Regulation (EU) 2021/1529 establishing the Instrument for Pre-Accession assistance (IPA III)

Summary:

Regulation (EU) 2021/1529 - adopted by the European Union on 15 September 2021 - establishing the Instrument for Pre-Accession Assistance (IPA III) in the framework of the Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF) 2021-2027.

Further information:

The Instrument for Pre-accession Assistance (IPA) is the means by which the European Union (EU) supports reforms in the so-called enlargement countries with financial and technical help. The IPA funds build up the capacities of the countries throughout the accession process, resulting in progressive, positive developments in the region.

The Regulation lays down the objectives of IPA III - the third such programme - for the period between 2021 and 2027, the forms of EU assistance and the rules for providing such assistance.

The draft law was tabled by the European Commission on 14 June 2018 in the framework of its proposals on the wider Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF) for 2021-2027. . It was originally proposed that the programme was allocated a budget of over €14 billion, divided according five thematic priorities and allocated based on the actual performance of beneficiaries on the basis of an annual assessment. The Council of the European Union adopted its general approach on this file on 19 March 2019, excluding the provisions relating to the wider financial framework. The European Parliament adopted its negotiating position in the same month. A political agreement between Member States on the financial ceilings of the wider MFF was reached in July 2020. An informal agreement between the co-legislators on a compromise text for the file was reached on 2 June 2021. This was formally endorsed by the Council on 7 September, followed by the Parliament on 15 September. The Act was published in the Official Journal on 20 September 2021.

Official

Proposal for a Regulation establishing the Instrument for Pre-accession Assistance (IPA III) https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/ALL/?uri=COM:2018:465:FIN

EUR-LEX: SWD(2018)337: Staff Working Document accompanying the Proposal - Impact assessment https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/ALL/?uri=SWD:2018:337:FIN

European Parliament: Legislative Observatory: Procedure File for Proposal on the Instrument for pre-accession assistance (IPA III) 2021–2027 (2018/0247(COD)) https://oeil.secure.europarl.europa.eu/oeil/popups/ficheprocedure.do?reference=2018/0247(COD)

European Parliament: Legislative Train Schedule: Proposal for a Regulation of the EP and the Council establishing the Instrument for Pre-Accession Assistance (IPA III) http://www.europarl.europa.eu/legislative-train/theme-new-boost-for-jobs-growth-and-investment/file-mff-ipa-iii

European Commission: Multiannual Financial Framework: IPA III Regulation https://ec.europa.eu/info/law/better-regulation/initiatives/com-2018-465

Council of the European Union: Press Release, 19/03/2019: Instrument for Pre-accession Assistance (IPA III): Council agrees its position https://www.consilium.europa.eu/en/press/press-releases/2019/03/19/instrument-for-pre-accession-assistance-ipa-iii-council-agrees-its-position/

European Commission: Press Release, 02/06/2021: European Commission welcomes political agreement on new €14.2 billion Pre-Accession Assistance Instrument (IPA III) https://ec.europa.eu/commission/presscorner/detail/en/ip_21_2810

Council of the European Union: Press Release, 07/09/2021: Council gives final go-ahead to seven-year funding for accession countries https://www.consilium.europa.eu/en/press/press-releases/2021/09/07/council-gives-final-go-ahead-to-seven-year-funding-for-accession-countries/

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Commentary and Analysis

EPRS: Briefing, November 2018: Instrument for Pre-accession Assistance (IPA III) http://www.europarl.europa.eu/thinktank/en/document.html?reference=EPRS_BRI(2018)630298

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