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Document L:2013:341:FULL

Official Journal of the European Union, L 341, 18 December 2013


Display all documents published in this Official Journal
 

ISSN 1977-0677

doi:10.3000/19770677.L_2013.341.eng

Official Journal

of the European Union

L 341

European flag  

English edition

Legislation

Volume 56
18 December 2013


Contents

 

I   Legislative acts

page

 

 

DIRECTIVES

 

*

Directive 2013/58/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council of 11 December 2013 amending Directive 2009/138/EC (Solvency II) as regards the date for its transposition and the date of its application, and the date of repeal of certain Directives (Solvency I) ( 1 )

1

 

 

DECISIONS

 

*

Decision No 1351/2013/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council of 11 December 2013 on providing macro-financial assistance to the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan

4

 

 

II   Non-legislative acts

 

 

REGULATIONS

 

*

Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) No 1352/2013 of 4 December 2013 establishing the forms provided for in Regulation (EU) No 608/2013 of the European Parliament and of the Council concerning customs enforcement of intellectual property rights

10

 

*

Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) No 1353/2013 of 9 December 2013 entering a name in the register of protected designations of origin and protected geographical indications [Liers vlaaike (PGI)]

32

 

*

Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) No 1354/2013 of 17 December 2013 excluding ICES Subdivisions 27 and 28.2 from certain fishing effort limitations for 2014, pursuant to Council Regulation (EC) No 1098/2007 establishing a multiannual plan for the cod stocks in the Baltic Sea and the fisheries exploiting those stocks

34

 

*

Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) No 1355/2013 of 17 December 2013 amending Annex I to Regulation (EC) No 669/2009 implementing Regulation (EC) No 882/2004 of the European Parliament and of the Council as regards the increased level of official controls on imports of certain feed and food of non-animal origin ( 1 )

35

 

*

Commission Regulation (EU) No 1356/2013 of 17 December 2013 initiating an investigation concerning the possible circumvention of anti-dumping measures imposed by Council Implementing Regulation (EU) No 791/2011 on imports of certain open mesh fabrics of glass fibres originating in the People’s Republic of China by imports of certain slightly modified open mesh fabrics of glass fibres originating in the People’s Republic of China, and making such imports subject to registration

43

 

*

Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) No 1357/2013 of 17 December 2013 amending Regulation (EEC) No 2454/93 laying down provisions for the implementation of Council Regulation (EEC) No 2913/92 establishing the Community Customs Code

47

 

 

Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) No 1358/2013 of 17 December 2013 establishing the standard import values for determining the entry price of certain fruit and vegetables

50

 

 

DIRECTIVES

 

*

Commission Implementing Directive 2013/63/EU of 17 December 2013 amending Annexes I and II to Council Directive 2002/56/EC as regards minimum conditions to be satisfied by seed potatoes and lots of seed potatoes ( 1 )

52

 

 

DECISIONS

 

*

Council Decision 2013/768/CFSP of 16 December 2013 on EU activities in support of the implementation of the Arms Trade Treaty, in the framework of the European Security Strategy

56

 

 

2013/769/EU

 

*

Commission Implementing Decision of 11 December 2013 refusing the request by Hungary to introduce a Quick Reaction Mechanism special measure derogating from Article 193 of Council Directive 2006/112/EC on the common system of value added tax (notified under document C(2013) 9007)

68

 

 

2013/770/EU

 

*

Commission Implementing Decision of 17 December 2013 establishing the Consumers, Health and Food Executive Agency and repealing Decision 2004/858/EC

69

 

 

2013/771/EU

 

*

Commission Implementing Decision of 17 December 2013 establishing the Executive Agency for Small and Medium-sized Enterprises and repealing Decisions 2004/20/EC and 2007/372/EC

73

 


 

(1)   Text with EEA relevance

EN

Acts whose titles are printed in light type are those relating to day-to-day management of agricultural matters, and are generally valid for a limited period.

The titles of all other Acts are printed in bold type and preceded by an asterisk.


I Legislative acts

DIRECTIVES

18.12.2013   

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

L 341/1


DIRECTIVE 2013/58/EU OF THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND OF THE COUNCIL

of 11 December 2013

amending Directive 2009/138/EC (Solvency II) as regards the date for its transposition and the date of its application, and the date of repeal of certain Directives (Solvency I)

(Text with EEA relevance)

THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION,

Having regard to the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union, and in particular Article 53(1) and Article 62 thereof,

Having regard to the proposal from the European Commission,

Acting in accordance with the ordinary legislative procedure (1),

Whereas:

(1)

Directive 2009/138/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council (2) provides a modern, risk-based system for the regulation and supervision of insurance and reinsurance undertakings of the Union. That system is essential in order to ensure a safe and solid insurance sector that can provide sustainable insurance products and support the real economy by encouraging long-term investments and additional stability.

