Amended proposal for a European Parliament and Council Regulation on measures to promote the full integration of the environmental dimension in the development process of developing countries
26. 9. 2000 EN Official Journal of the European Communities C 274 E/1 II (Preparatory Acts) COMMISSION Amended proposal for a European Parliament and Council Regulation on measures to promote the integration of the environmental dimension in the development process of developing full countries (1) (2000/C 274 E/01) (Text with EEA relevance) COM(2000) 55 final - 1999/0020(COD) (Submitted by the Commission on 3 February 2000) (1) OJ C 47, 20. 2. 1999, p. 10. INITIAL PROPOSAL AMENDED PROPOSAL THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION, THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION, Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Community, and in particular Articles 130s and 130w thereof, Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Community, and in particular Articles 175 and 179 thereof, Having regard to the proposal from the Commission (2), Having regard to the proposal from the Commission (1), Having regard to the opinion of Committee (3), the Economic and Social Having regard to the opinion of Committee (2), the Economic and Social Having regard to the opinion of the Committee of the Regions, Acting in accordance with the procedure referred to in Article 189c of the Treaty, Acting in accordance with the procedure referred to in Article 251 of the Treaty, Whereas: Unchanged (1) Depletion of natural resources and environmental degra- dation have direct effects on economic development and local communities, and especially on the livelihoods of thus alleviation of poverty through counteract sustainable development. the (1) Depletion of natural resources and environmental degra- dation have direct effects on economic development and communities, especially on the livelihoods of including indigenous peoples, and thus counteract the alleviation of poverty through sustainable development. local (2) Current patterns of production and consumption have undeniable transboundary and global consequences, in particular where the atmosphere, the hydrosphere, and biological diversity are concerned. (2) Current patterns of production and consumption have undeniable transboundary and global consequences, in particular where the atmosphere, the hydrosphere, soil condition and biological diversity are concerned. (3) The Community and its Member States are signatories to the Rio Declaration and the Agenda 21 action programme and the UNGASS Resolution Programme for the further implementation of Agenda 21í. committed are to (3) The Community and its Member States are signatories to the Rio Declaration and the Agenda 21 action programme and are committed to the United Nations General Resolution Assembly Programme for the further implementation of Agenda 21í. (UNGASS) Session Special ___________ (1) COM(1999) 36 final. (2) REX/017, 7. 7. 1999. C 274 E/2 EN Official Journal of the European Communities 26. 9. 2000 INITIAL PROPOSAL AMENDED PROPOSAL (4) The Community and its Member States are parties to Multilateral the Environment Agreements, Framework Convention on Biological Diversity, Convention on Climate Change and the Convention to Combat Desertification; whereas thus committed to take into account the common but differ- and of responsibilities entiated developing parties on these subjects. developed notably parties they the are (5) it is important to integrate the internal and external aspects of environment the European Community’s policy in order to have a coherent answer to the chal- lenges identified in the United Nations Conference on Environment its follow-up processes. and Development (UNCED) and Unchanged (5) The internal and external aspects of the European Community’s environment policy need to be coherent in order to effectively respond to the challenges identified in the United Nations Conference on Environment and Development (UNCED) and its follow-up processes. (6) The Community and its Member States are committed to the OECD/DAC Shaping the 21st Century Strategyí which calls for the support for the implementation of national strategies for sustainable development in all countries by 2005, so as to ensure that current trends in the loss of environmental resources are effectively reversed at both global and national levels by 2015. Assistance (6) The Community and its Member States are committed to the Organisation of Economic Cooperation and Devel- opment/Development Committee’s (OECD/DAC) Shaping the 21st Century Strategyí which calls for the support for the implementation of national strategies for sustainable development in all countries by 2005, so as to ensure that current trends in the loss of environmental resources are effectively reversed at both global and national levels by 2015. the 1998 (1) review of (7) The European Parliament and the Council adopted on 24 European September Community Programme of policy and action in relation to the environment and sustainable development Towards Sustainabilityí, calling for a strengthened role for the Community in international cooperation in environment and sustainable development. the (7) The European Parliament and the Council have adopted Decision 2179/98/EC of 24 September 1998 (1) on the the European Community Programme of review of policy and action in relation to the environment and sustainable development Towards Sustainabilityí, which calls for a strengthened role for the Community in inter- national cooperation in environment and sustainable development. The basic strategy of the Programme is to achieve full integration of environmental policy in other policies, including development policy. Integrationí (8) The European Council held in Cardiff in June 1998 welcomed the Commission Communication Partnership for integrating environment into European Union policies and endorsed should be the principle that major policy proposals accompanied by the appraisal of their environmental impact. setting out a strategy for (8) The European Council held in Cardiff in June 1998 welcomed the Commission Communication Partnership for Integrationí (2) setting out a strategy for integrating European Union environment policies and endorsed the principle that major policy proposals should be accompanied by the appraisal of their environmental impact. considerations into (9) The Council and the Member States adopted on 15 July 1996 a resolution on Environmental Assessment in Devel- opment Cooperation. Unchanged ___________ (1) Decision No 2179/98/EC. Official Communities, L 275, 10. 