
Article 1 
In Article 160 of Regulation (EC) No 718/2007, paragraph 3 is replaced by the following:
'
3. In addition to the provisions of Article 42, payments for the pre-financing may amount to 30 % of the European Union contribution for the three most recent years of the programme concerned. Where necessary, with regard to the availability of budgetary commitment, the pre-financing may be paid in two instalments.'
Article 2 
This Regulation shall enter into force on the day following its publication in the Official Journal of the European Union.
This Regulation shall be binding in its entirety and directly applicable in all Member States.Done at Brussels, 12 September 2012.
For the Commission
The President
José Manuel BARROSO