EUROPEAN COMMISSION Brussels, 22.6.2017 COM(2017) 333 final 2017/0137(NLE) Proposal for a COUNCIL DECISION on the conclusion of the Agreement in the form of an Exchange of Letters between the European Union and New Zealand pursuant to Article XXIV:6 and Article XXVIII of the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT) 1994 relating to the modification of concessions in the schedule of the Republic of Croatia in the course of its accession to the European Union



EXPLANATORY MEMORANDUM 1.CONTEXT OF THE PROPOSAL •Reasons for and objectives of the proposal With the accession of the Republic of Croatia, the European Union enlarged its customs union. Consequently, the European Union was required under World Trade Organisation (WTO) rules (Article XXIV:6 of the GATT 1994) to enter into negotiations with WTO Members having negotiating rights related to the tariff schedule of Croatia in order to eventually agree on a compensatory adjustment. Such adjustment is due if the adoption of the EU’s external tariff regime results in an increase in tariff beyond the level for which the acceding country has bound itself at the WTO. On 15 July 2013, the Council authorised the Commission to open negotiations under Article XXIV:6 of the GATT 1994. The Commission has negotiated with the Members of the WTO holding negotiating rights with respect to the withdrawal of specific concessions in relation to the withdrawal of the schedule of the Republic of Croatia in the course of its accession to the European Union. Negotiations with New Zealand resulted in a draft Agreement in the form of an Exchange of Letters that was initialled on 18 May 2017 in Geneva (the Agreement). Consequently, this proposal asks the Council to adopt a decision to conclude the Agreement in the form of an Exchange of Letters with New Zealand. In parallel, a separate proposal on the signature of this Agreement is also submitted. •Consistency with existing policy provisions in the policy area The proposal is consistent with EU practice followed in previous EU enlargements. •Consistency with other Union policies The proposal follows EU practice which is consistent with the EU external action, industrial and agricultural policies. 2.LEGAL BASIS, SUBSIDIARITY AND PROPORTIONALITY •Legal basis Article 207 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union (TFEU), in conjuction with Article 218(6)(a)(v) of the TFEU for the conclusion of international agreements. •Subsidiarity (for non-exclusive competence) The proposal falls under exclusive competence of the Union, Article 3(1)(e) of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union. The subsidiarity principle therefore does not apply. •Proportionality New Zealand was affected by the withdrawal of Croatia's concessions. The compensatory adjustments do not exceed New Zealand's rights in this respect. The proposal complies with the proportionality treatment. •Choice of the instrument A Decision of the Council to conclude the Agreement is required under Article 218(6)(a) TFEU.

3.STAKEHOLDER CONSULTATIONS •Stakeholder consultations The Council (Trade Policy Committee) has been regularly consulted on the content and advancement of the negotiations. The European Parliament (INTA Committee) has been informed. 4.BUDGETARY IMPLICATIONS See Financial Statement. 5.OTHER ELEMENTS •Implementation plans This proposal asks the Council to adopt a Decision to conclude the Agreement in the form of an Exchange of Letters with New Zealand. In parallel, a separate proposal on the signature of this Agreement is also being submitted to the Council. The results of the Agreement are as follows: Add 1 875 tonnes to the EU tariff rate quota 'Meat of bovine animals, frozen – Edible offal of bovine animals, frozen', tariff item numbers 0202 and 0206.29.91, maintaining the present in-quota rate of 20%. The new tariff rate quota shall be 54 875 tonnes; Add 135 tonnes (carcase weight) to the allocation for New Zealand under the EU tariff rate quota 'Meat of sheep or goats, fresh, chilled or frozen', tariff item number 0204, maintaining the present in-quota rate of 0%. The new tariff rate quota allocation to New Zealand shall be 228 389 tonnes. The Commission will adopt implementing Regulations to expand and manage the relevant quotas, pursuant to Article 187(a) of the Single Common Market Organisation (CMO) Regulation (Regulation (EC) No 1308/2013). These implementation measures are being prepared in parallel to this proposal. 2017/0137 (NLE) Proposal for a COUNCIL DECISION on the conclusion of the Agreement in the form of an Exchange of Letters between the European Union and New Zealand pursuant to Article XXIV:6 and Article XXVIII of the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT) 1994 relating to the modification of concessions in the schedule of the Republic of Croatia in the course of its accession to the European Union THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION, Having regard to the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union, and in particular first subparagraph of Article 207(4), in conjunction with point (a)(v) of the second subparagraph of Article 218(6) thereof, Having regard to the proposal from the European Commission,

Having regard to the consent of the European Parliament, Whereas: (1)On 15 July 2013 the Council authorised the Commission to open negotiations with certain other Members of the World Trade Organization under Article XXIV:6 of the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade 1994 ('GATT 1994') , in the course of the accession to the Union of the Republic of Croatia. (2)Negotiations were conducted by the Commission in accordance with the negotiating directives adopted by the Council. (3)Those negotiations have been concluded and an Agreement in the form of an Exchange of Letters between the Union and New Zealand pursuant to Article XXIV:6 and Article XXVIII of GATT 1994 relating to the modification of concessions in the schedule of the Republic of Croatia in the course of its accession to the Union was initialled on 18 May 2017. (4)The Agreement was signed on behalf of the Union on […], subject to its conclusion at a later date, in accordance with Council Decision […]. (5)The Agreement should be approved, HAS ADOPTED THIS DECISION: Article 1 The Agreement in the form of an Exchange of Letters between the European Union and New Zealand pursuant to Article XXIV:6 and Article XXVIII of the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade1994 relating to the modification of concessions in the schedule of the Republic of Croatia in the course of its accession to the European Union is approved on behalf of the Union. The text of the Agreement is attached to this Decision. Article 2 The President of the Council shall designate the person empowered to proceed, on behalf of the Union, to give the notification provided for in the Agreement. Article 3 This Decision shall enter into force on the date of its adoption. It shall be published in the Official Journal of the European Union. The date of the entry into force of the Agreement shall be published in the Official Journal of the European Union by the General Secretariat of the Council. Done at Brussels, For the Council The President