(2)

Directive 2011/89/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council (3) makes certain amendments to Articles 212 to 262 of Directive 2009/138/EC, which are to be applicable from 10 June 2013.

(3)

Directive 2012/23/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council (4) amends Directive 2009/138/EC by postponing the date for transposition from 31 October 2012 to 30 June 2013, the date of application from 1 November 2012 to 1 January 2014 and the date of repeal of the existing insurance and reinsurance Directives (5) (collectively referred to as ‘Solvency I’) from 1 November 2012 to 1 January 2014.

(4)

On 19 January 2011, the Commission adopted a proposal (the ‘Omnibus II proposal’) to amend, inter alia, Directive 2009/138/EC in order to take into account the new supervisory architecture for insurance, namely the setting-up of the European Supervisory Authority (European Insurance and Occupational Pensions Authority) (EIOPA). The Omnibus II proposal also includes provisions to postpone the date for transposition and the date of application of Directive 2009/138/EC, and the date of repeal of Solvency I, and serves as a means to adapt Directive 2009/138/EC to the entry into force of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union by converting the provisions empowering the Commission to adopt implementing measures into provisions empowering the Commission to adopt delegated and implementing acts.

(5)

Given the complexity of the Omnibus II proposal, there is a risk that it will not have entered into force before the date for transposition and the date of application of Directive 2009/138/EC. Leaving those dates unchanged would result in Directive 2009/138/EC being implemented before the entry into force of the transitional rules and of relevant adaptations, including further clarification of delegated and implementing act empowerments, provided for by the Omnibus II proposal.

(6)

In order to avoid overly burdensome legislative obligations for Member States under Directive 2009/138/EC and later under the new supervisory architecture envisaged by the Omnibus II proposal, it is therefore appropriate to postpone the date for transposition and the date of application of Directive 2009/138/EC, allowing supervisors and insurance and reinsurance undertakings sufficient time to prepare for the application of that new architecture.

(7)

It is evident from the chronological order of events that the postponed date for transposition and date of application of Directive 2009/138/EC should also apply to the amendments thereto which were made by Directive 2011/89/EC.

(8)

For reasons of legal certainty, the date of repeal of Solvency I should be postponed accordingly.

(9)

Given the very short period of time before the relevant dates laid down in Directive 2009/138/EC, this Directive should enter into force without delay.

(10)

Consequently, it is justified to apply the exception for urgent cases provided for in Article 4 of Protocol No 1 on the role of national parliaments in the European Union in this case as regards the transmission to national parliaments of the proposal for this Directive,

HAVE ADOPTED THIS DIRECTIVE:

Article 1

Directive 2009/138/EC is amended as follows:

(1)

Article 309(1) is amended as follows:

(a)

in the first subparagraph, the date of ‘30 June 2013’ is replaced by that of ‘31 March 2015’;

(b)

in the second subparagraph, the date of ‘1 January 2014’ is replaced by that of ‘1 January 2016’;

(2)

in the first paragraph of Article 310, the date of ‘1 January 2014’ is replaced by that of ‘1 January 2016’;

(3)

in the second paragraph of Article 311, the date of ‘1 January 2014’ is replaced by that of ‘1 January 2016’.

Article 2

This Directive shall enter into force on the day following that of its publication in the Official Journal of the European Union.

Article 3

This Directive is addressed to the Member States.

Done at Strasbourg, 11 December 2013.

For the European Parliament

The President

M. SCHULZ

For the Council

The President

V. LEŠKEVIČIUS


(1)  Position of the European Parliament of 21 November 2013 (not yet published in the Official Journal) and Council decision of 5 December 2013.

(2)  Directive 2009/138/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 25 November 2009 on the taking up and pursuit of the business of Insurance and Reinsurance (Solvency II) (OJ L 335, 17.12.2009, p. 1).

(3)  Directive 2011/89/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council of 16 November 2011 amending Directives 98/78/EC, 2002/87/EC, 2006/48/EC and 2009/138/EC regarding the supplementary supervision of financial entities in a financial conglomerate (OJ L 326, 8.12.2011, p. 113).

