Draft DECISION n° 1/2000 OF THE EC-TURKEY ASSOCIATION COMMITTEE on the adoption of the terms of reference of the Association Committee subcommittees - Draft common position of the Community

(presented by the Commission)

EXPLANATORY MEMORANDUM

The EC-Turkey Association Council of 11 April has adopted Decision n° 3/2000 creating the subcommittees of the Association Committee for Turkey.

The purpose of the subcommittees is to prepare the analytical examination of the Turkish legislation in the various fields of the Community acquis and to monitor the implementation of the Accession Partnership with Turkey, which is to be adopted in the course of this year.

In its Decision, the Association Council mandated the Association Committee to adopt the terms of reference of the subcommittees: these should be in line with those adopted for the other candidate countries. Moreover, the terms of reference should take into account the following issues:

- the particularities of the relations between the EU and Turkey, namely the existence of the Customs Union, which has its own institutional framework, in particular the Customs Union Joint Committee and the Customs Union Co-operation Committee;

- the modifications to the Treaty on European Union, in particular as regards Title VI, which also constitute an integral part of the acquis communautaire.

The Commission invites the Council to adopt the attached draft, as the Community position, in view of the adoption by the EC-Turkey Association Committee of the terms of reference of the subcommittees of the EC-Turkey Association Committee.

Draft DECISION n° 1/2000 OF THE EC-TURKEY ASSOCIATION COMMITTEE on the adoption of the terms of reference of the Association Committee subcommittees

THE EC-TURKEY ASSOCIATION COMMITTEE,

Having regard to the Agreement establishing an Association between the European Economic Community and Turkey [1];

[1] OJ L 217 of 29.12.1964, p.1.

Having regard to the EC-Turkey Association Council Decision n° 3/2000 of 11 April 2000 creating the subcommittees of the EC-Turkey Association Committee;

Whereas:

(1) The Helsinki European Council of December 1999 called on the Commission to draw up an Accession Partnership for Turkey, to set up appropriate monitoring mechanisms and to prepare a process of analytical examination of the acquis;

(2) In its Decision n° 3/2000 the EC-Turkey Association Council created a number of subcommittees of the EC-Turkey Association Committee and instructed the EC-Turkey Association Committee to adopt their terms of reference;

(3) The terms of reference of the subcommittees of the EC-Turkey Association Committee should take into consideration the existing institutional framework of the EC-Turkey Association Agreement and the modifications of the Treaty on European Union.

HAS DECIDED AS FOLLOWS:

Sole Article

The terms of reference of the subcommittees of the EC-Turkey Association Committee are set out in the Annex.

Done at Brussels,

For the Association Committee

The President

ANNEX

Terms of Reference

EU/Turkey Subcommittee N° 1 on Agriculture and Fisheries

1. Composition and Chairmanship

The subcommittee shall be composed of representatives of the European Commission and representatives of the Government of Turkey. It shall be chaired alternately by the two parties according to the rules on the alternate chairmanship of the Association Committee. The Member States will be informed and invited to the subcommittee meetings.

2. Role

The subcommittee shall work under the authority of the Association Committee, to which it shall report after each meeting. The subcommittee does not have any decision-making power.

3. Subject matter

The subcommittee shall discuss the implementation of the Association Agreement and of the priorities established under the Accession Partnership in the areas listed below. In particular, it shall assess progress as regards law approximation, implementation and enforcement. Where relevant, co-operation in public administration matters shall be discussed. The subcommittee shall examine any problems that may arise in the sectors listed below and shall suggest possible steps to be undertaken.

3.a- Agricultural co-operation and rural development.

3.b- Veterinary and phytosanitary matters.

3.c- Legislation applicable to trade in agricultural and fisheries products, and processed agricultural products, with the exclusion of matters pertaining to the Customs Union Joint Committee.

4. Secretariat

An official of the European Commission and an official of the Government of Turkey shall act jointly as permanent Secretaries of the subcommittee.

All communications concerning the subcommittee shall be forwarded to the Secretaries.

