Recommendation for a COUNCIL DECISION concerning the extension of the adaptations to the voluntary restraint agreements between the European Economic Community and Bulgaria, the Czech and Slovak Federal Republic, Hungary, and Poland on trade in mutton, lamb and goatmeat
Date: 1992-12-07
Institutions: European Commission
Subjects: distributive trades, sheepmeat, third country, voluntary restraint agreement

COMMISSION  OF THE EUROPEAN  COMMUNITIES 

C0M(92) 536 final 

Brussels, 7  December 1992 

Recommendation  for a 

C0UNÇIU  PEdStQN 

concerning the extension of the adaptations to the voluntary 
restraint  agreements between the European Economic  Community 
and Bulgaria, the Czech and Slovak  Federal  Republic, Hungary, 
and Poland on trade  in mutton,  lamb and goatmeat. 

(presented by the Commission) 

_  A fc^ -

EXPLANATORY  MEMORANDUM 

1.  The  existing  adaptations  to  the  voluntary  restraint  agreements 
(VRAs)  between  the  European  Economic  Community  and  Bulgaria,  the 
Czech  and  Slovak  Federal  Republic,  Hungary  and  Poland,  on  trade  In 
sheepmeat  and  goatmeat  are due  to expire on  31  December  1992.  The 
adaptations  to  the basic VRAs  with  respect  to  these  countries  were 
put  in  place  in  1990.  They  provide  for  Import  quantities  to  the 
Community  at  0%  levy,  Instead  of  10%,  the  observance  of  the 
traditional  quantities  during  the  sensitive  periods  and  a  price 
survei Nance  procedure. 

2.  As  regards  the  Czech  and  Slovak  Federal  Republic,  Hungary  and 
Poland  the  attention  is drawn  to  the  changes  that  were  introduced 
In  the  VRA's  by  the  Interim  Agreements  on  Trade  and  trade-related 
matters  with  these  countries.  By  virtue  of  the  latter  Agreements 
which entered  Into force on  1.3.92, the products  and  the quantities 
in the VRA's  have been amended  (See article  14 (4) O.J. Annex  Xb of 
the  Agreements  with  Hungary  and  Poland  and  article  14  (4)  O.J. 
annex  XII lb  of  the  Agreement  with  the  Czech  and  Slovak  Federal 
Republic).  But  the  continuing  suspension  of  the  levy  at  0%  is 
dependant  upon  the prolongation  of  the adaptations of  the VRA's. 

3.  As  It  is  now  clear  that  the  GATT  Uruguay  Round  Negotiations  will 
not  be  completed  in  time  to  permit  the  application  of  the  new 
multilateral  framework  for  agricultural  trade  to enter  into effect 
before  1  January  1994,  It  is  necessary  to  provide  for  interim 
access  arrangements  for  sheepmeat  and  goatmeat 
for  1993. 
Therefore,ion  the  Commission's  recommendation,  the  Council  decided 
on  ...  19912 to  authorise  the  Commission  to  open  negotiations  with 
the  third) countries,  including  Bulgaria,  the  Czech  and  Slovak 
Federal  Republic,  Hungary  and  Poland,  with  whom  the  Community  has 
concluded  [a  voluntary  restraint  agreement  In  the  sheepmeat  and 
goatmeat  sector. 

4.  Negotiations  have  been  concluded  with  Bulgaria,  Czech  and  Slovak 
Federal  Republic,  Hungary  and  Poland  on  the  extension  of  the 
adaptations  of  the  VRAs  to  provide  for  the  extension  for  one  year 
necessary  interim  access  arrangements  for  1993.  The  proposed 
agreements with  these  countries  for  1993 provide  for  the  extension 
of  the current  adaptations. 

5.  The  Council  is hereby  asked  to  approve  the  agreements  in  the  form 
of  the  exchanges  of  letters  annexed  hereto  and  to  designate  the 
person  empowered  to  sign  the  agreements  In  order  to  bind  the 
Community. 

Small  and Medium  Enterprises  : No competitive  or  cost  Impact  for  small 

and medium  enterprises. 

Financial  impact  : No financial  Impact  on Community  budget. 

4h 

Recommendation for a 

COUNCIL  DECISION 

of 

concerning the extension of the adaptations to the voluntary 
restraint agreements between the European Economic Community 
and Bulgaria, the Czech and Slovak Federal Republic, Hungary 
and Poland on trade in mutton, lamb and goatmeat. 

THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES, 

Having  regard  to  the  Treaty  establishing  the  European  Economic 
Community, and  in particular Article 113 thereof, 

Having regard to the recommendation from the Commission, 

Whereas  the  voluntary  restraint  agreements  between  the  European 
Economic Community and Bulgaria, the Czech and Slovak Federal Republic, 
Hungary  and Poland on  trade  in mutton,  lamb and goatmeat were adapted 
in 1990  in the context of measures  taken  to stabilise  the markets  in 
this sector; 

Whereas the said adaptations shall  cease to have effect on 31 December 
1992; 

Whereas  it  is necessary  to provide  for  interim arrangements  for  trade 
in the  sheepmeat  and  goatmeat  sectors  pending  the  conclusion  of  the 
negotiations  regarding  agricultural  trade  in  the  framework  of  the 
General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade; 

Whereas  it  is  appropriate  in  these  circumstances  to  extend  the 
adaptations to the said voluntary restraint agreements for one year; 

Whereas  the  effect  of  the  implementation  of  the  Single  Market  from 
1 January 1993 should be taken  into account; 

Whereas  the  Commission  has conducted  negotiations  in  this connection 
with  Bulgaria,  the  Czech  and  Slovak  Federal  Republic,  Hungary  and 
Poland which have resulted  in Agreements; 

Whereas the Agreements should be approved; 

HAS DECIDED AS FOLLOWS : 

Article 1 

The Agreements  in the form of Exchanges of Letters between the European 
Economic Community and Bulgaria, the Czech and Slovak Federal Republic, 
Hungary  and Poland  concerning  the extension of  the adaptations  to the 
voluntary  restraint  agreements between  the European Economic Community 
and Bulgaria, the Czech and Slovak Federal Republic, Hungary and Poland 
on trade  in mutton, lamb and goatmeat are hereby approved on behalf of 
the European Economic Community. 

The texts of the Agreements are attached to this Decision. 

- 2 -

Article  2 

The  President  of  the  Council  is  hereby  authorised  to  designate  the 
person empowered to sign the Agreements  in order to bind the Community. 

This  Decision  shall  be  published  in  the  Official  Journal  of  the 
European Communities. 

Done at Brussels, 

For the CounciI 

The President 

AGREEMENT 
in the  form of  an  Exchange of  Letters extending  the adaptation  to  the 
Agreement  between  the European  Economic  Community 
and  the Republic of  Bulgaria 
on  trade  in mutton,  lamb and  goatmeat. 

LETTER  No 1 

Sir, 

I have  the honour  to  refer  to the  1990 Exchange of  Letters  constituting 
an  Agreement  between  the  Community  and  the  Republic  of  Bulgaria 
adapting  the  Principal  Agreement  concluded  in  1982  between  the 
Community  and  the  Republic  of  Bulgaria  on  trade  in  mutton,  lamb  and 
goatmeat. 

Further  to  recent  discussions,  I have  the  honour  to  propose  that  the 
Agreement  set  out  in  the  above  Exchange  of  Letters  shall  continue  in 
force  from  31  December  1992 subject  to the  following  amendment  : 

in  paragraph  6  of  the  Agreement  the  words  :  "until  31  December 
1993" shall  be substituted  for  the words,  "until  31  December  1992". 

I  have  the  honour  to  propose,  that  if  the  foregoing  is  acceptable  to 
your  Government,  this  letter  and  your  confirmatory  reply  shall  together 
constitute an Agreement  between  the Community  and  the Government  of  the 
Republic of Bulgaria on  the matter. 

Please  accept,  Sir,  the assurances of my  highest  consideration. 

On behalf  of  the 

Council  of  the European  Communities 

LETTER  No 2 

Sir, 

I have  the honour  to acknowledge  receipt  of  your  letter  of  today's  date 
which  reads as follows : 

"I  have  the  honour  to  refer  to  the  1990  Exchange  of  Letters 
constituting  an  Agreement  between  the  Community  and  the  Republic  of 
Bulgaria  adapting  the Principal  Agreement  concluded  in 1982 between  the 
Community  and  the  Republic  of  Bulgaria  on  trade  in  mutton,  lamb  and 
goatmeat. 

Further  to  recent  discussions,  I have  the  honour  to  propose  that  the 
Agreement  set  out  in  the  above  Exchange  of  Letters  shall  continue  in 
force  from 31  December  1992 subject  to the following  amendment  : 

in  paragraph  6  of  the  Agreement  the  words 
"until  31  December 
1993" shall  be substituted  for  the words, "until  31 December  1992". 