(4)  Directive 2012/23/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council of 12 September 2012 amending Directive 2009/138/EC as regards the date for its transposition and the date of its application, and the date of repeal of certain Directives (OJ L 249, 14.9.2012, p. 1).

(5)  Council Directive 64/225/EEC of 25 February 1964 on the abolition of restrictions on freedom of establishment and freedom to provide services in respect of reinsurance and retrocession (OJ 56, 4.4.1964, p. 878/64); First Council Directive 73/239/EEC of 24 July 1973 on the coordination of laws, regulations and administrative provisions relating to the taking-up and pursuit of the business of direct insurance other than life assurance (OJ L 228, 16.8.1973, p. 3); Council Directive 73/240/EEC of 24 July 1973 abolishing restrictions on freedom of establishment in the business of direct insurance other than life assurance (OJ L 228, 16.8.1973, p. 20); Council Directive 76/580/EEC of 29 June 1976 amending Directive 73/239/EEC (OJ L 189, 13.7.1976, p. 13); Council Directive 78/473/EEC of 30 May 1978 on the coordination of laws, regulations and administrative provisions relating to Community co-insurance (OJ L 151, 7.6.1978, p. 25); Council Directive 84/641/EEC of 10 December 1984 amending, particularly as regards tourist assistance, the First Directive (73/239/EEC) (OJ L 339, 27.12.1984, p. 21); Council Directive 87/344/EEC of 22 June 1987 on the coordination of laws, regulations and administrative provisions relating to legal expenses insurance (OJ L 185, 4.7.1987, p. 77); Second Council Directive 88/357/EEC of 22 June 1988 on the coordination of laws, regulations and administrative provisions relating to direct insurance other than life assurance and laying down provisions to facilitate the effective exercise of freedom to provide services (OJ L 172, 4.7.1988, p. 1); Council Directive 92/49/EEC of 18 June 1992 on the coordination of laws, regulations and administrative provisions relating to direct insurance other than life assurance (third non-life insurance Directive) (OJ L 228, 11.8.1992, p. 1); Directive 98/78/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 27 October 1998 on the supplementary supervision of insurance undertakings in an insurance group (OJ L 330, 5.12.1998, p. 1); Directive 2001/17/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 19 March 2001 on the reorganisation and winding-up of insurance undertakings (OJ L 110, 20.4.2001, p. 28); Directive 2002/83/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 5 November 2002 concerning life assurance (OJ L 345, 19.12.2002, p. 1); Directive 2005/68/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 16 November 2005 on reinsurance (OJ L 323, 9.12.2005, p. 1).


DECISIONS

18.12.2013   

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

L 341/4


DECISION No 1351/2013/EU OF THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND OF THE COUNCIL

of 11 December 2013

on providing macro-financial assistance to the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan

THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION,

Having regard to the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union, and in particular Article 212 thereof,

Having regard to the proposal from the European Commission,

After transmission of the draft legislative act to the national parliaments,

Acting in accordance with the ordinary legislative procedure (1),

Whereas:

(1)

Relations between the Union and the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan (‘Jordan’) are developing within the framework of the European Neighbourhood Policy (ENP). A Euro-Mediterranean Agreement establishing an Association between the European Communities and their Member States, of the one part, and Jordan, of the other part (2) (‘the EU-Jordan Association Agreement’), entered into force on 1 May 2002. Bilateral political dialogue and economic cooperation have been further developed within the framework of ENP Action Plans, of which the most recent covers the period 2010-2015. In 2010, the Union granted Jordan ‘Advanced Status’ partnership, which covers a wide area of cooperation between both parties. In 2013 the EU-Jordan Association Agreement was complemented by a Framework Agreement between the Union and Jordan on the general principles for the participation of Jordan in Union programmes, furthering cooperation between the Union and Jordan.

(2)

Jordan’s economy has been significantly affected by domestic events related to the events in the Southern Mediterranean since the end of 2010, known as the ‘Arab Spring’, and by the ongoing regional unrest, in particular in neighbouring Egypt and Syria. In particular, the high inflow of refugees from Syria who have sought refuge in Jordan is having a severe impact on Jordan’s economy. In the context of a much weaker global economic environment, the repeated disruptions to the flow of natural gas from Egypt, which have forced Jordan to replace gas imports from Egypt with more expensive fuels for electricity generation, and the significant financial resources required to provide humanitarian assistance to the refugees from Syria who are present on Jordan’s territory, have resulted in important external and budgetary financial gaps.

