COMMISSION OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES 
C0M(93) 101 final 
Brussels, 18 March 1993 
Proposal for a 
COUNCIL DECISION 
on the conclusion of the Agreements in the form of exchanges of 
letters with Armenia, Belarus, Georgia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, 
Moldova, Tadzhikistan, Turkmenistan and Ukraine relating to the 
Agreement on trade and commercial and economic cooperation signed on 
18 December 1989 between the European Economic Community, the European 
Atomic Energy Community and the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics 
Proposal for a 
COUNCIL DECISION 
jl*.. *jr.'Vt,$fé approving the Agreements in the form of exchanges of letters with 
Armenia, Belarus, Georgia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Moldova, 
Tadzhikistan, Turkmenistan and Ukraine relating to the Agreement on 
trade and commercial and economic cooperation signed on 18 December 
1989 between the European Economic Community, the European Atomic 
Energy Community and the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics 
Proposal for a 
COUNCIL DECISION 
on the conclusion of the Agreements in the form of exchanges of 
letters with Armenia, Belarus, Georgia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, 
Moldova, Russia, Tadzhikistan, Turkmenistan and Ukraine relating to the 
Agreement on trade in textile products initialled in Brussels on 
11 December 1989 between the European Economic Community and the Union 
of Soviet Socialist Republics 
Draft 
COMMISSION DECISION 
on the conclusion by the European Atomic Energy Community of the 
Agreements in the form of exchanges of letters with Armenia, Belarus, 
Georgia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Moldova, Tadzhikistan, Turkmenistan 
and Ukraine 
(presented by the Commission) 
.•f_Z-3-4-
EXPLANATORY MEMORANDUM 
The annexed draft agreements in the form of exchanges of letters 
with Armenia, Belarus, Georgia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Moldova, 
Russia, Tadzhikistan, Turkmenistan and Ukraine relate to the 
a) agreement on trade and commercial and economic cooperation 
signed on 18 December 1989 between the European Economic 
Community and the European Atomic Energy Community and the Union 
of Soviet Socialist Republics ( the "general agreement") 
and 
b) agreement on trade in textile products initialled on 11 December 
1989 between the European Economic Community and the Union of 
Soviet Socialist Republics (the "textile agreement"). 
2. Due to the dissolution of the USSR, the Council decided on 2 March 
1992 to replace these agreements with new ones signed by the 
successor states of the former Soviet Union. Since the process of 
negotiating the new agreements will take some time, it was proposed 
that all parties should confirm their readiness to fulfil their 
obligations deriving from the previous agreements with the USSR 
until new agreements are signed. Therefore, draft exchanges of 
letters to this effect, together with the technical adjustments 
which take account of the creation of new independent states were 
sent to the Ministers of Foreign Affairs of the 12 successor states 
of the former Soviet Union on 20 March 1992. 
3. To date nine states have initialled the exchange of letters for the 
general agreement and ten states for the textile agreement. 
4. The annexed draft proposals ask the Council to conclude and to 
approve the conclusion by the Commission, as appropriate, of the 
exchanges of letters in respect of the general agreement and the 
Council to conclude the textile agreement. 
As the textile agreement has expired on 31 December 1992, the 
proposed Council decision concluding the exchange of letters is 
intended to provide the necessary legal cover for the rights and 
obligations that have arisen during the de facto application of the 
textile agreement up to 31 December 1992 since the dissolution of 
the USSR. 
It is suggested that both the Council and the Commission designate 
Mr. Michael Emerson, Head of the Delegation of the Commission in 
Moscow, to sign the letters. 
