Proposal for a COUNCIL DECISION concerning the extension of the adaptations to the voluntary restraint agreements between the European Community and Bulgaria, the Czech Republic, the Slovak Republic, Hungary and Poland on trade in mutton, lamb and goatmeat
Date: 1993-12-10
Institutions: European Commission
Subjects: Central and Eastern Europe, agreement (EU), goatmeat, sheepmeat, voluntary restraint agreement

COMMISSION  OF  THE  EUROPEAN  COMMUNITIES 

C0M(93) 655 final 

Brussels,  10 December  1993 

Proposal  for a 

COUNCIL  DECISION 

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

(presented  by  the Commission) 

UteA.'3"1*  Via 

MEMORANDUM TO THE COMMISSION 

1. The existing  adaptations  to the voluntary  restraint  agreements  between 
the European Community  and Bulgaria, the Czech Republic, the Slovak 
Republic, Hungary and Poland on trade  in sheepmeat  and goatmeat are due 
to expire on 31 December  1993. The adaptations  to the basic  agreements 
with these countries were put in place in 1990. They provide  for a levy 
on imports  into the Community  at 0% instead of  10** and compliance with 
traditional quantities during  sensitive periods as well as  arrangements 
for monitoring prices. 

2. In the case of the Czech Republic, the Slovak Republic, Hungary  and 

Poland, attention  is drawn to the amendments made to the voluntary 
restraint  agreements by the interim trade agreements  and  accompanying 
measures concluded with these countries, which entered  into force on 
1 March  1992.  Pursuant to these, the products  and quantities referred to 
in the voluntary restraint agreements were changed  (see Article  14(4) in 
conjunction with Annex X(b) of the agreements with  Hungary  and Poland and 
Article  14(4) in conjunction with Annex XIII(b) of the agreement with the 
Czech and Slovak Federal Republic).  As a result of the decision of the 
European Council held in Copenhagen on 21 and 22 June  1993, the 
additional quantities provided  for in the interim agreements have been 
brought  forward with effect  from  1 July  1993 by additional agreements. 
However, continued  suspension of the levy at 0% depends on the extension 
of the adaptations  to the voluntary  restraint  agreements. The quantities 
covered  by the voluntary  restraint  agreement concluded  with  the Czech and 
ulovak Federal Republic were divided by common accord  between  the two 
states which replaced  it.  The Community  has negotiated  additional 
agreements with the Czech Republic  and the Slovak Republic  providing, 
inter alia, for the division of these quantities. 

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 
1995, it is necessary to provide  for interim access arrangements  for 
sheepmeat and goatmeat  for  1994.  Therefore, on the  Commission's 
proposal, the Council decided, on 
Commission to open negotiations with the third countries with which the 
Community  has concluded voluntary  restraint agreements  in the  sheepmeat 
and goatmeat sector, and particularly  Bulgaria, the Czech Republic, the 
Slovak Republic, Hungary and Poland. 

1993, to authorize the 

4. Negotiations with Bulgaria, the Czech Republic, the Slovak  Republic, 
Hungary  and Poland have resulted  in the adaptations  to the voluntary 
restraint  agreements being extended  for one year to provide  for the 
necessary  interim access arrangements  for  1994. The agreements to be 
concluded with these countries  for  1994 stipulate that the existing 
adaptations  are to be extended. 

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

Financial  impact; 

No financial impact on the Community budget. 

1 

EXPLANATORY  MEMORANDUM 

1. The existing  adaptations to the voluntary  restraint  agreements between 
the European Community  and Bulgaria, the Czech Republic, the Slovak 
Republic, Hungary  and Poland on trade in sheepmeat  and goatmeat  are due 
to expire on 31 December  1993. The adaptations  to the basic  agreements 
with these countries were put  in place  in  1990. They provide  for a levy 
on  imports  into the community  at 0% instead  of  10% and compliance with 
traditional quantities  during  sensitive periods as well  as  arrangements 
for monitoring prices. 