10. 1998, p. 5. Journal of the European ___________ (1) OJ L 275, 10. 10. 1998, p. 5. (2) COM(1998)333 final. 26. 9. 2000 EN Official Journal of the European Communities C 274 E/3 INITIAL PROPOSAL AMENDED PROPOSAL (10) In its Resolution of 30 November 1998, the Council acknowledges the key role that indigenous peoples play in the conservation and sustainable use of natural resources. (10) Sustainable development relies on the genuine integration of an environmental dimension into the development process. (11) Sustainable development relies on the integration of the environmental dimension into the development process. (11) Since resources are limited, suitable policies, strategies and tools and the implementation of experimental schemes are essential elements for such inte- gration in economic and development cooperation. the creation of (12) Since resources are limited, suitable policies, strategies and tools and the implementation of experimental schemes are essential elements for such inte- gration in economic and development cooperation. the creation of (12) The financial instruments available to the Community for sustainable development in developing countries could be usefully supplemented. (13) The financial instruments available to the Community for sustainable development in developing countries should be supplemented. (14) Coordination of operations financed under Community instruments should be improved. (13) Council Regulation (EC) no 722/97 of 22 April 1997 on environmental measures in developing countries in the sustainable development (1) the context of framework for Community assistance aimed at enabling developing countries environmental to integrate dimension in their development process; whereas Regu- lation (EC) no 722/97 was applicable until 31 December 1999; whereas acquired during the experience implementation of Regulation (EC) no 722/97 should be reflected in this regulation. set out the the (15) Council Regulation (EC) No 722/97 of 22 April 1997 on environmental measures in developing countries in the sustainable development (1) context of the framework for Community assistance aimed at enabling developing countries environmental dimension in their development process; whereas Regu- lation (EC) No 722/97 was applicable until 31 December 1999; whereas acquired during the experience implementation of Regulation (EC) No 722/97 should be reflected in this Regulation. to integrate set out the the (14) Measures need to be taken to finance the activities covered by this Regulation. (16) Provision should be made for referred to in this Regulation. funding the activities (15) Detailed rules for implementation, and in particular the form of action, the recipients of the aid and the decision- making procedure should be laid down. (17) Detailed rules for implementation should be laid down, in particular the form of action, the cooperation partners and the decision-making procedure. (18) In accordance with Article 2 of Council Decision 1999/468/EC of 28 June 1999 laying down the implementing powers procedures conferred on the Commission (2), measures the implementation of this Regulation should be adopted by use of the advisory procedure provided for in Article 3 of that Decision, the exercise of for for ___________ (1) OJ no L 108, 25. 4. 1997, p. 1. ___________ (1) OJ L 108, 25. 4. 1997, p. 1. (2) OJ L 184, 17. 7. 1999, p. 23. C 274 E/4 EN Official Journal of the European Communities 26. 9. 2000 INITIAL PROPOSAL AMENDED PROPOSAL HAS ADOPTED THIS REGULATION: HAVE ADOPTED THIS REGULATION: Article 1 Unchanged The Community shall provide financial assistance and 1. technical expertise in order to support developing countries in their efforts to integrate the environmental dimension into their development process. The Community shall support developing countries in 1. their efforts to integrate the environmental dimension into their development process. To this effect, the Community shall provide financial assistance and appropriate expertise aimed at elaborating and promoting the implementation of policies, strategies, tools and tech- nologies for the pursuit of sustainable development. Community support 2. shall be provided directly to developing country stakeholders as well as indirectly through the the strengthening of Community economic and development cooperation. the environmental dimension of The assistance and expertise provided under this Regu- 2. lation shall complement and reinforce those provided under other instruments of development cooperation. The assistance and expertise provided under this Regu- 3. lation shall complement and reinforce that provided through other instruments of development cooperation. They shall benefit the developing country stakeholders directly and indirectly through the strengthening of the environmental dimension of the Community economic and development cooperation, with a view to fully taking into account environ- mental considerations in Community policies and programmes. Deleted Article 2 For the purposes of this