EN Official Journal of the European Union L 124/13

COUNCIL DECISION

of 20 March 2006

on the conclusion of an Agreement in the form of an Exchange of Letters between the European Community and the United States of America pursuant to Article XXIV:6 and Article XXVIII of the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT) 1994 relating to the modification of concessions in the schedules of the Czech Republic, the Republic of Estonia, the Republic of Cyprus, the Republic of Latvia, the Republic of Lithuania, the Republic of Hungary, the Republic of Malta, the Republic of Poland, the Republic of Slovenia and the Slovak Republic in the course of their accession to the European Union

(2006/333/EC)

THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION,

Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Community, and in particular Article 133 in conjunction with the first sentence of the first subparagraph of Article 300(2) thereof,

Having regard to the proposal from the Commission,

Whereas:

(1) On 22 March 2004 the Council authorised the Commission to open negotiations with certain other Members of the WTO under Article XXIV:6 of the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT) 1994, in the course of the accessions to the European Union of the Czech Republic, the Republic of Estonia, the Republic of Cyprus, the Republic of Latvia, the Republic of Lithuania, the Republic of Hungary, the Republic of Malta, the Republic of Poland, the Republic of Slovenia and the Slovak Republic.

(2) Negotiations have been conducted by the Commission in consultation with the Committee established by Article 133 of the Treaty and within the framework of the negotiating directives issued by the Council.

(3) The Commission has finalised negotiations for an Agreement in the form of an Exchange of Letters between the European Community and the United States of America. The said Agreement should therefore be approved.

(4) The measures necessary for the implementation of this Decision should be adopted in accordance with Council Decision 1999/468/EC of 28 June 1999 laying down the procedures for the exercise of implementing powers conferred on the Commission (1),

HAS DECIDED AS FOLLOWS:

Article 1

The Agreement in the form of an Exchange of Letters between the European Community and the United States of America pursuant to Article XXIV:6 and Article XXVIII of the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT) 1994, relating to the modification of concessions in the schedules of the Czech Republic, the Republic of Estonia, the Republic of Cyprus, the Republic of Latvia, the Republic of Lithuania, the Republic of Hungary, the Republic of Malta, the Republic of Poland, the Republic of Slovenia and the Slovak Republic in the course of their accession to the European Union, is hereby approved on behalf of the Community.

The text of the Agreement in the form of an Exchange of Letters is attached to this Decision.

Article 2

The Commission shall adopt the detailed rules for implementing the Agreement in the form of an Exchange of Letters in accordance with the procedure laid down in Article 3(2) of this Decision.

Article 3

1. The Commission shall be assisted by the Management Committee for Cereals instituted by Article 25 of Council Regulation (EC) No 1784/2003 of 29 September 2003 on the common organisation of the market in cereals (2) or the relevant committee instituted by the corresponding Article of the Regulation for the common market organisation for the product concerned.

2. Where reference is made to this paragraph, Articles 4 and 7 of Decision 1999/468/EC shall apply. The period laid down in Article 4(3) of Decision 1999/468/EC shall be set at one month.

3. The Committee shall adopt its Rules of Procedure.

Article 4

The President of the Council is hereby authorised to designate the person(s) empowered to sign the Agreement in order to bind the Community (3).

Done at Brussels, 20 March 2006. For the Council The President U. PLASSNIK

(1) OJ L 184, 17.7.1999, p. 23.

(2) OJ L 270, 21.10.2003, p. 78. Regulation as amended by Commission Regulation (EC) No 1154/2005 (OJ L 187, 19.7.2005, p. 11).

(3) The date of entry into force of the Agreement will be published in the Official Journal of the European Union.

