PURPOSE: to approve the conclusion, on behalf of the Union, of the agreement between the European Union and Norway on supplementary rules in relation to the instrument for financial support for external borders and visa, as part of the Internal Security Fund for the period 2014 to 2020.
NON-LEGISLATIVE ACT: Council Decision (EU) 2017/1249 on the conclusion on behalf of the Union of the Agreement between the European Union and the Kingdom of Norway on supplementary rules in relation to the instrument for financial support for external borders and visa, as part of the Internal Security Fund for the period 2014 to 2020.
BACKGROUND: Regulation (EU) No 515/2014 of the European Parliament and of the Council establishing, as part of the Internal Security Fund, the instrument for financial support for external borders and visa provides that: the countries associated with the implementation, application and development of the Schengen acquis are to participate in the instrument in accordance with its provisions and that arrangements are to be concluded on their financial contributions and the supplementary rules necessary for such participation.
The agreement between the European Union and Norway on supplementary rules in relation to the instrument for financial support for external borders and visa, as part of the Internal Security Fund, for the period 2014 to 2020 was signed by the Commission on 8 December 2016, subject to its conclusion at a later date.
The agreement must now be approved.
CONTENT: the Council decided to approve, on behalf of the Union, the agreement between the European Union and Norway on supplementary rules in relation to the instrument for financial support for external borders and visa, as part of the Internal Security Fund, for the period 2014 to 2020.
According to the agreement, Norway’s contribution to the EU budget for this instrument shall be EUR 19 777 712 per year for the period 2016-2018. Norway’s contributions for the years 2019 and 2020 shall be calculated on the basis of its gross domestic product (GDP), as a percentage of the GDP of all States participating in the ISF-Borders and Visas.
The agreement contains provisions on, inter alia: (i) respect for the principle of non-conflict of interest; (ii) the protection of the financial interests of the Union against fraud; (iii) on-the-spot checks and inspections carried out by the Commission (OLAF); (iv) public procurement; (v) the designation of the responsible authority for the management and control of expenditures under the ISF; and (vi) the implementation report.
The United Kingdom and Ireland are not bound by the Decision. Denmark shall decide within six months of the Council’s decision whether it transposes it into national law.
ENTRY INTO FORCE: 16.6.2017.