Amended proposal for a European Parliament and Council Regulation on measures to promote the conservation and sustainable management of tropical forests and other forests in developing countries
29. 8. 2000 EN Official Journal of the European Communities C 248 E/97 Amended proposal for a European Parliament and Council Regulation on measures to promote the conservation and sustainable management of tropical forests and other forests in developing countries (1) (2000/C 248 E/05) (Text with EEA relevance) COM(2000) 54 final - 1999/0015(COD) (Submitted by the Commission on 9 February 2000) (1) OJ C 87, 29. 3. 1999, p. 97. 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, Having regard to the proposal from the Commission (1), Having regard to the opinion of Committee, the Economic and Social Having regard to the opinion of Committee (2), the Economic and Social Having regard to the opinion of Regions (3), the Committee of the Acting in accordance with the procedure laid down in Article 189c of the Treaty (3), Acting in accordance with the procedure laid down in Article 251 of the Treaty (3), Whereas: (1) Forests have a variety of functions and values for mankind and can contribute to the achievement of Community development as environment poverty reduction, sustainable economic and social devel- opment and protection of the environment. objectives such and (1) Forests have a variety of functions and values for mankind and can contribute to the achievement of Community development and environment objectives such as the sustainable economic and campaign against poverty, social the the and development environment. protection of (2) In numerous resolutions, the European Parliament has expressed its concern over the destruction of forests and the consequences for forestpeoples. (2) In numerous resolutions, the European Parliament has expressed its concern over the destruction of forests and the in particular indigenous peoples. forest-dependent consequences people, for (3) In reply to the request by the European Parliament in its Resolution on the European Union’s forestry strategy (2) in. , Communication the Commission has adopted, setting out a strategy for Community action on the promotion sustainable management of forests in developing countries. conservation and the of ___________ (2) OJ C 55, 24. 2. 1997, p. 22. (3) In reply to the request by the European Parliament in its Resolution on the European Union’s forestry strategy (4) the Commission has adopted, in. , the Communication Forests and Development - the EC approachí setting out a strategy for Community action on the promotion of the conservation and sustainable management of forests in developing countries. ___________ (1) COM(1999) 41 final. (2) REX/016 of 7. 7. 1999. (3). (4) OJ C 55, 24. 2. 1997, p. 22. C 248 E/98 EN Official Journal of the European Communities 29. 8. 2000 INITIAL PROPOSAL AMENDED PROPOSAL (4) The objectives of this strategy are to be pursued in the context of the broader Community aim to promote the conservation and sustainable use of forests, in whatever geographical area or climate zone they may be situated. Unchanged (5) The Community and its Member States are signatories to the Rio Declaration and the Agenda 21 action programme and are committed to the UNGASS resolution Programme for the further implementation of Agenda 21í. (5) 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 (6) The Community and its Member States are members of the World Trade Organisation and parties to Multilateral Environment Agreements, notably the Convention on Framework Convention on Biological Diversity, Climate Change and the Convention to Combat Desertifi- cation; they are thus committed to take into account the common but differentiated responsibilities of developed parties and developing parties on these subjects. the Unchanged endorsed (7) In its 1997 Special Session, the United Nations General action Assembly has formulated in the framework of the Intergovernmental Panel on Forests (IPF); the Community and its Member States are fully committed to the implementation of these proposals. the proposals for (8) Council Regulation (EC) No 3062/95 of 20 December forests (1) set 1995 on operations to promote tropical out the framework for Community assistance in this area; Regulation (EC) No 3062/95 was applicable until 31 December 1999; the experience acquired during the implementation of Regulation (EC) No 3062/95 should be reflected in this regulation. (8) Council Regulation (EC) No 3062/95 of 20 December forests (1) set 1995 on operations to promote tropical out the framework for Community assistance in this area; Regulation (EC) No 3062/95 was applicable until 31 December 1999; the experience acquired during the implementation of Regulation (EC) No 3062/95 should be reflected in this regulation. (9) In its Resolution of 30 November 1998, the Council acknowledges forest peoples play in that managing the environment, in particular with regard to the in developing countries. conservation and sustainable use of forests role the (9) In its Resolution of 30 November 1998, the Council acknowledges the role that indigenous peoples play in managing the environment, in particular with regard to the in developing countries. conservation and sustainable use of forests (10) existing financial instruments available to the Community for supporting the conservation and sustainable devel- opment of forests could usefully be supplemented. (10) The financial instruments available to the Community for supporting the conservation and sustainable development of forests should be supplemented. ___________ (1) OJ L 327, 30. 12. 1995. ___________ (1) OJ L 327, 30. 12. 1995. 29. 8. 