Introductory text

THE COMMISSION OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES,

Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Community,

Having regard to Council Decision 2004/465/EC of 29 April 2004 on a Community financial contribution towards Member States fisheries control programmes^f1, as amended by Council Decision 2006/2/EC of 21 December 2005^f2, and in particular Article 6(1) thereof,

Whereas:

Member States have forwarded to the Commission their fisheries control programme for 2006 together with the applications for a Community financial contribution towards the expenditure to be incurred in carrying out the projects contained in such programme.

Applications concerning actions listed in Article 4 of Council Decision 2004/465/EC may qualify for Community funding.

It is appropriate to fix the maximum amounts and the rate of the Community financial contribution and to lay down the conditions under which such contribution may be granted.

In order to qualify for the contribution, automatic localisation devices should satisfy the requirements fixed by Commission Regulation (EC) No 2244/2003 of 18 December 2003 laying down detailed provisions regarding satellite-based Vessel Monitoring Systems^f3.

Member States must in accordance with Article 8 of Council Decision 2004/465/EC commit their expenditure within a period of 12 months from the end of the year in which the present Decision is notified to them. They must also comply with the provisions of Decision 2004/465/EC as regards starting their projects and submitting applications for reimbursement.

The measures provided for in this Decision are in accordance with the opinion of the Committee for Fisheries and Aquaculture,

HAS ADOPTED THIS DECISION: