Further macro-financial assistance for Georgia

The Council presents its position at first reading with a view to the adoption of a Decision of the European Parliament and of the Council providing further macro-financial assistance to Georgia.

Comitology: regulation 182/2011 of the European Parliament and of the Council laying down the rules and general principles concerning mechanisms for control by Member States of the Commission's exercise of implementing powers (the new Comitology Regulation) entered into force. The provisions contained in the Commission proposal on further macro-financial assistance to Georgia as regards the exercise of implementing powers conferred on the Commission therefore needed to be aligned with regulation 182/2011.

In this respect, informal contacts were held in April 2011 between the European Parliament, the Commission and the Council as foreseen by points 16 to 18 of the Joint declaration on practical arrangements for the co-decision procedure. The European Parliament disagreed with the Council on the changes required to align the provisions as regards the exercise of implementing powers with regulation 182/2011.

European Parliament amendments: in May 2011, the European Parliament adopted its position at first reading introducing amendments on the following points:

• Recital (18) - implementing powers: the drafting of this recital on the conferral of  implementing powers to the Commission is adapted in order to taken into account the entry into force of regulation 182/2011;  this amendment has been included in the Council's position at first reading.
• Article 2 - Adoption of the Memorandum of Understanding: a European Parliament amendment foresees the adoption of a Memorandum of Understanding containing the economic policy and financial conditions to which the Union macrofinancial assistance is subject in accordance with the advisory procedure. This amendment is rejected by the Council on the ground that, in line with regulation 182/2011, the Memorandum of Understanding should be adopted in accordance with the examination procedure.
• Article 6 – Committee: another European Parliament amendment refers to Article 4 of Regulation (EU) No 182/2011 (advisory procedure). The amendment is rejected by the Council on the same grounds as for Amendment 2, i.e. the examination procedure should apply.

In conclusion, the Council's position introduces changes to the European Parliament's position at first reading only as regards the provisions for the exercise of implementing powers in order to ensure their appropriate alignment with the new Comitology regulation (182/2011). The Council looks forward to constructive discussions with the European Parliament at second reading with a view to the swift adoption of the Decision.