- 5 -
Proposal for a 
COUNCIL DECISION 
on the conclusion of the Agreements in the form of exchanges of 
letters with Armenia, Belarus, Georgia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, 
Moldova, Tadzhikistan, Turkmenistan and Ukraine relating to the 
Agreement on trade and commercial and economic cooperation signed on 18 
December 1989 between the European Economic Community, the European 
Atomic Energy Community and the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics 
THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES, 
Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Economic 
Community, and in Articles 113 and 235 thereof, 
Having regard to the proposal of the Commission, 
Having regard to the opinion of the European Parliament, (1) 
Whereas the European Economic Community and the European Atomic Energy 
Community signed an agreement on 18 December 1989 with the Union of 
Soviet Socialist Republics; since that date the Union of Soviet 
Socialist Republics has been dissolved and it is therefore necessary to 
make adjustments to that Agreement by exchanges of letters in agreement 
with the successor states. 
Whereas the conclusion by the European Economic Community of the 
exchanges of letters with Armenia, Belarus, Georgia, Kazakhstan, 
Kyrgyzstan, Moldova, Tadzhikistan, Turkmenistan and Ukraine , relating 
to the Agreement between the European Economic Community and the 
European Atomic Energy Community and the Union of Soviet Socialist 
Republics on trade and commercial and economic cooperation is necessary 
for the achievement of the Communities objectives in the field of 
external economic relations, 
Whereas it appears that certain measures of economic cooperation 
provided for by the Agreement exceed the powers of action provided for 
in the Treaty, and in particular those specified in the field of the 
common commercial policy, 
HAS DECIDED AS FOLLOWS: 
Art icle 1 
The Agreements in the form of exchanges of letters between the 
European Economic Community and the European Atomic Energy Community and 
Armenia, Belarus, Georgia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Moldova, 
Tadzhikistan, Turkmenistan and Ukraine , relating to the Agreement on 
trade and commercial and economic cooperation signed on 18 December 1989 
between the European Economic Community, European Atomic Energy 
Commumnity and the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics are hereby 
approved on behalf of the European Economic Community. 
(1) Opinion adopted on OJ No 
- 6 -
The text of the Agreements in the form of exchanges of letters are 
annexed to this Decision. 
Article 2 
The President of the Council shall give the notification provided for in 
paragraph 5 of the letters (1). 
Done at Brussels 
For the CounciI 
The President 
(1) The date of entry into force of the Agreements will be published in 
the Official Journal of the European Communities by the Genera* 
Secretariat of the Council. 
7 -
I b 
Proposal for a 
COUNCIL DECISION 
approving the Agreements in the form of exchanges of letters with 
Armenia, Belarus, Georgia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Moldova, 
Tadzhikistan, Turkmenistan and Ukraine relating to the Agreement on 
trade and commercial and economic cooperation signed on 18 December 1989 
between the European Economic Community, the European Atomic Energy 
Community and the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics 
THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES, 
Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Atomic Energy 
Community, and in particular the second paragraph of Article 101 
thereof, 
Having regard to the proposal from the Commission, 
Whereas the Commission has negotiated the Agreements in the form of 
exchanges of letters with Armenia, Belarus, Georgia, Kazakhstan, 
Kyrgyzstan, Moldova, Tadzhikistan, Turkmenistan and Ukraine relating to 
the Agreement on trade and commercial and economic cooperation signed on 
18 December 1989, between the European Economic Community and the 
European Atomic Energy Community and the Union of Soviet Socialist 
Republics and proposes to conclude the said agreements on behalf of the 
European Atomic Energy Community, 
Whereas approval should be given for conclusion by the Commission of the 
said agreements on behalf of the said Community, 
HAS DECIDED AS FOLLOWS 
Sole Art icle 
The conclusion by the Commission of the Agreements in the form of 
exchanges of letters with Armenia, Belarus, Georgia, Kazakhstan, 
Kyrgyzstan, Moldova, Tadzhikistan, Turkmenistan and Ukraine relating to 
the Agreement on trade and commercial and economic cooperation signed on 
18 December 1989 between the European Economic Community and the 
European Atomic Energy Community and the Union of Soviet Socialist 
Republics on behalf of the European Atomic Energy Community is hereby 
approved. 
