pedidos dos certificados de importa(cid:135)(cid:209)o apresentados em Fevereiro de 1999 para os contingentes pautais de carne de bovino previstos no Regulamento (CE) nº 1926/96 para a Est(cid:155)nia, a Let(cid:155)nia e a Litu(cid:131)nia A COMISS(cid:212)O DAS COMUNIDADES EUROPEIAS, Tendo em conta o Tratado que institui a Comunidade Europeia, Tendo em conta o Regulamento (CE) nº 1267/98 da Comiss(cid:209)o, de 18 de Junho de 1998, que estabelece, para o per(cid:146)odo de 1 de Julho de 1998 a 30 de Junho de 1999, as normas de execu(cid:135)(cid:209)o relativas aos contingentes pautais de carne de bovino previstos no Regulamento (CE) nº 1926/ /96 do Conselho para a Est(cid:155)nia, a Let(cid:155)nia e a Litu(cid:131)nia (1), e, nomeadamente, o nº 3 do seu artigo 3, Considerando que o Regulamento (CE) nº 1267/98 fixa, nos n(cid:16) 1 e 3 do seu artigo 1º, as quantidades de carne de bovino fresca, refrigerada ou congelada, origin(cid:145)ria da Est(cid:155)nia, da Let(cid:155)nia e da Litu(cid:131)nia e de produtos transfor- mados origin(cid:145)rios da Let(cid:155)nia que podem ser importadas, em condi(cid:135)(cid:210)es especiais, a t(cid:146)tulo do per(cid:146)odo compreendido entre 1 de Janeiro e 30 de Junho de 1999; que n(cid:209)o foram pedidos certificados de importa(cid:135)(cid:209)o para a carne de bovino, nem para os produtos transformados, ADOPTOU O PRESENTE REGULAMENTO: Artigo 1º N(cid:209)o foi apresentado qualquer pedido de certificado de importa(cid:135)(cid:209)o, a t(cid:146)tulo do per(cid:146)odo compreendido entre 1 de Janeiro e 30 de Junho de 1999, no (cid:131)mbito dos contin- gentes de importa(cid:135)(cid:209)o referidos no nº 1 do artigo 1º do Regulamento (CE) nº 1267/98. Artigo 2º O presente regulamento entra em vigor em 25 de Feve- reiro de 1999. O presente regulamento (cid:130) obrigat(cid:155)rio em todos os seus elementos e directamente aplic(cid:145)vel em todos os Estados-membros. Feito em Bruxelas, em 24 de Fevereiro de 1999. Pela Comiss(cid:209)o Franz FISCHLER Membro da Comiss(cid:209)o (1) JO L 175 de 19. 6. 1998, p. 11


title: Yttrande från Ekonomiska och sociala kommittén om "Sammanhållningsfondens årsredovisning 1997"

