Approval of programmes

1.   The Commission shall assess the programme and its compliance with this Regulation and with the Fund-specific Regulations, as well as, for the ERDF, the ESF+, the Cohesion Fund, the JTF and the EMFAF, its consistency with the relevant Partnership Agreement. In its assessment, the Commission shall, in particular, take into account relevant country-specific recommendations, relevant challenges identified in the integrated national energy and climate plan, and the principles of the European Pillar of Social Rights, and the way they are addressed.
2.   The Commission may make observations within 3 months of the date of submission of the programme by the Member State.
3.   The Member State shall review the programme, taking into account the observations made by the Commission.
4.   The Commission shall adopt a decision by means of an implementing act approving the programme no later than 5 months after the date of the first submission of the programme by the Member State.