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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)

PURPOSE: to continue the territorial cooperation programmes PEACE IV in Northern Ireland until the end of 2020, in the absence of an agreement for the United Kingdom to withdraw from the European Union.

LEGISLATIVE ACT: Regulation (EU) 2019/491 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 Union.

CONTENT: the Regulation lays down provisions to remedy the consequences of the United Kingdom's withdrawal from the Union in the absence of a withdrawal agreement with a view to pursuing two cooperation programmes covered by Regulation (EU) No 1299/2013 and involving the United Kingdom: (1) PEACE IV (Ireland - United Kingdom) and (2) United Kingdom - Ireland (Ireland - Northern Ireland - Scotland).

These two programmes concern Northern Ireland and support peace and reconciliation and North-South cooperation within the framework of the Northern Ireland Peace Agreement, the so-called Good Friday Agreement.

Cooperation programmes may cover participating regions in the United Kingdom, which are equivalent to NUTS level 3 regions.

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. If such controls and audits cannot be carried out, the Commission may interrupt payment deadlines, suspend payments and apply financial corrections.

In the event that these controls and audits cannot be carried out, the Commission may interrupt payment deadlines, suspend payments and apply financial corrections.

ENTRY INTO FORCE: 28.3.2019. The Regulation shall apply from the day following that on which the Treaties cease to apply to the United Kingdom pursuant to Article 50(3) of the TEU.