prop · GF0323 · 1992-01-01 00:00:00 — får, enligt bestämmelserna i artikel 26, punkt 3, besluta i de fall som föreskrivs i detta avtal. I andra frågor får kommittén göra rekommendationer. För att säkerställa en rätt tillämpning av detta avtal skall mötas på lämplig nivå när det är nödvändigt men minst en gång . Varje avtalslutande part får begära att möte hålls. Kommittén skall uttala sig enhälligt. Om en representant för en avtalsslutande part har accepterat ett beslut i med reservation för att de konstitutionella kraven måste uppfyllas, skall beslutet träda i kraft, om inte något senare datum anges däri, den dag då parten meddelar att reservationen hävts. skall anta sin egen arbetsordning som bl.a. skall innefatta bestämmelser rörande sammankallande av möten, val av ordförande och dennes tjänstgöringsperiod. får besluta att upprätta de underkommittéer och arbetsgrupper som den anser nödvändiga för att biträda den vid fullgörandet av dess uppgifter. När en avtalsslutande part anser att det skulle ligga i de avtalsslutande parternas intresse att utveckla de förbindelser som upprättas genom detta avtal genom att utvidga dem till områden som inte täcks av avtalet, skall parten till dem överlämna en begäran med angivande av skäl. De avtalsslutande parterna får uppdra åt att pröva denna begäran och att, i förekommande fall, avge rekommendationer till dem. De avtal som följer av förfarandena enligt punkt 1 skall bli föremål för ratifikation eller godkännande av de avtalsslutande parterna i enlighet med deras egna förfaranden. Andra anpassningar av detta avtal än sådana som nämns i artikel 25, punkt 3, vilka godkänts av , skall underställas de avtalsslutande parterna för godkännande och skall träda i kraft om de godkänts av alla parter. Godkännandeinstrument skall deponeras hos depositarien. Protokoll A, B och C och bilagorna I till XI till detta avtal skall utgöra en integrerad del därav. kan besluta om ändringar i protokoll och bilagor. Handelsförbindelser som regleras genom andra avtal Detta avtal skall inte utgöra hinder mot att tullunioner, frihandelsområden eller arrangemang för gränstrafik bibehålls eller upprättas, i den mån dessa inte negativt påverkar den ordning för handeln som avses i detta avtal och särskilt reglerna rörande ursprung. Detta avtal skall tillämpas på de avtalsslutande parternas områden. Varje land som blir medlem i EFTA får ansluta sig till detta avtal, under förutsättning att beslutar att godkänna anslutningen och på de villkor som anges i dess beslut. Anslutningsinstrumentet skall deponeras hos depositarien. Avtalet skall vad gäller ett anslutande land träda i kraft i tredje månaden efter det att anslutningsinstrumentet deponerats. Varje part kan säga upp detta avtal genom en skriftlig notifikation till depositarien. Uppsägningen träder i kraft efter den dag då notifikationen mottogs av depositarien. Om säger upp avtalet, skall avtalet upphöra att gälla vid slutet av uppsägningsperioden och om samtliga EFTA-länder säger upp det, skall det upphöra att gälla vid slutet av den senaste uppsägningsperioden. Ett EFTA-land som frånträder konventionen angående upprättandet av Europeiska frihandelssammanslutningen skall ipso facto som uppsägningen blir giltig upphöra att vara part i detta avtal. Detta avtal träder i kraft förutsatt att samtliga signatärstater har deponerat sina ratifikations- eller godkännandeinstrument hos depositarien. Om avtalet inte har trätt i kraft enligt bestämmelserna i punkt 1 och förutsatt att har deponerat sitt ratifikations- eller godkännandeinstrument, skall företrädare för de signatärstater som deponerat ett sådant instrument sammanträda före och får besluta när avtalet skall träda i kraft i förhållande till dessa stater. Så länge som något beslut inte har fattats skall ett möte i samma syfte hållas senast efter det att en ytterligare signatärstat har deponerat sitt instrument. För en signatärstat som deponerar sitt ratifikations- eller godkännandeinstrument efter det möte som avses i punkt 2 skall detta avtal träda i kraft i efter det att den deponerat sitt instrument hos depositarien men inte före den dag som beslutats i enlighet med punkt 2. , som är depositarie för avtalet, skall underrätta samtliga länder som har undertecknat eller anslutit sig till detta avtal om deponering av ratifikations-, godkännande- eller anslutningsinstrument, ikraftträdande av detta avtal, annan åtgärd eller underrättelse som rör detta avtal samt om avtalets upphörande. TILL BESTYRKANDE HÄRAV har undertecknade, därtill vederbörligen befullmäktigade ombud, undertecknat detta avtal. UPPRÄTTAT I i ett enda autentiskt exemplar på engelska språket, vilket skall deponeras hos . Depositarien skall sända bestyrkta kopior till samtliga signatärstater och avtalsslutande stater. -- -- -- -- Agreement between the EFTA States and The Republic of , the Republic of , the Republic of , the Principality of , the Kingdom of , the Kingdom of and the Swiss Confederation, on the one hand, (hereinafter called the EFTA States) and the Republic of , on the other hand, (hereinafter called ), Recalling their intention to participate actively in the process of economic integration in Europe and expressing their preparedness to co-operate in seeking ways and means to strenghten this process; Having regard to the Convention establishing (); Having regard to the Agreements between the EFTA States and Communities; Having regard to the Agreement creating an Association between and Economic Community; Having regard to the experience gained from the co- operation developed in the light of the aforementioned relations as well as between individual EFTA States and ; Declaring their willingness to take action with a view to promoting harmonious development of their trade as well as to expanding and diversifying their mutual co-operation in fields of common interests, including fields not covered by this Agreement, thus creating a framework and supportive