2000 EN Official Journal of the European Communities C 248 E/99 INITIAL PROPOSAL AMENDED PROPOSAL (11) Provision should be made for funding the operations referred to in this Regulation. (11) Provision should be made for referred to in this Regulation. funding the activities (12) rules for implementation, in particular the form of action, recipients of aid and decision-making procedures should be laid down, (12) Detailed rules for implementation should be laid down, in particular the form of action, the co-operation partners and the decisionmaking procedure. (13) 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 (1) 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 HAS ADOPTED THIS REGULATION: HAVE ADOPTED THIS REGULATION: Article 1 Article 1 to promote The Community shall provide financial assistance and technical expertise conservation and sustainable management of tropical forests and other forests in developing countries so as to meet the economic, social and environmental demands placed on forests at local, national and global levels. the financial This shall and complement and reinforce the assistance provided through other instruments of development co-operation. assistance expertise technical The Community shall provide financial assistance and appro- priate expertise to promote the conservation and sustainable management of tropical forests and other forests in developing countries, so as to meet the economic, social and environ- local, national and mental demands placed on forests at global levels. The assistance and expertise provided under this Regulation shall complement and reinforce that provided through other instruments of development co-operation. Article 2 Unchanged For the purposes of this Regulation: 1. 2. the natural and semi-natural Tropical forests and other forests in developing countriesí means forest ecosystems, whether primary or secondary, whether closed or open forests, in both dry and humid areas. The areas concerned are those found within the territories of African, Caribbean and Pacific countries, the Mediterranean countries and the countries of Latin America and Asia. 1. Tropical forests and other forestsí means natural and semi- natural forest ecosystems, whether primary or secondary, whether closed or open forests, in dry, semi-arid and humid areas. Conservationí means all operations to preserve and reha- bilitate forests, in particular operations designed to protect or restore the biological diversity and ecological functions of the forest ecosystem, while securing as far as possible their current and future value for mankind and in particular for forest peoples. 2. Conservationí means all activities to preserve and reha- bilitate forests, in particular activities designed to protect or restore the biological diversity and ecological functions of the forest ecosystem, while securing as far as possible their current and future value for mankind and in particular for forest-dependent people. ___________ (1) OJ L 184, 17. 7. 1999, p. 23. C 248 E/100 EN Official Journal of the European Communities 29. 8. 2000 INITIAL PROPOSAL AMENDED PROPOSAL 3. their biological diversity, productivity, Sustainable forest managementí means the management and use of forests and wooded lands in a way, and at a rate, that regen- maintains eration capacity, vitality and their potential to fulfil, now and in the future, relevant ecological, economic and social functions, at levels, without local, national, and global causing any damage to other ecosystems. Unchanged 4. Sustainable developmentí means the improvement of the standard of living and welfare of the relevant populations within the limits of the capacity of the ecosystems by main- taining natural assets and their biological diversity for the benefit of present and future generations. 5. Forest peoplesí means the indigenous peoples who inhabit the forest or claim it as their home and any people who live in or near the forest and have traditionally been directly and to a large extent dependent on the forest. 5. the forest or claim it as their Forest-dependent peopleí means the indigenous peoples who inhabit traditional home and any people who live in or near the forest and have traditionally been directly and to a large extent dependent on the forest. Article 3 Article 3 Activities to be carried out pursuant to this Regulation shall aim at: Activities to be carried out under this Regulation shall aim at: - raising the status of forests in national policies and inte- grating forest policies in development planning; - raising the status of forests in national policies and inte- forest grating on management in development planning; sustainable policies based forest - promoting the production and use of wood and non-wood Unchanged forest products from sustainably managed resources; - contributing to the adequate valuation of forest resources and services. Article 4 In the provision of 1. financial assistance and technical expertise aimed at attaining the objectives set out in Article 3, the Community shall give special consideration to the promotion of: (a) Development of appropriate national and international forest policy frameworks based on realistic valuation of including land use planning, equitable trade in forests, legal and fiscal sustainably produced forest products, to the private support measures, sector and taking into account other sectoral policies which impact on forests and the interests and customary rights of forest peoples; institution building, The activities to be carried out under this Regulation shall 1. address in particular: (a) Development of appropriate national and international forest policy frameworks based on realistic valuation of forests, which include land use planning, equitable trade legal and fiscal in sustainably produced forest products, to self-devel- measures, opment of forest-dependent people to shape their own social, economic and cultural development, and support to the private sector. These shall take into account other sectoral policies which impact on forests and the interests and customary rights of forest-dependent people; institution building and support 29. 8. 