Interim Agreement on trade and trade-related matters between the European Economic Community, and the European Coal and Steel Community, of the one part, and the Republic of Poland, of the other part - Protocol 1 on textile and clothing products - Protocol 2 on ECSC products - Protocol 3 on trade between Poland and the Community in processed agricultural products not covered by Annex II to the EEC Treaty - Protocol 4 concerning the definition of the concept originating products and methods of administrative cooperation - Protocol 5 on specific provisions relating to trade between the Poland, of the one part, and Spain and Portugal, of the other part - Protocol 6 on mutual assistance in customs matters - Protocol 7 on concessions with annual limits - Final Act - Joint Declarations - Exchange of Letters - Unilateral Declarations
Date: 1992-02-27
Institutions: European Coal and Steel Community, European Economic Community, Poland
Subjects: Poland, agreement (EU), cooperation agreement, economic cooperation, trade cooperation













EUR-Lex - 21992A0430(01) - EN






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21992A0430(01)

Interim Agreement on trade and trade-related matters between the European Economic Community, and the European Coal and Steel Community, of the one part, and the Republic of Poland, of the other part - Protocol 1 on textile and clothing products - Protocol 2 on ECSC products - Protocol 3 on trade between Poland and the Community in processed agricultural products not covered by Annex II to the EEC Treaty - Protocol 4 concerning the definition of the concept originating products and methods of administrative cooperation - Protocol 5 on specific provisions relating to trade between the Poland, of the one part, and Spain and Portugal, of the other part - Protocol 6 on mutual assistance in customs matters - Protocol 7 on concessions with annual limits - Final Act - Joint Declarations - Exchange of Letters - Unilateral Declarations  


Official Journal L 114 , 30/04/1992 P. 0002 - 0044 





INTERIM AGREEMENT on trade and trade-related matters between the  European Economic Community and the European Coal and Steel Community, of the one part, and the  Republic of Poland, of the other partThe EUROPEAN ECONOMIC COMMUNITY and the  EUROPEAN COAL AND STEEL COMMUNITY, hereinafter referred to as 'the Community`, of the one part, and the REPUBLIC OF POLAND, hereinafter referred to as 'Poland`, of the other part, Whereas, the Europe Agreement establishing an association between the European Communities and  their Member States and the Republic of Poland was signed in Brussels on 16 December 1991; Whereas, the aim of the Europe Agreement is to provide an appropriate framework for political  dialogue; whereas it is to govern commercial and economic relations between the Parties and  includes provisions relating to financial cooperation and assistance and the promotion of  cooperation in cultural matters; Whereas, the Europe Agreement is intended to strengthen and widen the relations established  previously, notably by the Agreement on trade and commercial and economic cooperation between the  European Economic Community and Poland signed on 19 September 1989 and the Protocol on trade and  commercial and economic cooperation between the European Coal and Steel Community and Poland signed  on 16 October 1991; Whereas it is necessary to ensure the development of trade relations between the implementation of  the Agreements on trade and commercial and economic cooperation and that of the Europe Agreement; Whereas, to this end it is necessary to implement as speedily as possible, by means of an Interim  Agreement, provisions of the Europe Agreement on trade and trade-related matters; Whereas it is necessary to ensure that pending the entry into force of the Europe Agreement and the  establishment of the Association Council, the Joint Committee set up by the Agreement on trade and  commercial and economic cooperation can exercise the powers assigned by the Europe Agreement to the  Association Council which are necessary in order to implement the Interim Agreement; Have decided to conclude this Agreement and to this end have designated as their  plenipotentiaries, THE EUROPEAN ECONOMIC COMMUNITY:      Hans van den BROEK, Minister for Foreign Affairs of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, President-in-Office of the Council  of the European Communities; Frans ANDRIESSEN, Vice-President of the Commission of the European Communities; THE EUROPEAN COAL AND STEEL COMMUNITY:  Frans ANDRIESSEN, Vice-President of the Commission of the European Communities; THE REPUBLIC OF POLAND:  Krzysztof SKUBISZEWSKI, Minister for Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Poland; WHO, having exchanged their full powers, formed in good and due form, HAVE AGREED AS FOLLOWS: TITLE IFREE MOVEMENT OF GOODSArticle 1 (EA 7)1.    The Community and Poland  shall gradually establish a free trade area in a transitional period lasting a maximum of 10 years  starting from the entry into force of this Agreement (hereinafter called 'the Agreement`) in  accordance with the provisions of the present Agreement and in conformity with those of the General  Agreement on Tariffs and Trade. 2.    The combined nomenclature of goods shall be applied to the classification of goods in trade  between the two parties. 