Proposal for a COUNCIL REGULATION on the conclusion of Agreements in the form of Exchanges of Letters amending the Agreements in the form of Exchanges of Letters between the European Community and the Republic of Bulgaria, the Republic of Hungary and Romania on the reciprocal establishment of tariff quotas for certain wines, and amending Regulation (EC) No 933/95 opening and providing for the administration of Community tariff quotas for certain wines

(presented by the Commission)

EXPLANATORY MEMORANDUM

1. In 1993, the European Community concluded agreements with Bulgaria, Hungary and Romania on the reciprocal establishment of tariff quotas for certain wines. These agreements were to run initially until 31 December 1997 (Bulgaria and Romania) and 31 December 1998 (Hungary). They have all since been extended until 31 December 1999. In 1993 the European Community also concluded agreements with these same three associated countries on the reciprocal protection and control of wine names, this time of unlimited duration.

2. The Council has authorised the Commission to start negotiations with the three countries with a view to concluding new agreements to replace the existing ones, in the form of additional protocols to the Europe Agreements, with a scope extended to include spirits.

3. Time is too short to conclude these negotiations before the end of 1999. So as not to interrupt the reciprocal preferential treatment pending conclusion of the negotiations, the three 1993 agreements on the reciprocal establishment of tariff quotas for certain wines should be extended until 31 December 2000.

4. The negotiations with Bulgaria, Hungary and Romania to extend the agreements on tariff quotas for certain wines until 31 December 2000 have resulted in the three draft exchanges of letters attached to this proposal. These drafts provide for the three agreements to be provisionally extended by one year pending the conclusion of the negotiations on additional protocols to the Europe Agreements.

5. The purpose of this proposal is to ask the Council to adopt the results of the negotiations with Bulgaria, Hungary and Romania and the measures needed to implement them, including the amendment of Council Regulation (EC) No 933/95.

99/0206 (ACC)

Proposal for a

COUNCIL REGULATION

on the conclusion of Agreements in the form of Exchanges of Letters amending the Agreements in the form of Exchanges of Letters between the European Community and the Republic of Bulgaria, the Republic of Hungary and Romania on the reciprocal establishment of tariff quotas for certain wines, and amending Regulation (EC) No 933/95 opening and providing for the administration of Community tariff quotas for certain wines

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,

Whereas:

(1) An Agreement in the form of an Exchange of Letters between the European Community and the Republic of Bulgaria on the reciprocal establishment of tariff quotas for certain wines [1] was signed on 29 November 1993 and extended by an Agreement in the form of an Exchange of Letters [2] signed on 18 June 1999.

[1] OJ L 337, 31.12.1993, p. 3.

[2] OJ L 172, 8.7.199, p. 3

(2) An Agreement in the form of an Exchange of Letters between the European Community and the Republic of Hungary on the reciprocal establishment of tariff quotas for certain wines [3] was signed on 29 November 1993 and extended by an Agreement in the form of an Exchange of Letters [4] signed on 29 July 1999.

[3] OJ L 337, 31.12.1993, p. 83.

[4] OJ L 212, 12.8.1999, p. 3.

(3) An Agreement in the form of an Exchange of Letters between the European Community and Romania on the reciprocal establishment of tariff quotas for certain wines [5] was signed on 26 November 1993 and extended by an Agreement in the form of an Exchange of Letters [6] signed on 17 June 1999.

[5] OJ L 337, 31.12.1993, p. 173.

[6] J L 172, 8.7.1999, p. 10.

(4) These three Agreements are due to expire on 31 December 1999.

(5) In order to preserve reciprocal preferential treatment and to continue to promote the development of trade in wine, the three Agreements should be extended until 31 December 2000.

(6) Council Regulation (EC) No 933/95 of 10 April 1995 opening and providing for the administration of Community tariff quotas for certain wines originating in Bulgaria, Hungary and Romania [7] opened tariff quotas for certain wines in accordance with the Agreements in the form of Exchanges of Letters between the European Community and the Republic of Bulgaria, the Republic of Hungary and Romania. Regulation (EC) No 933/95 should now be amended to take account of the new Agreements in the form of Exchanges of Letters.

[7] J L 96, 28.4.1995, p. 1. Regulation last amended by Regulation (EC) No 1774/1999 (OJ L 212, 12.8.1999, p. 1).

(7) In order to facilitate the implementation of certain provisions of the Agreements, the Commission should be authorised to adopt the necessary legislation for their implementation in accordance with the procedure laid down in Article 83 of Council Regulation (EEC) No 822/87 of 16 March 1987 on the common organisation of the market in wine [8],

[8] J L 84, 27.3.1987, p. 1. Regulation last amended by Regulation (EC) No 1677/99 (OJ L 199, 30.7.1999, p. 8).