EN Official Journal of the European Union L 124/15

AGREEMENT IN THE FORM OF AN EXCHANGE OF LETTERS

between the European Community and the United States of America pursuant to Article XXIV:6 and Article XXVIII of the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT) 1994 relating to the modification of concessions in the schedules of the Czech Republic, the Republic of Estonia, the Republic of Cyprus, the Republic of Latvia, the Republic of Lithuania, the Republic of Hungary, the Republic of Malta, the Republic of Poland, the Republic of Slovenia and the Slovak Republic in the course of their accession to the European Union

Geneva,

Sir,

Pursuant to negotiations under Article XXIV:6 and Article XXVIII of the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade 1994 (GATT) relating to the modification of the Schedules of the Czech Republic, the Republic of Estonia, the Republic of Cyprus, the Republic of Latvia, the Republic of Lithuania, the Republic of Hungary, the Republic of Malta, the Republic of Poland, the Republic of Slovenia and the Slovak Republic in the course of their accession to the European Union, and to bring those negotiations to a conclusion, the European Communities and the United States of America (United States) have agreed as follows:

No later than 1 April 2006, the EC shall incorporate and bind in its Schedule for the Customs territory of the EC-25 (the EC of 25 Countries) the concessions that were included in its schedule CXL for the customs territory of the EC-15 (the EC of 15 countries) with the modifications set out in the Annex to this letter.

The EC shall reduce tariffs and adjust tariff rate quotas as indicated in the Annex as soon as possible and no later than 1 July 2006.

As regards tariff quotas, the full year quota volume shall be available regardless of when the quotas are established.

Consultations shall be held with regard to matters in this agreement at any time at the request of either party.

I would be grateful if you would confirm, following consideration in accordance with your domestic procedures, that this agreement is shared by your Government, and that this letter and your affirmative reply shall constitute an agreement, which shall enter into force on the date of your letter.

Please accept, Sir, the assurance of my highest consideration.