3.    For each product the basic duty to which the successive reductions set out in this Agreement  are to be applied shall be that actually applied erga omnes on the day preceding the date of entry  into force of the Agreement. 4.    If, after entry into force of the Agreement, any tariff reduction is applied on an erga omnes  basis, in particular reductions resulting from the tariff agreement concluded as a result of the  GATT Uruguay Round, such reduced duties shall replace the basic duties referred to in paragraph 3  as from the date when such reductions are applied. 5.    The Community and Poland shall communicate to each other their respective basic duties. Chapter IIndustrial productsArticle 2 (EA 8)1.    The provisions of this Chapter shall apply  to products originating in the Community and in Poland listed in Chapters 25 to 97 of the combined  nomenclature with the exception of the products listed in Annex I. 2.    The provisions of Articles 3 to 7 included do not apply to products mentioned in Articles 9  and 10. Article 3 (EA 9)1.    Customs duties on imports applicable in the Community to products  originating in Poland other than those listed in Annexes IIa, IIb and III shall be abolished on the  entry into force of the Agreement. 2.    Customs duties on imports applicable in the Community to products originating in Poland which  are listed in Annex IIa shall be progressively abolished in accordance with the following  timetable: -   on the date of entry into force of this Agreement each duty shall be reduced to 50 % of the  basic duty, - one year after the date of entry into force of this Agreement the remaining duties shall be  eliminated. Customs duties on imports applicable in the Community to products originating in Poland listed in  Annex IIb shall be progressively reduced, from the date of entry into force of this Agreement, by  annual reductions of 20  % of the basic duty, so as to arrive at a total abolition by the end of  the fourth year after the date of entry into force of the Agreement. 3.    The products of Polish origin listed in Annex III shall benefit from a suspension of customs  duties on imports within the limits of annual Community tariff quotas or ceilings increasing  progressively in accordance with the conditions defined in that Annex so as to arrive at a complete  abolition of customs duties on imports of the products concerned at the end of the fifth year at  the latest. At the same time, customs duties on imports applicable to import quantities in excess of the quotas  or ceilings provided for above shall be progressively dismantled from the entry into force of the  Agreement by annual reductions of 15  %. By the end of the fifth year, remaining duties shall be  abolished. 4.    Quantitative restrictions on imports to the Community and measures having equivalent effect  shall be abolished on the date of entry into force of the Agreement with regard to the products  originating in Poland. Article 4 (EA 10)1.    Customs duties on imports applicable in Poland to  products originating in the Community listed in Annex IVa shall be abolished on the date of entry  into force of the Agreement. 2.    Customs duties on imports applicable in Poland to products originating in the Community which  are listed in Annex IVb shall be progressively reduced as specified in that Annex. Poland shall open duty free tariff quotas for products originating in the Community, as listed in  that Annex and according to the conditions contained therein. 3.    Customs duties on imports applicable in Poland to products originating in the Community other  than those listed in Annexes IVa and IVb shall be progressively reduced, and abolished by the end  of the seventh year at the latest from the entry into force of the Agreement according to the  following timetable: -   three years after the date of entry into force of the Agreement each duty shall be reduced to  80 % of the basic duty, - four years after the date of entry into force of the Agreement each duty shall be reduced to 60 %  of the basic duty, - five years after the date of entry into force of the Agreement each duty shall be reduced to 40 %  of the basic duty, - six years after the date of entry into force of the Agreement each duty shall be reduced to 20 %  of the basic duty, - seven years after the date of entry into force of the Agreement the remaining duties shall be  eliminated. 4.    Quantitative restrictions on imports into Poland of products originating in the Community and  measures having equivalent effect shall be abolished on entry into force of the Agreement with the  exception of those listed in Annex V which shall be abolished in accordance with the timetable  provided in that Annex. Article 5 (EA 11)The provisions concerning the abolition of customs  duties on imports shall also apply to customs duties of a fiscal nature.  Article 6 (EA 12)The  Community and Poland shall abolish upon entry into force of this Agreement in trade between  themselves, any charges having an effect equivalent to customs duties on imports. Article 7 (EA  13)1.    The Community and Poland shall progressively abolish between them at the latest by the  end of the fifth year after entry into force of the Agreement any customs duties on exports and  charges having equivalent effect. 