HAS ADOPTED THIS REGULATION:

Article 1

The Agreement in the form of an Exchange of Letters amending the Agreement in the form of an Exchange of Letters between the European Community and the Republic of Bulgaria on the reciprocal establishment of tariff quotas for certain wines is hereby approved on behalf of the Community.

The text of the Agreement is attached to this Regulation (annex 1).

Article 2

The Agreement in the form of an Exchange of Letters amending the Agreement in the form of an Exchange of Letters between the European Community and the Republic of Hungary on the reciprocal establishment of tariff quotas for certain wines is hereby approved on behalf of the Community.

The text of the Agreement is attached to this Regulation (annex 2).

Article 3

The Agreement in the form of an Exchange of Letters amending the Agreement in the form of an Exchange of Letters between the European Community and Romania on the reciprocal establishment of tariff quotas for certain wines is hereby approved on behalf of the Community.

The text of the Agreement is attached to this Regulation (annex 3).

Article 4

The President of the Council is hereby authorised to designate the person empowered to sign the Agreement in order to bind the Community.

Article 5

The Commission is hereby authorised to adopt the necessary acts for implementation of the Agreements, in accordance with the procedure laid down in Article 83 of Regulation (EEC) No 822/87.

Article 6

Article 1(1) of Regulation (EC) No 933/95 is replaced by the following:

"From 1 January 2000 to 31 December 2000, and without prejudice to paragraph 2, the customs duties applicable on importation of the following products originating in Bulgaria, Hungary and Romania shall be suspended at levels and within the limits of tariff quotas as indicated with respect to each product:

(a) Wines originating in Bulgaria:

>TABLE>

(1) See attached Taric codes.

(2) Notwithstanding the rules for interpreting the combined nomenclature, the wording for the description of the products is to be considered as indicative only, the preferential scheme being determined, within the context of Article 1(1), by the coverage of the CN codes. Where ex CN codes are indicated, the preferential scheme is to be determined by application to the CN code and corresponding description taken together.

(b) Wines originating in Hungary:

>TABLE>

(1) See attached Taric codes.

(2) Notwithstanding the rules for interpreting the combined nomenclature, the wording for the description of the products is to be considered as indicative only, the preferential scheme being determined, within the context of Article 1(1), by the coverage of the CN codes. Where ex CN codes are indicated, the preferential scheme is to be determined by application to the CN code and corresponding description taken together.

(c) Wines originating in Romania:

>TABLE>

(1) See attached Taric codes.

(2) Notwithstanding the rules for interpreting the combined nomenclature, the wording for the description of the products is to be considered as indicative only, the preferential scheme being determined, within the context of Article 1(1), by the coverage of the CN codes. Where ex CN codes are indicated, the preferential scheme is to be determined by application to the CN code and corresponding description taken together."

Article 7

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

It shall apply from 1 January 2000.

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

Done at Brussels,

For the Council

The President

ANNEX 1 AGREEMENT IN THE FORM OF AN EXCHANGE OF LETTERS amending the Agreement in the form of an Exchange of Letters between the European Community and the Republic of Bulgaria on the reciprocal establishment of tariff quotas for certain wines

A. Letter from the Community

Brussels, .

Sir,

I have the honour to refer to the Agreement of 29 November 1993 in the form of an Exchange of Letters between the European Community and the Republic of Bulgaria on the reciprocal establishment of tariff quotas for certain wines and to the negotiations which have taken place between the European Community and the Republic of Bulgaria with a view to extending the Agreement beyond 31 December 1999.

I hereby confirm that, following the negotiations, the European Community and the Republic of Bulgaria have agreed on the following:

I. The tables below are added to the Annex to the said Agreement:

"Quantities of wine originating in the Community and qualifying for tariff reductions in 2000

>TABLE>

Quantities of wine originating in Bulgaria and qualifying for tariff reductions in 2000

>TABLE>

II. The following is added at the end of point 3(a) of the said Agreement:

"- in 2000, EUR 15 per hectolitre."

This Exchange of Letters shall be approved by the Contracting Parties in accordance with their respective procedures.

This Agreement shall enter into force on 1 January 2000. It shall expire on 31 December 2000. During the first half of 2000, negotiations will take place with a view to concluding an additional Protocol to the Europe Agreement covering both wines and spirits. The additional protocol to the Europe Agreement will also lay down detailed rules for cooperation between Bulgaria and the European Community to support the implementation of a programme under which Bulgaria will adopt the '"acquis communautaire" relating to wine and spirits, particularly as regards reinforcing inspection structures and controlling wine production (including the establishment of a vineyard register).

