EXPLANATORY MEMORANDUM

The Euro-Mediteranean Agreement establishing an Association between the European Communities and its Member States, of the one part, and the Kingdom of Morocco, of the other part ('the Agreement'), was signed on 26 February 1996 and entered into force on 1 March 2000.

The attached proposal constitutes the legal instrument for concluding a Protocol to the Agreement ('the Protocol') to take account of Croatia's accession to the European Union (hereinafter referred to as "the Protocol").

According to its Act of Accession, Croatia is to accede to the international agreements signed or concluded by the EU and its Member States by means of a protocol to those agreements.

On 14 September 2012[1], the Council has authorised the Commission to open negotiations with the third countries concerned with a view to concluding the relevant protocols. The negotiations with Morocco were successfully concluded by the initialling of the Protocol.

The Commission considers the outcome of the negotiations to be satisfactory and requests the Council to adopt the attached decision concluding the Protocol after it has obtained the consent of the European Parliament.

2014/0270 (NLE)

Proposal for a

COUNCIL DECISION

on the conclusion, on behalf of the European Union and its Member States, of a Protocol to the Euro-Mediterranean Agreement establishing an Association between the European Communities and its Member States, of the one part, and the Kingdom of Morocco, of the other part, to take account of the accession of the Republic of Croatia 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 Article 217 in conjunction with Article 218(6)(a),

Having regard to the Act of Accession of the Republic of Croatia, and in particular Article 6 (2) thereof,

Having regard to the proposal from the European Commission,

Having regard to the consent of the European Parliament,

Whereas:

(1) The Euro-Mediterranean Agreement establishing an Association between the European Communities and its Member States, of the one part, and the Kingdom of Morocco, of the other part ('the Agreement') was signed in Brussels on 26 February 1996 and entered into force on 1 March 2000.

(2) The Republic of Croatia became a Member State of the European Union on 1 July 2013.

(3) Under the terms of Article 6(2) of the Act of Accession of the Republic of Croatia, the accession of the Republic of Croatia to the Euro-Mediterranean Agreement establishing an Association between the European Communities and its Member States, of the one part, and the Kingdom of Morocco, of the other part, is to be agreed by means of a protocol to the Agreement concluded between the Council, acting on behalf of the Union and unanimously on behalf of the Member States, and by the Kingdom of Morocco.

(4) On 14 September 2012, the Council authorised the Commission to open negotiations with the third countries concerned. The negotiations were successfully concluded with the Kingdom of Morocco by the initialling of the Protocol attached to this decision. The accession Protocol to the Euro-Mediterranean Agreement establishing an Association between the European Communities and its Member States, of the one part, and the Kingdom of Morocco, of the other part to take account of the accession of the Republic of Croatia to the European Union has been signed on behalf of the European Union and its Member States in […] on […].

(5) The Protocol should be approved.

HAS ADOPTED THIS DECISION:

Article 1

The Protocol to the Euro-Mediteranean Agreement establishing an Association between the European Communities and its Member States, of the one part, and the Kingdom of Morocco, of the other part to take account of the accession of the Republic of Croatia to the European Union is hereby approved on behalf of the European Union and its Member States.

The text of the Protocol is attached to this Decision.

Article 2

The President of the Council shall designate the person empowered to proceed, on behalf of the European Union, to the notification provided for in Article 7 of the Protocol, in order to express the consent of the European Union to be bound by the Protocol.

Article 3

This Decision shall enter into force on ….

Done at Brussels

For the Council

The President

[1] Council decision authorising the opening of negotiations for the adaptation of agreements signed or concluded between the European Union, or the European Union and its Member States, with one or more third countries or international organisations, in view of the accession of the Republic of Croatia to the European Union (Council doc. 13351/12 LIMITED).

