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Brussels, 10.11.2010

COM(2010) 646 final

2010/0315 (NLE)

Proposal for a

COUNCIL DECISION

on the signature of the Agreement between the European Union, the Swiss Confederation and the Principality of Liechtenstein amending the Additional Agreement between the European Community, the Swiss Confederation and the Principality of Liechtenstein extending to the Principality of Liechtenstein the Agreement between the European Community and the Swiss Confederation on trade in agricultural products

EXPLANATORY MEMORANDUM

CONTEXT OF THE PROPOSAL

The Agreement between the European Community and the Swiss Confederation on trade in agricultural products (hereinafter referred to as "the Agricultural Agreement") has been extended to the Principality of Liechtenstein[1]. The Agreement between the European Union and the Swiss Confederation on the protection of designations of origin and geographical indications for agricultural products and foodstuffs has amended the Agricultural Agreement by adding Annex 12. Therefore, the Additional Agreement between the European Community, the Swiss Confederation and the Principality of Liechtenstein also needs to be amended so that the protection of geographical indications also applies to Liechtenstein.

BUDGETARY IMPLICATIONS

No impact.

On the basis of the above-mentioned, the Commission proposes that the Council designate the person(s) empowered to sign, on behalf of the European Union, the Agreement between the European Union, the Swiss Confederation and the Principality of Liechtenstein amending the Additional Agreement between the European Community, the Swiss Confederation and the Principality of Liechtenstein (hereinafter referred to as "the Agreement"), subject to its conclusion.

2010/0315 (NLE)

Proposal for a

COUNCIL DECISION

on the signature of the Agreement between the European Union, the Swiss Confederation and the Principality of Liechtenstein amending the Additional Agreement between the European Community, the Swiss Confederation and the Principality of Liechtenstein extending to the Principality of Liechtenstein the Agreement between the European Community and the Swiss Confederation on trade in agricultural products

THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION,

Having regard to the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union, and in particular Article 207(4), first subparagraph, in conjunction with Article 218(5) thereof,

Having regard to the proposal from the European Commission,

Whereas:

1. The Agreement between the European Community and the Swiss Confederation on trade in agricultural products[2] (hereinafter referred to as "the Agricultural Agreement") entered into force on 1 June 2002.

2. The Additional Agreement between the European Community, the Swiss Confederation and the Principality of Liechtenstein extending to the Principality of Liechtenstein the Agreement between the European Community and the Swiss Confederation on trade in agricultural products[3] (hereinafter referred to as "the Additional Agreement") entered into force on 13 October 2007.

3. The Commission has negotiated, on behalf of the European Union, an Agreement between the European Union and the Swiss Confederation on the protection of designations of origin and geographical indications for agricultural products and foodstuffs, which amends the Agreement by inserting a new Annex 12,

4. The Agreement between the European Union, the Swiss Confederation and the Principality of Liechtenstein amending the Additional Agreement (hereinafter referred to as "the Agreement") should be signed on behalf of the European Union.

HAS ADOPTED THIS DECISION:

Article 1

The President of the Council is authorised to designate the person(s) empowered to sign, on behalf of the European Union, the Agreement between the European Union, the Swiss Confederation and the Principality of Liechtenstein amending the Additional Agreement between the European Community, the Swiss Confederation and the Principality of Liechtenstein extending to the Principality of Liechtenstein the Agreement between the European Community and the Swiss Confederation on trade in agricultural products (hereinafter referred to as "the Agreement").

The text of the Agreement is attached to this Decision.

Article 2

This Decision shall enter into force on the date of its adoption.

Done at Brussels,

For the Council

The President

ANNEX

AGREEMENT

Agreement between the European Union, the Swiss Confederation and the Principality of Liechtenstein amending the Additional Agreement between the European Community, the Swiss Confederation and the Principality of Liechtenstein extending to the Principality of Liechtenstein the Agreement between the European Community and the Swiss Confederation on trade in agricultural products

The European Union (hereinafter referred to as “the Union”), the Swiss Confederation (hereinafter referred to as “Switzerland”) and the Principality of Liechtenstein (hereinafter referred to as “Liechtenstein”), hereinafter referred to as "the Parties",

Committing themselves to promoting among themselves the harmonious development of designations of origin and geographical indications (hereinafter "GIs") and facilitating, through their protection within the framework of the Agreement between the European Community and the Swiss Confederation on trade in agricultural products (hereinafter "Agricultural Agreement"), bilateral trade flows in agricultural products and foodstuffs originating in the Parties that have been granted a GI within the meaning of the Parties' respective legislation, and regularly updating the list of GIs protected by this Agreement,

Whereas:

