Annexes to COM(2011)425 - Common Fisheries Policy - Main contents

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dossier	COM(2011)425 - Common Fisheries Policy.
document	COM(2011)425
date	December 11, 2013

Agreement on the implementation of Part XI thereof (OJ L 179, 23.6.1998, p. 3).

(6) Council Decision 98/392/EC of 23 March 1998 concerning the conclusion by the European Community of the United Nations Convention of 10 December 1982 on the Law of the Sea and the Agreement of 28 July 1994 relating to the implementation of Part XI thereof (OJ L 179, 23.6.1998, p. 1).

(7) Council Decision 98/414/EC of 8 June 1998 on the ratification by the European Community of the Agreement for the implementing of the provisions of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea of 10 December 1982 relating to the conservation and management of straddling stocks and highly migratory fish stocks (OJ L 189, 3.7.1998, p. 14).

(8) Agreement on the implementation of the provisions of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea of 10 December 1982 relating to the conservation and management of straddling fish stocks and highly migratory fish stocks (OJ L 189, 3.7.1998, p. 16).

(9) Council Decision 96/428/EC of 25 June 1996 on acceptance by the Community of the Agreement to promote compliance with international conservation and management measures by fishing vessels on the high seas (OJ L 177, 16.7.1996, p. 24).

(10) Agreement to promote compliance with international conservation and management measures by fishing vessels on the high seas (OJ L 177, 16.7.1996, p. 26).

(11) Directive 2008/56/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 17 June 2008 establishing a framework for community action in the field of marine environmental policy (Marine Strategy Framework Directive) (OJ L 164, 25.6.2008, p. 19).

(12) Directive 2009/147/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 30 November 2009 on the conservation of wild birds (OJ L 20, 26.1.2010, p. 7).

(13) Council Directive 92/43/EEC of 21 May 1992 on the conservation of natural habitats and of wild fauna and flora (OJ L 206, 22.7.1992, p. 7).

(14) Council resolution of 3 November 1976 on certain external aspects of the creation of a 200-mile fishing zone in the Community with effect from 1 January 1977 (OJ C 105, 7.5.1981, p. 1).

(15) Commission Decision 2005/629/EC of 26 August 2005 establishing a Scientific, Technical and Economic Committee for Fisheries (OJ L 225, 31.8.2005, p. 18).

(16) 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).

(17) Council Decision 2004/585/EC of 19 July 2004 establishing Regional Advisory Councils under the Common Fisheries Policy (OJ L 256, 3.8.2004, p. 17).

(18) Council Regulation (EC) No 1967/2006 of 21 December 2006 concerning management measures for the sustainable exploitation of fishery resources in the Mediterranean Sea, amending Regulation (EEC) No 2847/93 and repealing Regulation (EC) No 1626/94 (OJ L 409, 30.12.2006, p. 11).

(19) Council Regulation (EEC) No 2930/86 of 22 September 1986 defining characteristics for fishing vessels (OJ L 274, 25.9.1986, p. 1).

(20) Council Regulation (EC) No 1224/2009 of 20 November 2009 establishing a Community control system for ensuring compliance with the rules of the common fisheries policy, amending Regulations (EC) No 847/96, (EC) No 2371/2002, (EC) No 811/2004, (EC) No 768/2005, (EC) No 2115/2005, (EC) No 2166/2005, (EC) No 388/2006, (EC) No 509/2007, (EC) No 676/2007, (EC) No 1098/2007, (EC) No 1300/2008, (EC) No 1342/2008 and repealing Regulations (EEC) No 2847/93, (EC) No 1627/94 and (EC) No 1966/2006 (OJ L 343, 22.12.2009, p. 1).

(21) Council Regulation (EC) No 1005/2008 of 29 September 2008 establishing a Community system to prevent, deter and eliminate illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing, amending Regulations (EEC) No 2847/93, (EC) No 1936/2001 and (EC) No 601/2004 and repealing Regulations (EC) No 1093/94 and (EC) No 1447/1999 (OJ L 286, 29.10.2008, p. 1).

(22) ICES (International Council for the Exploration of the Sea) zones are as defined in Regulation (EC) No 218/2009 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 11 March 2009 on the submission of nominal catch statistics by Member States fishing in the north-east Atlantic (OJ L 87, 31.3.2009, p. 70).

