title: Council Recommendation of 11 July 2017 on the 2017 National Reform Programme of Romania and delivering a Council opinion on the 2017 Convergence Programme of Romania

text:
               9.8.2017

               EN

               Official Journal of the European Union

               C 261/98

         COUNCIL RECOMMENDATION
   of 11 July 2017
   on the 2017 National Reform Programme of Romania and delivering a Council opinion on the 2017 Convergence Programme of Romania
   (2017/C 261/22)
   THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION,
   Having regard to the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union, and in particular Articles 121(2) and 148(4) thereof,
   Having regard to Council Regulation (EC) No 1466/97 of 7 July 1997 on the strengthening of the surveillance of budgetary positions and the surveillance and coordination of economic policies (1), and in particular Article 9(2) thereof,
   Having regard to the recommendation of the European Commission,
   Having regard to the resolutions of the European Parliament,
   Having regard to the conclusions of the European Council,
   Having regard to the opinion of the Employment Committee,
   Having regard to the opinion of the Economic and Financial Committee,
   Having regard to the opinion of the Social Protection Committee,
   Having regard to the opinion of the Economic Policy Committee,
   Whereas:

               (1)

               On 16 November 2016, the Commission adopted the Annual Growth Survey, marking the start of the 2017 European Semester for economic policy coordination. The priorities of the Annual Growth Survey were endorsed by the European Council on 9-10 March 2017. On 16 November 2016, on the basis of Regulation (EU) No 1176/2011 of the European Parliament and of the Council (2), the Commission adopted the Alert Mechanism Report, in which it did not identify Romania as one of the Member States for which an in-depth review would be carried out.

               (2)

               The 2017 country report for Romania was published on 22 February 2017. It assessed Romania’s progress in addressing the country-specific recommendations adopted by the Council on 12 July 2016, the follow-up given to the country-specific recommendations adopted in previous years and Romania’s progress towards its national Europe 2020 targets.

               (3)

               On 5 May 2017, Romania submitted its 2017 National Reform Programme and its 2017 Convergence Programme. In order to take account of their interlinkages, the two programmes have been assessed at the same time.

               (4)

               Relevant country-specific recommendations have been addressed in the programming of the European Structural and Investment Funds (ESI Funds) for the 2014-2020 period. As provided for in Article 23 of Regulation (EU) No 1303/2013 of the European Parliament and of the Council (3), where it is necessary to support the implementation of relevant Council recommendations, the Commission may request a Member State to review and propose amendments to its Partnership Agreement and relevant programmes. The Commission has provided further details on how it would make use of that provision in guidelines on the application of the measures linking effectiveness of the ESI Funds to sound economic governance.

               (5)

               Between 2009 and 2015, Romania benefited from three balance-of-payments assistance programmes jointly run by the Commission and the International Monetary Fund and supported by the World Bank. Disbursements were only made under the first programme in 2009-2011, while those in 2011-13 and 2013-15 were precautionary. Post-programme surveillance on behalf of the Commission to monitor Romania’s capacity to repay the loans granted under the first programme started in October 2015 and will continue until at least 70 % of the loan, which is due in spring 2018, has been repaid.

               (6)

               Romania is currently in the preventive arm of the Stability and Growth Pact. In its 2017 Convergence Programme, the Government plans a headline deficit of 2,9 % of GDP both in 2017 and 2018, and its gradual reduction thereafter, to 2,0 % of GDP by 2020. The medium-term budgetary objective, a structural deficit of 1 % of GDP, is not expected to be reached by 2020, which is the programme horizon. The recalculated (4) structural balance is expected to reach -2,6 % by 2020. According to the Convergence Programme, the general government debt-to-GDP ratio is expected to increase from 37,6 % of GDP in 2016 to 38,3 % of GDP in 2018 and then decline to 37,6 % of GDP in 2020. The macroeconomic scenario underpinning those budgetary projections is favourable. The main downward risk to the macroeconomic outlook stems from a lower impact of fiscal and structural measures on near- and medium-term growth prospects. At the same time, the measures needed to support the planned deficit targets have not been sufficiently specified. Moreover, the draft unified wage law poses a significant downward risk to the fiscal forecast.

               (7)

               On 12 July 2016, the Council recommended Romania to limit the deviation from the medium-term budgetary objective in 2016 and achieve an annual fiscal adjustment of 0,5 % of GDP in 2017 unless the medium-term budgetary objective is respected with a lower effort. Based on 2016 outturn data Romania was found to be in significant deviation from the medium-term budgetary objective. In line with Article 121(4) TFEU and Article 10(2) of Regulation (EC) No 1466/97, the Commission issued a warning to Romania on 22 May 2017 that a significant deviation from the medium-term budgetary objective was observed in 2016. On 16 June 2017, the Council adopted a subsequent Recommendation (5) confirming the need for Romania to take the necessary measures to ensure that the nominal growth rate of net primary government expenditure (6) does not exceed 3,3 % in 2017, corresponding to an annual structural adjustment of 0,5 % of GDP. Based on the Commission 2017 spring forecast, there is a risk of a significant deviation from the recommended adjustment in 2017.

               (8)

               In 2018, in the light of its fiscal situation, Romania is expected to further adjust towards its medium-term budgetary objective of a structural deficit of 1 % of GDP. According to the commonly agreed adjustment matrix under the Stability and Growth Pact, that adjustment translates into a requirement of a nominal growth rate of net primary government expenditure which does not exceed 4,3 %. It would correspond to a structural adjustment of 0,5 % of GDP. Under unchanged policies, there is a risk of a significant deviation from that requirement in 2018. In addition, the Commission 2017 spring forecast projected a general government deficit of 3,5 % and 3,7 % of GDP for 2017 and 2018, above the 3 %-of-GDP Treaty reference value. Overall, the Council is of the opinion that significant further measures will be needed as of 2017 to comply with the provisions of the Stability and Growth Pact, in light of a strongly deteriorating fiscal outlook, in line with the Recommendation addressed to Romania on 16 June 2017 with a view to correcting the significant deviation from the adjustment path toward the medium-term budgetary objective.

               (9)

               Romania’s fiscal framework is sound, but is not fully enforced. The 2016 budget substantially departed from the medium-term objective of a structural deficit of 1 % of GDP in breach of the deficit rule in the national fiscal framework. The 2017 budget further deviated from the national fiscal rules. In 2016, as in previous years, the Romanian authorities did not send an update of the fiscal strategy to the parliament by the statutory August deadline. As a result, the medium-term fiscal strategy has not been guiding the annual budget process.

               (10)

               On the back of comfortable capital buffers and increasing profitability, the health of the banking sector continued to improve in 2016. The Romanian authorities committed to perform a comprehensive asset quality review and stress test of the banking sector in 2018. The law on debt discharge entered into force in May 2016, but risks to the banking sector have been largely mitigated by a ruling of the constitutional court that courts will have to assess whether borrowers comply with the legal provisions on hardship. The CHF-denominated loan conversion law adopted by the parliament in October 2016 was recently judged non-constitutional. However, recurrent legislative initiatives continue to challenge legal predictability, with possible negative impacts on investor sentiment.

               (11)

               Tax evasion has been prevalent in Romania, reducing tax revenues and tax fairness and distorting the economy. In addressing a country-specific recommendation to strengthen tax compliance and collection, Romania has made limited progress. In 2016, the procedures for VAT registration and reimbursement were amended, and a nationwide roll-out of electronic cash registers connected to the tax authority is underway. From 2017, a special scheme applies to sectors such as the hotel, catering and other related industries, where the duty is established irrespective of revenue bracket. In addition, restrictions were also adopted on self-employment and family businesses, to discourage tax avoidance. An improvement in compliance was observed in 2016 for tax declarations and payments, but the joint tax and labour inspections and audits failed to achieve improved results. Furthermore, the turnover threshold for the tax regime on micro enterprises was substantially increased while the rate was cut, enabling tax compliance to the detriment of budgetary revenues. The sectorial and categorical approaches to business taxation risk imposing an administrative burden on both businesses and the tax authority, and are not conducive to improving tax collection.

               (12)

               The distribution of disposable household income (accounting for the size of the household) is particularly unequal in Romania, thereby impairing its potential for sustainable and inclusive growth. The richest 20 % of the population have an income over eight times higher than that of the poorest 20 %. This ratio is significantly higher than the Union average. Inequalities are driven to a large extent by unequal access to healthcare, education, services and the labour market. Moreover, the difference between income inequality before and after taxes and social transfers is amongst the smallest in the Union. The social reference index at the basis of the main social benefits has not been updated since its introduction in 2008. Undeclared work, including envelope wages, remains prevalent and continues to weigh on tax revenue, distort the economy, and undermine the fairness and effectiveness of the tax and benefits system. Joint national inspections by the Fiscal Administration and labour inspectorates were undertaken as part of a pilot project, but this has failed to have a systemic impact so far. Resources are not focused on sectors with the highest risks of tax evasion, limited focus is given to envelope wages, and coercive measures prevail over preventive ones.

               (13)

               Labour market outcomes improved in 2016, when the unemployment rate reached its pre-crisis low. The labour force continues to shrink, as the population is ageing and emigration remains high. Low unemployment is matched by one of the highest inactivity rates in the Union. Employment and activity rates for young people, women, the low-skilled, people with disabilities and Roma in particular are well below the Union average. The number of young people not in employment, education or training remains very high.