2.  In the case of the Czech Republic, the Slovak Republic, Hungary and 

Poland, attention  is drawn to the amendments  made to the voluntary 
restraint agreements by the interim trade agreements  and  accompanying 
measures concluded with these countries, which entered  into force on 
1 March  1992.  Pursuant to these, the products  and quantities referred to 
in the voluntary restraint agreements were changed  (see Article  14(4) in 
conjunction with Annex X(b) of the agreements with  Hungary  and Poland and 
Article  14(4) in conjunction with Annex XIII(b) of the agreement with the 
Czech and Slovak Federal Republic).  As a result of the decision of the 
European Council held in Copenhagen on 21 and 22 June  1993, the 
additional quantities provided  for in the interim agreements  have been 
brought  forward with effect from  1 July  1993 by additional agreements. 
However, continued  suspension of the levy at 0% depends on the extension 
of the adaptations to the voluntary restraint  agreements. The  quantities 
covered by the voluntary restraint agreement concluded with  the Czech and 
Slovak Federal Republic were divided by common accord between  the two 
states which replaced  it.  The Community  has negotiated  additional 
agreements with the Czech Republic  and the Slovak  Republic  providing, 
inter alia, for the division of these quantities. 

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 
1995, it is necessary  to provide  for interim access  arrangements  for 
sheepmeat and goatmeat  for  1994.  Therefore, on the  Commission's 
proposal, the Council decided, on 
Commission  to open negotiations with the third countries with which the 
Community  has concluded voluntary restraint agreements  in the  sheepmeat 
and goatmeat  sector, and particularly  Bulgaria, the Czech Republic, the 
Slovak  Republic, Hungary and Poland. 

1993, to authorize the 

4. Negotiations with Bulgaria, the Czech Republic, the Slovak Republic, 
Hungary  and Poland have resulted  in the adaptations  to the voluntary 
restraint  agreements being extended  for one year to provide  for the 
necessary  interim access arrangements  for  1994. The agreements  to be 
concluded with these countries  for  1994 stipulate that the existing 
adaptations  are to be extended. 

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

Financial  impact: 

No financial  impact on the Community budget. 

COUNCIL DECISION 
Of 

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

THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION, 

Having regard to the Treaty establishing  the European Community, and in 
particular Article  228(2) and the first subparagraph  of Article  228(3), in 
conjunction with Article  113 thereof, 

Having regard to the proposal  from the Commission, 

Whereas the voluntary  restraint agreements concluded  between  the European 
Community and Bulgaria, the Czech Republic, the Slovak  Republic, Hungary and 
Poland on trade  in mutton, lamb and goatmeat were adapted  in 19 9 0 in the 
context of measures taken to stabilize the markets  in this sector; 

Whereas the said adaptations will cease to have effect on 31 December 1993; 

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 the Community has negotiated  agreements with the Czech Republic and 
the Slovak Republic  following  the dissolution  of the Czech  and Slovak 
Federal Republic; whereas those agreements provide  for the quantities 
covered  by the voluntary  restraint agreement  concluded with the Czech and 
Slovak Federal Republic  to be divided between the two states which have 
replaced it; 

Whereas account should be taken of the implications of the implementation of 
the single market  from  1 January 1993; 

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

whereas the Commission has conducted  negotiations  in this connection with 
Bulgaria, the Czech Republic, the Slovak 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 
Community  and Bulgaria, the Czech Republic, the Slovak Republic, Hungary and 
Poland concerning  the extension of the adaptations  to the voluntary 
restraint agreements between the European Community  and Bulgaria, the Czech 
Republic, the Slovak Republic, Hungary  and Poland on trade  in mutton, lamb 
and goatmeat are hereby  approved on behalf of the European  Community. 

The texts of the Agreements  are attached to this Decision. 

Article 2 

The President of the Council  is hereby  authorized  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 Council 

The  President 

1 

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

Sir, 

LETTER No 1 

I have the honour to refer to the Exchange of Letters of  1990 constituting 
an Agreement between the Community and the Republic  of Bulgaria adapting the 
Principal Agreement concluded  in 19 82 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, extended  for one year on 
17 December  1992, shall continue  in force until  31 December  1994 subject to 
the following  amendment: 

in Clause 6 of the Agreement the words  "until 31 December  1993" shall be 
replaced by  "until 31 December  1994". 