2000 EN Official Journal of the European Communities C 248 E/101 INITIAL PROPOSAL AMENDED PROPOSAL (b) Conservation of forests which are recognised as being of high ecological value as well as restoration of degraded forest areas, which are considered to be of importance due to their local and global impacts such as the protection of hydrographic basins, the prevention of soil erosion, climate change and the preservation of biological diversity; (b) Conservation and forests which are restoration of considered to be of importance due to their high ecological value, in particular their value for the preservation of biodi- versity, or due to their local and global impacts, such as the protection of hydrographic basins, the prevention of soil erosion or of climate change; (c) Sustainable forest management and utilisation to provide and economic, including inter alia forest certification and environmentally sound harvesting of both wood and non-wood forest products and natural and assisted forest regeneration; environmental benefits social and and social environmental (c) Sustainable forest management and utilisation to provide and economic, including inter alia forest certification - taking account of the different management conditions for small and large forest areas - and environmentally sound harvesting of both wood and non-wood forest products and natural and assisted forest regeneration; benefits (d) Economic viability of sustainable forest management through more efficient utilisation of forest products and technical improvements of downstream activities related to the forest sector such as small and medium scale processing and marketing of wood and non-wood forest products, the sustainable use of wood as energy source and the development of to agricultural practices based on forest clearing; alternatives (d) Economic viability of sustainable forest management through more efficient utilisation of forest products and technical improvements of downstream activities related to the forest sector such as small and medium scale processing and marketing of wood and non-wood forest the sustainable use of wood as an energy products, source and the promotion of alternatives to agricultural practices based on forest clearing; (e) Knowledge and information generation and management concerning forest to provide a sound scientific basis for realising the activities listed under (a) to (d). services and products, in order (e) Knowledge and information generation and management concerning forest to provide a sound scientific basis for the activities listed under (a) to (d). services and products, in order Operations carried out pursuant to this Regulation shall 7. innovative concentrate on pilot projects programmes, studies and research, the results of which will enable the EC to develop, adjust and implement its forest sector cooperation policies. in the field, 2. Activities eligible for financing shall include pilot projects in the field, innovative programmes, studies and research, the results of which will, in addition to their specific objectives, contribute and better implementation of forestry policies of the Community and of partner countries. development, adjustment to the 3. Particular attention shall be given to: - encouraging private entrepreneurship in the forest products processing and marketing chain, in the context of agreed policies for private sector development and taking into systems and community-based account existing social economic activities; - encouraging and socially environmentally responsible private entrepreneurship in the forest products processing and marketing chain, in the context of agreed policies for private sector development and taking into account existing social systems and community-based economic activities; - encouraging the direct participation of developing country public and private organisations, ensuring appropriate scale of administrative procedures to locally manageable level; interventions adaptation and of - encouraging the direct participation of co-operation partners in the developing countries, and at the same time ensuring an appropriate scale of interventions and adaptation locally manageable levels; administrative procedures of to C 248 E/102 EN Official Journal of the European Communities 29. 8. 2000 INITIAL PROPOSAL AMENDED PROPOSAL - participation of forest peoples in operations carried out pursuant to this Regulation; - participation of people forest-dependent local communities in activities carried out under this Regulation, their development priorities and taking into account economic, social and cultural rights, inter alia through capacity building, in order to ensure their full participation in all decision-making processes; and - sustainability of any proposed activity, social, economic as Unchanged well as environmental; - proper co-ordination and information flows between the Commission and the Member States in order to ensure coherence of activities in the regions concerned; - gender-specific roles, knowledge, perspectives contributions of women/girls management and use of forests. and men/boys and in the 2. Priorities shall be determined in accordance with: 4. Priorities shall be determined in accordance with: - the needs of each country as reflected in regional and national development and environment policies relating to forests, considering National Forest Plans, and - the needs of each country as reflected in regional and national development and environment policies relating to forests, considering national forest plans and local needs, and - Community co-operation objectives as established in jointly agreed country strategy papers. - Community co-operation objectives as established by the Commission in jointly agreed country strategy papers. 