CHAPTER IIIMAIN PRINCIPLES AND GOOD PRACTICES CONCERNING THE INVOLVEMENT OF RELEVANT PARTNERS IN THE PREPARATION OF THE PARTNERSHIP AGREEMENT AND PROGRAMMES

Article 5Consultation of relevant partners in the preparation of the F1Partnership Agreement and programmes

1.

In order to ensure transparent and effective involvement of relevant partners, F2Member States and managing authorities F2the relevant authority shall consult them on the process and timetable of the preparation of the F3Partnership Agreement and programmes. In doing so, they shall keep them fully informed of their content and any changes thereof.

2.

As regards the consultation of relevant partners, F4Member States F4the relevant authority shall take account of the need for:

(a)

timely disclosure of and easy access to relevant information;

(b)

sufficient time for partners to analyse and comment on key preparatory documents and F5on the draft Partnership Agreement and draft programmes;

(c)

available channels through which partners may ask questions, may provide contributions and will be informed of the way in which their proposals have been taken into consideration;

(d)

the dissemination of the outcome of the consultation.

3.

As regards the rural development programmes, F6Member States F6the relevant authority shall take account of the role that the national rural networks established in accordance with Article 54 of the Regulation (EU) No 1305/2013 of the European Parliament and of the Council5 can play involving relevant partners.

4.

Where formal agreements have been established between the different tiers of government below national level, the F7Member State F7relevant authority shall take account of these multi-level governance agreements in accordance with its institutional and legal framework.