2.    Quantitative restrictions on exports and any measures having equivalent effect shall be  abolished by the Community and Poland on the entry into force of the Agreement except for those  applied to products listed in Annex VI which shall be eliminated as specified therein. Article 8  (EA 14)Each party declares its readiness to reduce its customs duties in trade with the other  party more rapidly than is provided for in Articles 3 and 4 if its general economic situation and  the situation of the economic sector concerned so permit. The Joint Committee referred to in Article 37 (hereinafter referred to as 'the Joint Committee`)  may make recommendations to this effect. Article 9 (EA 15)Protocol 1 lays down the arrangements  applicable to the textile products referred to therein. Article 10 (EA 16)Protocol 2 lays down  the arrangements applicable to products covered by the Treaty establishing the European Coal and  Steel Community. Article 11 (EA 17)The provisions of the present Chapter do not preclude the  retention of an agricultural component in the duties applicable to products listed in Annex VII. Chapter IIAgricultureArticle 12 (EA 18)1.    The provisions of this Chapter shall apply to  agricultural products originating in the Community and in Poland. 2.    The term 'agricultural products` means the products listed in Chapters 1 to 24 of the  combined nomenclature and the products listed in Annex I, but excluding fishery products as defined  by Regulation (EEC) No 3687/91. Article 13 (EA 19)Protocol 3 lays down the trade arrangements  for processed agricultural products which are listed in such protocol. Article 14 (EA 20)1.     The Community shall abolish at the date of entry into force of the Agreement the quantitative  restrictions on imports of agricultural products originating in Poland maintained by virtue of  Council Regulation (EEC) No 3420/83 in the form existing on the date of signature hereof. 2.    The agricultural products originating in Poland listed in Annex VIIIa or Annex VIIIb shall  benefit, upon the date of entry into force of this Agreement, from the reduction of levies within  the limit of Community quotas or from the reduction of customs duties and upon the conditions  provided in the same Annex. 3.    Poland shall gradually abolish quantitative restrictions on imports of agricultural products  originating in the Community listed in Annex IX in accordance with the conditions established in  that Annex. 4.    The Community and Poland shall grant each other the concessions referred to in Annexes Xa, Xb  and Xc and XI, on a harmonious and reciprocal basis, in accordance with the conditions laid down  therein. 5.    Taking account of the volume of trade in agricultural products between them, of their  particular sensitivity, of the rules of the common agricultural policy of the Community, of the  role of agriculture in the Polish economy, and of the consequences of the multilateral trade  negotiations under the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade, the Community and Poland shall  examine on a regular basis in the Joint Committee, product by product and on an orderly and  reciprocal basis, the possibilities of granting each other further concessions. In this context  special attention will be given to agricultural production based on natural techniques. 6.    Taking account of the need for an increased harmony between the agricultural policies in the  Community and Poland, as well as Poland's objective of  becoming a member of the Community, both  Parties will have regular consultations in the Joint Committee on the strategy and practical  modalities of their respective policies. Article 15 (EA 21)Notwithstanding other provisions of  this Agreement and in particular Article 24, if, given the particular sensitivity of the  agricultural markets, imports of products originating in one Party, which are the subject of  concessions granted in Article 14, cause serious disturbance to the markets in the other Party,  both Parties shall enter into consultations immediately to find an appropriate solution. Pending  such solution, the Party concerned may take the measures it deems necessary. Chapter IIIFisheriesArticle 16 (EA 22)The provisions of this chapter shall apply to fishery  products originating in the Community and in Poland, which are covered by Regulation (EEC) No  3687/91 on the common organization of the market in the sector of fishery products. Article 17 (EA  23)The Parties shall conclude as soon as practicable negotiations of an agreement on fishery  products. Thereafter, the provisions of Article 14 (5) shall apply mutatis mutandis to fishery products. Chapter IVCommon provisionsArticle 18 (EA 24)The provisions of this Chapter shall apply to  trade in all products except where otherwise provided herein or in Protocols 1, 2, or 3. Article  19 (EA 25)1.    No new customs duties on imports or exports or charges having equivalent effect  shall be introduced, nor shall those already applied be increased, in the trade between the  Community and Poland from the date of entry into force of the Agreement. 2.    No new quantitative restriction on imports or exports or measure having equivalent effect  shall be introduced nor shall those existing be made more restrictive in the trade between the  Community and Poland from the date of entry into force of the Agreement. 