               (14)

               Although declining, the risk of poverty or social exclusion has been very high, in particular for families with children, people with disabilities, Roma, and the rural population. In 2016, a comprehensive anti-poverty package was adopted in a policy shift toward the enhanced provision of services catered to specific groups of the population. It envisages a pilot project setting up integrated services in marginalised communities. A nationwide roll-out would significantly improve the currently low provision of integrated services. Addressing successive country-specific recommendations, the law on the minimum inclusion income was adopted, to enter into force in 2018. The minimum inclusion income increases the adequacy and coverage of social assistance. It combines passive support with compulsory active labour market measures and inspections. Its activation potential is modest though, as the target is to reach 25 % of the beneficiaries by active labour market policy measures by 2021.

               (15)

               Activation policies have been strengthened in the context of reforming the National Employment Agency. Reforms include more tailor-made support and integrated services for jobseekers and employers. The outreach and service offered to young people not in employment, education or training is being improved. However, activation policies offered to groups furthest away from labour market remain limited and recently proposed activation measures no longer focus on these specific groups. Their scale and link to social services is insufficient to significantly improve labour force participation for these groups in particular.

               (16)

               Pension adequacy and old-age poverty have significant gender dimensions as, all else being equal, lower retirement ages for women result in lower pension entitlements. Romania is among the very few Member States that do not provide for the convergence of women’s retirement ages to men’s. The law on equalisation of pensionable ages for men and women was submitted to the parliament in 2013. So far it has only been adopted by the Senate.

               (17)

               Given productivity developments, income convergence and the competitiveness position of Romania, increases in public- and private-sector wages deserve special attention. Public-sector wage increases have the potential to spill over to the private sector, impacting Romania’s competitiveness. Romania’s minimum wage level, while still among the lowest in the Union, has increased significantly in recent years. Ad hoc minimum wage increases have significantly raised the share of workers earning the minimum wage and led to strong compression at the bottom of the wage distribution recently. Addressing a country-specific recommendation, a tripartite working group to establish a mechanism for minimum wage-setting based on objective economic, labour market and social criteria was established in early 2016 but work suffered significant delays and needs to be adequately taken up. Social dialogue remains characterised by low collective bargaining at sector level and by institutional weaknesses that limit the effectiveness of reforms.

               (18)

               Sufficient basic skills are key to finding and keeping good and stable jobs and successfully participating in economic and social life. International surveys point to severe deficiencies in basic skills among Romanian teenagers. High early school leaving rates, low higher-education attainment and high emigration result in the under-supply of skilled labour. Access to quality mainstream education is limited in rural areas and for Roma children in particular. The difficulty to attract good teachers in rural areas and Roma-predominant schools, coupled with segregation and often discriminatory attitudes, result in lower educational achievement of Roma children. In response to repeated country-specific recommendations, Romania adopted and started implementing a strategy on early school leaving. Recent measures include integrated interventions, a warm-meal pilot programme, improved reimbursement of commuting costs, and social vouchers to encourage poor children’s pre-school education. Project-based measures with Union funding to improve the quality of teaching in disadvantaged schools are planned for autumn 2017, and the modernisation of the curricula, albeit incomplete, is underway. Anti-segregation legislation was improved, including the reinforcement of school inspectorates’ mandate in this area. However, a monitoring methodology is still missing. Further steps are needed for sustained progress in fighting socioeconomic inequalities in education. The Youth Guarantee has only partially reached early school leavers so far and second-chance programmes are not readily available. The vocational education and training system is not sufficiently aligned with labour market needs, and participation in adult learning is very low.

               (19)

               Romania’s population is exposed to poor health outcomes. Accessible quality healthcare is impaired by shortages of health professionals, under-funding and over-reliance on hospitals, and corruption, affecting people with low income and rural areas in particular. Beside informal payments to medical professionals, corruption concerns public procurement in hospitals, insurance fraud, and bribery for certificates giving entitlement to benefits. Addressing a country-specific recommendation and in the context of ex-ante conditionality for the 2014-2020 Union funding period, Romania took some policy action to shift from inpatient to outpatient care. Regional healthcare plans were developed to identify needs for infrastructure and services, and the implementation of the national health strategy is being monitored. In line with the national anti-corruption strategy 2016-2020, legislation was adopted to revamp the feedback system on informal payments, and health professionals’ salaries were improved. The anti-corruption strategy comprises comprehensive measures in healthcare, including fostering the accountability and transparent recruitment of hospital managers. Nonetheless, the reinforcement of community care, ambulatory care and referral systems is still at an initial stage, informal payments remain prevalent, transparency in hospital management is yet to be ensured, and a national health workforce strategy is pending adoption.

               (20)

               Romania’s administrative and policy-making capacity has been suffering from opaque processes and decision-making, burdensome administrative procedures, little recourse to quality evidence, weak coordination across sectorial policies, and widespread corruption. Progress in public administration reform has been limited. Organisational structures remain unstable, which affects the independence and effectiveness of public administration. Civil service strategies were launched in 2016, but the legislative framework does not yet incorporate some of their main objectives, especially as regards objective criteria for staff recruitment, assessment and reward of performance. Pay levels are proposed to be harmonised to some extent, but there is no clear link between performance and remuneration at central and local levels. The capacity and authority of the National Agency of Civil Servants still needs to be strengthened. Some of the transparency measures in policy making, initiated in 2016, have been set for reversion. Strategic planning and regulatory impact assessment are not firmly established in administrative practice.

               (21)

               Insufficient transport infrastructure in quality and quantity has been among the key bottlenecks to economic development in Romania. To confront the associated deficiencies, in response to a country-specific recommendation, Romania adopted the transport master plan in autumn 2016. To speed up investment in road infrastructure, the management of infrastructure investments was split from the authority in charge of infrastructure administration. A body was established in 2016 to reform the railway system, to be operational by mid-2017.

               (22)

               Romania has had one of the highest investment ratios in the Union lately. However, in 2016, public investment declined, also due to a low implementation of Union funds. High absorption and efficient use of Union funding are critical for Romania to tap its development potential, in key sectors such as transport or waste in particular. The quality of public investment has been impaired by management deficiencies and changing priorities, among other reasons. In response to a country-specific recommendation, little progress was made with strengthening project prioritisation and preparation in public investment. Since August 2016, ministries have been required to consider the investment priorities in their spending plans, but no other steps have been taken to enhance the role of the Ministry of Finance in investment prioritisation and to better coordinate the preparation of public investment projects across ministries. The adoption of the national waste management plan and waste prevention programme expected by the end of 2016 is still pending. The plans are also needed to improve governance and regulatory enforcement to channel national and Union funds to attain Union-level environmental standards.

               (23)

               Efficient public procurement is key for attaining strategic objectives and addressing key policy challenges to Romania, including efficient public spending, the modernisation of public administration, the fight against corruption, and fostering innovation and sustainable and inclusive growth. It is also instrumental to citizens’ trust in public authorities and democracy. Romania took steps to implement the public procurement strategy and action plan lately. As a follow-up to the public procurement law in force since May 2016, implementing legislation on public procurement and procurement in utilities sectors was adopted in June 2016, the secondary legislation on concession contracts was adopted by the end of 2016, and the national agenda for public procurement provides for corruption prevention and control. However, several key measures in the strategy are still pending, such as reinforced controls and other anti-corruption measures, the complete implementation of e-procurement, and the training of public procurement officers.

               (24)

               Over 45 % of Romania’s population live in rural areas, which remain far behind urban areas in terms of employment and education, access to services and infrastructure, and material well-being. In response to a country-specific recommendation to improve access to integrated public services, extend basic infrastructure and foster economic diversification in rural areas in particular, in 2016 Romania adopted a comprehensive set of measures on rural development, modernising small farms, supporting non-agricultural SMEs, investment in infrastructure, including social services and education, and formalising employment. Their longer-term success will hinge on the capacity to roll-out the pilot actions on a larger scale, and to effectively target and absorb available Union funding.

               (25)

               State-owned enterprises (SOEs) play a major role in the economy, in particular in key infrastructure sectors. Weaknesses in SOE governance translate into their lower profitability relative to private counterparts, with negative impacts on public finance. Addressing a country-specific recommendation, Romania achieved substantial progress to improve SOE corporate governance. The by-laws supporting the main legislation on SOE corporate governance were swiftly adopted in autumn 2016. The legislative framework follows good international practice on transparency in the appointment of board members and the management of SOEs, and provides the Ministry of Finance with specific powers of monitoring and enforcement. Measures were also taken to raise awareness of the new rules among local authorities, and budgetary information on SOEs was made public. However, delays in the appointment of professional managers raise concern with regard to further implementation.

               (26)

               Romania’s competitiveness has been suffering from weaknesses in non-cost competitiveness and structural barriers to the transition to a higher-value-added economy, complex administrative procedures being among these. Addressing a country-specific recommendation in 2016, Romania adopted several legislative acts to simplify administrative procedures and facilitate the relationship between citizens and public administration, albeit limited to a small number of procedures.

               (27)

               Corruption persists at all levels and remains an obstacle for doing business. Romania made substantial progress on much of the reform of the judicial system and in tackling high-level corruption. However, key steps remain to address concerns in these areas so that reforms are sustainable and irreversible. Some progress was made on developing further measures to prevent and fight corruption, in particular within local government, but significant challenges remain with regard to the effective implementation of the national anti-corruption strategy adopted in 2016. Efforts are required with regard to respect for judicial independence in Romania’s public life, finalising reforms of the criminal and civil codes and ensuring efficiency in the implementation of court decisions. Under the Cooperation and Verification Mechanism, Romania receives recommendations in the areas of judicial reform and the fight against corruption. These areas are therefore not covered in the country-specific recommendations for Romania.

