[pic] | COMMISSION OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES |

Brussels, 24.4.2007

COM(2007) 203 final

2007/0078 (AVC)

Proposal for a

COUNCIL DECISION

on the signing and provisional application of a Protocol to the Euro-Mediterranean Agreement between the European Community and its Member States, of the one part, and the Republic of Lebanon, of the other part, to take account of the accession of the Czech Republic, the Republic of Estonia, the Republic of Cyprus, the Republic of Latvia, the Republic of Lithuania, the Republic of Hungary, the Republic of Malta, the Republic of Poland, the Republic of Slovenia, and the Slovak Republic to the European Union

Proposal for a

COUNCIL DECISION

on the conclusion of a Protocol to the Euro-Mediterranean Agreement between the European Communities and their Member States, of the one part, and Lebanon, of the other part, to take account of the accession of the Czech Republic, the Republic of Estonia, the Republic of Cyprus, the Republic of Latvia, the Republic of Lithuania, the Republic of Hungary, the Republic of Malta, the Republic of Poland, the Republic of Slovenia, and the Slovak Republic to the European Union

(presented by the Commission)

EXPLANATORY MEMORANDUM

The Euro-Mediterranean Agreement between the European Community and its Member States, of the one part, and Lebanon, of the other part, was signed in Luxembourg on 17 June 2002 and entered into force on 1 April 2006.

According to the terms of Article 6(2) of the Act of Accession of the new EU Member States to the EU, accession of the new EU Member States to the Euro-Mediterranean Association Agreement is to be agreed by means of a protocol to this Agreement. The same article provides for a simplified procedure, whereby the protocol is to be concluded by the Council, acting unanimously on behalf of the Member States, and by the third country concerned. This procedure is without prejudice to the Community’s own competences.

On 10 February 2004, the Council approved a mandate for the Commission to negotiate such a protocol with Lebanon. These negotiations have since been completed to the satisfaction of the Commission.

The attached proposals are for (1) a Council Decision on the signature of the Protocol and (2) a Council Decision on the conclusion of the Protocol.

The text of the protocol negotiated with Lebanon is attached. The most important aspects of the protocol are provision for the accession of the new Member States to the EU-Lebanon Association Agreement and inclusion of the new official languages of the EU.

The Commission asks the Council to approve the attached draft Council Decisions for the signature and conclusion of the Protocol.

The European Parliament will be called upon to give its assent to this Protocol.

Proposal for a

COUNCIL DECISION

on the signing and provisional application of a Protocol to the Euro-Mediterranean Agreement between the European Community and its Member States, of the one part, and the Republic of Lebanon, of the other part, to take account of the accession of the Czech Republic, the Republic of Estonia, the Republic of Cyprus, the Republic of Latvia, the Republic of Lithuania, the Republic of Hungary, the Republic of Malta, the Republic of Poland, the Republic of Slovenia, and the Slovak Republic to the European Union

THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION,

Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Community, and in particular Article 310 read in conjunction with the second sentence of the first subparagraph of Article 300(2) thereof,

Having regard to the Act of Accession of the new Member States to the European Union, and in particular Article 6(2) thereof,

Having regard to the proposal from the Commission,

Whereas:

(1) On 10 February 2004, the Council authorised the Commission, on behalf of the European Community and its Member States, to open negotiations with the Republic of Lebanon with a view to adjusting the Euro-Mediterranean Association Agreement between the European Community and its Member States, of the one part, and the Republic of Lebanon, of the other part, to take account of the accession of the new Member States to the EU.

(2) These negotiations have been concluded to the satisfaction of the Commission.

(3) Article 10(2) of the Protocol negotiated with Lebanon provides for the provisional application of the Protocol before its entry into force.

(4) Subject to its possible conclusion at a later date, the Protocol should be signed on behalf of the Community and applied provisionally,

HAS DECIDED AS FOLLOWS:

Article 1

The President of the Council is hereby authorised to designate the person(s) empowered to sign, on behalf of the European Community and its Member States, the Protocol to the Euro-Mediterranean Agreement between the European Communities and their Member States, of the one part, and Lebanon, of the other part, to take account of the accession of the Czech Republic, the Republic of Estonia, the Republic of Cyprus, the Republic of Latvia, the Republic of Lithuania, the Republic of Hungary, the Republic of Malta, the Republic of Poland, the Republic of Slovenia, and the Slovak Republic to the European Union. The text of the Protocol is attached to this Decision.