(3)

Since the Arab Spring began, the Union has, on various occasions, declared its commitment to supporting Jordan in its economic and political reform process. That commitment was reaffirmed, in December 2012, in the conclusions of the 10th meeting of the Association Council between the Union and Jordan.

(4)

Jordan’s geographical position makes it also a strategic country for stability and security in the Middle East, but equally makes the country particularly vulnerable to external shocks, both in political and economic terms. It is therefore important to provide adequate support to Jordan and to further political and economic dialogue between the Union and Jordan.

(5)

Jordan has embarked on a series of political reforms, most in particular leading to the adoption by the Jordanian Parliament in September 2011 of over 40 constitutional amendments, representing a significant step towards a fully-fledged democratic system. Political and economic support from the Union to Jordan’s reform process is consistent with the Union’s policy towards the Southern Mediterranean region, as set out in the context of the ENP.

(6)

In line with the Joint Declaration by the European Parliament and the Council adopted together with Decision No 778/2013/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council (3), Union macro-financial assistance should be an exceptional financial instrument of untied and undesignated balance-of-payments support, which aims at restoring a beneficiary’s sustainable external finance situation and should underpin the implementation of a policy programme containing strong adjustment and structural reform measures designed to improve the balance of payment position, in particular over the programme period, and reinforce the implementation of relevant agreements and programmes with the Union.

(7)

In August 2012, the Jordanian authorities and the International Monetary Fund (IMF) agreed on a non-precautionary three-year Stand-By-Arrangement (‘IMF programme’) of SDR 1 364 million (Special Drawing Rights) in support of Jordan’s economic adjustment and reform programme. The objectives of the IMF programme are consistent with the purpose of the Union macro-financial assistance, namely to alleviate short-term balance of payment difficulties, and the implementation of strong adjustment measures is consistent with the aim of Union macro-financial assistance.

(8)

The Union has made available EUR 293 million in grants for the period 2011-13 under its regular cooperation programme in support of Jordan’s economic and political reform agenda. In addition, EUR 70 million has been allocated to Jordan in 2012 under the ‘Support for partnership, reforms and inclusive growth’ (SPRING) programme, and EUR 10 million in Union humanitarian aid to support Syrian refugees.

(9)

In December 2012, in view of the worsening economic situation and outlook, Jordan requested Union macro-financial assistance.

(10)

Given that Jordan is a country covered by the ENP, it should be considered to be eligible to receive Union macro-financial assistance.

(11)

Given that there is still a significant residual external financing gap in Jordan’s balance of payments over and above the resources provided by IMF and other multilateral institutions, and despite the implementation of strong economic stabilisation and reform programmes by Jordan, and given the vulnerability of Jordan’s external financial position to exogenous shocks, which requires an appropriate level of the foreign exchange reserves to be maintained, the Union macro-financial assistance to be provided to Jordan (‘the Union’s macro-financial assistance’) is, under the current exceptional circumstances, considered to be an appropriate response to Jordan’s request to support economic stabilisation in conjunction with the IMF programme. The Union’s macro-financial assistance would support the economic stabilisation and the structural reform agenda of Jordan, supplementing resources made available under the IMF’s financial arrangement.

(12)

The Union’s macro-financial assistance should aim to support the restoration of a sustainable external financing situation for Jordan, thereby supporting its economic and social development.

(13)

The determination of the amount of the Union’s macro-financial assistance is based on a complete quantitative assessment of Jordan’s residual external financing needs, and takes into account its capacity to finance itself with its own resources, in particular the international reserves at its disposal. The Union’s macro-financial assistance should complement the programmes and resources provided by the IMF and the World Bank. The determination of the amount of the assistance also takes into account expected financial contributions from multilateral donors and the need to ensure fair burden sharing between the Union and other donors, as well as the pre-existing deployment of the Union’s other external financing instruments in Jordan and the added value of the overall Union involvement.

(14)

The Commission should ensure that the Union’s macro-financial assistance is legally and substantially in line with the key principles, objectives and measures taken within the different areas of external action and other relevant Union policies.

(15)

The Union’s macro-financial assistance should support the Union’s external policy towards Jordan. Commission services and the European External Action Service should work closely together throughout the macro-financial assistance operation in order to coordinate, and to ensure the consistency of, Union external policy.

(16)

The Union’s macro-financial assistance should support Jordan’s commitment to values shared with the Union, including democracy, the rule of law, good governance, respect for human rights, sustainable development and poverty reduction, as well as its commitment to the principles of open, rule-based and fair trade.

