Council Regulation (EC) No 1198/2006 (repealed)Show full title

Article 68 Annual report by the Commission

1. By 31 December each year, and for the first time in 2008, the Commission shall forward to the European Parliament, to the Council, to the European Economic and Social Committee and to the Committee of the Regions a report on the actual implementation of this Regulation during the preceding year.

2. This report shall summarise the main developments, trends and challenges relating to the implementation of the operational programmes.

3. The annual report by the Commission shall also include:

(a) a summary of the activities of the EFF by Member State, including a breakdown by Member Sate of the appropriations committed and paid, as well as the use of technical assistance by the Commission and the Member States;

(b) an assessment of the coordination of the EFF with the Structural Funds and the EAFRD;

(c) as soon as they become available, the findings of the evaluations provided for in Article 49;

(d) when the fourth annual report is submitted and, again, when the report covering the final year of programming is submitted, a summary of the audits on management and control systems set up by Member States carried out on behalf of the Commission and of the outcome of audits on EFF assistance carried out by the Member State and, where appropriate, the financial corrections made.

4. The report shall be based on an examination and assessment by the Commission of the Member States' annual report and of any other available information. In particular in 2012, this report shall in addition be based on the outcome of the strategic debate referred to in Article 16(1) and of any other available information. The report shall state the follow-up measures taken or to be taken by the Member States and the Commission which will enable adequate follow-up to be made of the findings in the report.