The text of the agreement is attached to this Decision. 
Done at Brussels 
For the Council 
The President 
- 8 -
I I 
Proposal for a 
COUNCIL DECISION 
on the conclusion of the Agreements in the form of exchanges of 
letters with Armenia, Belarus, Georgia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Moldova, 
Russia, Tadzhikistan, Turkmenistan and Ukraine relating to the Agreement 
on trade in textile products initialled in Brussels on 11 December 1989 
between the European Economic Community and the Union of Soviet Socialist 
Republi cs 
THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES, 
Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Economic 
Community, and in particular Article 113 thereof, 
Having regard to the proposal from the Commission, 
Having regard to the opinion of the European Par Iiament,C) 
Whereas the European Economic Community initialled an agreement in 
Brussels on 11 December 1989 with the Union of Soviet Socialist 
Republics; since that date the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics has 
been dissolved and it is therefore necessary to make adjustments to that 
Agreement by exchanges of letters in agreement with the successor 
states to provide the necessary legal cover for the period since the 
dissolution of the USSR up to 31 December 1992. 
Whereas the conclusion by the European Economic Community of the 
exchanges of letters with Armenia, Belarus, Georgia, Kazakhstan, 
Kyrgyzstan, Moldova, Russia, Tadzhikistan, Turkmenistan and Ukraine , 
relating to the agreement between the European Economic Community and 
the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics on trade in textile products are 
necessary for the achievement of the Commmunity's objectives in the 
field of external economic relations, 
HAS DECIDED AS FOLLOWS 
Article 1 
The Agreements in the form of exchanges of letters with Armenia, 
Belarus, Georgia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Moldova, Russia, Tadzhikistan, 
Turkmenistan and Ukraine, are hereby approved on behalf of the 
Communi ty. 
The text of the agreements are attached to the Decision. 
(1) Opinion adopted on OJ n" 
- 9 -
Art icle 2 
The President of the Council shall give the notification provided for in 
paragraph 7 of the letters. 
Done at Brussels 
For the CounciI 
The President 
10 -
111 
Draf.1 
COMMISSION DECISION 
on the conclusion by the European Atomic Energy Community of the 
Agreements in the form of exchanges of letters with Armenia, Belarus, 
Georgia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Moldova, Tadzhikistan, Turkmenistan and 
Ukraine 
THE COMMISSION OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES, 
Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Atomic Energy 
Community, and in particular the second paragraph of Article 101 
thereof, 
Whereas the Agreements in the form of exchanges of letters with 
Armenia, Belarus, Georgia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Moldova, 
Tadzhikistan, Turkmenistan, and Ukraine were signed on 1992; 
whereas by Decision of 1992 the Council approved the said 
Agreements in the form of an exchange of letters for the purposes of 
conclusion by the Commission on behalf of the European Atomic Energy 
Community; 
Whereas the Agreements should be concluded on behalf of the European 
Atomic Energy Community, 
HAS DECIDED AS FOLLOWS: 
Article 1 
The Agreements in the form of exchanges of letters with Armenia,BeIarus 
Georgia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Moldova, Tadzhikistan, Turkmenistan and 
Ukraine are hereby approved on behalf of the European Atomic Energy 
Community. 
The texts of the Agreements are annexed to this Decision. 
Art icle 2 
The President of the Commission shall give on behalf of the European 
Atomic Energy Community the notification provided for in paragraph 5 of 
the letters*1*. 
Done at Brussels 1992 
For the Commission 
(1) The date of entry into force of the Agreements will be publisshed in 
the Official Journal of the European Communities by the General 
Secretariat of the Council. 
Jk 
Draft 
Exchange of letters 
LETTER I 
1. On 18th December 1989 an Agreement between the European Economic 
Community and the European Atomic Energy Community and the Union of 
Soviet Socialist Republics on trade and commercial and economic 
cooperation was signed in Brussels. 