5. Meetings

The subcommittee shall meet whenever circumstances require. A meeting may be convened on the basis of a request from either party, channelled through the Secretary in charge, who will pass the request onto the other party. Upon receipt of a request for a subcommittee meeting, the Secretary of the other party shall reply within 15 working days. In cases of particular urgency, subcommittees may be convened at shorter notice subject to the agreement of both parties. All requests to convene meetings should be in writing.

Each meeting of the subcommittee shall be held at a time and place agreed by both parties.

The meetings shall be convened by the Secretary in charge in agreement with the Chairperson. Before each meeting, the Chairperson will be informed of the intended composition of the delegation of each party.

If both parties agree, the subcommittee may invite experts to its meetings to provide the specific information so requested.

6. Agenda of the meetings

All requests for items to be included in the subcommittee agenda shall be forwarded to the Secretaries.

A provisional agenda will be drawn up for each meeting. It shall be forwarded by the Secretary in charge to its counterpart not later than fifteen days before the beginning of the meeting.

The provisional agenda shall include the items in respect of which the Secretaries have received a request for inclusion in the agenda no later than fifteen days before the beginning of the meeting. Supporting documentation must be received by both parties at least seven days ahead of the meeting. To take account of urgent matters, these time limits may be shortened provided both parties agree.

The agenda shall be adopted by the subcommittee at the beginning of each meeting.

7. Minutes

Minutes shall be taken for and agreed after each meeting. A copy of the minutes shall be forwarded by the Secretaries of the subcommittee to the Secretary of the Association Committee.

8. Multi disciplinary Meetings

A subcommittee meeting may deal with any or all of the areas listed in point 3. Where necessary, meetings may be called on a single subject.

9. Publicity

Unless otherwise decided, the meetings of the subcommittee shall not be public.

Terms of Reference

EU/Turkey Sub Committee N° 2 on Internal Market and Competition

1. Composition and Chairmanship

The subcommittee shall be composed of representatives of the European Commission and representatives of the Government of Turkey. It shall be chaired alternately by the two parties according to the rules on the alternate chairmanship of the Association Committee. The Member States will be informed and invited to the subcommittee meetings.

2. Role

The subcommittee shall work under the authority of the Association Committee, to which it shall report after each meeting. The subcommittee does not have any decision-making power.

3. Subject matter

The subcommittee shall discuss the implementation of the Association Agreement and of the priorities established under the Accession Partnership in the areas listed below. In particular, it shall assess progress as regards law approximation, implementation and enforcement. Where relevant, co-operation in public administration matters shall be discussed. The subcommittee shall examine any problems that may arise in the sectors listed below and shall suggest possible steps to be undertaken.

3.a- Free movement of goods, including standardisation, certification, conformity assessments, market surveillance.

3.b- Intellectual and industrial property rights.

3.c- Public procurement data protection and civil law.

3.d- Company Law, accounting and electronic commerce.

3.e- Consumer protection.

3.f- Competition and state aid.

3.g- Services, including financial services: banking, insurance, investment and postal services.

3.h- Movement of workers except co-ordination of social security.

3.i- Right of establishment and provision of services.

3.j- Turkish participation in related Community programmes.

4. Secretariat

An official of the European Commission and an official of the Government of Turkey shall act jointly as permanent Secretaries of the subcommittee.

All communications concerning the subcommittee shall be forwarded to the Secretaries.

5. Meetings

The subcommittee shall meet whenever circumstances require. A meeting may be convened on the basis of a request from either party, channelled through the Secretary in charge, who will pass the request onto the other party. Upon receipt of a request for a subcommittee meeting, the Secretary of the other party shall reply within 15 working days. In cases of particular urgency, subcommittees may be convened at shorter notice subject to the agreement of both parties. All requests to convene meetings should be in writing.

Each meeting of the subcommittee shall be held at a time and place agreed by both parties.

The meetings shall be convened by the Secretary in charge in agreement with the Chairperson. Before each meeting, the Chairperson will be informed of the intended composition of the delegation of each party.

If both parties agree, the subcommittee may invite experts to its meetings to provide the specific information so requested.

