BAKGRUNN (fra rådsbeslutningen)

(1) On 21 February 2022, the Council authorised the Commission to open negotiations (2) with Iceland, the Kingdom of Norway, the Swiss Confederation and the Principality of Liechtenstein for the arrangements on the financial contributions of those countries and the supplementary rules necessary for their participation in the Instrument for Financial Support for Border Management and Visa Policy for the period 2021 to 2027, including provisions ensuring the protection of the Union’s financial interests and the powers of audit of the Court of Auditors, to be concluded pursuant Regulation (EU) 2021/1148 of the European Parliament and of the Council (3). The negotiations with the Kingdom of Norway were successfully concluded by the initialling of the Agreement on 14 February 2023.

(2) In accordance with Council Decision (EU) 2023/2221 (4), the Agreement between the European Union and the Kingdom of Norway on supplementary rules in relation to the Instrument for Financial Support for Border Management and Visa Policy, as part of the Integrated Border Management Fund, for the period 2021 to 2027 (‘the Agreement’) was signed on 20 December 2023, subject to its conclusion at a later date.

(3) Pursuant to Article 218(7) of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union, it is appropriate for the Council to authorise the Commission to approve modifications to the Agreement that are necessary with a view to adjusting references to Regulation (EU, Euratom) 2018/1046 of the European Parliament and of the Council (5) (the ‘Financial Regulation’) whenever that Regulation is updated.

(4) In accordance with Articles 1 and 2 of Protocol No 22 on the position of Denmark, annexed to the Treaty on European Union and the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union, Denmark is not taking part in the adoption of this Decision and is not bound by it or subject to its application.

(5) This Decision constitutes a development of the provisions of the Schengen acquis in which Ireland does not take part, in accordance with Council Decision 2002/192/EC (6); Ireland is therefore not taking part in the adoption of this Decision and is not bound by it or subject to its application.

(6) The Agreement should be approved,