Proposal for a COUNCIL REGULATION adopting autonomous measures concerning the importation of fish and fishery products originating in the Slovak Republic

(presented by the Commission)

EXPLANATORY MEMORANDUM

On 29 May 2000, the Council authorised the Commission to undertake negotiations on behalf of the Community with the Slovak Republic to liberalise reciprocal trade in fish and fishery products.

Negotiations were held on 23 October 2000 and 25 January 2001.

The two parties agreed on a model for simple, gradual and reciprocal tariff concessions, whose details have been recorded in the Agreed Minutes signed by each head of delegation. The main commitments made by the Community as a result of the conclusion of negotiations are as follows:

- At the date of entry into force of the agreement the Community shall eliminate the tariff duties on all the products covered by Annex XV of the Europe Agreement, as modified by the Protocol for the adaptation of the trade aspects of the Europe Agreement, published in OJ L 306 of 16 November 1998.

- As regards all other fish and fishery products, as covered by the definition set out in Regulation (EC) N° 104/2000, the Community will apply a one-third reduction of the tariff duties at the date of entry into force of the agreement. The following year, a further one-third reduction of the tariff duties will be applied. Two years after the date of entry into force of the agreement, the Community shall eliminate all tariff duties on fish and fishery products.

A Protocol laying down the new trade arrangements for fish and fishery products has to be added to the Europe Agreement between the Community and the Slovak Republic. Pending the completion of internal procedures required for the entry into force of the additional Protocol, it is proposed that, through a Council Regulation, the Community adopts autonomous measures enabling the concessions made to Slovakia to apply as early as 1 January 2002. A swift implementation of the agreement is desirable in order to introduce the gradual liberalisation of trade in fish and fishery products and to give a positive political sign to Slovakia in the context of the accession process.

The adoption of the proposed autonomous measures will bring forward the effective starting date for the gradual liberalisation of trade in fish and fishery products between the Community and the Slovak Republic. It is therefore necessary to ensure that this circumstance is taken into account at the time when the new Additional Protocol to the Europe Agreement enters into force. For this purpose, the conclusion of an interpretative Exchange of Letters with Slovakia will be proposed shortly.

In light of the above, the Council is requested to adopt the attached Regulation implementing, on an autonomous basis, the concessions agreed between the Community and Slovakia.

2002/0065 (ACC)

Proposal for a COUNCIL REGULATION adopting autonomous measures concerning the importation of fish and fishery products originating in the Slovak Republic

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 Agreement establishing an association between the European Communities and their Member States, of the one part, and the Slovak Republic, of the other part [1], provides for certain concessions for fish and fishery products, which are listed in its annex XV.

[1] OJ L 359 of 31.12.1994, p. 2.

(2) Annex XV of the Europe Agreement has been replaced by the text contained in Annex I to the Protocol for the adaptation of the trade aspects of the Europe Agreement [2].

[2] OJ L 306 of 16.11.1998.

(3) In accordance with the directives issued by the Council on 29 May 2000, negotiations with Slovakia on a new Additional Protocol to the Europe Agreement were concluded on 25 January 2001.

(4) The new Additional Protocol, based on Article 21(5) and Article 24 of the Europe Agreement, provides for concessions on fish and fishery products.

(5) A swift implementation of the agreement forms an essential part of the results of the negotiations for the conclusion of a new Additional Protocol to the Europe Agreement with Slovakia.

(6) Slovakia will take all useful legislative provisions, on an autonomous basis, in order to enable the reciprocal and simultaneous implementation of concessions to the Community provided for in the Additional Protocol.

(7) It is therefore appropriate for the Community to adopt autonomous measures introducing the concessions provided for in the new Additional Protocol to the Europe Agreement.

HAS ADOPTED THIS REGULATION:

Article 1

1. The arrangements for the importation into the Community of fish and fishery products originating in the Slovak Republic, as set out in Articles 2 and 3 below, shall modify the Europe Agreement with the Slovak Republic.

2. From the date of entry into force of the new Additional Protocol to the Europe Agreement with Slovakia, the concessions provided therein shall apply taking account of the implementation measures already adopted by both Parties, in a reciprocal manner, in advance of that date. Accordingly, on the date of entry into force of the Additional Protocol, its provisions shall replace and supersede the relevant provisions of this Regulation.

Article 2

As from 1 January 2002, the Community shall eliminate the tariff duties applied to all the products covered by Annex XV of the Europe Agreement, as replaced by Annex I of the Protocol for the adaptation of the trade aspects of the Europe Agreement with the Slovak Republic.

Article 3

As from 1 January 2002, the Community shall apply a one-third reduction of the tariff duties on all other fish and fishery products, as defined in Article 1 of Council Regulation (EC) No 104/2000 [3].

[3] OJ L 17, 21.1.2000, p. 22.

As from 1 January 2003, the Community shall apply a further one-third reduction of the tariff duties as they were at the time this Regulation became applicable.

As from 1 January 2004, the Community shall eliminate the tariff duties on all fish and fishery products.

Article 4

The calculation of the reductions mentioned in Article 3 will be carried out using common mathematical principles.

In particular, the following rules shall apply:

(a) all the figures which have less than 50 (included) after the decimal point shall be rounded down to the nearest whole number;

(b) all the figures which have more than 50 after the decimal point shall be rounded up to the nearest whole number;

(c) all the tariffs below 2% shall automatically be fixed at 0%.

Article 5

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

It shall apply from 1 January 2002.

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

Done at Brussels,

For the Council

The President

FINANCIAL STATEMENT

1. Title of operation

Proposal to adopt autonomous measures bringing forward in time the application of the provisions of an Additional Protocol to the Europe Agreement with Slovakia laying down the trade arrangements for fish and fishery products. Reciprocal concessions have been agreed and will be implemented over a period of three years, leading to full liberalisation of trade in the products concerned.

2. Budget heading(s) involved

Chapter 12, Article 120

3. Legal basis

Article 133 of the Treaty establishing the European Community

4. Description of operation

4.1 General objective

Full trade liberalisation in fish and fishery products in preparation for accession of Slovakia to the European Community.

5. Classification of expenditure or revenue

5.1 Type of revenue involved

Import duties

6. Type of expenditure or revenue

- The proposed operation will cause a reduction in import duties levied on fish and fishery products originating in Slovakia,

- However, the operation will also cause a reduction in import duties paid by the Community's operators when exporting fishery products to Slovakia.

7. Financial impact

7.1 Method of calculating total cost of operation (relation between individual and total costs)

The cost of the operation has been based on trade in 1998, 1999 and 2000. Due to the unpredictable levels of trade and the varying rates of duty applied to the products concerned, an average estimated duty level of 12% has been used to calculate the duty levied in 1998, 1999 and 2000. Import duties levied in 1999 showed an increase of almost 2% over 1998; duties in 2000 showed a decrease of approximately 3% over 1999. No increase in duty level therefore has been used to calculate the estimated import duties foreseen and calculations have been based on the figures for the year 2000. These have then been reduced by one third for year one and a further one third for year two.

As the entry into force of this Regulation is expected to take place on 1 January 2002, the estimated cost will be made as though 2002 is year one, 2003 is year two, 2004 is year three.

7.2 Itemised breakdown of cost

Commitment appropriations EUR million (at current prices)

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