Euro-Mediterranean Agreement

establishing an association between the European Communities and their Member States, of the one part, and the State of Israel, of the other part

THE KINGDOM OF BELGIUM,

THE KINGDOM OF DENMARK,

THE FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF GERMANY,

THE HELLENIC REPUBLIC,

THE KINGDOM OF SPAIN,

THE FRENCH REPUBLIC,

IRELAND,

THE ITALIAN REPUBLIC,

THE GRAND DUCHY OF LUXEMBOURG,

THE KINGDOM OF THE NETHERLANDS,

THE REPUBLIC OF AUSTRIA,

THE PORTUGUESE REPUBLIC,

THE REPUBLIC OF FINLAND,

THE KINGDOM OF SWEDEN,

THE UNITED KINGDOM OF GREAT BRITAIN AND NORTHERN IRELAND,

Contracting Parties to the Treaty establishing the European Community and the Treaty establishing the European Coal and Steel Community, hereinafter referred to as the "Member States", and

THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITY,

THE EUROPEAN COAL AND STEEL COMMUNITY,

hereinafter referred to as "the Community", of the one part, and

THE STATE OF ISRAEL,

hereinafter referred to as "Israel", of the other part,

CONSIDERING the importance of the existing traditional links between the Community, its Member States and Israel, and the common values that they share;

CONSIDERING that the Community, its Member States and Israel wish to strengthen those links and to establish lasting relations, based on reciprocity and partnership, and promote a further integration of Israel's economy into the European economy;

CONSIDERING the importance which the Parties attach to the principle of economic freedom and to the principles of the United Nations Charter, particularly the observance of human rights and democracy, which form the very basis of the Association;

CONSCIOUS of the need to associate their efforts to strengthen political stability and economic development through the encouragement of regional cooperation;

DESIROUS of establishing and developing regular political dialogue on bilateral and international issues of mutual interest;

DESIROUS of maintaining and intensifying a dialogue on economic, scientific, technological, cultural, audiovisual and social matters to the benefit of the Parties;

CONSIDERING the respective commitments of the Community and Israel to free trade, and in particular to compliance with the rights and obligations arising out of the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT) as it results from the negotiations of the Uruguay Round;

CONVINCED that the Association Agreement will create a new climate for their economic relations and in particular for the development of trade, investment and economic and technological cooperation,

HAVE AGREED AS FOLLOWS:

Article 1

1. An association is hereby established between the Community and its Member States, of the one part, and Israel, of the other part.

2. The aims of this Agreement are:

- to provide an appropriate framework for political dialogue, allowing the development of close political relations between the Parties,

- through the expansion, inter alia, of trade in goods and services, the reciprocal liberalisation of the right of establishment, the further progressive liberalisation of public procurement, the free movement of capital and the intensification of cooperation in science and technology to promote the harmonious development of economic relations between the Community and Israel and thus to foster in the Community and in Israel the advance of economic activity, the improvement of living and employment conditions, and increased productivity and financial stability,

- to encourage regional cooperation with a view to the consolidation of peaceful coexistence and economic and political stability,

- to promote cooperation in other areas which are of reciprocal interest.

Article 2

Relations between the Parties, as well as all the provisions of the Agreement itself, shall be based on respect for human rights and democratic principles, which guides their internal and international policy and constitutes an essential element of this Agreement.

TITLE I

POLITICAL DIALOGUE

Article 3

1. A regular political dialogue shall be established between the Parties. It shall strengthen their relations, contribute to the development of a lasting partnership and increase mutual understanding and solidarity.

2. The political dialogue and cooperation shall in particular:

- develop better mutual understanding and an increasing convergence of positions on international issues, and in particular on those issues likely to have substantial effects on one or the other Party,

- enable each Party to consider the position and interests of the other,

- enhance regional security and stability.

Article 4

The political dialogue shall cover all subjects of common interest, and shall aim to open the way to new forms of cooperation with a view to common goals, in particular peace, security and democracy.

Article 5

1. The political dialogue shall facilitate the pursuit of joint initiatives and shall take place in particular:

(a) at ministerial level;

(b) at senior official level (political directors) between representatives of Israel, of the one part, and of the Council Presidency and the Commission, of the other;

(c) by taking full advantage of all diplomatic channels including regular briefings by officials, consultations on the occasion of international meetings and contacts between diplomatic representatives in third countries;

(d) by providing regular information to Israel on issues relating to the common foreign and security policy, which shall be reciprocated;

(e) by any other means which would make a useful contribution to consolidating, developing and stepping up this dialogue.

2. There shall be a political dialogue between the European Parliament and the Israeli Knesset.

TITLE II

FREE MOVEMENT OF GOODS

CHAPTER 1

BASIC PRINCIPLES

Article 6

1. The free trade area between the Community and Israel shall be reinforced according to the modalities set out in this Agreement and in conformity with the provisions of the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade of 1994 and of other multilateral agreements on trade in goods annexed to the Agreement establishing the World Trade Organisation (WTO), hereinafter referred to as the "GATT".

2. The Combined Nomenclature and the Israeli customs tariff shall be used for the classification of goods in trade between the Parties.

CHAPTER 2

INDUSTRIAL PRODUCTS

Article 7

The provisions of this Chapter shall apply to products originating in the Community and in Israel other than those listed in Annex II to the Treaty establishing the European Community and, as far as products originating in Israel are concerned, other than those listed in Annex I to this Agreement.

Article 8

Customs duties on imports and exports, and any charges having equivalent effect, shall be prohibited between the Community and Israel. This shall also apply to customs duties of a fiscal nature.

Article 9

1. (a) The provisions of this chapter shall not preclude the retention by the Community of an agricultural component in respect of goods originating in Israel and listed in Annex II to this Agreement, with the exception of those listed in Annex III.

(b) This agricultural component shall be calculated on the basis of the difference between the prices on the Community market of the agricultural products considered to have been used in the production of the goods and the prices of imports from third countries, where the total cost of the basic products in question is higher in the Community. The agricultural component may take the form of a flat-rate amount or an ad valorem duty. In cases where this agricultural component has been subject to tarification it will be replaced by the respective specific duty.

2. (a) The provisions of this chapter shall not preclude the retention by Israel of an agricultural component in respect of goods originating in the Community and listed in Annex IV, with the exception of those listed in Annex V.

(b) This agricultural component shall be calculated mutatis mutandis on the basis of the criteria referred to in paragraph 1(b). It may take the form of a flat-rate amount or an ad valorem duty.

(c) Israel may enlarge the list of goods to which this agricultural component applies, provided the goods are other than those listed in Annex V and are included in Annex II to this Agreement. Before its adoption, this agricultural component shall be notified for examination to the Association Committee which may take any decision needed.

3. By way of derogation from Article 8, the Community and Israel may apply to the goods listed respectively in Annexes III and V the duties indicated in respect of each of the goods.

4. Where, in trade between the Community and Israel, the charge applicable to a basic agricultural product is reduced, or as a result of mutual concessions for processed agricultural products, the agricultural components applied in accordance with paragraphs 1 and 2 may be reduced.

5. The reduction referred to in paragraph 4, the list of goods concerned and, where applicable, the tariff quotas to which the reduction refers, shall be established by the Association Council.

6. The list of goods which are subject to a concession in form of a reduced agricultural component in trade between the Community and Israel as well as the extent of these concessions are set out in Annex VI.

CHAPTER 3

AGRICULTURAL PRODUCTS

Article 10

The provisions of this Chapter shall apply to products originating in the Community and Israel and listed in Annex II to the Treaty establishing the European Community.

Article 11

The Community and Israel shall progressively establish a greater liberalisation of their trade in agricultural products of interest to both Parties. From 1 January 2000 the Community and Israel shall examine the situation in order to determine the measures to be applied by the Community and Israel from 1 January 2001 in accordance with this objective.

Article 12

Agricultural products originating in Israel listed in Protocols 1 and 3 on importation into the Community shall be subject to the arrangements set out in those Protocols.

Article 13

Agricultural products originating in the Community listed in Protocols 2 and 3 on importation into Israel shall be subject to the arrangements set out in those Protocols.

Article 14

Without prejudice to Article 11 and taking account of the volume of trade in agricultural products between them and of their particular sensitivity, the Community and Israel shall examine in the Association Council, product by product and on an orderly and reciprocal basis, the possibility of granting each other further concessions.

Article 15

The Community and Israel agree to examine, at the latest three years after entry into force of the Agreement, the possibility of granting each other, on the basis of reciprocity and mutual interest, concessions in trade in fisheries products.

CHAPTER 4

COMMON PROVISIONS

Article 16

Quantitative restrictions on imports and all measures having equivalent effect shall be prohibited between the Community and Israel.

Article 17

Quantitative restrictions on exports and all measures having equivalent effect shall be prohibited between the Community and Israel.

Article 18

1. Products originating in Israel shall not on importation into the Community be accorded a treatment more favourable than that which the Member States apply among themselves.

2. Application of the provisions of this Agreement shall be without prejudice to Council Regulation (EEC) No 1911/91 of 26 June 1991 on the application of the provisions of Community law to the Canary Islands.

Article 19

1. The Parties shall refrain from any measure or practice of an internal fiscal nature establishing, whether directly or indirectly, discrimination between the products of one Party and like products originating in the territory of the other Party.

2. Products exported to the territory of one of the Parties may not benefit from repayment of indirect internal taxation in excess of the amount of indirect taxation imposed on them directly or indirectly.

