Decision No 1/2003 of the EU-Tunisia Association Council

of 30 September 2003

setting up subcommittees of the Association Committee

(2003/823/EC)

THE EU-TUNISIA ASSOCIATION COUNCIL,

Having regard to the Euro-Mediterranean Agreement establishing an Association between the European Communities and their Member States, of the one part, and the Republic of Tunisia, of the other part,

Whereas:

(1) A free trade area is to be established between the EU and Tunisia by 28 February 2010.

(2) The EU's relations with the southern Mediterranean countries are becoming increasingly complex as a result of the implementation of the Euro-Mediterranean agreements and the continuation of the Euro-Mediterranean partnership.

(3) Subcommittees of the Association Committees of the other associated countries have been set up in order to monitor the implementation of the partnership priorities and the approximation of legislation.

(4) There is a need to integrate the environment in sectoral policies, the objective being sustainable development.

(5) Article 84 of the Agreement provides for the setting up of the working groups or bodies necessary for the implementation of the Agreement,

HAS DECIDED AS FOLLOWS:

Sole Article

The subcommittees of the EU-Tunisia Association Committee listed in Annex 1 are hereby set up and the rules of procedure of those subcommittees in Annex 2 hereby adopted.

The subcommittees shall work under the authority of the Association Committee, to which they shall report after each of their meetings. The subcommittees shall have no decision-making power.

The Association Committee shall take any other action needed to ensure that they operate properly and inform the Association Council accordingly.

The Association Council may decide to set up further subcommittees or groups or to abolish existing subcommittees or groups.

This Decision shall enter into force on the day of its adoption.

Done at Brussels, 30 September 2003.

For the Association Council

H. Ben Yahia

ANNEX 1

EU-TUNISIA ASSOCIATION AGREEMENT

SUBCOMMITTEES ATTACHED TO THE ASSOCIATION COMMITTEE

1. Internal market

2. Industry, trade and services

3. Transport, environment and energy

4. Research and innovation

5. Agriculture and fisheries

6. Justice and security

These subcommittees are additional to those directly set up by the Association Agreement in the fields of social and cultural affairs, customs cooperation and economic and monetary questions.

In view of their importance as an essential element of the Association Agreement, issues relating to democratic principles and human rights will be afforded due attention in the various forums set up under the Agreement. Should the parties so decide in the context of reinforcing their cooperation, these issues may also be discussed within a subcommittee of the Association Committee or within a specific Working Party.

ANNEX 2

Rules of procedure

EU-Tunisia Subcommittee No 1

Internal market

1. Composition and chair

The subcommittee shall be composed of representatives of the European Community and its Member States and representatives of the Government of Tunisia and shall be chaired alternately by the two parties.

2. Role

The subcommittee shall work under the authority of the Association Committee, to which it shall report after each meeting. The subcommittee shall have no decision-making power. It may, however, submit proposals to the Association Committee.

3. Subject matter

The subcommittee shall discuss the implementation of the Association Agreement in the areas listed below. In particular, it shall assess progress as regards law approximation, implementation and enforcement. Where relevant, cooperation in public administration matters shall be discussed. The subcommittee shall examine any problems that may arise in the sectors listed below and shall suggest possible steps to be undertaken:

(a) technical regulation, metrology, accreditation, standardisation, certification, conformity assessment and market surveillance;

(b) competition and State aid;

(c) intellectual, industrial and commercial property rights;

(d) public procurement.

The above list is not exhaustive and other subjects, including horizontal matters, e.g. statistics, may be added by the Association Committee.

A subcommittee meeting may deal with matters relating to one, several or all of the above sectors.

4. Secretariat

An official of the European Commission and an official of the Government of Tunisia shall act jointly as permanent secretaries of the subcommittee.

All communications concerning the subcommittee shall be forwarded to the secretaries.

5. Meetings

The subcommittee shall meet whenever circumstances require. A meeting may be convened at the request of either party, channelled through its secretary, who will pass the request on to the other party. Upon receipt of a request for a subcommittee meeting, the secretary of the other party shall reply within 15 working days.

In cases of particular urgency, the subcommittee may be convened at shorter notice subject to the agreement of both parties. All requests to convene meetings should be in writing.

Each meeting of the subcommittee shall be held at a time and place agreed by both parties.