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  Union 

Sir, 

LETTER No 2 

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 Exchange of Letters of  1990 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, extended  for one year on 
17 December  1992, shall continue  in force until  31 December  1994 subject to 
the following  amendment: 

in Clause 6 of the Agreement the words  "until 31 December  199 3" shall be 
replaced by  "until 31 December  1994". 

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. 

Government of the Republic  of Bulgaria 

On behalf  of the 

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

Sir, 

LETTER NO 1 

I have the honour to refer to the Exchange of Letters of  1990 constituting 
an Agreement between the Community  and the Czech  and Slovak  Federal  Republic 
adapting the Principal Agreement concluded  in 19 82 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, extended  for one year on 
17 December  1992, shall continue  in force until  31 December  1994 subject to 
the following  amendment: 

in Clause  6 of the Agreement the words  "until  31 December  1993" shall be 
replaced  by  "until  31 December  1994". 

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 Republic  on the matter. 

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

On behalf of the 
Council of the European  Union 

? 

Sir, 

LETTER No 2 

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 Exchange of Letters of  1990 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, extended  for one year on 
17 December  1992, shall continue  in force until  31 December  1994 subject to 
the following amendment: 

in Clause 6 of the Agreement the words  "until 31 December  1993" shall be 
replaced by  "until 31 December  1994". 

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 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. 

On behalf  of the 
Government of the Czech  Republic 

,V 

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

Sir, 

LETTER NO 1 

I have the honour to refer to the Exchange of Letters of  1990 constituting 
an Agreement  between the Community  and the Czech  and Slovak  Federal  Republic 
adapting  the Principal Agreement concluded  in  19 82 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, extended  for one year on 
17 December  1992, shall continue  in force until 31 December  1994 subject to 
the following  amendment: 

in Clause 6 of the Agreement the words  "until  31 December  1993" shall be 
replaced by  "until 31 December  1994". 

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 
Slovak  Republic on the matter. 

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

On behalf  of the 
Council of the European  Union 

q 

Sir, 

LETTER No 2 

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 Exchange of Letters of  199 0 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, extended  for one year on 
17 December  1992, shall continue  in force until 31 December  1994 subject to 
the following  amendment: 

in Clause  6 of the Agreement  the words  "until  31 December  1993" shall be 
replaced by  "until 31 December  1994". 

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 
Slovak 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. 

On behalf  of the 
Government of the Slovak  Republic 

10 

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

Sir, 

LETTER No 1 

I have the honour to refer to the Exchange of Letters of  1990 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, extended  for one year on 
17 December  1992, shall continue  in force until 31 December  1994 subject to 
the following  amendment: 

in Clause  6 of the Agreement the words  "until 31 December  1993" shall be 
replaced by  "until 31 December  1994". 

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  Union 

Sir, 

LETTER No 2 

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 Exchange of Letters of  1990 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, extended  for one year on 
17 December  1992, shall continue  in force until 31 December  1994 subject to 
the following amendment: 

in Clause 6 of the Agreement the words  "until 31 December  1993" shall be 
replaced by  "until 31 December  1994". 

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. 

On behalf  of the 

Government of the Republic  of  Hungary 

n 

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

Sir, 

LETTER No 1 

I have the honour to refer to the Exchange of Letters of  1990 constituting 
an Agreement  between the European Community  and the Republic  of Poland 
adapting  the Principal Agreement concluded  in 19 81 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, extended  for one year on 
17 December  1992, shall continue  in force until 31 December  1994 subject to 
the following amendment: 

in Clause 6 of the Agreement the words  "until  31 December  1993" shall be 
replaced by  "until 31 December  1994". 

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  Union 

n 

Sir, 

LETTER NO 2 

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 Exchange of Letters of  1990 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, extended  for one year on 
17 December  1992, shall continue in force until 31 December  1994 subject to 
the following  amendment: 

in Clause 6 of the Agreement the words  "until  31 December  1993" shall be 
replaced by  "until 31 December  1994". 

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. 

Government of the Republic  of Poland 

On behalf  of the 

1/1 

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