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EUROPEAN COMMISSION 
 
 
  SECRETARIAT-GENERAL 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
PV(2013) 2041 final 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Strasbourg, 16 April 2013 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
MINUTES 
of the 2041st meeting of the Commission 
held in Brussels  
(Berlaymont) 
on Wednesday 10 April 2013 
(morning) 
_____ 
 
 
 
 
 
PV(2013) 2041 final 
 

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(10 April 2013) 
TABLE OF CONTENTS 
Attendance list 
5-7 
1.  AGENDAS  (OJ(2013) 2041/FINAL; SEC (2013) 180/2)..........................................8 
2.  WEEKLY MEETING OF CHEFS DE CABINET  (RCC(2013) 2041)......................8 
3.  APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES OF THE 2039TH MEETING OF THE 
COMMISSION (20 MARCH) AND THE MINUTES AND SPECIAL 
MINUTES OF THE 2040TH MEETING (27 MARCH)  (PV(2013) 2039; 
PV(2013) 2040; PV(2013) 2040, PART II) .................................................................8 
4.  INTERINSTITUTIONAL RELATIONS  (RCC(2013) 50) ........................................9 
4.1.  LEGISLATIVE MATTERS ............................................................................................................. 9 
4.2.  RELATIONS WITH THE EUROPEAN COUNCIL AND THE COUNCIL .................................. 13 
4.3.  RELATIONS WITH PARLIAMENT ............................................................................................. 13 
4.4.  EXTERNAL RELATIONS ............................................................................................................ 14 
5.  MONITORING THE APPLICATION OF EUROPEAN UNION LAW..................14 
INFRINGEMENTS – URGENT INDIVIDUAL CASES   (SEC(2013) 202) ....................................... 14 
6.  COMMISSION DECISION ON A PROCEEDING UNDER ARTICLE 
102 OF THE TREATY ON THE FUNCTIONING OF THE EUROPEAN 
UNION AND ARTICLE 54 OF THE EEA AGREEMENT (CASE 
COMP/AT.39727 – CEZ) (C(2013) 1997 TO /5).......................................................15 
7.  ADMINISTRATIVE AND BUDGETARY MATTERS  
(SEC(2013) 185/3) .....................................................................................................16 
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(10 April 2013) 
7.1.  DG HUMAN RESOURCES AND SECURITY – APPROVAL OF LISTS OF 
CANDIDATES FOR HEAD OF EUROPEAN UNION DELEGATION POSTS  
(PERS(2013) 65; PERS(2013) 66; PERS(2013) 67; PERS(2013) 68; 
PERS(2013) 69; PERS(2013) 70; PERS(2013) 71; PERS(2013) 72; PERS(2013) 73; 
PERS(2013) 74) ........................................................................................................................... 16 
7.2.  DG JUSTICE – EXTENSION OF THE TERM OF OFFICE OF THE EXECUTIVE 
DIRECTOR OF THE EUROPEAN UNION AGENCY FOR FUNDAMENTAL 
RIGHTS ....................................................................................................................................... 16 
7.3.  DG HUMAN RESOURCES AND SECURITY – SPECIAL ADMINISTRATIVE 
ARRANGEMENTS FOR THE SELECTION PROCEDURE FOR THE POST OF 
HEAD OF THE COMMISSION REPRESENTATION IN CROATIA .......................................... 17 
7.4.  DG ECONOMIC AND FINANCIAL AFFAIRS – APPOINTMENT OF AD14/15 
DIRECTOR (PERS(2013) 5 AND /2)........................................................................................... 17 
7.5.  LEGAL SERVICE – APPOINTMENT OF AD14/15 PRINCIPAL LEGAL ADVISER 
(PERS(2012) 112 TO /4).............................................................................................................. 18 
8.  WRITTEN PROCEDURES, EMPOWERMENT AND DELEGATION 
OF POWERS..............................................................................................................18 
8.1.  WRITTEN PROCEDURES APPROVED  (SEC(2013) 181 ET SEQ.) ......................................... 18 
8.2.  EMPOWERMENT  (SEC(2013) 182 ET SEQ.) ........................................................................... 19 
8.3.  DELEGATION AND SUBDELEGATION OF POWERS  (SEC(2013) 183 ET SEQ.)................. 19 
8.4.  SENSITIVE WRITTEN PROCEDURES  (SEC(2013) 184 AND /2; COM(2013) 199 
AND /2; RCC(2013) 53) .............................................................................................................. 19 
9.  COMMUNICATION FROM THE COMMISSION TO THE COUNCIL 
AND THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT ON MODERNISATION OF 
TRADE DEFENCE INSTRUMENTS − ADAPTING TRADE DEFENCE 
INSTRUMENTS TO THE CURRENT NEEDS OF THE EUROPEAN 
ECONOMY  (COM(2013) 191 TO /4; SEC(2013) 194 AND /2; 
SEC(2013) 195 AND /2; SEC(2013) 196 AND /2; SEC(2013) 197 AND 
/2; RCC(2013) 52)......................................................................................................25 
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(10 April 2013) 
10.  PROPOSAL FOR A REGULATION OF THE EUROPEAN 
PARLIAMENT AND OF THE COUNCIL AMENDING REGULATION 
(EC) 1225/2009 ON PROTECTION AGAINST DUMPED IMPORTS 
FROM COUNTRIES NOT MEMBERS OF THE EUROPEAN 
COMMUNITY AND COUNCIL REGULATION (EC) 597/2009 ON 
PROTECTION AGAINST SUBSIDISED IMPORTS FROM 
COUNTRIES NOT MEMBERS OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITY  
(COM(2013) 192 TO /4; SWD(2013) 105 AND /2; SWD(2013) 106 AND 
/2; SEC(2013) 199; RCC(2013) 52)...........................................................................25 
 
