prop · GF03143 · 1992-01-01 00:00:00 — De avtalsslutande staterna skall vidta nödvändiga åtgärder för att säkerställa att avtalets syften förverkligas och förpliktelserna enligt avtalet fullgörs. Om en EFTA-stat anser att , eller om anser att en EFTA-stat, har försummat att fullgöra en förpliktelse enligt detta avtal, får den berörda avtalsslutande staten vidta lämpliga åtgärder på de villkor och enligt det förfarande som framgår av artikel 25. Bilagorna och protokollen till detta avtal utgör en integrerad del av detta. kan besluta om ändringar i bilagorna och protokollen A och B. Handelsförbindelser som regleras genom andra avtal Detta avtal är tillämpligt på handelsförbindelserna mellan, å ena sidan, de enskilda EFTA-staterna och, å andra sidan, , men inte på handelsförbindelserna mellan de enskilda EFTA-staterna, om inte annat föreskrivs i detta avtal. 2. a) Avtalet mellan och om det ömsesidiga borttagandet av handelshinder, undertecknat i , i dess ändrade lydelse (nedan kallat ) skall förbli i kraft , vid vilkens slut de ömsesidiga fördelar som enligt beviljas dess parter skall ha ersatts till fullo av de fördelar som fastställs genom detta avtal. I det skedet skall upphävas genom en gemensam förklaring av dess parter och de övriga parterna i detta avtal skall notifieras om detta beslut. (b) Bestämmelserna i artiklarna 7, 9, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 22, 23, 29, Utvecklingsklausul och 30, Tjänster och investeringar i detta avtal skall äga motsvarande tillämpning på handeln mellan och enligt SF-CS- avtalet. c) specifika bestämmelser om genomförande av punkterna 1 och 2(a) och (b) i denna artikel finns i bilaga XIV till detta avtal. Tullunioner, frihandelsområden och gränstrafik Detta avtal skall inte utgöra hinder mot att tullunioner, frihandelsområden eller överenskommelser om 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 staternas territorium. Andra ändringar i detta avtal än sådana som nämns i artikel 27 punkt 3 vilka godkänts av , skall underställas de avtalsslutande staterna för godkännande och skall träda i kraft om de godtagits av alla avtalsslutande stater. Anslutningsinstrumentet skall deponeras hos depositarien. Varje medlemsstat i får ansluta sig till detta avtal, under förutsättning att beslutar att godkänna anslutningen, som skall förhandlas fram mellan den anslutande staten och de berörda avtalsslutande staterna på de villkor som anges i dess beslut. Anslutningsinstrumentet skall deponeras hos depositarien. Avtalet skall vad gäller en anslutande stat träda i kraft i tredje månaden efter det att anslutningsinstrumentet deponerats. Varje avtalsslutande stat 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-stater säger upp det, skall det upphöra att gälla vid slutet av den senaste uppsägningsperioden. En EFTA-stat som frånträder konventionen om upprättandet av Europeiska frihandelssammanslutningen skall som uppsägningen blir giltig upphöra att vara part till detta avtal. Detta avtal träder i kraft den ( ), förutsatt att samtliga signatärstater har deponerat sina ratifikations- eller anslutningsinstrument hos depositarien. Om avtalet inte har trätt i kraft i enlighet med bestämmelserna i punkt 1 och förutsatt att har deponerat sitt ratifikations- eller anslutningsinstrument, skall företrädare för de signatärstater som deponerat ett sådant instrument sammanträda på initiativ före den ( ) och får besluta när avtalet skall träda i kraft i förhållande till dessa stater. Så länge som något sådant beslut inte har fattats, skall ett möte i samma syfte hållas på initiativ senast efter det att en ytterligare signatärstat har deponerat sitt instrument. För en signatärstat som deponerar sitt ratifikations- eller anslutningsinstrument efter det möte som avses i punkt 2, träder detta avtal i kraft i efter det att den deponerat sitt instrument men inte före den dag som beslutats i enlighet med punkt 2. Varje signatärstat får för undertecknandet förklara att den under inledningsskedet skall tillämpa avtalet provisoriskt, om avtalet inte kan träda i kraft i förhållande till den staten . , som är depositarie för avtalet, skall notifiera samtliga stater som har undertecknat eller anslutit sig till detta avtal om deponering av ratifikations-, godtagande- eller anslutningsinstrument, ikraftträdande av detta avtal, annan åtgärd eller notifikation som rör detta avtal eller dess 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 Czech and Slovak Federal Republic The Republic of , the Republic of , the Republic of , the Principality of , the Kingdom of , the Kingdom of , the Swiss Confederation (hereinafter called the EFTA States) the Czech and Slovak Federal Republic (hereinafter called the CSFR), 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 strengthen this process, Considering the importance of the links existing between the EFTA States and the CSFR and the common values they share, and recognizing that the EFTA States and the CSFR wish to strengthen these links and to