(23) CECAF (Eastern Central Atlantic or FAO major fishing zone 34) zones are as defined in Regulation (EC) No 216/2009 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 11 March 2009 on the submission of nominal catch statistics by Member States fishing in certain areas other than those of the North Atlantic (OJ L 87, 31.3.2009, p. 1).

(24) Regulation (EU) No 1379/2013 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 11 December 2013 on the common organisation of the markets in fishery and aquaculture products, amending Council Regulations (EC) No 1184/2006 and (EC) No 1224/2009 and repealing Council Regulation (EC) No 104/2000 (See page 1 of this Official Journal).

(25) Council Regulation (EC) No 1954/2003 of 4 November 2003 on the management of the fishing effort relating to certain Community fishing areas and resources and modifying Regulation (EC) No 2847/93 and repealing Regulations (EC) No 685/95 and (EC) No 2027/95 (OJ L 289, 7.11.2003, p. 1).

(26) Council Regulation (EC) No 639/2004 of 30 March 2004 on the management of fishing fleets registered in the Community outermost regions (OJ L 102, 7.4.2004, p. 9).

(27) Regulation (EU) No 1380/2013 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 11 December 2013 on the Common Fisheries Policy, amending Council Regulations (EC) No 1954/2003 and (EC) No 1224/2009 and repealing Council Regulations (EC) No 2371/2002 and (EC) No 639/2004 and Council Decision 2004/585/EC (OJ L 354, 28.12.2013, p. 23)".

ANNEX I

ACCESS TO COASTAL WATERS WITHIN THE MEANING OF ARTICLE 5(2)

1. Coastal waters of the united kingdom

A. ACCESS FOR FRANCE

Geographical area

Species

Importance or particular characteristics

United Kingdom coast (6 to 12 nautical miles)

1.	Berwick-upon-Tweed east Coquet Island east

Herring

Unlimited

2.	Flamborough Head east Spurn Head east

Herring

Unlimited

3.	Lowestoft east Lyme Regis south

All species

Unlimited

4.	Lyme Regis south Eddystone south

Demersal

Unlimited

5.	Eddystone south Longships south-west

Demersal

Unlimited

Scallops

Unlimited

Lobster

Unlimited

Crawfish

Unlimited

6.	Longships south-west Hartland Point north-west

Demersal

Unlimited

Crawfish

Unlimited

Lobster

Unlimited

7.	Hartland Point to a line from the north of Lundy Island

Demersal

Unlimited

8.	From a line due west Lundy Island to Cardigan Harbour

All species

Unlimited

9.	Point Lynas North Morecambe Light Vessel east

All species

Unlimited

10.	County Down

Demersal

Unlimited

11.	New Island north-east Sanda Island south-west

All species

Unlimited

12.	Port Stewart north Barra Head west

All species

Unlimited

13.	Latitude 57°40'N Butt of Lewis west

All species, except shellfish

Unlimited

14.	St Kilda, Flannan Islands

All species

Unlimited

15.	West of the line joining Butt of Lewis lighthouse to the point 59°30'N-5°45'W

All species

Unlimited

B. ACCESS FOR IRELAND

Geographical area

Species

Importance or particular characteristics

United Kingdom coast (6 to 12 nautical miles)

1.	Point Lynas north Mull of Galloway south

Demersal

Unlimited

Nephrops

Unlimited

2.	Mull of Oa west Barra Head west

Demersal

Unlimited

Nephrops

Unlimited

C. ACCESS FOR GERMANY

Geographical area

Species

Importance or particular characteristics

United Kingdom coast (6 to 12 nautical miles)

1.	East of Shetlands and Fair Isle between lines drawn due south-east from Sumbrugh Head lighthouse due north-east from Skroo lighthouse and due south-west from Skadan lighthouse

Herring

Unlimited

2.	Berwick-upon-Tweed east, Whitby High lighthouse east

Herring

Unlimited

3.	North Foreland lighthouse east, Dungeness new lighthouse south

Herring

Unlimited

4.	Zone around St Kilda

Herring

Unlimited

Mackerel

Unlimited

5.	Butt of Lewis lighthouse west to the line joining Butt of Lewis lighthouse and the point 59°30'N-5°45'W

Herring

Unlimited

6.	Zone around North Rona and Sulisker (Sulasgeir)

Herring

Unlimited

D. ACCESS FOR THE NETHERLANDS

Geographical area

Species

Importance or particular characteristics

United Kingdom coast (6 to 12 nautical miles)