               (28)

               In the context of the 2017 European Semester, the Commission has carried out a comprehensive analysis of Romania’s economic policy and published it in the 2017 country report. It has also assessed the 2017 Convergence Programme, the 2017 National Reform Programme and the follow-up given to the recommendations addressed to Romania in previous years. It has taken into account not only their relevance for sustainable fiscal and socioeconomic policy in Romania, but also their compliance with Union rules and guidance, given the need to strengthen the Union’s overall economic governance by providing Union-level input into future national decisions.

               (29)

               In the light of this assessment, the Council has examined the 2017 Convergence Programme and its opinion (7) is reflected in particular in recommendation (1) below,

         HEREBY RECOMMENDS that Romania take action in 2017 and 2018 to:

               1.

               In 2017, ensure compliance with the Council Recommendation of 16 June 2017 with a view to correcting the significant deviation from the adjustment path toward the medium-term budgetary objective. In 2018, pursue a substantial fiscal effort in line with the requirements of the preventive arm of the Stability and Growth Pact. Ensure the full application of the fiscal framework. Strengthen tax compliance and collection. Fight undeclared work, including by ensuring the systematic use of integrated controls.

               2.

               Strengthen targeted activation policies and integrated public services, focusing on those furthest away from the labour market. Adopt legislation equalising the pension age for men and women. Establish a transparent mechanism for minimum wage-setting, in consultation with social partners. Improve access to quality mainstream education, in particular for Roma and children in rural areas. In healthcare, shift to outpatient care and curb informal payments.

               3.

               Adopt legislation to ensure a professional and independent civil service, applying objective criteria. Strengthen project prioritisation and preparation in public investment. Ensure the timely full and sustainable implementation of the national public procurement strategy.

      Done at Brussels, 11 July 2017.

            For the Council

            The President

         T. TÕNISTE

      (1)  OJ L 209, 2.8.1997, p. 1.

      (2)  Regulation (EU) No 1176/2011 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 16 November 2011 on the prevention and correction of macroeconomic imbalances (OJ L 306, 23.11.2011, p. 25).

      (3)  Regulation (EU) No 1303/2013 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 17 December 2013 laying down common provisions on the European Regional Development Fund, the European Social Fund, the Cohesion Fund, the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development and the European Maritime and Fisheries Fund and laying down general provisions on the European Regional Development Fund, the European Social Fund, the Cohesion Fund and the European Maritime and Fisheries Fund and repealing Council Regulation (EC) No 1083/2006 (OJ L 347, 20.12.2013, p. 320).

      (4)  Cyclically-adjusted balance net of one-off and temporary measures, recalculated by the Commission using the commonly agreed methodology.

      (5)  Council Recommendation of 16 June 2017 with a view to correcting the significant observed deviation from the adjustment path toward the medium-term budgetary objective in Romania (OJ C 216, 6.7.2017, p. 1).

      (6)  Net government expenditure comprises total government expenditure excluding interest expenditure, expenditure on Union programmes fully matched by Union funds revenue and non-discretionary changes in unemployment benefit expenditure. Nationally financed gross fixed capital formation is smoothed over a 4-year period. Discretionary revenue measures or revenue increases mandated by law are factored in. One-off measures on both the revenue and expenditure sides are netted out.

      (7)  Under Article 9(2) of Regulation (EC) No 1466/97.


title: Recommendation for a COUNCIL REGULATION (EEC) on the system for guaranteeing the stabilization of earnings from certain commodities exported by the ACP States and the overseas countries and territories associated with the Community (submitted to the Council by the Commission)