establish close and lasting relations, Having regard to the Declaration signed by the EFTA States and the CSFR in in 1990, Recalling their firm commitment to the Final Act of the Conference on Security and Co-operation in Europe, the Charter of for a new Europe, and in particular the principles contained in the final document of the on Economic Co-operation in Europe, Reaffirming their commitment to pluralistic democracy based on the rule of law, human rights and fundamental freedoms, and recalling their membership in , Firmly convinced that this Agreement will the creation of an enlarged and harmonious free trade area within Europe, thus constituting an important contribution to European integration, Resolved to this end to eliminate progressively the obstacles to substantially all their trade, in accordance with the General on Tariffs and Trade, Declaring their readiness to examine, in the light of any relevant factor, the possibility of developing and deepening their relations in order to extend them to fields not covered by this Agreement, 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, especially the General on Tariffs and Trade, decided, in pursuit of the above, to conclude this Agreement: The EFTA States and the CSFR shall during a transitional period ending on 30 2002 gradually establish a free trade area, in accordance with the provisions of the present Agreement. The objectives of this Agreement, which is based on trade relations between market economies, are: (a) to promote, through the expansion of reciprocal trade, the harmonious development of the economic relations between the EFTA States and thus to in the EFTA States and in the CSFR the advance of economic activity, the improvement of living and employment conditions, and increased productivity and financial stability; (b) to provide fair conditions of competition for trade between the States Parties to this Agreement; (c) to contribute in this way, by the removal of barriers to trade, to the harmonious development and expansion of world trade. 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 an or the CSFR. 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 regular reviews by the Joint Committe and arrangements for administrative cooperation, to ensure that the provisions of Articles 4 to 9, 14 and 23 of the Agreement and Protocol B are effectively and harmoniously applied, and to reduce, as far as possible, the formalities imposed on trade, and to achieve mutually satisfactory solutions to any difficulties arising from 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 the CSFR. Upon the date of 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 the CSFR, except for products specified in for which customs duties on imports and charges having equivalent effect shall be progressively abolished in accordance with the provisions laid down in that . For the products specified in originating in an , the CSFR shall abolish all customs duties on imports and charges having equivalent effect in accordance with the provisions laid down in that . For each product the basic duty to which the successive reductions set out in this Agreement are to be applied, shall in respect of the EFTA States be the Most Favoured Nation rate of duty applicable on 1 October 1991. The basic duty in respect of the CSFR shall be the Most Favoured Nation rate of duty applicable on 1 January 1992. If, after the entry into force of this Agreement, any tariff reduction is applied on an erga omnes basis, in particular reductions resulting from the tariff agreement concluded as a result of the Round of Multilateral Trade Negotiations, such reduced duties shall replace the basic duties referred to in paragraph 1 as from that date. The reduced duties calculated in accordance with Article 4 shall be applied rounded to the first decimal place or, in case of specific duties, to the second decimal place. 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 Protocol C. 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 the CSFR. The EFTA States and the CSFR shall abolish between them on the date of entry into force of this Agreement any customs duties on exports and any charges having equivalent effect, except as provided for in 8 Quantitative restrictions on imports and measures having equivalent effect No new quantitative restriction on imports or measures having equivalent effect shall be introduced in trade between the EFTA States and the CSFR. Quantitative restrictions and measures having equivalent effect on imports to the EFTA States shall be abolished on the date of entry into force of this Agreement, except as provided for in . Quantitative restrictions and measures having equivalent effect on imports into the CSFR shall be abolished on the date of entry into force of the Agreement, except as provided for in . Quantitative restrictions on exports and measures having equivalent effect No new quantitative restriction on exports or measures having equivalent effect shall be introduced in trade between the EFTA States and the CSFR. Quantitative restrictions on exports from the EFTA States and measures having equivalent effect shall be abolished on the date of entry into force of the Agreement except as provided for in . Quantitative restrictions on exports from the CSFR and measures having equivalent effect shall be abolished on the date of entry into force of the Agreement except as provided for in . 