[pic] | COMMISSION OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES |

Brussels, 3.8.2007

COM(2007) 464 final

2007/0165 (AVC)

Proposal for a

COUNCIL DECISION

on the signing and provisional application of a Protocol to the Euro-Mediterranean Agreement establishing an association between the European Communities and their Member States, of the one part, and the State of Israel, of the other part, to take account of the accession of the Republic of Bulgaria and Romania to the European Union

Proposal for a

COUNCIL DECISION

on the conclusion of a Protocol to the Euro-Mediterranean Agreement between the European Communities and their Member States, of the one part, and the State of Israel, of the other part, to take account of the accession of the Republic of Bulgaria and Romania to the European Union

(presented by the Commission)

EXPLANATORY MEMORANDUM

According to the terms of Article 6(2) of the Act of Accession of the new Member States to the EU, the accession of the new EU Member States to the Euro-Mediterranean Association Agreement shall be agreed by means of a protocol to this Agreement. The same article provides for a simplified procedure, whereby the protocol is to be concluded by the Council, acting unanimously on behalf of the Member States, and by the third country concerned. This procedure is without prejudice to the Community’s own competences.

On 23rd October 2006 the Council approved a mandate for the Commission to negotiate, on behalf of the European Community and its Member States, such a protocol modifying the agreements between the European Community and third countries, notably the Euro-Mediterranean Agreement between the European Communities and their Member States, of the one part, and the State of Israel, of the other part, to take account of the accession to the EU of the new Member States.

These negotiations with Israel have since been completed to the satisfaction of the Commission.

The attached proposals are for (1) a Council Decision on the signature of the Protocol and (2) a Council Decision on the conclusion of the Protocol.

The text of the protocol negotiated with Israel is attached. The most important aspects of the protocol are the provisions for the accession of the new Member States to the EU-Israel Association Agreement, and the inclusion of the new official languages of the EU, to take account of the enlargement of the EU.

The European Parliament will be called upon to give its assent to this Protocol.

The Commission is invited to adopt the attached proposals and transmit them to the Council.

Proposal for a

COUNCIL DECISION

on the signing and provisional application of a Protocol to the Euro-Mediterranean Agreement establishing an association between the European Communities and their Member States, of the one part, and the State of Israel, of the other part, to take account of the accession of the Republic of Bulgaria and Romania to the European Union

THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION,

Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Community, and in particular Article 310 in conjunction with Article 300 (2) first sub-paragraph, first sentence thereof,

Having regard to the Act of Accession of Bulgaria and Romania to the European Union and in particular Article 6(2) thereof,

Having regard to the proposal from the Commission,

Whereas:

1. On 23rd October 2006 the Council authorised the Commission, on behalf of the European Community and its Member States, to open negotiations with Israel with a view to adjusting the Euro-Mediterranean Agreement establishing an association between the European Communities and their Member States, of the one part, and the State of Israel, of the other part, to take account of the accession of the new Member States to the EU.

2. These negotiations have been concluded to the satisfaction of the Commission.

3. The text of the Protocol negotiated with Israel provides, in Article 9(2), for the provisional application of the Protocol before its entry into force.

4. Subject to its conclusion at a later date, the Protocol should be signed on behalf of the Community and its Member States and applied provisionally,

HAS DECIDED AS FOLLOWS:

Article 1

The President of the Council is hereby authorised to designate the person(s) empowered to sign, on behalf of the European Community and its Member States, the Protocol to the Euro-Mediterranean Agreement establishing an association between the European Communities and their Member States, of the one part, and the State of Israel, of the other part, to take account of the accession of the Republic of Bulgaria and Romania to the European Union. The text of the Protocol is attached to this Decision.

Article 2

This Protocol shall apply provisionally as from 1st January 2007, subject to its conclusion at a later date.

