Article 31 National authorities and responsibilities of participating countries

The national authority which has been appointed pursuant to point (a) of Article 20(6) shall inter alia:

For CBC partner countries, the national authority is the ultimate responsible body for implementing the provisions set out in the financing agreement referred to in Articles 8 and 9.

Participating countries shall support the Managing Authority in its obligation referred to in Article 30(2).

Participating countries shall prevent, detect and correct irregularities, including fraud and the recovery of amounts unduly paid, together with any interest pursuant Article 74 on their territories. They shall notify these irregularities without delay to the Managing Authority and the Commission and keep them informed of the progress of related administrative and legal proceedings.

Responsibilities of participating countries for amounts unduly paid to a beneficiary are laid down in Article 74.

A financial correction by the Commission shall not prejudice the Managing Authority's obligation to pursue recoveries under Articles 74 and 75 nor the obligation by Member States to recover State aid within the meaning of Article 107(1) of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union and under Article 14 of Council Regulation (EC) No 659/1999^f1.