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PV(2013) 2041 final 
(10 April 2013) 
Single sitting: Wednesday 10 April 2013 (morning) 
The sitting opened at 9.07 with Mr BARROSO, President, in the chair. 
Present: 
Mr BARROSO 
President 
 
Ms REDING 
Vice-President 
 
Mr ALMUNIA 
Vice-President 
Items 1 to 8 (in part) 
Mr KALLAS 
Vice-President 
 
Mr TAJANI 
Vice-President 
 
Mr ŠEFČOVIČ Vice-President 
 
Mr REHN 
Vice-President 
 
Mr POTOČNIK Member 
 
Mr PIEBALGS 
Member 
 
Mr BARNIER 
Member 
 
Ms VASSILIOU 
Member 
 
Mr ŠEMETA 
Member 
 
Mr DE GUCHT 
Member 
 
Ms GEOGHEGAN-QUINN 
Member 
 
Mr LEWANDOWSKI 
Member 
 
Ms DAMANAKI 
Member 
 
Ms GEORGIEVA 
Member 
 
Mr OETTINGER 
Member 
Items 1 to 8 (in part) 
Mr HAHN 
Member 
 
Mr FÜLE 
Member 
 
Mr ANDOR 
Member 
 
Ms MALMSTRÖM 
Member 
 
Mr CIOLOŞ 
Member 
Items 8 (in part) to 10 
 
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(10 April 2013) 
Absent: 
Baroness ASHTON 
High Representative/
 
Vice-President 
Ms KROES 
Vice-President 
 
Ms HEDEGAARD 
Member 
 
Mr BORG 
Member 
 
 
 
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(10 April 2013) 
 
The following sat in to represent absent Members of the Commission: 
Mr BANNERMAN 
Adviser in Baroness ASHTON's Office 
 
Mr KLEINER 
Adviser in Ms KROES's office 
 
Mr VIS 
Chef de cabinet to Ms HEDEGAARD 
 
Ms DARMANIN 
Chef de cabinet to Mr BORG 
 
 
The following also sat in: 
Mr LAITENBERGER 
Chef de cabinet to the PRESIDENT 
 
Mr ROMERO REQUENA 
Director-General, Legal Service 
 
Mr PAULGER 
Director-General, DG Communication 
 
Mr DOENS 
Head of the Commission Spokesperson 
 
Service 
Ms AHRENKILDE HANSEN 
Commission Spokeswoman  
Items 1 to 9/10 (in part) 
Mr THEBAULT 
Head of the Bureau of European Policy 
Items 8 (in part) to 10 
Advisers 
Mr CABRAL 
Adviser hors classe in the PRESIDENT's 
Items 1 to 8 (in part), 9 
Office 
and 10 
Ms SKURATOWICZ 
A member of the PRESIDENT's staff 
Items 1 to 8 
Mr MARTÍNEZ MONGAY 
Chef de cabinet to Mr ALMUNIA 
Items 8 (in part) to 10 
Mr LAHTI 
Adviser in Mr REHN's office 
Items 1 to 8 
Mr RITTER 
A member of Mr REHN's staff 
Items 1 to 8 
Mr BENGTSSON 
A member of Mr DE GUCHT’s staff 
 
M. HAUSLER 
Chef de cabinet to Mr CIOLOŞ 
Items 1 to 8 (in part) 
 
Secretary: Ms DAY, Secretary-General, assisted by Mr AYET PUIGARNAU, Director in 
the Secretariat-General. 
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(10 April 2013) 
1.  AGENDAS  
(OJ(2013) 2041/FINAL; SEC (2013) 180/2) 
The Commission took note of that day’s agenda and of the tentative agendas for 
forthcoming meetings. 
 
2.  WEEKLY MEETING OF CHEFS DE CABINET  
(RCC(2013) 2041) 
The Commission considered the Secretary-General’s report on the weekly meeting 
of Chefs de cabinet held on Monday 8 April. 
 
3.  APPROVAL  OF  THE  MINUTES  OF  THE  2039TH  MEETING  OF  THE 
COMMISSION  (20  MARCH)  AND  THE  MINUTES  AND  SPECIAL 
MINUTES OF THE 2040TH MEETING (27 MARCH) 
 
(PV(2013) 2039; PV(2013) 2040; PV(2013) 2040, PART II) 
The Commission held over approval of the minutes of its 2039th and 2040th 
meetings for the following week. 
 
