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Continuation of the territorial cooperation programmes PEACE IV and United Kingdom-Ireland in the context of the withdrawal of the United Kingdom from the EU

2018/0432(COD)

The European Parliament adopted by 624 votes to 13, with 24 abstentions, a legislative resolution on the proposal for a regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council in order to allow for the continuation of the territorial cooperation programmes PEACE IV (Ireland-United Kingdom) and United Kingdom-Ireland (Ireland-Northern Ireland-Scotland) in the context of the withdrawal of the United Kingdom from the European Union.

The European Parliament adopted its position at first reading following the ordinary legislative procedure, taking over the Commission proposal.

The proposal aims to allow the continuation of the European cross-border cohesion programmes between Ireland and Northern Ireland (PEACE IV and United Kingdom - Ireland), at least until the end of the current programming period (2014-2020) in the event that the United Kingdom has to leave the Union without agreement.

The EU wishes to continue these two cooperation programmes financed by the general budget of the Union which concern Northern Ireland and which support peace and reconciliation and North-South cooperation within the framework of the Northern Ireland Peace Agreement ('Good Friday Agreement'), even if the United Kingdom withdraws from the Union without any withdrawal agreement having entered into force by the date on which the Treaties cease to apply to the United Kingdom.

Regulation (EU) No 1299/2013 shall continue to apply to cooperation programmes covered by the provisions of the proposed Regulation.

By way of derogation from Article 21(1) of Regulation (EU) No 1299/2013:

- the Special EU Programmes Body (SEUPB) hosting the managing authority and the certifying authority of the cooperation programmes shall continue to exercise its functions;

- the Department of Finance of Northern Ireland shall remain the audit authority of the cooperation programmes

The application of the rules regarding the controls and audit of the cooperation programmes shall be agreed between the Commission and the authorities of the United Kingdom. The controls and audits shall cover the entire period of the cooperation programmes.