4. Operations carried out pursuant to this Regulation shall be preceded by environmental and social impact assessments, as well as analysis of financial and economic feasibility. These operations shall also be preceded by provision of relevant information to forest peoples and be conditional on their support. by and socio-cultural environmental including an assessment of Activities carried out under this Regulation shall be 5. impact preceded assessments, the congruence of the envisaged operations with the development priorities of the forest-dependent people and local communities concerned, as well as analysis of financial and economic feasibility. These activities shall also be preceded by a transparent exchange of information with local forest-dependent communities and be conditional on their support. people and Operations carried out will be evaluated using specific quanti- tative and qualitative indicators set in the reference conditions. Deleted Operations carried out pursuant to this Regulation shall 5. be coordinated with, and may provide support for, national and international programmes and operations on the conser- vation and sustainable management of forests, in particular the proposals for action formulated in the context of the IPF/IFF process. Activities carried out under this Regulation shall be coor- 6. dinated with, and may provide support for, national and inter- national programmes and activities on the conservation and sustainable management of forests, in particular the proposals for action formulated by the Intergovernmental Panel for Forests/Intergovernmental Forum for Forests (IPF/IFF) process. 29. 8. 2000 EN Official Journal of the European Communities C 248 E/103 INITIAL PROPOSAL AMENDED PROPOSAL 6. When appropriate, operations shall be carried out within regional organisations and international the framework of programmes of co-operation and shall form part of a global policy on the conservation and sustainable management of forests. 7. When appropriate, activities shall be carried out within regional organisations and international the framework of programmes of co-operation and shall be supportive to the development of a global policy on the conservation and sustainable management of forests. Article 5 Article 5 Aid recipients and co-operation partners shall include not only States and regions but also international organisations, decen- tralised departments, regional bodies, public agencies, tradi- tional and local communities, private operators and industries, including cooperatives and NGOs and associations representing local people. include international organisations, Co-operation partners which may receive assistance under this Regulation shall states, regions and regional bodies, decentralised departments, public agencies, private operators and industries, co-operatives, local communities, non-governmental organisations and associations representing local people, in particular forest-dependent people. Article 6 Article 6 studies, Community 1. technical financing may cover assistance, education, training or other services, supplies and funds as well as appraisals, audits and works, small grant It may cover, technical evaluation and monitoring missions. and administrative assistance costs, the to the benefit of 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. 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 and administrative assistance costs, the 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 Community financing may cover both investment, linked to a specific programme or project, with the exception of the purchase of real estate, 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). However, with the exception of training, education and research programmes, operating costs may normally be covered only during the start-up phase and on a gradually decreasing basis. 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 shall be sought from the beneficiaries 2. defined in Article 5. Their contribution shall depend on their means and the nature of the operation concerned. A contribution from the co-operation partners defined in 2. Article 5 shall be sought for each co-operation activity. Their contribution shall be requested according to their means and the nature of the activity concerned. 3. Opportunities may be sought for cofinancing with other donors, especially with Member States and the international organisations concerned. In this respect, a co-ordination 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 organisations concerned. In this respect, co-ordination with the measures taken by other donors shall be sought. C 248 E/104 EN Official Journal of the European Communities 29. 8. 2000 INITIAL PROPOSAL AMENDED PROPOSAL The necessary measures shall be taken to emphasise the to this the aid provided pursuant 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, co-ordination the Commission may take measures necessary, including in particular: all 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 all these activities, the Commission will, take all co-ordination measures necessary, including in particular: in liaison with Member States, (a) the establishment of a system for the systematic exchange and analysis of information on operations financed or being financing by the Community and the considered for Member States; (a) the systematic exchange and analysis of information on operations financed or being considered for financing by the Community and the Member States; (b) on-the-spot co-ordination of these operations by means of regular meetings and exchanges of information between the representatives of the Commission and Member States in the beneficiary countries. (b) on-the-spot co-ordination of these activities by means of information between the Member regular meetings and exchange of representatives of States in the beneficiary countries. the Commission and of 6. In order to obtain the greatest possible impact at global, national and local levels, the Commission, in liaison with the Member States, may take any initiative necessary for ensuring especially proper regarding the exchange of information, with the beneficiary countries, donors and international organisations, funds and programmes involved, in particular those forming part of the United Nations system. co-ordination and close collaboration, 6. In order to obtain the greatest possible impact of the activities at global, national and local levels, the Commission, in liaison with the Member States, will take any initiative necessary for ensuring proper co-ordination and close colla- boration, especially regarding the exchange of information, with the co-operation partners, donors and other international organisations involved, in particular those forming part of the United Nations system. Article 7 Article 7 Financial support pursuant to this Regulation shall take the form of grants. Financial assistance under this Regulation shall take the form of grants. Article 8 Article 8 1. The Commission shall be responsible for appraising, deciding on and administering operations 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. 