Article 20

1. In the event of specific rules being established as a result of the implementation of its agricultural policy or of any alteration of the current rules or in the event of any alteration or extension of the provisions relating to the implementation of the agricultural policy, the Party in question may amend the arrangements resulting from the Agreement in respect of the products which are the subject of those rules or alterations.

2. In such cases the Party in question shall take due account of the interests of the other Party. To this end the Parties may consult each other within the Association Council.

Article 21

1. The Agreement shall not preclude the maintenance or establishment of customs unions, free trade areas or arrangements for frontier trade, except in so far as they alter the trade arrangements provided for in the Agreement.

2. Consultation between the Community and Israel shall take place within the Association Council concerning agreements establishing customs unions or free trade areas and, where required, on other major issues related to their respective trade policy with third countries. In particular, in the event of a third country acceding to the European Union, such consultation shall take place so as to ensure that account can be taken of the mutual interests of the Community and Israel.

Article 22

If one of the Parties finds that dumping is taking place in trade with the other Party within the meaning of Article VI of the GATT, it may take appropriate measures against this practice in accordance with the Agreement on implementation of Article VI of the GATT and with its relevant internal legislation, under the conditions and in accordance with the procedures laid down in Article 25.

Article 23

Where any product is being imported in such increased quantities and under such conditions as to cause or threaten to cause:

- serious injury to domestic producers of like or directly competitive products in the territory of one of the Parties, or

- serious disturbances in any sector of the economy, or

- difficulties which could bring about serious deterioration in the economic situation of a region,

the Community or Israel may take appropriate measures under the conditions and in accordance with the procedures laid down in Article 25.

Article 24

Where compliance with the provisions of Article 17 leads to:

(i) re-export towards a third country against which the exporting Party maintains, for the product concerned, quantitative export restrictions, export duties, or measures having equivalent effect, or

(ii) a serious shortage, or threat thereof, of a product essential to the exporting Party,

and where the situations referred to above give rise, or are likely to give rise, to major difficulties for the exporting Party, that Party may take appropriate measures under the conditions and in accordance with the procedures laid down in Article 25. The measures shall be non-discriminatory and be eliminated when conditions no longer justify their maintenance.

Article 25

1. In the event of the Community or Israel subjecting imports of products liable to give rise to the difficulties referred to in Article 23, to an administrative procedure, the purpose of which is to provide rapid information on the trend of trade flows, it shall inform the other Party.

2. In the cases specified in Articles 22, 23 and 24, before taking the measures provided for therein or, as soon as possible in cases to which paragraph 3(d) applies, the Party in question shall supply the Association Committee with all relevant information required for a thorough examination of the situation with a view to seeking a solution acceptable to the Parties.

In the selection of appropriate measures, priority shall be given to those which least disturb the functioning of the Agreement.

The safeguard measures shall be notified immediately to the Association Committee and shall be the subject of periodical consultations within the Committee, particularly with a view to their abolition as soon as circumstances permit.

3. For the implementation of paragraph 2, the following provisions shall apply:

(a) as regards Article 22, the Association Committee shall be informed of the dumping case as soon as the authorities of the importing Party have initiated an investigation. If no end has been put to the dumping or no other satisfactory solution has been reached within 30 days of the notification being made, the importing Party may adopt the appropriate measures;

(b) as regards Article 23, the difficulties arising from the situation referred to in that Article shall be referred for examination to the Association Committee, which may take any decision needed to put an end to such difficulties.

If the Association Committee or the exporting Party has not taken a decision putting an end to the difficulties or no other satisfactory solution has been reached within 30 days of the matter being referred, the importing Party may adopt the appropriate measures to remedy the problem. These measures must not exceed the scope of what is necessary to remedy the difficulties which have arisen;

(c) as regards Article 24, the difficulties arising from the situations referred to in that Article shall be referred for examination to the Association Committee.

The Association Committee may take any decision needed to put an end to the difficulties. If it has not taken such a decision within 30 days of the matter being referred to it, the exporting Party may apply appropriate measures on the exportation of the product concerned;

(d) where exceptional circumstances requiring immediate action make prior information or examination, as the case may be, impossible, the Party concerned may, in the situations specified in Articles 22, 23 and 24 apply forthwith such precautionary measures as are strictly necessary to remedy the situation, and shall inform the other Party immediately.

Article 26

When one or more Member States of the Community or Israel is in serious balance of payments difficulties or under threat thereof, the Community or Israel, as the case may be, may, in accordance with the conditions laid down within the framework of the GATT and with Articles VIII and XIV of the Articles of Agreement of the International Monetary Fund, adopt restrictive measures which shall be of limited duration and may not go beyond what is necessary to remedy the balance of payments situation. The Community or Israel, as the case may be, shall inform the other Party forthwith and present to the other Party, as soon as possible, a time schedule for their removal.

Article 27

Nothing in this Agreement shall 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; the protection of national treasures possessing artistic, historic or archaeological value; the protection of intellectual, industrial and commercial property or rules concerning gold and silver. Such prohibitions or restrictions shall not, however, constitute a means of arbitrary discrimination or a disguised restriction on trade between the Parties.

Article 28

The concept of "originating products" for the application of this title and the methods of administrative cooperation relating to them are set out in Protocol 4.

TITLE III

RIGHT OF ESTABLISHMENT AND SUPPLY OF SERVICES

Article 29

1. The Parties agree to widen the scope of the Agreement to cover the right of establishment of firms of one Party in the territory of another Party and the liberalisation of the provision of services by one Party's firms to consumers of services in the other.

2. The Association Council shall make the necessary recommendations for the implementation of the objective described in paragraph 1.

In making such recommendations, the Association Council shall take account of past experience of implementation of the reciprocal most-favoured-nation treatment and of the obligations of each Party under the General Agreement on Trade in Services, hereinafter referred to as the "GATS", particularly those in Article V of the latter.

3. The Association Council shall make a first assessment of the achievement of this objective no later than three years after the Agreement enters into force.

Article 30

1. At the outset, each of the Parties reaffirms its obligations under the GATS, particularly the obligation to grant reciprocal most-favoured-nation treatment in the services sectors covered by that obligation.

2. In accordance with the GATS, this treatment shall not apply to:

(a) advantages accorded by either Party under the terms of an agreement of the type defined in Article V of the GATS nor to measures taken on the basis of such an agreement;

(b) other advantages granted in accordance with the list of most-favoured-nation exemptions annexed by either Party to the GATS.

TITLE IV

CAPITAL MOVEMENTS, PAYMENTS, PUBLIC PROCUREMENT, COMPETITION AND INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY

CHAPTER 1

CAPITAL MOVEMENTS AND PAYMENTS

Article 31

Within the framework of the provisions of this Agreement, and subject to the provisions of Articles 33 and 34, there shall be no restrictions between the Community of the one part, and Israel of the other part, on the movement of capital and no discrimination based on the nationality or on the place of residence of their nationals or on the place where such capital is invested.

Article 32

Current payments connected with the movement of goods, persons, services or capital within the framework of this Agreement shall be free of all restrictions.

Article 33

Subject to other provisions in this Agreement and other international obligations of the Community and Israel, the provisions of Articles 31 and 32 shall be without prejudice to the application of any restriction which exists between them on the date of entry into force of this Agreement, in respect of the movement of capital between them involving direct investment, including in real estate, establishment, the provision of financial services or the admission of securities to capital markets.

However, the transfer abroad of investments made in Israel by Community residents or in the Community by Israeli residents and of any profit stemming therefrom shall not be affected.

Article 34

Where, in exceptional circumstances, movements of capital between the Community and Israel cause, or threaten to cause, serious difficulties for the operation of exchange rate policy or monetary policy in the Community or Israel, the Community or Israel respectively may, in conformity within the conditions laid down within the framework of the GATS and with Articles VIII and XIV of the Articles of Agreement of the International Monetary Fund, take safeguard measures with regard to movements of capital between the Community and Israel for a period not exceeding six months if such measures are strictly necessary.

CHAPTER 2

PUBLIC PROCUREMENT

Article 35

The Parties shall take measures with a view to a mutual opening of their respective government procurement markets and the procurement markets of undertakings operating in the utilities sectors for purchase of goods, works and services beyond the scope of what has been mutually and reciprocally covered under the Government Procurement Agreement concluded in the framework of the WTO.

CHAPTER 3

COMPETITION

Article 36

1. The following are incompatible with the proper functioning of the Agreement, in so far as they may affect trade between the Community and Israel:

(i) 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;

(ii) abuse by one or more undertakings of a dominant position in the territories of the Community or Israel as a whole or in a substantial part thereof;

(iii) any public aid which distorts or threatens to distort competition by favouring certain undertakings or the production of certain goods.

2. The Association Council shall, within three years of the entry into force of the Agreement, adopt by decision the necessary rules for the implementation of paragraph 1.

Until these rules are adopted, the provisions of the Agreement on interpretation and application of Articles VI, XVI and XXIII of the GATT shall be applied as the rules for the implementation of paragraph 1(iii).

3. Each Party shall ensure transparency in the area of public aid, inter alia, by reporting annually to the other Party on the total amount and the distribution of the aid given and by providing, upon request, information on aid schemes. Upon request by one Party, the other Party shall provide information on particular individual cases of public aid.

4. With regard to agricultural products referred to in Title II, Chapter 3, paragraph 1(iii) does not apply.

5. If the Community or Israel considers that a particular practice is incompatible with the terms of paragraph 1 and:

- is not adequately dealt with under the implementing rules referred to in paragraph 2, or

- in the absence of such rules, and if such practice causes or threatens to cause serious prejudice to the interest of the other Party or material injury to its domestic industry, including its services industry,

it may take appropriate measures after consultation within the Association Committee or after 30 working days following referral for such consultation.