Article 2

The European Community and its Member States hereby agree to apply provisionally the terms of the Protocol, subject to its possible conclusion at a later date.

Done at Brussels,

For the Council

The President

2007/0078 (AVC)

Proposal for a

COUNCIL DECISION

on the conclusion of a Protocol to the Euro-Mediterranean Agreement between the European Communities and their Member States, of the one part, and Lebanon, of the other part, to take account of the accession of the Czech Republic, the Republic of Estonia, the Republic of Cyprus, the Republic of Latvia, the Republic of Lithuania, the Republic of Hungary, the Republic of Malta, the Republic of Poland, the Republic of Slovenia, and the Slovak Republic to the European Union

THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION,

Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Community, and in particular Article 310 read in conjunction with the second sentence of the first subparagraph of Article 300(2) thereof and with the second subparagraph of Article 300(3) thereof,

Having regard to the Act of Accession of the new Member States to the European Union, and in particular Article 6(2) thereof,

Having regard to the proposal from the Commission,

Having regard to the assent of the European Parliament,

Whereas:

(1) The Protocol to the Euro-Mediterranean Association Agreement between the European Community and its Member States, of the one part, and the Republic of Lebanon, of the other part, was signed on behalf of the European Community and its Member States on […].

(2) The Protocol should be approved,

HAS DECIDED AS FOLLOWS:

Sole Article

The Protocol to the Euro-Mediterranean Agreement between the European Communities and their Member States, of the one part, and the Republic of Lebanon, of the other part, to take account of the accession of the Czech Republic, the Republic of Estonia, the Republic of Cyprus, the Republic of Latvia, the Republic of Lithuania, the Republic of Hungary, the Republic of Malta, the Republic of Poland, the Republic of Slovenia, and the Slovak Republic to the European Union, is hereby approved on behalf of the European Community and its Member States. The text of the Protocol is attached to this Decision.

Done at Brussels,

For the Council

The President

Protocol to the Euro-Mediterranean Agreement

between the European Communities and their Member States, of the one part, and the Republic of Lebanon, of the other part, to take account of the accession of the Czech Republic, the Republic of Estonia, the Republic of Cyprus, the Republic of Hungary, the Republic of Latvia, the Republic of Lithuania, the Republic of Malta, the Republic of Poland, the Republic of Slovenia, and the Slovak Republic to the European Union

THE KINGDOM OF BELGIUM,

THE CZECH REPUBLIC,

THE KINGDOM OF DENMARK,

THE FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF GERMANY,

THE REPUBLIC OF ESTONIA,

THE HELLENIC REPUBLIC,

THE KINGDOM OF SPAIN,

THE FRENCH REPUBLIC,

IRELAND,

THE ITALIAN REPUBLIC,

THE REPUBLIC OF CYPRUS,

THE REPUBLIC OF LATVIA,

THE REPUBLIC OF LITHUANIA,

THE GRAND DUCHY OF LUXEMBOURG,

THE REPUBLIC OF HUNGARY,

THE REPUBLIC OF MALTA,

THE KINGDOM OF THE NETHERLANDS,

THE REPUBLIC OF AUSTRIA,

THE REPUBLIC OF POLAND,

THE PORTUGUESE REPUBLIC,

THE REPUBLIC OF SLOVENIA,

THE SLOVAK REPUBLIC,

THE REPUBLIC OF FINLAND,

THE KINGDOM OF SWEDEN,

THE UNITED KINGDOM OF GREAT BRITAIN AND NORTHERN IRELAND,

hereinafter referred to as “EC Member States”, represented by the Council of the European Union, and

THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITY,

hereinafter referred to as “the Community”, represented by the Council of the European Union and the European Commission

of the one part

and the Republic of LEBANON,

hereinafter referred to as “Lebanon”,

of the other part

WHEREAS the Euro-Mediterranean Agreement between the European Community and its Member States, of the one part, and Lebanon, of the other part, hereinafter referred to as “the Euro-Mediterranean Agreement”, was signed in Luxembourg on 17 June 2002 and entered into force on 1 April 2006;

WHEREAS the Treaty concerning the accession of the Czech Republic, the Republic of Estonia, the Republic of Cyprus, the Republic of Latvia, the Republic of Lithuania, the Republic of Hungary, the Republic of Malta, the Republic of Poland, the Republic of Slovenia and the Slovak Republic to the European Union and the Act thereto was signed in Athens on 16 April 2003 and entered into force on 1 May 2004;