eurovoc_concepts:
Cohesion Fund
ESC opinion
activity report

formats: html pdf print

text: C 116/10 SV Europeiska gemenskapernas officiella tidning 28. 4. 1999 Yttrande från Ekonomiska och sociala kommittén om ”Sammanhållningsfondens årsredovisning 1997” (1999/C 116/03) Den 5 november 1998 beslutade kommissionen i enlighet med artikel 198 i EG-fördraget att rådfråga Ekonomiska och sociala kommittén om ”Sammanhållningsfondens årsredovisning 1997”. Sektionen för Ekonomiska och monetära unionen, ekonomisk och social sammanhållning som svarat för det förberedande arbetet i ärendet antog sitt yttrande den 8 februari 1999. Föredragande var Paulo Barros Vale. Vid sin 361:a plenarsession den 24-25 februari 1999 (sammanträdet den 24 februari) antog Ekonomiska och sociala kommittén följande yttrande med 74 röster för, 2 emot och 7 nedlagda röster. 1. Inledning 1. 1. Ekonomiska och sociala kommittén rådfrågas nu liks- om under tidigare år om kommissionens årsredovisning. I detta fall gäller det de beslut som fattats under 1997 inom ramen för Sammanhållningsfonden, som omfattar medlems- länderna Spanien, grekland, Irland och Portugal. Detta instru- ment som inrättades genom Maastrichtfördraget syftar till att främja den ekonomiska och sociala sammanhållningen genom att stödja genomförandet av projekt i dessa länder på miljö- och transportinfrastrukturområdet. Fondens budget för perioden 1993-1999 uppgår till 15 150 miljoner ecu(1). 2. 4. Man kan konstatera en ytterligare stabilisering av de rättsliga och administrativa förfarandena med avseende på hur projekten förvaltas, drivs, utvärderas och övervakas. Årsredovisningen visar att detta har varit positivt för tillämp- ningen av fonden. 2. 5. Utan att göra avkall på den närmare analys som följer nedan, vill kommittén redan nu uttrycka sin tillfredsställelse med att man ännu en gång lyckats uppnå målsättningen för budgetgenomförande som satts upp, både vad gäller åtaganden och utbetalningar. 1. 2. Detta belopp omfattar förutom den egentliga Samman- hållningsfonden (1994-1999) också det tidigare finansierings- instrumentet för sammanhållning som gällde mellan 1 april 1993 och 26 maj 1994. 2. 6. Det är värt att notera att man från verksamhetens inledning 1993 till slutet av 1997 gjort åtaganden för ca två tredjedelar av det totala anslaget för hela perioden 1993-1999. 2. Allmänna kommentarer Ekonomiska och sociala kommittén uppskattar att 2. 1. återigen bli rådfrågad om Sammanhållningsfondens årsredo- visning. Kommittén vill dock ännu en gång påtala för kommis- sionen att det i och med att årsredovisningen lagts fram så sent är omöjligt att hinna med att rätta till eventuella brister. 2. 2. Vissa delar av redovisningen skulle ha kunnat vara mer utförliga. Det saknas till exempel information om ändringar som skett av enskilda projekt, vilket gör det omöjligt att analysera de faktorer som låg till grund för ändringarna eller valet av lösning. Ekonomiska och sociala kommittén gläder sig åt att 2. 3. några av de rekommendationer som kommittén framfört i tidigare yttranden har beaktats och noterar överlag en avsevärd förbättring av årsredovisningen. (1) Enligt 1992 års priser. Kommittén vill — inte utan förbehåll — framhålla att 2. 7. den ser positivt på utvärderingsresultaten som kommit fram i den undersökning som utförts av London School of Economics (LSE) och som offentliggjordes i juni. Undersökningen visar att fonden bör få en gynnsam inverkan på medellång och lång sikt på de länder och regioner som tar emot stödet — särskilt med avseende på sysselsättningen, förhållandet mellan offentlig och privat förhållandet mellan investering samt sammanhållningsländerna och deras grannar. 2. 8. Trots undersökningens höga klass gör den oerhört tekniska uppläggning det svårt att analysera resultaten och få en allmän bild av förbättringarna som ägt rum i mottagarlän- derna. Kommittén föreslår att man till en undersökningsrap- port av det här slaget bifogar en sammanfattning av resultaten, som är lätt att tolka och studera och kan utgöra ett användbart arbetsredskap. 2. 9. Kommittén ställer sig mycket positiv till programmen för projektutvärdering i efterhand, eftersom de vittnar om att kommissionen lägger stor vikt vid utvärderingen. Kommittén noterar med tillfredsställelse att denna utvärdering genomförs av externa utvärderare, eftersom en sådan opartisk bedömning kan vara mycket användbar vid den interna utvärderingen. 28. 4. 1999 SV Europeiska gemenskapernas officiella tidning C 116/11 2. 10. Kommittén välkomnar den förbättring i förfarandena för utvärdering och kontroll som skett, dels genom att ett större antal kontrollbesök genomförs, dels genom övervakning av alla pågående projekt. 3. 1. 1. inom de två sektorerna på följande sätt: Under perioden 1993-1997 fördelade sig åtagandena % 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 3. Särskilda kommentarer Miljö 38,7 49,8 48,4 49,8 54,4 Transport 61,2 50,1 51,5 50,1 45,5 3. 1. Enligt artikel 10. 2 i förordningen om Sammanhåll- ningsfonden skall en lämplig jämvikt upprätthållas mellan projekt avseende transportinfrastruktur och miljöprojekt. Denna princip skall uppfyllas under en tidsrymd som är längre än ett kalenderår, något som kommittén förespråkat och kommissionen fattat beslut om 1995. 3. 1. 2. F ö r d e l n i n g e f t e r s e k t o r o c h m o t t a g a r - l a n d 1 9 9 7 Procentuellt blir fördelningen mellan sektorerna under hela perioden 49,1 % för miljö och 50,8 % för transport. Åtaganden Medlemsstat Totalt Miljö i miljoner ecu i miljoner ecu % Transport i miljoner ecu % % Verklig fördelning % Vägledande fördelnings- intervall 493,5 210,5 1 514,6 853,1 245,5 134,1 493,5 302,0 1,9 — 42,7 56,3 54,6 61,2 — 283,0 661,5 111,4 191,2 — 2 748,7 1 499,7 54,6 1 247,1 57,3 43,7 45,4 38,8 — 45,4 18 55 9 18 16-20 52-58 7-10 16-20 Utbetalningar Medlemsstat Totalt i miljoner ecu Miljö i miljoner ecu 573,2 1 018,2 212,0 518,0 1,4 2 322,8 193,3 333,2 64,4 296,4 — 887,3 % 33,7 32,7 30,4 57,2 — 38,2 Transport i miljoner ecu 379,9 685,0 147,6 221,6 — 1 434,1 % 66,3 67,3 69,6 42,8 — 61,7 Grekland Spanien Irland Portugal Tekniskt stöd Totalt Grekland Spanien Irland Portugal Tekniskt stöd Totalt C 116/12 SV Europeiska gemenskapernas officiella tidning 28. 4. 1999 3. 1. 3. Av tabellerna ovan framgår att utbetalningarna för åtgärder inom miljösektorn för länderna sammanlagt var avsevärt lägre än åtagandena (38,2 % mot 54,6 %). Motsatsen (61,7 % mot gäller för åtgärder inom transportområdet 45,5 %). Detta förhållande måste både kommissionen och medlemsstaterna ta större hänsyn till i framtiden. 3. 1. 4. Det gläder kommittén att investeringarna inom mil- jösektorn, som tidigare varit lägre, nu ökat i jämförelse med transportsektorn. Siffrorna för 1997 visar en markant uppgång i alla länder utom Grekland, vilket medför att den önskvärda jämvikten stabiliseras. Det är naturligtvis viktigt att upprätthål- la denna tendens. Kommittén konstaterar med tillfredsställelse att den 3. 1. 5. vägledande fördelningen av Sammanhållningsfondens anslag mellan mottagarländerna har uppfyllts även detta år. 3. 2. Fördelning inom transportsektorn (I procent av det totala) Sektor Åtaganden 1993-1996 Åtaganden 1997 Summa åtaganden 1993-1997 Vägar Järnvägar Hamnar Flygplatser/ATC VTS Totalt 73,1 19,9 3,3 3,1 0,6 56,6 32,6 1,7 8,8 0,3 69,3 22,8 2,9 4,4 0,5 100,0 100,0 100,0 3. 2. 1. Kommittén vill ännu en gång förespråka en bättre fördelning av anslagen från Sammanhållningsfonden mellan olika transportslag. Vägprojekten står för en övervägande del av åtagandena även 1997, och så har det varit ända sedan Sammanhållningsfonden inrättades. Kommittén noterar dock med tillfredsställelse att det skett en ökning av investeringarna inom järnvägstranportsektorn, vilka 1997 motsvarade cirka 32,6 % av de totala investeringarna. 