Duration of the joint operational programmes
Article 43
1. The period of execution of each joint operational programme shall start at the earliest at the date of the adoption of the joint operational programme by the Commission and end on 31 December 2016 at the latest. 2. This period of execution shall comprise the following phases: (a) an implementation phase for the joint operational programme with a maximum duration of seven years ending at 31 December 2013 at the latest. No call for tenders or call for proposals may be launched and no contract may be signed after this date, with the exception of audit and evaluation contracts; (b) an implementation phase for projects financed by the joint operational programme starting at the same time as the implementation phase for the programme and ending on 31 December 2014 at the latest. All activities of projects financed by the programme shall end by that date at the latest; (c) a financial closure phase for the joint operational programme including the financial closure of all contracts concluded as part of the programme, the ex post evaluation of the programme, the submission of the final report and the final payment or final recovery by the Commission. This phase shall end on 31 December 2016 at the latest.