Done at Brussels,

For the Council

The President

2007/0165 (AVC)

Proposal for a

COUNCIL DECISION

on the conclusion of a Protocol to the Euro-Mediterranean Agreement between the European Communities and their Member States, of the one part, and the State of Israel, of the other part, to take account of the accession of the Republic of Bulgaria and Romania to the European Union

THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION,

Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Community, and in particular Article 310 in conjunction with Article 300, paragraph 2, first sub-paragraph, second sentence and paragraph 3, second sub-paragraph,

Having regard to the Act of Accession of the Republic of Bulgaria and Romania to the European Union, and in particular Article 6(2) thereof,

Having regard to the proposal from the Commission,

Having regard to the assent of the European Parliament,

Whereas:

5. The Protocol to the Euro-Mediterranean Association Agreement between the European Communities and its Member States, of the one part, and the State of Israel, of the other part, was signed on behalf of the European Community and its Member States on …………

6. The Protocol should be approved,

HAS DECIDED AS FOLLOWS:

Sole Article

The Protocol to the Euro-Mediterranean Agreement between the European Communities and their Member States, of the one part, and the State of Israel, of the other part, to take account of the accession of the Republic of Bulgaria and Romania to the European Union is hereby approved on behalf of the European Community and its Member States. The text of the Protocol is attached to this Decision.

Done at Brussels,

For the Council

The President

Protocol to the

Euro-Mediterranean Agreement

between the European Communities and their Member States, of the one part, and the State of Israel, of the other part, to take account of the accession of the Republic of Bulgaria and Romania to the European Union

THE KINGDOM OF BELGIUM,

THE REPUBLIC OF BULGARIA,

THE CZECH REPUBLIC,

THE KINGDOM OF DENMARK,

THE FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF GERMANY,

THE REPUBLIC OF ESTONIA,

THE HELLENIC REPUBLIC,

THE KINGDOM OF SPAIN,

THE FRENCH REPUBLIC,

IRELAND,

THE ITALIAN REPUBLIC,

THE REPUBLIC OF CYPRUS,

THE REPUBLIC OF LATVIA,

THE REPUBLIC OF LITHUANIA,

THE GRAND DUCHY OF LUXEMBOURG,

THE REPUBLIC OF HUNGARY,

THE REPUBLIC OF MALTA,

THE KINGDOM OF THE NETHERLANDS,

THE REPUBLIC OF AUSTRIA,

THE REPUBLIC OF POLAND,

THE PORTUGUESE REPUBLIC,

ROMANIA,

THE REPUBLIC OF SLOVENIA,

THE SLOVAK REPUBLIC,

THE REPUBLIC OF FINLAND,

THE KINGDOM OF SWEDEN,

THE UNITED KINGDOM OF GREAT BRITAIN AND NORTHERN IRELAND,

hereinafter referred to as “EC Member States” represented by the Council of the European Union, and

THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITY,

hereinafter referred to as “the Community” represented by the Council of the European Union and the European Commission

of the one part

and the State of Israel

hereinafter referred to as Israel

of the other part

WHEREAS the Euro-Mediterranean Agreement between the European Communities and their Member States, of the one part, and the State of Israel, of the other part, hereinafter referred to as “the Euro-Mediterranean Agreement”, was signed in Brussels on 20th November 1995 and entered into force on 1st June 2000;

WHEREAS the Treaty concerning the accession of the Republic of Bulgaria and Romania to the European Union and the Act thereto was signed in Luxembourg on April 2005 and entered into force on 1 January 2007;

WHEREAS, pursuant to Article 6(2) of the Act of Accession, the accession of the new Contracting Parties to the Euro-Mediterranean Agreement must be agreed by the conclusion of a protocol to the Euro-Mediterranean Agreement;

WHEREAS consultations pursuant to Article 21 of the Euro-Mediterranean Agreement have taken place in order to ensure that account has been taken of the mutual interests of the Community and Israel ;

HAVE AGREED AS FOLLOWS:

Article 1

The Republic of Bulgaria and Romania hereby become Contracting Parties to the Euro-Mediterranean Agreement between the European Communities and their Member States, of the one part, and the State of Israel, of the other part, and shall respectively adopt and take note, in the same manner as the other member States of the Community, of the texts of the Agreement, as well as of the Joint Declarations, Declarations and Exchanges of Letters.

