ANNEX ANNEX. to the. Commission Decision

Transcription

1 EUROPEAN COMMISSION Brussels, C(2018) 869 final ANNEX ANNEX to the Commission Decision on the adoption of the 2018 work programme for the financing of projects in the area of external trade relations, including access to the markets of non-european Union countries and initiatives in the field of trade related assistance EN EN

2 Work Programme for Introduction ANNEX This work programme contains implementing measures for year 2018 on the basis of the objectives given in the following legal basis: Council Decision 98/552/EC of 24 September 1998 on the implementation by the Commission of activities relating to the Community market access strategy 1 ; Tasks resulting from the Commission's prerogatives at institutional level, as provided for in Article 54(2) points (a) and (d) of Regulation (EU, Euratom) No 966/2012. The budget breakdown and main actions are specified under the following sections: 1.2 for procurement (implemented under direct management); 1.3 for actions implemented through award of grants to an international organisation without a call for proposal (implemented under direct management); 1.4 for actions implemented through delegation agreements with international organisations (implemented under indirect management). The Commission will finance the actions mentioned in all sections except section by virtue of tasks resulting from the Commission's prerogatives at institutional level pursuant to the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union (TFEU), and in particular Articles 206 and 207 thereof. The actions mentioned in section will be financed on basis of Council Decision 98/552/EC. 1 OJ L 265, , p. 31. EN 1 EN

3 1.2. Procurement The overall budgetary allocation reserved for procurement contracts in 2018 amounts to EUR The actions described under this title will be financed in 2018 on the budget article Summary table 1 - Programme of procurement activities Activities supporting the on-going and new multi and bilateral trade and investment negotiations Studies, evaluations and impact assessments in relation to trade and investment agreements and policies Market Access activities supporting the implementation of the EU s Market Access strategy Activities supporting the implementation of trade and investment agreements in force and monitoring of trade and investment rules and obligations Total indicative allocation for procurement activities Activities supporting the on-going and new multi and bilateral trade and investment negotiations Article 54(2)(d) of Regulation (EU, Euratom) No 966/2012; Articles 206 and 207 of the TFEU Subject matter of the contracts envisaged Service contracts awarded in compliance with public procurement rules under this action aim to support the EU negotiating position in on-going multilateral trade and investment negotiations (in the context of the Doha Development Agenda) as well as on-going and new bilateral and regional trade and investment negotiations. Commission (DG Trade) actions in this area will include in particular the following activities: The organisation of meetings, seminars, reimbursement of experts and conferences in relation to the preparation of policy and negotiating positions and to the carrying out of on-going or new trade and investment negotiations. This will cover in particular the EN 2 EN

4 organisation and logistical support in Brussels of negotiations, for example, with Australia, New Zealand, Japan, China, the US, ASEAN countries (such as Indonesia, Philippines, Malaysia etc.), Mexico, Mercosur and its member states, Chile, EUROMED region; Web-communication including (audio) visual, customised online information adapted to the different target audiences, conceptual and graphic design, printed publications, other interactive tools; Development and monitoring of digital and social media and channels (such as Twitter) ensuring online presence in a rationalised and sustainable manner; Organisation of events and public debates to inform the press, stakeholders and general public on trade and investment negotiations and other aspects of trade and investment policy; Press and journalist related activities on trade and investment related matters; Events to stimulate progress in the negotiations and trade relations with key partner countries, such as the High Level Economic and Trade Dialogue with China and the EU- China Economic and Trade Working Group; Subscriptions to on-line information services and other information resources useful for negotiators; Legal expertise, analysis, fact finding and translation services in support of on-going or new trade and investment negotiations; Activities in relation to setting up a multilateral investment court, replacing the Investment Court System (ICS). This will cover in particular outreach activities with the governments of the Member States and Civil Society organisations as well as support to preparations of the multilateral negotiations in the framework of UNCITRAL. Indicative number and type of contracts envisaged These procurement activities will be implemented by DG Trade through specific service contracts using existing or new framework contracts or direct contracts. DG Trade will sign approximately 30 contracts in Indicative timeframe for launching the procurement procedure The launching of several new procurement procedures, especially for low value contracts, will be spread over the year 2018, with a concentration in second and third quarter of the year. By DG Trade. In addition, a minor part of the funds will be co-delegated to other EC departments and services, such as COMM, OP. EN 3 EN