I  have  the  honour  to  propose,  that  if  the  foregoing  is  acceptable  to 
your  Government, this  letter  and your  confirmatory  reply  shall  together 
constitute an Agreement  between  the Community  and  the Government  of  the 
Republic of Bulgaria on  the matter." 

I  have  the  honour  to  confirm  that  my  Government  is  in  agreement  with 
the contents of  your  letter. 

Please accept, Sir, the assurances of my  highest  consideration. 

On behalf  of 
the Government  of  the Republic of  Bulgaria 

.s 

AGREEMENT 
in the  form of  an Exchange of Letters extending  the adaptation  to the 
Agreement  between  the European  Economic  Community 
and  the Czech  and Slovak  Federal  Republic 

on  trade  in mutton,  lamb  and  goatmeat. 

LETTER  No 1 

Sir, 

I have  the honour  to refer  to the  1990 Exchange of  Letters  constituting 
an  Agreement  between  the  Community  and  the  Czech  and  Slovak  Federal 
Republic  adapting  the Principal  Agreement  concluded  in 1982 between  the 
Community  and  the Czech  and Slovak  Federal  Republik on  trade  in mutton, 
lamb and goatmeat. 

Further  to  recent  discussions,  I have  the  honour  to  propose  that  the 
Agreement  set  out  in  the  above  Exchange  of  Letters  shall  continue  in 
force  from  31 December  1992 subject  to the  following  amendment  : 

in  paragraph  6  of  the  Agreement  the  words  :  "until  31  December 
1993" shall  be substituted  for  the words,  "until  31 December  1992". 

I have  the  honour  to  propose,  that  if  the  foregoing  is  acceptable  to 
your  Government, this  letter  and  your  confirmatory  reply  shall  together 
constitute an Agreement  between  the Community  and  the Government  of  the 
Czech  and Slovak  Federal  Republic on  the matter. 

Please  accept, Sir, the assurances of my  highest  consideration. 

On behalf  of  the 

Council  of  the European  Communities 

LETTER  No 2 

Sir , 

I have  the honour  to acknowledge  receipt  of  your  letter  of  today's  date 
which  reads as follows : 

"I  have  the  honour  to  refer  to  the  1990  Exchange  of  Letters 
constituting  an  Agreement  between  the  Community  and  the  Czech  and 
Slovak  Federal  Republic  adapting  the  Principal  Agreement  concluded  in 
1982 between  the Community  and  the Czech  and  Slovak  Federal  Republic on 
trade  in mutton,  lamb and goatmeat. 

Further  to  recent  discussions,  I have  the  honour  to  propose  that  the 
Agreement  set  out  in  the  above  Exchange  of  Letters  shall  continue  in 
force from  31  December  1992 subject  to the following  amendment  : 

in  paragraph  6  of  the  Agreement  the  words  :  "until  31  December 
1993" shall  be substituted  for  the words,  "until  31  December  1992". 

I have  the  honour  to  propose,  that  if  the  foregoing  is  acceptable  to 
your  Government,  this  letter  and  your  confirmatory  reply  shall  together 
constitute an Agreement  between  the Community  and  the Government  of  the 
Czech  and Slovak  Federal  Republic on  the matter." 

I have  the  honour  to  confirm  that  my  Government  is  in  agreement  with 
the contents of  your  letter. 

Please accept, Sir, the assurances of my  highest  consideration. 

the Government  of  the Czech  and Slovak  Federal  Republik 

On behalf  of 

AGREEMENT 
in the  form of an Exchange of Letters extending  the adaptation  to the 
Agreement  between  the European  Economic  Community 
and  the Republic of  Hungary 

on  trade  in mutton,  lamb and goatmeat. 

LETTER  No 1 

Sir, 

I have  the honour  to refer  to the 1990 Exchange of Letters  constituting 
an Agreement  between  the Community  and  the Republic of Hungary  adapting 
the Principal  Agreement  concluded  in 1981  between  the Community  and  the 
Republic of Hungary  on  trade  in mutton,  lamb and  goatmeat. 

Further  to  recent  discussions,  I have  the  honour  to  propose  that  the 
Agreement  set  out  in  the  above  Exchange  of  Letters  shall  continue  in 
force  from  31 December  1992 subject  to the following amendment  : 

in  paragraph  6  of  the  Agreement  the  words 
"until  31  December 
1993" shall  be substituted  for  the words,  "until  31  December  1992". 

I have  the  honour  to  propose,  that  if  the  foregoing  is  acceptable  to 
your  Government,  this  letter  and your  confirmatory  reply  shall  together 
constitute an Agreement  between  the Community  and  the Government  of  the 
Republic of Hungary on  the matter. 