1.	East of Shetlands and Fair Isle between lines drawn due south-east from Sumburgh Head lighthouse due north-east from Skroo lighthouse and due south-west from Skadan lighthouse

Herring

Unlimited

2.	Berwick upon Tweed east, Flamborough Head east

Herring

Unlimited

3.	North Foreland east, Dungeness new lighthouse south

Herring

Unlimited

E. ACCESS FOR BELGIUM

Geographical area

Species

Importance or particular characteristics

United Kingdom coast (6 to 12 nautical miles)

1.	Berwick upon Tweed east Coquet Island east

Herring

Unlimited

2.	Cromer north North Foreland east

Demersal

Unlimited

3.	North Foreland east Dungeness new lighthouse south

Demersal

Unlimited

Herring

Unlimited

4.	Dungeness new lighthouse south, Selsey Bill south

Demersal

Unlimited

5.	Straight Point south-east, South Bishop north-west

Demersal

Unlimited

2. Coastal waters of ireland

A. ACCESS FOR FRANCE

Geographical area

Species

Importance or particular characteristics

Irish coast (6 to 12 nautical miles)

1.	Erris Head north-west Sybil Point west

Demersal

Unlimited

Nephrops

Unlimited

2.	Mizen Head south Stags south

Demersal

Unlimited

Nephrops

Unlimited

Mackerel

Unlimited

3.	Stags south Cork south

Demersal

Unlimited

Nephrops

Unlimited

Mackerel

Unlimited

Herring

Unlimited

4.	Cork south, Carnsore Point south

All species

Unlimited

5.	Carnsore Point south, Haulbowline south-east

All species, except shellfish

Unlimited

B. ACCESS FOR THE UNITED KINGDOM

Geographical area

Species

Importance or particular characteristics

Irish coast (6 to 12 miles)

1.	Mine Head south Hook Point

Demersal

Unlimited

Herring

Unlimited

Mackerel

Unlimited

2.	Hook Point Carlingford Lough

Demersal

Unlimited

Herring

Unlimited

Mackerel

Unlimited

Nephrops

Unlimited

Scallops

Unlimited

C. ACCESS FOR THE NETHERLANDS

Geographical area

Species

Importance or particular characteristics

Irish coast (6 to 12 miles)

1.	Stags south Carnsore Point south

Herring

Unlimited

Mackerel

Unlimited

D. ACCESS FOR GERMANY

Geographical area

Species

Importance or particular characteristics

Irish coast (6 to 12 nautical miles)

1.	Old Head of Kinsale south Carnsore Point south

Herring

Unlimited

2.	Cork south Carnsore Point south

Mackerel

Unlimited

E. ACCESS FOR BELGIUM

Geographical area

Species

Importance or particular characteristics

Irish coast (6 to 12 nautical miles)

1.	Cork south Carnsore Point south

Demersal

Unlimited

2.	Wicklow Head east Carlingford Lough south-east

Demersal

Unlimited

3. Coastal waters of belgium

Geographical area	Member State	Species	Importance or particular characteristics
3 to 12 nautical miles	Netherlands	All species	Unlimited
	France	Herring	Unlimited

4. Coastal waters of denmark

Geographical area	Member State	Species	Importance or particular characteristics
North Sea coast (Danish/German frontier to Hanstholm) (6 to 12 nautical miles)