(17)

A precondition for granting the Union’s macro-financial assistance should be that Jordan respects effective democratic mechanisms, including a multi-party parliamentary system and the rule of law, and guarantees respect for human rights. In addition, the specific objectives of the Union’s macro-financial assistance should strengthen the efficiency, transparency and accountability of the public finance management systems in Jordan and promote structural reforms aimed at supporting sustainable and inclusive growth, employment creation and fiscal consolidation. Both fulfilment of the precondition and the achievement of those objectives should be regularly monitored by the Commission.

(18)

In order to ensure that the Union’s financial interests linked to the Union’s macro-financial assistance are protected efficiently, Jordan should take appropriate measures relating to the prevention of, and fight against, fraud, corruption and any other irregularities linked to the assistance. In addition, provision should be made for the Commission to carry out checks and for the Court of Auditors to carry out audits.

(19)

Release of the Union’s macro-financial assistance is without prejudice to the powers of the European Parliament and the Council.

(20)

The amounts of the provision required for macro-financial assistance should be consistent with the budgetary appropriations provided for in the multiannual financial framework.

(21)

The Union’s macro-financial assistance should be managed by the Commission. In order to ensure that the European Parliament and the Council are able to follow the implementation of this Decision, the Commission should regularly inform them of developments relating to the assistance and provide them with relevant documents.

(22)

In order to ensure uniform conditions for the implementation of this Decision, implementing powers should be conferred on the Commission. Those powers should be exercised in accordance with Regulation (EU) No 182/2011 of the European Parliament and of the Council (4).

(23)

The Union’s macro-financial assistance should be subject to economic policy conditions, to be laid down in a Memorandum of Understanding. In order to ensure uniform conditions of implementation and for reasons of efficiency, the Commission should be empowered to negotiate such conditions with the Jordanian authorities under the supervision of the committee of representatives of the Member States in accordance with Regulation (EU) No 182/2011. Under that Regulation, the advisory procedure should, as a general rule, apply in all cases other than as provided for in that Regulation. Considering the potentially important impact of assistance of more than EUR 90 million, it is appropriate that the examination procedure be used for operations above that threshold. Considering the amount of the Union’s macro-financial assistance to Jordan, the examination procedure should apply to the adoption of the Memorandum of Understanding, and to any reduction, suspension or cancellation of the assistance,

HAVE ADOPTED THIS DECISION:

Article 1

1.   The Union shall make macro-financial assistance available to Jordan (‘the Union’s macro-financial assistance’) of a maximum amount of EUR 180 million, with a view to supporting Jordan’s economic stabilisation and reforms. The assistance shall contribute to covering Jordan’s balance of payments needs as identified in the IMF programme.

2.   The full amount of the Union’s macro-financial assistance shall be provided to Jordan in the form of loans. The Commission shall be empowered on behalf of the Union to borrow the necessary funds on the capital markets or from financial institutions and to on-lend them to Jordan. The loans shall have a maximum maturity of 15 years.

3.   The release of the Union’s macro-financial assistance shall be managed by the Commission in a manner consistent with the agreements or understandings reached between the IMF and Jordan, and with the key principles and objectives of economic reforms set out in the EU-Jordan Association Agreement and the EU-Jordan Action Plan for 2010-2015 agreed under the ENP. The Commission shall regularly inform the European Parliament and the Council of developments regarding the Union’s macro-financial assistance, including disbursements thereof, and shall provide those institutions with the relevant documents in due time.

4.   The Union’s macro-financial assistance shall be made available for a period of two years from the first day after the entry into force of the Memorandum of Understanding referred to in Article 3(1).

5.   Where the financing needs of Jordan decrease fundamentally during the period of the disbursement of the Union’s macro-financial assistance compared to the initial projections, the Commission, acting in accordance with the examination procedure referred to in Article 7(2), shall reduce the amount of the assistance or suspend or cancel it.

Article 2

A pre-condition for granting the Union’s macro-financial assistance shall be that Jordan respects effective democratic mechanisms, including a multi-party parliamentary system and the rule of law, and guarantees respect for human rights. The Commission shall monitor the fulfilment of this pre-condition throughout the life-cycle of the Union’s macro-financial assistance. This Article shall be applied in accordance with Council Decision 2010/427/EU (5).