3.    Without prejudice to the concessions granted pursuant to Article 14, the provisions of  paragraphs 1 and 2 of this Article shall not restrict in any way the pursuance of the respective  agricultural policies of Poland and the Community or the taking of any measures under such  policies. Article 20 (EA 26)1.    The two parties shall refrain from any measure or practice of  an internal fiscal nature establishing, whether directly or indirectly, discrimination between the  products of one party and like products originating in the territory of the other Party. 2.    Products exported to the territory of one of the two Parties may not benefit from repayment  of internal taxation in excess of the amount of direct or indirect taxation imposed on them.  Article 21 (EA 27)1.    This Agreement shall not preclude the maintenance or establishment of  customs unions, free trade areas or arrangements for frontier trade except in so far as they alter  the trade arrangements provided for in this Agreement. 2.    Consultations between the Parties shall take place within the Joint Committee concerning  agreements establishing such customs unions or free trade areas and, where requested, on other  major issues related to their respective trade policy with third countries. In particular in the  event of a third country acceding to the Community, such consultations shall take place so as to  ensure that account can be taken of the mutual interests of the Community and Poland stated in this  Agreement. Article 22 (EA 28)Exceptional measures of limited duration which derogate from the  provisions of Article 4 and Article 19 (1) may be taken by Poland in the form of increased customs  duties. These measures may only concern infant industries, or certain sectors undergoing restructuring or  facing serious difficulties, particularly where these difficulties produce important social  problems. Customs duties on imports applicable in Poland to products originating in the Community introduced  by  these measures may not exceed 25  % ad valorem and shall maintain an element of preference for  products originating in the Community. The total value of imports of the products which are subject to these measures may not exceed 15 %  of total imports of industrial products from the Community as defined in Chapter I, during the last  year for which statistics are available. These measures shall be applied for a period not exceeding five years unless a longer duration is  authorized by the Joint Committee. They shall cease to apply at the latest at the expiration of the  transitional period. No such measures can be introduced in respect of a product if more than three years have elapsed  since the elimination of all duties and quantitative restrictions or charges or measures having an  equivalent effect concerning that product. Poland shall inform the Joint Committee of any exceptional measures it intends to take and, at the  request of the Community, consultations shall be held in the Joint Committee on such measures and  the sectors to which they apply before they are applied. When taking such measures Poland shall  provide the Joint Committee with a schedule for the elimination of the customs duties introduced  under this Article. This schedule shall provide for a phasing out of these duties starting at the  latest two years after their introduction at equal annual rates. The Joint Committee may decide on  a different schedule. Article 23 (EA 29)If one of the Parties finds that dumping is taking place  in trade with the other Party within the meaning of Article VI of the General Agreement on Tariffs  and Trade, it may take appropriate measures against this practice in accordance with the Agreement  relating to the application of Article VI of the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade, with  related internal legislation and with the conditions and procedures laid down in Article 27.  Article 24 (EA 30)Where any product is being imported in such increased quantities and under such  conditions as to cause or threaten to cause: -   serious injury to domestic producers of like or directly competitive products in the territory  of one of the Parties, or- serious disturbances in any sector of the economy or difficulties which could bring about  serious deterioration in the economic situation of a region, the Community or Poland, whichever is concerned, may take appropriate measures under the conditions  and in accordance with the procedures laid down in Article 27. Article 25 (EA 31)Where  compliance with the provisions of Articles 7 and 19 leads to: (i)   re-export towards a third country against which the exporting party maintains, for the  product concerned, quantitative export restrictions, export duties or measures having equivalent  effect; or(ii) a serious shortage, or threat thereof, of a product essential to the exporting party, and where the situations above referred to give rise, or are likely to give rise to major  difficulties for the exporting party, that party may take appropriate measures under the conditions  and in accordance with the procedures laid down in Article 27. The measures shall be  non-discriminatory and be eliminated when conditions no longer justify their maintenance. Article  26 (EA 32)The Member States and Poland shall progressively adjust any State monopolies of a  commercial character so as to ensure that, by the end of the fifth year following the entry into  force of this Agreement, no discrimination regarding the conditions under which goods are procured  and marketed exists between nationals of the Member States and of Poland. The Joint Committee will  be informed about the measures adopted to implement this objective. Article 27 (EA 33)1.    