3. 2. 2. Kommittén kan inte undgå att notera att det skett ytterst obetydliga investeringar i hamnar under hela redovis- ningsperioden. De uppgår endast till 2,9 % av de totala investeringarna och har till stor del genomförts i Grekland. Kommissionen och medlemsstaterna borde göra större an- strängningar för att öka satsningarna på projekt för hamnin- frastruktur, både vad gäller kust- och inlandshamnar, så att utvecklingen av denna sektor främjas. Detta skulle starkt gynna de regioner där dessa infrastrukturer inrättas och som har svårigheter med räntabiliteten. 3. 2. 3. Kommittén ser mycket positivt på att en betydande del av anslagen på transportområdet, precis som under tidigare år, har använts till projekt som avser det transeuropeiska transportnätet. Denna tendens måste i framtiden förstärkas. 3. 3. Fördelningen mellan olika projekt på miljöområdet ger kommittén ännu en gång anledning att framhålla den ringa omfattningen av satsningar på miljöskydd och förbättring av miljön i städerna. Dessa frågor får allt större betydelse i dagens samhälle och är avgörande om vi skall kunna upprätthålla en bra livskvalitet i våra länder. Det har dock skett en ökning av insatserna på detta område. Kommittén beklagar dock att det i kommissionens redovisning saknas en jämförande tabell där miljöprojekten är uppdelade efter inriktning, liknande de tabeller som funnits i tidigare årsredovisningar. 3. 4. Man bör även öka insatserna på området för skogsplan- tering genom att koppla dem till projekt som har som främsta målsättning att bekämpa ökenspridning eller andra yttringar av obalans i miljön. Under 1997 har endast Spanien genomfört projekt på detta område, även i avlägset belägna regioner. Kommittén vill återigen framföra sin rekommendation 3. 5. att när det gäller fördelningen beakta lokaliseringen av projek- ten i högre grad, med anledning av att projekten brukar koncentreras till de geografiska områden som är mest tätbefol- kade. Att det inte har förekommit några större satsningar på projekt i avlägset belägna regioner är något som medlemssta- terna och kommissionen måste ägna större eftertanke. 3. 6. Vad beträffar sysselsättning som skapats genom fond- projekt kan kommittén med tillfredsställelse konstatera att de finansierade infrastrukturerna givit upphov till direkta och indirekta arbeten. På kort sikt sker en ökning av både direkta och indirekta arbetstillfällen men på lång sikt är det de indirekta arbetstillfällena som blir till varaktig sysselsättning. Kommissionen gör bedömningen att det skapas 20 direkta arbetstillfällen per miljon ecu som satsas i ekonomiskt stöd till projekt inom transportsektorn, och 25 arbetstillfällen per miljon ecu för miljöprojekt. 3. 7. Kommittén ser mycket positivt på att årsredovisning- ens utformning och uppläggning har förbättrats betydligt, särskilt med avseende på systematisering och sammanfattning, vilket gör den mycket lättare att läsa och analysera. 3. 8. Kommittén välkomnar de förbättringar som skett med avseende på övervakningsförfarandet och vill uppmärksamma de två möten med kommissionen och arbetslivsrepresentanter, särskilt från mottagarländerna, som ägt rum i Bryssel under året. 3. 9. Kommittén noterar ökningen av antalet offentliga projekt som genomförs av privata företag — till exempel flygplatser, broar, hamnar och förbränningsanläggningar — och hoppas att detta kommer att medföra en ökad dynamik, effektivitet och kvalitet med avseende på de slutgiltiga tjänster som kommer allmänheten till godo. 28. 4. 1999 SV Europeiska gemenskapernas officiella tidning C 116/13 3. 10. Kommittén konstaterar att det främst är de centrala regeringarna som ansöker om finansiering via Sammanhåll- ningsfonden, i överensstämmelse med fondens bestämmelser, men att även lokala eller regionala myndigheter är initiativtaga- re till en del av projekten. Kommittén uppmanar därför kommissionen att tillämpa större flexibilitet i fråga om denna princip och skapa möjligheter till dialog på mellanliggande myndighetsnivåer. Därigenom skapas en möjlighet att förver- kliga projekt med stor inneboende kraft som annars inte hade kommit till kommissionens kännedom. 3. 11. Kommittén anser att mottagarländernas information till allmänheten om Sammanhållningsfonden är obetydlig och praktiskt taget saknar effekt. Detta beror på att den nästan enbart är begränsad till själva platsen för projektet och inte sprids via massmedia, som TV eller tidningar. Medborgarna får därför inte vetskap om unionens del i och bidrag till genomför- da satsningar. Man borde överväga att tillskjuta ytterligare medel och förbättra informationen, så att Europeiska unionens engagemang i ländernas utveckling och modernisering blir synligt, både i mottagarländerna och de bidragande länderna. 3. 12. Kommittén konstaterar med tillfredsställelse att sam- ordningen mellan Sammanhållningsfonden och gemenskapens övriga politikområden, särskilt vad gäller konkurrenspolitiken (som kommissionen anstränger sig att upprätthålla) och offentlig upphandling (där kommissionen kan redovisa ett ökat engagemang från de nationella myndigheternas sida att tillämpa gemenskapsförfarandena). I den aktuella årsredovisningen redovisar kommissio- 3. 13. nen en positiv inställning till en förlängning av Sammanhåll- ningsfonden så att dess verksamhet fortsätter under de sju åren mellan 2000 och 2006 (en ståndpunkt som kommittén delar och har framfört i ett stort antal yttranden). De nuvarande mottagarländerna kommer fortfarande att omfattas av fonden, Bryssel den 24 februari 1999. oberoende av om de deltar i tredje etappen av EMU, så länge deras BNP per capita understiger 90 % av genomsnittet i gemenskapen. Kommittén föreslår att man inför olika kriterier för å ena sidan EMU-länderna och å andra sidan Grekland och nya medlemsländer. När sedan länderna som ansökt om medlemskap anslutits till Europeiska unionen kommer vissa av dem att omfattas av Sammanhållningsfonden, varför det kommer att behövas en förstärkning av fondmedlen snarare än en omfördelning. Med en reducerad budget skulle det bli svårare att uppnå det grundläggande målet, ekonomisk och social sammanhållning, och detta skulle få negativa följder för de antagna projektens antal och kvalitet. 3. 14. Kommittén vill ännu en gång uttrycka sin positiva inställning till kommissionen förslag om en förlängning av Sammanhållningsfonden med en budget på 3 000 miljoner ecu per år för de fyra nuvarande mottagarländerna. För kandidatländerna i Central- och O¨ steuropa anslås en separat budget på 1 000 miljoner ecu per år under perioden 2000- 2006 som stöd före anslutningen, inom ramen för ISPA (instrumentet för strukturpolitiska åtgärder före anslutningen) som inrättats med Sammanhållningsfonden som förebild. Kommissionen nämner också att länderna som deltar i tredje etappen av EMU måste uppfylla kraven i stabilitets- och tillväxtpakten, eftersom konditionalitetsprincipen måste till- ämpas av alla länder även i fortsättningen. 3. 15. Kommittén vill ännu en gång betona hur positivt den ser på att det inte har förekommit några bedrägerier och vill betona vikten av att det informeras om eventuella oegentlighe- ter i förvaltningen av stödet. 3. 16. Kommittén noterar även med tillfredsställelse att antalet kontrollbesök och inspektioner av övervakningskom- mittéerna i de fyra länderna ökat, i synnerhet med avseende på de mer omfattande projekten. Ekonomiska och sociala kommitténs ordförande Beatrice RANGONI MACHIAVELLI