ANNEX PROTOCOL to the Euro-Mediterranean Agreement establishing an Association between the European Communities and its member states, of the one part, and the Kingdom of Morocco, of the other part, to take account of the accession of the Republic of Croatia 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,

IRELAND,

THE HELLENIC REPUBLIC,

THE KINGDOM OF SPAIN,

THE FRENCH REPUBLIC,

THE REPUBLIC OF CROATIA,

THE ITALIAN REPUBLIC,

THE REPUBLIC OF CYPRUS,

THE REPUBLIC OF LATVIA,

THE REPUBLIC OF LITHUANIA,

THE GRAND DUCHY OF LUXEMBOURG,

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

Contracting Parties to the Treaty on European Union, the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union, hereinafter referred to as the "Member States", represented by the Council of the European Union,

and

THE EUROPEAN UNION, hereinafter referered to as the "European Union",

of the one part,

and

THE KINGDOM OF MOROCCO, hereinafter referred to as "Morocco"

of the other part,

hereinafter referred to together as the "Contracting Parties", for the pruposes of this Protocol

Whereas:

(1) the Euro-Mediteranean Agreement establishing an Association between the European Communities and its Member States, of the one part, and the Kingdom of Morocco, of the other part hereinafter referred to as "the Agreement", was signed in Brussels on 26 February 1996 and entered into force on 1 March 2000;

(2) the Treaty of Accession of the Republic of Croatia to the European Union, hereinafter referred to as "Treaty of Accession", was signed in Brussels on 9 December 2011 and entered into force on 1 July 2013;

(3) pursuant to Article 6(2) of the Act of Accession of the Republic of Croatia its accession to the Agreement is to be agreed by the conclusion of a protocol to the Agreement.

(4) consulations pursuant to Article 23(2) of the Euro-Mediteranean Agreement have taken place in order to ensure that account has been taken of the mutual interests of the Union and Morocco.

HAVE AGREED AS FOLLOWS:

Article 1

The Republic of Croatia hereby accedes as Party to the Euro-Mediteranean Agreement establishing an Association between the European Communities and its Member States, of the one part, and the Kingdom of Morocco, of the other part and shall respectively adopt and take note, in the same manner as the other Member States of the Union, of the texts of the Agreement, as well as of the Joint Declarations, Declarations and Exchanges of Letters.

CHAPTER I

Amendments to the text of the Euro-Mediteranean Agreement, including its annexes and protocols

Article 2

Rules of origin

Protocol 4 shall be amended as follows:

1. Annex IVa

TEXT OF THE INVOICE DECLARATION

The invoice declaration, the text of which is given below, must be made out in accordance with the footnotes. However, the footnotes do not have to be reproduced

Bulgarian version

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

Spanish version

El exportador de los productos incluidos en el presente documento [autorización aduanera no …(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 anders 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 authorisation 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 no … (1)] déclare que, sauf indication claire du contraire, ces produits ont l’origine préférentielle … (2).

Croatian version

Izvoznik proizvoda obuhvaćenih ovom ispravom (carinsko ovlaštenje br. ...(1)) izjavljuje da su, osim ako je drukčije izričito navedeno, ovi proizvodi .... (2) preferencijalnog podrijetla.

Italian version

L’esportatore delle merci contemplate nel presente documento [autorizzazione doganale n. … (1)] dichiarache, salvo indicazione contraria, le merci sono di origine preferenziale … (2).

Latvian version

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

Lithuanian version

Šiame dokumente išvardintų prekių eksportuotojas (muitinės liudijimo Nr … (1)) deklaruoja, kad, jeigu kitaip nenurodyta, tai yra … (2) preferencinės kilmės prekės.

Hungarian version

A jelen okmányban szereplő áruk exportőre (vámfelhatalmazási szám: … (1)) kijelentem, hogy eltérő egyértelmű jelzés hianyában az áruk preferenciális … (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.o … (1)], declara que, salvo expressamente indicado em contrário, estes produtos são de origem preferencial … (2).