I should be obliged if you would confirm that your Government is in agreement with the content of this letter.

Please accept, Sir, the assurance of my highest consideration.

On behalf of the Council of the European Union

B. Letter from Bulgaria

Brussels, .

Sir,

I have the honour to acknowledge receipt of your letter of today's date, which reads as follows:

'I have the honour to refer to the Agreement of 29 November 1993 in the form of an Exchange of Letters between the European Community and the Republic of Bulgaria on the reciprocal establishment of tariff quotas for certain wines and to the negotiations which have taken place between the European Community and the Republic of Bulgaria with a view to extending the Agreement beyond 31 December 1999.

I hereby confirm that, following the negotiations, the European Community and the Republic of Bulgaria have agreed on the following:

I. The tables below are added to the Annex to the said Agreement:

"Quantities of wine originating in the Community and qualifying for tariff reductions in 2000

>TABLE>

Quantities of wine originating in Bulgaria and qualifying for tariff reductions in 2000

>TABLE>

II. The following is added at the end of point 3(a) of the said Agreement:

"- in 2000, EUR 15 per hectolitre."

This Exchange of Letters shall be approved by the Contracting Parties in accordance with their respective procedures.

This Agreement shall enter into force on 1 January 2000. It shall expire on 31 December 2000. During the first half of 2000, negotiations will take place with a view to concluding an additional Protocol to the Europe Agreement covering both wines and spirits. The additional protocol to the Europe Agreement will also lay down detailed rules for cooperation between Bulgaria and the European Community to support the implementation of a programme under which Bulgaria will adopt the "acquis communautaire" relating to wine and spirits, particularly as regards reinforcing inspection structures and controlling wine production (including the establishment of a vineyard register).

I should be obliged if you would confirm that your Government is in agreement with the content of this letter.'

I have the honour to confirm that my Government is in agreement with the content of your letter.

Please accept, Sir, the assurance of my highest consideration.

For the Government of the Republic of Bulgaria

ANNEX 2 AGREEMENT IN THE FORM OF AN EXCHANGE OF LETTERS amending the Agreement in the form of an Exchange of Letters between the European Community and the Republic of Hungary on the reciprocal establishment of tariff quotas for certain wines

A. Letter from the Community

Brussels, .

Sir,

I have the honour to refer to the Agreement of 29 November 1993 in the form of an Exchange of Letters between the European Community and the Republic of Hungary on the reciprocal establishment of tariff quotas for certain wines and to the negotiations which have taken place between the European Community and the Republic of Hungary with a view to extending the Agreement beyond 31 December 1999.

I hereby confirm that, following the negotiations, the European Community and the Republic of Hungary have agreed on the following:

I. Table 1 in the Annex to the said Agreement is replaced by the following:

"Quantities of wine originating in the Community and qualifying for tariff reductions in 2000

>TABLE>

II. Table 2 in the Annex to the said Agreement shall be replaced by the following:

"Quantities of wine originating in Hungary and qualifying for tariff reductions in 2000

>TABLE>

III. The following is added at the end of point 3(a) of the said Agreement:

"- in 2000, in accordance with the principle of standstill, the duties applicable will be identical to those applied in 1999."

This Exchange of Letters shall be approved by the Contracting Parties in accordance with their respective procedures.

This Agreement shall enter into force on 1 January 2000. It shall expire on 31 December 2000. During the first half of 2000, negotiations will take place with a view to concluding an additional Protocol to the Europe Agreement covering both wines and spirits. The additional Protocol to the Europe Agreement will also lay down detailed rules for cooperation between Hungary and the European Community to support the implementation of a programme for progressive application by Hungary of the "acquis communautaire" in the field of wine and spirits, particularly as regards reinforcing the supply management and control instruments in the wine sector (including the establishment of a wine register).

I should be obliged if you would confirm that your Government is in agreement with the content of this letter.

Please accept, Sir, the assurance of my highest consideration.

On behalf of the Council of the European Union

B. Letter from the Republic of Hungary

Brussels, .

Sir,

I have the honour to acknowledge receipt of your letter of today's date, which reads as follows:

'I have the honour to refer to the Agreement of 29 November 1993 in the form of an Exchange of Letters between the European Community and the Republic of Hungary on the reciprocal establishment of tariff quotas for certain wines and to the negotiations which have taken place between the European Community and the Republic of Hungary with a view to extending the Agreement beyond 31 December 1999.