In  the event of the Community or Poland subjecting imports of products liable to give rise to the  difficulties referred to in Article 24 to an administrative procedure having as its purpose the  rapid provision of information on the trend of trade flows, it shall inform the other party. 2.    In the cases specified in Articles 23, 24 and 25, before taking the measures provided for  therein or, in cases to which paragraph 3 (d) applies, as soon as possible, the Community or  Poland, as the case may be, shall supply the Joint Committee with all relevant information with a  view to seeking a solution acceptable to the two parties. In the selection of measures, priority must be given to those which least disturb the functioning  of the Agreement. The safeguard measures shall be notified immediately to the Joint Committee and shall be the  subject of periodic consultations within that body, particularly with a view to establishing a  timetable for their abolition as soon as circumstances permit. 3.    For the implementation of paragraph 2, the following provisions shall apply: (a)   As regards Article 24, the difficulties arising from the situation referred to in that  Article shall be referred for examination to the Joint Committee, which may take any decision  needed to put an end to such difficulties. If the Joint Committee or the exporting party has not taken a decision putting an end to the  difficulties or no other satisfactory solution has been reached within 30 days of the matter being  referred, the importing party may adopt the appropriate measures to remedy the problem. These  measures must not exceed the scope of what is necessary to remedy the difficulties which have  arisen. (b) As regards Article 23, the Joint Committee shall be informed of the dumping case as soon as the  authorities of the importing party have initiated an investigation. When no end has been put to the  dumping or no other satisfactory solution has been reached within 30 days of the matter being  referred to the Joint Committee, the importing party may adopt the appropriate measures. (c) As regards Article 25, the difficulties arising from the situations referred to in that Article  shall be referred for examination to the Joint Committee. The Joint Committee may take any decision needed to put an end to the difficulties. If it has not  taken such a decision within 30 days of the matter being referred to it, the exporting party may  apply appropriate measures on the exportation of the product concerned. (d) Where exceptional circumstances requiring immediate action make prior information or  examination, as the case may be, impossible, the Community or Poland whichever is concerned may, in  the situations specified in Articles 23, 24 and 25, apply forthwith the precautionary measures  strictly necessary to deal with the situation. Article 28 (EA 34)Protocol 4 lays down rules of  origin, for the application of tariff preferences foreseen in this Agreement.Article 29 (EA  35)The Agreement shall not preclude prohibitions or restrictions on imports, exports or goods in  transit justified on grounds of public morality, public policy or public security; the protection  of health and life of humans, animals or plants; the protection of national treasures of artistic,  historic or archaeological value or the protection of intellectual, industrial and commercial  property or rules relating to gold and silver. Such prohibitions or restrictions shall not,  however, constitute a means of arbitrary discrimination or a disguised restriction on trade between  the Parties. Article 30 (EA 36)Protocol 5 lays down the specific provisions to apply to trade  between Poland of the one part and Spain and Portugal of the other part. TITLE IIPAYMENTS, COMPETITION AND OTHER ECONOMIC PROVISIONSArticle 31 (EA 59)The Parties  undertake to authorize, in freely convertible currency, any payments on the current account of  balance of payments to the extent that the transaction underlying the payments concern movements of  goods between the Parties which have been liberalized pursuant to the present Agreement. Article  32 (EA 62)With reference to the provisions of this Chapter, and notwithstanding the provisions of  Article 34, until a full convertibility of the Polish currency in the meaning of Article VIII of  the International Monetary Fund is introduced, Poland may in exceptional circumstances apply  exchange restrictions connected with the granting or taking up of short and medium-term credits to  the extent that such restrictions are imposed on Poland for the granting of such credits and are  permitted according to Poland's status under the IMF. Poland shall apply these restrictions in a non-discriminatory manner. They shall be applied in such  a manner as to cause the least possible disruption to this Agreement. Poland shall inform the Joint  Committee promptly of the introduction of such measures and of any changes therein. Article 33 (EA  63)1.    