5 Studies, evaluations and impact assessments in relation to trade and investment agreements and policies Article 54(2)(d) of Regulation (EU, Euratom) No 966/2012; Articles 206 and 207 of the TFEU Subject matter of the contracts envisaged Service contracts awarded in compliance with public procurement rules under this action aim to ensure that EU trade and investment policy is underpinned by, and takes proper account of, ex-ante and ex-post evaluation results. Commission (DG Trade) actions in this area will include in particular: Sustainability impact assessments carried out in support of on-going negotiations, in order to analyse the potential economic, social, environmental and human rights' impacts of trade and investment agreements. In 2018, sustainability impact assessments are foreseen, for example, for the negotiations with Australia, New Zealand, Eastern and Southern African (ESA) countries; Evaluations of the implementation of EU trade and investment policy, for example, an interim evaluation of the Economic Partnership Agreement with Eastern and Southern African (ESA) countries, as well as CARIFORUM partner countries and EUROMED region countries; Economic studies covering different areas, such as dispute settlement, also economic analysis of the on-going Free Trade Agreement negotiations or more specific studies, for example, on the dynamics in Computable General Equilibrium (model) with the purpose to update behavioural parameters for the OECD countries and key emerging economies. For some of the analyses to be carried out, purchasing of data and software is needed, in particular firm-level data and value chains data. Other studies, for instance, study on the GSP+ monitoring, investigations and beneficiaries, establishing whether beneficiaries respect their binding undertakings with respect to the core international conventions on human and labour rights, the environment and good governance etc. Indicative number and type of contracts envisaged These procurement activities will be implemented by DG Trade through specific service contracts under existing and new framework contracts or direct contracts. DG Trade will sign approximately 10 contracts in EN 4 EN

6 Indicative timeframe for launching the procurement procedure The launching of several new procurement procedures, especially for low value contracts, will be spread over the year 2018, with a concentration in second and third quarter of the year. By DG Trade Market Access activities supporting the implementation of the EU s Market Access strategy Council Decision 98/552/EC; Articles 206 and 207 of the TFEU Subject matter of the contracts envisaged Service contracts awarded in compliance with public procurement rules under this action aim to support the implementation of the market access strategy 2, which was adopted in 2007 as part of the Global Europe strategy, with the aim of removing or lowering barriers to trade for European exporters. Market access activities involve the following tasks: identification of possible trade restrictive measures in third countries, where appropriate, actions to remove obstacles to trade, and assistance to European industry through appropriate measures. These actions are pursued by means of negotiations, promotion of business-to-business cooperation, and through the use of legal instruments such as the Trade Barriers Regulation (Council Regulation No 3286/94 of 22 December 1994 laying down Community procedures in the field of the common commercial policy in order to ensure the exercise of the Community's rights under international trade rules in particular those established under the auspices of the World Trade Organization 3 ), or WTO dispute settlement. The centre-piece of the market access strategy is a decentralized partnership between the Commission, Member States and business on the ground in Europe's most important export markets. As part of this strategy, a Market Access Database (MADB), available to all economic operators via the Internet, has been set up 4. This instrument lists all the trade barriers affecting EU exports by sector and country; it provides basic information of interest to EU exporters; and it provides an interactive mean of communication between the business The strategy is available at: OJ L 349, , p. 71. The Market Access database is available at: EN 5 EN

7 sector and the European authorities, allowing an online exchange of information. In 2018, Commission (DG Trade) actions in this area will include in particular: Purchase of data for the MADB related to duties and taxes on imports of products and procedures and formalities required for customs clearance in some countries, as well as data for the services and public procurement module; Maintenance, operating and further development of the MADB available to economic operators via internet, listing trade barriers and other information affecting EU exports; Specific analysis of the various obstacles to trade and investment in key markets, including analysis of the implementation by third countries of their obligations under international trade and investment agreements, in connection with the preparation of negotiations. This will cover in particular evaluating the applications received from the Member States for recognition of equivalence of supply chain due diligence schemes under the Conflict Minerals Regulation. Furthermore, it will cover analysis of the information obtained with regard to the policies undertaken in relation to trade and investment distortions in key markets and the compatibility of such measures with international obligations. Moreover, it will allow Commission to call upon external expertise to develop and provide an indicative, non-exhaustive list of conflict-affected and high-risk areas, which would facilitate the implementation of the Conflict Minerals Regulation (Regulation (EU) 2017/821) by economic operators by assisting them in identifying areas from which the sourcing of "3TG" could be associated with particular risks. Communication activities, including seminars, to inform the business sector, Member States officials and other users about the possibilities of the MADB, also specialised conferences, such as High level EU conference on responsible minerals sourcing. Indicative number and type of contracts envisaged These procurement activities will be implemented by DG Trade through specific service contracts using existing or new framework contracts or direct contracts. DG Trade will sign approximately 15 contracts in Indicative timeframe for launching the procurement procedure The launching of several new procurement procedures will be spread over the year 2018, with a concentration in second and third quarter of the year. By DG Trade Activities supporting the implementation of trade and investment agreements in force and monitoring of trade and investment rules and obligations Article 54(2)(d) of Regulation (EU, Euratom) No 966/2012; Articles 206 and 207 of the EN 6 EN