CHAPTER ONE: AMENDMENTS TO THE TEXT OF THE EURO-MEDITERRANEAN AGREEMENT, INCLUDING ITS ANNEXES AND PROTOCOLS

Article 2 (Agricultural, processed agricultural and fishery products)

7. Table 1 of Annex VI to the Euro-Mediterranean Agreement, setting out tariff concessions on imports into the Community of goods originating in Israel, is complemented by one additional tariff concession, defined as follows:

CN Code (*) | Description of goods (**) | Annual quota (tonnes) | Concession within limits of quota |

Ex 2106 90 98 | Citrus bases for preparation of soft drinks and beverages containing by weight at least 30% of concentrated fruit juices and no more than 50% of sucrose, not containing milk or milk products | 5.550(***) | 33% reduction of the agricultural component |

(*) CN codes corresponding to Regulation (EC) No 1549/2006 (OJ L 301 of 31 October 2006).

(**) Where "ex" CN codes are indicated, the preferential scheme is to be determined by the application of the CN codes and corresponding description taken together.

(***) For 2007 this quota will be fixed at 3.240 tons.

8. Further tariff concessions for the adaptation of bilateral concessions in agricultural, processed agricultural or fishery products shall be concluded between the Parties in accordance with the provisions set out in the Annex.

Article 3 (Rules of Origin)

Protocol [4] shall be amended as follows:

9. in Articles 3(1) and 4(1), the reference to the new Member States is deleted.

10. Annex IVa is replaced by the following:

Bulgarian version

Износителят на продуктите, обхванати от този документ (митническо разрешение № … (1)) декларира, че освен кьдето е отбелязано друго, тези продукти са с … преференциален произход (2).

Spanish version

El exportador de los productos incluidos en el presente documento (autorización aduanera n° .. …(1).) declara que, salvo indicación en sentido contrario, estos productos gozan de un origen preferencial . …(2).

Czech version

Vývozce výrobků uvedených v tomto dokumentu (číslo povolení …(1)) prohlašuje, že kromě zřetelně označených, mají tyto výrobky preferenční původ v …(2).

Danish version

Eksportøren af varer, der er omfattet af nærværende dokument, (toldmyndighedernes tilladelse nr. ...(1)), erklærer, at varerne, medmindre andet tydeligt er angivet, har præferenceoprindelse i ...(2).

German version

Der Ausführer (Ermächtigter Ausführer; Bewilligungs-Nr. ...(1)) der Waren, auf die sich dieses Handelspapier bezieht, erklärt, dass diese Waren, soweit nicht anderes angegeben, präferenzbegünstigte ...(2) Ursprungswaren sind.

Estonian version

Käesoleva dokumendiga hõlmatud toodete eksportija (tolliameti kinnitus nr. ...(1)) deklareerib, et need tooted on ...(2) sooduspäritoluga, välja arvatud juhul kui on selgelt näidatud teisiti.

Greek version

Ο εξαγωγέας των προϊόντων που καλύπτονται από το παρόν έγγραφο (άδεια τελωνείου υπ΄αριθ. ...(1)) δηλώνει ότι, εκτός εάν δηλώνεται σαφώς άλλως, τα προϊόντα αυτά είναι προτιμησιακής καταγωγής ...(2).

English version

The exporter of the products covered by this document (customs authorization No ...(1)) declares that, except where otherwise clearly indicated, these products are of ...(2) preferential origin.

French version

L'exportateur des produits couverts par le présent document (autorisation douanière n° ...(1)) déclare que, sauf indication claire du contraire, ces produits ont l'origine préférentielle ... (2)).

Italian version

L'esportatore delle merci contemplate nel presente documento (autorizzazione doganale n… (1)) dichiara che, salvo indicazione contraria, le merci sono di origine preferenziale ...(2).

Latvian version

Eksportētājs produktiem, kuri ietverti šajā dokumentā (muitas pilnvara Nr. …(1)), deklarē, ka, iznemot tur, kur ir citādi skaidri noteikts, šiem produktiem ir priekšrocību izcelsme no …(2).

Lithuanian version

Šiame dokumente išvardintų prekių eksportuotojas (muitinès liudijimo Nr …(1)) deklaruoja, kad, jeigu kitaip nenurodyta, tai yra …(2) preferencinès kilmés prekés.

Hungarian version

A jelen okmányban szereplő áruk exportőre (vámfelhatalmazási szám: …(1)) kijelentem, hogy eltérő jelzés hianyában az áruk kedvezményes …(2) származásúak.

Maltese version

L-esportatur tal-prodotti koperti b’dan id-dokument (awtorizzazzjoni tad-dwana nru. …(1)) jiddikjara li, ħlief fejn indikat b’mod ċar li mhux hekk, dawn il-prodotti huma ta’ oriġini preferenzjali …(2).

