where the opinion on the compliance of systems under Article 71(2) is without reservations, or where reservations have been withdrawn following corrective measures, the Commission may conclude that it can rely principally on the opinion referred to in Article 62(1)(d)(ii) with regard to the effective functioning of the systems and that it will carry out its own on-the-spot audits only if there is evidence to suggest shortcomings in the system affecting expenditure certified to the Commission in a year for which an opinion under Article 62(1)(d)(ii) has been provided which contains no reservation in respect of such shortcomings.

In 2000, in response to the mandate from the Lisbon European Council, the Commission set up a high-level expert group to identify obstacles to the mobility of researchers and to draw up proposals for removing such obstacles.

Any Contracting Party which has entered reservations may withdraw them, in whole or in part, at any time by notification to the depositary specifying the date on which such withdrawal takes effect.

Following the conclusions of the Lisbon European Council of 23 and 24 March 2000, a High-Level Expert Group was set up in order to identify obstacles to the mobility of researchers and make concrete proposals for their removal.

The Union was willing to consider any changes that might be needed to achieve a negotiated result and it was ready to promote the idea of international arbitration to facilitate a territorial settlement; - in implementing the plan of action, priority had to be given to lifting the siege of Sarajevo and establishing the district's international status; - the progress made on the question of Srebenica and the reopening of Tuzla confirmed the effectiveness of the European Union's approach and the value of showing the necessary resolve towards all the parties; - the progress made on achieving a modus vivendi in Krajina, in accordance with ...[+++] the plan of action, was an encouraging development and the efforts to ensure full implementation should be continued; - in Bosnia it was necessary to pursue and encourage an improvement in relations between Croats and Muslims, especially on questions concerning access to the sea and a viable territorial solution in central Bosnia; - the presence in southern Bosnia-Herzegovina of regular troops from the Republic of Croatia was a violation of international law.

As the only problem standing in the way of its adoption has been removed (a drafting matter resolved by a compromise proposal submitted by the Presidency), there is every reason to believe that the Council will take a unanimous decision on this.