text:
ARCHIVES HISTORIQUES
DE LA COMMISSION
COLLECTION RELIEE DES
DOCUMENTS "COM"
COM (80) 197
Vol. 1980/0060
 ---pagebreak--- Disclaimer
Conformément au règlement (CEE, Euratom) n° 354/83 du Conseil du 1er février 1983
concernant l'ouverture au public des archives historiques de la Communauté économique
européenne et de la Communauté européenne de l'énergie atomique (JO L 43 du 15.2.1983,
p. 1), tel que modifié par le règlement (CE, Euratom) n° 1700/2003 du 22 septembre 2003
(JO L 243 du 27.9.2003, p. 1), ce dossier est ouvert au public. Le cas échéant, les documents
classifiés présents dans ce dossier ont été déclassifiés conformément à l'article 5 dudit
règlement.
In accordance with Council Regulation (EEC, Euratom) No 354/83 of 1 February 1983
concerning the opening to the public of the historical archives of the European Economic
Community and the European Atomic Energy Community (OJ L 43, 15.2.1983, p. 1), as
amended by Regulation (EC, Euratom) No 1700/2003 of 22 September 2003 (OJ L 243,
27.9.2003, p. 1), this file is open to the public. Where necessary, classified documents in this
file have been declassified in conformity with Article 5 of the aforementioned regulation.
In Übereinstimmung mit der Verordnung (EWG, Euratom) Nr. 354/83 des Rates vom 1.
Februar 1983 über die Freigabe der historischen Archive der Europäischen
Wirtschaftsgemeinschaft und der Europäischen Atomgemeinschaft (ABI. L 43 vom 15.2.1983,
S. 1), geändert durch die Verordnung (EG, Euratom) Nr. 1700/2003 vom 22. September 2003
(ABI. L 243 vom 27.9.2003, S. 1), ist diese Datei der Öffentlichkeit zugänglich. Soweit
erforderlich, wurden die Verschlusssachen in dieser Datei in Übereinstimmung mit Artikel 5
der genannten Verordnung freigegeben.
 ---pagebreak---  COMMISSION OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES
                                                          COM(80)197 final
                                                          Brussels , 23 April 1980
                            Recommendation for a
                          COUNCIL REGULATION ( EEC )
on the system for guaranteeing the stabilization of earnings from
 certain commodities exported by the ACP States and the overseas
    countries and territories associated with the Community
                                                        ;
                                                        ,
                                                                  π
                                                                    - ^
               ( submitted to the CouncilCouncil by thé Commission)
C0M(8Q ) 197 final
 ---pagebreak---                            E X F 7. £ N A T O R Y  NOT E
Article 2i of the second Lome Convention takes over the provisions of the
first Convention concerning the system intended to guarantee the stabilisation
or export earnings for the ACP countries in regard to trade with the Corwiiunity
in certain basic commodities .
Hie list of these commodities is in Article 25 of the new Convention and ,   .
compared with the first Convention , contains seme new products .
It is also intended to introduce the same system in the context of the Association
of overseas countries and territories with the European Economic Community .
It is also laid down that the first year of application of the system is to be
                                                                    *
the Calendar year in which the Convention enters into force . The communication
of the statistical data by the Member States for the new products concerned must
therefore commence as from 1 January 1980 .
On the other hand it is necessary to list the ACP countries and the countries and
territories concerned .                                          '
The use of the statistical data , which is the basis of the stabilisation system ,
implies that the Member States must supply the services of the Commission vith
details of actual imports .
This is the subject of the annexed draft Regulation which is intended tc - replace
Council Regulation ( EEC ) No . 2478/77 of 7 November 1977 .
 ---pagebreak---                            Recommendation for a
                         COUNCIL REGULATION ( EEC )
 on the system for guaranteeing the stabilization of earnings from certain
 commodities exported by the ACP States and the overseas countries and
territories associated with the Community
THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES ,
Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Economic Community ,
and in particular Article 213 thereof ,
Having regard to the recommendation from the Commission ,
Whereas ACP-EEC Council of Ministers Decision No 1 / 80 of 18 January 1980
stipulates that the provisions concerning the system for the stabilization
of export earnings contained in Title II , Chapter 1 , of the ACP-EEC Lom6
Convention , signed on 28 February 1975 , shall remain in force after
1 March 1980 and until , at the latest , 31 December 1980 ;
                                           1
Whereas Council Decision No 80 / 162 / EEC   maintains in force after 1 March
1980 and until , at the latest , 31 December 1980 the provisions applicable
in the framework of Council Decision No 75 / 568 / EEC of 29 June 1976 on the
association of overseas countries and territories with the European
                    2
Economic Community ;
Whereas the second Lome Convention was signed in Lome on 31 October 1979 ,
and whereas Article 25 thereof establishes a list of products covered by
the system for the stabilization of export earnings provided for in
Title II , Chapter 1 thereof ;
Whereas it is necessary to adapt accordingly the notification system set
out in Council Regulation ( EEC ) No 2478/ 77"* so as to allow the Commission
to have the necessary data from 1 January 1980 with a view to the
introduction of this stabilization system ;
  0J No L 35 of 12.2.80 , p. 26
20J i-'o L 170 of 1.7.76, p. 8
30J No L 287, 11.11.77, p. 1
 ---pagebreak---                                               - 2
 1 'A - , TOFT5D V'" t ?          '"i _ 0N *
   ' rt:   9 1
    'ith effect from 1 February 1980 Member States shall before the end of each
 month forward to the Commission a statement of all the products listed in
 Annex I imported during the previous month :
*- from the ACP and other States listed in Annex II ,
 - from the countries and territories listed in Annex III .
 Article 2
 Hie statement referred to in Article 1 shall give details of all products :
- which are put into free circulation in the Member State concerned ,
- which are hrought under the inward processing arrangements for
 subseouent r a-expoi'tation in the form of compensating products .
Article 3
 The statement referred to in Article 1 shall show the country of or i ; . oi:
+: he products , according to the common geographical code in force , J _
quantities imported and the cif values of these imports , in the liatioi
 currencies of the Member States or in European units of account .
 Article 4
 Regulation ( EEC ) No c478 / 77 is hereby repealed .
 Article 5
         This Regulation shall enter into force on the third day following its
         publication in the Official Journal of the European Communities .
         Thus R..c - . ' ucion shall be binding in iuS entirety and directly applicable
         in all. M. -ffiber States .
         Done at Brussels ,                              For the Council
                                                         lite President
 ---pagebreak---                                  - 3 -
                                                               ANNEX I
                roforrpHVn in Article 1        Nunexe Cotte
 1 . Groundnuts , shelled or not               12.01-31 to 12.01-35
 2 . Groundnut oil                             15.07-7 1! and 15.07-87
 3 . Cocoa beans                   .      ,    18.01-00
 4 . Cocoa paste                               18.03-10 tó 18.03-30'
 5 . Cocoa butter                              18.04-00
 6 . Raw or roasted coffee        ■            09.01-11 to 09.01-17
 7 . Extracts , essences or
     concentrates of coffee                 * 21.02-11 to 21.02-15
 8 . Cotton , not carded or ^
     combed ,                  .               55.01-10 to 55.01-90
 9 . Cotton linters                            55.02-10 to 55.02-90
10 . Coconuts                                  08.01-71 to 08.01-75
11 . Copra                                      12.01-42
12 . Coconut oil                                15.07-29 , 15.07-77 and
                                              . 15.07-92
13 . Palm oil                                   15.07-19 , 15.07-61 and
                                                15.07-63
14 . Palm nut and kernel oil                    15*07-31 , 15.07-78 and
                                                15.07-93
                             t
15 . Palm nuts and kernels                      12.01-44
16 . Raw hides and skins                        III . 01-11 to 41.01-95
17 . Bovine cattle leather                  " III . 02-05 to 41.02-98 -
18 . Sheep and lamb skin leather                III . 03-10 to III . 03-99
19 . Goat and kid skin leather                  41.04-10 to 41.04-99
20 . Wood in the rough                          44.03-20 to ^4 . 03-99
21 . Wood roughly squared or half-                       , -
      squared , but not further '                v
     manufactured                               44.04-20 to 44.04-98
22 . Wood sawn lengthwise , but                  .
     not further prepared ..                    44.05-10 to I|I|. 05-79
23 . Fresh bananas                              08.01-31
2m . Tea                                        09.02-10 to 09.02-90
25 . R?w sisal '                       *'       57.04-10
26 , Van ;. lia                      •          09.05-00
d . Cleve3 - whole fruit ,
      cloves and stems                          09.07-00
 ---pagebreak---                                       - 4 -
 28 . Sheep 's or lambs' wool ,
         not carded or combed                 53.01-10 to 53.01-iiO
 29 . Fine animal hair of Angora
         goats - mohair                       53.02-95
 30 . Gum arabic                              13.02-91
31 . Pyrethrum - flowers ,
        leaves , stems , peel and . roots ;
        saps and extracts from '       .
        pyrethrum                            12.07-10 and 13*03-15
32 . Essential oils , not terpene-
        less , of cloves , of niaouli
        and of ylang-ylang                   33.01-23
33 • Sesame seed                             12.01-68 .
      /
34 . Cashew nuts and kernels                 08.01-77
35 - Pepper                                  09.04-11 and , 0.9 i 04-70
36 . Shrimps and prawns                      03.03-13
37 . Squid                                   03.03-68
38 . Cotton seeds                           ex 12.01-98
39 . Oil-cake                                23.01-01 to 23.04-99
40 . Rubber                                  10.01-20 to 10.01-60
*51 . Peas                                   07.01-41 to 07.01-43 ,
                                             07.05-11 , 07.05-19 and"07.05-6 ;
* 2 . Beans                                  O7 . OI - 45 to 07.01-17 ,
                                             07.05-25 and 07.05-65
43 . Lentils                                 07>0^30 and 07.05-70
41 . Iron ore ( ores , concentrates ,
        and roasted iron pyrites )           26:01-12 t^26 . 01-18\
                                               -  ■
                                                             x
 ---pagebreak---                                        - 5 -               ANNEX II
                ,   ACP and other States referred to in Article 1
African States :       '  4
Mauritania , Mali , Upper Volta , Niger , Senegal , Ivory Coast , Ibgo , Ben in
Cameroon , Chad , Central Africa, Gabon , Congo , Rwanda , Burundi , Somalia ,
 Zaire , Kenya , Uganda, Tanzania, Botswana, Lesotho , • Swaziland, Gambia ,
Giana , Malawi , Nigeria, Sierra Leone , . Zairbia, Ethiopia , Guinea , Equatorial
Guinea , Guinea-Bissau, Liberia, Sudan, Capè Verde , Sao Tome acid Principe,
 Diibouti .
Caribbean States :
Barbados , Guyana, Jamaica, Bahamas , Grenada, Trinidad and Tobago , Surinam,
Dominica , St . Lucia . St . Vincent .                                    -
       -                                          ■ *   .
Pacific States :                                           •
         .                                            *
Fiji , Western Samoa , Tonga, Papua New Guinea, Tuvalu , Kiribati , Solomon
Islands .                               ■
           » ' *  '                           »
Indian Ocean States :             -
Madagascar, Mauritius , the Comoros , Seychelles ., .              '
 ---pagebreak---                                                                 ANNEX III
                     Countries and territories referred to in Article 1
       Overseas countries of the Kingdom of the Netherlands : '
       - Netherlands Antilles ( Aruba , Bonaire , Curasao and St. Martin , Saba ,
          St. Eustasius).' ■                                    .      -
.      Overseas territories of the French Republic :                      i
                                                       ,    4
      - New Caledonia and dependencies ,
      - Wallis and Futuna Islands ,                     •
      - French Polynesia ,
      - French Southern and Antarctic Territories .
  •     Collective territory of the French Republic
       Mavotte
   Overseas countries and terr itories of the United Kingdom of Great Britain
   ar>d Northern Ireland i          ■                         ,
   - Belize ,
   - Brunei ,                                        .    "
   - Associated States ,of the Caribbean (Antigua ,
     St. Christopher , Nevis and Amuill$ ),
                                                 "                   ^
   - Cayman Islands ,
   - Talki&nd Islands         dependencies ,
   - Turks and Càioos Islands ,
   - British Virg: r, Islands , ■
    - Monserrat ,                           .
    - Pitcairn .
   - St. Hex<?~a and dependencies , .
   - Sritis Antarctic territory ,                                             '
   - licitJ      Indian Ocean territory .
   Anglo- ^cencft Condominium of th© New Hebridea .


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31985H0248

85/248/EEC: Council recommendation of 22 April 1985 concerning the discharge to be given to the Commission in respect of the implementation of the operations of the European Development Fund (1975) (Fourth EDF) for the financial year 1983

Official Journal L 112 , 25/04/1985 P. 0054 - 0054

*****COUNCIL  RECOMMENDATION  of 22 April 1985  concerning the discharge to be given to the Commission in respect of the implementation of the operations of the European Development Fund (1975) (Fourth EDF) for the financial year 1983  (85/248/EEC)  THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN  COMMUNITIES,  Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Economic Community, and in particular Article 206b thereof,  Having regard to the ACP-EEC Convention of Lomé, signed on 28 February 1975,  Having regard to Council Decision 76/568/EEC of 29 June 1976 on the association of the overseas countries and territories with the European Economic Community (1),  Having regard to the Internal Agreement on the financing and administration of Community aid (2), signed on 11 July 1975, and in particular Article 31 (3) thereof,  Having regard to the Financial Regulation of 27 July 1976 applicable to the Fourth European Development Fund (3), and in particular Articles 64 to 67 thereof,  Having examined the revenue and expenditure account and the balance sheet relating to the operations of the European Development Fund (1975) (Fourth EDF) as at 31 December 1983 and the Court of Auditors' report relating to the financial year 1983 together with the Commission's replies (4),  Whereas, pursuant to Article 31 (3) of the Internal Agreement, the discharge for the management of the European Development Fund (1975) (Fourth EDF) must be given to the Commission according to the procedure provided for in Article 206 of the Treaty;  Whereas the overall implementation by the Commission of the operations of the European Development Fund (1975) (Fourth EDF) during the financial year 1983 has been satisfactory,  RECOMMENDS:  that the European Parliament give the Commission a discharge in respect of the implementation of the operations of the European Development Fund (1975) (Fourth EDF) for the financial year 1983.  Done at Brussels, 22 April 1985.  For the Council  The President  F. M. PANDOLFI  (1) OJ No L 176, 1. 7. 1976, p. 8.  (2) OJ No L 25, 30. 1. 1976, p. 168.  (3) OJ No L 229, 20. 8. 1976, p. 9.  (4) OJ No C 348, 31. 12. 1984, p. 121, 240.


