PURPOSE: to extend the Pericles 2020 programme on assistance and training programme for the protection of the euro against counterfeiting to the Member States of the European Union not yet using the euro as their single currency.
PROPOSED ACT: Council Regulation.
BACKGROUND: the Pericles programme is an exchange, assistance and training programme for the protection of the euro against counterfeiting. The programme was established by Council Decision 2001/923/EC and its effects were extended to the EU Member States that had not adopted the euro as their currency by Council Decision 2001/924/EC. Subsequent amendments to these basic acts by Council Decisions 2006/75/EC, 2006/76/EC, 2006/849/EC and 2006/850/EC have extended the duration of the programme until 31 December 2013.
However, the exchange of information and staff and the assistance and training measures implemented under the Pericles programme should be uniform throughout the Union and the requisite measures should therefore be taken to ensure the same level of protection for the euro in the Member States that do not have the euro as their official currency.
IMPACT ASSESSMENT: no impact assessment was carried out.
LEGAL BASIS: Article 352 of the TFEU.
CONTENT: this proposed Regulation is presented in parallel to the proposal on the Pericles programme, the Union programme for exchange, assistance and training in the protection of the euro against counterfeiting. The application of the Pericles programme will be extended to the Member States that have not adopted the euro as their single currency, through a proposal for a parallel Regulation based on Article 352 TFEU.
The legal basis for the Pericles programme which is Article 133 TFEU where the Treaty reflects concerns about the protection of the euro by providing for the measures necessary for its use as a single currency is applicable only to Member States which have adopted the euro as their single currency.
BUDGETARY IMPLICATIONS: the financial statement on budgetary implications is identical - except for the legal basis - to the financial statement for the proposal on a European Parliament and Council Regulation establishing an exchange, assistance and training programme for the protection of the euro against counterfeiting (the 'Pericles 2020' programme).
The overall financial envelope amounts to EUR 7 700 000 at current prices. This proposal is part of the Commission’s package linked to the next Multiannual Financial Framework (co-financing EU programme in the context of the 2014-2020 Multiannual Financial Framework) a budget for 2020.