Danish/German frontier to Blåvands Huk	Germany	Flatfish	Unlimited
Shrimps and prawns	Unlimited
Netherlands	Flatfish	Unlimited
Roundfish	Unlimited
Blåvands Huk to Bovbjerg	Belgium	Cod	Unlimited only from 1 June to 31 July
Haddock	Unlimited only from 1 June to 31 July
Germany	Flatfish	Unlimited
Netherlands	Plaice	Unlimited
Sole	Unlimited
Thyborøn to Hanstholm	Belgium	Whiting	Unlimited only from 1 June to 31 July
Plaice	Unlimited only from 1 June to 31 July
Germany	Flatfish	Unlimited
Sprat	Unlimited
Cod	Unlimited
Saithe	Unlimited
Haddock	Unlimited
Mackerel	Unlimited
Herring	Unlimited
Whiting	Unlimited
Netherlands	Cod	Unlimited
Plaice	Unlimited
Sole	Unlimited
Skagerrak (Hanstholm to Skagen) (4 to 12 nautical miles)	Belgium	Plaice	Unlimited only from 1 June to 31 July
Germany	Flatfish	Unlimited
Sprat	Unlimited
Cod	Unlimited
Saithe	Unlimited
Haddock	Unlimited
Mackerel	Unlimited
Herring	Unlimited
Whiting	Unlimited
Netherlands	Cod	Unlimited
Plaice	Unlimited
Sole	Unlimited
Kattegat (3 to 12 miles)	Germany	Cod	Unlimited
Flatfish	Unlimited
Nephrops	Unlimited
Herring	Unlimited
North of Zeeland to the parallel of the latitude passing through Forsnæs lighthouse	Germany	Sprat	Unlimited
Baltic Sea (including Belts, Sound, Bornholm) (3 to 12 nautical miles)	Germany	Flatfish	Unlimited
Cod	Unlimited
Herring	Unlimited
Sprat	Unlimited
Eel	Unlimited
Salmon	Unlimited
Whiting	Unlimited
Mackerel	Unlimited
Skagerrak (4 to 12 miles)	Sweden	All species	Unlimited
Kattegat (3 to 12 miles (1))	Sweden	All species	Unlimited
Baltic Sea (3 to 12 miles)	Sweden	All species	Unlimited

5. Coastal waters of germany

Geographical area	Member State	Species	Importance or particular characteristics
North Sea coast (3 to 12 nautical miles) all coasts	Denmark	Demersal	Unlimited
Sprat	Unlimited
Sandeel	Unlimited
Netherlands	Demersal	Unlimited
Shrimps and prawns	Unlimited
Danish/German frontier to the northern tip of Amrum at 54°43′N	Denmark	Shrimps and prawns	Unlimited
Zone around Helgoland	United Kingdom	Cod	Unlimited
Plaice	Unlimited
Baltic coast (3 to 12 miles)	Denmark	Cod	Unlimited
Plaice	Unlimited
Herring	Unlimited
Sprat	Unlimited
Eel	Unlimited
Whiting	Unlimited
Mackerel	Unlimited

6. Coastal waters of france and the overseas departments

Geographical area	Member State	Species	Importance or particular characteristics
North-east Atlantic coast (6 to 12 nautical miles)
Belgian/French frontier to east of Departement Manche (Vire-Grandcamp les Bains estuary 49° 23' 30" N-1° 2 'WNNE)	Belgium	Demersal	Unlimited
Scallops	Unlimited
Netherlands	All Species	Unlimited
Dunkerque (2° 20' E) to Cap d'Antifer (0° 10' E)	Germany	Herring	Unlimited only from 1 October to 31 December
Belgian/French frontier to Cap d'Alprech west (50° 42 30" N — 1° 33' 30" E)	United Kingdom	Herring	Unlimited
Atlantic Coast (6 to 12 nautical miles)
Spanish/French frontier to 46° 08′ N	Spain	Anchovies	Directed fishing, unlimited only from 1 March to 30 June
Fishing for live bait from 1 July to 31 October only
Sardines	Unlimited only from 1 January to 28 February and from 1 July to 31 December
In addition, activities relating to the abovementioned species must be pursued in accordance with, and within the limits of, the activities pursued during 1984
Mediterranean coast (6 to 12 nautical miles)
Spanish frontier Cap Leucate	Spain	All species	Unlimited

7. Coastal waters of spain

Geographical area	Member State	Species	Importance or particular characteristics
Atlantic coast (6 to 12 nautical miles)
French/Spanish frontier to Cap Mayor lighthouse (3° 47' W)	France	Pelagic	Unlimited in accordance with, and within the limits of, the activities pursued during 1984
Mediterranean coast (6 to 12 nautical miles)
French frontier/Cap Creus	France	All species	Unlimited

8. Coastal waters of croatia (2)

Geographical area	Member State	Species	Importance or particular characteristics
12 miles limited to the sea area under the sovereignty of Croatia situated to the north of the 45 degrees and 10 minutes parallel north latitude along the west Istrian coast, from the outer limit of the territorial sea of Croatia, where this parallel touches the land of the west Istrian coast (the cape Grgatov rt Funtana)	Slovenia	Demersal and small pelagic species including sardine and anchovy	100 tonnes for a maximum number of 25 fishing vessels which includes 5 fishing vessels equipped with trawl nets