The meetings shall be convened for each party by its secretary, in agreement with the chair. Before each meeting, the chair will be informed of the intended composition of the delegation of each party.

If both parties agree, the subcommittee may invite experts to its meetings to provide specific information.

6. Agenda of the meetings

All requests for items to be included in the subcommittee agenda shall be forwarded to the secretaries of the subcommittee.

A provisional agenda will be drawn up by the chair for each meeting. It shall be forwarded by the secretary of the subcommittee to the other party not later than 10 days before the beginning of the meeting.

The provisional agenda shall include the items in respect of which the secretaries have received a request for inclusion in the agenda no later than 15 days before the beginning of the meeting. Supporting documentation must be received by both parties at least seven days ahead of the meeting. To take account of particular and/or urgent matters, these time limits may be shortened provided both parties agree.

The agenda shall be adopted by the subcommittee at the beginning of each meeting.

7. Minutes

Minutes shall be taken and agreed by both secretaries after each meeting. The secretaries of the subcommittee shall forward to the secretaries and chair of the Association Committee a copy of the minutes, including the subcommittee's proposals.

8. Publicity

Unless otherwise decided, the meetings of the subcommittee shall not be public.

Rules of procedure

EU-Tunisia Subcommittee No 2

Industry, trade and services

1. Composition and chair

The subcommittee shall be composed of representatives of the European Community and its Member States and representatives of the Government of Tunisia and shall be chaired alternately by the two parties.

2. Role

The subcommittee shall work under the authority of the Association Committee, to which it shall report after each meeting. The subcommittee shall have no decision-making power. It may, however, submit proposals to the Association Committee.

3. Subject matter

The subcommittee shall discuss the implementation of the Association Agreement in the areas listed below. In particular, it shall assess progress as regards law approximation, implementation and enforcement. Where relevant, cooperation in public administration matters shall be discussed. The subcommittee shall examine any problems that may arise in the sectors listed below and shall suggest possible steps to be undertaken:

(a) industrial cooperation, including the administrative, regulatory and financial framework for investment and the development of SMEs, industrial modernisation and innovation policy;

(b) trade issues;

(c) services, including financial (banking, insurance, investment) and postal services;

(d) tourism;

(e) right of establishment;

(f) data protection.

The above list is not exhaustive and other subjects, including horizontal matters, e.g. statistics, may be added by the Association Committee.

A subcommittee meeting may deal with matters relating to one, several or all of the above sectors.

4. Secretariat

An official of the European Commission and an official of the Government of Tunisia shall act jointly as permanent secretaries of the subcommittee.

All communications concerning the subcommittee shall be forwarded to the secretaries.

5. Meetings

The subcommittee shall meet whenever circumstances require. A meeting may be convened at the request of either party, channelled through its secretary, who will pass the request on to the other party. Upon receipt of a request for a subcommittee meeting, the secretary of the other party shall reply within 15 working days.

In cases of particular urgency, the subcommittee may be convened at shorter notice subject to the agreement of both parties. All requests to convene meetings should be in writing.

Each meeting of the subcommittee shall be held at a time and place agreed by both parties.

The meetings shall be convened for each party by its secretary, in agreement with the chair. Before each meeting, the chair will be informed of the intended composition of the delegation of each party.

If both parties agree, the subcommittee may invite experts to its meetings to provide specific information.

6. Agenda of the meetings

All requests for items to be included in the subcommittee agenda shall be forwarded to the secretaries of the subcommittee.

A provisional agenda will be drawn up by the chair for each meeting. It shall be forwarded by the secretary of the subcommittee to the other party not later than 10 days before the beginning of the meeting.

The provisional agenda shall include the items in respect of which the secretaries have received a request for inclusion in the agenda no later than 15 days before the beginning of the meeting. Supporting documentation must be received by both parties at least seven days ahead of the meeting. To take account of particular and/or urgent matters, these time limits may be shortened provided both parties agree.

The agenda shall be adopted by the subcommittee at the beginning of each meeting.

7. Minutes

Minutes shall be taken and agreed by both secretaries after each meeting. The secretaries of the subcommittee shall forward to the secretaries and chair of the Association Committee a copy of the minutes, including the subcommittee's proposals.

8. Publicity

Unless otherwise decided, the meetings of the subcommittee shall not be public.