On behalf of the European Community

ANNEX 0304 20 58 (frozen fillets of hake) a bound duty of 6,1 % 0304 20 85 (frozen fillets of Alaska Pollack): a bound duty of 14,2 % 0304 90 05 (surimi): a bound duty of 14,2 % 3920 91 00 (polyvinyl butyral): a bound duty of 6,1 % 7609 00 00 (aluminium tube): a bound duty of 5,9 % 8102 93 00 (molybdenum wire): a bound duty of 6,1 %. — add 4 003 tonnes (erga omnes) in EC tariff rate quota for ‘meat of bovine animals, frozen; un-separated or separated forequarters; boneless’ and ‘edible offal of bovine animals, frozen; thick skirt and thin skirt. The meat imported shall be used for processing’ (tariff item numbers 0202 20 30, 0202 30, 0206 29 91), — adjust the EC tariff rate quota (erga omnes) for ‘live bovine animals, heifers and cows (other than for slaughter) of the following mountain breeds: grey, brown, yellow, spotted Simmental and Pinzgau’ to 710 heads (tariff item numbers 0102 90 05, 0102 90 29, 0102 90 49, 0102 90 59, 0102 90 69), in-quota rate 6 %, — adjust the EC tariff rate quota (erga omnes) for ‘live bovine animals, bulls, cows and heifers (other than for slaughter) of the following mountain breeds: spotted Simmental, Schwyz and Fribourg’ to 711 heads (tariff item numbers 0102 90 05, 0102 90 29, 0102 90 49, 0102 90 59, 0102 90 69, 0102 90 79), in-quota rate 4 %, — adjust the EC tariff rate quota (erga omnes) for ‘live bovine animals weighing 300 kg or less intended for fattening’ to 24 070 heads (tariff item numbers 0102 90 05, 0102 90 29, 0102 90 49), in-quota rate 16 % + EUR 582/t, — a country allocated (US) tariff rate quota 16 665 tonnes of poultry (tariff item numbers and in-quota rates) — 0207 11 10 (EUR 131/t) — 0207 11 30 (EUR 149/t) — 0207 11 90 (EUR 162/t) — 0207 12 10 (EUR 149/t) — 0207 12 90 (EUR 162/t) — 0207 13 10 (EUR 512/t) — 0207 13 20 (EUR 179/t) — 0207 13 30 (EUR 134/t) — 0207 13 40 (EUR 93/t) — 0207 13 50 (EUR 301/t) — 0207 13 60 (EUR 231/t) — 0207 13 70 (EUR 504/t) — 0207 14 10 (EUR 795/t) — 0207 14 20 (EUR 179/t) — 0207 14 30 (EUR 134/t) — 0207 14 40 (EUR 93/t) — 0207 14 50 (0 %) — 0207 14 60 (EUR 231/t) — 0207 14 70 (0 %) — 0207 24 10 (EUR 170/t) — 0207 24 90 (EUR 186/t) — 0207 25 10 (EUR 170/t) — 0207 25 90 (EUR 186/t) — 0207 26 10 (EUR 425/t) — 0207 26 20 (EUR 205/t) — 0207 26 30 (EUR 134/t) — 0207 26 40 (EUR 93/t) — 0207 26 50 (EUR 339/t) — 0207 26 60 (EUR 127/t) — 0207 26 70 (EUR 230/t) — 0207 26 80 (EUR 415/t) — 0207 27 10 (0 %) — 0207 27 20 (0 %) — 0207 27 30 (EUR 134/t) — 0207 27 40 (EUR 93/t) — 0207 27 50 (EUR 339/t) — 0207 27 60 (EUR 127/t) — 0207 27 70 (EUR 230/t) — 0207 27 80 (0 %) — add 49 tonnes (erga omnes) in the EC tariff rate quota for ‘chicken carcass, fresh, chilled or frozen’, (tariff item numbers 0207 11 10, 0207 11 30, 0207 11 90, 0207 12 10, 0207 12 90), — add 4 070 tonnes (erga omnes) in the EC tariff rate quota for ‘chicken cuts, fresh, chilled or frozen’ (tariff item numbers 0207 13 10, 0207 13 20, 0207 13 30, 0207 13 40, 0207 13 50, 0207 13 60, 0207 13 70, 0207 14 20, 0207 14 30, 0207 14 40, 0207 14 60), — add 1 605 tonnes (erga omnes) in the EC tariff rate quota for ‘cuts of fowls’ (tariff item number 0207 14 10), in quota rate EUR 795/t, — add 201 tonnes (erga omnes) in the EC tariff rate quota for ‘turkey meat, fresh, chilled or frozen’ (tariff item numbers 0207 24 10, 0207 24 90, 0207 25 10, 0207 25 90, 0207 26 10, 0207 26 20, 0207 26 30, 0207 26 40, 0207 26 50, 0207 26 60, 0207 26 70, 0207 26 80, 0207 27 30, 0207 27 40, 0207 27 50, 0207 27 60, 0207 27 70), — add 2 485 tonnes (erga omnes) in the EC tariff rate quota for ‘turkey cuts, frozen’ (tariff item numbers 0207 27 10, 0207 27 20, 0207 27 80), — a country allocated (US) tariff rate quota 4 722 tonnes of ‘frozen boneless hams and loins’ (tariff item numbers ex02031955 and ex02032955), in-quota rate EUR 250/t, — add 1 265 tonnes (erga omnes) in the EC tariff rate quota for ‘frozen boneless hams and loins’ (tariff item numbers ex02031955, ex02032955), — add 67 tonnes (erga omnes) in the EC tariff rate quota for ‘carcasses and half carcasses of domestic swine, fresh, chilled or frozen’ (tariff item numbers 0203 11 10, 0203 21 10), — add 35 tonnes (erga omnes) in the EC tariff rate quota for ‘cuts of domestic swine, fresh, chilled or frozen, with or without bone, excluding tenderloin, presented separately’ (tariff item numbers 0203 12 11, 0203 12 19, 0203 19 11, 0203 19 13, 0203 19 55, 0203 19 59, 0203 22 11, 0203 22 19, 0203 29 11, 0203 29 13, 0203 29 15, 0203 29 55, 0203 29 59), — add 2 tonnes (erga omnes) in the EC tariff rate quota for ‘sausages, dry or for spreading, uncooked’ (tariff item numbers 1601 00 91, 1601 00 99), — add 61 tonnes (erga omnes) in the EC tariff rate quota for ‘preserved meat of domestic swine’ (tariff item numbers 1602 41 10, 1602 42 10, 1602 49 11, 1602 49 13, 1602 49 15, 1602 49 19, 1602 49 30, 1602 49 50), — adjust the EC tariff rate quota for ‘live sheep, other than pure-bred breeding animals’ to 5 676 tonnes (tariff item numbers 0104 10 