9. Coastal waters of the netherlands

Geographical area	Member State	Species	Importance or particular characteristics
(3 to 12 nautical miles) whole coast	Belgium	All species	Unlimited
Denmark	Demersal	Unlimited
Sprat	Unlimited
Sandeel	Unlimited
Horse-mackerel	Unlimited
Germany	Cod	Unlimited
Shrimps and prawns	Unlimited
(6 to 12 nautical miles) whole coast	France	All species	Unlimited
Texel south point, west to the Netherlands/German frontier	United Kingdom	Demersal	Unlimited

10. Coastal waters of slovenia (3)

Geographical area	Member State	Species	Importance or particular characteristics
12 miles limited to the sea area under the sovereignty of Slovenia situated to the north of the 45 degrees and 10 minutes parallel north latitude along the west Istrian coast, from the outer limit of the territorial sea of Croatia, where this parallel touches the land of the west Istrian coast (the cape Grgatov rt Funtana)	Croatia	Demersal and small pelagic species including sardine and anchovy	100 tonnes for a maximum number of 25 fishing vessels which includes 5 fishing vessels equipped with trawl nets

11. Coastal waters of finland

Geographical area	Member State	Species	Importance or particular characteristics
Baltic Sea (4 to 12 miles) (4)	Sweden	All species	Unlimited

12. Coastal waters of sweden

Geographical area	Member State	Species	Importance or particular characteristics
Skagerrak (4 to 12 nautical miles)	Denmark	All species	Unlimited
Kattegat (3 to 12 miles (5))	Denmark	All species	Unlimited
Baltic Sea (4 to 12 miles)	Denmark	All species	Unlimited
Finland	All species	Unlimited

(1) Measured from the coastline.

(2) The above mentioned regime shall apply from the full implementation of the arbitration award resulting from the Arbitration Agreement between the Government of the Republic of Slovenia and the Government of the Republic of Croatia, signed in Stockholm on 4 November 2009.

(3) The above mentioned regime shall apply from the full implementation of the arbitration award resulting from the Arbitration Agreement between the Government of the Republic of Slovenia and the Government of the Republic of Croatia, signed in Stockholm on 4 November 2009.

(4) 3 to 12 miles around Bogskär Isles.

(5) Measured from the coastline.

ANNEX II

FISHING CAPACITY CEILINGS

Capacity ceilings

Member State	GT	kW
Belgium	18 962	51 586
Bulgaria	7 250	62 708
Denmark	88 762	313 333
Germany	71 117	167 078
Estonia	21 677	52 566
Ireland	77 568	210 083
Greece	84 123	469 061
Spain (including outermost regions)	423 550	964 826
France (including outermost regions)	214 282	1 166 328
Croatia	53 452	426 064
Italy	173 506	1 070 028
Cyprus	11 021	47 803
Latvia	46 418	58 496
Lithuania	73 489	73 516
Malta	14 965	95 776
Netherlands	166 859	350 736
Poland	38 270	90 650
Portugal (including outermost regions)	114 549	386 539
Romania	1 908	6 356
Slovenia	675	8 867
Finland	18 066	181 717
Sweden	43 386	210 829
United Kingdom	231 106	909 141

Capacity ceilings

Outermost regions of the Union	GT	kW
Spain
Canary Islands: L (1) < 12 m. Union waters	2 617	20 863
Canary Islands: L > 12 m. Union waters	3 059	10 364
Canary Islands: L > 12 m. International and third country waters	28 823	45 593
France
Reunion Island: Demersal and pelagic species. L < 12 m	1 050	19 320
Reunion Island: Pelagic species. L > 12 m	10 002	31 465
French Guyana: Demersal and pelagic species. Length < 12 m	903	11 644
French Guyana: Shrimp vessels	7 560	19 726
French Guyana: Pelagic species. Offshore vessels.	3 500	5 000
Martinique: Demersal and pelagic species. L < 12 m	5 409	142 116
Martinique: Pelagic species. L > 12 m	1 046	3 294
Guadeloupe: Demersal and pelagic species. L < 12 m	6 188	162 590
Guadeloupe: Pelagic species. L > 12 m	500	1 750
Portugal
Madeira: Demersal species. L < 12 m	604	3 969
Madeira: Demersal and pelagic species. L > 12 m	4 114	12 734
Madeira: Pelagic species. Seine. L > 12 m	181	777
Azores: Demersal species. L < 12 m	2 617	29 870
Azores: Demersal and pelagic species. L > 12 m	12 979	25 721

(1) "L" means overall length of a vessel.