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PV(2013) 2041 final 
(10 April 2013) 
 
4.  INTERINSTITUTIONAL RELATIONS  
(RCC(2013) 50) 
The Commission took note of the record of the meeting of the Interinstitutional 
Relations Group held on Friday 5 April (RCC(2013) 50). 
It paid particular attention to the following points. 
4.1.  LEGISLATIVE MATTERS 
i) 
Ordinary legislative procedure   
(point 1.2 of the IRG record) 
Dossiers at Parliament first reading 
–  Multiannual Financial Framework 2014-2020 – Common Agricultural 
Policy  − Establishment of rules for direct payments to farmers under 
support schemes within the framework of the common agricultural policy 
(Regulation) – CAPOULAS SANTOS report – 2011/0280 (COD) 
The Commission approved the line set out in SI(2013) 162/2. 
–  Multiannual Financial Framework 2014-2020 – Common Agricultural 
Policy – Common organisation of the markets in agricultural products 
(Single CMO Regulation) – DANTIN report – 2011/0281 (COD) 
The Commission approved the line set out in SI(2013) 163. 
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–  Multiannual Financial Framework 2014-2020 – Implementation and 
exploitation of European satellite navigation systems (Regulation) – 
MARINESCU report – 2011/0392 (COD) 
The Commission approved the line set out in SI(2013) 178/2. 
–  Multiannual Financial Framework 2014-2020 – Definition of the rules for 
participation in the Horizon 2020 Framework Programme for Research 
and Innovation and for dissemination of the results (Regulation) – EHLER 
report – 2011/0399 (COD) / Research and Training Programme of the 
European Atomic Energy Community (2014-2018) complementing the 
Horizon 2020 Framework Programme for Research and Innovation 
(Council Regulation) – SKINNER report – 2011/0400 (NLE) / Horizon 
2020 Framework Programme for Research and Innovation (Regulation) – 
RIERA MADURELL report – 2011/0401 (COD) / Specific programme 
implementing the Horizon 2020 Framework Programme for Research and 
Innovation (Council Decision) – CARVALHO report – 2011/0402 (CNS) 
The Commission took note of the information in SI(2013) 166/2. 
–  Annual financial statements, consolidated financial statements and related 
reports of certain types of undertakings (Directive) – LEHNE report – 
2011/0308 (COD) 
The Commission approved the line set out in SI(2013) 176/4. 
–  Amendment of Directive 2009/16/EC on port State control (Directive) – 
SIMPSON Report – 2012/0062 (COD) 
The Commission approved the line set out in SI(2013) 167/2. 
–  Establishment of ‘Eurodac’ for the comparison of fingerprints for the 
effective application of Regulation (EC) …/… establishing the criteria 
and mechanisms for determining the Member State responsible for 
examining an application for international protection lodged in one of the 
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Member States by a third-country national or a stateless person 
(Regulation – recast) – MACOVEI Report – 2008/0242 (COD) 
The Commission approved the line set out in SI(2013) 168. 
–  Minimum standards on procedures in Member States for granting and 
withdrawing international protection (Directive – recast) – GUILLAUME 
report – 2009/0165 (COD) 
The Commission approved the line set out in SI(2013) 169. 
–  New Legislative Framework Alignment Package (Implementation of the 
Goods Package) – Harmonisation of the laws of the Member States on 
making pyrotechnic articles available on the market (Directive – recast) – 
ROITHOVÁ reports – 2011/0358 (COD) 
The Commission approved the line set out in SI(2013) 174/2. 
Dossier at Council first reading 
–  Common Fisheries Policy (Regulation) – RODUST Report – 2011/0195 
(COD) 
The Commission approved the line set out in SI(2013) 179/2. 
ii)  Preparation of the April part-session of Parliament 
 