30, 0104 10 80, 0104 20 90), in-quota rate 10 %, — add 60 tonnes (erga omnes) in the EC tariff rate quota for ‘pizza cheese’ (tariff item numbers ex04061020, ex04061080), — add 38 tonnes (erga omnes) in the EC tariff rate quota for ‘emmentaler’ (tariff item numbers ex04063010, 0406 90 13), — add 213 tonnes (erga omnes) in the EC tariff rate quota for ‘gruyere, sbrinz’ (tariff item numbers ex04063010, 0406 90 15), — add 7 tonnes (erga omnes) in the EC tariff rate quota for ‘cheese for processing’ (tariff item number 0406 90 01), — add 5 tonnes (erga omnes) in the EC tariff rate quota for ‘cheddar’ (tariff item number 0406 90 21), — add 25 tonnes (erga omnes) in the EC tariff rate quota for ‘fresh cheeses’ (tariff item numbers ex04061020, ex04061080, 0406 20 90, 0406 30 31, 0406 30 39, 0406 30 90, 0406 40 10, 0407 40 50, 0407 40 90, 0406 90 17, 0406 90 18, 0406 90 23, 0406 90 25, 0406 90 27, 0406 90 29, 0406 90 31, 0406 90 33, 0406 90 35, 0406 90 37, 0406 90 39, 0406 90 50, ex04069063, 0406 90 69, 0406 90 73, ex04069075, ex04069076, 0406 90 78, ex04069079, ex04069081, 0406 90 82, 0406 90 84, 0406 90 86, 0406 90 87, 0406 90 88, 0406 90 93, 0406 90 99), — open a tariff rate quota 7 tonnes (erga omnes) for paddy rice (tariff item number 1006 10), in-quota rate 15 %, — open a tariff rate quota 1 634 tonnes (erga omnes) for husked rice (tariff item number 1006 20), in-quota rate 15 %, — add 25 516 tonnes (erga omnes) in EC tariff rate quota for semi milled and wholly milled rice (tariff item number 1006 30), in-quota rate 0 %, — add 31 788 tonnes (erga omnes) in EC tariff rate quota for broken rice (tariff item number 1006 40), in-quota rate 0 %, — add 6 215 tonnes (erga omnes) in EC tariff rate quota for barley (tariff item number 1003 00), in-quota rate EUR 16/t, — add 6 787 tonnes (erga omnes) in EC tariff rate quota for common wheat (tariff item number 1001 90 99), in-quota rate EUR 12/t, — open a tariff rate quota 242 074 tonnes (erga omnes) for maize (tariff item numbers 1005 10 90, 1005 90 00), in-quota rate 0 %, — add 1 413 tonnes (erga omnes) in EC tariff rate quota for raw cane sugar (tariff item number 1701 11 10), in-quota rate EUR 98/t, — open a tariff rate quota 1 253 tonnes (erga omnes) for fructose (tariff item number 1702 50 00), in-quota rate 20 %, — add 44 tonnes (erga omnes) in EC tariff rate quota for carrots and turnips (tariff item number 0706 10 00), — add 34 tonnes (erga omnes) in EC tariff rate quota for cucumbers (tariff item number ex07070005), — open a tariff rate quota 472 tonnes (erga omnes) for tomatoes (tariff item number 0702 00 00), — open a tariff rate quota 2 838 tonnes (erga omnes) for preserved pineapples, citrus fruit, pears, apricots, cherries, peaches and strawberries (tariff item numbers 2008 20 11, 2008 20 19, 2008 20 31, 2008 20 39, 2008 20 71, 2008 30 11, 2008 30 19, 2008 30 31, 2008 30 39, 2008 30 79, 2008 40 11, 2008 40 19, 2008 40 21, 2008 40 29, 2008 40 31, 2008 40 39, 2008 50 11, 2008 50 19, 2008 50 31, 2008 50 39, 2008 50 51, 2008 50 59, 2008 50 71, 2008 60 11, 2008 60 19, 2008 60 31, 2008 60 39, 2008 60 60, 2008 70 11, 2008 70 19, 2008 70 31, 2008 70 39, 2008 70 51, 2008 70 59, 2008 80 11, 2008 80 19, 2008 80 31, 2008 80 39, 2008 80 70), in-quota rate 20 %, — open a tariff rate quota 7 044 tonnes (erga omnes) for fruit juices (tariff item numbers 2009 11 11, 2009 11 19, 2009 19 11, 2009 19 19, 2009 29 11, 2009 29 19, 2009 39 11, 2009 39 19, 2009 49 11, 2009 49 19, 2009 79 11, 2009 79 19, 2009 80 11, 2009 80 19, 2009 80 32, 2009 80 33, 2009 80 35, 2009 80 36, 2009 80 38, 2009 90 11, 2009 90 19, 2009 90 21, 2009 90 29), in-quota rate 20 %, — add 29 tonnes (erga omnes) in EC tariff rate quota for grape juice (tariff item numbers 2009 61 90, 2009 69 11, 2009 69 19, 2009 69 51, 2009 69 90), — add 295 tonnes (erga omnes) in EC tariff rate quota for fresh or chilled new potatoes (tariff item number ex07019051), — eliminate ad valorem duty of 9 % on protein concentrates (tariff item number 2106 10 80), — A country allocated (US) tariff rate quota 10 000 tonnes of corn gluten (tariff item number 2303 10 11), in-quota rate 16 %, — open a tariff rate quota 532 tonnes (erga omnes) for pasta (tariff item number 1902; 1902 20 10 and 1902 20 30 excluded), in-quota rate 11 %, — open a tariff rate quota 107 tonnes (erga omnes) for chocolate (tariff item number 1806), in-quota rate 43 %, — open a tariff rate quota 921 tonnes (erga omnes) for food preparations (tariff item number 2106 90 98), in-quota rate 18 %, — open a tariff rate quota 191 tonnes (erga omnes) for food preparations with cereals (tariff item numbers 1901 90 99, 1904 30 00, 1904 90 80, 1905 90 20), in-quota rate 33 %, — open a tariff rate quota 2 058 tonnes (erga omnes) for dog and cat food (tariff item numbers 2309 10 13, 2309 10 15, 2309 10 19, 2309 10 33, 2309 10 39, 2309 10 51, 2309 10 53, 2309 10 59, 2309 10 70), in-quota rate 7 %. The exact tariff descriptions of the EC-15 shall apply to all tariff lines and quotas above.