With reference to practices incompatible with paragraph 1(iii), such appropriate measures, when the GATT is applicable to them, may only be adopted in accordance with the procedures and under the conditions laid down by the GATT or by any other relevant instrument negotiated under its auspices and applicable to the Parties.

6. Notwithstanding any provisions to the contrary adopted in accordance with paragraph 2, the Parties shall exchange information taking into account the limitations imposed by the requirements of professional and business secrecy.

Article 37

1. The Member States and Israel shall progressively adjust any State monopolies of a commercial character, so as to ensure that, by the end of the fifth year following the entry into force of this Agreement, no discrimination regarding the conditions under which goods are procured and marketed exists between nationals of the Member States and Israel.

2. The Association Committee shall be informed about the measures adopted to implement this objective.

Article 38

With regard to public undertakings and undertakings to which special or exclusive rights have been granted, the Association Council shall ensure that as from the fifth year following the date of entry into force of this Agreement there is neither enacted nor maintained any measure distorting trade between the Community and Israel to an extent contrary to the Parties' interests. This provision should not obstruct the performance in law or in fact of the particular tasks assigned to those undertakings.

CHAPTER 4

INTELLECTUAL, INDUSTRIAL AND COMMERCIAL PROPERTY

Article 39

1. Pursuant to the provisions of this Article and of Annex VII, the Parties shall grant and ensure adequate and effective protection of intellectual, industrial and commercial property rights in accordance with the highest international standards, including effective means of enforcing such rights.

2. The implementation of this Article and of Annex VII shall be regularly reviewed by the Parties. If problems in the area of intellectual, industrial and commercial property affecting trading conditions were to occur, urgent consultation within the Association Committee shall be undertaken, at the request of either Party, with a view to reaching mutually satisfactory solutions.

TITLE V

SCIENTIFIC AND TECHNOLOGICAL COOPERATION

Article 40

The Parties undertake to intensify scientific and technological cooperation. Detailed arrangements for the implementation of this objective shall be set out in separate agreements concluded for this purpose.

TITLE VI

ECONOMIC COOPERATION

Article 41

Objectives

The Community and Israel undertake to promote economic cooperation to their mutual benefit and on the basis of reciprocity in accordance with the overall objectives of the Agreement.

Article 42

Scope

1. Cooperation shall focus principally on sectors relevant to the rapprochement of the economies of the Community and Israel or producing growth or employment. The main sectors of cooperation are set out in Articles 44 to 57, without prejudice to the possibility of including cooperation in other sectors of interest to the Parties.

2. Conservation of the environment and ecological balance shall be taken into account in the implementation of the various sectors of economic cooperation to which it is relevant.

Article 43

Methods and Modalities

Economic cooperation shall be implemented in particular by:

(a) a regular economic dialogue between the Parties, which covers all areas of economic policy and, in particular, fiscal policy, balance of payments and monetary policy, and which shall enhance close collaboration between the authorities concerned with economic policy, each in their respective areas of competence within the Association Council or any other forum designated by the Association Council;

(b) a regular exchange of information and ideas in every sector of cooperation including meetings of officials and experts;

(c) transfer of advice, expertise and training;

(d) implementation of joint actions such as seminars and workshops;

(e) technical, administrative and regulatory assistance;

(f) the dissemination of information on cooperation.

Article 44

Regional cooperation

The Parties shall encourage operations designed to promote regional cooperation.

Article 45

Industrial cooperation

The Parties shall promote cooperation in particular in the following areas:

- industrial cooperation between economic operators in the Community and in Israel, including access for Israel to Community networks for the rapprochement of businesses and decentralised cooperation,

- diversification of industrial output in Israel,

- cooperation between small and medium-sized enterprises in the Community and Israel,

- easier access to investment finance,

- information and support services,

- stimulation of innovation.

Article 46

Agriculture

The Parties shall focus cooperation in particular on:

- support for policies implemented by them to diversify production,

- promotion of environment-friendly agriculture,

- closer relations between businesses, groups and organisations representing trades and professions in Israel and in the Community on a voluntary basis,

- technical assistance and training,

- harmonisation of phytosanitary and veterinary standards,

- integrated rural development, including improvement in basic services and development of associated economic activities,

- cooperation among rural regions, exchange of experience and know-how concerning rural development.

Article 47

Standards

The Parties shall aim to reduce differences in standardisation and conformity assessment. To this end the Parties shall conclude where appropriate agreements on mutual recognition in the field of conformity assessment.

Article 48

Financial services

The Parties shall cooperate, where appropriate through the conclusion of agreements, on the adoption of common rules and standards, inter alia, for accounting and for supervisory and regulatory systems of banking, insurance and other financial sectors.

Article 49

Customs

1. The Parties commit themselves to developing customs cooperation to ensure that the provisions on trade are observed. For this purpose they shall establish a dialogue on customs matters.

2. Cooperation shall focus on the simplification and computerisation of customs procedures, which shall, in particular, take the form of exchange of information among experts and vocational training.

3. Without prejudice to other forms of cooperation envisaged in this agreement, notably for the fight against drugs and money laundering, the Parties' administrations shall provide mutual assistance in accordance with the provisions of Protocol 5.

Article 50

Environment

1. The Parties shall promote cooperation in the tasks of preventing deterioration of the environment, controlling pollution and ensuring the rational use of natural resources, with a view to ensuring sustainable development and promoting regional environmental projects.

2. Cooperation shall focus, in particular, on:

- desertification,

- the quality of Mediterranean water and the control and prevention of marine pollution,

- waste management,

- salinisation,

- environmental management of sensitive coastal areas,

- environmental education and awareness,

- the use of advanced tools of environmental management, environmental monitoring methods and surveillance, including the use of environmental information systems (EIS) and environmental impact assessment,

- the impact of industrial development on the environment in general and the safety of industrial facilities in particular,

- the impact of agriculture on soil and water quality.

Article 51

Energy

1. The Parties consider that global warming and the depletion of fossil fuel sources are a serious threat to mankind. The Parties shall therefore cooperate with a view to developing sources of renewable energy, to ensure the use of fuels with the purpose of limiting pollution of the environment and promoting energy conservation.

2. The Parties shall endeavour to encourage operations designed to favour regional cooperation on matters such as transit of gas, oil and electricity.

Article 52

Information infrastructures and telecommunications

The Parties shall promote cooperation in the development of information infrastructures and telecommunications to their mutual benefit. Cooperation shall focus primarily on pursuing actions related to research and technological development, harmonisation of standards and modernisation of technology.

Article 53

Transport

1. The Parties shall promote cooperation in the field of transport and related infrastructure, in order to improve the efficiency of movement of passengers and of goods, both at bilateral and regional level.

2. Cooperation shall focus, in particular, on:

- achieving high standards of safety and security in maritime and air transport; for this purpose the Parties shall establish consultations at expert level to exchange information,

- standardisation of technical equipment, in particular in combined, multimodal transport and transhipment,

- promotion of joint technological and research programmes.

Article 54

Tourism

The Parties shall exchange information on planned tourism development and tourism marketing projects, tourism shows, exhibitions, conventions and publications.

Article 55

Approximation of laws

The Parties shall use their best endeavours to approximate their respective laws in order to facilitate the implementation of this Agreement.

Article 56

Drugs and money laundering

1. The Parties shall cooperate with a view in particular to:

- improving the effectiveness of policies and measures to counter the supply of, and illicit trafficking in, narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances and the reduction of the abuse of these products,

- encouraging a joint approach to reducing demand,

- preventing the use of the Parties' financial systems to launder capital arising from criminal activities in general and drug trafficking in particular.

2. Cooperation shall take the form of exchange of information and, where appropriate, joint activities on:

- drafting and implementation of national legislation,

- monitoring trade in precursors,

- establishment of social and health institutions and information systems and the implementation of projects along these lines, including training and research projects,

- implementation of the highest possible international standards relating to the fight against money laundering and the misuse of chemical precursors, in particular those adopted by the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) and the Chemical Action Task Force (CATF).

3. The Parties shall determine together, in accordance with their respective legislation, the strategies and cooperation methods appropriate for attaining these objectives. Their operations, other than joint operations, shall form the subject of consultations and close coordination.

The relevant public and private sector bodies, in accordance with their own powers, working with the competent bodies of Israel, the Community and its Member States, may take part in these operations.

Article 57

Migration

The Parties shall cooperate with a view in particular to:

- defining areas of mutual interest concerning policies on immigration,

- increasing the effectiveness of measures aimed at preventing or curbing illegal migratory flows.

TITLE VII

COOPERATION ON AUDIOVISUAL AND CULTURAL MATTERS, INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION

Article 58

1. The Parties shall undertake to promote cooperation in the audiovisual sector to their mutual benefit.

2. The Parties shall seek ways of associating Israel with Community initiatives in this sector, thus enabling cooperation in such areas as coproduction, training, development and distribution.

Article 59

The Parties shall promote cooperation on education, training and youth exchange. The areas of cooperation may include in particular: youth exchanges, cooperation among universities and other educational/training institutions, language training, translation and other ways of promoting better mutual understanding of their respective cultures.

Article 60

The Parties shall promote cultural cooperation. The areas of cooperation may include in particular translation, exchange of works of art and artists, conservation and restoration of historic and cultural monuments and sites, training of persons working in the cultural field, the organisation of European-oriented cultural events, raising mutual awareness and contributing to the dissemination of information on outstanding cultural events.