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31998H0477

98/477/EC: Commission Recommendation of 22 July 1998 concerning information necessary to support applications for the evaluation of the epidemiological status of countries with respect to transmissible spongiform encephalopathies (notified under document number C(1998) 2268) (Text with EEA relevance)

Official Journal L 212 , 30/07/1998 P. 0058 - 0061

COMMISSION RECOMMENDATION of 22 July 1998 concerning information necessary to support applications for the evaluation of the epidemiological status of countries with respect to transmissible spongiform encephalopathies (notified under document number C(1998) 2268) (Text with EEA relevance) (98/477/EC)THE COMMISSION OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES,Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Community, and in particular Article 155 thereof,1. Whereas new information has been published in the United Kingdom further supporting the hypothesis that exposure to the bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE) agent is linked to the new variant of Creutzfeldt Jacob disease in humans; whereas on 16 September 1997 the Spongiform Encephalopathy Advisory Committee of the United Kingdom concluded that recent research provided compelling new evidence that the agent which causes BSE is identical to the agent which causes the new variant of CJD in humans; whereas on 18 September 1997 the Advisory Committee on Dangerous Pathogens concluded that the BSE agent should now be classified as a human pathogen; whereas on 26 November 1997 the Commission adopted Directive 97/65/EC which classified the BSE and other animal TSE agents in the same group of risk as the human pathogen causing CJD;2. Whereas the Council on 31 March 1998 invited the Commission to submit an appropriate proposal in the field of specified risk material after the conclusions of the World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE) session in May 1998; whereas the Commission reconfirmed its intention to elaborate a wider Community proposal on the basis of Article 100A, involving both the Council and the European Parliament; whereas Chapter 3.2.13 of the OIE code on BSE recommends to take account of the epidemiological status when importing from a country or a zone;3. Whereas a risk assessment based on accepted scientific methodology may show that there is a significantly higher risk of exposure of animals or humans to transmissible spongiform encephalopathies (TSEs) in certain countries; whereas a thorough epidemiological evaluation conducted to common standards through a Community procedure will give the necessary information about the status of each country;4. Whereas the Scientific Steering Committee (SSC), in its opinion of 23 January 1998, has established the list of factors determining the geographical risk in a given geographical zone; whereas the SSC, in its opinion of 19 and 20 February 1998, has established the contents of a complete dossier of epidemiological status with respect to TSEs;5. Whereas the task of countries in preparing an application for recognition of the epidemiological status of countries with respect to TSEs will be facilitated when information is presented according to the above scientific opinion; whereas the evaluation of those applications will be facilitated when such data are presented according to the above scientific opinion;6. Whereas the Commission will base its approach concerning the epidemiological status on the opinion of the SSC; whereas, therefore, the Commission encourages countries to submit a dossier according to this recommendation,HEREBY RECOMMENDS THAT:1. Member States are invited to submit as soon as possible, and preferably before 1 October 1998, an application for recognition of their epidemiological status with respect to TSEs, in at least one of the official languages of the Community.2. Member States should ensure that supporting documents accompanying the application are prepared and presented in accordance with the recommendations set out in the Annex.3. All the applications and requests for additional information should be addressed to:European CommissionDirectorate-General for Consumer Policy and Consumer Health ProtectionDG XXIV/B.1,Rue de la Loi/Wetstraat 200,B-1049 Brussels.Tel. (32-2)295 39 62, fax (32-2)299 63 01,e-mail: tse-status@dg24.cec.be4. The possibilities foreseen by this recommendation shall also be open to non-member countries.5. The Commission services will ensure evaluation of the dossiers and will ask the Scientific Steering Committee to give an opinion on all applications.For the CommissionFranz FISCHLERMember of the CommissionANNEX Information to be submitted in support of an application for recognition of epidemiological status All data must be provided on an annual basis and preferably from 1980 onwards, but at least from 1988.Applicant States must make every effort to provide comprehensive and consistent information. Data, which are not provided or are regarded as incomplete or as unsatisfactory, may have to be replaced by worst-case assumption for the purposes of a risk assessment.Information must be provided on 1. Structure and dynamics of the bovine, ovine and caprine animal populations (a) absolute numbers of animals per species and breed, alive and at time of slaughter;(b) age distributions of animals per species and breed, sex and type;(c) age distribution of animals per species and breed, sex and type at time of slaughter;(d) geographical distribution of the animals by species and breeds;(e) geographical distribution of the animals by husbandry systems, herd sizes and production purposes;(f) system of identification and capacities for tracing of animals.2. Animal trade (a) imports and exports;(b) trade within the geographical area;(c) imports of embryos and semen;(d) use made of imported animals, embryos or semen;(e) mechanisms used by slaughterhouses to identify animals and their origins, as well as data from these procedures.3. Animal feed (a) domestic production of meat and bone meal (MBM), and its use per species and husbandry system (in particular the proportion of the domestically produced MBM fed to bovine, ovine and caprine animals);(b) imports of MBM, specifying country of origin, and its use per species and husbandry system (in particular the proportion of that MBM fed to bovine, ovine and caprine animals);(c) exported MBM, specifying country of destination.4. Meat and bone meal (MBM) bans (a) complete description;(b) dates of introduction;(c) actual implementation, policing and compliance figures;(d) possibilities of cross-contamination with other feed.5. Specified bovine offal (SBO) and specified risk materials (SRM) bans (a) complete description;(b) dates of introduction;(c) actual implementation, policing and compliance figures.6. Surveillance of TSE, with particular reference to BSE and scrapie (a) incidence of laboratory confirmed cases of BSE and scrapie;(b) age distribution, geographical distribution, and countries of origin of cases;(c) incidence of neurological disorders in which TSE could not be excluded on clinical grounds in any animal species;(d) methodologies and programmes of surveillance and recording of clinical cases of BSE and scrapie, including awareness training for farmers, veterinarians, supervisory bodies and authorities;(e) incentives for reporting cases, compensation and reward schemes;(f) methodologies of laboratory confirmation and recording of suspect cases of BSE and scrapie;(g) strains of BSE and scrapie agents possibly involved;(h) existing systems or current plans for targeted active surveillance.7. Rendering and feed processing (a) all rendering and feed processing systems used;(b) nature of the records of rendering and processing plants;(c) quantitative and qualitative parameters of MBM and tallow production by each of the processing systems;(d) the geographical areas from which the rendered materials originate;(e) the type of raw material used;(f) parameters on separate processing lines for materials from healthy and suspected animals;(g) transport and storage systems for MBM or feed containing MBM.8. BSE or scrapie related culling (a) culling criteria;(b) date of introduction of the culling scheme and of any subsequent modification;(c) animals culled (details as specified in point 1);(d) sizes of herds in which animals were culled.


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31977H0243

77/243/EEC: Commission Recommendation of 16 March 1977 addressed to the Government of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in respect of a draft law implementing certain provisions of Council Directive 74/561/EEC

Official Journal L 077 , 25/03/1977 P. 0043 - 0044

COMMISSION RECOMMENDATION of 16 March 1977 addressed to the Government of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in respect of a draft law implementing certain provisions of Council Directive 74/561/EEC (77/243/EEC) By letter dated 22 October 1976, the Office of the Permanent Representative of the Netherlands to the European Communities notified to the Commission, for consultation, the text of a draft law on the application of the Council Directive 74/561/EEC of 12 November 1974 on admission to the occupation of road haulage operator in national and international transport operations (1).  This notification was made in accordance with Article 7 (1) of the Directive, which states : "Member States, shall, after consulting the Commission and before 1 January 1977, adopt the measures necessary for the implementation of this Directive, in particular Article 3 (4) thereof."  As regards the draft law in question, the Commission makes the following recommendation:    1. The Commission finds that, in principle, the draft law of the Netherlands Government - subject to approval of the implementing measures still to be taken - complies with the stipulations of Article 7 (1) as regards:      (a) the principle of good repute (Article 3 (1));           (b) the determination of those persons who, depending on the case, must comply with the conditions laid down in Article 3 (1) (Article 3 (1), second and third subparagraphs);           (c) withdrawal by the appropriate authorities, under Article 6 (2), of the authorization to pursue the occupation of road haulage operator if they establish that the provisions of Article 3 (1) (a) (b) or (c) are no longer satisfied.                  2. Similarly, the Commission notes that the conditions of financial standing and professional competence as provided for in Article 3 of the Directive, and the procedures whereby the applicant must satisfy them, are already the subject of provisions of law applied in the Netherlands.  However, the Commission would remind the Netherlands Government that under Article 3 (4) the skills and knowledge to be taken into consideration for establishing professional competence must cover at least the subjects listed in the Annex to the Directive.  As the Commission has not been informed of the curricula at present laid down in the Netherlands, it recommends to the Netherlands Government that it communicate them to the Commission for consultation.       3. The Commission also notes that the new Article 56 (1) empowers the Minister to grant, in particular cases to be defined by means of public administrative regulation, dispensations regarding professional competence alone. It appears from the explanatory memorandum to the draft law that the sole purpose of this provision is to implement Article 4 (2) of the Directive. However, the Commission would draw the attention of the Netherlands Government to Article 4 (1), which reads as follows:  "Member States shall determine the circumstances in which a road haulage undertaking may, by way of derogation from Article 3 (1), be operated on a temporary basis for a maximum period of one year, with extension for a maximum period of six months, in duly justified special cases in the event of the death or physical or legal incapacity of the natural person engaged in the occupation of transport operator or of the natural person who satisfies the provisions of Article 3 (1) (a) and (c)."  The Commission therefore recommends to the Netherlands Government that it broaden the wording of the last sentence of Article 56 (1) to take account of the cases referred to in Article 4 (1) of the Directive. Furthermore, the Commission would remind the Netherlands Government that subsequent implementing orders, in so far as they constitute implementing measures required for putting the Directive into effect, must also- be notified to the Commission for consultation, in accordance with Article 7 (1) of the Directive.       4. The Commission notes that current regulations in the Netherlands on the carriage of goods by road comply with the stipulations of Article 6 (1) and (3), as regards both the obligation to state the grounds for decisions to reject an application for authorization, and the possibility for the persons concerned to defend their interests by appropriate means in respect of the decisions referred to in Article 6 (1) and (2).   (1) OJ No L 308, 19.11.1974, p. 18.        5. Finally, the transitional provisions provided for in Article II of the Netherlands draft law broadly comply with Article 5 of the Directive. However, the Commission would draw the attention of the Netherlands Government to the fact that Article 5 (1) and (2), first subparagraph, stipulate that 1 January 1978 is the date of expiry of the period of application of the transitional provisions.  Since Article II of the draft law refers only to the date of entry into force of the law, the Commission recommends to the Netherlands Government that it take steps to ensure that the time limit laid down by Article 5 of the Directive (1 January 1978) is respected.  Done at Brussels, 16 March 1977.  For the Commission  Richard BURKE  Member of the Commission