Regulation, ásustainable developmentí means the improvement of the standard of living and welfare of the relevant populations within the limits of the capacity of ecosystems by maintaining natural assets and their the biological diversity for the benefit of present and future generations. Article 2 Article 3 1. The activities to be carried out under this Regulation shall serve the purpose of elaborating and promoting policies, strategies, tools and technologies for the pursuit of sustainable development. The activities to be carried out under this Regulation shall 1. address in particular: 2. They shall address: - global environmental issues, in particular those addressed by multilateral environmental agreements, such as climate change, desertification and biological diversity; - global environmental issues, in particular those covered by such as climate multilateral environmental agreements, change, desertification and biological diversity; 26. 9. 2000 EN Official Journal of the European Communities C 274 E/5 INITIAL PROPOSAL AMENDED PROPOSAL - transboundary environmental issues, in particular air and - transboundary environmental issues, in particular air, soil water pollution; and water pollution; - environmental impacts related to the integration of Unchanged developing countries into the world economy; - environmental impacts of macro-economic and sectoral policies in developing countries; - sustainable patterns of production and consumption; - sustainable management and use of natural and environ- mental resources in all productive sectors of the economy; - sustainable management and use of natural and environ- mental resources in all productive sectors such as agri- culture, fisheries and industry; - sustainable patterns of production and consumption; - environmental problems caused by the non-sustainable use of resources due to poverty; - sustainable production and use of energy; Unchanged - sustainable production and use of chemical products, in particular hazardous and toxic substances; - conservation of biological diversity, the sustainable use of its components, and the fair and equitable sharing of the benefits arising out of the utilisation of genetic resources; Unchanged - water-related issues; Deleted - the management of fresh water resources; - coastal zone management; - coastal zone, estuary and wetland management; - desertification; Unchanged - urban environment problems relating inter alia to solid and liquid waste, air pollution and noise, and the quality of drinking water. - urban environment problems relating inter alia to transport, waste, waste water, air pollution and noise, and the quality of drinking water. 3. Activities eligible for financing include: 2. Activities eligible for financing include amongst others: - the elaboration of policies, plans and strategies for sustainable development; - support to the elaboration of national, regional and local policies, plans and strategies for sustainable development; - schemes to build up the institutional and operational i. e. at in the development process, society, capacities of actors government, NGOs, private national, regional and local level; sector, civil - schemes to build up the institutional and operational i. e. private at national, non-governmental society, in the development process, indigenous peoples, organisations, capacities of actors government, sector, civil regional and local level; C 274 E/6 EN Official Journal of the European Communities 26. 9. 2000 INITIAL PROPOSAL AMENDED PROPOSAL - pilot projects in the field including those involving environ- mentally-sound technologies adapted to local constraints and needs; Unchanged - support the development of to environment assessment in the preparation and tools implementation of policies, strategies, programmes and projects; application and - the creation of instruments for sustainable development, inter alia trade-related instruments such as labelling and certification schemes and green trade initiatives; Unchanged - the formulation of guidelines and operational manuals aimed at promoting sustainable development and environ- mental integration; - raising awareness of local populations and key actors in the development process and development cooperation with regard to the implications of sustainable development, in particular through information campaigns and training; - inventory, accounting and statistical work, to improve environmental data and environmental indicators; in order - inventory, accounting and statistical work, to improve the quality of environmental data and environ- mental indicators; in order - support to multilateral processes. Deleted 4. Particular attention will be given to: In the 3. implementation and evaluation of activities, particular attention shall be given to: selection, preparation, - the linkage with the overall objective of poverty alleviation; - the contribution to the overall objective of eradicating poverty; - local initiatives involving innovative measures aimed at Unchanged sustainable development; - active involvement and support of including indigenous communities; local populations, - active involvement, support and ownership of local popu- lations, including indigenous communities; - the specific role, knowledge, perspectives and contribution of women in the sustainable management and use of natural resources, based on gender analysis; - gender-specific specific roles, knowledge, perspectives and in the contributions of women/girls sustainable management and use of natural resources; and men/boys - the potential Community programmes; for integration into the wider context of and cooperation development policies Unchanged - the internalisation of through economic instruments environmental costs, including - the internalisation of through economic instruments; environmental costs, including - the contribution to strengthening regional cooperation in the area of sustainable development. 