8 TFEU Subject matter of the contracts envisaged Service contracts awarded in compliance with public procurement rules under this action aim to support the implementation of existing trade and investment agreements and the enforcement of related systems that enable effective implementation of these agreements as well as the carrying out of investigations and inspection visits to ensure third countries are respecting the rules. Commission (DG Trade) actions in this area will include: Activities to facilitate investigations carried out in the context of trade defence investigations with the aim to defend EU producers against unfair trade practices by third countries (anti-dumping, anti-subsidy and safeguards instruments) that can be harmful to the EU economy. Some IT activities are foreseen to support the DG's priorities in the field of trade defence, notably development and maintenance of IT systems, technical coordination and security management on information systems. Furthermore, DG Trade will contribute to the Commission-wide rationalisation process of Case Management Systems. Other contracts in the area of trade defence investigations are related to translation services linked to investigations in third countries and the purchase of additional information sources, data and publications necessary for undertaking investigations; Activities supporting the advisory groups set up in various agreements, in particular groups working on Sustainable Development provisions of trade and investment agreements, including organisation of conferences and reimbursement of expert travel expenses; Activities with a view of promoting the EU s external trade policy through a process of structured dialogue with key opinion makers of civil society and stakeholders, including small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), on external trade issues; Activities related to the promotion and communication on trade and investment agreements in force, both within the EU and in the partner countries, such as organisation of the European Trade Policy Day and the European Development Days, also events for stakeholders on the occasion of the entry into force of the Japan, Singapore and Vietnam agreements etc. Furthermore, this will be implemented by means of production and dissemination of audio-visual, electronic and graphical support, printed publications, subscriptions to trade media and databases, translation of communication materials, media-oriented actions, including new media products. Development, maintenance and operating of information systems in support of the operational activities in the trade policy area such as: Integrated Statistical Database (ISDB), Dual Use e-system, Trade Helpdesk, Export Credit Database, Système Intégré EN 7 EN

9 de Gestion des Licences (SIGL) and SIGL Wood, Civil Society platform etc., including purchase of hardware and software infrastructure; Purchase of data, for example, to update the requirements and taxes section of the Trade Helpdesk on import conditions and internal taxes within EU Member States; Organisation of trainings, conferences and communication activities to support the implementation of trade and investment agreements in force. This will cover in particular the organisation of the Strategic Export Control s Conference bringing together public and private stakeholders also support to the organisation of the Export Control Retreat with Member States experts etc. Actions aiming to strengthen the capacity of third countries to participate in trade and investment negotiations, to implement trade and investment agreements and other trade and investment related initiatives, in particular organising Ad-hoc study visits, seminars, workshops; Administration and financing of dispute resolution proceedings arising under trade agreements to which the EU is a party and which are not covered by the WTO dispute settlement system. Legal expertise, especially on questions of foreign law, required to facilitate defence by the EU of its position in WTO dispute settlement cases, other expert studies necessary for the preparation, management and follow-up of WTO dispute settlement cases. It also includes the provision of legal expertise and translations, and if required, arbitration and mediation services for disputes related to bilateral or regional trade agreements. Annual membership fee for the Global Trade Analysis Project (GTAP), of which DG Trade is a board member. The Commission s participation in the consortium is of key importance to ensure that future developments of the GTAP database (and the GTAP models) are in line with Commission priorities as well as to engage with the most influential researchers and international organisations in this area (see Commission Decision C(2016)5195 of ). Indicative number and type of contracts envisaged These procurement activities will be implemented by DG Trade through specific service contracts using existing or new framework contracts or direct contracts. DG Trade will sign approximately 70 contracts in Indicative timeframe for launching the procurement procedure The launching of several new procurement procedures will be spread over the year 2018, with a concentration in second and third quarter of the year. EN 8 EN