title: Council Recommendation of 12 July 2016 on the 2016 National Reform Programme of Denmark and delivering a Council opinion on the 2016 Convergence Programme of Denmark

text:
               18.8.2016

               EN

               Official Journal of the European Union

               C 299/87

         COUNCIL RECOMMENDATION
   of 12 July 2016
   on the 2016 National Reform Programme of Denmark and delivering a Council opinion on the 2016 Convergence Programme of Denmark
   (2016/C 299/21)
   THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION,
   Having regard to the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union, and in particular Articles 121(2) and 148(4) thereof,
   Having regard to Council Regulation (EC) No 1466/97 of 7 July 1997 on the strengthening of the surveillance of budgetary positions and the surveillance and coordination of economic policies (1), and in particular Article 9(2) thereof,
   Having regard to the recommendation of the European Commission,
   Having regard to the resolutions of the European Parliament,
   Having regard to the conclusions of the European Council,
   Having regard to the opinion of the Employment Committee,
   Having regard to the opinion of the Economic and Financial Committee,
   Having regard to the opinion of the Social Protection Committee,
   Having regard to the opinion of the Economic Policy Committee,
   Whereas:

               (1)

               On 26 November 2015, the Commission adopted the Annual Growth Survey marking the start of the 2016 European Semester for economic policy coordination. The priorities of the Annual Growth Survey were endorsed by the European Council on 17-18 March 2016. On 26 November 2015, on the basis of Regulation (EU) No 1176/2011 of the European Parliament and of the Council (2), the Commission adopted the Alert Mechanism Report in which it did not identify Denmark as one of the Member States for which an in-depth review would be carried out.

               (2)

               The 2016 country report for Denmark was published on 26 February 2016. It assessed Denmark's progress in addressing the country-specific recommendations adopted by the Council on 14 July 2015 and Denmark's progress towards its national Europe 2020 targets.

               (3)

               On 26 April 2016, Denmark submitted its 2016 National Reform Programme and its 2016 Convergence Programme. In order to take account of their interlinkages, the two programmes have been assessed at the same time.

               (4)

               Relevant country-specific recommendations have been addressed in the programming of the European Structural and Investment Funds for the 2014-2020 period. As foreseen in Article 23 of Regulation (EU) No 1303/2013 of the European Parliament and of the Council (3), where it is necessary to support the implementation of relevant Council recommendations, the Commission may request a Member State to review and propose amendments to its Partnership Agreement and relevant programmes. The Commission has provided further details on how it would make use of this provision in guidelines on the application of the measures linking effectiveness of the European Structural and Investment Funds to sound economic governance.

               (5)

               Denmark is currently in the preventive arm of the Stability and Growth Pact. In its 2016 Convergence Programme, the Government plans an improvement in the headline balance, reaching a balanced budget in 2020. The medium-term budgetary objective — a deficit of 0,5 % of GDP in structural terms — is projected to be achieved in 2016. According to the Convergence Programme, the government debt-to-GDP ratio is expected to reach 35,1 % in 2020. The macroeconomic scenario underpinning these budgetary projections is plausible. Based on the Commission 2016 spring forecast, Denmark is forecast to comply with the recommended fiscal adjustment in 2016 and 2017. Based on its assessment of the Convergence Programme and taking into account the Commission 2016 spring forecast, the Council is of the opinion that Denmark is expected to comply with the provisions of the Stability and Growth Pact.

               (6)

               Ensuring labour supply as the population ages is a precondition for sustainable growth in Denmark. A series of substantial labour market reforms in recent years aim particularly at increasing work incentives and improving the efficiency of active labour market policies. These reforms could contribute to achieving Denmark's Europe 2020 employment target and to the sustainability of the Danish welfare model. However, the national Europe 2020 target for social inclusion, aiming at reducing the number of people living in very low work intensity households, is far from being achieved. Labour market inclusion and improving the employability of disadvantaged groups remain a challenge. This particularly applies to people with a non-EU migrant background, including those who have resided in Denmark for a long time, and young people with low educational attainment. The job-integration measures agreed in the 2016 tripartite negotiations could improve the situation for newly arrived refugees and migrants. However, further measures should still be taken to include other marginalised groups in the labour market more effectively.

               (7)

               To maintain the relatively high level of welfare provided in Denmark, improved productivity growth is essential. However, productivity growth has been sluggish during the past two decades. One of the contributing factors identified is the continued lack of competition in the domestic services sector, in particular in retail and construction. Denmark therefore needs to increase efforts to improve productivity in the construction sector by removing barriers and ensuring proportionate authorisation schemes where such schemes are considered necessary. It also needs to ease the restrictions on retail establishments, in particular by implementing the reforms outlined by the Government.

               (8)

               The overall investment level in Denmark has been low since a sharp drop in private investments during the economic crisis. This partly reflects low residential investment following the burst of the housing bubble and idle capacity in the corporate sector. Boosting investment would help Denmark strengthen economic growth and increase productivity. Barriers to investment have been identified in the services sector and research. The retail and construction sectors are facing barriers to entry, which in return affect competition and productivity growth. Efforts to turn university research results into business innovations could be strengthened.

               (9)

               In the context of the European Semester, the Commission has carried out a comprehensive analysis of Denmark's economic policy and published it in the 2016 country report. It has also assessed the Convergence Programme and the National Reform Programme and the follow-up given to the recommendations addressed to Denmark in previous years. It has taken into account not only their relevance for sustainable fiscal and socioeconomic policy in Denmark but also their compliance with EU rules and guidance, given the need to strengthen the EU's overall economic governance by providing EU-level input into future national decisions. The recommendations under the European Semester are reflected in recommendations (1) and (2) below.

               (10)

               In the light of this assessment, the Council has examined the Convergence Programme, and its opinion (4) is reflected in particular in recommendation (1) below.

         HEREBY RECOMMENDS that Denmark take action in 2016 and 2017 to:

               1.

               Respect the medium-term budgetary objective in 2016 and achieve an annual fiscal adjustment of 0,25 % of GDP towards the medium-term budgetary objective in 2017.

               2.

               Enhance productivity and private sector investment by increasing competition in the domestic services sector, in particular by facilitating market entry in retail and construction. Incentivise the cooperation between businesses and universities.

      Done at Brussels, 12 July 2016.

            For the Council

            The President

         P. KAŽIMÍR

      (1)  OJ L 209, 2.8.1997, p. 1.

      (2)  Regulation (EU) No 1176/2011 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 16 November 2011 on the prevention and correction of macroeconomic imbalances (OJ L 306, 23.11.2011, p. 25).

      (3)  Regulation (EU) No 1303/2013 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 17 December 2013 laying down common provisions on the European Regional Development Fund, the European Social Fund, the Cohesion Fund, the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development and the European Maritime and Fisheries Fund and laying down general provisions on the European Regional Development Fund, the European Social Fund, the Cohesion Fund and the European Maritime and Fisheries Fund and repealing Council Regulation (EC) No 1083/2006 (OJ L 347, 20.12.2013, p. 320).

      (4)  Under Article 9(2) of Regulation (EC) No 1466/97.


title: Council Recommendation of 4 October 2011 on the appointment of a member of the Executive Board of the European Central Bank

text:
               11.10.2011

               EN

               Official Journal of the European Union

               L 265/29

         COUNCIL RECOMMENDATION
   of 4 October 2011
   on the appointment of a member of the Executive Board of the European Central Bank
   (2011/669/EU)
   THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION,
   Having regard to the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union, and in particular Article 283(2) thereof,
   Having regard to the Protocol on the Statute of the European System of Central Banks and of the European Central Bank, and in particular Article 11.2 thereof,
   HEREBY RECOMMENDS TO THE EUROPEAN COUNCIL:
   To appoint Mr Jörg ASMUSSEN as member of the Executive Board of the European Central Bank for a term of office of 8 years.

      Done at Luxembourg, 4 October 2011.