Article 3

1.   The Commission, in accordance with the examination procedure referred to in Article 7(2), shall agree with the Jordanian authorities on clearly defined economic policy and financial conditions, focusing on structural reforms and sound public finances, to which the Union’s macro-financial assistance is to be subject, to be laid down in a Memorandum of Understanding (‘the Memorandum of Understanding’). The Memorandum of Understanding shall include a time-frame for the fulfilment of those conditions. The economic policy and financial conditions set out in the Memorandum of Understanding shall be consistent with the agreements or understandings referred to in Article 1(3), including the macroeconomic adjustment and structural reform programmes implemented by Jordan, with the support of the IMF.

2.   Those conditions shall aim, in particular, to enhance the efficiency, transparency and accountability of the public finance management systems in Jordan, including for the use of the Union’s macro-financial assistance. Progress in mutual market opening, the development of rules-based and fair trade and other priorities in the context of the Union’s external policy shall also be duly taken into account when designing the policy measures. Progress in attaining those objectives shall be regularly monitored by the Commission.

3.   The detailed financial terms of the Union’s macro-financial assistance shall be laid down in a Loan Agreement to be agreed between the Commission and the Jordanian authorities.

4.   The Commission shall verify at regular intervals that the conditions in Article 4(3) continue to be met, including whether the economic policies of Jordan are in accordance with the objectives of the Union’s macro-financial assistance. In so doing, the Commission shall coordinate closely with the IMF and the World Bank, and, where necessary, with the European Parliament and the Council.

Article 4

1.   Subject to the conditions in paragraph 3, the Union’s macro-financial assistance shall be made available by the Commission in two loan instalments. The size of each instalment shall be laid down in the Memorandum of Understanding.

2.   The amounts of the Union’s macro-financial assistance shall be provisioned, where required, in accordance with Council Regulation (EC, Euratom) No 480/2009 (6).

3.   The Commission shall decide on the release of the instalments subject to the fulfilment of all of the following conditions:

(a)

the precondition set out in Article 2;

(b)

a continuous satisfactory track record of implementing a policy programme that contains strong adjustment and structural reform measures supported by a non-precautionary IMF credit arrangement; and

(c)

the implementation, within a specific time-frame, of the economic policy and financial conditions agreed in the Memorandum of Understanding.

The disbursement of the second instalment shall not take place earlier than three months after the release of the first instalment.

4.   Where the conditions in paragraph 3 are not met, the Commission shall temporarily suspend or cancel the disbursement of the Union’s macro-financial assistance. In such cases, it shall inform the European Parliament and the Council of the reasons for that suspension or cancellation.

5.   The Union’s macro-financial assistance shall be disbursed to the Central Bank of Jordan. Subject to provisions to be agreed in the Memorandum of Understanding, including a confirmation of residual budgetary financing needs, the Union funds may be transferred to the Jordanian Ministry of Finance as the final beneficiary.

Article 5

1.   The borrowing and lending operations related to the Union’s macro-financial assistance shall be carried out in euro using the same value date and shall not involve the Union in the transformation of maturities, or expose it to any exchange or interest rate risk, or to any other commercial risk.

2.   Where the circumstances permit, and if Jordan so requests, the Commission may take the steps necessary to ensure that an early repayment clause is included in the loan terms and conditions and that it is matched by a corresponding clause in the terms and conditions of the borrowing operations.

3.   Where circumstances permit an improvement of the interest rate of the loan and if Jordan so requests, the Commission may decide to refinance all or part of its initial borrowings or may restructure the corresponding financial conditions. Refinancing or restructuring operations shall be carried out in accordance with paragraphs 1 and 4 and shall not have the effect of extending the maturity of the borrowings concerned or of increasing the amount of capital outstanding at the date of the refinancing or restructuring.

4.   All costs incurred by the Union which relate to the borrowing and lending operations under this Decision shall be borne by Jordan.

5.   The Commission shall inform the European Parliament and the Council of developments in the operations referred to in paragraphs 2 and 3.

Article 6

1.   The Union’s macro-financial assistance shall be implemented in accordance with Regulation (EU, Euratom) No 966/2012 of the European Parliament and of the Council (7) and Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) No 1268/2012 (8).