Dutch version

De exporteur van de goederen waarop dit document van toepassing is (douanevergunning nr. ...(1)), verklaart dat, behoudens uitdrukkelijke andersluidende vermelding, deze goederen van preferentiële ... oorsprong zijn (2).

Polish version

Eksporter produktów objętych tym dokumentem (upoważnienie władz celnych nr …(1)) deklaruje, że z wyjątkiem gdzie jest to wyraźnie określone, produkty te mają …(2) preferencyjne pochodzenie.

Portuguese version

O exportador dos produtos cobertos pelo presente documento (autorização aduaneira n°. ...(1)), declara que, salvo expressamente indicado em contrário, estes produtos são de origem preferencial ...(2).

Romanian version

Exportatorul produselor ce fac ojiectul acestui document (autorizaţia vamalâ nr. …(1)) declará cá, exceptând cazul în care în mod expres este indicat altfel, aceste produse sunt de origine preferenţialā …(2).

Slovenian version

Izvoznik blaga, zajetega s tem dokumentom (pooblastilo carinskih organov št …(1)) izjavlja, da, razen če ni drugače jasno navedeno, ima to blago preferencialno …(2) poreklo.

Slovak version

Vývozca výrobkov uvedených v tomto dokumente (číslo povolenia …(1)) vyhlasuje, že okrem zreteľne označených, majú tieto výrobky preferenčný pôvod v …(2).

Finnish version

Tässä asiakirjassa mainittujen tuotteiden viejä (tullin lupa n:o ...(1)) ilmoittaa, että nämä tuotteet ovat, ellei toisin ole selvästi merkitty, etuuskohteluun oikeutettuja ... alkuperätuotteita (2).

Swedish version

Exportören av de varor som omfattas av detta dokument (tullmyndighetens tillstånd nr. ...(1)) försäkrar att dessa varor, om inte annat tydligt markerats, har förmånsberättigande ... ursprung (2).

Hebrew Version

היצואן של הטובין המכוסים במסמך זה (אישור מכס מס'..... (1) ) מצהיר כי מקורם של הטובין הללו מועדף, אלא אם כן צוין אחרת במפורש. (2)

11. Annex IVb shall be replaced by the following:

Bulgarian version

Износителят на продуктите, обхванати от този документ (митническо разрешение № … (1)) декларира, че освен кьдето е отбелязано друго, тези продукти са с … преференциален произход (2).

- cumulation applied with ……..(name of the country/countries)- no cumulation applied (3)

Spanish version

El exportador de los productos incluidos en el presente documento (autorización aduanera n° .. …(1).) declara que, salvo indicación en sentido contrario, estos productos gozan de un origen preferencial . …(2).

- cumulation applied with ……..(name of the country/countries)- no cumulation applied (3)

Czech version

Vývozce výrobků uvedených v tomto dokumentu (číslo povolení …(1)) prohlašuje, že kromě zřetelně označených, mají tyto výrobky preferenční původ v …(2).

- cumulation applied with ……..(name of the country/countries)- no cumulation applied (3)

Danish version

Eksportøren af varer, der er omfattet af nærværende dokument, (toldmyndighedernes tilladelse nr. ...(1)), erklærer, at varerne, medmindre andet tydeligt er angivet, har præferenceoprindelse i ...(2).

- cumulation applied with ……..(name of the country/countries)- no cumulation applied (3)

German version

Der Ausführer (Ermächtigter Ausführer; Bewilligungs-Nr. ...(1)) der Waren, auf die sich dieses Handelspapier bezieht, erklärt, dass diese Waren, soweit nicht anderes angegeben, präferenzbegünstigte ...(2) Ursprungswaren sind.

- cumulation applied with ……..(name of the country/countries)- no cumulation applied (3)

Estonian version

Käesoleva dokumendiga hõlmatud toodete eksportija (tolliameti kinnitus nr. ...(1)) deklareerib, et need tooted on ...(2) sooduspäritoluga, välja arvatud juhul kui on selgelt näidatud teisiti.