Article 61

The Parties shall promote activities of mutual interest in the field of information and communication.

Article 62

Cooperation shall be implemented in particular through:

(a) a regular dialogue between the Parties;

(b) a regular exchange of information and ideas in every sector of cooperation including meetings of officials and experts;

(c) transfer of advice, expertise and training;

(d) implementation of joint actions such as seminars and workshops;

(e) technical, administrative and regulatory assistance;

(f) the dissemination of information on cooperation initiatives.

TITLE VIII

SOCIAL MATTERS

Article 63

1. The Parties shall conduct a dialogue covering all aspects of mutual interest. The dialogue shall cover in particular questions relating to social problems of post-industrial societies, such as unemployment, rehabilitation of disabled people, equal treatment for men and women, labour relations, vocational training, work safety and hygiene, etc.

2. Cooperation will take place through experts' meetings, seminars and workshops.

Article 64

1. In order to coordinate the social security regimes of Israeli workers legally employed on the territory of a Member State and of their family members legally resident there, the following provisions should apply, subject to the conditions and modalities applicable in each Member State:

- all periods of insurance, employment or residence fulfilled by such workers in the different Member States shall be totalled for the purposes of the establishment of the right to old age, invalidity and survivors' pensions and allowances and for the purposes of medical care for themselves and their families,

- all pensions and allowances for old age, survivors, accident at work, occupational illness or invalidity, with the exception of non-contributory payments, shall benefit from free transfer to Israel at the rate applicable resulting from the legislation of the liable Member State(s),

- the workers concerned shall receive family allowances for the members of their family referred to above.

2. Israel shall grant to workers who are nationals of a Member State legally employed on its territory and to their family members legally resident there a treatment similar to that referred to in paragraph 1, second and third indents, subject to the conditions and modalities applicable in Israel.

Article 65

1. The Association Council shall decide on the provisions for the implementation of the objectives contained in Article 64.

2. The Association Council shall decide on the modalities of administrative cooperation to guarantee the management and control necessary for the implementation of the provisions contained in paragraph 1.

Article 66

The arrangements decided by the Association Council, in accordance with Article 65, shall in no way affect the rights and obligations resulting from bilateral agreements between Israel and the Member States where these agreements provide for a more favourable treatment of Israeli nationals or for nationals of the Member States.

TITLE IX

INSTITUTIONAL, GENERAL AND FINAL PROVISIONS

Article 67

An Association Council is hereby established which shall meet at ministerial level once a year and when circumstances require, at the initiative of its Chairman and in accordance with the conditions laid down in its rules of procedure. It shall examine any major issues arising within the framework of this Agreement and any other bilateral or international issues of mutual interest.

Article 68

1. The Association Council shall consist of the members of the Council of the European Union and members of the Commission of the European Communities, on the one hand, and members of the Government of the State of Israel, on the other.

2. The Association Council shall establish its Rules of Procedure.

3. Members of the Association Council may arrange to be represented in accordance with the provisions laid down in its Rules of Procedure.

4. The Association Council shall be chaired in turn by a member of the Council of the European Union and a member of the Government of the State of Israel, in accordance with the provisions laid down in its Rules of Procedure.

Article 69

1. The Association Council shall, for the purpose of attaining the objectives of the Agreement, have the power to take decisions in the cases provided for therein.

These decisions shall be binding on the Parties which shall take the measures necessary to implement the decisions taken. The Association Council may also make appropriate recommendations.

2. The Association Council shall draw up its decisions and recommendations by agreement between the Parties.

Article 70

1. Subject to the powers of the Association Council, an Association Committee is hereby established which shall be responsible for the implementation of the Agreement.

2. The Association Council may delegate to the Association Committee, in full or in part, any of its powers.

Article 71

1. The Association Committee, which shall meet at official level, shall consist of representatives of the members of the Council of the European Union and of members of the Commission of the European Communities, on the one hand, and of representatives of the Government of the State of Israel, on the other.

2. The Association Committee shall establish its Rules of Procedure.

3. The Association Committee shall be chaired in turn by a representative of the Presidency of the Council of the European Union and by a representative of the Government of the State of Israel.

Article 72

1. The Association Committee shall have the power to take decisions for the management of the Agreement as well as in those areas in which the Association Council has delegated its powers to it.

These decisions shall be binding on the Parties which shall take the measures necessary to implement the decisions taken.

2. The Association Committee shall draw up its decisions by agreement between the Parties.

Article 73

The Association Council may decide to set up any working group or body necessary for the implementation of the Agreement.

Article 74

The Association Council shall take all appropriate measures to facilitate cooperation and contacts between the European Parliament and the Knesset of the State of Israel, and between the Economic and Social Committee of the Community and the Economic and Social Council of Israel.

Article 75

1. Each of the Parties may refer to the Association Council any dispute relating to the application or interpretation of this Agreement.

2. The Association Council may settle the dispute by means of a decision.

3. Each Party shall be bound to take the measures involved in carrying out the decision referred to in paragraph 2.

4. In the event of it not being possible to settle the dispute in accordance with paragraph 2, either Party may notify the other of the appointment of an arbitrator; the other Party must then appoint a second arbitrator within two months. For the application of this procedure, the Community and the Member States shall be deemed to be one Party to the dispute.

The Association Council shall appoint a third arbitrator.

The arbitrators' decisions shall be taken by majority vote.

Each party to the dispute must take the steps required to implement the decision of the arbitrators.

Article 76

Nothing in the Agreement shall prevent a Party from taking any measures:

(a) which it considers necessary to prevent the disclosure of information contrary to its essential security interests;

(b) which relate to the production of, or trade in, arms, munitions or war materials or to research, development or production indispensable for defence purposes, provided that such measures do not impair the conditions of competition in respect of products not intended for specifically military purposes;

(c) which it considers essential to its own security in the event of serious internal disturbances affecting the maintenance of law and order, in time of war or serious international tension constituting threat of war or in order to carry out obligations it has accepted for the purpose of maintaining peace and international security.

Article 77

In the fields covered by this Agreement, and without prejudice to any special provisions contained therein:

- the arrangements applied by Israel in respect of the Community shall not give rise to any discrimination between the Member States, their nationals, or their companies or firms,

- the arrangements applied by the Community in respect of Israel shall not give rise to discrimination between Israeli nationals or its companies or firms.

Article 78

As regards direct taxation, nothing in the Agreement shall have the effect of:

- extending the fiscal advantages granted by either Party in any international agreement or arrangement by which it is bound,

- preventing the adoption or application by either Party of any measure aimed at preventing the avoidance or the evasion of taxes,

- opposing the right of either Party to apply the relevant provisions of its tax legislation to taxpayers whose position, as regards place of residence, is not identical.

Article 79

1. The Parties shall take any general or specific measures required to fulfil their obligations under the Agreement. They shall see to it that the objectives set out in the Agreement are attained.

2. If either Party considers that the other Party has failed to fulfil an obligation under the Agreement, it may take appropriate measures. Before so doing, except in cases of special urgency, it shall supply the Association Council with all relevant information required for a thorough examination of the situation with a view to seeking a solution acceptable to the Parties.

In the selection of measures, priority shall be given to those which least disturb the functioning of the Agreement.

These measures shall be notified immediately to the Association Council and shall be the subject of consultations within the Association Council if the other Party so requests.

Article 80

Protocols 1 to 5, Annexes I to VII shall form an integral part of this Agreement. Declarations and Exchanges of Letters shall appear in the Final Act, which shall form an integral part of this Agreement.

Article 81

For the purpose of this Agreement the term "Parties" shall mean the Community, or the Member States, or the Community and the Member States, in accordance with their respective powers, of the one part, and Israel of the other part.

Article 82

The Agreement is concluded for an unlimited period.

Each of the Parties may denounce the Agreement by notifying the other Party. The Agreement shall cease to apply six months after the date of such notification.

Article 83

This Agreement shall apply, on the one hand, to the territories in which the Treaties establishing the European Community and the European Coal And Steel Community are applied and under the conditions laid down in those Treaties and, on the other hand, to the territory of the State of Israel.

Article 84

This Agreement is drawn up in duplicate in the Danish, Dutch, English, Finnish, French, German, Greek, Italian, Portuguese, Spanish, Swedish and Hebrew languages; each of these texts being equally authentic, shall be deposited with the General Secretariat of the Council of the European Union.

Article 85

This Agreement shall be approved by the Parties in accordance with their own procedures.

This Agreement shall enter into force on the first day of the second month following the date on which the Parties notify each other that the procedures referred to in the first paragraph have been completed.

Upon its entry into force this Agreement shall replace the Agreement between the European Community and the State of Israel, and the Agreement between the Member States of the European Coal and Steel Community, of the one part, and the State of Israel, of the other part, signed in Brussels on 11 May 1975.

Hecho en Bruselas, el veinte de noviembre de mil novecientos noventa y cinco.

Udfærdiget i Bruxelles, den tyvende november nitten hundrede og femoghalvfems.

Geschehen zu Brüssel am zwanzigsten November neunzehnhundertfünfundneunzig.

Έγινε στις Βρυξέλλες, στις είκοσι Νοεμβρίου χίλια εννιακόσια ενενήντα πέντε.

Done at Brussels on the twentieth day of November in the year one thousand, nine hundred and ninety-five.

Fait ΰ Bruxelles, le vingt novembre mil neuf cent quatre-vingt-quinze.

Fatto a Bruxelles, addμ venti novembre millenovecentonovantacinque.