Geneva,

Sir,

Reference is made to your letter stating:

‘Pursuant to negotiations under Article XXIV:6 and Article XXVIII of the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade 1994 (GATT) relating to the modification of the Schedules of the Czech Republic, the Republic of Estonia, the Republic of Cyprus, the Republic of Latvia, the Republic of Lithuania, the Republic of Hungary, the Republic of Malta, the Republic of Poland, the Republic of Slovenia and the Slovak Republic in the course of their accession to the European Union, and to bring those negotiations to a conclusion, the European Communities and the United States of America (United States) have agreed as follows: No later than 1 April 2006, the EC shall incorporate and bind in its Schedule for the Customs territory of the EC-25 (the EC of 25 Countries) the concessions that were included in its schedule CXL for the customs territory of the EC-15 (the EC of 15 countries) with the modifications set out in the Annex to this letter. The EC shall reduce tariffs and adjust tariff rate quotas as indicated in the Annex as soon as possible and no later than 1 July 2006. As regards tariff quotas, the full year quota volume shall be available regardless of when the quotas are established. Consultations shall be held with regard to matters in this agreement at any time at the request of either party. I would be grateful if you would confirm, following consideration in accordance with your domestic procedures, that this agreement is shared by your Government, and that this letter and your affirmative reply shall constitute an agreement, which shall enter into force on the date of your letter.’

I hereby have the honour to express my government's agreement.

Please accept, Sir, the assurance of my highest consideration.