Romanian version

Exportatorul produselor ce fac obiectul acestui document [autorizația vamală nr. … (1)] declară că, exceptând cazul în care în mod expres este indicat altfel, aceste produse sunt de origine preferențială … (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 nro … (1)) ilmoittaa, että nämä tuotteet ovat, ellei toisin ole selvästi merkitty, etuuskohteluun oikeutettuja … (2) alkuperätuotteita.

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).

Arabic version

.......................................................................................................................................................... ([3]) (Place and date)

.......................................................................................................................................................... ([4])

(Signature of exporter; in addition the name of the person signing the declaration has to be indicated in clear script)"

2. Annex IVb shall be replaced by the following:

"ANNEX IVB

Text of the invoice declaration EUR-MED

The invoice declaration EUR-MED, the text is which is given below, must be made in accordance with the footnotes. However, the footnotes do not have to be reproduced.

Bulgarian version

Износителят на продуктите, обхванати от този документ (митническо разрешение № ... ([5])) декларира, че освен където ясно е отбелязано друго, тези продукти са с ... преференциален произход ([6]).

— cumulation applied with ...... (name of the country/countries)

— no cumulation applied ([7])

Spanish version

El exportador de los productos incluidos en el presente documento [autorización aduanera no ... (5)] declara que, salvo indicación en sentido contrario, estos productos gozan de un origen preferencial ... (6).

- cumulation applied with ........( name of the country/countries)

- no cumulation applied (7)

Czech version

Vývozce výrobků uvedených v tomto dokumentu (číslo povolení ... (5)) prohlašuje, že kromě zřetelně označených, mají tyto výrobky preferenční původ v ... (6).

- cumulation applied with ........(name of country/countries)

- no cumulation applied (7)

Danish version

Eksportøren af varer, der er omfattet af nærværende dokument, (toldmyndighedernes tilladelse nr.... (5)), erklærer, at varerne, medmindre andet tydeligt er angivet, har præferenceoprindelse i ... (6).

- cumulation applied with ........(name of country/countries)

- no cumulation applied (7)

German version

Der Ausführer (Ermächtigter Ausführer; Bewilligungs-Nr. ... (5)) der Waren, auf die sich dieses Handelspapier bezieht, erklärt, dass diese Waren, soweit nicht anderes angegeben, präferenzbegünstigte ... (6) Ursprungswaren sind.

- cumulation applied with ........(name of country/countries)

- no cumulation applied (7)

Estonian version

Käesoleva dokumendiga hõlmatud toodete eksportija (tolliameti kinnitus nr. ... (5)) deklareerib, et need tooted on ... (6) sooduspäritoluga, välja arvatud juhul kui on selgelt näidatud teisiti.

- cumulation applied with ........(name of country/countries)

- no cumulation applied (7)

Greek version

Ο εξαγωγέας των προϊόντων που καλύπτονται από το παρόν έγγραφο (άδεια τελωνείου υπ'αριθ. ... (5)) δηλώνει ότι, εκτός εάν δηλώνεται σαφώς άλλως, τα προϊόντα αυτά είναι προτιμησιακής καταγωγής ... (6).

- cumulation applied with ........(name of country/countries)

- no cumulation applied (7)

English version

The exporter of the products covered by this document (customs authorization No ... (5)) declares that, except where otherwise clearly indicated, these products are of ... (6) preferential origin.

- cumulation applied with ........(name of country/countries)

- no cumulation applied (7)

French version

L'exportateur des produits couverts par le présent document (autorisation douanière no ... (5)) déclare que, sauf indication claire du contraire, ces produits ont l'origine préférentielle ... (6)).

- cumulation applied with ........(name of country/countries)

- no cumulation applied (7)

Croatian version

Izvoznik proizvoda obuhvaćenih ovom ispravom (carinsko ovlaštenje br. …(5)) izjavljuje da su, osim ako je to drugačije izričito navedeno, ovi proizvodi ... (6) preferencijalnog podrijetla.