ANNEX III

ADVISORY COUNCILS

1. Name and area of competence of Advisory Councils

Name	Areas of competence
Baltic Sea	ICES zones IIIb, IIIc and IIId
Black Sea	GFCM geographical sub-area as defined in Resolution GFCM/33/2009/2
Mediterranean Sea	Maritime Waters of the Mediterranean of the East of line 5°36′ West
North Sea	ICES zones IV and IIIa
North Western waters	ICES zones V (excluding Va and only Union waters of Vb), VI and VII
South Western waters	ICES zones VIII, IX and X (waters around Azores), and CECAF zones 34.1.1, 34.1.2 and 34.2.0 (waters around Madeira and the Canary Islands)
Outermost regions	Union waters around the outermost regions as referred to in the first paragraph of Article 349 of the Treaty divided into three sea basins: West Atlantic, East Atlantic, Indian Ocean
Pelagic stocks (blue whiting, mackerel, horse mackerel, herring, boarfish)	All geographical areas excluding the Baltic Sea and the Mediterranean Sea
High seas/long distance fleet	All non Union-waters
Aquaculture	Aquaculture, as defined in Article 4
Markets	All market areas

2. Functioning and funding of Advisory Councils

(a)

In the general assembly and executive committee, 60 % of the seats shall be allotted to representatives of fishermen and for the Aquaculture Advisory Council, aquaculture operators, and representatives of the processing and marketing sectors, and 40 % to representatives of the other interest groups affected by the Common Fisheries Policy, for example environmental organisations and consumer groups.

(b)

Except for the Advisory Council for Aquaculture and for the Advisory Council for Markets, at least one representative of the catching subsector from each Member State concerned shall be member of the executive committee.

(c)

The members of the executive committee shall, where possible, adopt recommendations by consensus. If no consensus can be reached, dissenting opinions expressed by members shall be recorded in the recommendations adopted by the majority of the members present and voting.

(d)

Each Advisory Council shall designate a chairperson by consensus. The chairperson shall act impartially.

(e)

Each Advisory Council shall adopt the measures necessary to ensure transparency and the respect of all opinions expressed.

(f)

Recommendations adopted by the executive committee shall be made available immediately to the general assembly, the Commission, Member States concerned and, upon request, to any member of the public.

(g)

The meetings of the general assembly shall be open to the public. The meetings of the executive committee shall be open to the public unless, in exceptional cases, decided otherwise by a majority of the executive committee.

(h)

European and national organisations representing the fisheries sector and other interest groups may propose members to the Member States concerned. Those Member States shall agree on the members of the general assembly.

(i)

Representatives of national and regional administrations that have fisheries interests in the area concerned and researchers from the Member States' scientific and fisheries research institutes and from the international scientific institutions that advise the Commission shall be allowed to participate in Advisory Council meetings as active observers. Any other qualified scientist may also be invited.

(j)

Representatives of the European Parliament and of the Commission may take part as active observers in Advisory Council meetings.

(k)

When issues that affect them are discussed, representatives of the fisheries sector and other interest groups from third countries, including representatives from RFMOs, that have a fishing interest in the area or fisheries covered by an Advisory Council, may be invited to participate as active observers.

(l)

Advisory Councils may apply for Union financial assistance as bodies pursuing an aim of general European interest.

(m)

The Commission shall sign a grant agreement with each Advisory Council to contribute to its operational costs, including translation and interpretation costs.

(n)

The Commission may carry out all verifications it considers necessary to ensure compliance with the tasks assigned to the Advisory Councils.

(o)

Each Advisory Council shall transmit annually its budget and a report of its activities to the Commission and to the Member States concerned.

(p)

The Commission or the Court of Auditors may at any time arrange for an audit to be carried out either by an outside body of its choice or by the Commission or the Court of Auditors departments themselves.

(q)

Each Advisory Council shall appoint a certified auditor for the period during which it benefits from Union funds.