Please accept, Sir,  the assurances of my  highest  consideration. 

On behalf of  the 

Council  of  the European  Communities 

LETTER  No  2 

Sir , 

I have  the  honour  to acknowledge  receipt  of  your  letter  of  today's  date 
which  reads  as  follows  : 

"I  have  the  honour  to  refer  to  the  1990  Exchange  of  Letters 
constituting  an  Agreement  between  the  Community  and  the  Republic  of 
Hungary  adapting  the  Principal  Agreement  concluded  in  1981  between  the 
Community  and  the  Republic  of  Hungary  on  trade  in  mutton,  lamb  and 
goatmeat. 

Further  to  recent  discussions,  I have  the  honour  to  propose  that  the 
Agreement  set  out  in  the  above  Exchange  of  Letters  shall  continue  in 
force  from  31  December  1992  subject  to  the  following  amendment  : 

in  paragraph  6  of  the  Agreement  the  words 
"until  31  December 
1993"  shall  be  substituted  for  the words,  "until  31  December  1992". 

I  have  the  honour  to  propose,  that  if  the  foregoing  is  acceptable  to 
your  Government,  this  letter  and  your  confirmatory  reply  shall  together 
constitute  an  Agreement  between  the Community  and  the  Government  of  the 
Republic of  Hungary  on  the  matter." 

I  have  the  honour  to  confirm  that  my  Government  is  in  agreement  with 
the contents  of  your  letter. 

Please  accept,  Sir,  the  assurances  of  my  highest  consideration. 

the  Government  of  the  Republic  of  Hungary 

On  behalf  of 

3 

AGREEMENT 
in the form of  an Exchange of Letters extending  the adaptation  to the 
Agreement  between  the European  Economic  Community 
and  the Republic of  Poland 

on  trade  in mutton,  iamb and goatmeat. 

LETTER  No 1 

Sir, 

I have the honour  to refer  to the 1990 Exchange of  Letters constituting 
an Agreement  between  the Community  and  the Republic of  Poland  adapting 
the Principal  Agreement  concluded  in 1981  between  the Community  and  the 
Republic of  Poland on  trade  in mutton,  lamb and  goatmeat. 

Further  to  recent  discussions,  I have  the  honour  to  propose  that  the 
Agreement  set  out  in  the  above  Exchange  of  Letters  shall  continue  in 
force  from  31 December  1992 subject  to the following amendment  : 

in  paragraph  7  of  the  Agreement  the  words 
"until  31  December 
1993" shall  be substituted  for  the words,  "until  31  December  1992". 

I have  the  honour  to  propose,  that  if  the  foregoing  is  acceptable  to 
your  Government,  this  letter  and your  confirmatory  reply  shall  together 
constitute  an Agreement  between  the Community  and  the Government  of  the 
Republic of Poland on  the matter. 

Please accept, Sir, the assurances of my  highest  consideration. 

On behalf  of  the 

Council  of  the European  Communities 

> 

LETTER  No 2 

Sir, 

I have  the honour  to acknowledge  receipt  of  your  letter  of  today's  date 
which  reads as  follows : 

"I  have  the  honour  to  refer  to  the  1990  Exchange  of  Letters 
constituting  an  Agreement  between  the  Community  and  the  Republic  of 
Poland  adapting  the  Principal  Agreement  concluded  in  1981  between  the 
Community  and  the  Republic  of  Poland  on  trade  in  mutton,  lamb  and 
goatmeat. 

Further  to  recent  discussions,  I have  the  honour  to  propose  that  the 
Agreement  set  out  in  the  above  Exchange  of  Letters  shall  continue  in 
force  from 31 December  1992 subject  to the following amendment  : 

in  paragraph  7  of  the  Agreement  the  words 
"until  31  December 
1993" shall  be substituted  for  the words,  "until  31  December  1992". 

I  have  the  honour  to  propose,  that  if  the  foregoing  is  acceptable  to 
your  Government,  this  letter  and your  confirmatory  reply  shall  together 
constitute an Agreement  between  the Community  and  the Government  of  the 
Republic of  Poland on  the matter." 

I have  the  honour  to  confirm  that  my  Government  is  in  agreement  with 
the contents of  your  letter. 

Please accept, Sir, the assurances of my  highest  consideration. 

the Government  of  the Republic of  Poland 

On behalf of 

^' 

ISSN 0254-1475 

COM(92) 536 final 

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