environment based on equality, non- discrimination, and a balance of rights and obligations; Recalling the mutual interest of the EFTA States and in the continual reinforcement of the multilateral trading system and considering their capacity as Contracting Parties of the General on Tariffs and Trade, the provisions and instruments of which constitute a basis for their foreign trade policy; Resolved to lay down for this purpose provisions aimed at a progressive abolition of the obstacles to trade between the EFTA States and in accordance with the provisions of that Agreement, in particular those concerning the of free trade areas; Considering that no provision of this Agreement may be interpreted as exempting the States Parties to this Agreement, from their obligations under other international agreements; , in pursuance of these objectives, to conclude the following Agreement: The objectives of this Agreement are: (a) to promote, through the expansion of reciprocal trade, the harmonious development of economic relations between the EFTA States and ; (b) to provide fair conditions of competition for trade between the EFTA States and ; (c) to contribute in this way, by the removal of barriers to trade, to the harmonious development and expansion of world trade; (d) to enhance co-operation between the EFTA States and . The Agreement shall apply: (a) to products falling within Chapters 25 to 97 of the Harmonized Commodity Description and , excluding the products listed in ; (b) to products specified in Protocol A, with due regard to the arrangements provided for in that Protocol; (c) to fish and other products as provided for in ; originating in a State Party to this Agreement. The provisions concerning trade in agricultural products which are not covered by paragraph 1 are contained in Article 11. This Agreement applies to trade relations between, on the one hand, each and, on the other hand, . It shall not apply to the trade relations between EFTA States, except if otherwise provided for in this Agreement. Rules of origin and co-operation in customs administration Protocol B lays down the rules of origin and methods of administrative co-operation. The States Parties to this Agreement shall take appropriate measures, including arrangements regarding administrative co-operation, to ensure that the provisions of Articles 4 to 7, 12 and 21 are effectively and harmoniously applied, taking inte account the need to reduce as far as possible the formalities imposed on trade and the need to achieve mutually satisfactory solutions to any difficulties arising out of the operation of those provisions. Customs duties on imports and charges having equivalent effect No new customs duty on imports or charge having equivalent effect shall be introduced in trade between the EFTA States and . Upon the entry into force of this Agreement, the EFTA States shall abolish all customs duties on imports and any charges having equivalent effect for products originating in as in force on 1 January 1991, except for products specified in Annexes III and IV for which customs duties on imports and charges having equivalent effect shall be progressively abolished in accordance with the provisions laid down in these Annexes. For products originating in an , progressively abolish all customs duties on imports as in force on and charges having equivalent effect as in force on the date of the entry into force of this Agreement as specified in Annexes II, IV and V according to the arrangements or timetables defined in these Annexes. The basic duty to which successive reductions provided for in paragraphs 2 and 3 are to be applied shall, for each product, be the most-favoured-nation duty applied on the dates mentioned therein. Customs duties of a fiscal nature The provisions of paragraphs 1 to 3 of Article 4 shall also apply to customs duties of a fiscal nature except as provided for in . The States Parties to this Agreement may replace a customs duty of a fiscal nature or the fiscal element of a customs duty by an internal tax. Customs duties on exports and charges having equivalent effect No new customs duty on exports or charge having equivalent effect shall be introduced in trade between the EFTA States and . Upon the entry into force of this Agreement, customs duties on exports and any charges having equivalent effect shall be abolished, except as provided for in . Quantitative restrictions and measures having equivalent effect No new quantitative restriction on imports or exports or measures having equivalent effect shall be introduced in trade between the EFTA States and , except as provided for in . Upon the entry into force of this Agreement, quantitative restrictions on imports or exports and measures having equivalent effect shall be abolished, except as provided for in . For the purpose of this Agreement ''''''''quantitative restrictions and measures having equivalent effect'''''''' means prohibitions or restrictions on imports or exports into an from or into from an made effective through quotas, import or export licences or other administrative measures and requirements restricting trade. Non-economic reasons for restrictions This Agreement shall not preclude prohibitions or restrictions on imports, exports or goods in transit justified on grounds of public morality, public policy or public security, the protection of health and life of humans, animals or plants and of the environment, the protection of national treasures possessing artistic, historic or archaeological value, or the protection of industrial and commercial property, or rules relating to gold or silver. Such prohibitions or restrictions shall not, however, constitute a means of arbitrary discrimination or a disguised restriction on trade between an and . The States Parties to this Agreement shall ensure that any state monopoly of a commercial character be adjusted so that no discrimination regarding