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 the environment; the protection of national treasures possessing artistic, historic or archaeological value; the protection of intellectual property; rules relating to gold or silver; or the conservation of exhaustible natural resources, if such measures are made effective in conjunction with restrictions on domestic production or consumption. Such prohibitions or restrictions shall not, however, constitute a means of arbitrary discrimination or a disguised restriction on trade between the States Parties to this Agreement. The States Parties to this Agreement shall ensure that any state monopoly of a commercial character be adjusted, subject to the provisions laid down in Protocol D, so that no discrimination regarding the conditions under which goods are procured and marketed will exist between nationals of the EFTA States and of the CSFR. The provisions 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 the CSFR shall notify each other, at the earliest practicable stage and in accordance with the provisions 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, harmonious development of trade in agricultural products. In pursuance of this objective each individual and the CSFR shall conclude a bilateral arrangement providing for measures to facilitate trade in agricultural products. 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 measure or practice of an internal fiscal nature establishing, whether directly or indirectly, discrimination between the products originating in an and like products originating in the CSFR. Products exported to the territory of one of the States Parties to this Agreement may not benefit from repayment of internal taxation in excess of the amount of direct or indirect taxation imposed on them. Payments relating to trade between an and the CSFR and the transfer of such payments to the territory of the State, Party to this agreement, where the creditor resides shall be free from any restrictions. The Parties shall refrain from any exchange or administrative restricitons on the grant, repayment or acceptance of short and medium-term credits covering commercial transactions in which a resident participates. Until a full convertability of the CSFR currency in the meaning of Article VIII of the is introduced, the CSFR reserves the right to apply exchange restrictions connected with the granting or taking up of short and medium-term credits to the extent permitted according to the CSFR''''s status under the IMF, provided that these restrictions are applied in a non-discriminatory . They shall be applied in such a as to cause the least possible disruption to this Agreement. The CSFR shall inform promptly of the introduction of such measures and of any changes therein. The States Parties to this Agreement consider the effective liberalization of their respective public procurement markets as a desirable and important objective of this Agreement. As of the entry into force of this Agreement, the EFTA States shall grant companies from the CSFR access to contract award procedures on their respective public procurement markets according to the agreement on Government procurement of , as amended by a Protocol of Amendments of 2 February 1987 negotiated under the auspices of the General on Tariffs and Trade. The CSFR shall, taking into account the restructuring and development process of its economy, gradually ensure that companies from the EFTA States have access on the same principles to contract award procedures on its public procurement market. As soon as possible after the entry into force of the Agreement the States Parties to this Agreement shall progressively develop and adjust the rules, conditions and practices governing the participation in public procurement contracts awarded by public authorities and public undertakings, and by private undertakings which have been granted special or exclusive rights, so as to ensure free access and transparency, and that there is no discrimination between potential suppliers from the States to this Agreement. A full balance of rights and obligations between the States Parties to this agreement shall be esbalished not later than at the end of the transitional period. shall recommend or agree, as appropriate, the practical modalities for this development including, inter alia, scope, timetable and rules to be applied. The States Parties to this Agreement concerned shall endeavour to accede to the relevant Agreemnents negotiated under the auspices of