WHEREAS an Interim Agreement on trade and trade-related provisions of the Euro-Mediterranean Agreement entered into force on 1 March 2003;

WHEREAS, pursuant to Article 6(2) of the Act of Accession, the accession of the new Contracting Parties to the Euro-Mediterranean Agreement must be agreed by the conclusion of a protocol to the Euro-Mediterranean Agreement;

WHEREAS consultations pursuant to Article 21 of the Euro-Mediterranean Agreement have taken place in order to ensure that account has been taken of the mutual interests of the Community and Lebanon,

HAVE AGREED AS FOLLOWS:

Article 1

The Czech Republic, the Republic of Estonia, the Republic of Cyprus, the Republic of Latvia, the Republic of Lithuania, the Republic of Hungary, the Republic of Malta, the Republic of Poland, the Republic of Slovenia, and the Slovak Republic hereby become Contracting Parties to the Euro-Mediterranean Agreement between the European Communities and their Member States, of the one part, and Lebanon, of the other part, and shall respectively adopt and take note, in the same manner as the other member States of the Community, of the texts of the Agreement, and of the Joint Declarations, Declarations and Exchanges of Letters.

Article 2

To take account of recent institutional developments within the European Union, the Parties agree that following expiry of the Treaty establishing the European Coal and Steel Community, existing provisions in the Agreement referring to the European Coal and Steel Community shall be deemed to refer to the European Community, which has taken over all rights and obligations contracted by the European Coal and Steel Community.

CHAPTER ONE

AMENDMENTS TO THE TEXT OF THE EURO-MEDITERRANEAN AGREEMENT, INCLUDING ITS ANNEXES AND PROTOCOLS

Article 3

Rules of Origin

Protocol 4 is amended as follows:

1. Article 18(4) is replaced by the following:

"Movement certificates EUR.1 issued retrospectively must be endorsed with one of the following phrases:

ES "EXPEDIDO A POSTERIORI"

CS "VYSTAVENO DODATEČNĔ"

DA "UDSTEDT EFTERFØLGENDE"

DE "NACHTRÄGLICH AUSGESTELLT"

ET "VÄLJA ANTUD TAGASIULATUVALT"

EL "ΕΚΔΟΘΕΝ ΕΚ ΤΩΝ ΥΣΤΕΡΩΝ"

EN "ISSUED RETROSPECTIVELY"

FR "DÉLIVRÉ A POSTERIORI"

IT "RILASCIATO A POSTERIORI"

LV "IZSNIEGTS RETROSPEKTĪVI"

LT "RETROSPEKTYVUSIS IŠDAVIMAS"

HU "KIADVA VISSZAMENŐLEGES HATÁLLYAL"

MT "MAĦRUĠ RETROSPETTIVAMENT"

NL "AFGEGEVEN A POSTERIORI"

PL "WYSTAWIONE RETROSPEKTYWNIE"

PT "EMITIDO A POSTERIORI"

SL "IZDANO NAKNADNO"

SK "VYDANÉ DODATOČNE"

FI "ANNETTU JÄLKIKÄTEEN"

SV "UTFÄRDAT I EFTERHAND"

AR [pic]"

2. Article 19(2) is replaced by the following:

"The duplicate issued in this way must be endorsed with one of the following words:

ES "DUPLICADO"

CS "DUPLIKÁT"

DA "DUPLIKAT"

DE "DUPLIKAT"

ET "DUPLIKAAT"

EL "ΑΝΤΙΓΡΑΦΟ"

EN "DUPLICATE"

FR "DUPLICATA"

IT "DUPLICATO"

LV "DUBLIKĀTS"

LT "DUBLIKATAS"

HU "MÁSODLAT"

MT "DUPLIKAT"

NL "DUPLICAAT"

PL "DUPLIKAT"

PT "SEGUNDA VIA"

SL "DVOJNIK"

SK "DUPLIKÁT"

FI "KAKSOISKAPPALE"

SV "DUPLIKAT"

AR [pic]"

3. Annex V is replaced by the following:

"ANNEX V

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.

Spanish version

El exportador de los productos incluidos en el presente documento (autorización aduanera n° .. …(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 n° ...(1)) déclare que, sauf indication claire du contraire, ces produits ont l'origine préférentielle ... (2)).

