1. By way of derogation from Article 4 of Decision 2006/923/EC, the balance of the Community financial contribution referred to in Article 2 of that Decision shall be paid once the following conditions have been satisfied:
(a)
the measures necessary to the creation of a clear-cut belt as an area free from pinewood nematode vector hosts have been implemented by Portugal in an acceptable way and meet the objectives referred to in Article 1 of Decision 2006/923/EC;
(b)
Portugal has submitted to the Commission a financial report, including registered invoices or receipts, and a final technical report as provided for in Article 5 of Decision 2006/923/EC.
2. Article 7 of Decision 2006/923/EC shall not apply if the Commission is satisfied, on the basis of evidence provided by Portugal, that delays in the implementation of the measures have not affected the effectiveness of the measures.