Gedaan te Brussel, de twintigste november negentienhonderdvijfennegentig.

Feito em Bruxelas, em vinte de Novembro de mil novecentos e noventa e cinco.

Tehty Brysselissδ kahdentenakymmenentenδ pδivδnδ marraskuuta vuonna tuhatyhdeksδnsataayhdeksδnkymmentδviisi.

Som skedde i Bryssel den tjugonde november nittonhundranittiofem.

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Pour le Royaume de Belgique/Voor het Koninkrijk Belgiλ/Fόr das Kφnigreich Belgien

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Cette signature engage ιgalement la Communautι franηaise, la Communautι flamande, la Communautι germanophone, la Rιgion wallonne, la Rιgion flamande et la Rιgion de Bruxelles-Capitale.

Deze handtekening verbindt eveneens de Vlaamse Gemeenschap, de Franstalige Gemeenschap, de Duitstalige Gemeenschap, het Vlaamse Gewest, het Waalse Gewest en het Brusselse Hoofdstedelijke Gewest.

Diese Unterschrift verbindet zugleich die Deutschsprachige Gemeinschaft, die Flδmische Gemeinschaft, die Franzφsische Gemeinschaft, die Wallonische Region, die Flδmische Region und die Region Brόssel-Hauptstadt.

Pε Kongeriget Danmarks vegne

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Fόr die Bundesrepublik Deutschland

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>ISO_7>Για την Ελληνική Δημοκρατία

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Por el Reino de España

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Pour la République française

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Thar cheann na hÉireann/For Ireland

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Per la Repubblica italiana

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Pour le Grand-Duché de Luxembourg

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Voor het Koninkrijk der Nederlanden

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Für die Republik Österreich

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Pela República Portuguesa

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Suomen tasavallan puolesta

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För Konungariket Sverige

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For the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland

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Por las Comunidades Europeas/For De Europæiske Fællesskaber/Für die Europäischen Gemeinschaften/Για τις Ευρωπαϊκές Κοινότητες/For the European Communities/Pour les Communautés européennes/Per le Comunità europee/Voor de Europese Gemeenschappen/Pelas Comunidades Europeias/Euroopan yhteisöjen puolesta/På Europeiska gemenskapernas vägnar

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LIST OF ANNEXES

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ANNEX I

LIST OF PRODUCTS REFERRED TO IN ARTICLE 7

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ANNEX II

LIST OF PRODUCTS REFERRED TO IN ARTICLE 9

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ANNEX III

LIST OF PRODUCTS REFERRED TO IN ARTICLE 9

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ANNEX IV

LIST OF PRODUCTS REFERRED TO IN ARTICLE 9(2)

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ANNEX V

LIST OF PRODUCTS REFERRED TO IN ARTICLE 9

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ANNEX VI

LIST OF PRODUCTS SUBJECT TO CONCESSIONS REFERRED TO IN ARTICLE 9(6)

Table 1: Imports into the Community of the following goods originating in Israel shall be subject to the concessions set out below

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Table 2: Imports into Israel of the following goods originating in the Community shall be subject to the concessions set out below

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ANNEX VII

INTELLECTUAL, INDUSTRIAL AND COMMERCIAL PROPERTY RIGHTS REFERRED TO IN ARTICLE 39

1. By the end of the third year after the entry into force of the Agreement, Israel shall accede to the following multilateral conventions on intellectual, industrial and commercial property rights to which Member States are parties or which are de facto applied by Member States:

- Berne Convention for the Protection of Literary and Artistic Works (Paris Act, 1971),

- Madrid Agreement concerning the International Registration of Marks (Stockholm Act, 1967 and amended in 1979),

- Protocol relating to the Madrid Agreement concerning the International Registration of Marks (Madrid, 1989),

- Budapest Treaty on the International Recognition of the Deposit of Microorganisms for the Purposes of Patent Procedure (1977, modified in 1980),

- Patent Cooperation Treaty (Washington, 1970, amended in 1979 and modified in 1984).

The Association Council may decide that this paragraph shall apply to other multilateral conventions in this field.

2. Israel shall ratify, by the end of the second year after the entry into force of the Agreement, the International Convention for the Protection of Performers, Producers of Phonograms and Broadcasting Organisations (Rome, 1961).

3. The Parties confirm the importance they attach to the obligations arising from the following multilateral conventions:

- Paris Convention for the Protection of Industrial Property (Stockholm Act, 1967, and amended in 1979),

- Nice Agreement concerning the International Classification of Goods and Services for the purposes of the Registration of Marks (Geneva, 1977, and amended in 1979),

- International Convention for the Protection of New Varieties of Plants (UPOV) (Geneva Act, 1991).

LIST OF PROTOCOLS

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PROTOCOL 1

concerning the arrangements applicable to the importation into the Community of agricultural products originating in Israel

1. The products listed in the Annex, originating in Israel, shall be admitted for importation into the Community, according to the conditions contained hereafter and in the Annex.

2. (a) Customs duties shall be either eliminated or reduced as indicated in column "A".

(b) For certain products, for which the Common Customs Tariff provides for the application of an ad valorem duty and a specific duty, the rates of reduction, indicated in columns "A" and "C", shall apply only to the ad valorem duty. However, for the products corresponding to the Codes 0207 22, 0207 42 and 2204 21, the duty reductions are applied as indicated in column "E".

3. For certain products, customs duties shall be eliminated within the limit of the tariff quotas listed in column "B" for each of them.

For the quantities imported in excess of the quotas, the common customs duties shall, according to the product concerned, be applied in full or reduced, as indicated in column "C".

4. For certain products exempt from customs duties, reference quantities are fixed as indicated in column "D".

Should the volume of imports of one of the products exceed the reference quantity, the Community may, having regard to an annual review of trade flows which it shall carry out, make the product in question subject to a Community tariff quota, the volume of which shall be equal to the reference quantity. In that case, for quantities imported in excess of the quota, the common customs duty shall, according to the product concerned, be applied in full or reduced as indicated in column "C".

5. For some of the products indicated in paragraph 3 and in column "E", the tariff quotas shall be increased from 1 January 1997 to 1 January 2000 on the basis of four equal instalments, each corresponding to 3 % of these amounts.

6. As indicated in column "E", for some products other than those indicated in paragraphs 3 and 4, the Community may fix a reference quantity as provided for in paragraph 4 if, in the light of the annual review of trade flows which it shall carry out, it establishes that the volume of imports of a product or products threatens to cause difficulties on the Community market. If, subsequently, the product is subjected to a tariff quota under the conditions set out in paragraph 4, for quantities imported in excess of the quota, the customs duty shall, according to the product concerned, be applied in full or reduced, as indicated in column "C".

ANNEX

>TABLE>

PROTOCOL 2

concerning the arrangements applicable to the importation into Israel of agricultural products originating in the Community

1. The products listed in the Annex originating in the Community shall be admitted for importation into Israel according to the conditions contained herein and in the Annex.

2. Import duties on imports shall be either eliminated or reduced to the level indicated in column "A", within the limit of the tariff quota listed in column "B", and subject to the specific provisions indicated in column "C".

3. For the quantities imported in excess of the tariff quotas, the general customs duties applied to third countries will apply, subject to the specific provisions indicated in column "C".

4. For certain products for which no tariff quota is fixed, reference quantities are fixed as indicated in column "C".

Should the volume of imports of one of the products exceed the reference quantity, Israel may, having regard to an annual review of trade flows which it shall carry out, make the product in question subject to a tariff quota, the volume of which shall be equal to the reference quantity. In that case, for quantities imported in excess of the quota, the duty referred to in point 3 shall apply.

5. For products for which neither a tariff quota nor a reference quantity is fixed, Israel may fix a reference quantity as provided for in point 4 if, in the light of an annual review of trade flows which it shall carry out, it establishes that the volume of imports of a product or products threatens to cause difficulties on the Israeli market. If, subsequently, the product is subjected to a tariff quota under the conditions set out in point 4, the provisions of point 3 shall apply.

6. For cheese and curd, the tariff quota shall be increased from 1 January 1997 to 1 January 2000 on the basis of four equal instalments, each corresponding to 10 % of this amount.

ANNEX

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PROTOCOL 3

concerning plant protection matters

Without prejudice to the provisions of the Agreement on the Application of Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures annexed to the Agreement establishing the WTO, and in particular Articles 2 and 6 thereof, the Parties agree that from the entry into force of this Agreement:

(a) on their mutual trade, the requirement for phytosanitary certification shall apply:

- in respect of cut flowers:

- only to the genera dendranthema, dianthus and pelargonium for introduction into the Community,

- and only to rosa, dendranthema, dianthus, pelargonium, gypsophilia and anemone for introduction into Israel, and

- in respect of fruits:

- only to citrus, fortunella, poncirus and their hybrids annona, cydonia, diospyros, malus, mangifera, passiflore, prunus, psidium, pyrus, ribes, syzygium and vaccinum for introduction into the Community,

- and to all the genera for introduction into Israel,

(b) on their mutual trade, the requirement for a phytosanitary permit for the introduction of plants or plant products will only apply to enable the introduction of those plants or plant products which would otherwise be prohibited, based on a pest risk analysis,

(c) a Party which envisages the introduction of new phytosanitary measures which could adversely affect specifically existing trade between the parties, shall hold consultations with the other Party to examine the envisaged measures and their effect.