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 9, paragraph 1. shall be discussed in a joint meeting of 29. 8. 2000 EN Official Journal of the European Communities C 248 E/105 INITIAL PROPOSAL AMENDED PROPOSAL 2. Decisions relating to grants of more than EUR 2 million for individual operations financed pursuant to this Regulation shall be adopted under the procedure laid down in Article 9. 3. Decisions relating to grants of more than EUR 2 million for individual activities financed under this Regulation shall be adopted by the Commission in accordance with the procedure laid down in Article 9. The Commission shall inform the Committee referred to 4. in Article 9(1) succinctly of any financing decisions it intends to take with regard to activities 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 approval of the Committee referred to in Article 9, 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 needed for covering any expected or real cost overruns or additional requirements in connection with the activities, provided that the overrun or additional requirement is less than or equal to 20 % of the initial commitment fixed by the financing decision. 4. All financing agreements or contracts concluded pursuant to this Regulation shall provide for the Commission and the Court of Auditors to conduct on-the-spot checks in accordance with the usual procedures laid down by the Commission under the rules in force, in particular those of the Financial Regu- lation applicable to the general budget of the European 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 in accordance with the usual procedures laid down by the Commission under the rules in force, in particular those of the Financial Regu- lation applicable to the general budget of the European 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 It may be extended to other developing countries in exceptional cases which are fully justified, to other 6. contracts shall be open on equal legal persons of country. and, third 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 in other countries. 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 in - the pursuit of cost-effectiveness and sustainable impact of project design, activities, - the clear definition and monitoring of objectives and - the clear definition and monitoring of objectives and indicators of achievement for all projects. indicators of achievement for all activities. C 248 E/106 EN Official Journal of the European Communities 29. 8. 2000 INITIAL PROPOSAL AMENDED PROPOSAL Article 9 Article 9 The Commission shall be assisted by the geographically 1. determined Committee competent for development. 1. The Commission shall be assisted by the Committee set 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 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 the matter, if necessary by taking a vote. 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. 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 manner in which its opinion has been taken into account. Article 10 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 9. Article 11 Article 10 1. After each budget year, the Commission shall submit an annual report to the European Parliament and the Council, summarising the operations financed in the course of that this Regulation year and evaluating the implementation of over that period. 1. By 1 September after each budget year, the Commission 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. 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 the activities financed, the co-operation partners and the countries concerned. The report shall also indicate the number of external evaluations carried out regarding specific activities. ___________ (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. 29. 8. 2000 EN Official Journal of the European Communities C 248 E/107 INITIAL PROPOSAL AMENDED PROPOSAL regularly The Commission shall 2. assess operations 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 effectiveness of future operations. The Commission shall submit to the Committee referred to in Article 9 a summary of if appropriate, be examined by the Committee. The assessment reports shall be available to any Member States requesting them. the assessments made which may, evaluate regularly The Commission shall 2. activities 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 take into future activities. The evaluations will account including forest- dependent people and local communities. The Commission to the Committee referred to in Article 9 shall paragraph 1 a summary of the evaluations made. The evaluation reports shall be available to any Member State and to the European Parliament. the beneficiaries, the views of submit 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 co-operation partners. 4. The financing guide specifying the guidelines and criteria applicable to the selection of projects shall be published and communicated to the interested parties by the Commission in beneficiary services, 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 in countries services, concerned. including Commission delegations Article 12 Article 11 1. This Regulation shall enter into force on the third day following that of its publication in the Official Journal of the European Communities. Unchanged 2. Four years after the entry into force of this Regulation the 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, this Regulation, under 2. Four years after the entry into force of this Regulation the Commission shall submit to the European Parliament and to the Council an overall evaluation of the activities financed by the Community under this Regulation, in the context of overall together with Community proposals concerning the future of this Regulation, including its possible modification or termination. co-operation, development This Regulation shall be binding in its entirety and directly applicable in all Member States. Unchanged