THE EUROPEAN COMMISSION,
Having regard to the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union,
Having regard to Council Regulation (EC) No 1257/96 of 20 June 1996 concerning humanitarian aid, and in particular Article 4 and Article 15(2) thereof,
Whereas:
(1) In order to maximise the benefits of humanitarian aid to victims it is necessary to be able to draw on efficient, appropriate and effective technical assistance. This technical assistance is provided by experts recruited under direct contracts with the Commission subject to Belgian law. This financing decision follows on from previous decisions.
(2) With the aim of developing a stronger European disaster-response capacity and responding constructively to the concerns of the Council, which asked for improved humanitarian-aid response mechanisms, the Commission must enhance its capacity to dispatch experts into the field by improving its rapid response capability.
(3) It is estimated that EUR 27 000 000 under Article 23 02 01 of the 2011 general budget of the European Union is needed to maintain and strengthen the system of individual experts and achieve the objectives of this Decision.
(4) The Commission should implement the budget for this technical assistance by direct centralised management in its departments.
(5) The experts recruited will be offered employment contracts by the Commission to carry out technical assistance activities.
(6) In line with the Commission’s communication on ‘Streamlining financial rules and accelerating budget implementation to help economic recovery’, cumulated changes to specific objectives and an increase in allocations not exceeding 20% of the maximum contribution authorised by this Decision are not considered to be substantial, provided that they do not significantly affect the nature and objective of the Decision, and may be adopted by the authorising officer responsible.
(7) This Decision constitutes a financing decision within the meaning of Article 75 of the Financial Regulation (EC, Euratom) No 1605/2002, Article 90 of the detailed rules for the implementation of the Financial Regulation (EC, Euratom) No 2342/2002 and Article 15 of the internal rules for the implementation of the general budget of the European Union .
(8) In accordance with Article 17(3) of Council Regulation (EC) No 1257/96 of 20 June 1996 concerning humanitarian aid, the Humanitarian Aid Committee gave a favourable opinion on […],
HAS DECIDED AS FOLLOWS:
Article 1 1. The Commission hereby approves total financing of EUR 27 000 000 under Article 23 02 01 of the 2011 general budget of the European Union to ensure the continued financing of technical assistance and operational support to humanitarian aid actions in non-member countries.