Proposal for a COUNCIL DECISION on the conclusion of Agreements on trade in textile products with certain third countries (Republic of Belarus, Kingdom of Nepal, Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Georgia, Kazakhstan, Moldova, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, People's Republic of China, Ukraine, Arab Republic of Egypt)

(presented by the Commission)

EXPLANATORY MEMORANDUM

During the second semester of 1999, the Commission, following the directives authorised by the Council, negotiated and initialled Agreements on trade in textile products with certain third countries (Republic of Belarus, Kingdom of Nepal, Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Georgia, Kazakhstan, Moldova, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, People's Republic of China, Ukraine, Arab Republic of Egypt).

Pending the completion of the procedures for their formal conclusion, these Agreements are being provisionally applied for the year 2000, subject to reciprocity.

The Commission therefore proposes to the Council to formally approve and sign these Agreements on behalf of the European Community.

Proposal for a COUNCIL DECISION on the conclusion of Agreements on trade in textile products with certain third countries (Republic of Belarus, Kingdom of Nepal, Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Georgia, Kazakhstan, Moldova, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, People's Republic of China, Ukraine, Arab Republic of Egypt)

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 the first paragraph of Article 300(2) thereof,

Having regard to the proposal from the Commission,

Whereas:

(1) The Commission has negotiated on behalf of the European Community Agreements on trade in textile products with certain third countries;

(2) These Agreements have been provisionally implemented subject to reciprocity;

(3) These Agreements should be formally concluded.

HAS DECIDED AS FOLLOWS:

Article 1

The Agreements listed in Annex I are hereby approved and shall be signed on behalf of the Community.

The texts of the Agreements are attached to this decision.

Article 2

The President of the Council is hereby authorised to designate the person or persons empowered to sign the above mentioned Agreements.

Done at Brussels,

For the Council

The President

ANNEX I

* Agreement in the form of an Exchange of Letters between the European Community and the Republic of Belarus amending the Agreement between the European Community and the Republic of Belarus on trade in textile products, under provisional application following Council's decision of 21 December 1999 [1].

[1] OJ L 336, of 29.12.1999, page 26.

* Agreement between the European Community and the Kingdom of Nepal on trade in textile products, under provisional application following Council's decision of 13 September 1999 [2].

[2] OJ L 32, of 7.2.2000, page 1.

* Agreement between the European Community and the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia on trade in textile products, under provisional application following Council's decision of 21 December 1999 [3].

[3] OJ L 344 of 31.12.1999, page 1.

* Agreements in the form of an Exchange of Letters between the European Community and certain third States (Armenia, Azerbaijan, Georgia, Kazakhstan, Moldova, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan) on trade in textile products, under provisional application following Council's decision of 21 December 1999 [4].

[4] OJ L 343 of 31.12.1999, page 1.

* Agreement in the form of an Exchange of Letters amending the Agreements between the European Community and the People's Republic of China on trade in textile products, under provisional application following Council's decision of 21 December 1999 [5].

[5] OJ L 345 of 31.12.1999, page 1.

* Agreement in the form of an Exchange of Letters between the European Community and Ukraine amending the Agreement between the European Community and Ukraine on trade in textile products, under provisional application following Council's decision of 21 December 1999 [6].

[6] OJ L 337 of 30.12.1999, page 43.

* Memorandum of Understanding between the European Community and the Arab Republic of Egypt on trade in textile products, under provisional application following Council's decision of 21 December 1999 [7].