Rules of procedure

EU-Tunisia Subcommittee No 3

Transport, environment and energy

1. Composition and chair

The subcommittee shall be composed of representatives of the European Community and its Member States and representatives of the Government of Tunisia and shall be chaired alternately by the two parties.

2. Role

The subcommittee shall work under the authority of the Association Committee, to which it shall report after each meeting. The subcommittee shall have no decision-making power. It may, however, submit proposals to the Association Committee.

3. Subject matter

The subcommittee shall discuss the implementation of the Association Agreement in the areas listed below. In particular, it shall assess progress as regards law approximation, implementation and enforcement and the integration of environment policy in all areas of the Association Agreement. In order to do so, the subcommittee will, insofar as it is possible, foster regular working relationships with other subcommittees. Where relevant, cooperation in public administration matters shall be discussed. The subcommittee shall examine any problems that may arise in the sectors listed below and shall suggest possible steps to be undertaken:

(a) transport: including the modernisation and development of infrastructure (in particular interconnection), the opening-up of markets, security and safety in maritime and air transport, control and management of ports and airports, improvements to the multimodal system and the strengthening of regional cooperation;

(b) environment: including building environmental protection capacity in the priority areas specified in the Short- and Medium-Term Priority Environmental Action Programme (SMAP) and integration of the environment dimension in the priority sectors of the Euro-Mediterranean Partnership with a view to sustainable development;

(c) energy: including the modernisation and development of infrastructure (in particular interconnection), the opening-up of markets, the integration of the Maghreb's electricity market, reforms and the establishment of regulatory bodies, security and safety of energy infrastructure, demand management, promotion of renewable energies, research and cooperation on data exchange.

The above list is not exhaustive and other subjects, including horizontal matters, e.g. statistics, may be added by the Association Committee.

A subcommittee meeting may deal with matters relating to one, several or all of the above sectors.

4. Secretariat

An official of the European Commission and an official of the Government of Tunisia shall act jointly as permanent secretaries of the subcommittee.

All communications concerning the subcommittee shall be forwarded to the secretaries.

5. Meetings

The subcommittee shall meet whenever circumstances require. A meeting may be convened at the request of either party, channelled through its secretary, who will pass the request on to the other party. Upon receipt of a request for a subcommittee meeting, the secretary of the other party shall reply within 15 working days.

In cases of particular urgency, the subcommittee may be convened at shorter notice subject to the agreement of both parties. All requests to convene meetings should be in writing.

Each meeting of the subcommittee shall be held at a time and place agreed by both parties.

The meetings shall be convened for each party by its secretary, in agreement with the chair. Before each meeting, the chair will be informed of the intended composition of the delegation of each party.

If both parties agree, the subcommittee may invite experts to its meetings to provide specific information.

6. Agenda of the meetings

All requests for items to be included in the subcommittee agenda shall be forwarded to the secretaries of the subcommittee.

A provisional agenda will be drawn up by the chair for each meeting. It shall be forwarded by the secretary of the subcommittee to the other party not later than 10 days before the beginning of the meeting.

The provisional agenda shall include the items in respect of which the secretaries have received a request for inclusion in the agenda no later than 15 days before the beginning of the meeting. Supporting documentation must be received by both parties at least seven days ahead of the meeting. To take account of particular and/or urgent matters, these time limits may be shortened provided both parties agree.

The agenda shall be adopted by the subcommittee at the beginning of each meeting.

7. Minutes

Minutes shall be taken and agreed by both secretaries after each meeting. The secretaries of the subcommittee shall forward to the secretaries and chair of the Association Committee a copy of the minutes, including the subcommittee's proposals.

8. Publicity

Unless otherwise decided, the meetings of the subcommittee shall not be public.

Rules of procedure

EU-Tunisia Subcommittee No 4

Research and innovation

1. Composition and chair

The subcommittee shall be composed of representatives of the European Community and its Member States and representatives of the Government of Tunisia and shall be chaired alternately by the two parties.

2. Role

The subcommittee shall work under the authority of the Association Committee, to which it shall report after each meeting. The subcommittee shall have no decision-making power. It may, however, submit proposals to the Association Committee.