6. Agenda of the meetings

All requests for items to be included in the subcommittee agenda shall be forwarded to the Secretaries.

A provisional agenda will be drawn up for each meeting. It shall be forwarded by the Secretary in charge to its counterpart not later than fifteen days before the beginning of the meeting.

The provisional agenda shall include the items in respect of which the Secretaries have received a request for inclusion in the agenda no later than fifteen days before the beginning of the meeting. Supporting documentation must be received by both parties at least seven days ahead of the meeting. To take account of urgent matters, these time limits may be shortened provided both parties agree.

The agenda shall be adopted by the subcommittee at the beginning of each meeting.

7. Minutes

Minutes shall be taken for and agreed after each meeting. A copy of the minutes shall be forwarded by the Secretaries of the subcommittee to the Secretary of the Association Committee.

8. Multi disciplinary Meetings

A subcommittee meeting may deal with any or all of the areas listed in point 3. Where necessary, meetings may be called on a single subject.

9. Publicity

Unless otherwise decided, the meetings of the subcommittee shall not be public.

Terms of Reference

EU/Turkey Subcommittee N° 3 on Trade, Industry and ECSC products

1. Composition and Chairmanship

The subcommittee shall be composed of representatives of the European Commission and representatives of the Government of Turkey. It shall be chaired alternately by the two parties according to the rules on the alternate chairmanship of the Association Committee. The Member States will be informed and invited to the subcommittee meetings.

2. Role

The subcommittee shall work under the authority of the Association Committee, to which it shall report after each meeting. The subcommittee does not have any decision-making power.

3. Subject matter

The subcommittee shall discuss the implementation of the Association Agreement and of the priorities established under the Accession Partnership in the areas listed below. In particular, it shall assess progress as regards law approximation, implementation and enforcement. Where relevant, co-operation in public administration matters shall be discussed. The subcommittee shall examine any problems that may arise in the sectors listed below and shall suggest possible steps to be undertaken. However, specific trade problems will continue to be dealt with by the Customs Union mixed committee.

3.a- Trade, with the exclusion of matters pertaining to the EC-Turkey Customs Union Joint Committee.

3.b- ECSC products.

3.c - Investment promotion.

3.d- Small and medium enterprises and Turkey's participation in Community SME programmes.

3.e- Industrial policy and co-operation.

3.f- Tourism.

4. Secretariat

An official of the European Commission and an official of the Government of Turkey shall act jointly as permanent Secretaries of the subcommittee.

All communications concerning the subcommittee shall be forwarded to the Secretaries.

5. Meetings

The subcommittee shall meet whenever circumstances require. A meeting may be convened on the basis of a request from either party, channelled through the Secretary in charge, who will pass the request onto the other party. Upon receipt of a request for a subcommittee meeting, the Secretary of the other party shall reply within 15 working days. In cases of particular urgency, subcommittees may be convened at shorter notice subject to the agreement of both parties. All requests to convene meetings should be in writing.

Each meeting of the subcommittee shall be held at a time and place agreed by both parties.

The meetings shall be convened by the Secretary in charge in agreement with the Chairperson. Before each meeting, the Chairperson will be informed of the intended composition of the delegation of each party.

If both parties agree, the subcommittee may invite experts to its meetings to provide the specific information so requested.

6. Agenda of the meetings

All requests for items to be included in the subcommittee agenda shall be forwarded to the Secretaries.

A provisional agenda will be drawn up for each meeting. It shall be forwarded by the Secretary in charge to its counterpart not later than fifteen days before the beginning of the meeting.

The provisional agenda shall include the items in respect of which the Secretaries have received a request for inclusion in the agenda no later than fifteen days before the beginning of the meeting. Supporting documentation must be received by both parties at least seven days ahead of the meeting. To take account of urgent matters, these time limits may be shortened provided both parties agree.

The agenda shall be adopted by the subcommittee at the beginning of each meeting.

7. Minutes

Minutes shall be taken for and agreed after each meeting. A copy of the minutes shall be forwarded by the Secretaries of the subcommittee to the Secretary of the Association Committee.