2.   The implementation of the Union’s macro-financial assistance shall be under direct management.

3.   The Memorandum of Understanding and the Loan Agreement to be agreed with the Jordanian authorities shall contain provisions:

(a)

ensuring that Jordan regularly checks that financing provided from the general budget of the Union has been properly used, takes appropriate measures to prevent irregularities and fraud, and, if necessary, takes legal action to recover any funds provided under this Decision that have been misappropriated;

(b)

ensuring the protection of the Union’s financial interests, in particular providing for specific measures in relation to the prevention of, and fight against, fraud, corruption and any other irregularities affecting the Union’s macro-financial assistance, in accordance with Council Regulation (EC, Euratom) No 2988/95 (9), Council Regulation (Euratom, EC) No 2185/96 (10) and Regulation (EU, Euratom) No 883/2013 of the European Parliament and of the Council (11);

(c)

expressly authorising the Commission, including the European Anti-Fraud Office, or its representatives to carry out checks, including on-the-spot checks and inspections;

(d)

expressly authorising the Commission and the Court of Auditors to perform audits during and after the availability period of the Union’s macro-financial assistance, including document audits and on-the-spot audits, such as operational assessments;

(e)

ensuring that the Union is entitled to early repayment of the loan where it has been established that, in relation to the management of the Union’s macro-financial assistance, Jordan has engaged in any act of fraud or corruption or any other illegal activity detrimental to the financial interests of the Union.

4.   During the implementation of the Union’s macro-financial assistance, the Commission shall monitor, by means of operational assessments, the soundness of Jordan’s financial arrangements, the administrative procedures, and the internal and external control mechanisms which are relevant to the assistance, as well as Jordan’s adherence to the agreed time-frame.

Article 7

1.   The Commission shall be assisted by a committee. That committee shall be a committee within the meaning of Regulation (EU) No 182/2011.

2.   Where reference is made to this paragraph, Article 5 of Regulation (EU) No 182/2011 shall apply.

Article 8

1.   By 30 June of each year, the Commission shall submit to the European Parliament and to the Council a report on the implementation of this Decision in the preceding year, including an evaluation of that implementation. The report shall:

(a)

examine the progress made in implementing the Union’s macro-financial assistance;

(b)

assess the economic situation and prospects of Jordan, as well as progress made in implementing the policy measures referred to in Article 3(1);

(c)

indicate the connection between the economic policy conditions laid down in the Memorandum of Understanding, Jordan’s ongoing economic and fiscal performance and the Commission’s decisions to release the instalments of the Union’s macro-financial assistance.

2.   Not later than two years after the expiry of the availability period referred to in Article 1(4), the Commission shall submit to the European Parliament and to the Council an ex post evaluation report, assessing the results and efficiency of the completed Union’s macro-financial assistance and the extent to which it has contributed to the aims of the assistance.

Article 9

This Decision shall enter into force on the third day following that of its publication in the Official Journal of the European Union.

Done at Strasbourg, 11 December 2013.

For the European Parliament

The President

M. SCHULZ

For the Council

The President

V. LEŠKEVIČIUS


(1)  Position of the European Parliament of 20 November 2013 (not yet published in the Official Journal) and Decision of the Council of 5 December 2013.

(2)  Euro-Mediterranean Agreement establishing an Association between the European Communities and their Member States, of the one part, and the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan, of the other part (OJ L 129, 15.5.2002, p. 3).

(3)  Decision No 778/2013/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council of 12 August 2013 providing further macro-financial assistance to Georgia (OJ L 218, 14.8.2013, p. 15).

(4)  Regulation (EU) No 182/2011 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 16 February 2011 laying down the rules and general principles concerning mechanisms for control by Member States of the Commission’s exercise of implementing powers (OJ L 55, 28.2.2011, p. 13).

(5)  Council Decision 2010/427/EU of 26 July 2010 establishing the organisation and functioning of the European External Action Service (OJ L 201, 3.8.2010, p. 30).

(6)  Council Regulation (EC, Euratom) No 480/2009 of 25 May 2009 establishing a Guarantee Fund for external actions (OJ L 145, 10.6.2009, p. 10).

(7)  Regulation (EU, Euratom) No 966/2012 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 25 October 2012 on the financial rules applicable to the general budget of the Union and repealing Council Regulation (EC, Euratom) No 1605/2002 (OJ L 298, 26.10.2012, p. 1).

(8)  Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) No 1268/2012 of 29 October 2012 on the rules of application of Regulation (EU, Euratom) No 966/2012 of the European Parliament and of the Council on the financial rules applicable to the general budget of the Union (OJ L 362, 31.12.2012, p. 1).

(9)  Council Regulation (EC, Euratom) No 2988/95 of 18 December 1995 on the protection of the European Communities financial interests (OJ L 312, 23.12.1995, p. 1).

(10)  Council Regulation (Euratom, EC) No 2185/96 of 11 November 1996 concerning on-the-spot checks and inspections carried out by the Commission in order to protect the European Communities’ financial interests against fraud and other irregularities (OJ L 292, 15.11.1996, p. 2).

