COUNCIL REGULATION (EC) No 27/1999 of 21 December 1998 adopting autonomous and transitional measures for the preferential trade arrangements with Poland, Hungary, Slovakia, the Czech Republic, Romania and Bulgaria in certain processed agricultural products
THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION,
Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Community, and in particular Article 113 thereof,
Having regard to the proposal from the Commission,
Having regard to the Act of Accession of Austria, Finland and Sweden,
Whereas, pending adaptation of Protocol 3 of the Europe Agreements concluded with Poland, Hungary, Slovakia, the Czech Republic, Romania and Bulgaria (1), Council Regulation (EC) No 656/98 (2) was adopted, which, until 31 December 1998 maintains the degree of preference granted, thus offsetting possible trade-distorting effects from the enlargement of the Community and the implementation of the results of the Uruguay Round on exports from these countries to the Community;
Whereas the negotiations with the countries concerned for the conclusion of Adaptation Protocols adjusting the trade aspects of the Europe Agreements, hereinafter 'Adaptation Protocols`, have been concluded and new Protocols 3 have been initialled; whereas procedures for the formal adoption of the Adaptation Protocols are underway; whereas the time schedule required for formal adoption may not allow for the entry into force of the Adaptation Protocols with all of the countries concerned on 1 January 1999; whereas it is therefore advisable to provide for an extension of the concessions on an autonomous basis until 31 December 1999,
HAS ADOPTED THIS REGULATION:
Article 1
1. From 1 January to 31 December 1999 the goods originating in Poland, Hungary, Slovakia, the Czech Republic, Romania and Bulgaria listed in Annex I to this Regulation shall be subject to the annual tariff quotas and preferential duties mentioned in that Annex. The basic amounts to be taken into consideration in calculating the reduced agricultural components and additional duties applicable to the importation into the Community are set out in Annex II.
2. From 1 January to 31 December 1999 the processed agricultural products originating in Poland, Hungary, Slovakia, the Czech Republic, Romania and Bulgaria listed in Annex III to this Regulation shall be subject to the duties provided for in that Annex.
Article 2
The Commission may, in accordance with the provisions of Article 16 of Council Regulation (EC) No 3448/93 of 6 December 1993 laying down the trade arrangements applicable to certain goods resulting from the processing of agricultural products (3), suspend the autonomous application of the measures foreseen in the draft Protocols 3 in favour of the countries referred to in Article 1 if these countries fail to apply reciprocal measures in favour of the Community.
Article 3
1. The concessions applying to trade in processed agricultural products provided for in the Adaptation Protocols with the countries referred to in Article 1 shall replace the concessions provided for in the respective Annexes to this Regulation.
(a) as from 1 January 1999 with regard to those countries for which the Adaptation Protocols are in force by that date; and
(b) from the date of entry into force of the respective Adaptation Protocol with regard to those countries for which the Adaptation Protocols enter into force after 1 January 1999.
2. The detailed rules implementing the measures provided for in this Regulation shall also apply to the corresponding measures provided in the Additional Protocols.
Article 4
The quotas referred to in Annex I to this Regulation shall be administered by the Commission in accordance with the provisions of Commission Regulation (EC) No 1460/96 of 25 July 1996 establishing the detailed rules for implementing the preferential trade arrangements applicable to certain goods resulting from the processing of agricultural products, as provided for in Article 7 of Regulation (EC) No 3448/93 (4).
Article 5
This Regulation shall enter into force on the day of its publication in the Official Journal of the European Communities.
It shall apply with effect from 1 January 1999.
This Regulation shall be binding in its entirety and directly applicable in all Member States.
Done at Brussels, 21 December 1998.