Proposal for a COUNCIL DECISION on the position to be taken by the Community in the Association Council established by the European Agreement between the European Communities and their Member States, of the one part, and the Republic of Slovenia, of the other part, concerning the improvement of the trade arrangements for processed agricultural products foreseen in Protocol 3 of the Europe Agreement between the European Community and the Republic of Slovenia

(presented by the Commission)

EXPLANATORY MEMORANDUM

Under the terms of Article 20 of the Europe Agreement [1] between the European Communities and their Member States, of the one part, and the Republic of Slovenia, of the other part, Protocol No 3 lays down the trade arrangements for the processed agricultural products, which are listed therein.

[1] OJ L 51 of 26-02-1999, p. 1

According to article 1 of Protocol 3, the Association Council pronounces itself on both the modification of the duties mentioned in the annexes, and on the increase or the elimination of duties on the products under quota.

Article 2 of Protocol 3 stipulates also that the Association Council can decide to reduce the applied duties in response to reduction resulting from mutual concessions on processed agricultural products.

A Slovenian delegation took contact during the month of July 1999, with the competent services of the Commission to try to achieve a parallel improvement of the access to the EU market on one hand, and for Slovenia on the other hand, for processed agricultural products.

A technical agreement on the quotas for the processed agricultural products was concluded during the month of October between both parties, and discussed by the CEEC's group to the Council.

It is therefore proposed to the Council to adopt this present Proposal for a Decision of the Association Council, for adopting Protocol 3.

Proposal for a COUNCIL DECISION on the position to be taken by the Community in the Association Council established by the European Agreement between the European Communities and their Member States, of the one part, and the Republic of Slovenia, of the other part, concerning the improvement of the trade arrangements for processed agricultural products foreseen in Protocol 3 of the Europe Agreement between the European Community and the Republic of Slovenia

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 Article 300(2) thereof,

Having regard to the proposal from the Commission,

Having regard to the European Agreement establishing an association between the European Communities and their Member States, of the one part, and the Republic of Slovenia, of the other, and in particular Articles 1 and 2 of Protocol 3,

Whereas:

(1) Protocol 3 lays down the trade arrangements in processed agricultural products between the Community and Slovenia.

(2) Under Article 1(2) the Association Council decides in particular on any amendment of the duties mentioned in the annexes to Protocol 3 and on the increase or abolition of tariff quotas.

(3) Under Article 2, second indent, the Association Council also decides that the duties applied may be reduced in response to reductions resulting from mutual concessions relating to processed agricultural products

HAS DECIDED AS FOLLOWS:

The position to be taken by the Community within the Association Council established by the European Agreement between the European Communities and their Member States, of one part, and the Republic of Slovenia, of the other part, concerning the improvement of the Protocol 3 on the bilateral trade of processed agricultural products, shall be based on the draft decision of the Association Council annexed to this Decision.

Done at Brussels,

For the Council

The President

ANNEX

Proposal for

DECISION No.../2000 OF THE EC-SLOVENIA ASSOCIATION COUNCIL

on improvements to the trade arrangements provided for processed agricultural products in Protocol 3 to the European Agreement

THE ASSOCIATION COUNCIL,

Having regard to the European Agreement establishing an association between the European Communities and their Member States, on the one part, and the Republic of Slovenia, on the other, and in particular Articles 1 and 2 of Protocol 3,

Whereas:

(1) Protocol 3 lays down the trade arrangements in processed agricultural products between the Community and Slovenia.

(2) Under Article 1(2) the Association Council decides in particular on any amendment of the duties mentioned in the annexes to Protocol 3 and on the increase or abolition of tariff quotas.

(3) Under Article 2, second indent, the Association Council also decides that the duties applied may be reduced in response to reductions resulting from mutual concessions relating to processed agricultural products,

(4) The annual quotas provided for in Annexes I and II of this Decision should be opened for the year 2001. In view of the fact that these annual quotas can only be opened after the 1st January 2001, on a date to be fixed, they should be reduced on a pro rata basis according to the period already elapsed,

HAS DECIDED AS FOLLOWS:

Article 1

Annexes I and II to Protocol 3 on trade between the Community and Slovenia in processed agricultural products shall be completed by Annexes I and II of this Decision.

Article 2

The annual quotas for the year 2001 provided for in Annexes I and II of this decision will be reduced on a pro rata basis taking into account the period, based on whole months, already elapsed.

Article 3

This Decision shall enter into force on the first day of the second month following its adoption.

Done at Brussels, [...]

For the Association Council

The President

ANNEX I

Annual preferential tariff quotas for import into the Community of goods originating in Slovenia

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ANNEX II

Annual preferential tariff quotas on import into Slovenia of goods originating in the Community

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