8. Multi disciplinary Meetings

A subcommittee meeting may deal with any or all of the areas listed in point 3. Where necessary, meetings may be called on a single subject.

9. Publicity

Unless otherwise decided, the meetings of the subcommittee shall not be public.

Terms of Reference

EU/Turkey Sub Committee N° 4 on Economic and Monetary Issues, Capital Movements and Statistics

1. Composition and Chairmanship

The subcommittee shall be composed of representatives of the European Commission and representatives of the Government of Turkey. It shall be chaired alternately by the two parties according to the rules on the alternate chairmanship of the Association Committee. The Member States will be informed and invited to the subcommittee meetings.

2. Role

The subcommittee shall work under the authority of the Association Committee, to which it shall report after each meeting. The subcommittee does not have any decision-making power.

3. Subject matter

The subcommittee shall discuss the implementation of the Association Agreement and of the priorities established under the Accession Partnership in the areas listed below. In particular, it shall assess progress as regards law approximation, implementation and enforcement. Where relevant, co-operation in public administration matters shall be discussed. The subcommittee shall examine any problems that may arise in the sectors listed below and shall suggest possible steps to be undertaken.

3.a- Economic and monetary issues.

3.b- Current payments and capital movements, including investment protection.

3.c- Financial sector reform (structural aspects).

3.d- Statistical co-operation.

4. Secretariat

An official of the European Commission and an official of the Government of Turkey shall act jointly as permanent Secretaries of the subcommittee.

All communications concerning the subcommittee shall be forwarded to the Secretaries.

5. Meetings

The subcommittee shall meet whenever circumstances require. A meeting may be convened on the basis of a request from either party, channelled through the Secretary in charge, who will pass the request onto the other party. Upon receipt of a request for a subcommittee meeting, the Secretary of the other party shall reply within 15 working days. In cases of particular urgency, subcommittees may be convened at shorter notice subject to the agreement of both parties. All requests to convene meetings should be in writing.

Each meeting of the subcommittee shall be held at a time and place agreed by both parties.

The meetings shall be convened by the Secretary in charge in agreement with the Chairperson. Before each meeting, the Chairperson will be informed of the intended composition of the delegation of each party.

If both parties agree, the subcommittee may invite experts to its meetings to provide the specific information so requested.

6. Agenda of the meetings

All requests for items to be included in the subcommittee agenda shall be forwarded to the Secretaries.

A provisional agenda will be drawn up for each meeting. It shall be forwarded by the Secretary in charge to its counterpart not later than fifteen days before the beginning of the meeting.

The provisional agenda shall include the items in respect of which the Secretaries have received a request for inclusion in the agenda no later than fifteen days before the beginning of the meeting. Supporting documentation must be received by both parties at least seven days ahead of the meeting. To take account of urgent matters, these time limits may be shortened provided both parties agree.

The agenda shall be adopted by the subcommittee at the beginning of each meeting.

7. Minutes

Minutes shall be taken for and agreed after each meeting. A copy of the minutes shall be forwarded by the Secretaries of the subcommittee to the Secretary of the Association Committee.

8. Multi disciplinary Meetings

A subcommittee meeting may deal with any or all of the areas listed in point 3. Where necessary, meetings may be called on a single subject.

9. Publicity

Unless otherwise decided, the meetings of the subcommittee shall not be public.

Terms of Reference

EU-Turkey Sub Committee N° 5 on Innovation

1. Composition and Chairmanship

The subcommittee shall be composed of representatives of the European Commission and representatives of the Government of Turkey. It shall be chaired alternately by the two parties according to the rules on the alternate chairmanship of the Association Committee. The Member States will be informed and invited to the subcommittee meetings.

2. Role

The subcommittee shall work under the authority of the Association Committee, to which it shall report after each meeting. The subcommittee does not have any decision-making power.

