Payments
Article 160
1. Notwithstanding Article 40(5), the combined total of pre-financing and interim payments shall not exceed 90 % of the Community contribution, as set out in the financial table of the operational programmes. 2. All exchanges concerning financial transactions between the Commission and the authorities and bodies referred to in Article 21 shall be made by electronic means, as provided for in the financing agreement. 3. In addition to the provisions of Article 42, payments for the pre-financing payments for the pre-financing shall amount to 30 % of the Community contribution for the first three years of the programme concerned, and shall be made once the conditions laid down in Article 42(1) are met. Where necessary, with regard to the availability of budgetary commitment, the pre-financing may be made in two instalments.