3. Subject matter

The subcommittee shall discuss the implementation of the Association Agreement in the areas listed below. In particular, it shall assess progress as regards law approximation, implementation and enforcement. Where relevant, cooperation in public administration matters shall be discussed. The subcommittee shall examine any problems that may arise in the sectors listed below and shall suggest possible steps to be undertaken:

(a) development of Tunisia's material and institutional capacities in the matter of science and technology, including the use of the results of scientific and technological research by the countries' industries and SMEs;

(b) innovation, the dissemination of knowledge and technology transfer;

(c) electronic communication networks and services;

(d) information technologies;

(e) vocational training, education and young people;

(f) cultural cooperation and audio-visual policy.

The above list is not exhaustive and other subjects, including horizontal matters, e.g. statistics, may be added by the Association Committee.

A subcommittee meeting may deal with matters relating to one, several or all of the above sectors.

4. Secretariat

An official of the European Commission and an official of the Government of Tunisia shall act jointly as permanent secretaries of the subcommittee.

All communications concerning the subcommittee shall be forwarded to the secretaries.

5. Meetings

The subcommittee shall meet whenever circumstances require. A meeting may be convened at the request of either party, channelled through its secretary, who will pass the request on to the other party. Upon receipt of a request for a subcommittee meeting, the secretary of the other party shall reply within 15 working days.

In cases of particular urgency, the subcommittee may be convened at shorter notice subject to the agreement of both parties. All requests to convene meetings should be in writing.

Each meeting of the subcommittee shall be held at a time and place agreed by both parties.

The meetings shall be convened for each party by its secretary, in agreement with the chair. Before each meeting, the chair will be informed of the intended composition of the delegation of each party.

If both parties agree, the subcommittee may invite experts to its meetings to provide specific information.

6. Agenda of the meetings

All requests for items to be included in the subcommittee agenda shall be forwarded to the secretaries of the subcommittee.

A provisional agenda will be drawn up by the chair for each meeting. It shall be forwarded by the secretary of the subcommittee to the other party not later than 10 days before the beginning of the meeting.

The provisional agenda shall include the items in respect of which the secretaries have received a request for inclusion in the agenda no later than 15 days before the beginning of the meeting. Supporting documentation must be received by both parties at least seven days ahead of the meeting. To take account of particular and/or urgent matters, these time limits may be shortened provided both parties agree.

The agenda shall be adopted by the subcommittee at the beginning of each meeting.

7. Minutes

Minutes shall be taken and agreed by both secretaries after each meeting. The secretaries of the subcommittee shall forward to the secretaries and chair of the Association Committee a copy of the minutes, including the subcommittee's proposals.

8. Publicity

Unless otherwise decided, the meetings of the subcommittee shall not be public.

Rules of procedure

EU-Tunisia Subcommittee No 5

Agriculture and fisheries

1. Composition and chair

The subcommittee shall be composed of representatives of the European Community and its Member States and representatives of the Government of Tunisia and shall be chaired alternately by the two parties.

2. Role

The subcommittee shall work under the authority of the Association Committee, to which it shall report after each meeting. The subcommittee shall have no decision-making power. It may, however, submit proposals to the Association Committee.

3. Subject matter

The subcommittee shall discuss the implementation of the Association Agreement in the areas listed below. In particular, it shall assess progress as regards law approximation, implementation and enforcement. Where relevant, cooperation in public administration matters shall be discussed. The subcommittee shall examine any problems that may arise in the sectors listed below and shall suggest possible steps to be undertaken:

(a) agricultural and fisheries products;

(b) agricultural cooperation and rural development;

(c) processed agricultural products;

(d) veterinary and phytosanitary matters;

(e) Legislation applicable to trade.

The above list is not exhaustive and other subjects, including horizontal matters, e.g. statistics, may be added by the Association Committee.

A subcommittee meeting may deal with matters relating to one, several or all of the above sectors.

4. Secretariat

An official of the European Commission and an official of the Government of Tunisia shall act jointly as permanent secretaries of the subcommittee.

All communications concerning the subcommittee shall be forwarded to the secretaries.

5. Meetings

The subcommittee shall meet whenever circumstances require. A meeting may be convened at the request of either party, channelled through its secretary, who will pass the request on to the other party. Upon receipt of a request for a subcommittee meeting, the secretary of the other party shall reply within 15 working days.

In cases of particular urgency, the subcommittee may be convened at shorter notice subject to the agreement of both parties. All requests to convene meetings should be in writing.

