THE EUROPEAN COMMISSION,
Having regard to the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union,
Having regard to Regulation (EU) No 232/2014 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 11 March 2014 establishing a European Neighbourhood Instrument, and in particular Article 12(1) thereof,
Whereas:
(1)
The Commission adopted Regulation (EC) No 951/2007 laying down implementing rules for cross-border cooperation programmes financed under Regulation (EC) No 1638/2006 of the European Parliament and of the Council.
(2)
By Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) No 435/2011, given the delayed start of the European Neighbourhood and Partnership Instrument cross-border cooperation programmes, the implementation phase for projects set out in point (b) of Article 43(2) of Regulation (EC) No 951/2007 was extended from 31 December 2014 to 31 December 2015. By Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) No 1343/2014, the closure phase and relevant provisions set out in paragraph (1), point (c) of paragraph (2) and the new paragraph (3) of Article 43 of Regulation (EC) No 951/2007 were adapted accordingly and extended to 31 December 2017.
(3)
In order to provide legal certainty for participating countries, it is appropriate to lay down the specific arrangements and procedures for closure and waivers by the Joint Managing Authorities, respecting the principles of equal treatment, transparency, sound financial management and proportionality.
(4)
The Joint Managing Authority may, in specific cases to be identified in appropriate instructions by the Commission and in accordance with the principles of sound financial management and proportionality, waive a recovery order without the prior approval of the Commission.
(5)
The deadline of 31 December 2017 as fixed in Regulation (EC) No 951/2007 as amended cannot be met due to the accumulation of delays and to the complexity of the closing process. That deadline should therefore be extended to up to 36 months from the submission of the final report.
(6)
It should be acknowledged that the Commission may be prevented from respecting the deadline for closure of joint operational programmes in case of judicial and other investigations and force majeure.
(7)
In order to allow for the prompt application of the measures provided for in this Regulation, this Regulation should enter into force on the day following that of its publication in the Official Journal of the European Union.
(8)
The measures provided in this Regulation are in accordance with the opinion of the Committee established by Regulation (EU) No 232/2014.
(9)
Regulation (EC) No 951/2007 should therefore be amended accordingly,
HAS ADOPTED THIS REGULATION: