Content of joint operational programmes
Article 4
Each joint operational programme shall describe the objectives, priorities and measures concerning the operations to be undertaken and shall explain how they fit in with other ongoing or planned bilateral and multilateral programmes in the countries and regions concerned, in particular programmes financed by the European Union. In particular, each joint operational programme shall: (a) list the territorial units eligible, including the possible adjacent regions, as locations for projects financed by the programme, as defined in Regulation (EC) No 1638/2006 and the strategy paper; (b) lay down rules for participation in the programmes by adjacent areas in third countries which are not covered by Regulation (EC) No 1638/2006 but which are allowed to take part in cooperation on the basis of the strategy paper; (c) lay down priorities and measures addressing the objectives identified in the strategy paper; (d) set out the composition of the Joint Monitoring Committee in accordance with Article 11 of this Regulation; (e) identify the body appointed by the participating countries to perform the role of Joint Managing Authority; (f) describe the structure that will be set up by the Joint Managing Authority for the management of the programme in accordance with Articles 14, 15, 16 and 17 of this Regulation. This description shall be detailed enough to enable the Commission to be reasonably confident that effective and efficient internal control systems have been put in place, based on best international practices; (g) include a financial table describing the provisional yearly allocations of commitments and payments under the programme, established in accordance with the priorities and specifying in particular the amounts allocated to technical assistance; (h) identify programme implementation methods, in accordance with the contractual procedures referred to in Article 23 of this Regulation; (i) specify a provisional indicative timetable for the launching of procedures and the selection of projects to be financed; (j) describe any regulatory requirements regarding environmental impact assessment studies and give a provisional indicative timetable for the carrying-out of these studies; (k) state the language(s) adopted by the programme; (l) include an information and communication plan in accordance with Article 42. The table referred to in point (g) of the second paragraph shall indicate the European Community contribution and divide the provisional indicative amounts to be committed by the Commission each year up to 2013 (the allocations for 2011-2013 shall be confirmed in the Indicative Programme for 2011-2013). The table shall also contain the provisional indicative amounts of co-financing from the own resources of participating countries. For the purposes of point (h) of the second paragraph, the projects financed under the programme shall generally be selected following calls for proposals. Nevertheless, the participating countries may also, in agreement with the European Commission, jointly identify large-scale cross-border investment projects which will not be selected through calls for proposals: these projects shall be specifically mentioned in the programme or be selected at a later stage by the Joint Monitoring Committee, referred to in Articles 11 to 13, provided that they are consistent with the programme's priorities and measures and that there is a budget specifically for this purpose.