Financial arrangements
Article 14
1. The financial reference amount intended to cover the expenditure related to EUCAP Sahel Mali for the first nine months following the entry into force of this Decision shall be EUR 5 500 000. The financial reference amount for the subsequent periods shall be decided by the Council. 2. All expenditure shall be managed in accordance with the rules and procedures applicable to the general budget of the Union. Nationals of third States and host country nationals shall be allowed to tender for contracts. Subject to the Commission's approval, the Mission may conclude technical arrangements with Member States, the host State, participating third States and other international actors regarding the provision of equipment, services and premises to EUCAP Sahel Mali. 3. EUCAP Sahel Mali shall be responsible for the implementation of its budget. For this purpose, EUCAP Sahel Mali shall sign an agreement with the Commission. 4. The financial arrangements shall respect the chain of command as provided for in Articles 3, 5 and 6 and the operational needs of EUCAP Sahel Mali, including compatibility of equipment and interoperability of its teams. 5. Expenditure shall be eligible from the date when the agreement referred to in paragraph 3 is signed.