26. 9. 2000 EN Official Journal of the European Communities C 274 E/7 INITIAL PROPOSAL AMENDED PROPOSAL 5. Lesson-learning and dissemination of the results of the activities carried out will be essential elements of implementing this regulation, 4. Lesson-learning and dissemination of the results of the activities carried out will be essential elements of implementing this Regulation, including in support of the implementation of international environmental agreements. Article 3 Article 4 Aid recipients and cooperation partners shall include not only States and regions but also international organisations, decen- tradi- tralised departments, regional bodies, public agencies, tional and local communities, private operators and industries, including cooperatives, and NGOs and associations repre- senting local people. Cooperation partners which may receive assistance under this Regulation shall include international organisations, States, regions and regional bodies, decentralised departments, public agencies, private operators and industries, cooperatives, local communities, non-governmental organisations and associations representing local people, in particular indigenous peoples. Article 4 Article 5 Community 1. technical financing may cover assistance, education, training or other services, supplies and works, small grant funds as well as appraisals, audits and evaluation and monitoring missions. studies, studies, Community 1. technical financing may cover assistance, education, training or other services, supplies and works, small grant funds as well as appraisals, audits and evaluation and monitoring missions. It may cover, within the limit established annually by the budgetary authority, technical the and administrative assistance costs, Commission and the beneficiary, related to operations other than the permanent tasks of the public administration, linked to the identification, preparation, management, monitoring, auditing and control of programmes or projects. to the benefit of It may cover both investment, linked to a specific programme or project, with the exception of the purchase of buildings, and recurring expenditure (including administrative, maintenance and operating expenditure). Community financing may cover both investment, linked to a specific activity, with the exception of the purchase of real estate, and recurrent expenditure (including administrative, maintenance and operating expenditure). apart research However, education and from training, programmes, such expenditure may as a general rule be covered only during the start-up period and the cover shall decrease gradually. With the exception of training, education and research programmes, recurrent expenditure may normally be covered only during the start-up phase and on a gradually decreasing basis. A contribution from the partners defined in Article 3 2. shall be each cooperation operation. Their contribution shall be requested according to their means and the nature of the operation concerned. sought for 2. A contribution from the cooperation partners defined in Article 4 shall be sought for each cooperation activity. Their contribution shall be requested according to their means and the nature of the activity concerned. C 274 E/8 EN Official Journal of the European Communities 26. 9. 2000 INITIAL PROPOSAL AMENDED PROPOSAL 3. Opportunities may be sought for cofinancing with other donors, especially with Member States and the international organisations concerned. In this respect, a coordination with the measures taken by other donors shall be sought. 3. Opportunities may be sought for cofinancing with other donors, especially with Member States and the international In this respect, coordination with organisations concerned. the measures taken by other donors shall be sought. 4. The necessary measures shall be taken to emphasise the Community character of the aid provided under this Regu- lation. The necessary measures shall be taken to emphasise the the assistance provided under this 4. Community character of Regulation. In order to attain the objectives of consistency and 5. complementarity laid down in the Treaty and with the aim of guaranteeing optimum efficiency for the totality of these operations, coordination take measures necessary, including in particular: the Commission may, all In order to attain the objectives of consistency and 5. complementarity laid down in the Treaty and with the aim of guaranteeing optimum efficiency for all these activities, the Commission will, in liaison with Member States, take all coor- dination measures necessary, including in particular: (a) the establishment of a system for the systematic exchange and analysis of information on operations financed or being considered for financing by the Community and the Member States; (a) the systematic exchange and analysis of information on activities financed or being considered for financing by the Community and the Member States; (b) on-the-spot coordination of these operations by means of regular meetings and exchange of information between the representatives of the Commission and Member States in the beneficiary country, and the representatives of the bene- ficiary countries, (b) on-the-spot coordination of these activities by means of information between the Member regular meetings and exchange of representatives of States in the beneficiary country; the Commission and of In order to obtain the greatest possible impact globally 6. and nationally, the Commission, in liaison with the Member States, shall take any initiative necessary for ensuring proper coordination and close collaboration with the beneficiary countries and the providers of funds and other international agencies involved, the