(point 1.3 of the IRG record) 
Ordinary legislative procedure – Second reading – Empowerment 
–  Economic Partnership Agreements between the European Union and the 
African, Caribbean and Pacific (ACP) countries – Amendment of 
Annex I to Council Regulation (EC) 1528/2007 as regards the exclusion 
of a number of countries from the list of regions or states which have 
concluded negotiations (Regulation) – MARTIN report – 2011/0260 
(COD) 
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Under Article 13 of its Rules of Procedure, the Commission empowered 
Mr DE GUCHT, in agreement with the PRESIDENT and Mr ŠEFČOVIČ and 
any other members associated, to adopt its opinion on the amendments 
together with any amended proposals, on the basis of the line set out in 
SI(2013) 135 as approved by the Commission on 20 March, once Parliament 
had given its opinion, and transmit them to the Council in accordance with 
Article 294(7)(c) of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union. 
Ordinary legislative procedure – First reading 
–  Groundhandling services at Union airports and repeal of Council 
Directive 96/67/EC (Regulation) – ZASADA report – 2011/0397 (COD) 
The Commission approved the line set out in SP(2013) 220, /2 and /3. 
–  Amendment of Council Regulation (EC) 812/2004 laying down measures 
concerning incidental catches of cetaceans in fisheries and amendment of 
Regulation (EC) 88/98 (Regulation) – ROMEVA I RUEDA report – 
2012/0216 (COD) 
The Commission approved the line set out in SP(2013) 221 and /2. 
–  Technical and control measures in the Skagerrak and amendment of 
Regulation (EC) 850/98 and Regulation (EC) 1342/2008 (Regulation) – 
KUHN report – 2012/0232 (COD) 
The Commission approved the line set out in SP(2013) 222 and /2. 
–  European statistics on demography (Regulation) – SÓGOR report – 
2011/0440 (COD) 
The Commission approved the line set out in SP(2013) 224. 
–  Amendment of Directive 2003/87/EC to clarify provisions on the timing 
of auctions of greenhouse gas allowances (Decision) – GROOTE report – 
2012/0202 (COD) 
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(10 April 2013) 
The Commission approved the line set out in SP(2013) 225 and /2. 
–  European Network and Information Security Agency (ENISA) 
(Regulation) – CHICHESTER report – 2010/0275 (COD) 
The Commission took note of the information in SP(2012) 226, further to note 
SI(2012) 552/2, which it had already approved on 5 December 2012. 
Special legislative procedure 
–  Amendment of Directive 2006/112/EC on the common system of value 
added tax as regards the treatment of vouchers (Council Directive) – 
GÁLL-PELCZ report – 2012/0102 (CNS) 
The Commission approved the line set out in SP(2013) 227 and /2. 
Consent procedure 
–  Facility for providing financial assistance for Member States whose 
currency is not the Euro – HÜBNER report – 2012/0164 (APP) 
The Commission approved the line set out in SP(2013) 228 and /3. 
4.2.  RELATIONS WITH THE EUROPEAN COUNCIL AND THE COUNCIL 
iii)  Programming of Council business  
(SI(2013) 180) 
The Commission took note of the information in SI(2013) 180 on the Council 
meetings between 11 and 24 April. 
4.3.  RELATIONS WITH PARLIAMENT 
iv)  Action taken on legislative opinions and non-legislative resolutions 
adopted by Parliament at its January part-session 
(point 3.4.2 of the IRG record) 
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(10 April 2013) 
The Commission approved documents SP(2013) 176 and /2 on the action 
taken on the legislative opinions and non-legislative resolutions adopted by 
Parliament at its January part-session, for transmission to Parliament. 
v)  Action taken on legislative opinions and non-legislative resolutions 
adopted by Parliament at its February part-session 
(point 3.4.3 of the IRG record) 
The Commission approved documents SP(2013) 239 and /2 on the action 
taken on the legislative opinions and non-legislative resolutions adopted by 
Parliament at its February part-session, for transmission to Parliament. 
4.4.  EXTERNAL RELATIONS 
vi)  Agreement between the European Union and Canada on the 
processing and transfer of passenger name record data (PNR data)   
(point 5.1 of the IRG record) 
The Commission approved the line set out in SI(2013) 173. 
 
5.  MONITORING THE APPLICATION OF EUROPEAN UNION LAW 
INFRINGEMENTS – URGENT INDIVIDUAL CASES 
 
(SEC(2013) 202) 
–  2008/2097 – IT – Incorrect transposition of the directives of the first railway 
package 
Decision: partial withdrawal 
–  2008/2107 – PL – Incorrect transposition of the directives of the first railway 
package 
Decision: partial withdrawal 
The Commission adopted the decisions in SEC(2013) 202.  
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6.  COMMISSION DECISION ON A PROCEEDING UNDER ARTICLE 102 OF 
THE TREATY ON THE FUNCTIONING OF THE EUROPEAN UNION AND 
ARTICLE 54 OF THE EEA AGREEMENT (CASE COMP/AT.39727 – CEZ
(C(2013) 1997 TO /5) 
The Commission: 
−  took note of the opinion of the Advisory Committee on Restrictive Practices and 
Dominant Positions of 22 March in C(2013) 1997/3; 
−  took note of the final report of the Hearing Officer of 25 March in 
C(2013) 1997/4; 
−  adopted, in the authentic language (English), the decision in C(2013) 1997 
finding that there was no need to act in the case in question, subject to 
compliance with the commitments made by the company concerned; 
−  decided that the decision in C(2013) 1997 would be notified to the company 
concerned, together with the final report of the Hearing Officer; 
−  decided to empower Mr ALMUNIA, the Commission Member responsible for 
competition, in agreement with the PRESIDENT, to adopt the necessary 
decisions to ensure that the company concerned complied with the commitments 
forming part of the decision; 
−  decided that the key parts of the decision, together with the Advisory 
Committee’s opinion and the Hearing Officer’s final report, would be published 
in the official languages of the Union in the Official Journal of the European 
Union (with business secrets and other confidential information removed); 
−  decided also to publish the decision on the internet (with business secrets and 
other confidential information removed). 
 