5. Swiss legislation on GIs for agricultural products and foodstuffs applies in Liechtenstein,

6. GIs in the Swiss national register may be composed of geographical names in the territory of Liechtenstein and the geographical area of these GIs may include the territory of Liechtenstein,

7. Pursuant to the conclusion of an Additional Agreement between the European Community, the Swiss Confederation and the Principality of Liechtenstein extending to the Principality of Liechtenstein the Agreement between the European Community and the Swiss Confederation on trade in agricultural products (hereinafter "the Additional Agreement"), the Agricultural Agreement also applies to Liechtenstein,

8. Pursuant to the Additional Agreement, Liechtenstein products are deemed to be products of Swiss origin.

9. The Additional Agreement should be amended so that the insertion of a new annex to the Agricultural Agreement concerning the protection of geographical indications and designations of origin from Switzerland and the European Union relative to agricultural products and foodstuffs also applies to Liechtenstein,

Have agreed on the following provisions:

Article 1 Amendments

The Additional Agreement is hereby amended as follows:

1. Article 1(2) is replaced by the following:

"The adjustments specific to Liechtenstein concerning Annexes 4 to 12 of the Agricultural Agreement are laid down in the Annex to this Agreement ("Additional Agreement"), which shall constitute an integral part thereof."

2. The title "Adjustments/additions concerning Annexes 4 to 11 of the Agricultural Agreement" in the Annex is replaced as follows:

"Adjustments/additions concerning Annexes 4 to 12 of the Agricultural Agreement"

3. The following paragraph is added to the above-mentioned title:

"Annex 12, Protection of designations of origin and geographical indications for agricultural products and foodstuffs

The geographical area of the following Swiss GIs that are protected pursuant to Appendix 1 to Annex 12 also includes the territory of Liechtenstein:

- Rheintaler Ribel / Türggen Ribel (PDO)

- St. Galler Bratwurst / St. Galler Kalbsbratwurst (PGI)."

Article 2 Language versions

This Agreement shall be drawn up in triplicate in the Bulgarian, Czech, Danish, Dutch, English, Estonian, Finnish, French, German, Greek, Hungarian, Italian, Latvian, Lithuanian, Maltese, Polish, Portuguese, Romanian, Slovak, Slovenian, Spanish and Swedish languages, each of those texts being equally authentic.

Article 3 Entry into force

1. This Agreement shall be ratified or approved by the Parties in accordance with their internal procedures.

2. The Parties shall notify each other of the completion of these procedures.

3. This Agreement shall enter into force on […]

FINANCIAL STATEMENT | fiche fin/10/477795 DDG/tm 6.0.2005.1-2010 |

DATE: 14.7.2010 |

1. | BUDGET HEADING: Chapter 12 – Customs duties and other duties | CREDITS: B2010: EUR 14,079.7 million |

2. | TITLE: Proposal for a Council Decision on the signature of the Agreement between the European Union, the Swiss Confederation and the Principality of Liechtenstein amending the Additional Agreement between the European Community, the Swiss Confederation and the Principality of Liechtenstein extending to the Principality of Liechtenstein the Agreement between the European Community and the Swiss Confederation on trade in agricultural products. |

3. | LEGAL BASIS: Treaty and in particular art. 207(4), first subparagraph, in conjunction with Article 218(5). |

4. | AIMS: To establish a mutual protection of geographical indications in the trade of agricultural products between the Parties. |

5. | FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS | 12 MONTH PERIOD (EUR million) | CURRENT FINANCIAL YEAR 2010 (EUR million) | (FOLLOWING FINANCIAL YEAR) 2011 (EUR million) |

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

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

2012 | 2013 | 2014 |

5.0.1 | ESTIMATED EXPENDITURE |

5.1.1 | ESTIMATED REVENUE | - | - | - |

5.2 | CALCULATION METHOD: - |

6.0 | CAN THE PROJECT BE FINANCED FROM APPROPRIATIONS ENTERED IN THE RELEVANT CHAPTER OF THE CURRENT BUDGET? | YES NO |

6.1 | CAN THE PROJECT BE FINANCED BY TRANSFER BETWEEN CHAPTERS OF THE CURRENT BUDGET? | YES NO |

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

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

OBSERVATIONS: The proposal concerns the signature of an Agreement between the European Union, the Swiss Confederation and the Principality of Liechtenstein to amend the existing Additional Agreement between the European Community, the Swiss Confederation and the Principality of Liechtenstein extending to the Principality of Liechtenstein, the Agreement between the European Community and the Swiss Confederation, in order to take into account the protection of designations of origin and geographical indications. The measure has no financial impact. |

[1] OJ L 270, 13.10.2007, p.6.

[2] OJ L 114, 30.4.2002, p.132.

[3] OJ L 270, 13.10.2007, p.6.