title: Proposta di regolamento (CE) del Consiglio relativo all applicazione di misure specifiche per l'importazione di succhi e mosti d'uva originari di Cipro

eurovoc_concepts:
Cyprus
fruit product
grape
tariff preference
trade policy

formats: html pdf

text: COMMISSIONE DELLE COMUNITÀ EUROPEE Bruxelles, 24. 02. 1999 COM(1999)85 def. 99/0057 (ACC) Proposta di REGOLAMENTO (CE) DEL CONSIGLIO relativo all’applicazione di misure specifiche per l'importazione di succhi e mosti d'uva originari di Cipro (presentata dalla Commissione) RELAZIONE Il regolamento (CE) n. 3290/94 del Consiglio, che fissava misure transitorie nel settore dell'agricoltura per l'attuazione degli accordi dell'Uruguay Round, non verrà prorogato. Per mantenere le preferenze tariffarie già concesse a Cipro per le importazioni di succhi e mosti d'uva nella Comunità occorre pertanto presentare al Consiglio una proposta di regolamento specifico. La presente proposta di regolamento è intesa a prorogare l’esenzione dal pagamento del dazio specifico all'importazione per i prodotti di cui sopra provenienti da Cipro. Questa misura risulta inoltre necessaria in attesa dell'entrata in vigore del nuovo accordo di associazione tra la Comunità europea e Cipro. 2 Proposta di REGOLAMENTO (CE) DEL CONSIGLIO relativo all’applicazione di misure specifiche per l'importazione di succhi e mosti d'uva originari di Cipro IL CONSIGLIO DELL' UNIONE EUROPEA, visto il trattato che istituisce la Comunità europea, in particolare l'articolo 113, vista la proposta della Commissione, considerando che l'accordo che istituisce un'associazione tra la Comunità europea e la Repubblica di Cipro prevede l'apertura di un contingente tariffario comunitario annuo per taluni succhi o mosti d'uva concentrati originari di Cipro; che il dazio all'importazione nel quadro di tale contingente tariffario è pari allo 0%; considerando che dal 1° settembre 1995 il vecchio regime dei prezzi di riferimento applicabile alle importazioni nella Comunità di succhi e mosti d'uva è stato sostituito da un nuovo regime d'importazione ai negoziati commerciali multilaterali dell'Uruguay Round; che l'accordo di associazione con Cipro deve applicarsi tenendo conto del nuovo regime suddetto. conseguente considerando che è necessario mantenere le preferenze tariffarie già concesse e permettere a Cipro di continuare ad esportare i propri prodotti verso la Comunità nel quadro del contingente tariffario; che è opportuno a tale scopo, in attesa della conclusione del nuovo accordo tra la Comunità europea e Cipro, adottare le misure specifiche necessarie, HA ADOTTATO IL PRESENTE REGOLAMENTO: Articolo 1 Il dazio specifico indicato nell'allegato I, parte terza, sezione I, allegato 2 della tariffa doganale delle Comunità europee per l'importazione dei prodotti di cui ai codici NC 2009 60 51, 2009 60 71, ex 2009 60 90 ed ex 2204 30 92 non viene riscosso per i prodotti suddetti originari di Cipro, importati nel quadro del contingente tariffario recante il numero d'ordine 09. 1421, di cui all'allegato V del regolamento (CE) n. 1981/94 del Consiglio1. 1 GU L 199 del 2. 8. 1994, pag. 1. 3 Articolo 2 Il presente regolamento entra in vigore il terzo giorno successivo alla pubblicazione nella Gazzetta ufficiale delle Comunità europee. Esso si applica a decorrere dal 1° luglio 1999. Il presente regolamento è obbligatorio in tutti applicabile in ciascuno degli Stati membri. i suoi elementi e direttamente Fatto a Bruxelles, addì Per il Consiglio Il Presidente 4 SCHEDA FINANZIARIA LINEA DI BILANCIO: 16 STANZIAMENTI: 661 milioni EUR DEFINIZIONE DEL PROVVEDIMENTO: Proposta di regolamento (CE) del Consiglio relativo all'applicazione di misure specifiche all'importazione di succhi e mosti d'uva originari di Cipro. BASE GIURIDICA: Articolo 113 del trattato OBIETTIVO DEL PROVVEDIMENTO: Prorogare l'esenzione dal pagamento del dazio specifico all'importazione per i succhi e mosti d'uva originari di Cipro. 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 5. 0 5. 1 INCIDENZE FINANZIARIE SPESE A CARICO - DEL BILANCIO DELLE CE (RESTITUZIONI/INTERVENTI) DEI BILANCI NAZIONALI ALTRI SETTORI ENTRATE - RISORSE PROPRIE DELLE CE (PRELIEVI/DAZI DOGANALI) SUL PIANO NAZIONALE - - - 5. 0. 1 PREVISIONI DI SPESA 5. 1. 1 PREVISIONI DI ENTRATA 5. 2 METODO DI CALCOLO: PERIODO DI 12 MESI (milioni EUR) ESERCIZIO IN CORSO (1999) (milioni EUR) ESERCIZIO SUCCESSIVO (2000) (milioni EUR) * 0,2 - - * 0,2 2001 (milioni EUR) 2002 (milioni EUR) 2003 (milioni EUR) 2004 (milioni EUR) * 0,2 * 0,2 * 0,2 * 0,2 Secondo i dati storici, il contingente di 4 950 t viene utilizzato soltanto per il 10% circa. 495 t x 7,9 (coeff. Trasf. ) x 138 EUR/hl (valore medio 1997/98) x 25,2% (dazio fisso) 495 t x 7,9 x 11 EUR/hl (dazio convenzionale medio) = = 135 992 EUR 43 016 EUR Perdita teorica = 179 008 EUR 6. 0 6. 1 6. 2 6. 3 FINANZIAMENTO POSSIBILE A MEZZO STANZIAMENTI ISCRITTI NEL CAPITOLO CORRISPONDENTE DEL BILANCIO IN CORSO DI ESECUZIONE FINANZIAMENTO POSSIBILE PER STORNO DI FONDI DA CAPITOLO A CAPITOLO DEL BILANCIO IN CORSO DI ESECUZIONE NECESSITÀ DI UN BILANCIO SUPPLEMENTARE STANZIAMENTI DA ISCRIVERE NEI BILANCI SUCCESSIVI SÌ / NO SÌ / NO SÌ / NO SÌ / NO OSSERVAZIONI: Il provvedimento non comporta variazioni rispetto alla situazione attuale. * Le eventuali conseguenze finanziarie sulla spesa sono trascurabili ed è impossibile, allo stadio attuale, quantificarle. 5