            For the Council

            The President

         J. VINCENT-ROSTOWSKI


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31994H0183

COUNCIL RECOMMENDATION of 21 March 1994 concerning the discharge to be given to the Commission in respect of the implementation of the operations of the European Development Fund (1989) (Seventh EDF) for the financial year 1992

Official Journal L 084 , 29/03/1994 P. 0047 - 0047

COUNCIL RECOMMENDATION of 21 March 1994 concerning the discharge to be given to the Commission in respect of the implementation of the operations of the European Development Fund (1989) (Seventh EDF) for the financial year 1992 (94/183/EC)THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION,  Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Community, and in particular Article 206 thereof,  Having regard to the Fourth ACP-EEC Convention, signed at Lomé on 15 December 1989,  Having regard to Council Decision 91/482/EEC of 25 July 1991 on the association of the overseas countries and territories with the European Economic Community (1),  Having regard to the Internal Agreement on the financing and administration of Community aid (2), signed in Brussels on 16 July 1990, and in particular Article 33 (3) thereof,  Having regard to the Financial Regulation of 29 July 1991 applicable to the Seventh European Development Fund (3), and in particular Articles 69 to 77 thereof,  Having examined the revenue and expenditure account and the balance sheet relating to the operations of the European Development Fund (1989) (Seventh EDF) as at 31 December 1992 and the Court of Auditors' report relating to the financial year 1992  together with the Commission's replies (4),  Whereas, pursuant to Article 33 (3) of the Internal Agreement, the discharge for the management of the European Development Fund (1989) (Seventh EDF) must be given to the Commission by the European Parliament on a recommendation from the Council;  Whereas the overall implementation by the Commission of the operations of the European Development Fund (1989) (Seventh EDF) during the financial year 1992 has been satisfactory,  HEREBY RECOMMENDSthat the European Parliament give the Commission a discharge in respect of the implementation of the operations of the European Development Fund (1989) (Seventh EDF) for the financial year 1992.  Done at Brussels, 21 March 1994.  For the Council The President Y. PAPANTONIOU  (1) OJ No L 263, 19. 9. 1991, p. 1.  (2) OJ No L 229, 17. 8. 1991, p. 288.  (3) OJ No L 266, 21. 9. 1991, p. 1.  (4) OJ No C 309, 16. 11. 1993, pp. 231-254 and 353-360.


				|

		52013DC0394

			Recommendation for a COUNCIL RECOMMENDATION with a view to bringing an end to the situation of an excessive government deficit in Portugal /* COM/2013/0394 final */

			   	Recommendation for a
COUNCIL RECOMMENDATION
with a view to bringing an end to the
situation of an excessive government deficit in Portugal
THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION,
Having regard to the
Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union, and in particular Article
126(7) thereof,
Having regard to the
recommendation from the European Commission,
Whereas:
(1)       According to Article 126
of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union
(TFEU) Member States are to avoid excessive government
deficits.
(2)       The Stability and Growth
Pact is based on the objective of sound government finances as a means of
strengthening the conditions for price stability and for strong sustainable
growth conducive to employment creation.
(3)       On
2 December 2009, the Council decided, in accordance with Article 126(6) of the TFEU,
that an excessive deficit existed in Portugal and issued a recommendation to
correct the excessive deficit by 2013 at the latest, in accordance with Article
126(7) TFEU and Article 3 of Council Regulation (EC) No 1467/97[1] of 7 July 1997 on speeding up
and clarifying the implementation of the excessive deficit procedure[2].
(4)       On
15 June 2010, the Commission concluded that Portugal had taken effective action
in compliance with the Council recommendation of 2 December 2009 to bring its
government deficit below the 3% of GDP reference value and considered that no
additional step in the excessive deficit procedure was therefore necessary at
that point in time.
(5)       On
9 October 2012, the Council concluded, in accordance with Article 3(5) of
Council Regulation (EC) No 1467/97, that effective action had been taken but
that unexpected adverse economic events with major unfavourable consequences
for government finances had occurred. The Council therefore adopted a revised
recommendation under Article 126(7) TFEU (the 'revised EDP recommendation') and
recommended Portugal to correct the excessive deficit by 2014 at the latest. In
order to bring the headline government deficit below the 3% of GDP reference
value by 2014, Portugal was recommended to deliver an improvement of the
structural balance of 2.3% of GDP in 2012, 1.6% of GDP in 2013 and 1.3% of GDP
in 2014. The headline deficit targets consistent with the requested
improvements of the structural budget balance were 5% of GDP for 2012, 4.5%
of GDP for 2013 and 2.5% of GDP for 2014.
(6)       The
Portuguese authorities were also recommended to implement the measures adopted
in the 2012 budget and its March supplement and that they take additional
measures worth 0.3% of GDP. Portugal was recommended to adopt permanent
consolidation measures of at least 3% of GDP to be included in the 2013 budget,
adopting additional measures in case of slippages, and to define measures worth
1¾ % of GDP in 2014 following a comprehensive Public Expenditure Review (PER).
In addition, Portugal should implement the requirements of the Council
Implementing Decision 2011/344/EU on granting Union financial assistance to
Portugal of 17 May 2011 and its successive amendments. The Budget Framework Law
should be adapted to incorporate the EU fiscal governance rules and Portugal should
continue enhancing tranparency and control at all budgetary stages as well as
respecting the medium-term budgetary framework.
(7)       According to Article 3(5)
of Regulation (EC) No 1467/97, the Council may decide, on a recommendation from
the Commission, to adopt a revised recommendation under Article 126(7) TFEU, if
effective action has been taken and unexpected adverse economic events with
major unfavourable consequences for government finances occur after the
adoption of the initial recommendation. The occurrence of unexpected adverse
economic events with major unfavourable budgetary effects is to be assessed
against the economic forecast underlying the Council recommendation.
(8)       In accordance with Article
126(7) of the TFEU and Article 3 of Council Regulation (EC) No 1467/97, the
Council is required to make recommendations to the Member State concerned with
a view to bringing the situation of excessive deficit to an end within a given
period. The recommendation has to establish a maximum deadline of six months
for effective action to be taken by the Member State concerned to correct the
excessive deficit. Furthermore, in a recommendation to correct an excessive deficit
the Council should request the achievement of annual budgetary targets which,
on the basis of the forecast underpinning the recommendation, are consistent
with a minimum annual improvement in the structural balance, i.e. the
cyclically-adjusted balance excluding one-off and other temporary measures, of
at least 0.5% of GDP as a benchmark.
(9)       In the forecast
underpinning the revised recommendation of October 2012, real GDP was expected
to contract by 3% and 1% in 2012 and 2013, respectively. Growth prospects have
deteriorated markedly since then, after the last quarter of 2012 turned out
significantly worse than expected for both economic activity and labour market
developments leading to a real GDP contraction of 3.2% in 2012. In view of the
negative carry-over from 2012 and the deterioration in the growth outlook for
Portugal's export markets, the Commission services' latest update of the
economic outlook for Portugal revised real GDP growth downwards to -2.3% in
2013.
(10)     The general government deficit
in 2012 reached 6.4% of GDP, which is above the 5.0% EDP target. The headline
deficit was affected by a number of one-off operations which were not known at
the time of the EDP recommendation. These operations include: a capital
injection into the state-owned bank CGD (0.5% of GDP); the re-routing through
government of the conversion into equity of shareholder loans of Parpública to
SAGESTAMO, two companies outside the general government perimeter (0.5% of
GDP); the impairments associated with the transfer of assets from BPN (0.1% of
GDP). In addition, following an advice by Eurostat the sale of the operating
concession for the major airports in Portugal was treated as equity withdrawal
and hence not impacting the general government balance, contrary to what the
government had foreseen in the budget (0.7% of GDP). Excluding the impact of
these one-off factors from the headline balance, the general government deficit
would have amounted to 4.7% of GDP, below the target.
(11)     Tight expenditure control
compensated for the large macroeconomically-driven underperformance of revenues
in the last quarter of the year. Expenditure savings were achieved mostly in
the public wage bill, with the reduction in public employment proceeding ahead
of plans, by reducing intermediate consumption and freezing budgetary
appropriations for new investment projects. Regional and local budget execution
also turned out better than expected. On the whole, Portugal adopted permanent
consolidation measures amounting to nearly 6% of the GDP in 2012, above the
amount of measures required by the revised EDP recommendation. According to the
Commission services' May 2013 forecast, the improvement in the structural
balance in 2012 amounted to 2.4% of GDP compared with the 2.3% of GDP required by
the revised EDP recommendation. Taking into account the revision in potential
output growth since the revised EDP recommendation, the fiscal effort would
have been at least 0.2 pp. higher. In addition, the estimated change in the
structural balance was affected by revenue shortfalls compared with the
scenario underlying the EDP recommendation when applying standard revenue
elasticities. These shortfalls amounted to around 0.4 pp. Taking these effects
into account, the adjusted change in the structural balance amounted to 3.0% of
GDP, thus well above the effort required under the revised EDP recommendation.
(12)     For 2013, the Commission
services' May 2013 update of the economic outlook for Portugal projects the
general government deficit to reach 5.5% of GDP, compared with a target of 4.5%
of GDP in the revised EDP recommendation. Budgetary consolidation in 2013 needs
to compensate for a large negative primary balance drift which reflects more
subdued labour market and growth developments as well as the continued
rebalancing towards a more export-driven but also less tax-intensive economy
compared with the projections underlying the revised EDP recommendation. In
addition, on 5 April, the Constitutional Court ruled against various measures
worth 0.8% of GDP included in the 2013 budget, which needed to be compensated
for. In particular, the ruling concerned the cut of one of the two bonus
payments for public sector workers, the cut of 90% of one of the two bonus
payments for pension beneficiaries and the introduction of social security
contributions on unemployment and sick leave benefits.
(13)     The Commission services'
May 2013 update of the economic outlook for Portugal foresees a structural
effort in 2013 of 0.6% of GDP. This falls short of the 1.6% of GDP effort recommended
by the Council. However, correcting for the downward revision of potential
output growth since the time of the revised EDP recommendation, the estimated
structural effort in 2013 would be about 0.2 pp. higher. In addition, the
change in the structural balance is also severely affected by revenue
shortfalls (i.e. relative to GDP developments using standard revenue elasticities)
which amount to around 0.5 pp. Overall, taking these factors into account, the
estimated structural effort would be 1.3% of GDP. The adjusted fiscal effort is
thus somewhat below the effort required by the revised EDP recommendation.
(14)     The budgetary adjustment in
2013 is underpinned by permanent consolidation measures with a net worth of 3.5%
of GDP, which comprise the measures included in the 2013 budget law, to be
amended by a supplementary budget by end-May, the frontloading of expenditure
reducing measures identified in the context of the public expenditure review as
well as other measures to replace the budget measures that were ruled
unconstitutional. The amount of consolidation measures goes beyond that foreseen
at the time of the October 2012 revised EDP recommendation. The measures include,
inter alia, a restructuring of the personal income tax (PIT) and increases in
excise duties and property taxation. On the expenditure side, the measures
envisage a sizeable reduction in the public sector wage bill through employment
restraint and a reduction in overtime payments and compensations; increased
efficiency in the functioning of public administration; lower intermediate
public consumption including savings on PPPs; further rationalisation efforts
in the health sector and in SOEs; and the frontloading of revenues from EU Funds.