The Agreement came into force on 1 April 1990 and has been concluded 
for an initial period of 10 years. 
A copy of the Agreement is annexed. 
2. Since the dissolution of the USSR,.your Government declared its 
readiness to fulfil the international obligations ensuing for it 
from treaties and agreements concluded by the former USSR. 
3. The Communities are ready to ful f i I:-, thei r obligations under the 
Agreement provided that 
(1) the technical adjustments, set out in paragraph 4 below, which 
take account of the new situation after the dissolution of the 
USSR and the creation of new independent states, are made to the 
Agreement 
and 
(2) your country confirms in writing to the Communities on receipt 
of this letter that it is bound by all the provisions of, and 
will fulfil the obligations contained in, the Agreement as so 
adjusted. 
4. Throughout the Agreement the term "USSR" shall be replaced by the 
term "Belarus". 
The first two sentences of Article 22(1)(d) shall be replaced by the 
fol lowing text : 
"Meetings of the joint committee shall take place in Brussels and 
Minsk alternately at times mutually agreed between the Contracting 
Part ies". 
5. The amendments stemming from this exchange of letters shall enter 
into force on the day following the date on which the Contracting 
Parties have notified each other that the legal procedures necessary 
to this end have been completed. 
6. The Communities would be grateful to receive from your government 
the confirmation referred to in paragraphs 3(2) above. 
On behalf of the Council of 
the European Communities 
Draft 
LETTER I I 
Dear Mr. Vice-President, 
I have received your letter of which reads as follows: 
"1. On 18th December 1989 an Agreement between the European Economic 
Community and the European Atomic Energy Community and the Union of 
Soviet Socialist Republics on trade and commercial and economic 
cooperation was signed in Brussels. 
The Agreement came into force on 1 April 1990 and has been concluded 
for an initial period of 10 years. 
A copy of the Agreement is annexed. 
2. Since the dissolution of the USSR, your Government declared its 
readiness to fulfil the international obligations ensuing for it 
from treaties and agreements concluded by the former USSR. 
3. The Communities are ready to fulfil their obligations under the 
Agreement provided that 
(1) the technical adjustments, set out in paragraph 4 below, which 
take account of the new situation after the dissolution of the 
USSR and the creation of new independent states, are made to the 
Agreement 
and 
(2) your country confirms in writing to the Communities on receipt 
of this letter that it is bound by all the provisions of, and 
will fulfil the obligations contained in, the Agreement as so 
adjusted. 
4. Throughout the Agreement the term "USSR" shall be replaced by the 
term "Belarus". 
The first two sentences of Article 22(1)(d) shall be replaced by the 
fol lowing text : 
"Meetings of the joint committee shall take place in Brussels and 
Minsk alternately at times mutually agreed between the Contracting 
Part ies". 
5. The amendments stemming from this exchange of letters shall enter 
into force on the day following the date on which the Contracting 
Parties have notified each other that the legal procedures necessary 
to this end have been completed. 
5. The Communities would be grateful to receive from your government 
the confirmation referred to in paragraphs 3(2) above." 
The Government of Belarus confirms that it is bound by a I I the 
provisions of, and will fulfil the obligations contained in, the 
Agreement between the Communities and the USSR on trade and 
commercial and economic cooperation, as adjusted in your letter 
of 
For the Government of Belarus 
Draft 
Exchange of letters 
LETTER I 
1. On 18th December 1989 an Agreement between the European Economic 
Community and the European Atomic Energy Community and the Union of 
Soviet Socialist Republics on trade and commercial and economic 
cooperation was signed in Brussels. 
The Agreement came into force on 1 April 1990 and has been concluded 
for an initial period of 10 years. 
A copy of the Agreement is annexed. 
2. Since the dissolution of the USSR, your Government declared its 
readiness to fulfil the international obligations ensuing for it 
from treaties and agreements concluded by the former USSR. 