10 By DG Trade. In addition, a minor part of the funds will be co-delegated to other EC departments and services, such as DIGIT, DGT, FISMA, PMO, SCIC Actions implemented in direct management through a grant with an international organisation The actions described under this title will be financed in 2018 on the budget articles , and , and by virtue of tasks resulting from the Commission s prerogatives at institutional level pursuant to the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union and one action as a Pilot Project. The actions will be implemented through award of grants to an International Organisation without a call for proposal in accordance with Article 190(1)(f) of Delegated Regulation (EU) No 1268/ The expenditure will be implemented by international public-sector organisations set up by inter-governmental agreements and specialised agencies set up by such organisations, with a specific remit in the area of trade and investment policy. These organisations shall be awarded the specific grant because of their technical competence, their high degree of specialisation or administrative power. The following selection criteria shall apply to all grant applications: operational capacity the applicant must have the necessary professional qualifications required to complete the action; financial capacity the applicant must have sufficient resources to complete the action. The following award criteria shall apply to all grant applications: quality of the application; conformity of the action with the priority areas of trade and investment policy; value for money. requested for financial support and its appropriateness as to expected results. The maximum rate of co-financing for each action will be 95% of the total costs. The following actions are foreseen to be implemented in 2018: Summary table 2 contributions to International Organisations (direct management) International Organisation in EUR Indicative timetable WTO Third quarter 5 6 In order not to interrupt the continuity of the services, funds relating to the expenditure falling into the scope of these co-delegation arrangements will cover the period from the date of the adoption of this decision until the adoption of the next work programme. Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) No 1268/2012 of 29 October 2012 on the rules of application of Regulation (EU, Euratom) No 966/2012 of the European Parliament and of the Council on the financial rules applicable to the general budget of the Union (OJ L 362, , p. 1). EN 9 EN

11 1.3.2 OECD Fourth quarter OIE Third quarter WB Third quarter ILO First quarter UNCITRAL First quarter ITC Second quarter Pilot project First quarter Total indicative allocation Contribution to the World Trade Organisation (WTO) Articles 206 and 207 of the TFEU Description of the activities to be funded, objective and purpose of the action The WTO Trade-Related Technical Assistance (TRTA) is a major component of the WTO work and contributes to the Aid for Trade initiative. Its main purpose is to enhance the human and institutional capacities of beneficiaries to take full advantage of the rules-based Multilateral Trading System, deal with the emerging challenges and enforce their rights and obligations as Members. The Technical Assistance Plan defines the strategy and priorities that will be followed by the WTO Secretariat in this domain in 2018/2019. The EU project contributes to the financing for 2019 of the TRTA, via a contribution to the Doha Development Agenda Global Trust Fund. It targets developing, least developed countries and low-income economies in transition that are members or observers in the WTO. It fosters a sustainable economic, social and environmental development. In 2018/2019, more focus on gender will be ensured. The funding will allow the organisation of training activities, in particular covering costs of consultants, venue, travel, daily allowance, training material etc. By DG Trade Contribution to the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) EN 10 EN

12 Articles 206 and 207 of the TFEU Description of the activities to be funded, objective and purpose of the action Grant to the OECD to support the establishment of a Global Forum on Steel Excess Capacity, as commissioned by the G20 Summit in September The project's main objectives are to allow the members of the Global Forum to collaborate and share information on capacity developments and policy, as well to take effective steps to address the challenges by enhancing market function and encouraging adjustments. By DG Trade Contribution to the World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE) Articles 206 and 207 of the TFEU Description of the activities to be funded, objective and purpose of the action Contribution to the OIE with the main objective to provide assistance to developing countries by financially assisting their delegates to attend meetings of the international standard setting bodies in the SPS context that will be organised in This project is part of the overall Community response to the commitments made within the Doha Development Agenda regarding Trade Related Technical Assistance (TRTA) with a goal of increasing the level of TRTA in the area of Sanitary and Phyto-sanitary Standards (SPS) and providing further evidence of the EU efforts to honour its commitment under Article 9 of the SPS Agreement to facilitate the provision of technical assistance to other members, especially developing members. EN 11 EN

13 By DG Trade Contribution to the World Bank (WB) Articles 206 and 207 of the TFEU Description of the activities to be funded, objective and purpose of the action The overall objective of the Support Program on Investment Policy and Related Areas (SPIRA) programme is to continue supporting developing countries to improve their investment policies by addressing legal, regulatory, and administrative impediments in order to attract, retain and expand investments to the local economy. The specific objectives being: to support the improvement of the domestic capacity of ASEAN partner countries to implement their international obligations on investment (multi-country approach), with the focus on the agreements concluded or under negotiation with the EU, also to support knowledge development in areas relevant for investment competitiveness (Global Agenda), with a focus on investment retention. The EU contribution is meant to ensure a continuation and development of the activities launched in previous years. By DG Trade Contribution to the International Labour Organisation (ILO) Articles 206 and 207 of the TFEU EN 12 EN