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7.  ADMINISTRATIVE AND BUDGETARY MATTERS  
(SEC(2013) 185/3) 
ADMINISTRATIVE MATTERS 
 
(PERS(2013) 64/2 AND /3) 
7.1.  DG HUMAN RESOURCES AND SECURITY – APPROVAL OF LISTS 
OF CANDIDATES FOR HEAD OF EUROPEAN UNION DELEGATION 
POSTS  
(PERS(2013) 65; 
PERS(2013) 66; 
PERS(2013) 67; 
PERS(2013) 68; 
PERS(2013) 69; 
PERS(2013) 70; 
PERS(2013) 71; 
PERS(2013) 72; 
PERS(2013) 73; PERS(2013) 74) 
The Commission took note of the information in point 1 of PERS(2013) 64/2 
and, on a proposal from Mr ŠEFČOVIČ, in agreement with the PRESIDENT, 
decided to approve the lists of candidates in PERS(2013) 65, PERS(2013) 66, 
PERS(2013) 67, 
PERS(2013) 68, 
PERS(2013) 69, 
PERS(2013) 70, 
PERS(2013) 71, PERS(2013) 72, PERS(2013) 73, and PERS(2013) 74 for the 
posts of Head of the European Union Delegations to Benin, Cameroon, 
Central African Republic, Mauritania, Mauritius, Niger, Sierra Leone, 
Swaziland and Togo (AD9-14/AD12), and Nigeria (AD13-14/AD13); these 
lists would serve as a basis for the competent authority of the European 
External Action Service to make the final appointments.  
This decision would take effect immediately. 
7.2.  DG JUSTICE – EXTENSION OF THE TERM OF OFFICE OF THE 
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF THE EUROPEAN UNION AGENCY FOR 
FUNDAMENTAL RIGHTS 
 
Having noted the procedure followed as set out in point 2 of 
PERS(2013) 64/2, the Commission, on a proposal from Mr ŠEFČOVIČ, in 
agreement with the PRESIDENT and Ms REDING, decided to propose to 
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extend for three years with effect from 1 June 2013 the term of office of 
Mr Morten KJAERUM as Executive Director of the European Union Agency 
for Fundamental Rights, and asked Ms REDING to communicate this 
proposal to the Agency’s management board. 
This decision would take effect immediately. 
7.3.  DG HUMAN RESOURCES AND SECURITY – SPECIAL 
ADMINISTRATIVE ARRANGEMENTS FOR THE SELECTION 
PROCEDURE FOR THE POST OF HEAD OF THE COMMISSION 
REPRESENTATION IN CROATIA 
The Commission noted the information set out in point 3 of PERS(2013) 64/2 
and, on a proposal from Mr ŠEFČOVIČ, in agreement with the PRESIDENT, 
decided to authorise the Director-General of DG Human Resources and 
Security to derogate, if necessary, from Commission Decision C(2004) 1597 
of 28 April 2004 on a new policy for the engagement and employment of 
temporary staff in the case of the selection procedure for the post of Head of 
the Commission Representation in Croatia.  
This decision would take effect immediately.   
7.4.  DG ECONOMIC AND FINANCIAL AFFAIRS – APPOINTMENT OF 
AD14/15 DIRECTOR 
(PERS(2013) 5 AND /2) 
The Commission had before it the applications under Article 29(1)(a)(i) and 
(iii) of the Staff Regulations for the post at director level of Head of the 
Athens Office of DG Economic and Financial Affairs. 
It took note of the opinions of the Consultative Committee on Appointments 
of 10 January and 7 February (PERS(2013) 5 and /2). 
The Commission proceeded to compare the applicants’ qualifications for the 
post. It also considered their ability, efficiency and conduct in the service. On 
a proposal from Mr ŠEFČOVIČ, in agreement with the PRESIDENT and 
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(10 April 2013) 
Mr REHN, it then decided to appoint Mr Margaritis SCHINAS to the post. 
This decision would take effect on 16 May 2013. 
7.5.  LEGAL SERVICE – APPOINTMENT OF AD14/15 PRINCIPAL LEGAL 
ADVISER 
(PERS(2012) 112 TO /4) 
The Commission had before it applications under Article 29(1)(a)(i) and (iii) 
of the Staff Regulations for the post of Principal Legal Adviser in charge of 
the ‘Justice, Freedom and Security, Private Law and Criminal Law’ team in 
the Legal Service (PERS(2012) 112 and /2). 
It took note of the opinions of the Consultative Committee on Appointments 
of 31 January and 21 February 2013 (PERS(2012) 112/3 and /4). 
The Commission proceeded to compare the applicants’ qualifications for the 
post. It also considered their ability, efficiency and conduct in the service. On 
a proposal from Mr ŠEFČOVIČ, in agreement with the PRESIDENT, it then 
decided to appoint Mr Enrico TRAVERSA to the post. 
This decision would take effect on 1 May 2013. 
 
8.  WRITTEN  PROCEDURES,  EMPOWERMENT  AND  DELEGATION  OF 
POWERS 
8.1.  WRITTEN PROCEDURES APPROVED 
 
(SEC(2013) 181 ET SEQ.) 
The Commission took note of the Secretariat-General's memoranda recording 
decisions adopted between 25 March and 5 April. 
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8.2.  EMPOWERMENT  
(SEC(2013) 182 ET SEQ.) 
The Commission took note of the Secretariat-General's memoranda recording 
decisions adopted between 25 March and 5 April. 
8.3.  DELEGATION AND SUBDELEGATION OF POWERS 
 
(SEC(2013) 183 ET SEQ.) 
The Commission took note of the Secretariat-General's memoranda recording 
decisions adopted under the delegation and subdelegation procedure between 
25 March and 5 April, as archived in e-Greffe. 
8.4.  SENSITIVE WRITTEN PROCEDURES 
 