I hereby confirm that, following the negotiations, the European Community and the Republic of Hungary have agreed on the following:

I. Table 1 in the Annex to the said Agreement is replaced by the following:

"Quantities of wine originating in the Community and qualifying for tariff reductions in 2000

>TABLE>

II. Table 2 in the Annex to the said Agreement shall be replaced by the following:

"Quantities of wine originating in Hungary and qualifying for tariff reductions in 2000

>TABLE>

III. The following is added at the end of point 3(a) of the said Agreement:

"- in 2000, in accordance with the principle of standstill, the duties applicable will be identical to those applied in 1999."

This Exchange of Letters shall be approved by the Contracting Parties in accordance with their respective procedures.

This Agreement shall enter into force on 1 January 2000. It shall expire on 31 December 2000. During the first half of 2000, negotiations will take place with a view to concluding an additional Protocol to the Europe Agreement covering both wines and spirits. The additional Protocol to the Europe Agreement will also lay down detailed rules for cooperation between Hungary and the European Community to support the implementation of a programme for progressive application by Hungary of the "acquis communautaire" in the field of wine and spirits, particularly as regards reinforcing the supply management and control instruments in the wine sector (including the establishment of a wine register).

I should be obliged if you would confirm that your Government is in agreement with the content of this letter.'

I have the honour to confirm that my Government is in agreement with the content of your letter.

Please accept, Sir, the assurance of my highest consideration.

For the Government of the Republic of Hungary

ANNEX 3 AGREEMENT IN THE FORM OF AN EXCHANGE OF LETTERS amending the Agreement in the form of an exchange of letters between the European Community and Romania on the reciprocal establishment of tariff quotas for certain wines

A. Letter from the Community

Brussels, .

Sir,

I have the honour to refer to the Agreement of 26 November 1993 in the form of an Exchange of Letters between the European Community and Romania on the reciprocal establishment of tariff quotas for certain wines and to the negotiations which have taken place between the European Community and Romania with a view to extending the Agreement beyond 31 December 1999.

I hereby confirm that, following the negotiations, the European Community and Romania have agreed on the following:

I. The table below is added to the Annex to the said Agreement:

"Quantities of wine originating in Romania and qualifying for tariff reductions in 2000

>TABLE>

II. The following is added at the end of point 3(a) of the said Agreement:

"- in 2000: 75% of the basic duty but not exceeding 18,75% ad valorem."

This Exchange of Letters shall be approved by the Contracting Parties in accordance with their respective procedures.

This Agreement shall enter into force on 1 January 2000. It shall expire on 31 December 2000. During the first half of 2000, negotiations will take place with a view to concluding an additional Protocol to the Europe Agreement covering both wines and spirits. The additional protocol to the Europe Agreement will also lay down detailed rules for cooperation between Romania and the European Community to support the implementation of a programme under which Romania will adopt the "acquis communautaire" relating to wine and spirits, particularly as regards reinforcing inspection structures and controlling wine production (including the establishment of a vineyard register).

I should be obliged if you would confirm that your Government is in agreement with the content of this letter.

Please accept, Sir, the assurance of my highest consideration.

On behalf of the Council of the European Union

B. Letter from Romania

Brussels, .

Sir,

I have the honour to acknowledge receipt of your letter of today's date, which reads as follows:

'I have the honour to refer to the Agreement of 26 November 1993 in the form of an Exchange of Letters between the European Community and Romania on the reciprocal establishment of tariff quotas for certain wines and to the negotiations which have taken place between the European Community and Romania with a view to extending the Agreement beyond 31 December 1999.

I hereby confirm that, following the negotiations, the European Community and Romania have agreed on the following:

I. The table below is added to the Annex to the said Agreement:

"Quantities of wine originating in Romania and qualifying for tariff reductions in 2000

>TABLE>

II. The following is added at the end of point 3(a) of the said Agreement:

"- in 2000: 75% of the basic duty but not exceeding 18,75% ad valorem."

This Exchange of Letters shall be approved by the Contracting Parties in accordance with their respective procedures.

This Agreement shall enter into force on 1 January 2000. It shall expire on 31 December 2000. During the first half of 2000, negotiations will take place with a view to concluding an additional Protocol to the Europe Agreement covering both wines and spirits. The additional protocol to the Europe Agreement will also lay down detailed rules for cooperation between Romania and the European Community to support the implementation of a programme under which Romania will adopt the "acquis communautaire" relating to wine and spirits, particularly as regards reinforcing inspection structures and controlling wine production (including the establishment of a vineyard register).

I should be obliged if you would confirm that your Government is in agreement with the content of this letter.'

I have the honour to confirm that my Government is in agreement with the contents of your letter.

Please accept, Sir, the assurance of my highest consideration.

For the Government of Romania

>TABLE>

ANNEX TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENT

>TABLE>