- cumulation applied with ……..(name of the country/countries)- no cumulation applied (3)

Greek version

Ο εξαγωγέας των προϊόντων που καλύπτονται από το παρόν έγγραφο (άδεια τελωνείου υπ΄αριθ. ...(1)) δηλώνει ότι, εκτός εάν δηλώνεται σαφώς άλλως, τα προϊόντα αυτά είναι προτιμησιακής καταγωγής ...(2).

- cumulation applied with ……..(name of the country/countries)- no cumulation applied (3)

English version

The exporter of the products covered by this document (customs authorization No ...(1)) declares that, except where otherwise clearly indicated, these products are of ...(2) preferential origin.

- cumulation applied with ……..(name of the country/countries)- no cumulation applied (3)

French version

L'exportateur des produits couverts par le présent document (autorisation douanière n° ...(1)) déclare que, sauf indication claire du contraire, ces produits ont l'origine préférentielle ... (2)).

- cumulation applied with ……..(name of the country/countries)- no cumulation applied (3)

Italian version

L'esportatore delle merci contemplate nel presente documento (autorizzazione doganale n. … (1) dichiara che, salvo indicazione contraria, le merci sono di origine preferenziale ...(2).

- cumulation applied with ……..(name of the country/countries)- no cumulation applied (3)

Latvian version

Eksportētājs produktiem, kuri ietverti šajā dokumentā (muitas pilnvara Nr. …(1)), deklarē, ka, iznemot tur, kur ir citādi skaidri noteikts, šiem produktiem ir priekšrocību izcelsme no …(2).

- cumulation applied with ……..(name of the country/countries)- no cumulation applied (3)

Lithuanian version

Šiame dokumente išvardintų prekių eksportuotojas (muitinès liudijimo Nr …(1)) deklaruoja, kad, jeigu kitaip nenurodyta, tai yra…(2) preferencinès kilmés prekés.

- cumulation applied with ……..(name of the country/countries)- no cumulation applied (3)

Hungarian version

A jelen okmányban szereplő áruk exportőre (vámfelhatalmazási szám: …(1)) kijelentem, hogy eltérő jelzés hianyában az áruk kedvezményes …(2) származásúak.

- cumulation applied with ……..(name of the country/countries)- no cumulation applied (3)

Maltese version

L-esportatur tal-prodotti koperti b’dan id-dokument (awtorizzazzjoni tad-dwana nru. …(1)) jiddikjara li, ħlief fejn indikat b’mod ċar li mhux hekk, dawn il-prodotti huma ta’ oriġini preferenzjali …(2).

- cumulation applied with ……..(name of the country/countries)- no cumulation applied (3)

Dutch version

De exporteur van de goederen waarop dit document van toepassing is (douanevergunning nr. ...(1)), verklaart dat, behoudens uitdrukkelijke andersluidende vermelding, deze goederen van preferentiële ... oorsprong zijn (2).

- cumulation applied with ……..(name of the country/countries)- no cumulation applied (3)

Polish version

Eksporter produktów objętych tym dokumentem (upoważnienie władz celnych nr …(1)) deklaruje, że z wyjątkiem gdzie jest to wyraźnie określone, produkty te mają …(2) preferencyjne pochodzenie.

- cumulation applied with ……..(name of the country/countries)- no cumulation applied (3)

Portuguese version

O exportador dos produtos cobertos pelo presente documento (autorização aduaneira n°. ...(1)), declara que, salvo expressamente indicado em contrário, estes produtos são de origem preferencial ...(2).

- cumulation applied with ……..(name of the country/countries)- no cumulation applied (3)

Romanian version

Exportatorul produselor ce fac ojiectul acestui document (autorizaţia vamalâ nr. …(1)) declará cá, exceptând cazul în care în mod expres este indicat altfel, aceste produse sunt de origine preferenţialā …(2).

- cumulation applied with ……..(name of the country/countries)- no cumulation applied (3)

Slovenian version

Izvoznik blaga, zajetega s tem dokumentom (pooblastilo carinskih organov št …(1)) izjavlja, da, razen če ni drugače jasno navedeno, ima to blago preferencialno …(2) poreklo.

- cumulation applied with ……..(name of the country/countries)- no cumulation applied (3)

Slovak version

Vývozca výrobkov uvedených v tomto dokumente (číslo povolenia …(1)) vyhlasuje, že okrem zreteľne označených, majú tieto výrobky preferenčný pôvod v …(2).

