Rural development: adaptation of the Act of Accession of Bulgaria and Romania to make it compatible with Regulation (EC) No 1698/2005

PURPOSE: to adapt the Act of Accession of Bulgaria and Romania as regards rural development.

PROPOSED ACT: Council Decision

CONTENT:  the purpose of this Council Decision is to adopt the Act of Accession for Bulgaria and Romania to take account of Regulation 1698/2005/EC on support for rural development by the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development. Since the adoption of this Regulation in September 2005, it has now become necessary to:

- adapt articles 29 and 34 of the Act of Accession in so far as they refer to transitional and implementing rules for rural development and

- adapt the new rural development regulation so that it can be applied to Bulgaria and Romania and allow it to incorporate the results of accession negotiations.

In preparing these adaptations the Commission has sought to maintain the fundamental character and principles of the accession negotiation results and make as few changes as possible. In summary, the following specific changes are being proposed:

- Specific transitional measures, where and if needed, will be adopted in accordance with procedures spelt out in Regulation 1698/2005/EC.

- Provisions laid out in Sections I, II and III of Annex VIII will apply, in the case of Bulgaria and Romania, from 2007-2009. Section I, point D will apply for the period 2010-2013. Specific financial provisions laid down in Section IV of Annex VIII apply throughout the programming period 2007-2013.

- Implementing rules relating to Annex VIII, where needed, will be adopted in accordance with procedures spelt out in Regulation 1698/2005/EC.