3. The Communities are ready to fulfil their obligations under the 
Agreement provided that 
(1) the technical adjustments, set out in paragraph 4 below, which 
take account of the new situation after the dissolution of the 
USSR and the creation of new independent states, are made to the 
Agreement 
and 
(2) your country confirms in writing to the Communities on receipt 
of this letter that it is bound by all the provisions of, and 
will fulfil the obligations contained in, the Agreement as so 
adjusted. 
4. Throughout the Agreement the term "USSR" shall be replaced by the 
term "Ukraine". 
The first two sentences of Article 22(1)(d) shall be replaced by the 
fol lowing text : 
"Meetings of the joint committee shall take place in Brussels and 
Kiyev alternately at times mutually agreed between the Contracting 
Part ies". 
5. The amendments stemming from this exchange of letters shall enter 
into force on the day following the date on which the Contracting 
Parties have notified each other that the legal procedures necessary 
to this end have been completed. 
6. The Community has taken note of the declaration of the Ukraine, made 
during the discussion which led to this exchange of letters, that 
the expression "allow relief from duties, taxes and other charges" 
in article 4 of the Agreement may also refer to "allow reimbursement 
of duties, taxes and other charges in case of re-exportation of the 
goods after inward processing". 
7. The Communities would be grateful to receive from your government 
the confirmation referred to in paragraphs 3(2) above. 
On behalf of the Council of 
the European Communities 
Draft 
LETTER I I 
Dear Mr. Vice-President, 
I have received your letter of which reads as follows: 
"1. On 18th December 1989 an Agreement between the European Economic 
Community and the European Atomic Energy Community and the Union of 
Soviet Socialist Republics on trade and commercial and economic 
cooperation was signed in Brussels. 
The Agreement came into force on 1 April 1990 and has been concluded 
for an initial period of 10 years. 
A copy of the Agreement is annexed. 
2. Since the dissolution of the USSR, your Government declared its 
readiness to fulfil the international obligations ensuing for it 
from treaties and agreements concluded by the former USSR. 
3. The Communities are ready to fulfil their obligations under the 
Agreement provided that 
(1) the technical adjustments, set out in paragraph 4 below, which 
take account of the new situation after the dissolution of the 
USSR and the creation of new independent states, are made to the 
Agreement 
and 
(2) your country confirms in writing to the Communities on receipt 
of this letter that it is bound by all the provisions of, and 
will fulfil the obligations contained in, the Agreement as so 
adjusted. 
4. Throughout the Agreement the term "USSR" shall be replaced by the 
term "Ukraine". 
The first two sentences of Article 22(1)(d) shall be replaced by the 
fol lowing text : 
"Meetings of the joint committee shall take place in Brussels and 
Kiyev alternately at times mutually agreed between the Contracting 
Part ies". 
5. The amendments stemming from this exchange of letters shall enter 
into force on the day following the date on which the Contracting 
Parties have notified each other that the legal procedures necessary 
to this end have been completed. 
6. The Community has taken note of the declaration of the Ukraine, made 
during the discussion which led to this exchange of letters, that 
the expression "allow relief from duties, taxes and other charges" 
in article 4 of the Agreement may also refer to "allow reimbursement 
of duties, taxes and other charges in case of re-exportation of the 
goods after inward processing". 
7. The Communities would be grateful to receive from your government 
the confirmation referred to in paragraphs 3(2) above." 
\£ 
The Government of Ukraine confirms that it is bound by all the 
provisions of, and will fulfil the obligations contained in, the 
Agreement between the Communities and the USSR on trade and 
commercial and economic cooperation, as adjusted in your letter 
of 
For the Government of Ukraine 
H 
DRAFT 
Exchange of letters 
LETTER I 
1. On 11 December 1989 an Agreement between the European Economic 
Community and the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics on trade in 
textile products was initialled in Brussels ("the Agreement"). 