- cumulation applied with ……..(name of the country/countries)- no cumulation applied (3)

Finnish version

Tässä asiakirjassa mainittujen tuotteiden viejä (tullin lupa n:o ...(1)) ilmoittaa, että nämä tuotteet ovat, ellei toisin ole selvästi merkitty, etuuskohteluun oikeutettuja ... alkuperätuotteita (2).

- cumulation applied with ……..(name of the country/countries)- no cumulation applied (3)

Swedish version

Exportören av de varor som omfattas av detta dokument (tullmyndighetens tillstånd nr. ...(1)) försäkrar att dessa varor, om inte annat tydligt markerats, har förmånsberättigande ... ursprung (2).

- cumulation applied with ……..(name of the country/countries)- no cumulation applied (3)

Hebrew version

היצואן של הטובין המכוסים במסמך זה (אישור מכס מס'..... (1) ) מצהיר כי מקורם של הטובין הללו מועדף, אלא אם כן צוין אחרת במפורש. (2)

- הוחלה צבירה עם.... (שם המדינה/המדינות)

- לא הוחלה צבירה (3)

CHAPTER TWO: transitional provisions

Article 4 (Proofs of Origin and administrative cooperation)

12. Proofs of origin properly issued by either Israel or a new Member State in the framework of the bilateral free trade agreements or autonomous arrangements applied between them shall be accepted in the respective countries under this Protocol, provided that

13. the acquisition of such origin confers preferential tariff treatment on the basis of the preferential tariff measures contained in the EU-Israel Agreement or in the Community System of Generalised Preferences.

14. the proof of origin and the transport documents were issued no later than the day before the date of accession;

15. the proof of origin is submitted to the customs authorities within the period of four months from the date of accession.

Where goods were declared for importation in either Israel or a new Member State, prior to the date of accession, under the bilateral free trade agreements or autonomous arrangements applied between Israel and that new Member State at that time, proof of origin issued retrospectively under those agreements or arrangements may also be accepted provided that it is submitted to the customs authorities within the period of four months from the date of accession.

16. Israel and the new Member States are authorised to retain the authorisations with which the status of “approved exporters” has been granted in the framework of the bilateral free trade agreements or autonomous arrangements applied between them, provided that:

17. such a provision is also provided for in the agreement concluded prior to the date of accession between Israel and the Community; and

18. the approved exporter apply the rules of origin in force under that agreement

These authorisations shall be replaced no later than one year after the date of accession, by new authorisations issued under the conditions of the Agreement.

19. Requests for subsequent verification of proof of origin issued under the bilateral free trade agreements or autonomous arrangements referred to in paragraphs 1 and 2 above can be presented by the competent customs authorities of either Israel or the new Member States and shall be accepted by those authorities for a period of three years after the issue of the proof of origin concerned. Such verifications shall be carried out in accordance with the bilateral free trade agreements which were in force at the date of the issuance of the proof of origin.

Article 5 (Goods in transit)

20. The provisions of the Agreement may be applied to goods exported from either Israel to one of the new Member States or from one of the new Member States to Israel, which comply with the provisions of Protocol [4] and that on the date of accession are either en route or in temporary storage, in a customs warehouse or in a free zone in Israel or in that new Member State.

21. Preferential treatment may be granted in such cases, subject to the submission to the customs authorities of the importing country, within four months of the date of accession, of a proof of origin issued retrospectively by the customs authorities of the exporting country.

General and final provisions

Article 6

The State of Israel undertakes that it shall neither make any claim, request or referral nor modify or withdraw any concession pursuant to GATT 1994 Articles XXIV.6 and XXVIII regarding agricultural, processed agricultural or fishery products in relation to this enlargement of the Community, subject, for other products than those falling under the CN Code ex 2106 90 98, to the completion of negotiations on a new Additional Protocol for the adaptation of bilateral trade concessions in agricultural, processed agricultural or fishery products according to the Annex to this Protocol

Article 7

This Protocol shall form an integral part of the Euro-Mediterranean Agreement. The Annex to this Protocol shall form an integral part thereof.

Article 8

1. This Protocol shall be approved by the Community, by the Council of the European Union on behalf of the Member States, and by the State of Israel in accordance with their own procedures.