— cumulation applied with ........................................... (name of the country/countries)

— no cumulation applied (7)

Italian version

L'esportatore delle merci contemplate nel presente documento (autorizzazione doganale n. ... (5)) dichiara che, salvo indicazione contraria, le merci sono di origine preferenziale ... (6).

- cumulation applied with ........(name of country/countries)

- no cumulation applied (7)

Latvian version

Eksportētājs produktiem, kuri ietverti šajā dokumentā (muitas pilnvara Nr. ... (5)), deklarē, ka, izņemot tur, kur ir citādi skaidri noteikts, šiem produktiem ir priekšrocību izcelsme no ... (6).

- cumulation applied with ........(name of country/countries)

- no cumulation applied (7)

Lithuanian version

Šiame dokumente išvardytų prekių eksportuotojas (muitinės liudijimo Nr ... (5)) deklaruoja, kad, jeigu kitaip nenurodyta, tai yra ... (6) preferencinės kilmės prekės.

- cumulation applied with ........(name of country/countries)

- no cumulation applied (7)

Hungarian version

A jelen okmányban szereplő áruk exportőre (vámfelhatalmazási szám: ... (5)) kijelentem, hogy eltérő jelzés hianyában az áruk kedvezményes ... (6) származásúak.

- cumulation applied with ........(name of country/countries)

- no cumulation applied (7)

Maltese version

L-esportatur tal-prodotti koperti b'dan id-dokument (awtorizzazzjoni tad-dwana nru. ... (5)) jiddikjara li, ħlief fejn indikat b'mod ċar li mhux hekk, dawn il-prodotti huma ta' oriġini preferenzjali ... (6).

- cumulation applied with ........(name of country/countries)

- no cumulation applied (7)

Dutch version

De exporteur van de goederen waarop dit document van toepassing is (douanevergunning nr. ... (5)), verklaart dat, behoudens uitdrukkelijke andersluidende vermelding, deze goederen van preferentiële ... oorsprong zijn (6).

- cumulation applied with ........(name of country/countries)

- no cumulation applied (7)

Polish version

Eksporter produktów objętych tym dokumentem (upoważnienie władz celnych nr ... (5)) deklaruje, że z wyjątkiem gdzie jest to wyraźnie określone, produkty te mają ... (6) preferencyjne pochodzenie.

- cumulation applied with ........(name of country/countries)

- no cumulation applied (7)

Portugese version

O exportador dos produtos cobertos pelo presente documento (autorização aduaneira no. ... (5)) declara que, salvo expressamente indicado em contrário, estes produtos são de origem preferencial ... (6).

- cumulation applied with ........(name of country/countries)

- no cumulation applied (7)

Romanian version

Exportatorul produselor ce fac obiectul acestui document (autorizația vamală nr. ... (5)) declară că, exceptând cazul în care în mod expres este indicat altfel, aceste produse sunt de origine preferențială ... (6).

— cumulation applied with ....... (name of the country/countries)

— no cumulation applied (7)

Slovenian version

Izvoznik blaga, zajetega s tem dokumentom (pooblastilo carinskih organov št ...(5)) izjavlja, da, razen če ni drugače jasno navedeno, ima to blago preferencialno ... (6) poreklo.

- cumulation applied with ........( name of the country/countries)

- no cumulation applied (7)

Slovak version

Vývozca výrobkov uvedených v tomto dokumente (číslo povolenia ... (5)) vyhlasuje, že okrem zreteľne označených, majú tieto výrobky preferenčný pôvod v ... (6).

- cumulation applied with ........(name of country/countries)

- no cumulation applied (7)

Finish version

Tässä asiakirjassa mainittujen tuotteiden viejä (tullin lupa n:o ... (5)) ilmoittaa, että nämä tuotteet ovat, ellei toisin ole selvästi merkitty, etuuskohteluun oikeutettuja ... alkuperätuotteita (6).