PROTOCOL 4

concerning the definition of the concept of "originating products" and methods of administrative cooperation

TITLE I

GENERAL PROVISIONS

Article 1

Definitions

For the purposes of this Protocol:

(a) "manufacture" means any kind of working or processing including assembly or specific operations;

(b) "material" means any ingredient, raw material, component or part, etc., used in the manufacture of the product;

(c) "product" means the product being manufactured, even if it is intended for later use in another manufacturing operation;

(d) "goods" means both materials and products;

(e) "customs value" means the value as determined in accordance with the Agreement on Implementation of Article VII of the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade, 1994 (WTO Agreement on Customs Valuation);

(f) "ex-works price" means the price paid for the product ex-works to the manufacturer in whose undertaking the last working or processing is carried out or to the person who arranged for the last working or processing to be carried outside the territories of the Parties provided the price includes the value of all the materials used, minus all internal taxes which are, or may be, repaid when the product obtained is exported;

(g) "value of materials" means the customs value at the time of importation of the non-originating materials used, or, if this is not known and cannot be ascertained, the first ascertainable price paid for the materials in the territories concerned;

(h) "value of originating materials" means the customs value of such materials as defined in subparagraph (g) applied mutatis mutandis;

(i) "chapters" and "headings" means the chapters and the headings (four-digit codes) used in the nomenclature which makes up the Harmonised Commodity Description and Coding System, referred to in this Protocol as "the Harmonised System" or "HS";

(j) "classified" refers to the classification of a product or material under a particular heading;

(k) "consignment" means products which are either sent simultaneously from one exporter to one consignee or covered by a single transport document covering their shipment from the exporter to the consignee or, in the absence of such a document, by a single invoice.

TITLE II

DEFINITION OF THE CONCEPT OF "ORIGINATING PRODUCTS"

Article 2

Origin criteria

For the purpose of implementing the Agreement and without prejudice to the provisions of Article 3 of this Protocol, the following products shall be considered as:

1. products originating in the Community:

(a) products wholly obtained in the Community, within the meaning of Article 4 of this Protocol;

(b) products obtained in the Community which contain materials not wholly obtained there, provided that the said materials have undergone sufficient working and processing in the Community within the meaning of Article 5 of this Protocol;

2. products originating in Israel:

(a) products wholly obtained in Israel within the meaning of Article 4 of this Protocol;

(b) products obtained in Israel which contain materials not wholly obtained there, provided that the said materials have undergone sufficient working or processing in Israel within the meaning of Article 5 of this Protocol.

Article 3

Bilateral cumulation

1. Notwithstanding Article 2(1)(b), materials originating in Israel within the meaning of this Protocol shall be considered as materials originating in the Community and it shall not be necessary that such materials have undergone sufficient working or processing.

2. Notwithstanding Article 2(2)(b), materials originating in the Community within the meaning of this Protocol shall be considered as materials originating in Israel and it shall not be necessary that such materials have undergone working or processing.

Article 4

Wholly obtained products

1. The following shall be considered as wholly obtained either in the Community or in Israel:

(a) mineral products extracted from their soil or from their seabed;

(b) vegetable products harvested there;

(c) live animals born and raised there;

(d) products from live animals raised there;

(e) products obtained by hunting or fishing there;

(f) products of sea fishing and other products taken from the sea by their vessels;

(g) products made aboard their factory ships exclusively from products referred to in subparagraph (f);

(h) used articles collected there fit only for the recovery of raw materials, including used tyres fit only for retreading or use as waste;

(i) waste and scrap resulting from manufacturing operations conducted there;

(j) products extracted from marine soil or subsoil outside their territorial waters provided that they have sole rights to work that soil or subsoil;

(k) goods produced exclusively from products specified in subparagraphs (a) to (j).

2. The terms "their vessels" and "their factory ships" in paragraph 1(f) and (g) shall apply only to vessels and factory ships:

- which are registered or recorded in a Member State of the Community or in Israel,

- which sail under the flag of a Member State of the Community or of Israel,

- which are owned to an extent of at least 50 % by nationals of a Member State of the Community or of Israel, or by a company with its head office in one of these States or in Israel, of which the manager or managers, chairman of the board of directors or the supervisory board, and the majority of the members of such boards are nationals of Member States of the Community or of Israel and of which, in addition, in the case of partnerships or limited companies, at least half the capital belongs to these States, to Israel, to their public bodies or to their nationals,

- of which the master and officers are nationals of Member States of the Community or of Israel,

- of which at least 75 % of the crew are nationals of Member States of the Community or of Israel.

3. The terms the "Community" and "Israel" shall also cover the territorial waters which surround the Member States of the Community and Israel.

Sea-going vessels, including factory ships on which the fish caught is worked or processed, shall be considered as part of the territory of the Community or of Israel provided that they satisfy the conditions set out in paragraph 2.

Article 5

Sufficiently worked or processed products

1. For the purposes of Article 2, products which are not wholly obtained in the Community or in Israel are considered to be sufficiently worked or processed there when the conditions set out in the list in Annex II, in conjunction with the Notes in Annex I, are fulfilled.

These conditions indicate, for all products covered or not by the Agreement, the working or processing which must be carried out on the non-originating materials used in the manufacture of these products, and apply only in relation to such materials. Accordingly, it follows that if a product, which has acquired originating status by fulfilling the conditions set out in the list for that product, is used in the manufacture of another product, the conditions applicable to the product in which it is incorporated do not apply to it, and no account shall be taken of the non-originating materials which may have been used in its manufacture.

2. Notwithstanding paragraph 1 and except as provided in Article 12(4), non-originating materials which, according to the conditions set out in the list for a given product, should not be used in the manufacture of this product may nevertheless be used, provided that:

(a) their total value does not exceed 10 % of the ex-works price of the product;

(b) where, in the list, one or several percentages are given for the maximum value of non-originating materials, such percentages are not exceeded through the application of this paragraph.

This paragraph shall not apply to products falling within Chapters 50 to 63 of the Harmonised System.

3. Paragraphs 1 and 2 shall apply except as provided in Article 6.

Article 6

Insufficient working or processing operations

The following operations shall be considered as insufficient working or processing to confer the status of originating products, whether or not the requirements of Article 5 are satisfied:

(a) operations to ensure the preservation of products in good condition during transport and storage (ventilation, spreading out, drying, chilling, placing in salt, sulphur dioxide or other aqueous solutions, removal of damaged parts, and like operations);

(b) simple operations consisting of removal of dust, sifting or screening, sorting, classifying, matching (including the making-up of sets of articles), washing, painting, cutting up;

(c) (i) changes of packaging and breaking up and assembly of packages;

(ii) simple placing in bottles, flasks, bags, cases, boxes, fixing on cards or boards, etc., and all other simple packaging operations;

d) affixing marks, labels and other like distinguishing signs on products or their packaging;

e) simple mixing of products, whether or not of different kinds, where one or more components of the mixtures do not meet the conditions laid down in this Protocol to enable them to be considered as originating in the Community or in Israel;

f) simple assembly of parts to constitute a complete product;

g) a combination of two or more operations specified in subparagraphs (a) to (f);

h) slaughter of animals.

Article 7

Unit of qualification

1. The unit of qualification for the application of the provisions of this Protocol shall be the particular product which is considered as the basic unit when determining classification using the nomenclature of the Harmonised System.

Accordingly, it follows that:

(a) when a product composed of a group or assembly of articles is classified under the terms of the Harmonised System in a single heading, the whole constitutes the unit of qualification;

(b) when a consignment consists of a number of identical products classified under the same heading of the Harmonised System, each product must be taken individually when applying the provisions of this Protocol.

2. Where, under general rule 5 of the Harmonised System, packaging is included with the product for classification purposes, it shall be included for the purposes of determining origin.

Article 8

Accessories, spare parts and tools

Accessories, spare parts and tools dispatched with a piece of equipment, machine, apparatus or vehicle, which are part of the normal equipment and included in the price thereof or which are not separately invoiced, shall be regarded as one with the piece of equipment, machine, apparatus or vehicle in question.

Article 9

Sets

Sets, as defined in general rule 3 of the Harmonised System, shall be regarded as originating when all component products are originating. Nevertheless, when a set is composed of originating and non-originating products, the set as a whole shall be regarded as originating, provided that the value of the non-originating products does not exceed 15 % of the ex-works price of the set.

Article 10

Neutral elements

In order to determine whether a product originates in the Community or in Israel it shall not be necessary to establish whether the electrical energy, fuel, plant and equipment as well as machines and tools used to obtain such product, or whether any goods, used in the course of production which do not enter and which were not intended to enter into the final composition of the product, are originating or not.

TITLE III

TERRITORIAL REQUIREMENTS

Article 11

Principle of territoriality

The conditions set out in Title II relative to the acquisition of originating status must be fulfilled without interruption in the Community or in Israel. For this purpose, the acquisition of originating status shall be considered as interrupted when goods which have undergone working or processing in the Party concerned have left the territory of this Party, except as provided in Articles 12 and 13.

Article 12

Working or processing carried out outside one of the Parties

1. The acquisition of originating status in one of the Parties under the conditions set out in Title II shall not be affected by working or processing carried out outside this Party and subsequently reimported there, provided that:

(a) the said materials are wholly obtained in the Party concerned or have undergone their working or processing going beyond the insufficient operations listed in Article 6 prior to their exportation; and

(b) it can be demonstrated to the satisfaction of the customs authorities that:

(i) the reimported goods result from the working or processing of the exported materials; and

(ii) the total added value acquired outside the Party concerned through the application of this Article does not exceed 10 % of the ex-works price of the final product for which originating status is claimed.