3. Subject matter

The subcommittee shall discuss the implementation of the Association Agreement and of the priorities established under the Accession Partnership in the areas listed below. In particular, it shall assess progress as regards law approximation, implementation and enforcement. Where relevant, co-operation in public administration matters shall be discussed. The subcommittee shall examine any problems that may arise in the sectors listed below and shall suggest possible steps to be undertaken.

3.a- Education, training and youth as well as Turkey's participation in related Community programmes.

3.b- Science, Research and Technological Development as well as Turkey's association in related programmes for research, technological development and demonstration.

3.c- Telecommunications and information technologies.

3.d- Cultural co-operation and audio-visual policy as well as Turkey's participation in related Community programmes.

4. Secretariat

An official of the European Commission and an official of the Government of Turkey shall act jointly as permanent Secretaries of the subcommittee.

All communications concerning the subcommittee shall be forwarded to the Secretaries.

5. Meetings

The subcommittee shall meet whenever circumstances require. A meeting may be convened on the basis of a request from either party, channelled through the Secretary in charge, who will pass the request onto the other party. Upon receipt of a request for a subcommittee meeting, the Secretary of the other party shall reply within 15 working days. In cases of particular urgency, subcommittees may be convened at shorter notice subject to the agreement of both parties. All requests to convene meetings should be in writing.

Each meeting of the subcommittee shall be held at a time and place agreed by both parties.

The meetings shall be convened by the Secretary in charge in agreement with the Chairperson. Before each meeting, the Chairperson will be informed of the intended composition of the delegation of each party.

If both parties agree, the subcommittee may invite experts to its meetings to provide the specific information so requested.

6. Agenda of the meetings

All requests for items to be included in the subcommittee agenda shall be forwarded to the Secretaries.

A provisional agenda will be drawn up for each meeting. It shall be forwarded by the Secretary in charge to its counterpart not later than fifteen days before the beginning of the meeting.

The provisional agenda shall include the items in respect of which the Secretaries have received a request for inclusion in the agenda no later than fifteen days before the beginning of the meeting. Supporting documentation must be received by both parties at least seven days ahead of the meeting. To take account of urgent matters, these time limits may be shortened provided both parties agree.

The agenda shall be adopted by the subcommittee at the beginning of each meeting.

7. Minutes

Minutes shall be taken for and agreed after each meeting. A copy of the minutes shall be forwarded by the Secretaries of the subcommittee to the Secretary of the Association Committee.

8. Multi disciplinary Meetings

A subcommittee meeting may deal with any or all of the areas listed in point 3. Where necessary, meetings may be called on a single subject.

9. Publicity

Unless otherwise decided, the meetings of the subcommittee shall not be public.

Terms of Reference

EU/Turkey Sub Committee N° 6 on Transport, Environment, Energy (including Trans European Networks - TENs)

1. Composition and Chairmanship

The subcommittee shall be composed of representatives of the European Commission and representatives of the Government of Transport. It shall be chaired alternately by the two parties according to the rules on the alternate chairmanship of the Association Committee. The Member States will be informed and invited to the subcommittee meetings.

2. Role

The subcommittee shall work under the authority of the Association Committee, to which it shall report after each meeting. The subcommittee does not have any decision-making power.

3. Subject matter

The subcommittee shall discuss the implementation of the Association Agreement and of the priorities established under the Accession Partnership in the areas listed below. In particular, it shall assess progress as regards law approximation, implementation and enforcement. Where relevant, co-operation in public administration matters shall be discussed. The subcommittee shall examine any problems that may arise in the sectors listed below and shall suggest possible steps to be undertaken

3.a- Transport.

3.b- Environment and Turkey's participation in related Community programmes.

3.c- Energy including nuclear safety and Turkey's participation in related Community programmes.

4. Secretariat

An official of the European Commission and an official of the Government of Turkey shall act jointly as permanent Secretaries of the subcommittee.

All communications concerning the subcommittee shall be forwarded to the Secretaries.

5. Meetings

The subcommittee shall meet whenever circumstances require. A meeting may be convened on the basis of a request from either party, channelled through the Secretary in charge,, who will pass the request onto the other party. Upon receipt of a request for a subcommittee meeting, the Secretary of the other party shall reply within 15 working days. In cases of particular urgency, subcommittees may be convened at shorter notice subject to the agreement of both parties. All requests to convene meetings should be in writing.