2. The Parties shall notify each other of the accomplishment of the corresponding procedures referred to in the preceding paragraph. The instruments of approval shall be deposited with the General Secretariat of the Council of the European Union.

Article 9

1. This Protocol shall enter into force on the first day of the first month following the date of deposit of the last instrument of approval.

2. This Protocol shall apply provisionally as from 1 January 2007.

3. Notwithstanding the above, Article 2.1 of this Protocol shall apply from the first day of month following the date of the signature of this Protocol.

Article 10

This Protocol is drawn up in duplicate in each of the official languages of the Contracting Parties, each of these texts being equally authentic.

Article 11

The text of the Euro-Mediterranean Agreement, including the Annexes and Protocols forming an integral part thereof, and the Final Act together with the declarations annexed thereto shall be drawn up in the Bulgarian and Romanian languages and these texts shall be authentic in the same way as the original texts. The Association Council shall approve these texts.

FOR THE MEMBER STATES

FOR THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITY

FOR THE STATE OF ISRAEL

ANNEX

concerning the arrangements applicable to trade concessions for agricultural, processed agricultural and fishery products

The Parties agreed that the actual volume of trade and its market access conditions between Israel and Bulgaria, and Israel and Romania under the existing bilateral Free Trade Agreements, shall serve as the minimum quantity for the adaptation of the bilateral trade concessions in agricultural, processed agricultural or fishery products in the Association Agreement to be implemented in the framework of a new Additional Protocol.

FINANCIAL STATEMENT |

DATE: 28-06-2007 |

1. | BUDGET HEADING: Chapter 10 – Agricultural duties Chapter 12 – Customs duties | APPROPRIATIONS: 0.20 M€ in 2007 and 0.34 M€ following years |

2. | TITLE: Proposal for a COUNCIL DECISION on the conclusion of a Protocol to the Euro-Mediterranean Agreement between the European Communities and their Member States, of the one part, and the State of Israel, of the other part, to take account of the accession of the Republic of Bulgaria and of Romania to the European Union. |

3. | LEGAL BASIS: Article 133 of the Treaty |

4. | AIMS: To take into account the market access conditions granted by Bulgaria and Romania to the State of Israel previous to their accession to the EU for a particular processed agricultural product under the CN Code ex-2106 90 98: Citrus bases for preparation of soft drinks and beverages containing by weight at least 30% of concentrated fruit juices and no more than 50% of sucrose, not containing milk or milk products. These market access conditions for the referred product are to be compensated by a specific tariff quota concession in the framework of the adaptation protocol of the bilateral agreement to take account of the accession of new Member States. |

5. | FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS | 12 MONTH PERIOD (EUR million) | CURRENT FINANCIAL YEAR [n] (EUR million) | FOLLOWING FINANCIAL YEAR [n+1] (EUR million) |

5.0 | EXPENDITURE - CHARGED TO THE EC BUDGET (REFUNDS/INTERVENTIONS) - NATIONAL AUTHORITIES - OTHER |

5.1 | REVENUE - OWN RESOURCES OF THE EC (LEVIES/CUSTOMS DUTIES) - NATIONAL | - 0.202 | - 0.346 |

[n+2] | [n+3] | [n+4] | [n+5] |

5.0.1 | ESTIMATED EXPENDITURE |

5.1.1 | ESTIMATED REVENUE |

5.2 | METHOD OF CALCULATION: The preferential duty taken into account in this calculation for the product subject to the tariff quota concession is 18.87 €/100 Kg, which corresponds to the maximum duty related to the possible composition of the product. In the framework of the Association Agreement, only the specific part of the duty applied. For 2007 and following years, the respective quota quantities, 3,240 tons and 5,550 tons, have been multiplied by the reduction of the duty (33% of the preferential duty). |

6.0 | CAN THE PROJECT BE FINANCED FROM APPROPRIATIONS ENTERED IN THE RELEVANT CHAPTER OF THE CURRENT BUDGET? | N/A |

6.1 | CAN THE PROJECT BE FINANCED BY TRANSFER BETWEEN CHAPTERS OF THE CURRENT BUDGET? | N/A |

6.2 | WILL A SUPPLEMENTARY BUDGET BE NECESSARY? | NO |

6.3 | WILL APPROPRIATIONS NEED TO BE ENTERED IN FUTURE BUDGETS? | NO |

OBSERVATIONS: |