2. For the purposes of paragraph 1, the conditions set out in Title II relative to the acquisition of originating status shall not apply in respect of working or processing carried out outside the Party concerned. Nevertheless, where, in the relevant list of Annex II, a rule giving the maximum value of all the non-originating materials used is applied in determining the originating status of the final product concerned, the total value of the non-originating materials used in the Party concerned and the total added value acquired outside this Party through the application of this Article taken together shall not exceed the percentage given.

3. For the purposes of paragraphs 1 and 2, "total added value" shall mean all costs accumulated outside the Party concerned, including all the value of the materials added there.

4. Paragraphs 1 and 2 shall not apply to products which do not fulfil the conditions set out in the relevant list rule and which can only be considered as sufficiently worked or processed as a result of the application of the general tolerance in Article 5(2).

5. Paragraphs 1 and 2 shall not apply to products falling within Chapters 50 to 63 of the Harmonised System.

Article 13

Reimportation of goods

Goods exported from the Community or Israel to a third country and subsequently returned, shall be considered as never having left the concerned Party if it can be demonstrated to the satisfaction of the customs authorities that:

(a) the goods returned are the same goods as those exported; and

(b) they have not undergone any operation beyond that necessary to preserve them in good condition while in that country or while being exported.

Article 14

Direct transport

1. The preferential treatment provided for under the Agreement applies only to products or materials which are transported between the territories of the Community and Israel without entering any other territory. However, goods originating in the Community or in Israel and constituting one single consignment which is not split up may be transported through territory other than that of the Community or Israel with, should the occasion arise, transhipment or temporary warehousing in such territories, provided that the goods have remained under the surveillance of the customs authorities in the country of transit or of warehousing and that they have not undergone operations other than unloading, reloading or any operation designed to preserve them in good condition.

Products originating in the Community or in Israel may be transported by pipeline across territory other than that of the Community or that of Israel.

2. Evidence that the conditions set out in paragraph 1 have been fulfilled may be supplied to the customs authorities of the importing country by the production of:

(a) a through bill of lading issued in the exporting country covering the passage through the country of transit; or

(b) a certificate issued by the customs authorities of the country of transit:

(i) giving an exact description of the products;

(ii) stating the dates of unloading and reloading of the products and, where applicable, the names of the ships used; and

(iii) certifying the conditions under which the products remained in the transit country; or

c) failing these, any substantiating documents.

Article 15

Exhibitions

1. Products sent from one of the Parties for exhibition in a third country and sold after the exhibition for importation in another Party shall benefit on importation from the provisions of the Agreement on condition that the products meet the requirements of this Protocol entitling them to be recognised as originating in the Community or in Israel and provided that it is shown to the satisfaction of the customs authorities that:

(a) an exporter has consigned these products from one of the Parties to the country in which the exhibition is held and has exhibited them there;

(b) the products have been sold or otherwise disposed of by that exporter to a person in another Party;

(c) the products have been consigned during the exhibition or immediately thereafter to the latter Party in the state in which they were sent for exhibition; and

(d) the products have not, since they were consigned for exhibition, been used for any purpose other than demonstration at the exhibition.

2. A proof of origin must be issued or made out in accordance with the provisions of Title V and submitted to the customs authorities of the importing country in the normal manner. The name and address of the exhibition must be indicated thereon. Where necessary, additional documentary evidence of the nature of the products and the conditions under which they have been exhibited may be required.

3. Paragraph 1 shall apply to any trade, industrial, agricultural or crafts exhibition, fair or similar public show or display which is not organised for private purposes in shops or business premises with a view to the sale of foreign products, and during which the products remain under customs control.

TITLE IV

DRAWBACK OR EXEMPTION

Article 16

Prohibition of drawback of, or exemption from, customs duties

1. Non-originating materials used in the manufacture of products originating in the Community or in Israel within the meaning of this Protocol for which a proof of origin is issued or made out in accordance with the provisions of Title V shall not be subject in any of the Parties to drawback of, or exemption from, customs duties of whatever kind.

2. The prohibition in paragraph 1 shall apply to any arrangement for refund, remission or non-payment, partial or complete, of customs duties or charges having an equivalent effect, applicable in any of the Parties to materials used in the manufacture, where such refund, remission or non-payment applies, expressly or in effect, when products obtained from the said materials are exported and not when they are retained for home use in this Party.

3. The exporter of products covered by a proof of origin shall be prepared to submit at any time, upon request from the customs authorities, all appropriate documents proving that no drawback has been obtained in respect of the non-originating materials used in the manufacture of the products concerned and that all customs duties or charges having equivalent effect applicable to such materials have actually been paid.

4. The provisions of paragraphs 1 to 3 shall also apply in respect of packaging within the meaning of Article 7(2), accessories, spare parts and tools within the meaning of Article 8 and products in a set within the meaning of Article 9 when such items are non-originating.

5. The provisions of paragraphs 1 to 4 shall apply only in respect of materials which are of the kind to which the Agreement applies.

TITLE V

PROOF OF ORIGIN

Article 17

General requirements

1. Originating products within the meaning of this Protocol shall, on importation into one of the Parties, benefit from the Agreement upon submission of either:

(a) a movement certificate EUR.1, a specimen of which appears in Annex III; or

(b) in the cases specified in Article 22(1), a declaration, the text of which appears in Annex IV, given by the exporter on an invoice, a delivery note or any other commercial document which describes the products concerned in sufficient detail to enable them to be identified (hereinafter referred to as the "invoice declaration").

2. Notwithstanding paragraph 1, originating products within the meaning of this Protocol shall, in the cases specified in Article 27, benefit from this Agreement without it being necessary to submit any of the documents referred to above.

Article 18

Procedure for the issue of a movement certificate EUR.1

1. A movement certificate EUR.1 shall be issued by the customs authorities of the exporting country on application having been made in writing by the exporter or, under the exporter's responsibility, by his authorised representative.

2. For this purpose, the exporter or his authorised representative shall fill out both the movement certificate EUR.1 and the application form, specimens of which appear in Annex III.

These forms shall be completed in one of the languages in which the Agreement is drawn up, in accordance with the provisions of the domestic law of the exporting country. If they are handwritten, they shall be completed in ink in printed characters. The description of the products must be given in the box reserved for this purpose without leaving any blank lines. Where the box is not completely filled a horizontal line must be drawn below the last line of the description, the empty space being crossed through.

3. The exporter applying for the issue of a movement certificate EUR.1 shall be prepared to submit at any time, at the request of the customs authorities of the exporting country where the movement certificate EUR.1 is issued, all appropriate documents proving the originating status of the products concerned as well as the fulfilment of the other requirements of this Protocol.

4. The movement certificate EUR.1 shall be issued by the customs authorities of a Member State of the European Community if the goods to be exported can be considered as products originating in the Community within the meaning of Article 2(1) of this Protocol. The movement certificate EUR.1 shall be issued by the customs authorities of Israel if the goods to be exported can be considered as products originating in Israel within the meaning of Article 2(2) of this Protocol.

5. When the provisions of Article 3 are applied, the customs authorities of the Member State of the Community or of Israel may issue movement certificates EUR.1 under the conditions laid down in this Protocol if the goods to be exported can be considered as originating products within the meaning of this Protocol and provided that the goods covered by the movement certificates EUR.1 are in the Community or in Israel.

In these cases movement certificates EUR.1 shall be issued subject to the presentation of the proof of origin previously issued or made out. This proof of origin must be kept for at least three years by the customs authorities of the exporting State.

6. The issuing customs authorities shall take any steps necessary to verify the originating status of the products and the fulfilment of the other requirements of this Protocol. For this purpose, they shall have the right to call for any evidence and to carry out any inspection of the exporter's accounts or any other check which they consider appropriate.

The issuing customs authorities shall also ensure that the forms referred to in paragraph 2 are duly completed. In particular, they shall check whether the space reserved for the description of the products has been completed in such a manner as to exclude all possibility of fraudulent additions.

7. The date of issue of the movement certificate EUR.1 shall be indicated in the part of the certificate reserved for the customs authorities.

8. A movement certificate EUR.1 shall be issued by the customs authorities of the exporting country when the products to which it relates are exported. It shall be made available to the exporter as soon as actual exportation has been effected or ensured.

Article 19

Movement certificates EUR.1 issued retrospectively

1. Notwithstanding Article 18(8), a movement certificate EUR.1 may exceptionally be issued after exportation of the products to which it relates if:

(a) it was not issued at the time of exportation because of errors or involuntary omissions or special circumstances; or

(b) it is demonstrated to the satisfaction of the customs authorities that a movement certificate EUR.1 was issued but was not accepted at importation for technical reasons.

2. For the implementation of paragraph 1, the exporter must indicate in this application the place and date of exportation of the products to which the movement certificate EUR.1 relates, and state the reasons for his request.

3. The customs authorities may issue a movement certificate EUR.1 retrospectively only after verifying that the information supplied in the exporter's application agrees with that in the corresponding file.

4. Movement certificates EUR.1 issued retrospectively must be endorsed with one of the following phrases:

"NACHTRÄGLICH AUSGESTELLT",

"DÉLIVRÉ A POSTERIORI",

"RILASCIATO A POSTERIORI",

"AFGEGEVEN A POSTERIORI",

"ISSUED RETROSPECTIVELY",

"UDSTEDT EFTERFØLGENDE",

"ΕΚΔΟΘΕΝ ΕΚ ΤΩΝ ΥΣΤΕΡΩΝ",

"EXPEDIDO A POSTERIORI",

"EMITIDO A POSTERIORI",

"ANNETTU JÄLKIKÄTEEN",

"UTFÄRDAT I EFTERHAND",

"

>PIC FILE= "L_2000147EN.005601.TIF">".