(11)  Regulation (EU, Euratom) No 883/2013 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 11 September 2013 concerning investigations conducted by the European Anti-Fraud Office (OLAF) and repealing Regulation (EC) No 1073/1999 of the European Parliament and of the Council and Council Regulation (Euratom) No 1074/1999 (OJ L 248, 18.9.2013, p. 1).


II Non-legislative acts

REGULATIONS

18.12.2013   

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

L 341/10


COMMISSION IMPLEMENTING REGULATION (EU) No 1352/2013

of 4 December 2013

establishing the forms provided for in Regulation (EU) No 608/2013 of the European Parliament and of the Council concerning customs enforcement of intellectual property rights

THE EUROPEAN COMMISSION,

Having regard to the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union,

Having regard to Regulation (EU) No 608/2013 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 12 June 2013 concerning customs enforcement of intellectual property rights and repealing Council Regulation (EC) No 1383/2003 (1), and in particular Article 6(1) and Article 12(7) thereof,

After consulting the European Data Protection Supervisor,

Whereas:

(1)

Regulation (EU) No 608/2013 sets out the conditions and procedures for action by the customs authorities where goods suspected of infringing an intellectual property right are, or should have been, subject to customs supervision or customs controls in accordance with Council Regulation (EEC) No 2913/92 (2).

(2)

In accordance with Regulation (EU) No 608/2013 persons and entities duly entitled may submit an application to the competent customs department requesting that customs authorities take action on those goods (application) and may also request the extension of the period during which the customs authorities are to take action in accordance with a previously granted application (extension request).

(3)

In order to ensure uniform conditions for the application and for the extension request, standard forms should be established.

(4)

Those standard forms should replace those provided for in Commission Regulation (EC) No 1891/2004 (3) implementing Council Regulation (EC) No 1383/2003 (4), which is to be repealed by Regulation (EU) No 608/2013.

(5)

Regulation (EC) No 1891/2004 should therefore be repealed.

(6)

Regulation (EU) No 608/2013 shall apply from 1 January 2014 and, therefore, this Regulation should also be applicable from the same date.

(7)

The measures provided for in this Regulation are in accordance with the opinion of the Customs Code Committee, referred to in Article 34(1) of Regulation (EU) No 608/2013,

HAS ADOPTED THIS REGULATION:

Article 1

1.   The application requesting that customs authorities take action with respect to goods suspected of infringing an intellectual property right (application) referred to in Article 6 of Regulation (EU) No 608/2013 shall be made by using the form set out in Annex I to this Regulation.

2.   The request for extension of the period during which the customs authorities are to take action (extension request) referred to in Article 12 of Regulation (EU) No 608/2013 shall be made by using the form set out in Annex II to this Regulation.

3.   The forms set out in Annexes I and II shall be completed in accordance with the notes on completion set out in Annex III.

Article 2

Without prejudice to Article 5(6) of Regulation (EU) No 608/2013, the forms set out in Annexes I and II to this Regulation may, where necessary, be completed legibly by hand.

Those forms shall contain no erasures, overwritten words or other alterations and shall be made up of two copies.

The handwritten forms shall be completed in ink and block capitals.

Article 3

Regulation (EC) No 1891/2004 is repealed.

Article 4

This Regulation shall enter into force on the twentieth day following that of its publication in the Official Journal of the European Union.

It shall apply from 1 January 2014.

This Regulation shall be binding in its entirety and directly applicable in all Member States.

Done at Brussels, 4 December 2013.

For the Commission

The President

José Manuel BARROSO


(1)   OJ L 181, 29.6.2013, p. 15.

(2)  Council Regulation (EEC) No 2913/92 of 12 October 1992 establishing the Community Customs Code (OJ L 302, 19.10.1992, p. 1.).

(3)  Commission Regulation (EC) No 1891/2004 of 21 October 2004 laying down provisions for the implementation of Council Regulation (EC) No 1383/2003 concerning customs action against goods suspected of infringing certain intellectual property rights and the measures to be taken against goods found to have infringed such rights (OJ L 328, 30.10.2004, p. 16.).

(4)  Council Regulation (EC) No 1383/2003 of 22 July 2003 concerning customs action against goods suspected of infringing certain intellectual property rights and the measures to be taken against goods found to have infringed such rights (OJ L 196, 2.8.2003, p. 7).


ANNEX I

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ANNEX II

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