COMMISSION OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES 
C0M(93) 16 final 
Brussels, 20 January 1993 
5--MS-."— 
Proposal for a 
COUNCIL DECISION 
ON THE CONCLUSION OF THE PROTOCOL MAINTAINING IN FORCE 
THE AGREEMENT REGARDING INTERNATIONAL TRADE IN TEXTILES (MFA) 
*v~?*$! (presented by the Commission) 
EXPLANATORY MEMORANDUM 
1. In accordance with Article 10(5) of the MFA, the GATT Textiles 
Committee met on 6 December 1991 to consider whether the MFA should be 
extended, amended or allowed to lapse. At its meeting on 9 December 
1992 the Textiles Committee adopted the attached decision and 
Protocol, the effect of which is to extend the MFA for a period of 
12 months from 1 January to 31 December 1993. 
2. Discussions on the substance of the Committee's decision were 
difficult. The exporting countries put forward their common position, 
namely that the extension of the MFA should be subject to certain 
condi t ions. 
From the outset the importing countries were unanimous in their 
refusal of any renegotiation of the MFA or any provision that would 
create additional obligations or restrict the rights and obligations 
existing under the MFA. 
3. The Commission, on the basis of the directives adopted by the Council 
on 6 October 1992, argued the Community's case. Unfortunately the 
Community was forced to recognize that it was the only Party to the 
Arrangement insisting on an extension period of more than 12 months. 
In view of this situation the Commission, in close liaison with the 
Article 113 Committee-(Textiles), decided to accept the texts of the 
decision and protocol presented by the Chairman of the GATT Textiles 
Committee. The decision merely reiterates the undertakings already 
made by GATT members, including the Community. 
4. The Commission therefore proposes that the Council approve the 
decision concluding the Protocol maintaining in force the MFA for 1993 
on behalf of the Community. 
-_-> 
PROPOSAL FOR A COUNCIL DECISION 
on the conclusion of the Protocol maintaining in force 
the Arrangement regarding international trade in textiles (MFA) 
THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES, 
Having regard to the Treaty estabfishing the European Economic Community, 
and in particular Article 113, 
Having regard to the proposal from the Commission, 
Whereas the Commission took part, on behalf of the Community, in the 
negotiations on the maintenance in force of the Arrangement regarding 
international trade In textiles (MFA);1 
Whereas these negotiations led to the establishment of a Protocol 
maintaining in force the MFA for a further period of 12 months until 
31 December 1993; 
Whereas this Protocol should be approved on behalf of the European Economic 
Community, 
HAS DECIDED AS FOLLOWS: 
Article 1 
The Protocol maintaining In force the Arrangement regarding international 
trade in textiles, which was adopted by the GATT Textiles Committee on 9 
December 1992, is hereby approved on behalf of the European Economic 
Community. 
The text of the Protocol is attached to this Decision. 
Article 2 
The President of the Council is hereby authorized to designate the person 
empowered to notify acceptance of the Protocol on behalf of the European 
Economic Community, in accordance with paragraph 3 of the Protocol. 
Done at Brussels, 
OJ L 341, 4.12.1986, p. 34 
9 December 1992 
PROTOCOL MAINTAINING IN FORCE THE ARRANGEMENT REGARDING 
INTERNATIONAL TRADE IN TEXTILES 
The PARTIES to the Arrangement Regarding International Trade in 
Textiles (hereinafter referred to as "the Arrangement" or "MFA"), 
ACTING pursuant to paragraph 5 of Article 10 of the Arrangement, 
REAFFIRMING that the terms of the Arrangement regarding the competence 
of the Textiles Committee and the Textiles Surveillance Body are 
maintained, and 
FOLLOWING the Decision of the Textiles Committee adopted on 
9 December 1992; 
HEREBY AGREE as follows: 
1. The Arrangement, including the. Conclusions of the Textiles Committee, 
adopted on 31 July 1986, as amended by the 1989 Protocol Amending the 1986 
Protocol Extending the Arrangement Regarding International Trade in 
Textiles, shall be maintained in force for a further period of 
twelve months until 31 December 1993. 
2. This Protocol shall be deposited with the Director-General to the 
CONTRACTING PARTIES to the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade. It 
shall be open for acceptance, by signature or otherwise, by the Parties to 
the Arrangement, by other governments accepting or acceding to the 
Arrangement pursuant to the provisions of Article 13 thereof and by the 
European Economic Community. 
3. This Protocol shall enter into force with effect from 1 January 1993 
for the parties which have accepted it by that date and it shall enter into 
force for a party which accepts it on a later date as of the date of such 
acceptance. It shall be applied provisionally, taking into account their 
constitutional and/or legislative procedures for ratification, as from 
1 January 1993, by parties which have signed it subject to completion of 
constitutional procedures, or notified the depositary of their intention to 
apply it provisionally, by that date, and by other parties from the date of 
their signature or notification of provisional application. 
DONE at Geneva this ninth day of December one thousand nine hundred 
and ninety-two, in a single copy, in the English, French and Spanish 
languages, each text being authentic. 
9 December 1992 
DECISION BY THE TEXTILES COMMITTEE TO MAINTAIN IN FORCE THE ARRANGEMENT 
REGARDING INTERNATIONAL TRADE IN TEXTILES FOR A PERIOD OF TWELVE MONTHS 
1.1.93 TO 31.12.93 
1. The Textiles Committee met on 9 December 1992 to resume the discussion 
that it had begun at its meeting on 6 December 1991 on the future of the 
Arrangement Regarding International Trade in Textiles (MFA), in accordance 
with the provisions of Article 10.5 of the Arrangement. 
2. The Committee decided to maintain in force the existing MFA, as 
extended by the 1986 Protocol, and as maintained in force by the 1991 
Protocol, for a further period of 12 months from 1 January 1993 to 
31 December 1993 in view of the fact that the Uruguay Round has not been 
completed. 
3. The Committee reaffirmed the Conclusions of the Textiles Committee 
adopted on 31 July 1986 and the obligations contained therein. In this 
context, participants reiterated that full account should be taken, 
inter alia, of the special considerations provided for small suppliers and 
the least developed countries. 
4. In taking their decision to further extend the MFA, participants 
proceeded on the understanding that bilateral agreements for the year 1993 
will provide increased market access. 
5. Participants reiterated their respect for the equity obligations in the 
Arrangement. 
6. Participants reaffirmed their agreement to co-operate fully in dealing 
with problems relating to circumvention of the Arrangement. 
7. Participants noted the concern expressed by a number of participants 
with respect to the problem of infringement of registered trademarks and 
designs in trade in textiles and clothing and noted that such problems 
could be dealt with in accordance with the relevant national laws and 
regulations. 
8. As to the necessary legal steps in this regard, the Textiles Committee 
drew up the attached text of a Protocol Maintaining in Force the MFA for a 
further period of 12 months. The Protocol would enter into force on 
1 January 1993. 

ISSN 0254-1475 
COM (93) 16 final 
DOCUMENTS 
EN 03 02 
Catalogue number : CB-CO-93-020-EN-C 
ISBN 92-77-52121-X 
Office for Official Publications of the European Commurjities 
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