United Nations system. in particular those forming part of In order to obtain the greatest possible impact of the 6. activities at global, national and local levels, the Commission, in liaison with the Member States, will take any initiative necessary for ensuring proper coordination and close colla- boration with the cooperation partners, donors and other inter- national organisations involved, in particular those forming part of the United Nations system. Article 5 Article 6 Financial support under this Regulation shall take the form of grants. Financial assistance under this Regulation shall take the form of grants. Article 6 Article 7 1. The Commission shall be responsible for appraising, deciding and administering operations covered by this Regu- lation according to the budgetary and other procedures in force, and in particular those laid down in the Financial Regu- lation applicable to the general budget of the European Communities. to finance The Commission shall be responsible for appraising, 1. taking decisions and administering activities covered by this Regulation according to the budgetary and other procedures in force, and in particular those laid down in the Financial Regulation applicable to the general budget of the European Communities. 2. Each year the Commission shall present a document establishing strategic guidelines and priorities for implementing the activities to be carried out in the following year. This document the committees referred to in Article 8, paragraph 1. shall be discussed in a joint meeting of 26. 9. 2000 EN Official Journal of the European Communities C 274 E/9 INITIAL PROPOSAL AMENDED PROPOSAL 2. Decisions relating to grants of more than EUR 2 million for individual operations financed under this Regulation shall be adopted under the procedure laid down in Article 7. 3. Decisions relating to grants of more than EUR 2 million for individual operations financed under this Regulation shall be adopted by the Commission under the procedure laid down in Article 8. The Commission shall inform the Committee referred to in Article 7 succinctly of any financing decisions it intends to take with regard to projects and programmes of less than EUR 2 million in value. The information shall be made available not later than one week before the decision is taken. 4. The Commission shall inform the Committee referred to in Article 8 succinctly of any financing decisions it intends to take with regard to projects and programmes of less than EUR 2 million in value. The information shall be made available not later than one week before the decision is taken. 3. The Commission shall be authorised to approve, without seeking the opinion of the Committee referred to in Article 7, any extra commitments needed for covering any expected or real cost overruns in connection with the operations, provided that the overrun or additional requirement is less than or equal to 20 % of fixed by the financing decision. the initial commitment 5. The Commission shall be authorised to approve any extra commitments or additional requirements needed for covering any expected or real cost overruns in connection with the additional operations, requirement the initial commitment fixed by the financing decision. provided is less than or equal overrun or to 20 % of that the 4. All financing agreements or contracts concluded under this Regulation shall provide for the Commission and the Court of Auditors to conduct on-the-spot checks according to the usual procedures laid down by the Commission under the rules in force, in particular those of the Financial Regu- the European lation applicable to the general budget of Communities. 6. All financing agreements or contracts concluded under this Regulation shall provide for the Commission and the Court of Auditors to conduct on-the-spot checks according to the usual procedures laid down by the Commission under the rules in force, in particular those of the Financial Regu- the European lation applicable to the general budget of Communities. 5. Where operations are the subject of financing agreements between the Community and the recipient country, such agreements shall stipulate that the payment of taxes, duties or any other charges is not to be covered by the Community. 7. Where operations are the subject of financing agreements between the Community and the recipient country, such agreements shall stipulate that the payment of taxes, duties or any other charges is not to be covered by the Community. Participation in invitations to tender and the award of terms to all natural and the recipient 6. contracts shall be open on equal legal persons of country. It may be extended to other developing countries the Member States and of Participation in invitations to tender and the award of terms to all natural and the recipient It may be extended to other developing countries in exceptional cases which are fully justified, to other 8. contracts shall be open on equal legal persons of country. and, third countries. the Member States and of Supplies shall originate in the Member States, 7. the recipient country or other developing countries. In exceptional cases, where circumstances warrant, supplies may originate elsewhere. Supplies shall originate in the Member States, 9. the recipient country or other developing countries. In exceptional cases, where circumstances warrant, supplies may originate in other countries. 8. Particular attention will be given to: 10. Particular attention will be given to: - the pursuit of cost-effectiveness and sustainable impact of Unchanged activities; - the clear definition and monitoring of objectives and indicators of achievement for all activities. C 274 E/10 EN Official Journal of the European Communities 26. 9. 