Each meeting of the subcommittee shall be held at a time and place agreed by both parties.

The meetings shall be convened for each party by its secretary, in agreement with the chair. Before each meeting, the chair will be informed of the intended composition of the delegation of each party.

If both parties agree, the subcommittee may invite experts to its meetings to provide specific information.

6. Agenda of the meetings

All requests for items to be included in the subcommittee agenda shall be forwarded to the secretaries of the subcommittee.

A provisional agenda will be drawn up by the chair for each meeting. It shall be forwarded by the secretary of the subcommittee to the other party not later than 10 days before the beginning of the meeting.

The provisional agenda shall include the items in respect of which the secretaries have received a request for inclusion in the agenda no later than 15 days before the beginning of the meeting. Supporting documentation must be received by both parties at least seven days ahead of the meeting. To take account of particular and/or urgent matters, these time limits may be shortened provided both parties agree.

The agenda shall be adopted by the subcommittee at the beginning of each meeting.

7. Minutes

Minutes shall be taken and agreed by both secretaries after each meeting. The secretaries of the subcommittee shall forward to the secretaries and chair of the Association Committee a copy of the minutes, including the subcommittee's proposals.

8. Publicity

Unless otherwise decided, the meetings of the subcommittee shall not be public.

Rules of procedure

EU-Tunisia Subcommittee No 6

Justice and security

1. Composition and chair

The subcommittee shall be composed of representatives of the European Community and its Member States and representatives of the Government of Tunisia and shall be chaired alternately by the two parties.

2. Role

The subcommittee shall work under the authority of the Association Committee, to which it shall report after each meeting. The subcommittee shall have no decision-making power. It may, however, submit proposals to the Association Committee.

3. Subject matter

The subcommittee shall discuss the implementation of the Association Agreement in the areas listed below. In particular, it shall assess progress as regards law approximation, implementation and enforcement. Where relevant, cooperation in public administration matters shall be discussed. The subcommittee shall examine any problems that may arise in the sectors listed below and shall suggest possible steps to be undertaken:

(a) cooperation on justice;

(b) drugs;

(c) judicial cooperation in civil and criminal matters;

(d) cooperation on combating organised crime, including trafficking in human beings, terrorism, corruption and money-laundering.

The above list is not exhaustive and other subjects, including horizontal matters, e.g. statistics, may be added by the Association Committee, particularly as regards implementation of the regional programme.

A subcommittee meeting may deal with matters relating to one, several or all of the above sectors.

4. Secretariat

An official of the European Commission and an official of the Government of Tunisia shall act jointly as permanent secretaries of the subcommittee.

All communications concerning the subcommittee shall be forwarded to the secretaries.

5. Meetings

The subcommittee shall meet whenever circumstances require. A meeting may be convened at the request of either party, channelled through its secretary, who will pass the request on to the other party. Upon receipt of a request for a subcommittee meeting, the secretary of the other party shall reply within 15 working days.

In cases of particular urgency, the subcommittee may be convened at shorter notice subject to the agreement of both parties. All requests to convene meetings should be in writing.

Each meeting of the subcommittee shall be held at a time and place agreed by both parties.

The meetings shall be convened for each party by its secretary, in agreement with the chair. Before each meeting, the chair will be informed of the intended composition of the delegation of each party.

If both parties agree, the subcommittee may invite experts to its meetings to provide specific information.

6. Agenda of the meetings

All requests for items to be included in the subcommittee agenda shall be forwarded to the secretaries of the subcommittee.

A provisional agenda will be drawn up by the chair for each meeting. It shall be forwarded by the secretary of the subcommittee to the other party not later than 10 days before the beginning of the meeting.

The provisional agenda shall include the items in respect of which the secretaries have received a request for inclusion in the agenda no later than 15 days before the beginning of the meeting. Supporting documentation must be received by both parties at least seven days ahead of the meeting. To take account of particular and/or urgent matters, these time limits may be shortened provided both parties agree.

The agenda shall be adopted by the subcommittee at the beginning of each meeting.

7. Minutes

Minutes shall be taken and agreed by both secretaries after each meeting. The secretaries of the subcommittee shall forward to the secretaries and chair of the Association Committee a copy of the minutes, including the subcommittee's proposals.

8. Publicity

Unless otherwise decided, the meetings of the subcommittee shall not be public.