Proposal for a COUNCIL REGULATION concerning the export of certain ECSC and EC steel products from the Slovak Republic to the Community for the period from 1 January to 31 December 2002 (extension of the double-checking system)

(presented by the Commission)

EXPLANATORY MEMORANDUM

The aim of the double-checking system is to improve transparency and to avoid possible diversions of trade. It is founded on the provision in the EC-Slovak Republic Europe Agreement [1] which allows either Party to introduce an administrative procedure having as its purpose the rapid provision of information on the trend of trade flows. The Parties agreed to establish such a system in 1998 in respect of certain ECSC and EC steel products by means of Decision N° 3/97 [2] of the Association Council. By Decision N° 1/99 [3] of the Association Council the system was extended, with amended product coverage, for the period from 1 January to 31 December 1999. By Decision N° 1/2000 [4] of the Association Council the system was extended for the period from 1 January to 31 December 2000. By Decision N° 1/2001 [5] of the Association Council the system was extended for the period from 1 January to 31 December 2001. Council Regulation (EC) N° 85/98 [6], amended by Council Regulation (EC) N° 288/99 [7], extended by Council Regulations (EC) N° 543/00 [8] and N°238/01 [9] established the corresponding implementing legislation for the Community.

[1] OJ N° L 359, 31.12.94, p. 2.

[2] OJ N° L 13, 19.01.98, p. 71.

[3] OJ N° L 36, 10.02.99, p. 18.

[4] OJ N° L 67, 15.03.00, p. 36.

[5] OJ N° L 35, 6.2.01, p. 38.

[6] OJ N° L 13, 19.01.98, p. 15.

[7] OJ N° L 36, 10.02.99, p. 1.

[8] OJ N° L 67, 15.03.00, p. 3.

[9] OJ N° L 35, 6.2.01, p. 2

At its meeting on 29 October 2001, the Contact Group agreed to recommend that the Association Council should extend the double-checking system for the period from 1 January to 31 December 2002.

The attached proposal consequently seeks to extend Council Regulation (EC) N° 85/98, amended by Council Regulation N° 288/99 and extended by Council Regulation (EC) N° 543/00 and 238/01, for the period from 1 January to 31 December 2002.

2001/0323 (ACC)

Proposal for a COUNCIL REGULATION concerning the export of certain ECSC and EC steel products from the Slovak Republic to the Community for the period from 1 January to 31 December 2002 (extension of the double-checking system)

THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION,

Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Community, and in particular Article 133 thereof,

Having regard to the proposal from the Commission,

Whereas:

(1) The Europe Agreement establishing an association between the European Communities and their Member States, of, the one part, and the Slovak Republic, of the other part, entered into force on 1 February 1995 [10];

[10] OJ N° L 359, 31.12.94, p. 2.

(2) The Parties decided by Decision N° ..../2001 [11] of the Association Council to extend the double-checking system introduced by Decision N° 3/97 [12], for the period from 1 January to 31 December 2002;

[11] See page ... of this Official Journal.

[12] OJ N° L 13, 19.01.98, p. 71.

(3) It is consequently necessary to extend the Community implementing legislation introduced by Council Regulation (EC) N° 85/98 [13] of 19 December 1997, concerning the export of certain ECSC and EC steel products from the Slovak Republic to the Community for the period from 1 January to 31 December 1999 (extension of the double-checking system);

[13] OJ N° L 13, 19.01.98, p. 15.

HAS ADOPTED THIS REGULATION:

Article 1

Regulation (EC) N° 85/98 shall continue to apply for the period from 1 January to 31 December 2002, in accordance with the provisions of Decision N° ..../2001 of the Association Council between the European Communities and their Member States, of, the one part, and the Slovak Republic, of the other part.

Article 2

Regulation (EC) 85/98 shall in consequence be amended as follows:

In the title, the preamble and Article 1 (1) and (4) references to the period '1 January to 31 December 2001' shall be replaced by references to '1 January to 31 December 2002'.

Article 3

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

It shall apply with effect from 1 January 2002.

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

Done at Brussels,

For the Council

The President