The following are incompatible with the proper functioning of the Agreement, in so far  as they may affect trade between the Community and Poland: (i)   all agreements between undertakings, decisions by associations of undertakings and concerted  practices between undertakings which have as their object or effect the prevention, restriction or  distortion of competition; (ii) abuse by one or more undertakings of a dominant position in the territories of the Community  or of Poland as a whole or in a substantial part thereof; (iii) any public aid which distorts or threatens to distort competition by favouring certain  undertakings or the production of certain goods. 2.    Any practices contrary to this Article shall be assessed on the basis of criteria arising  from the application of the rules of Articles 85, 86 and 92 of the Treaty establishing the European  Economic Community. 3.    The Joint Committee shall, within three years of the entry into force of the Agreement, adopt  by decision the necessary rules for the implementation of paragraphs 1 and 2. Until these rules are adopted, the provisions of the Agreement on interpretation and application of  Articles VI, XVI and XXIII of the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade shall be applied as the  rules for the implementation of paragraphs 1 (iii) and related parts of paragraph 2. 4.   (a)   For the purposes of applying the provisions of paragraph 1, point (iii), the Parties  recognize that during the first five years after the entry into force of the Agreement, any public  aid granted by Poland shall be assessed taking into account the fact that Poland shall be regarded  as an area identical to those areas of the Community described in Article 92.3(a) of the Treaty  establishing the European Economic Community. The Joint Committee shall, taking into account the  economic situation of Poland, decide whether that period should be extended by further periods of  five years.  (b) Each party shall ensure transparency in the area of public aid, inter alia by reporting  annually to the other party on the total amount and the distribution of the aid given and by  providing, upon request, information on aid schemes. Upon request by one party, the other party  shall provide information on particular individual cases of public aid. 5.    With regard to products referred to in Chapters II and III of Title I: -   the provision of paragraph 1 (iii) does not apply, - any practices contrary to paragraph 1 (i) should be assessed according to the criteria  established by the Community on the basis of Articles 42 and 43 of the Treaty establishing the  European Economic Community and in particular of those established in Council Regulation No  26/1962. 6.    If the Community or Poland considers that a particular practice is incompatible with the  terms of the first paragraph of this Article, and: -   is not adequately dealt with under the implementing rules referred to in paragraph 3, or- in  the absence of such rules, and if such practice causes or threatens to cause serious prejudice to  the interest of the other Party or material injury to its domestic industry, including its services  industry, it may take appropriate measures after consultation within the Joint Committee or after 30 working  days following referral for such consultation. In the case of practices incompatible with paragraph 1  (iii) of this Article, such appropriate  measures may, where the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade applies thereto, only be adopted in  conformity with the procedures and under the conditions laid down by the General Agreement on  Tariffs and Trade and any other relevant instrument negotiated under its auspices which are  applicable between the Parties. 7.    Notwithstanding any provisions to the contrary adopted in conformity with paragraph 3, the  parties shall exchange information taking into account the limitations imposed by the requirements  of professional and business secrecy. 8.    This Article shall not apply to the products covered by the Treaty establishing the European  Coal and Steel Community which are the subject of Protocol 2. Article 34 (EA 64)1.    The  Parties shall endeavour to avoid the imposition of restrictive measures including measures relating  to imports for balance of payments purposes. In the event of their introduction, the Party having  introduced the  same shall present to the other party as soon as possible, a time schedule for  their removal. 2.    Where one or more Member States of the Community or Poland is in serious balance of payments  difficulties, or under imminent threat thereof, the Community or Poland, as the case may be, may,  in accordance with the conditions established under the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade,  adopt restrictive measures, including measures relating to imports, which shall be of limited  duration and may not go beyond what is necessary to remedy the balance of payments situation. The  Community or Poland, as the case may be, shall inform the other Party forthwith. Article 35 (EA  65)With regard to public undertakings, and undertakings to which special or exclusive rights have  been granted, the Joint Committee shall ensure that as from the third year following the date of  entry into force of the Agreement, the principles of the Treaty establishing the European Economic  Community, notably Article 90, and the principles of the concluding document of the April 1990 Bonn  meeting of the Conference on Security and Cooperation in Europe, notably entrepreneurs' freedom of  decision, are upheld. Article 36 (EA 66)1.    