Each meeting of the subcommittee shall be held at a time and place agreed by both parties.

The meetings shall be convened by the Secretary in charge in agreement with the Chairperson. Before each meeting, the Chairperson will be informed of the intended composition of the delegation of each party.

If both parties agree, the subcommittee may invite experts to its meetings to provide the specific information so requested.

6. Agenda of the meetings

All requests for items to be included in the subcommittee agenda shall be forwarded to the Secretaries.

A provisional agenda will be drawn up for each meeting. It shall be forwarded by the Secretary in charge to its counterpart not later than fifteen days before the beginning of the meeting.

The provisional agenda shall include the items in respect of which the Secretaries have received a request for inclusion in the agenda no later than fifteen days before the beginning of the meeting. Supporting documentation must be received by both parties at least seven days ahead of the meeting. To take account of urgent matters, these time limits may be shortened provided both parties agree.

The agenda shall be adopted by the subcommittee at the beginning of each meeting.

7. Minutes

Minutes shall be taken for and agreed after each meeting. A copy of the minutes shall be forwarded by the Secretaries of the subcommittee to the Secretary of the Association Committee.

8. Multi disciplinary Meetings

A subcommittee meeting may deal with any or all of the areas listed in point 3. Where necessary, meetings may be called on a single subject.

9. Publicity

Unless otherwise decided, the meetings of the subcommittee shall not be public.

Terms of Reference

EU/Turkey Subcommittee N° 7 on Regional Development, Employment and Social Policy

1. Composition and Chairmanship

The subcommittee shall be composed of representatives of the European Commission and representatives of the Government of Turkey. It shall be chaired alternately by the two parties according to the rules on the alternate chairmanship of the Association Committee. The Member States will be informed and invited to the subcommittee meetings.

2. Role

The subcommittee shall work under the authority of the Association Committee, to which it shall report after each meeting. The subcommittee does not have any decision-making power.

3. Subject matter

The subcommittee shall discuss the implementation of the Association Agreement and of the priorities established under the Accession Partnership in the areas listed below. In particular, it shall assess progress as regards law approximation, implementation and enforcement. Where relevant, co-operation in public administration matters shall be discussed. The subcommittee shall examine any problems that may arise in the sectors listed below and shall suggest possible steps to be undertaken.

3.a- Employment and social policy and Turkey participation in related Community programmes in the social field.

3.b- Co-ordination of social security systems.

3.c- Regional development policy.

4. Secretariat

An official of the European Commission and an official of the Government of Turkey shall act jointly as permanent Secretaries of the subcommittee.

All communications concerning the subcommittee shall be forwarded to the Secretaries.

5. Meetings

The subcommittee shall meet whenever circumstances require. A meeting may be convened on the basis of a request from either party, channelled through the Secretary in charge, who will pass the request onto the other party. Upon receipt of a request for a subcommittee meeting, the Secretary of the other party shall reply within 15 working days. In cases of particular urgency, subcommittees may be convened at shorter notice subject to the agreement of both parties. All requests to convene meetings should be in writing.

Each meeting of the subcommittee shall be held at a time and place agreed by both parties.

The meetings shall be convened by the Secretary in charge in agreement with the Chairperson. Before each meeting, the Chairperson will be informed of the intended composition of the delegation of each party.

If both parties agree, the subcommittee may invite experts to its meetings to provide the specific information so requested.

6. Agenda of the meetings

All requests for items to be included in the subcommittee agenda shall be forwarded to the Secretaries.

A provisional agenda will be drawn up for each meeting. It shall be forwarded by the Secretary in charge to its counterpart not later than fifteen days before the beginning of the meeting.

The provisional agenda shall include the items in respect of which the Secretaries have received a request for inclusion in the agenda no later than fifteen days before the beginning of the meeting. Supporting documentation must be received by both parties at least seven days ahead of the meeting. To take account of urgent matters, these time limits may be shortened provided both parties agree.

