COUNCIL REGULATION (EC) No 26/1999 of 21 December 1998 adopting autonomous and transitional measures for Europe Agreements with Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia in certain processed agricultural products

THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION,

Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Community, and in particular Article 113 thereof,

Having regard to the proposal from the Commission,

Whereas, pending adaptation of Protocol 2 of the Europe Agreements concluded with Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania (1), Regulation (EC) No 2621/97 (2) was adopted, which, until 31 December 1998 maintains the degree of preference granted, thus offsetting possible trade-distorting effects the implementation of the results of the Uruguay Round may have on exports from these countries to the Community;

Whereas, pending adoption of improved concessions granted to Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania by the respective Joint Committees, Regulation (EC) No 2621/97 laid down new concessions on a provisional and autonomous basis;

Whereas the negotiations with the countries concerned for the conclusion of Adaptation Protocols adjusting the trade aspects of the Europe Agreements, hereinafter 'Adaptation Protocols`, have been concluded and new Protocols 2 have been initialled; whereas procedures for the formal adoption of the Adaptation Protocols are under way; whereas the time schedule required for formal adoption may not allow for the entry into force of the Adaptation Protocols with all of the countries concerned on 1 January 1999; whereas it is therefore advisable to provide for extension of the concessions on an autonomous basis until 31 December 1999,

HAS ADOPTED THIS REGULATION:

Article 1

1. From 1 January to 31 December 1999 the goods originating from Lithuania listed in Annex I to this Regulation shall be subject to the annual tariff quotas and preferential duties mentioned in that Annex. The basic amounts to be taken into consideration in calculating the reduced agricultural components and additional duties applicable to the importation into the Community are given in Annex II.

2. From 1 January to 31 December 1999 the goods originating from Latvia listed in Annex III shall be subject to the annual tariff quotas and preferential duties mentioned in that Annex. The basic amounts to be taken into consideration in calculating the reduced agricultural components and additional duties applicable to the importation into the Community are given in Annex II.

3. From 1 January to 31 December 1999 the goods originating from Estonia listed in Annex IV shall be subject to the annual tariff quotas and preferential duties mentioned in that Annex. The basic amounts to be taken into consideration in calculating the reduced agricultural components and additional duties applicable to the importation into the Community are given in Annex II.

Article 2

1. The concessions applying to trade in processed agricultural products provided for in the Adaptation Protocols with the countries referred to in Article 1 shall replace the concessions provided for in the respective Annexes to this Regulation:

(a) as from 1 January 1999 with regard to those countries for which the Adaptation Protocols are in force by that date, and

(b) from the date of entry into force of the respective Adaptation Protocol with regard to those countries for which the Adaptation Protocols enter into force after 1 January 1999.

2. The detailed rules implementing the measures provided for in this Regulation shall also be applicable for the corresponding measures provided in the Additional Protocols.

Article 3

The quotas referred to in the Annexes I, III and IV to this Regulation shall be administered by the Commission in accordance with the provisions of Commission Regulation (EC) No 1460/96 of 25 July 1996 establishing the detailed rules for implementing the preferential trade arrangements applicable to certain goods resulting from the processing of agricultural products, as provided for in Article 7 of Council Regulation (EC) No 3448/93 (3).

Article 4

This Regulation shall enter into force on the third day following its publication in the Official Journal of the European Communities.

It shall apply with effect from 1 January 1999.

This Regulation shall be binding in its entirety and directly applicable in all Member States.

Done at Brussels, 21 December 1998.

For the Council

The President

M. BARTENSTEIN

(1) OJ L 373, 31. 12. 1994, p. 1 (Estonia).

OJ L 374, 31. 12. 1994, p. 1 (Latvia).

OJ L 375, 31. 12. 1994, p. 1 (Lithuania).

(2) Council Regulation (EC) No 2621/97 of 19 December 1997 adopting autonomous and transitional measures for the free trade agreements with Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia in certain processed agricultural products (OJ L 354, 30. 12. 1997, p. 1).

(3) OJ L 187, 26. 7. 1996, p. 18. Regulation as amended by Regulation (EC) No 2495/97 (OJ L 343, 13. 12. 1997, p. 18).

ANNEX I

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ANNEX II

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ANNEX III

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ANNEX IV

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