Poland shall continue to improve the protection of  intellectual, industrial and commercial property rights in order to provide, by the end of the  fifth year from the entry into force of the Agreement, a level of protection similar to that  provided in the Community by Community Acts, in particular the ones referred to in Annex XIII,  including comparable means of enforcing such rights. 2.    Mutual assistance between administrative authorities in customs matters of the Parties shall  take place in accordance with the provisions of Protocol 6. TITLE IIIINSTITUTIONAL, GENERAL AND FINAL PROVISIONSArticle 37 (EA 102)The Joint Committee set  up by the Agreement on Trade and Commercial and Economic Cooperation signed between the European  Economic Community and Poland on 19 September 1989 shall perform the duties assigned to it by this  Agreement until the Association Council provided for in Article 102 of the Europe Agreement is  established.Article 38 (EA 104)The Joint Committee shall, for the purposes of attaining the  objectives of the Agreement, have the power to take decisions in the cases provided for therein.  The decisions taken shall be binding on the Parties which shall take the measures necessary to  implement the decisions taken. The Joint Committee may also make appropriate recommendations. It shall draw up its decisions and recommendations by agreement between the two Parties. Article  39 (EA 105)1.    Each of the two Parties may refer to the Joint Committee any dispute relating to  the application or interpretation of this Agreement. 2.    The Joint Committee may settle the dispute by means of a decision. 3.    Each Party shall be bound to take the measures involved in carrying out the decision referred  to in paragraph 2. 4.    In the event of it not being possible to settle the dispute in accordance with paragraph 2 of  this Article, either party may notify the other of the appointment of an arbitrator; the other  Party must then appoint a second arbitrator within two months. The Joint Committee shall appoint a third arbitrator. The arbitrators' decisions shall be taken by majority vote. Each party to the dispute must take the steps required to implement the decision of the  arbitrators.Article 40 (EA 111)Within the scope of this Agreement, each Party undertakes to  ensure that natural and legal persons of the other party have access free of discrimination in  relation to its own nationals to the competent courts and administrative organs of the Community  and Poland to defend their individual rights and their property rights, including those concerning  intellectual, industrial and commercial property. Article 41 (EA 112)Nothing in the Agreement  shall prevent a Party from taking any measures: (a)   which it considers necessary to prevent the disclosure of information contrary to its  essential security interests; (b) which relate to the production of, or trade in, arms, munitions or war materials or to  research, development or production indispensable for defence purposes, provided that such measures  do not impair the conditions of competition in respect of products not intended for specifically  military purposes; (c) which it considers essential to its own security in the event of serious internal disturbances  affecting the maintenance of law and order, in time of war or serious international tension  constituting threat of war or in order to carry out obligations it has accepted for the purpose of  maintaining peace and international security. Article 42 (EA 113)In the fields covered by this  Agreement and without prejudice to any special provisions contained therein: -   the arrangements applied by Poland in respect of the Community shall not give rise to any  discrimination between the Member States, their nationals, or their companies or firms, - the arrangements applied by the Community in respect of Poland shall not give rise to any  discrimination between Polish nationals or its companies or firms. Article 43 (EA 114)Products  originating in Poland shall not enjoy more favourable treatment when imported into the Community  than that applied by Member States among themselves. Article 44 (EA 115)1.    The Parties shall  take any general or specific measures required to fulfil their obligations under the Agreement.  They shall see to it that the objectives set out in the Agreement are attained. 2.    If either Party considers that the other Party has failed to fulfil an obligation under the  Agreement, it may take appropriate measures. Before so doing, it shall supply the Joint Committee  with all relevant information required for a thorough examination of the situation  with a view to  seeking a solution acceptable to the Parties. In the selection of measures, priority must be given to those which least disturb the functioning  of the Agreement. These measures shall be notified immediately to the Joint Committee and shall be  the subject of consultations within the Joint Committee if the other Party so requests. Article 45  (EA 117)Protocols 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 and 7 and Annexes I to XI and XIII shall form an integral part  of this Agreement. Article 46 (EA 118)1.    