2000 INITIAL PROPOSAL Article 7 AMENDED PROPOSAL Article 8 The representative of Commission shall be assisted by the for devel- 1. geographically determined Committee competent opment The Commission shall be assisted by the Committee set 1. up by Article 15 of Council Regulation (EEC) No 443/92 of 25 February 1992 (1) (PVD-ALA), by the Committee set up by Article 11 of Council Regulation (EC) No 1488/96 of 23 July 1996 (MEDA) (2) or by the Committee set up by Article 21 of the Internal Agreement on the Financing and Administration of Community Aid under the Second Financial Protocol to the Fourth ACP-EC Convention of LomØ (3). 2. The representative of the Commission shall submit to the committee a draft of the measures of a general nature to be taken. The committee shall deliver its opinion on the draft within a time limit which the chairman may lay down according to the urgency of if necessary by taking a vote. the matter, Deleted The opinion shall be recorded in the minutes; in addition each Member State shall have the right to ask to have its position recorded in the minutes. The Commission shall take the utmost account of the opinion delivered by the committee. It shall inform the committee of the extent to which its opinion has been taken into account. 2. Where reference is made to this paragraph, the advisory procedure laid down in Article 3 of Decision 1999/468/EC shall apply, in compliance with Article 7(3) and Article 8 thereof. Article 8 Deleted An exchange of views shall take place once a year on the basis of a presentation by the representative of the Commission of the general guidelines for the operations to be carried out in the year ahead, in the framework of a joint meeting of the committees referred to in Article 7(1). Article 9 Article 9 After each budget year, the Commission shall submit an 1. annual report to the European Parliament and the Council, summarising the operations financed in the course of that year, and evaluating the implementation of this Regulation over that period. By 1 September after each budget year, the Commission 1. shall submit an annual report to the European Parliament and the Council, summarising the activities financed in the course of that year, and evaluating the implementation of this Regu- lation over that period. ___________ (1) OJ L 52, 27. 2. 1992, p. 1. (2) OJ L 189, 30. 7. 1996, p. 1-9. (3) Signed on 20. 12. 1995. 26. 9. 2000 EN Official Journal of the European Communities C 274 E/11 INITIAL PROPOSAL AMENDED PROPOSAL The summary shall in particular provide information about the nature and quantity of the projects financed and about those with whom contracts have been concluded. The report shall also indicate the number of external assessments carried out, if any, regarding specific activities. The summary shall in particular provide information about the number and nature of activities financed, the cooperation partners and the countries concerned. The report shall also indicate the number of external evaluations carried out regarding specific activities. regularly The Commission shall assess operations 2. financed by the Community with a view to establishing whether the objectives aimed at by those operations have been achieved and to providing guidelines for improving the future operations. The Commission shall effectiveness of submit to the Committee referred to in Article 7 a summary of if appropriate, be examined by the Committee. The assessment reports shall be available to any Member State requesting them. the assessments made which may, evaluate regularly The Commission shall activities 2. financed by the Community with a view to establishing whether the objectives aimed at by those activities have been achieved and to providing guidelines for improving the effec- tiveness of future activities. The Commission shall submit to the Committee referred to in Article 8(1) a summary of the evaluations made. The evaluation reports shall be available, upon request, to any Member State and to the European Parliament. The Commission shall inform the Member States, at the the operations and that have been approved, stating their cost and 3. latest one month after its decision, of projects nature, the recipient country and partners. 3. The Commission shall inform the Member States, at the latest one month after its decision, of the activities that have been approved, stating their cost and nature, the country concerned and the cooperation partners. 4. The financial guide specifying the guidelines and criteria applicable to the selection of projects shall be published and communicated to the interested parties by the Commission offices in beneficiary countries. including Commission delegations 4. A financing guide specifying the guidelines and criteria applicable to the selection of activities shall be published and communicated to the interested parties by the Commission services in countries concerned. including Commission delegations Article 10 Unchanged This Regulation shall enter into force on the third day 1. following that of its publication in the Official Journal of the European Communities. Four years after the entry into force of this regulation, the 2. Commission shall submit to the European Parliament and to the Council an overall assessment of the operations financed by the Community together with suggestions concerning the future of this regulation. regulation, under this Four years after the entry into force of this Regulation, 2. the Commission shall submit to the European Parliament and to the Council an overall evaluation of the operations financed in the context of by the Community under this Regulation, overall Community development cooperation, together with proposals concerning the future of this Regulation, including its possible modification or termination. This Regulation shall be binding in its entirety and directly applicable in all Member States. Unchanged