title: PREGUNTA ESCRITA n. 463/99 del Maria CARDONA Euroopan unionin tuki rajuilmoista kärsineille tiloille Madeiralla

eurovoc_concepts:
EAGGF Guidance Section
Madeira
agricultural holding
aid to agriculture
aid to disaster victims
bad weather
financial aid
financial loss

formats: html print


title: ΚΑΝΟΝΙΣΜΟΣ (ΕΚ) αριθ. 399/1999 ΤΗΣ ΕΠΙΤΡΟΠΗΣ της 24ης Φεβρουαρίου 1999 για καθορισμό του μέγιστου ποσού της επιστροφής κατά την εξαγωγή της λευκής ζάχαρης για την 28η τμηματική δημοπρασία που πραγματοποιείται στο πλαίσιο της διαρκούς δημοπρασίας του κανονισμού (ΕΚ) αριθ. 1574/98

eurovoc_concepts:
award of contract
export refund
white sugar

text: 25. 2. 1999 EL Ep(cid:148)sglg Evgleq(cid:148)da tym Euqypa(cid:152)j(cid:150)m Joimot(cid:147)tym L 49/17 JAMOMISLOS (EJ) aqih. 399/1999 TGS EPITQOPGS tgr 24gr Vebqouaq(cid:148)ou 1999 cia jahoqisl(cid:149) tou l(cid:146)cistou poso(cid:151) tgr epistqov(cid:147)r jat(cid:145) tgm enacyc(cid:147) tgr keuj(cid:147)r f(cid:145)waqgr cia tgm 28g tlglatij(cid:147) dglopqas(cid:148)a pou pqaclatopoie(cid:148)tai sto pka(cid:148)sio tgr diaqjo(cid:151)r dglopqa- s(cid:148)ar tou jamomislo(cid:151) (EJ) aqih. 1574/98 G EPITQOPG TYM EUQYPA(cid:136)JYM JOIMOTGTYM, (cid:130)womtar up(cid:149)xg: tg sumh(cid:147)jg cia tgm (cid:148)dqusg tgr Euqypa(cid:152)j(cid:147)r Joim(cid:149)tgtar, tom jamomisl(cid:149) (EOJ) aqih. 1785/81 tou Sulbouk(cid:148)ou, tgr 30(cid:147)r Ioum(cid:148)ou 1981, peq(cid:148) joim(cid:147)r oqcam(cid:150)seyr acoq(cid:145)r stom tol(cid:146)a tgr f(cid:145)waqgr (1), (cid:149)pyr tqopopoi(cid:147)hgje tekeuta(cid:148)a ap(cid:149) tom jamomisl(cid:149) (EJ) aqih. 1148/98 tgr Epitqop(cid:147)r (2), jai id(cid:148)yr to (cid:145)qhqo 17 paq(cid:145)cqavor 5 de(cid:151)teqo ed(cid:145)vio stoiwe(cid:148)o b), Ejtil(cid:150)mtar: (cid:149)ti, dum(cid:145)lei tou jamomislo(cid:151) (EJ) aqih. 1574/98 tgr Epi- tqop(cid:147)r, tgr 22ar Iouk(cid:148)ou 1998, peq(cid:148) diaqjo(cid:151)r dglopqas(cid:148)ar cia tom jahoqisl(cid:149) tym eisvoq(cid:150)m (cid:147)/jai tym epistqov(cid:150)m jat(cid:145) tgm enacyc(cid:147) keuj(cid:147)r f(cid:145)waqgr (3), tgm enacyc(cid:147) tgr f(cid:145)waqgr aut(cid:147)r· (cid:149)ti, jat(cid:145) tir diat(cid:145)neir tou (cid:145)qhqou 9 paq(cid:145)cqavor 1 tou jamomislo(cid:151) (EJ) aqih. 1574/98, jahoq(cid:148)fetai (cid:146)ma l(cid:146)cisto pos(cid:149) epistqov(cid:147)r jat(cid:145) tgm enacyc(cid:147), jat(cid:145) peq(cid:148)ptysg, cia tgm em k(cid:149)cy tlglatij(cid:147) dglopqas(cid:148)a, avo(cid:151) kgvho(cid:151)m up(cid:149)xg, id(cid:148)yr, g jat(cid:145)stasg jai g pqobkep(cid:149)lemg en(cid:146)king tgr acoq(cid:145)r tgr f(cid:145)waqgr stgm Joim(cid:149)tgta jai stg diehm(cid:147) acoq(cid:145)· (cid:149)ti, let(cid:145) ap(cid:149) en(cid:146)tasg tym pqosvoq(cid:150)m, pq(cid:146)pei ma hespi- sto(cid:151)m cia tgm 28g tlglatij(cid:147) dglopqas(cid:148)a oi diat(cid:145)neir pou amav(cid:146)qomtai sto (cid:145)qhqo 1· (cid:149)ti ta l(cid:146)tqa pou pqobk(cid:146)pomtai stom paq(cid:149)mta jamomisl(cid:149) e(cid:148)mai s(cid:151)lvyma le tg cm(cid:150)lg tgr epitqop(cid:147)r diawe(cid:148)qisgr f(cid:145)waqgr, ENEDYSE TOM PAQOMTA JAMOMISLO: (cid:129)qhqo 1 Cia tgm 28g tlglatij(cid:147) dglopqas(cid:148)a keuj(cid:147)r f(cid:145)waqgr, pou pqaclatopoie(cid:148)tai s(cid:151)lvyma le tom jamomisl(cid:149) (EJ) aqih. 1574/98, to am(cid:150)tato pos(cid:149) tgr epistqov(cid:147)r jat(cid:145) tgm enacyc(cid:147) jahoq(cid:148)fetai se 50,241 EUR am(cid:145) 100 wiki(cid:149)cqalla. (cid:129)qhqo 2 O paq(cid:150)m jamomisl(cid:149)r aqw(cid:148)fei ma isw(cid:151)ei stir 25 Vebqouaq(cid:148)ou 1999. O paq(cid:150)m jamomisl(cid:149)r e(cid:148)mai desleutij(cid:149)r yr pqor (cid:149)ka ta l(cid:146)qg tou jai isw(cid:151)ei (cid:145)lesa se j(cid:145)he jq(cid:145)tor l(cid:146)kor. Bqun(cid:146)kker, 24 Vebqouaq(cid:148)ou 1999. Cia tgm Epitqop(cid:147) Franz FISCHLER L(cid:146)kor tgr Epitqop(cid:147)r (1) EE L 177 tgr 1. 7. 1981, s. 4. (2) EE L 159 tgr 3. 6. 1998, s. 38. (3) EE L 206 tgr 23. 7. 1998, s. 7


