
Article 1 
Decision 2004/585/EC is hereby amended as follows:

1.. Article 9 shall be replaced by the following:
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Article 9 

1. A Regional Advisory Council which has acquired legal personality may apply for Community financial aid as a body pursuing an aim of general European interest within the meaning of Article 162(b) of Commission Regulation (EC, Euratom) No 2342/2002 of 23 December 2002 laying down detailed rules for the implementation of Council Regulation (EC, Euratom) No 1605/2002 on the financial Regulation applicable to the general budget of the European Communities.
2. The Commission shall sign a grant agreement with each Regional Advisory Council to cover their operational costs, including translation and interpretation costs in accordance with Annex II.';
2.. the following Article shall be inserted:
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Article 9a 
The Commission may carry out all verifications it considers necessary to ensure compliance with the tasks assigned by Regulation (EC) No 2371/2002 and this Decision to the Regional Advisory Councils.';
3.. Annex II shall be replaced by the Annex set out hereto.
Article 2 
This Decision shall enter into force on the seventh day following its publication in the Official Journal of the European Union.
Done at Luxembourg, 11 June 2007.
For the Council
The President
H. SEEHOFER
ANNEX


ANNEX II 
The Community shall contribute to part of the operating costs of the Regional Advisory Councils as bodies pursuing an aim of general European interest. The grant allocated by the Community to each Regional Advisory Council for its operating costs shall not exceed 90 % of the operating budget of the Regional Advisory Council. In the following years, the financial contribution shall be permanent and depend on the budget available. Each year, the Commission shall conclude with each Regional Advisory Council an “operating grant agreement” setting the precise terms and conditions and the procedure for the grant allocation.

The eligible costs shall consist of the costs necessary to ensure the normal operation of the Regional Advisory Councils and enable them to pursue their aims. Only the actual expenses will be subject to the Community contribution, which will be granted on condition that the other sources of financing have been allocated.

The following direct costs shall be eligible:


— personnel expenses (cost of personnel per day of work on the project),
— meeting room facilities,
— new or used equipment,
— materials and supplies,
— dissemination of information to members,
— travel and accommodation expenses of experts attending Committee meetings (based on scales or rules laid down by the Commission departments),
— audits,
— interpretation and translation costs,
— a contingency reserve of not more than 5 % of eligible direct costs.