(SEC(2013) 184 AND /2; COM(2013) 199 AND /2; RCC(2013) 53) 
The Commission took note of the sensitive written procedures for which the 
time limit expired between 8 and 12 April. 
Prevention and correction of macroeconomic imbalances – In-depth 
reviews 
Attention was drawn to ongoing written procedure PE/2013/2130, which 
concerned the approval of the Communication from the Commission to the 
European Parliament and the Council on the in-depth reviews carried out on 
13 Member States identified in the Alert Mechanism Report of November 
2012 under Regulation (EU) 1176/2011 on the prevention and correction of 
macroeconomic imbalances. 
The PRESIDENT wanted the Commissioners to be fully informed by 
Mr REHN of the results of the reviews carried out by his departments and the 
conclusions drawn regarding the existence and the severity of macroeconomic 
imbalances in certain countries.  
The PRESIDENT began by stressing the importance of the analyses carried 
out on 13 of the 14 Member States which had been identified in the Alert 
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Mechanism Report adopted by the Commission on 28 November, the other 
country being Cyprus, which now came under a specific programme of 
European assistance. He reminded the meeting that the Commission had, with 
some difficulty, retained its responsibility for macroeconomic analysis and 
surveillance which some Member States had sought to entrust to a group of 
experts. He therefore insisted that the objectivity and independence of the 
analysis carried out by DG Economic and Financial Affairs and the internal 
procedures established since November 2011 were crucial factors in 
guaranteeing the credibility of the exercise and the Commission’s authority.  
He also said that there was a need to draw a clear distinction between the 
analysis stage, which was being presented that day, and the operational 
conclusions stage, which would be presented on 29 May with the adoption of 
country-specific recommendations. Between these two stages there would be 
a period of dialogue and partnership with the Member States to enable them to 
assume ownership of the measures recommended by the Commission and, if 
necessary, to amend their strategies.  
He stressed that, in any event, the Commission would not adopt any 
operational conclusions before May and that it would base itself on how the 
Member States responded to the in-depth reviews in their national reform 
programmes and stability and convergence programmes, which they would be 
presenting as part of the European Semester. There was therefore no 
automatic link between the in-depth reviews as summarised in the main 
communication and the placing of particular Member States under the 
excessive imbalance procedure.  
Mr REHN then took the floor. He began his presentation by quoting from the 
Regulation on the prevention and correction of macroeconomic imbalances to 
show that this process was designed to take account of the severity of such 
imbalances ‘and their potential negative economic and financial spill-over 
effects which aggravate the vulnerability of the Union economy and are a 
threat to the smooth functioning of the economic and monetary union’.  
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He then outlined the broad economic trends that had emerged from the 
in-depth reviews. First, he noted that, while structural reforms and sound 
fiscal policies took time, they complemented each other, the first supporting 
growth and job creation, which in turn reduced the pressure on public 
finances.  
He then turned to the current account balance, which was a key variable. He 
noted progress in the adjustment of external positions in a number of Member 
States, although still not enough to ensure healthy and sustainable levels of 
external debt; these efforts must therefore be continued. For the euro area as a 
whole, the adjustment process was even heading towards a surplus.  
He also said that price and non-price competitiveness was still a matter for 
concern in a number of Member States. Generally speaking, these countries 
had lost export market share to more dynamic emerging economies, although 
he was keen to stress that situations varied widely across the Union.  
As regards competitiveness measured in terms of unit labour costs, Mr REHN 
noted some convergence, but against a background of incomplete labour 
market reforms and a backlog of competitiveness losses over the years that 
still had to be made up. Some Member States needed to continue their 
recovery by holding down wages, but the pursuit of a policy of dynamic wage 
growth by countries ‘in surplus’ would contribute to the re-balancing of the 
euro area. 
Finally, he referred to the ongoing recovery in housing markets, and the levels 
of household, business and public debt which, though shrinking, remained 
high. He acknowledged that the policy of debt reduction had to be pursued, 
despite the inevitable impact it would have in the short term in slowing down 
growth.  
Mr REHN did not discuss the details of each of the in-depth reviews produced 
by the Commission. On a general level, he noted that 13 Member States had 
macroeconomic imbalances and that the Commission would deliver its 
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assessment of their budget plans and reform programmes on 29 May. On this 
basis it would then present its country-specific recommendations. In this 
context, too, the Commission would also examine whether other measures 
were needed for Member States with an excessive macroeconomic imbalance 
and would at the same time review the situation in the framework of the 
ongoing excessive deficit procedures so that, if necessary, recommendations 
could be adopted for presentation to the Council.   
During an exchange of views the following main points were raised:  
–  the need for a discussion at this stage of the procedure, to ensure that the 