The Agreement has been applied de facto since 1 January 1990 and 
expires by the end of 1992. 
A copy of the Agreement is annexed. 
2. Since the dissolution of the USSR, your Government has declared its 
readiness to fulfil the international obligations ensuing for it 
from treaties and agreements concluded by the former USSR. 
3. The Community is ready to fulfil its obligations under the 
Agreement provided that 
(1) the necessary technical adjustment, set out in paragraph 4 
below, and any other adjustments the parties may consider 
appropriate in due course for the proper functioning of the 
Agreement, which take account of the new situation after the 
dissolution of the USSR and the creation of new indépendant 
states, are made to the Agreement, and 
(2) your country confirms In writing to the Community upon receipt 
of this letter that it is bound by ail the provisions of, and 
will fulfil the obligations contained in, the Agreement as so 
adjusted. 
4. Throughout the Agreement the term "USSR" shall be replaced by the 
term "Belarus" 
5. in the meantime, products originating in Belarus will continue to 
be set off against the quantitative limits and consultation levels 
fixed by the Agreement referred to in paragraph 1 above for these 
products. Once these limits have been exhausted, textile products 
originating in the new independent states arising out of the 
dissolution of the USSR will no longer be allowed to enter the 
Community. 
6. The Community would be grateful to receive from your government 
the confirmation referred to in paragraph 3 above. 
7. The amendments stemming from this exchange of letters shall enter 
into force on the day following the day on which the Contracting 
Parties have notified each other that the legal procedures 
necessary to this end have been completed. 
On behalf of the 
CounciI of the 
European Communities 
ft 
DRAFT 
LETTER I I 
Dear Mr. Vice-President, 
I have received your letter of which reads as follows : 
"1. On 11 December 1989 an Agreement between the European Economic 
Community and the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics on trade in 
textile products was initialled in Brussels ("the Agreement"). 
The Agreement has been applied de facto since 1 January 1990 and 
expires by the end of 1992. 
A copy of the Agreement is annexed. 
2. Since the dissolution of the USSR, your Government has declared its 
readiness to fulfil the international obligations ensuing for it 
from treaties and agreements concluded by the former USSR. 
3. The Community is ready to fulfil its obligations under the 
Agreement provided that 
(1) the necessary technical adjustment, set out in paragraph 4 
below, and any other adjustments the parties may consider 
appropriate in due course for the proper functioning of the 
Agreement, which take account of the new situation after the 
dissolution of the USSR and the creation of new indépendant 
states, are made to the Agreement, and 
(2) your country confirms In writing to the Community upon receipt 
of this letter that it is bound by all the provisions of, and 
will fulfil the obligations contained in, the Agreement as so 
adjusted. 
4. Throughout the Agreement the term "USSR" shall be replaced by the 
term "Belarus" 
5. In the meantime, products originating in Belarus will continue to 
be set off against the quantitative limits and consultation levels 
fixed by the Agreement referred to in paragraph 1 above for these 
products. Once these limits have been exhausted, textile products 
originating in the new independent states arising out of the 
dissolution of the USSR will no longer be allowed to enter the 
Community. 
6. The Community would be grateful to receive from your government 
the confirmation referred to in paragraph 3 above. 
7. The amendments stemming from this exchange of letters shall enter 
into force on the day following the day on which the Contracting 
Parties have notified each other that the legal procedures 
necessary to this end have been completed." 
\S 
The Government of Belarus confirms that it is 
provisions of, and will fulfill the obligations 
Agreement between the Community and the USSR 
products, as adjusted in your letter of bound by all the 
contained in, the 
on trade in text i le 
For the Government of 
Belarus 

ISSN 0254-1475 
COM(93) 101 final 
DOCUMENTS 
EN 1102 
Catalogue number: CB-CO-93-123-EN-C 
ISBN 92-77-53742-6 
OfSt* for OHi^al Pub&carions of the European Conxamittitids