. /.RESTRICTEDWORLD TRADE
ORGANIZATIONG/C/W/194
22 March 2000
(00-1200)
Council for Trade in Goods
5 April 2000Original:  English
EC/FRANCE - TRADING ARRANGEMENTS WITH MOROCCO
Draft Decision on Extension of the Waiver
The following communication, dated 16 March 2000, has been received from the European
Commission.
_______________
Noting  that, following a request by the European Communities, the General Council, by
Decision of 9 - 11 and 18 December 19981, extended until the entry into force of the Euro-
Mediterranean Agreement establishing an association between the European Communities and their
Member States, of the one part, and the Kingdom of Morocco, of the other part, or until 31 December
1999, whichever the earlier, the waiver granted for France’s preferential trading arrangements withMorocco by Decision of the CONTRACTING PARTIES of 10 November 1960
2;
Noting  that the waiver applies to the provisions of paragraph 1 of Article I of the General
Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT), to the extent necessary to permit France to apply duty-free
tariff quotas to a number of products originating in parts of the territory of the Kingdom of Morocco
not covered by the provisions of paragr aphs 2 and 4 of Article I of the GATT;
Bearing in mind  that the Decision of 9 - 11 and 18 December 1998 was taken without
prejudice to the right of the European Communities to request a renewal of the waiver, should this
prove necessary;
Having been informed  by the European Communities that the Euro-Mediterranean Agreement
with Morocco entered into force on 1 March 2000;
Taking note  of the request3 of the European Communities, made in accordance with
paragraph  1 of the Understanding in respect of Waivers and paragraph 3 of Article IX of the WTO
Agreement, to extend the waiver until the entry into force of the Euro-Mediterranean Agreement
establishing an association between the European Communities and their Member States, of the one
part, and the Kingdom of Morocco, of the other part;
Considering  that no changes have occurred in the measures for which the extension of the
waiver is requested, in the specific policy objectives pursued, or in the continued existence of the
                                                     
1 Document WT/L/294 of 1 February 1999.
2 BISD 9S/39.
3 G/L/357G/C/W/194
Page 2
exceptional circumstances justifying the waiver4;
Considering that the terms and conditions attached to the extended waiver have been
complied with;
Taking into account  that the European Communities have provided assurances that they will,
upon request, promptly enter into consultations with any interested WTO Member with respect to any
difficulty or matter that may arise as a result of the extension of the waiver;
Members, acting pursuant to the provisions of paragraph 2 of the Understanding in respect of
Waivers and paragraphs 3 and 4 of Article IX of the WTO Agreement
Decide  that:
1. The waiver for the Trading Arrangements with Morocco granted by paragraph 1 of the
Decision of the CONTRACTING PARTIES of 19 November 19605, last extended by
Decision of the General Council of 9 - 11 and 18 December 19986, is further extended until
the entry into force of the Euro-Mediterranean Agreement establishing an association between
the European Communities and their Member States, of the one part, and the Kingdom of
Morocco, of the other part, subject to the terms and conditions set out under the above-
mentioned Decision of 14 October 1996.
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4 G/L/357
5 BISD 9S/39.
6 Document WT/L/294 of 1 February 1999.