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1. Programme evaluations shall be carried out in a timely manner to feed into the decision-making process of the Programme, the next framework programme and other initiatives relevant to R&I.

2. The interim evaluation of the Programme shall be carried out with the assistance of independent experts selected on the basis of a transparent process once there is sufficient information available about the implementation of the Programme, but no later than four years after the start of that implementation. It shall include a portfolio analysis and an assessment of the long-term impact of previous framework programmes and shall form the basis to adjust or re-orientate the Programme, as appropriate. It shall assess the Programme's effectiveness, efficiency, relevance, coherence, and Union added value.

3. At the end of the implementation of the Programme, but no later than four years after the end of the period specified in Article 1, a final evaluation of the Programme shall be completed by the Commission. It shall include an assessment of the long-term impact of previous framework programmes.

4. The Commission shall publish and communicate the conclusions of the evaluations accompanied by its observations and shall present them to the European Parliament, the Council, the European Economic and Social Committee and the Committee of the Regions.