This Agreement shall be applicable until the entry   into force of the Europe Agreement signed on 16  December 1991 and at the latest until 31 December  1992. 2.    Either Party may denounce this Agreement by notifying the other Party. This Agreement shall  cease to apply six months after the date of such notification. Article 47 (EA 119)This Agreement  shall apply, on the one hand, to the territories in which the Treaties establishing the European  Economic Community and the European Coal and Steel Community are applied and under the conditions  laid down in those Treaties and, on the other hand, to the territory of the Republic of Poland.  Article 48 (EA 120)This Agreement is drawn up in duplicate in the Danish, Dutch, English, French,  German, Greek, Italian, Portuguese, Spanish and Polish languages, each of these texts being equally  authentic. Article 49 (EA 121)This Agreement will be approved by the Parties in accordance with  their own procedures. This Agreement shall enter into force on the first day of the month following the date on which the  Parties notify each other that the procedures referred to in the first paragraph have been  completed. Upon entry into force of this Agreement, Articles 2 and 3 (2), to 17 of the Agreement between the  European Economic Community and the Republic of Poland on trade and economic and commercial  cooperation signed in Brussels on 19 September 1989 and the corresponding provisions of the  Protocol between the European Coal and Steel Community and the Republic of Poland signed in  Brussels on 16 October 1991 shall be suspended. Article 50 (EA 122)1.    In the event that this  Agreement enters into force after 1 January but before 30 June 1992 for the purposes of Titles I  and II of this Agreement and Protocols 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 and 7 hereto, the terms 'date of entry into  force of the Agreement` shall mean: -   the date of entry into force in relation to obligations taking effect on that date, and- 1  January 1992 in relation to obligations taking effect after the date of entry into force by  reference to the date of entry into force. 2.    In the case of entry into force after 1 January, the provisions of Protocol 7 shall apply. En fe de lo cual, los plenipotenciarios abajo firmantes suscriben el presente  acuerdo. Til bekraeftelse heraf har undertegnede befuldmaegtigede underskrevet denne aftale. Zu Urkund dessen haben die unterzeichneten Bevollmaechtigten ihre Unterschriften unter dieses  Abkommen gesetzt. AAéò ðssóôùóç ôùí áíùôÝñù, ïé õðïãaaãñáììÝíïé ðëçñaaîïýóéïé Ýèaaóáí ôéò õðïãñáoeÝò ôïõò óôçí ðáñïýóá  óõìoeùíssá. In witness whereof the undersigned plenipotentiaries have signed this Agreement. En foi de quoi, les plénipotentiaires soussignés ont apposé leurs signatures au bas du présent  accord. In fede di che, i plenipotenziari sottoscritti hanno apposto le loro firme in calce al presente  accordo. Ten blijke waarvan de ondergetekende gevolmachtigden hun handtekening onder deze Overeenkomst  hebben gesteld. Em fé do que, os plenipotenciários abaixo assinados apuseram as suas assinaturas no final do  presente acordo. Na dowod czego pe xnomocnicy z xo Gzyli swoje podpisy pod niniejsz Na umow Na. Hecho en Bruselas, el dieciséis de diciembre de mil novecientos noventa y uno. Udfaerdiget i Bruxelles, den sekstende december nitten hundrede og enoghalvfems. Geschehen zu Bruessel am sechzehnten Dezember neunzehnhunderteinundneunzig. ¸ãéíaa óôéò ÂñõîÝëëaaò, óôéò aeÝêá Ýîé AEaaêaaìâñssïõ ÷ssëéá aaííéáêueóéá aaíaaíÞíôá Ýíá. Done at Brussels on the sixteenth day of December in the year one thousand nine hundred and  ninety-one. Fait à Bruxelles, le seize décembre mil neuf cent quatre-vingt-onze. Fatto a Bruxelles, addì sedici dicembre millenovecentonovantuno. Gedaan te Brussel, de zestiende december negentienhonderdeenennegentig. Feito em Bruxelas, em dezasseis de Dezembro de mil novecentos e noventa e um. Sporz Nadzono w Brukseli dnia szesnastego grudnia roku tysi Nac dziewi Ne´cset dziewi Ne´cdziesi  Natego pierwszego. Por el Consejo y la Comisión de las Comunidades EuropeasFor Raadet og Kommissionen for De  Europaeiske FaellesskaberFuer den Rat und die Kommission der Europaeischen GemeinschaftenÃéá ôï  Óõìâïýëéï êáé ôçí AAðéôñïðÞ ôùí AAõñùðáúêþí ÊïéíïôÞôùíFor the Council and the Commission of the  European CommunitiesPour le Conseil et la Commission des Communautés européennesPer il Consiglio  e la Commissione delle Comunità europeeVoor de Raad en de Commissie van de Europese  GemeenschappenPelo Conselho e pela Comissão das Comunidades EuropeiasZa Rad Ne i Komisj Ne  Wspólnot Europejskich>REFERENCE TO A FILM>Por la República de PoloniaFor Republikken PolenFuer  die Republik PolenÃéá ôç AEçìïêñáôssá ôçò ÐïëùíssáòFor the Republic of PolandPour la république de  PolognePer la Repubblica di PoloniaVoor de Republiek PolenPela República da PolóniaZa  Rzeczpospolit Na Polsk Na>REFERENCE TO A FILM>