. /.RESTRICTEDWORLD TRADE
ORGANIZATIONG/C/W/130
19 November 1998
(98-4646)
Council for Trade in Goods
30 November 1998
EC/FRANCE - TRADING ARRANGEMENTS WITH MOROCCO
Draft Decision on Extension of the Waiver
Noting  that, following a request by the European Communities, the General Council, by
Decision of 10 December 19971, 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 1998,
whichever the earlier, the waiver granted for France’s preferential trading arrangements with Morocco
by Decision of the CONTRACT ING PARTIES of 10 November 19602;
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 10 December 1997 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 is likely to enter into force in the course of the year 1999;
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, or until 31 December 1999, whichever is theearlier;
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
exceptional circumstances justifying the waiver
4;
Considering that the terms and conditions attached to the extended waiver have been
complied with;
                                                     
1 Document WT/L/250 of 16 December 1997.
2 BISD 9S/39.
3 G/L/275.
4 G/L/275.G/C/W/130
Page 2
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;
Noting  that this request has been made by the European Communities without prejudice to
their right to request a further extension of the waiver before the end of 1999, should this prove
necessary;
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 10 December 19976, is further extended until the entry
into force of the Euro-Mediterranean Agreement establishing an association between theEuropean 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, subject to the
terms and conditions set out under the above-mentioned Decision of 14 October 1996.
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5 BISD 9S/39.
6 Document WT/L/250 of 16 December 1997.