Proposal for a COUNCIL REGULATION concerning the export of certain ECSC steel products from Romania to the Community for the period from 1 January to 31 December 2001 (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-Romania 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 steel products by means of Decision N° 3/97 [2] of the Association Council. By Decision N° 5/98 [3] of the Association Council the system was extended for the period from 1 January to 31 December 1999 and by Decision N° 1/2000 [4] the system was extended for the period from 1 January to 31 December 2000. Council Regulation (EC) N° 84/98 [5] extended by Council Regulation (EC) N° 166/1999 [6] and by Council Regulation (EC) N° 542/2000 [7] established the corresponding implementing legislation for the Community.

[1] OJ L 357, 31.12.1994, p. 2.

[2] OJ L 13, 19.1.1998, p. 57.

[3] OJ L 19, 26.1.1999, p. 9.

[4] OJ L 67, 15.3.2000, p. 35.

[5] OJ L 13, 19.1.1998, p. 1.

[6] OJ L 19, 26.1.1999, p. 1.

[7] OJ L 67, 15.3.2000, p. 2

At its meeting on 22 September 2000, the Contact Group agreed to recommend that the Association Council should extend the double-checking system for the period from 1 January to 31 December 2001.

The attached proposal consequently seeks to extend Council Regulation (EC) N° 84/98, for the period from 1 January to 31 December 2001.

2000/0311 (ACC)

Proposal for a COUNCIL REGULATION concerning the export of certain ECSC steel products from Romania to the Community for the period from 1 January to 31 December 2001 (extension of the double-checking system)

(Text with EEA relevance)

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) The Europe Europe Agreement establishing an association between the European Communities and their Member States, of the one part, and Romania, of the other part, entered into force on 1 February 1995 [8].

[8] OJ L 357, 31.12.1994, p. 2.

(2) The Parties decided by Decision N° ..../2000 [9] of the Association Council to extend the double-checking system introduced by Decision N° 3/97 [10] of the Association Council for the period from 1 January to 31 December 2001.

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

[10] OJ L 13, 19.1.1998, p. 57.

(3) It is consequently necessary to extend the Community implementing legislation introduced by Council Regulation (EC) N° 84/98 of 19 December 1997, concerning the export of certain ECSC steel products from Romania to the Community for the period 1 January to 31 December 1998 (extension of the double-checking system) [11],

[11] OJ L 13, 19.1.1998, p. 1.

HAS ADOPTED THIS REGULATION:

Article 1

Council Regulation (EC) N° 84/98 shall continue to apply for the period from 1 January to 31 December 2001, in accordance with the provisions of Association Council Decision N° ..../2000 between the European Communities and their Member States, of, the one part, and Romania, of the other part.

Article 2

In the title, preamble and Article 1(1) and (4) of the Regulation, references to the period '1 January to 31 December 2000' shall be replaced by references to '1 January to 31 December 2001'.

Article 3

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

It Regulation shall apply with effect from 1 January 2001.

This Regulation shall be binding in its entirety and directly applicable in all Member States.

Done at Brussels,

For the Council

The President