5. The endorsement referred to in paragraph 4 shall be inserted in the "Remarks" box of the movement certificate EUR.1.

Article 20

Issue of a duplicate movement certificate EUR.1

1. In the event of theft, loss or destruction of a movement certificate EUR.1, the exporter may apply to the customs authorities which issued it for a duplicate made out on the basis of the export documents in their possession.

2. The duplicate issued in this way must be endorsed with one of the following words:

"DUPLIKAT",

"DUPLICATA",

"DUPLICATO",

"DUPLICAAT",

"DUPLICATE",

"ΑΝΤΙΓΡΑΦΟ",

"DUPLICADO",

"SEGUNDA VIA",

"KAKSOISKAPPALE",

"

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3. The endorsement referred to in paragraph 2, the date of issue and the serial number of the original certificate shall be inserted in the "Remarks" box of the duplicate movement certificate EUR.1.

4. The duplicate, which must bear the date of issue of the original movement certificate EUR.1, shall take effect as from that date.

Article 21

Replacement of certificates

1. It shall at any time be possible to replace one or more movement certificates EUR.1 by one or more other certificates provided that this is done by the customs office responsible for controlling the goods.

2. The replacement certificate shall be regarded as a definite movement certificate EUR.1 for the purpose of the application of this Protocol, including the provisions of this Article.

3. The replacement certificate shall be issued on the basis of a written request from the re-exporter, after the authorities concerned have verified the information supplied in the applicant's request. The date and serial number of the original movement certificate EUR.1 shall be given in box 7.

Article 22

Conditions for making out an invoice declaration

1. An invoice declaration as referred to in Article 17(1)(b) may be made out:

(a) by an approved exporter within the meaning of Article 23;

(b) by any exporter for any consignment consisting of one or more packages containing originating products whose total value does not exceed ECU 6000.

2. An invoice declaration may be made out if the products concerned can be considered as products originating in one of the Parties and fulfil the other requirements of this Protocol.

3. The exporter making out an invoice declaration shall be prepared to submit at any time, at the request of the customs authorities of the exporting country, all appropriate documents proving the originating status of the products concerned as well as the fulfilment of the other requirements of this Protocol.

4. An invoice declaration shall be made out by the exporter by typing, stamping or printing on the invoice, the delivery note or another commercial document, the declaration, the text of which appears in Annex IV, using one of the linguistic versions set out in that Annex in accordance with the provisions of the domestic law of the exporting country. The declaration may also be handwritten; in such a case, it shall be written in ink in printed characters.

5. Invoice declarations shall bear the original signature of the exporter in manuscript.

However, an approved exporter within the meaning of Article 23 shall not be required to sign such declarations provided that he gives the customs authorities of the exporting country a written undertaking that he accepts full responsibility for any invoice declaration which identifies him as if it had been signed in manuscript by him.

6. An invoice declaration may be made out by the exporter when the products to which it relates are exported (or exceptionally after exportation). If the invoice declaration is made out after the products to which it relates have been declared to the customs authorities in the importing country, this invoice declaration must bear a reference to the documents already submitted to these authorities.

Article 23

Approved exporter

1. The customs authorities of the exporting country may authorise any exporter, hereinafter referred to as "approved exporter", who makes frequent shipments of products under this Agreement, and who offers to the satisfaction of the customs authorities all guarantees necessary to verify the originating status of those products as well as the fulfilment of the other requirements of this Protocol, to make out invoice declarations irrespective of the value of the products concerned.

2. The customs authorities may grant the status of approved exporter subject to any conditions which they consider appropriate.

3. The customs authorities shall grant to the approved exporter a customs authorisation number which shall appear on the invoice declaration.

4. The customs authorities shall monitor the use of the authorisation by the approved exporter.

5. The customs authorities may withdraw the authorisation at any time. They shall do so where the approved exporter no longer offers the guarantees referred to in paragraph 1, does not fulfil the conditions referred to in paragraph 2 or otherwise makes an incorrect use of the authorisation.

Article 24

Validity of proof of origin

1. A movement certificate EUR.1 shall be valid for four months from the date of issue in the exporting country, and must be submitted within the said period to the customs authorities of the importing country.

An invoice declaration shall be valid for four months from the date it was made out by the exporter and must be submitted within the said period to the customs authorities of the importing country.

2. Movement certificates EUR.1 and invoice declarations which are submitted to the customs authorities of the importing country after the final date for presentation specified in paragraph 1 may be accepted for the purpose of applying preferential treatment, where the failure to submit these documents by the final date set is due to reasons of force majeure or exceptional circumstances.

3. In other cases of belated presentation, the customs authorities of the importing country may accept the movement certificates EUR.1 or invoice declarations where the products have been submitted to them before the said final date.

Article 25

Submission of proof of origin

Movement certificates EUR.1 and invoice declarations shall be submitted to the customs authorities of the importing country in accordance with the procedures applicable in that country. The said authorities may require a translation of a movement certificate EUR.1 or an invoice declaration. They may also require the import declaration to be accompanied by a statement from the importer to the effect that the products meet the conditions required for the implementation of the Agreement.

Article 26

Importation by instalments

Where, at the request of the importer and on the conditions laid down by the customs authorities of the importing country, dismantled or non-assembled products within the meaning of general rule 2(a) of the Harmonised System falling within Sections XVI and XVII or heading Nos 7308 and 9406 of the Harmonised System are imported by instalments, a single proof of origin for such products shall be submitted to the customs authorities upon importation of the first instalment.

Article 27

Exemptions from formal proof of origin

1. Products sent as small packages from private persons to private persons or forming part of travellers' personal luggage shall be admitted as originating products without requiring the submission of a formal proof of origin, provided that such products are not imported by way of trade and have been declared as meeting the requirements of this Protocol and where there is no doubt as to the veracity of such a declaration. In the case of products sent by post, this declaration can be made on the customs declaration C2/CP3 or on a sheet of paper annexed to that document.

2. Imports which are occasional and consist solely of products for the personal use of the recipients or travellers or their families shall not be considered as imports by way of trade if it is evident from the nature and quantity of the products that no commercial purpose is in view.

3. Furthermore, the total value of these products must not exceed ECU 500 in the case of small packages or ECU 1200 in the case of products forming part of travellers' personal luggage.

Article 28

Preservation of proof of origin and supporting documents

1. The exporter applying for the issue of a movement certificate EUR.1 shall keep for at least three years the documents referred to in Article 18(3).

2. The exporter making out an invoice declaration shall keep for at least three years a copy of this invoice declaration as well as the documents referred to in Article 22(3).

3. The customs authorities of the exporting country issuing a movement certificate EUR.1 shall keep for at least three years the application form referred to in Article 18(2).

4. The customs authorities of the importing country shall keep for at least three years the movement certificates EUR.1 and the invoice declarations submitted to them.

Article 29

Discrepancies and formal errors

1. The discovery of slight discrepancies between the statements made in a movement certificate EUR.1, or in an invoice declaration, and those made in the documents submitted to the customs office for the purpose of carrying out the formalities for importing the products shall not ipso facto render the movement certificate EUR.1, or the invoice declaration, null and void if it is duly established that this document does correspond to the products submitted.

2. Obvious formal errors such as typing errors on a movement certificate EUR.1, or an invoice declaration, should not cause this document to be rejected if these errors are not such as to create doubts concerning the correctness of the statements made in this document.

Article 30

Amounts expressed in ecus

1. Amounts in the national currency of the exporting country equivalent to the amounts expressed in ecus shall be fixed by the exporting country and communicated to the other Parties.

When the amounts exceed the corresponding amounts fixed by the importing country, the latter shall accept them if the products are invoiced in the currency of the exporting country.

If the goods are invoiced in the currency of another Member State of the Community the importing State shall recognise the amount notified by the country concerned.

2. Up to and including 30 April 2000, the amounts to be used in any given national currency shall be the equivalent in that national currency of the amounts expressed in ecus as at 1 October 1994.

For each successive period of five years, the amounts expressed in ecus and their equivalents in the national currencies of the States shall be reviewed by the Association Council on the basis of the exchange rates of the ecu as at the first working day in October in the year immediately preceding that five-year period.

When carrying out this review, the Association Council shall ensure that there will be no decrease in the amounts to be used in any national currency and shall furthermore consider the desirability of preserving the effects of the limits concerned in real terms. For this purpose, it may decide to modify the amounts expressed in ecus.

TITLE VI

ARRANGEMENTS FOR ADMINISTRATIVE COOPERATION

Article 31

Communication of stamps and addresses

The customs authorities of the Member States and of Israel shall provide each other, through the Commission of the European Communities, with specimen impressions of stamps used in their customs offices for the issue of EUR.1 certificates and with the addresses of the customs authorities responsible for issuing movement certificates EUR.1 and for verifying those certificates and invoice declarations.

Article 32

Verification of proof of origin

1. Subsequent verification of movement certificates EUR.1 and of invoice declarations shall be carried out at random or whenever the customs authorities of the importing State have reasonable doubt as to the authenticity of such documents, the originating status of the products concerned or the fulfilment of the other requirements of this Protocol.

2. For the purposes of implementing the provisions of paragraph 1, the customs authorities of the importing country shall return the movement certificate EUR.1, and the invoice, if it has been submitted, or the invoice declaration, or a copy of these documents, to the customs authorities of the exporting country giving, where appropriate, the reasons of substance or form for an inquiry.

They shall forward, in support of th