title: Opinion of the Economic and Social Committee on the 'Commission Green Paper "Combating Counterfeiting and Piracy in the Single Market"'

eurovoc_concepts:
ESC opinion
application of EU law
customs regulations
industrial counterfeiting
intellectual property
single market

text: 28. 4. 1999 EN Official Journal of the European Communities C 116/35 Opinion of the Economic and Social Committee on the ‘Commission Green Paper “Combating Counterfeiting and Piracy in the Single Market”’ (1999/C 116/09) On 16 October 1998 the Commission decided to consult the Economic and Social Committee, under Article 198 of the Treaty establishing the European Community, on the above-mentioned green paper. The Section for the Single Market, Production and Consumption, which was responsible for preparing the Committee’s work on the subject, adopted its opinion on 11 February 1999. The rapporteur was Mr Malosse. At its 361st plenary session (meeting of 24 February 1999), the Economic and Social Committee unanimously adopted the following opinion. 1. Introduction 2. General comments 1. 1. The Economic and Social Committee is pleased at the European Commission’s initiative to launch a wide-ranging debate on counterfeiting and piracy in the single market. This matter has been the subject of the ESC’s concern on many occasions, as in an opinion on the competitiveness of the textile industry(1) and an opinion on the proposal for a Council Regulation amending Regulation No 3295/94 laying down measures to prohibit the release for free circulation, export, re-export or entry for a suspensive procedure of counterfeit and pirated goods(2). Regulation 3295/94 in fact is only concerned with 1. 2. combating counterfeit and pirated goods from non-EU countries. But, as the ESC pointed out in its opinion, the regulation only covers operations relating to trade with non-EU countries at the Community’s external borders. The ESC also wanted the Green Paper to cover the subject of coordinating national rules within the borders of the single market, both for goods from non-EU countries and for goods produced fraudulently in the EU itself. 1. 3. The ESC congratulates the Commission for taking the initiative of launching a wide-ranging debate on this matter, given the serious damage that such fraudulent practices cause to the competitiveness of European industry and services. In many sectors most of the value added to European goods and services is the fruit of the creativity, imagination and talent of European entrepreneurs, creators, craftsmen and workers. In addition, such fraud is increasingly affecting activities con- nected with the new information technologies and is thus handicapping the development of European industry in these high-growth sectors. 2. 1. In the field of counterfeiting and piracy it is not desirable to separate instruments of internal policy from those of external policy. The ESC has already made suggestions on external controls(3). They must be recalled and reinforced, for they may well also concern action within the EU, and especially: 2. 1. 1. Improving information and cooperation between the monitoring services (customs, combating of fraud) and holders of property rights. 2. 1. 2. Maintaining and promoting a skilled and well-trained monitoring body. 2. 1. 3. Heightening public awareness. 2. 1. 4. ties. Harmonising national rules on controls and penal- 2. 1. 5. taking action against offenders. Providing simple and streamlined procedures for 2. 1. 6. least one year and throughout the whole of the EU. Ensuring that seizure applications are valid for at 2. 1. 7. Ensuring that only the guilty party, and not the property right holder, has to pay for the costs of destroying pirated or counterfeit goods. Reducing the length and cost of procedures so as not 2. 1. 8. to put off small firms that are wronged, and setting up new special procedures in special courts that are well informed about the realities and effects of counterfeiting and piracy. (1) OJ C 214, 10. 7. 1998. (2) OJ C 284, 14. 9. 1998. (3) OJ C 284, 14. 9. 1998. C 116/36 EN Official Journal of the European Communities 28. 4. 1999 3. Specific comments (questions in the Green Paper) in this sector alone 100 000 jobs are lost each year in EU industry because of counterfeit and pirated goods. 3. 1. Nature and characteristics of the phenomenon: The ESC approves of the Commission’s attempt to define counterfeiting and piracy in the broad sense as an ‘infringe- ment of an intellectual property right (trade mark or trade name, industrial design or model, patent, utility model and geographical indication) of a copyright or neighbouring right (the rights of performing artists, the rights of producers of sound recordings, the rights of the producers of the first fixations of films, the rights of broadcasting organisations), or of the “sui generis” right of the maker of a database’. 3. 2. Although the ESC understands the Commission’s con- cern to limit the field for discussion to anything that jeopardises property rights, the fact remains that other forms of parasitic activity (flagrant imitations, ‘look alike’ products) mislead the consumer. While these cannot be combated with the same legal weapons as counterfeiting or piracy, it is necessary to encourage the fight against such practices, which are being used more and more systematically by counterfeiters, especially within the EU, to escape lawsuits. When such activities resemble unfair trading practices or attempts to mislead consumers, legal action must be taken against them. The ESC therefore feels that the debate opened by the Commission must also take account of all parasitic activities of this kind, especially as regards information necessary for consumers and protecting their rights. 4. 3. In view of the size of the phenomenon and the very great importance of having the most accurate data possible, the ESC proposes that there should be some sort of EU observation machinery, in the form of a network of national or sectoral observation posts. Such a ‘European observatory’ could operate with the help of economic bodies on the ground. 4. 4. Counterfeit or pirated goods, which are illegal by their very nature, are often made in underground businesses that disregard the laws on social security, hygiene and safety at work. It is also clear that such activities flout the tax laws and are more and more often linked to networks of organised crime. The ESC therefore stresses the need for a comprehensive approach, especially in the field of monitoring and surveillance, to put a stop to every aspect of such fraudulent activities: social surveys, tax inspections, fighting counterfeiting, stamping out banditry and money laundering. The monitoring and legal services that specialise in combating these scourges should cooperate more closely. 5. Monitoring by the private sector Unfortunately consumers cannot always be regarded 3. 3. purely as victims. Often they help fuel the problem by purchasing goods which, in view of their low price, might reasonably be assumed to be counterfeit, rather than genuine. Consumers and consumer organizations have a very important part to play in combating the problem. The ESC feels that the role of professional organis- 5. 