the conditions under which goods are procured and marketed will exist between nationals of the EFTA States and . The provisons of this Article shall apply to any body through which the competent authorities of the States Parties to this Agreement, in law or in fact, either directly or indirectly supervise, determine or appreciably influence imports or exports between the States Parties to this Agreement. These provisions shall likewise apply to monopolies delegated by the State to others. Information procedure on draft technical regulations The EFTA States and notify each other, at the earliest practicable stage and in accordance with the provisons laid down in , of draft technical regulations and draft amendments thereto which they intend to issue. Trade in agricultural products The States Parties to this Agreement declare their readiness to , in so far as their agricultural policies allow, the harmonious development of trade in agricultural products. In pursuance of this objective a bilateral arrangement providing for measures to facilitate trade in agricultural products has been concluded between each and . The States Parties to this Agreement shall apply their regulations in veterinary, plant health and health matters in a non-discriminatory fashion and shall not introduce any new measures that have the effect of unduly obstructing trade. The States Parties to this Agreement shall refrain from any measures or practice of an internal fiscal nature establishing, whether directly or indirectly, discrimination between the products originating in an and like products originating in . Products exported to one of the States Parties to this Agreement may not benefit from repayment of internal taxes in excess of the amount of direct or indirect taxes imposed on them. Payments relating to trade between an and and the transfer of such payments to the State Party to this Agreement, where the creditor resides shall be free from any restrictions. The States Parties to this Agreement shall refrain from any exchange or administrative restrictions on the grant, repayment or acceptance of short-term and medium-term credits covering commercial transactions in which a resident participates. The States Parties to this Agreement consider the effective liberalization of their respective public procurement markets an integral objective of this Agreement. The States Parties to this Agreement shall progressively adjust the conditions governing the participation in contracts awarded by public authorities and public undertakings, and by private undertakings which have been granted special or exclusive rights, so as to ensure transparency and non-discrimination between suppliers from the States Parties to this Agreement. The formulation of the practical modalities shall be entrusted to and they shall be elaborated on the basis of the balance of rights and obligations between States Parties to this Agreement. shall lay down the necessary scope, timetable and rules as soon as possible, taking into account the solutions agreed upon within the General on Tariffs and Trade and with third countries in this field. The concerned States Parties to this Agreement shall endeavour to accede to the relevant Agreements in the framework of the General on Tariffs and Trade. Protection of intellectual property In order to ensure the smooth functioning of this Agreement in accordance with its objectives and in order to avoid trade distortion, the States Parties to this Agreement shall take steps to grant and ensure adequate and effective protection of intellectual property rights. The States Parties to this Agreement shall take all necessary measures to enforce these rights against infringement, and particularly against counterfeiting and piracy. In fulfilment of its commitments under international agreements and legislation in the field of intellectual property rights, not grant treatment less favourable to nationals of EFTA States than that accorded to nationals of any other State. The treatment granted by the EFTA States to Turkish nationals in the same field will not be less favourable than that accorded to nationals of EFTA States by . and may conclude further agreements exceeding the requirements of this Agreement, provided that such agreements shall be open to all EFTA States on terms equivalent to those under the agreements and that they shall be ready to enter into good faith negotiations to this end. shall keep the implementation of intellectual property rights under review. At the request of a State Party to this Agreement consultations will take place in matter concerning intellectual property rights. The States Parties to this Agreement agree to hold expert consultations, at the request of any State Party, on activities relating to the existing or future bilateral agreements or international conventions on harmonization, administration and enforcement of intellectual property and on activities in international organisations, as well as on their relations with third countries in the field of intellectual property. The States Parties to this Agreement shall take all necessary measures to ensure the achievement of the objectives of this Agreement and the fulfilment of their obligations under this Agreement. If an considers that has, or if considers that an has, failed to fulfil an obligation under this agreement, the State Party concerned may take the appropriate measures under the conditions and in accordance with the procedures laid down in Article 23. Rules of competition concerning undertakings The following are incompatible with the proper functioning of this Agreement in so far as they may affect trade between an and : (a) all agreements between undertakings, decisions by associations of undertakings and concerted practices between undertakings which have as their object or effect the prevention, restriction or distortion of competition; (b) abuse by one or more