Commission’s economic analyses were fully understood and supported 
and that communication on the issue was as accurate as possible at this 
particularly sensitive time; 
–  the importance of stressing the pertinence of the macroeconomic 
surveillance procedure at European Union level in view of the current 
imbalances and the high level of interdependence revealed by the in-depth 
reviews; the importance of presenting the constructive, pragmatic nature 
of the information provided by these in-depth reviews for the next stages 
of the procedure; 
–  in addition to the reviews by Member State, the idea of looking more 
specifically at the imbalances within the euro area and in particular certain 
Member States’ current account surpluses; the case for making the 
correction of such imbalances a necessary condition for achieving the 
goals recommended at national level; the idea of taking into account the 
wider environment, and particularly the impact of monetary policy, when 
analysing the implementation of structural reforms; 
–  in matters of external communication, the need to stress that the structural 
reforms being advocated would, by definition, take time to yield results; 
the importance of placing the Commission’s action in the context of 
support for Member States in difficulty and efforts to stimulate growth and 
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competitiveness, in order to defuse populist rhetoric; the meaningful 
distinction to be made between pre-existing imbalances identified by the 
Commission’s analyses, on the one hand, and imbalances due instead to 
the impact of emergency adjustment measures, on the other; 
–  the suggestion in some quarters that a more political and direct tone be 
used for the in-depth reviews, which would serve as a basis for future 
decisions, thereby preventing confusion with reports by other institutions 
that were purely consultative; support by the majority of Members of the 
Commission for the approach adopted, which entailed a separation 
between the analysis stage and the policy-making stage, to allow room for 
a proper dialogue with the Member States; 
–  the possibility of making some adjustments to the procedure for future 
exercises, particularly as regards the timetable and the internal procedures, 
and of giving the Member States more time to assume ownership of the 
results of the Commission’s analysis and take it properly into account; the 
suggestion that in future more systematic attention be paid to all the 
factors that affect competitiveness, including social issues, such as the 
ageing of the population and changes in pension systems, as well as the 
development of the green economy and youth employment initiatives.   
Mr REHN thanked the other Commission Members for their comments. He 
referred again to the logic of the current exercise, which in the first stage did 
indeed involve highlighting the problems; this was the function of the in-
depth reviews. But it also entailed, in the second stage in May, proposing 
practical solutions to these problems following a dialogue with the Member 
States. It was the Commission’s job to complete this process and to perform 
the dual task of providing objective analysis and policy guidance.  
Turning to the substance of the reports, he spoke of the urgent need to take 
measures in the most vulnerable Member States, which were those with large 
and persistent current account deficits and significant losses of 
competitiveness. The Member States that were building up large current 
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account surpluses, for their part, needed measures to boost domestic demand 
and enhance their growth potential. There were signs of movement in this 
direction in these Member States, but the surpluses could also be explained 
by the fact that the euro area was an open economy that traded extensively 
with the rest of the world.  
The PRESIDENT wound up the debate by reiterating the importance of 
resolutely defending the Community method in this exercise. This meant 
upholding the role of the Commission both on the analysis side, thanks to the 
analytical skills of its staff, which would be supplemented by the newly-
created post of Chief Economic Analyst, and in issuing recommendations for 
action, which was one of the Commission’s policy responsibilities.  
He observed that the Commission was fulfilling its role not just by sending 
out alarm signals whenever it detected macroeconomic imbalances – which 
sometimes put it in an awkward position politically – but also by making a 
very active and concrete contribution to the recovery and the good economic 
governance of the Union in the interests of European citizens. 
The PRESIDENT therefore invited the Commission Members to highlight 
this aspect so that, beyond what was perceived as a policy of austerity, the 
Commission would also be rightly credited for its global growth and 
employment strategy and its action to boost social cohesion and future 
investment in the Union. He also approved the idea put forward in the 
discussion that the country-specific recommendations to be published on 
29 May should be supplemented by a horizontal analysis of the relative 
weight of the general factors relating, for example, to monetary policy or the 
ageing of the European population. Lastly, on the question of the current 
account surpluses, he considered that the difficulty arose not from their 
existence but from the issue of how to redress some imbalances in the 
European Union and in the euro area in favour of the most vulnerable 
Member States.  
The PRESIDENT wound up by stressing that the in-depth reviews and the 
forthcoming country recommendations were a test of the Commission’s 
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credibility. He thanked the Commissioners for their contribution and their 
support for the document that was being adopted that day. 
 