1. ations, trade unions and consumer movements, especially at European level, importance in assessing the phenomenon and organising action against unlawful practices. The ESC supports the principle of making them legally entitled to take legal action for the purpose of defending the collective interests on whose behalf they have a mandate to act. is of vital 4. Scale and consequences of the phenomenon The ESC notes the estimates provided by the Com- 4. 1. mission. They are the fruit of research undertaken by firms of consultants. The ESC is surprised that the customs services of the Member States and the professional associations of the sectors concerned do not have or have not provided the Commission with data that are easier to verify. Regarding this matter, the ESC wonders whether the 4. 2. jobs lost each year (100 000 according to number of the Commission) has been assessed correctly. Indeed the Commission itself, in its communication on competitiveness in the European textile and clothing industry(1), calculates that (1) COM(97) 454 final The ESC believes that such monitoring must also 5. 2. concern the distribution sector, which should be encouraged — in association with manufacturers — to develop labels of quality and codes of ethics to root out suspect products and services. The ESC suggests that the Commission should take initiatives in this sector in partnership with associations representing commerce, so as to make their members aware of the problem and given training. When mentioning this sector, it must be made clear that both wholesale and retail distribution are concerned, as well as both large distributors and small traditional retailers and services for people in the trade or private individuals. 5. 3. One way of combating counterfeit goods could be to develop data bases on designs and models, with the support of professional associations. Generally speaking, the role of the professional organisations and associations concerned in supervising the market, alerting and cooperating with the authorities, informing and training legal professionals and informing the public is essential. The example of the REACT 28. 4. 1999 EN Official Journal of the European Communities C 116/37 network in the textile and clothing sector is to be welcomed here. The ESC urges the Commission to launch pilot projects to encourage such activities on a European scale. 6. The use of technical devices The ESC thinks it would be useful to search out 6. 1. technology for identifying and ‘tracking’ fraudulent goods. The ESC feels here that pilot schemes for transferring technology would be welcome, preferably for high-RTD projects, for transferring techniques already used in other areas. Such projects should be of benefit primarily to professional associ- ations or groupings of SMEs and craftsmen. The ESC feels that if such measures are to combat 6. 2. counterfeiting and pirating effectively, they must not be allowed to have any adverse effects on the free movement of goods within the single market. 6. 3. It is essential to train groups for monitoring and identifying such procedures. Cooperation between producers and the authorities is vital for setting up early warning and monitoring networks. 7. Sanctions and other means of enforcing intellectual property rights 7. 1. Practically all the professional organisations and trade unions concerned feel that repression, together with preven- tion, is the best way of combating counterfeiting and piracy effectively. They do not criticise the laws in force so much as their application, which is too uneven to be a real deterrent to pirates. Of course, pirates are helped by the existence of a single frontier-free market and the lack of a real European legal area. 7. 3. The ESC feels that the work on the preparation of ‘Rome II’ convention (on the law applicable to non-contractual obligations) is of prime importance. In particular, the adoption of this convention will have a significant impact on the fight against certain acts of counterfeiting or piracy committed with the help of the Internet. Similarly, if all the Member States ratified the Hague Convention of 18 March 1970 on cooper- ation between legal authorities to obtain evidence in civil and commercial cases, this would help to combat all forms of parasitism and unfair trading more effectively. The Green Paper speaks of defending rights while 7. 4. forgetting that in most countries such defence is based on protection being obtained beforehand for these rights. There should be a large-scale information campaign explaining this fact to firms, especially SMEs. The campaign should include specific information on legal procedures (jurisdiction, location, etc. ). 7. 5. It is essential to see that existing texts are applied, even let us try and get faster and simpler legal if they differ; procedures. Better training for judges and the setting-up of special courts throughout the EU would prevent any backslid- ing and inconsistency in judgments, especially in places where a blind eye is still turned to certain forms of counterfeiting or piracy. Mention should be made here, as an example, of Community trade mark regulation No 49/94 of 20 December 1993, which set up ‘Community trade mark courts’ designated by the Member States as national courts of first and second instance with jurisdiction in the field of counterfeiting and the validity of Community marks. One could thus imagine the development of competent and qualified courts organised into a Community network for handling all cases of counterfeiting and piracy (marks, patents, designs and models, copyright and derived rights. ). 7. 2. Effective action against counterfeiting and pirating is obviously hampered by the vast differences which exist between procedures for implementing complaints and penal- ties. In this area the EU should use its new ‘Third Pillar’ powers to undertake in-depth action aimed at establishing cheap and simple procedures — that are recognised in all the Member States — along the lines of those proposed by the Commission to combat payment delays. In the medium term, in view of the Brussels Convention being beefed up, a firm that has been wronged should be able to apply directly in its country of establishment for an enforcement order in another Member State, including Member States of transit for incriminated goods. The ESC is a keen supporter of a policy of systemati- 7. 6. cally publishing judgments in the press at the violators’ expense, and of making it compulsory for violators to reveal information. Penal measures must also be taken against distributors who knowingly indulge in practices that encourage counterfeiting and piracy, such as supermarkets who replace branded goods by unlisted counterfeit goods. Where offences are many and repeated, there should be no hesitation in closing down shops or establishments that distribute counterfeit products, since fines often bear no comparison with the enormous profits that can be made. Another way of stepping up the fight would be to involve customs departments by making acts of counterfeiting an offence under customs legislation, as is the case in France. C 116/38 EN Official Journal of the European Communities 28. 4. 1999 8. Administrative cooperation between the competent authorities preventive measures and penalties. The media, consumer movements, producers’, workers’ and distributors’ professional organisations, especially those of SMEs, and the education sector should all be involved in this. 8. 