undertakings of a dominant position in the territories of the States Parties to this Agreement as a whole or in a substantial part thereof. These provisions shall also apply to the activities of public undertakings, and undertakings to which the States Parties to this Agreement grant special or exclusive rights, in so far as the application of these provisions does not obstruct the performance, in law or in fact, of their particular public tasks. If a State Party to this Agreement considers that a given practice is incompatible with this Article, it may take appropriate measures under the conditions and in accordance with the procedures laid down in Article 23. aid granted by a State Party to this Agreement or through State resources in any form whatsoever which distorts or threatens to distort competition by favouring certain undertakings or the production of certain goods shall, in so far as it may affect trade between an and , be incompatible with the proper functioning of this Agreement. practices contrary to paragraph 1 shall be assessed on the basis of the criteria set out in . As regards the implementation of paragraphs 1 and 2, may grant, until and in conformity with its commitments to Economic Community, (a) aid with a higher intensity than would be tolerated for EFTA States by way of measures contained in , paragraph (c) (b) indirect aid to export of goods with a view to promote its economic development. These forms of aid shall be considered to be compatible with the proper functioning of this Agreement, if they do not alter the conditions of trade to an extent inconsistent with the interests of the States Parties to this Agreement. The States Parties to this Agreement shall ensure the transparency of state aid measures by exchanging information as provided for in . shall, within one year after the entry into force of this Agreement, adopt the necessary rules for the implementation of this paragraph. If a State Party to this Agreement considers that a given practice is incompatible with paragraphs 1 to 3, it may levy countervailing duties under the conditions and in accordance with the procedures laid down in Article 23. If a State Party to this Agreement finds that dumping is taking place in trade relations governed by this Agreement, it may take appropriate measures against that practice in accordance with Article VI of the General on Tariffs and Trade and the rules established by agreements related to that Article, under the conditions and in accordance with the procedures laid down in Article 23. The concerned States Parties to this Agreement shall endeavour to accede to the relevant agreements in the framework of the General on Tariffs and Trade. Emergency action on imports of particular products If an increase in imports of a given product originating in an or occurs in quantities or under conditions which are, or are likely to cause: (a) serious injury to domestic producers of like or directly competitive products in the territory of the other State Party, or (b) serious disturbances in any sector of the economy or difficulties which could bring about serious deterioration in the economic situation of a region, the State Party concerned may take appropriate measures under the conditions and in accordance with the procedures laid down in Article 23. Re-export and serious shortage Where compliance with the provisions of Articles 6 and 7 leads to: (1) re-export towards a third country against which the exporting State Party to this Agreement maintains for the product concerned quantitative export restrictions, export duties or measures or charges having equivalent effect; or (2) a serious shortage, or threat thereof, of a product essential to the exporting State Party to this Agreement; and where the situations referred to above give rise or are likely to give rise to major difficulties for the exporting State Party to this Agreement, that State Party may take appropriate measures under the conditions and in accordance with the procedures laid down in Article 23. Balance of payments difficulties Where a State Party to this Agreement is in difficulties or is seriously threatened with difficulties as regards its balance of payments, it may derogate from the provisions of Articles 4 and 7 and take appropriate measures under the conditions and in accordance with the procedures laid down in Article 23. to this Agreement shall notify measures in accordance with paragraph 1 prior to their introduction and have them examined by , if circumstances permit, before they come into force. The application of such measures by a State Party to this Agreement shall be subject to the conditions provided for in the relevant Articles of the General on Tariffs and Trade, to the of 1979 on Trade Measures Taken for Balance of Payments Purposes, as well as future relevant instruments to be agreed upon by the Parties under the auspices of the General on Tariffs and Trade. shall keep the situation under review, in particular with the purpose of avoiding serious disturbance of the functioning of this Agreement. The Joint Committe shall, during such review or upon the request of a State Party, examine the need to maintain the measures taken. Procedure for the application of safeguard measures Before initiating the procedure for the application of safeguard measures set out in this Article, the States Parties to this Agreement shall endeavour to solve any differences between themselves through direct consultations, and shall inform the other States Parties thereof. In the cases specified in Articles 16 to 22 a State Party to this Agreement which is considering to resort to safeguard measures shall promptly notify thereof. The Parties concerned shall provide with all relevant information and give it the assistance required to examine the case. Consultations between them shall take place without delay in with a view to finding a commonly acceptable solution.