14 Description of the activities to be funded, objective and purpose of the action Contribution to the ILO with the main objective to provide technical assistance to Colombia in strengthening the labour inspection system, which would contribute to the effective implementation of the domestic labour legislation, labour contracts and regulation on remuneration and on working hours. Given that labour inspection is currently weak in Colombia, non-existent in remote areas, it negatively affects effective implementation of domestic labour legislation. The proper functioning of labour inspection falls within the scope of the Trade and Sustainable Development chapter in the trade agreement between the EU and Colombia (Articles 268 and 286). By DG Trade Contribution to the United Nations Commission on International Trade Law (UNCITRAL) Articles 206 and 207 of the TFEU Description of the activities to be funded, objective and purpose of the action In July 2010, UNCITRAL Commission entrusted its Working Group III with the mandate to work further on a possible multilateral reform of Investor-State Dispute Settlement (ISDS). The multilateral reform leading to the establishment of a Multilateral Investment Court is of high importance to the European Commission. It is, therefore, in the interest of the Commission that delegates of as many governments as possible participate in the meetings of UNCITRAL Commission and Working Group III. However, many countries across the globe have limited funds to cover their delegates' attendance to these meetings. Therefore, the contribution to the UNCITRAL Trust Fund would ensure travel assistance to those developing countries. By DG Trade Contribution to the International Trade Centre (ITC) EN 13 EN

15 Articles 206 and 207 of the TFEU Description of the activities to be funded, objective and purpose of the action The FTA implementation strategy needs to be reinforced and extended to other key parts of trade agenda, notably services. Therefore, the aim of this project is to carry out a survey of EU exporters of services (across all Modes of Supply) in order to map their needs and the gaps concerning information on exporting conditions and requirements in third countries for their sector of activity. The results of the survey will contribute to the inclusion of a new Services Module in the MADB. By DG Trade Contribution to the International Trade Centre (ITC) Pilot project Article 54 (2) of the Financial Regulation Description of the activities to be funded, objective and purpose of the action The pilot project Women and Trade has been introduced by the European Parliament. The project will create a model chapter on gender in Free Trade Agreements based on data on women participating in trade vs. women participating in the domestic economy. It will be built on the methodology and experience of ITC by implementing a company survey in the EU and selected third countries, designed to capture women s participation in trade, the extent to which they are impacted by EU trade agreements, as well as barriers to trade faced by women entrepreneurs in the EU. By DG Trade EN 14 EN

16 1.4 Actions implemented under indirect management through a delegation agreement with an international organisation The actions described under this title will be financed in 2018 on the budget article , and by virtue of tasks resulting from the Commission's prerogatives at institutional level pursuant to the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union. The expenditure will be implemented by international public-sector organisations set up by inter-governmental agreements and specialised agencies set up by such organisations, with a specific remit in the area of trade policy. According to the requirements laid down in points (a) to (d) of the first subparagraph of Article 60(2) of Regulation (EU, Euratom) No 966/2012, only international organisations that have been subject of a "6 pillar" assessment can perform actions under this management mode. The entity International Trade Centre (ITC) is currently undergoing such an assessment. In anticipation of the results of this review, the authorising officer responsible deems that, based on ITC s positive assessment under the Regulation and on the longstanding and problem-free cooperation with it, budget-implementation tasks can be entrusted to ITC. The actions will be implemented through a delegation agreement with an International Organisation in accordance with Article 58(c), 60 and 61 of Regulation (EU, Euratom) No 966/2012. The maximum rate of co-financing for each action will be 95% of the total costs Contribution to the International Trade Centre (ITC) Articles 206 and 207 of the TFEU EUR Implementing entity The International Trade Centre (ITC) is the joint agency of the United Nations and the WTO. Its joint mandate combines a focus on expanding trade opportunities with the aim of fostering sustainable development. The ITC has notably developed over the years internationally recognised independent expertise on the various sustainability assurance schemes and engaged in various activities in relation to fair and ethical trade. Overall objective and purpose of the action The project will help to deliver one of the objectives of the Trade for All startegy, in particular on fair and ethical trade in relation to the organisation of the "EU Cities for Fair and Ethical Trade" award. The winner city will set up a cooperation with a counterpart (city/producer) in a developing country taking advantage of the expertise of the ITC in fair and ethical trade. In addition, the project will ensure an effective follow-up on the projects EN 15 EN

17 implementation with a goal to organise the second edition. It targets all relevant stakeholders in relation to fair trade and other sustainability assurance schemes, auch as partner countries, small producers, EU local authorities involved in promoting fair and ethical trade. EN 16 EN