1. The ESC considers this aspect as crucial. It is surprised that the Green Paper does not mention the vast differences in approach and behaviour in the attitude of the different national authorities. This particularly applies to countries that have tolerated counterfeiting and piracy on a large scale as they did not consider it a priority when fighting crime. In its opinion on external control measures(1) the ESC underlined that there were huge differences and mentioned the case of one country that did not apply adequate punitive measures, which made it a ‘potential gateway’. The ESC feels that such cooperation really must be backed up by a harmonisation of rules and large-scale training schemes and support for the practices, ‘weak links’ in the EU set-up. Publishing the true figures concerning procedures undertaken per country, giving exam- ples of notorious cases of fraud and giving publicity on a political scale to such ‘weaknesses’ are measures that seem more likely to get things moving. The ESC is worried here at the risk of the loss of 8. 2. motivation and cuts in the numbers of customs officials and investigators; on the contrary, numbers should be increased and quality and motivation improved, within a common framework of cooperation. The ESC would congratulate the various initiatives taken by the EU to ensure cooperation and training for national officials responsible for implementing legislation, especially the Karolus programme. Other pro- grammes concern customs (Mathaeus) or combating organised crime (Falcone). The ESC suggests that a horizontal programme involving all the authorities concerned (customs, police, inland revenue, welfare authorities) and magistrates should be launched to encourage a European-scale network for combat- ing the underground networks organised throughout the single market. The ESC feels that it is time to prepare joint action to 8. 2. 1. combat international traffickers: common files and data bases, joint investigating teams, exchanges of good practices, etc. While the services for combating counterfeiting have limited resources, small territories and procedures that are cumber- some, slow and technocratic, traffickers are using the Internet to market fraudulent products. 8. 3. Above all, there must be a real political awareness if counterfeiting and piracy are to be countered effectively. The ESC proposes that large-scale conferences be held in each of the Member States to highlight the negative effects on jobs, health and consumer safety and draw attention to the best (1) OJ C 284, 14. 9. 1998. 9. Other points to be raised 9. 1. In addition to the points raised by the Green Paper, one must deplore the delays in the EU over setting up a full-blown European legal arsenal for protecting intellectual property (no real EU patent, delay in bringing out an EU design or model and harmonised utility models, insufficient time to assess the effectiveness of the designs and models directive, lack of EU legislation on copyright and allied rights). indirect the single market The non-completion of taxes is a known source of 9. 2. in the fraud and field of misappropriation (no harmonisation of VAT rates, VAT exemption for products going from one Member State to another, excise duties, derived rights, etc. ). It therefore consti- tutes an obstacle to effective checks on fraud, since counterfeit and pirated goods are often systematically channelled on to neighbouring markets. Public awareness campaigns drawing attention to the 9. 3. health and/or safety dangers of counterfeiting are essential. Cases of serious injury suffered by consumers are proliferating: counterfeit drugs with often mortal health dangers, defective medical equipment that can cause fatal accidents, vehicle spare parts that do not provide the protection necessary in an impact, inflammable or allergenic textiles in children’s clothes, the use of azo colorants, dangerous toys, etc. This subject should be tackled more fully during the debate on the Green Paper and machinery should be set up at EU level, with the support of consumers’ organisations, to warn about such cases. 10. Recommendations All forms of counterfeiting, piracy and other para- 10. 1. 1. sitic acts cause severe damage to European firms and creative people. 10. 1. 2. and may involve serious risks to their safety and health. Such acts deceive the customer and the consumer, 10. 1. 3. creativity in Europe. They have a negative impact on employment and Very often, illicit counterfeiting and piracy are tied 10. 1. 4. up with undeclared work, tax avoidance, disregard for social and labour law and organised crime. 28. 4. 1999 EN Official Journal of the European Communities C 116/39 10. 2. 1. In view of all this, the ESC recommends that the EU adopt an overall approach to the phenomenon that takes account of the external and internal political aspects and introduces appropriate measures for preventing and stamping out all forms of counterfeiting, piracy and other parasitic acts. 10. 2. 2. Bearing in mind the importance of prevention, the ESC notes the importance of having a single set of laws containing uniform protection, at reasonable cost, for all forms of intellectual property, proper information for creative people and entrepreneurs about their rights, and campaigns to warn consumers and appeal to their sense of civic duty. The ESC would stress the need to launch infor- 10. 2. 3. mation campaigns for the general public, coordinated at European level and involving consumers’ organisations, trade unions and the professional organisations concerned, includ- ing those in the distribution sector. 10. 2. 4. The ESC recommends the setting-up of a ‘European observatory to combat counterfeiting, piracy and other para- sitic acts’, operating in a network with all the organisations and associations concerned; it suggests pilot schemes to encourage projects on a European scale aimed at alerting and informing the public and training the authorities concerned. 10. 2. 5. The ESC stresses the urgent need to strengthen legal and police cooperation, in liaison with the organisations and Brussels, 24 February 1999. associations concerned. It considers that to combat organised large-scale counterfeiting and piracy effectively, the proper way, together with prevention, is to apply the law very strictly with the support of effective cooperation at European level. 10. 2. 6. The ESC thinks it would be wise to allow the organisations and associations concerned to sue on behalf of wronged firms, inventors or consumers. 10. 2. 7. The ESC feels that justice must be encouraged to apply the laws strictly, especially in the event of repeated offences and organised crime, and that complainants should not have to bear the cost of destroying illegally-manufactured goods. Appropriate ways for achieving this would be to provide specialist training for judges, set up special courts and extend the provisions concerning the Community trade mark to cover other areas of intellectual and industrial property. The ESC recommends that 10. 2. 8. the combating of counterfeiting, piracy and other forms of parasitism should be closely linked to the combating of undeclared work, tax avoidance and organised crime. Cooperation between auth- orities should be extended and strengthened through European training programmes involving and mobilising all the types of authority concerned. The President of the Economic and Social Committee Beatrice RANGONI MACHIAVELLI