Proposal for a COUNCIL REGULATION concerning the export of certain ECSC and EC steel products from the Slovak Republic to the Community for the period 1 January to 31 December 2000 (extension of the double-checking system)

(presented by the Commission)

EXPLANATORY MEMORANDUM

The aim of the double-checking system is to improve transparency and to avoid possible diversions of trade. It is founded on the provision in the EC-Slovak Republic Europe Agreement [1] which allows either Party to introduce an administrative procedure having as its purpose the rapid provision of information on the trend of trade flows. The Parties agreed to establish such a system in 1998 in respect of certain ECSC and EC steel products by means of Decision N° 3/97 [2] of the Association Council. By means of Decision N° 1/99 [3] of the Association Council the system was extended for the period between 1 January to 31 December 1999 with amended product coverage. Council Regulation (EC) N° 85/98 [4], amended by Council Regulation (EC) N° 288/99 [5] established the corresponding implementing legislation for the Community.

[1] OJ N° L 359, 31.12.94, p. 2.

[2] OJ N° L 13, 19.01.98, p. 71.

[3] OJ L 36, 10.02.99, p. 18.

[4] OJ L 13, 19.01.98, p. 15.

[5] OJ L 36, 10.02.99, p. 1.

At its meeting on 7 October 1999, the Contact Group agreed to recommend that the Association Council should extend the double-checking system for the period between 1 January and 31 December 2000.

The attached proposal consequently seeks to extend Council Regulation (EC) N° 85/98, amended by Council Regulation N° 288/99, for the period between 1 January and 31 December 2000.

2000/0011 (ACC)

Proposal for a

COUNCIL REGULATION

concerning the export of certain ECSC and EC steel products from the Slovak Republic to the Community for the period 1 January to 31 December 2000 (extension of the double-checking system)

THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION,

Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Community, and in particular Article 133 thereof,

Having regard to the proposal from the Commission,

Whereas:

(1) A Europe Agreement establishing an association between the European Communities and their Member States, of, the one part, and the Slovak Republic, of the other part, entered into force on 1 February 1995 [6];

[6] OJ L 359, 31.12.94, p. 2.

(2) The Parties decided by Decision N° ..../99 [7] of the Association Council to extend the double-checking system introduced by Decision N° 3/97 [8] amended by Decision N° 1/99 [9] of the Association Council, for the period between 1 January and 31 December 2000;

[7] See page ... of this Official Journal.

[8] OJ L 13, 19.01.98, p. 71.

[9] OJ L 36, 10.02.99, p. 18.

(3) It is consequently necessary to extend the Community implementing legislation introduced by Council Regulation (EC) N° 85/98 [10], amended by Council Regulation (EC) N° 288/99 [11];

[10] OJ L 13, 19.01.98, p. 15.

[11] OJ L 36, 10.02.99, p. 1.

HAS ADOPTED THIS REGULATION:

Article 1

Council Regulation (EC) N° 85/98, amended by Council Regulation (EC) N° 288/99, shall continue to apply for the period between 1 January and 31 December 2000, in accordance with the provisions of Decision N° ..../99 of the Association Council between the European Communities and their Member States, of, the one part, and the Slovak Republic, of the other part. In the Preamble and Article 1 (1) and (4) of Council Regulation (EC) N° 85/98, references to the period 1 January to 31 December 1999 are hereby replaced by references to 1 January to 31 December 2000.

Article 2

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

This Regulation shall apply with effect 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