9.  COMMUNICATION  FROM  THE  COMMISSION  TO  THE  COUNCIL  AND 
THE  EUROPEAN  PARLIAMENT  ON  MODERNISATION  OF  TRADE 
DEFENCE 
INSTRUMENTS 
− 
ADAPTING 
TRADE 
DEFENCE 
INSTRUMENTS  TO  THE  CURRENT  NEEDS  OF  THE  EUROPEAN 
ECONOMY  
(COM(2013) 191  TO  /4;  SEC(2013) 194  AND  /2;  SEC(2013) 195  AND  /2; 
SEC(2013) 196 AND /2; SEC(2013) 197 AND /2; RCC(2013) 52) 
10.  PROPOSAL  FOR  A  REGULATION  OF  THE  EUROPEAN  PARLIAMENT 
AND  OF  THE  COUNCIL  AMENDING  REGULATION  (EC) 1225/2009  ON 
PROTECTION  AGAINST  DUMPED  IMPORTS  FROM  COUNTRIES  NOT 
MEMBERS  OF  THE  EUROPEAN  COMMUNITY  AND  COUNCIL 
REGULATION  (EC) 597/2009  ON  PROTECTION  AGAINST  SUBSIDISED 
IMPORTS  FROM  COUNTRIES  NOT  MEMBERS  OF  THE  EUROPEAN 
COMMUNITY  
(COM(2013) 192  TO  /4;  SWD(2013) 105  AND  /2;  SWD(2013) 106  AND  /2; 
SEC(2013) 199; RCC(2013) 52) 
The PRESIDENT introduced the proposal on modernisation of trade defence 
instruments tabled by Mr DE GUCHT. He said that it was a balanced proposal in 
that it reconciled the interests of the different players involved (producers, 
consumers and importers), and that it was appropriate to present it at this stage in 
view of the timetable for the current term of the European Parliament. He pointed 
out that the main points in the dossier had been agreed upon ahead of the 
Commission meeting. However, he noted that the Members wished to discuss two 
questions that were still open. These were (i) the period of advance notice for 
implementation of the provisional anti-dumping or anti-subsidy measures, for 
shipments already in transit (the ‘shipping clause’ that was the subject of 
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Article 1(3) of the proposal for a Regulation) and (ii) the repayment of duties 
collected if, on expiry of the trade defence measures, the investigation concluded 
that the measures would not be extended (Article 1(5) and (8) of the proposal for a 
Regulation). Before opening the discussion, he invited the lead Commissioner to 
summarise the content of the proposal. 
Mr DE GUCHT explained that the aim of the proposal for a Regulation he was 
tabling that day was to set out a balanced approach for adaptation of the Union’s 
trade defence instruments to world trading conditions today which, without 
embarking on a total reform of the current system, would take into account the 
interests of the stakeholders and ensure that the proposal had the best possible 
chance of succeeding.   
Without discussing the proposal in detail, he focused on the two points still open. 
Concerning the first point, the shipping clause and the resulting risk of stockpiling 
imports, he pointed out that the aim of the new proposal was to provide more 
predictability for economic operators. In line with the requests made during the 
preparation phase, he proposed reducing the prior notice period for implementation 
of the provisional anti-dumping or anti-subsidy measures from three to two weeks.  
He noted in this regard that it had been agreed that Commission decisions on such 
prior notice would be taken by accelerated written procedure. He had also proposed 
reducing the length of the Commission’s internal investigation procedures in anti-
dumping cases from 9 to 7 months. Turning to the second point, the repayment of 
duties paid when the investigation concluded without a renewal of the measures, he 
said that this provision would have only a slight financial impact on the European 
Union budget. 
Winding up, Mr DE GUCHT recalled that the four draft guidelines that had been 
circulated related to the regulation in force (Council Regulation (EC) 1225/2009) 
rather than the proposal tabled that day for amendment. 
In the brief discussion that followed, questions were raised, in relation to the 
shipping clause, about the effectiveness of the proposed compromise concerning the 
advance notice period and the feasibility of a different period for enterprises and for 
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the Member States; in this context, the question arose of a different transparency 
obligation for the Commission with regard to the Member States and enterprises; a 
request was made for clarification on the length of the Union’s internal procedures 
in relation to the procedures of other countries that were members of the 
Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development, for example; with regard 
to the reimbursement of duties, a question was asked about the possible ways of 
ensuring the reciprocity of this measure on the part of the Union’s trading partners.  
Replying to these comments, Mr DE GUCHT explained that investigations 
conducted by the Commission were longer than those in other countries because 
they were serious and solid, as borne out by the fact that the outcome of procedures 
brought before the World Trade Organisation was favourable to the European 
Union. With regard to the period proposed for the shipping clause, he felt that it was 
fair to grant an equivalent advance notice period to the Member States and to 
economic operators. Lastly, he said that the reciprocity of reimbursement of duties 
would require the negotiation of new agreements with all the Union’s trading 
partners. 
The 
PRESIDENT added that the reason why the Commission’s internal 
investigation procedures as regards trade defence instruments took longer than in 
certain partner countries was that, in a Union of 27, these procedures were no longer 
just a bureaucratic question; they required the agreement of the Member States and 
involved additional procedures, for example translation into all the official 
languages.  
He expressed his satisfaction at the good compromise that had been reached on the 
balanced proposal tabled that day. In conclusion, he noted the Commission’s 
support for adopting Mr DE GUCHT’s proposal. 
At the end of this discussion, the Commission: 
–  approved the communication in COM(2013) 191/4, for transmission to the 
European Parliament and the Council and, for information, to the national 
parliaments; 
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–  took note of the working documents circulated in SEC(2013) 
194/2, 
SEC(2013) 195/2, SEC(2013) 196/2 and SEC(2013) 197/2; 
–  adopted the proposal for a Regulation in COM(2013) 192/4, for transmission to 
the European Parliament, the Council and, for information, the national 
parliaments, together with the impact assessment and the summary thereof in 
staff working documents SWD(2013) 105/2 and SWD(2013) 106/2, the contents 
of which were noted; 
–  took note of the opinion of the Impact Assessment Board on the above proposal 
for a Regulation, as set out in SEC(2013) 199. 
 
 

*         * 
 
The meeting closed at 11.38. 
 
 
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