- cumulation applied with ........(name of country/countries)

- no cumulation applied (7)

Swedish version

Exportören av de varor som omfattas av detta dokument (tullmyndighetens tillstånd nr. ... (5)) försäkrar att dessa varor, om inte annat tydligt markerats, har förmånsberättigande ... ursprung (6).

- cumulation applied with ........(name of country/countries)

- no cumulation applied (7)

Arabic version

- cumulation applied with ........(name of country/countries)

- no cumulation applied (7)

.......................................................................................................................................................... ([8]) (Place and date)

.......................................................................................................................................................... ([9])

(Signature of exporter; in addition the name of the person signing the declaration has to be indicated in clear script)"

CHAPTER II

Transitional provisions

Article 3

Goods in transit

The provisions of the Agreement may be applied to goods exported from either Morocco to Croatia or from Croatia to Morocco, which comply with the provisions of Protocol 4 to the Agreement and that on the date of accession of Croatia are either en route or in temporary storage, in a customs warehouse or in a free zone in Morocco or in Croatia.

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

CHAPTER III

Final and general provisions

Article 4

The Kingdom of Morocco 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 in relation to this enlargement of the Union.

Article 5

In due time after the initialling of this Protocol, the Union shall communicate to its Member States and the Kingdom of Morocco, the Croatian language version of the Agreement. Subject to the entry into force of this Protocol, the language version referred to in the first sentence of this Article shall become authentic under the same conditions as the Arabic, Bulgarian, Czech, Danish, Dutch, English, Estonian, Finnish, French, German, Greek, Hungarian, Italian, Latvian, Lithuanian, Maltese, Polish, Portuguese, Romanian, Slovak, Slovenian, Spanish and Swedish language versions of the Agreement.

Article 6

This Protocol shall form an integral part of the Agreement.

Article 7

This Protocol shall be approved by the European Union, by the Council of the European Union on behalf of the Member States and by Morocco, in accordance with their own procedures. The Contracting Parties shall notify each other of the completion of the procedures necessary for that purpose. The instruments of approval shall be deposited with the General Secretariat of the Council of the European Union.

This Protocol shall enter into force on the first day of the month following the date on which all the Parties have notified each other of the completion of the procedures necessary for this purpose.

3. Pending the date of its entry into force, the Protocol shall apply provisionally with effect from 1 July 2013.

Article 8

This Protocol is drawn up in duplicate in Arabic, Bulgarian, Croatian, 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 these texts being equally authentic.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned Plenipotentiaries, duly empowered to this effect, have signed this Protocol.

Done at …, this … day of .... in the year ...

For the European Union and its member states For the Kingdom of Morroco

[1] When the invoice declaration is made out by an approved exporter within the meaning of Article 23 of the Protocol, the authorisation number of the approved exporter must be entered in this space. When the invoice declaration is not made out by an approved exporter, the words in brackets must be omitted or the space left blank.

[2] Origin of products to be indicated. When the invoice declaration relates in whole or in part, to products originating in Ceuta and Melilla within the meaning of Article 38 of the Protocol, the exporter must clearly indicate them in the document on which the declaration is made out by means of the symbol ‘CM’

[3] These indications may be omitted if the information is contained on the document itself

[4] See Article 22(5) of the Protocol. In cases where the exporter is not required to sign, the exemption of signature also implies the exemption of the name of the signatory.

[5] When the origin declaration is made out by an approved exporter, the authorisation number of the approved exporter must be entered in this space. When the origin declaration is not made out by an approved exporter, the words in brackets shall be omitted or the space left blank.

[6] Origin of products to be indicated. When the origin declaration relates, in whole or in part, to products originating in Ceuta and Melilla, the exporter must clearly indicate them in the document on which the declaration is made out, by means of the symbol ‘CM’.

[7] Complete and delete where necessary.

[8] These indications may be omitted if the information is contained on the document itself

[9] See Article 22(5) of the Protocol. In cases where the exporter is not required to sign, the exemption of signature also implies the exemption of the name of the signatory.’