(15)     In 2014, according to the
Commission services' May 2013 update of the economic outlook for Portugal the
general government deficit is expected to fall to 4.0% of GDP, compared with
the 2.5% of GDP target of the October 2012 revised EDP recommendation. The
deviation reflects the higher headline deficits in the previous years as well
as a more muted economic recovery. The structural effort in 2014 is forecast to
be 1.4% of GDP, 0.1 pp. above the required effort in the revised EDP
recommendation. The evolution of potential output between the projections
underlying the revised EDP recommendations and the updated forecast would add
0.1 pp. to the estimated fiscal effort. In addition, adjusting for unexpected
revenue shortfalls, the effort would increase to 1.8% of GDP. The adjusted structural
effort in 2014 would thus be well above the amount required by the revised EDP
recommendation.
(16)     These projections are
underpinned by discretionary measures worth at least 2% of GDP. On the
expenditure side, these measures will draw on the results of the PER which aims
at streamlining and modernising the public administration, addressing
redundancies across the public sector functions and entities, improving the
sustainability of the pension system and achieving targeted cost savings in
individual line ministries. In the course of April and early May, the
government adopted a package of permanent expenditure-reducing measures with
cumulative yields of EUR 4.7 billion (2.8% of GDP) over 2013-2014. The
government has initiated a broad-based consultation with social and political
partners with a view to fully defining and implementing these reforms. On the
revenue side, the authorities foresee a comprehensive reform of the corporate
income tax in 2014. The goal is to boost investment and growth by simplifying
the corporate income tax system. Given the limited fiscal space, the reform
should be revenue-neutral.
(17)     Gross public debt rose from
108.3% in 2011 to 123.6% of GDP in 2012 and, according to the Commission
services' latest update of the economic outlook for Portugal, is expected to peak
at around 124.2% in 2014, thus exceeding the Treaty reference value in all
years. The upward shift in the projections for 2012 is mostly driven by the
statistical treatment of the transfer of privatisation receipts from Parpública
to the State as well as the effect of the lower GDP path and the revised
deficit projections. The government will put forward various measures to curb
the increase in the debt ratio such as the sale of foreign assets of a social
security fund and the completion of privatisation efforts. Albeit small, a
primary surplus is already expected in 2014 reflecting the strength of fiscal
consolidation and the more benign macroeconomic developments.
(18)     Important
steps have been taken to improve public financial management in Portugal. Portugal was also asked to continue improving transparency and
control at all budgetary stages for all levels of government. In December 2012,
the Budget Framework Law was amended to incorporate the principles of the Treaty
on Stability, Coordination and Governance in the Economic and Monetary Union
(fiscal compact) and the six-pack. An additional revision is foreseen by the
end of 2013 to further enhance budgetary procedures and principles of budgetary
management, accountability, transparency and simplification. In addition, draft
Regional and Local Finance Laws were submitted to Parliament at the end of
December 2012. The laws set improved coordination mechanisms between the
central and the local and regional administrations, a multi-annual budgetary
framework and tighter fiscal rules as well as applying the principles of the amended
Budget Framework Law. Portugal has also strengthened efforts to limit
contingent liabilities by engaging in a far-reaching renegotiation process for
Public-Private-Parnerships with significant savings already foreseen in 2013
and State-Owned Enterprises restructuring is progressing at good pace. SOEs at
sectoral level reached operational balance by the end of 2012 and further
efficiency gains are expected going forward. The authorities are exploring ways
to manage the heavy debt load of SOEs. These reforms show an important
commitment towards fiscal sustainability over the medium term.
(19)     According
to the Commission services' latest update of the economic outlook, Portugal
will not meet the nominal budgetary targets established in the Council
Recommendation of 9 October 2012. However, taking into account the changes in economic
developments when compared with the macro-economic scenario underlying the revised
Council recommendation, it appears that Portugal has taken effective action
that represents adequate progress towards correcting the excessive deficit in
2012 and 2013 within the limits specified by the Council on 9 October 2012. In
particular, Portugal has adopted sizeable consolidation measures amounting to nearly
6% of GDP in 2012 and to 3½ % of GDP in 2013. The structural effort delivered
in 2012, corrected for potential output growth and revenue shortfalls, was well
above the required effort in the revised EDP recommendation. In 2013, the
structural effort is expected to fall short of the required effort, primarily
due to unfavourable economic developments as well as the timing of the Constitutional
Court ruling well within the budgetary year, which made it difficult to find
substituting measures of equal structural quality. In 2014, the structural
effort is expected to be again above the required effort. Considering all these factors and in line with the flexibility provided by the Stability and
Growth Pact, an additional year for the correction of the excessive deficit appears
warranted.
(20)     Granting an additional year
for the correction of the excessive deficit would require intermediate headline
deficit targets of 5.5% of GDP in 2013, 4.0. % of GDP in 2014 and 2.5% of GDP in
2015, which, based on the Commission services' latest update of the economic
outlook for Portugal, is consistent with an improvement of the structural
fiscal balance of 0.6% of GDP in 2013, 1.4% of GDP in 2014 and 0.5% of GDP in
2015, the last corresponding to the minimum improvement required by Article 5(1)
of Council Regulation (EC) No 1466/97 of 7 July 1997[3]. In
parallel to the regular reviews of the Economic Adjustment Programme for
Portugal as defined in Council Implementing Decision 2011/344/EU, monitoring of
progress on implementation of its EDP commitments will be carried out at an
interval of three months.
(21)     Portugal fulfils the
conditions for the extension of the deadline for correcting the excessive general
government deficit as laid out in Article 3(5) of Regulation (EC) No 1467/97 on
speeding up and clarifying the implementation of the excessive deficit
procedure,
HEREBY RECOMMENDS:
(1)
The Portuguese authorities should put an end to
the present situation of excessive deficit by 2015.
(2)
The Portuguese
authorities should bring the headline deficit targets to 5.5% of GDP in 2013,
4.0% of GDP in 2014 and 2.5% of GDP in 2015, which is consistent with an improvement in the structural balance of 0.6% of GDP in
2013, 1.4% of GDP in 2014 and 0.5% of GDP in 2015, based on the Commission
services' May 2013 update of the economic outlook for Portugal.
(3)
The Portuguese
authorities should implement measures amounting to 3½% of GDP to confine the
2013 deficit to 5.5% of GDP. These include the measures defined in the 2013
budget law and additional reductions in the wage bill, increased efficiency in
the functioning of public administration, lower public consumption and better
use of EU funds.
(4)
The Portuguese
authorities should, building on the PER, adopt permanent consolidation measures
worth at least 2% of GDP in view of attaining a headline deficit of 4.0% of GDP
in 2014. It should aim at streamlining and modernising of the public
administration, addressing redundancies across the public sector functions and
entities, improving the sustainability of the pension system and achieving
targeted cost savings in individual line ministries.
(5)
The Portuguese
authorities should adopt the necessary permanent consolidation measures to achieve
the 2015 deficit target of 2.5% of GDP.
(6)
The Portuguese government is to take effective
action to implement this recommendation by 1 October 2013 and, in accordance
with Article 10(2a) of Regulation (EC) No .../2013 of the European Parliament
and of the Council, to report in detail the consolidation strategy that is
envisaged to achieve the targets.
Portugal should also maintain reform momentum
in public financial management by revising the Budget Framework Law by the end
of 2013 to further enhance budgetary procedures and principles of budgetary
management, accountability, transparency and simplification; to continue
efforts to limit contingent liabilities stemming from SOEs and PPPs.
Done at Brussels,
                                                                       For
the Council
                                                                       The
President
[1]               OJ L 209, 2.8.1997, p. 6.
[2]               All documents related to the
excessive deficit procedure of Portugal can be found at:
http://ec.europa.eu/economy_finance/economic_governance/sgp/deficit/countries/portugal_en.htm
[3]               OJ L 209, 2.8.1997, p. 5.