The agenda shall be adopted by the subcommittee at the beginning of each meeting.

7. Minutes

Minutes shall be taken for and agreed after each meeting. A copy of the minutes shall be forwarded by the Secretaries of the subcommittee to the Secretary of the Association Committee.

8. Multi disciplinary Meetings

A subcommittee meeting may deal with any or all of the areas listed in point 3. Where necessary, meetings may be called on a single subject.

9. Publicity

Unless otherwise decided, the meetings of the subcommittee shall not be public.

Terms of Reference

EU/Turkey Subcommittee N° 8 on Customs, Tax, Drugs and Money laundering

1. Composition and Chairmanship

The subcommittee shall be composed of representatives of the European Commission and representatives of the Government of Turkey. It shall be chaired alternately by the two parties according to the rules on the alternate chairmanship of the Association Committee. In case of discussion of subject matters covered by title VI of the Treaty on European Union, the subcommittee shall be chaired by a representative of the Presidency of the Council, who shall also express the position of the Member States. The Member States shall endeavour to reach an agreed line on these subject-matters. The Commission shall be fully associated with the work on these subject matters.

The Member States will be informed and invited to the subcommittee meetings.

2. Role

The subcommittee shall work under the authority of the Association Committee, to which it shall report after each meeting. The subcommittee does not have any decision-making power.

3. Subject matter

The subcommittee shall discuss the implementation of the Association Agreement and of the priorities established under the Accession Partnership in the areas listed below. In particular, it shall assess progress as regards law approximation, implementation and enforcement. Where relevant, co-operation in public administration matters shall be discussed. The subcommittee shall examine any problems that may arise in the sectors listed below and shall suggest possible steps to be undertaken.

3.a- Customs co-operation (with the exception of issues dealt with in the Customs Co-operation Committee).

3.b- Indirect Taxation and Turkey's participation in, e.g, the Fiscalis programme.

3.c- Money laundering.

3.d- Drugs.

3.e- Audit and financial Control.

3.f- Asylum, immigration, external borders, visa.

3.g- Judicial co-operation.

4. Secretariat

An official of the European Commission and an official of the Government of Turkey shall act jointly as permanent Secretaries of the subcommittee.

All communications concerning the subcommittee shall be forwarded to the Secretaries.

5. Meetings

The subcommittee shall meet whenever circumstances require. A meeting may be convened on the basis of a request from either party, channelled through the Secretary in charge, who will pass the request onto the other party. Upon receipt of a request for a subcommittee meeting, the Secretary of the other party shall reply within 15 working days. In cases of particular urgency, subcommittees may be convened at shorter notice subject to the agreement of both parties. All requests to convene meetings should be in writing.

Each meeting of the subcommittee shall be held at a time and place agreed by both parties.

The meetings shall be convened by the Secretary in charge in agreement with the Chairperson. Before each meeting, the Chairperson will be informed of the intended composition of the delegation of each party.

If both parties agree, the subcommittee may invite experts to its meetings to provide the specific information so requested.

6. Agenda of the meetings

All requests for items to be included in the subcommittee agenda shall be forwarded to the Secretaries.

A provisional agenda will be drawn up for each meeting. It shall be forwarded by the Secretary in charge to its counterpart not later than fifteen days before the beginning of the meeting.

The provisional agenda shall include the items in respect of which the Secretaries have received a request for inclusion in the agenda no later than fifteen days before the beginning of the meeting. Supporting documentation must be received by both parties at least seven days ahead of the meeting. To take account of urgent matters, these time limits may be shortened provided both parties agree.

The agenda shall be adopted by the subcommittee at the beginning of each meeting.

7. Minutes

Minutes shall be taken for and agreed after each meeting. A copy of the minutes shall be forwarded by the Secretaries of the subcommittee to the Secretary of the Association Committee.

8. Multi disciplinary Meetings

A subcommittee meeting may deal with any or all of the areas listed in point 3. Where necessary, meetings may be called on a single subject.

9. Publicity

Unless otherwise decided, the meetings of the subcommittee shall not be public.