Italian version

L'esportatore delle merci contemplate nel presente documento (autorizzazione doganale n. ...(1)) dichiara che, salvo indicazione contraria, le merci sono di origine preferenziale ...(2).

Latvian version

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

Lithuanian version

Šiame dokumente išvardintų prekių eksportuotojas (muitinès liudijimo Nr …(1)) deklaruoja, kad, jeigu kitaip nenurodyta, tai yra (2) preferencinès kilmés prekés.

Hungarian version

A jelen okmányban szereplő áruk exportőre (vámfelhatalmazási szám: …(1)) kijelentem, hogy eltérő jelzés hianyában az áruk kedvezményes …(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°. ...(1)), declara que, salvo expressamente indicado em contrário, estes produtos são de origem preferencial ...(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 n:o ...(1)) ilmoittaa, että nämä tuotteet ovat, ellei toisin ole selvästi merkitty, etuuskohteluun oikeutettuja ... alkuperätuotteita (2).

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

[pic]

…………………………………………………………..(3)

(Place and date)

…………………………………………………………..(4)

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

(1) When the invoice declaration is made out by an approved exporter within the meaning of Article 22 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 will 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 37 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 in the document itself.

(4) See Article 21(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."

CHAPTER TWO

TRANSITIONAL PROVISIONS

Article 4

Proofs of origin and administrative cooperation

1. Proofs of origin properly issued by either Lebanon or a new Member State under preferential agreements or autonomous arrangements applied between them shall be accepted in the respective countries under this Protocol, provided that:

(a) the acquisition of such origin confers preferential tariff treatment on the basis of either the preferential tariff measures contained in the EU-Lebanon Association Agreement or in the Community System of Generalised Preferences;

(b) the proof of origin and the transport documents were issued no later than the day before the date of accession;

(c) the proof of origin is submitted to the customs authorities within a period of four months from the date of accession.

Where goods were declared for importation in either Lebanon or a new Member State, prior to the date of accession, under preferential agreements or autonomous arrangements applied between Lebanon and that new Member State at that time, proof of origin issued retrospectively under those agreements or arrangements may also be accepted provided that it is submitted to the customs authorities within a period of four months from the date of accession.

2. Lebanon and the new Member States are authorised to retain authorisations granting “approved exporter” status under preferential agreements or autonomous arrangements applied between them, provided that:

(a) such provision is also made in the agreement concluded prior to the date of accession between Lebanon and the Community; and

(b) the approved exporter applies the rules of origin in force under that agreement.

These authorisations shall be replaced, no later than one year after the date of accession, by new authorisations issued under the conditions of the Agreement.

3. Requests for subsequent verification of proof of origin issued under the preferential agreements or autonomous arrangements referred to in paragraphs 1 and 2 shall be accepted by the competent customs authorities of either Lebanon or the new Member States for a period of three years after the issue of the proof of origin concerned and may be made by those authorities for a period of three years after acceptance of the proof of origin submitted to those authorities in support of an import declaration.

Article 5

Goods in transit

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

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

GENERAL AND FINAL PROVISIONS

Article 6

Lebanon 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 Community.

Article 7

This Protocol shall form an integral part of the Euro-Mediterranean Agreement. The Annexes and declaration to this Protocol shall form an integral part thereof.

Article 8

1. This Protocol shall be approved by the Community, by the Council of the European Union on behalf of the Member States, and by Lebanon in accordance with their own procedures.

2. The Parties shall notify each other of the accomplishment of the corresponding procedures referred to in paragraph 1. The instruments of approval shall be deposited with the General Secretariat of the Council of the European Union.

Article 9

1. This Protocol shall enter into force on the first day of the first month following the date of the deposit of the last instrument of approval.

2. This Protocol shall apply provisionally as from 1 April 2006.

Article 10

This Protocol is drawn up in duplicate in each of the official languages of the Contracting Parties, each of these texts being equally authentic.

Article 11

The text of the Euro-Mediterranean Agreement, including the Annexes and Protocols forming an integral part thereof, and the Final Act, together with the declarations annexed thereto, shall be drawn up in the Czech, Estonian, Latvian, Lithuanian, Hungarian, Maltese, Polish, Slovak and Slovenian languages and these texts shall be authentic in the same way as the original texts. The Association Council shall approve these texts.

Done at Brussels,

FOR THE MEMBER STATES

FOR THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITY

FOR LEBANON