Article 4 General principles related to the implementation and management of the Dedicated Window[s]F1

The EIF shall implement, manage, monitor and wind-up the Dedicated Window[s] in accordance with the Funding Agreement, applicable terms of the CPR, the Delegation Agreement(s), the Financial Regulation and other relevant provisions of Union law, in particular state aid rules. In so doing, the EIF shall apply its own rules, policies and procedures as amended, modified or supplemented from time to time, good industry practices and appropriate monitoring, control and audit measures as further set out herein.

The EIF shall be responsible for the hiring and employment of staff and/or consultants which it may assign to the implementation of the Dedicated Window[s] and which shall be under the responsibility of the EIF for the purposes of this Funding Agreement and be regulated in all aspects by and be subject to the rules, policies and procedures applied by the EIF in relation to its staff and/or consultants.

The EIF shall perform its obligations relating to the Dedicated Window[s] as specifically set forth in this Funding Agreement with the requisite professional degree of care, efficiency, transparency and diligence, as it applies to the discharge of its own affairs.

A Party faced with Force Majeure shall notify the other Party without delay, stating the nature, likely duration and foreseeable effects. The Parties shall take the necessary measures to limit or minimise costs and possible damages due to Force Majeure.

The management and implementation of the Dedicated Window[s] shall be based on the principle of alignment of interests between the Parties. As far as the principle of alignment of interests is concerned, the EIF shall comply with the principles set out in Article 12 and Annex 1.

The allocation of Operations shall be based on the criteria set out in the Implementation Strategy. The EIF shall provide to the Managing Authority its Implementation Strategy within [3] months from the signature of this Funding Agreement and shall notify the Managing Authority without undue delay of any change to the Implementation Strategy.

The MS Contribution shall not generate undue advantages, in particular in the form of undue dividends or profits to third parties other than in accordance with this Funding Agreement.

Financial support under the Dedicated Window[s] shall not be granted to any Financial Intermediary or Final Recipient that are in one of the situations referred to in Article 9.4 [such conditions shall be contractually further specified].