the General on Tariffs and Trade. Protection of intellectual property The States Parties to this Agreement shall grant and ensure adequate, effective and non-discriminatory protection of intellectual property rights, including measures for the enforcement of such rights against infringement thereof, counterfeiting and piracy. Particular obligations are contained in . The States Parties to this agreement shall not grant treatment less favourable to nationals of each other in the field of intellectual property than that accorded to nationals of any other country, advantage, favour, provilege or immunity deriving from: (a) bilateral agreements in force for a State Party to this Agreement at the entry into force of this Agreement as notified to the other States Parties by 1 January 1993, (b) existing and future multilateral agreements, including regional agreements on economic integration to which not all of the States Parties to this Agreement are Parties, may be exempted from this obligation, provided that it does not constitute an arbitrary or unjustifiable discrimination of nationals of the other States Parties. The provision of subparagraph (b) may be subject to consultations and, if need be, to review upon request of any State Party to this Agreement with a view to take into account future developments relating to economic integration. Two or more states Parties to this Agreement may conclude futher agreements exceeding the requirements of this Agreement, provided that such agreements shall be open to all other States Parties to this agreement on terms equivalent to those under the agreements and that they shall be ready to enter into good faith negotiations to this end. 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 the CSFR: (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. As from the third year from the entry into force of this Agreement, the provisions of paragraph 1 shall also apply to the activities of public undertakings, and undertakings for which the Parties 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 the particular public tasks assigned to them. If a State Party to this Agreement considers that a given practice is incompatible with the provisions of paragraphs 1 and 2 and if such practice causes or threatens to cause serious prejudice to the interest of that State Party or material injury to its domestic industry, it may take appropriate measures after consultations within or after thirty days following referral for such consultation. 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 the CSFR, be incompatible with the proper functioning of this Agreement. practises contrary to paragraph 1 should be assessed on the basis of the criteria set out in . For the purpose of applying the provisions of paragraphs 1 and 2, the States Parties to this Agreement recognize that during the first five years after the entry into force of this Agreement the CSFR shall be regarded as an area where the standard of living is abnormally low or where there is serious unemployment, implying that the CSFR may grant aid with a higher intensity than would be tolerated for EFTA States according to the criteria set out in . may, taking into account the economic situation of the CSFR, decide on prolongation of the application of this provision. The States Parties to this Agreement shall ensure transparency of state aid measures by exchanging information as provided in . If a State Party to this Agreement considers that a given practice is incompatible with the provisions of paragraph 1, it may take appropriate measures against this practice, which shall not be in excess of the injury caused by the practice, under the conditions and in accordance with the procedures laid down in Article 25. If an finds that dumping within the meaning of Article VI of the General agreement on Tariffs and Trade is taking place in trade with the CSFR, or if the CSFR finds that dumping within this meaning is taking place in trade with an , the State Party concerned may take appropriate measures against this practice in accordance with the Agreement on Implementation of Article VI of the General on Tariffs and Trade and with the procedure laid down in Article 25. Emergency action on imports of particular products Where any product is being imported in such increased quantities and under such conditions as to cause, or threaten to cause: (a) serious injury to domestic producers of like or directly competitive products in the territory of the importing State Party to this Agreement, or (b) serious disturbances in any sector of the economy or difficulties which could bring about serious deterioriation in the economic situation of a region, the State Party concerned may take appropriate measures under the conditions and in accordance with the procedure laid down in Article 25. Exceptional measures of limited duration which derogate from the provisions of Article 4 may be taken by the CSFR in the form of increased customs duties.