COUNCIL REGULATION (EC) No 340/97 of 17 February 1997 adopting autonomous and transitional measures for the free trade 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,

Having regard to the Act of Accession of Austria, Finland and Sweden,

Whereas, pending adaptation of Protocol 2 to the Free Trade Agreements, concluded with Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania (1), Council Regulation (EC) No 1820/96 of 16 September 1996 adopting autonomous and transitional measures for the free trade agreements with Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia in certain processed agricultural products (2) was adopted, which, until 31 December 1996, maintains the degree of preference granted, thus offsetting possible negative effects the implementation of the results of the Uruguay Round may have on exports of 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 1820/96 laid down new concessions on a provisional and autonomous basis;

Whereas the negotiations which are currently under way with the countries concerned for the conclusion of Protocols amending the Free Trade Agreements have not yet been concluded; whereas interim Protocols covering solely the trade-related aspects of the amending Protocols cannot enter into force on 1 January 1997; whereas it is therefore advisable to extend the concessions on an autonomous basis until 30 June 1997,

HAS ADOPTED THIS REGULATION:

Article 1

1. From 1 January to 30 June 1997 the goods originating in Lithuania listed in Annex I shall be subject to the 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 at importation into the Community are given in Annex II. The reduced agricultural components apply within the annual quotas set out in Annex I.

2. From 1 January to 30 June 1997, the goods originating in Latvia listed in Annex III shall be subject to the 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 at importation into the Community are given in Annex II. The reduced agricultural components apply within the annual quotas set out in Annex III.

3. From 1 January to 30 June 1997, the goods originating in Estonia listed in Annex IV shall be subject to the 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 at importation into the Community are given in Annex II. The reduced agricultural components apply within the annual quotas set out in Annex IV.

Article 2

The quotas referred to in Annexes I, III and IV shall be administered by the Commission in accordance with 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 3

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

It shall apply with effect from 1 January 1997.

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

Done at Brussels, 17 February 1997.

For the Council

The President

G. ZALM

(1) OJ No L 373, 31. 12. 1994, p. 1 (Estonia), OJ No L 374, 31. 12. 1994, p. 1 (Latvia), OJ No L 375, 31. 12. 1994, p. 1 (Lithuania).

(2) OJ No L 241, 21. 9. 1996, p. 1.

(3) OJ No L 187, 26. 7. 1996, 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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