Proposal for a Council Regulation (EC) adopting autonomous and transitional measures for the free trade agreements with Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia in certain processed agricultural products
Date: 1997-10-29
Institutions: European Commission
Subjects: Baltic States, agricultural product, agro-industry, free-trade agreement, tariff preference

COMMISSION OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES 

Brussels,  29.10.1997 
COM(97) 547 final 

97/0287 (ACC) 

Proposal  for a 

COUNCIL REGULATION  (EC) 

adopting autonomous and trai sitional measures for the free trade agreements with 
Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia in certain processed agricultural  products 

(presented by the Commission) 

EXPLANATORY  MEMORANDUM 

The  purpose  of  this  proposal  is  to  extend,  until  the  end  of  1998,  the  autonomous 
measures  applied by  the EU to imports of  processed  agricultural  goods  from  Estonia, 
Latvia  and  Lithuania  which  were  introduced  following  the  enlargement  of  the 
Community  and  the  implementation  of  the  Uruguay  Round,  as  laid  down  in  Council 
Regulation (EC) No  1507/97. 

Protocols  adapting the Free Trade Agreements  with these countries  have been or soon 
will  be  initialled.  However,  pending  the  procedures  for  their  formal  adoption  by  the 
respective  parties  the  Adaptation  Protocols  will  not  take  effect  on  1 January  1998. 
Therefore,  and  in  order  to  avoid  any  deterioration  in  access  to  the  EU  market  for 
preferential  trade  from  Estonia,  Latvia  and  Lithuania  thé  measures  foreseen  in 
Regulation (EC) No  1507/97 should be extended until 31 December 1998. 

This  proposal  does  not  entail  any  additional  expenditure  other  than  those  already 
agreed upon adoption of Regulations (EC) No  1507/97 which it is replacing. 

2. 

PROPOSAL FOR A COUNCIL REGULATION (EC) 

adopting autonomous and transitional measures for the free trade agreements with 
Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia in certain processed agricultural products 

THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION, 

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

Having regard to the proposal from the Commission, 

Whereas, pending adaptation of Protocol 2 of the Free Trade Agreements concluded 
with Estonia,  Latvia,  Lithuania1, Council Regulation (EC) No 1507/972 was adopted, 
which, until 31 December 1997 maintains the degree of preference granted, thus 
offsetting  possible negative effects  the implementation of the results of the Uruguay 
Round may have on exports of these countries to the Community; 

Whereas, pending adoption of improved concessions granted to Estonia, Latvia and 
Lithuania by the respective Joint Committees, Council Regulation (EC) No  1507/97 laid 
down new concessions on a provisional and autonomous basis; 

Whereas  the  negotiations  with  the  countries  concerned  for  the  conclusion  of  Protocols 
amending the Free Trade Agreements have been concluded and new Protocols 2 have been 
or  soon  will  be  initialled;  whereas  procedures  for  the  formal  adoption  of  'interim' 
Protocols covering solely the trade-related aspects of the amending protocols are underway; 
whereas  the  time  schedule  required  for  formal  adoption may  not  allow  for  the entry  into 
force  of  the  'interim'  Protocols  on  1 January  1998;  whereas  it  is  therefore  advisable  to 
extend the concessions on an autonomous basis until 31 December  1998; 

HAS ADOPTED THIS REGULATION: 

Article 1 

1. 

From  1  January to 31 December  1998 the goods originating  from  Lithuania  listed 
in  Annex  1 to  this  Regulation  shall  be  subject  to  the  annual  tariff  quotas  and 
preferential  duties mentioned  in that Annex. The basic amounts to be taken  into 

OJ No L 373, 31.12.1994, p.l  (Estonia) 
OJ No L 374, 31.12.1994, p.l  (Latvia) 
OJ No L 375, 31.12.1994, p.l  (Lithuania) 

OJNoL204,  31.7.1997,  p.l 

3 

2. 

3. 

consideration  in  calculating  the  reduced  agricultural  components  and  additional 
duties applicable to the importation into the Community are given in Annex II. 

From  1 January to  31  December  1998 the  goods  originating  from  Latvia  listed  in 
Annex  III  to  this  Regulation  shall  be  subject  to  the  annual  tariff  quotas  and 
preferential  duties  mentioned  in that Annex.  The  basic  amounts  to  be  taken  into 
consideration  in  calculating  the  reduced  agricultural  components  and  additional 
duties applicable to the importation into the Community are given in Annex II. 

From  1 January to 3.1 December  1998 the goods originating from Estonia listed  in 
Annex  IV  to  this  Regulation  shall  be  subject  to  the  annual  tariff  quotas  and 
preferential  duties  mentioned  in that Annex.  The  basic  amounts  to  be  taken  into 
consideration  in  calculating  the  reduced  agricultural  components  and  additional 
duties applicable to the importation into the Community are given in Annex II. 

Article  2 

The  concessions  applying  to  trade  in  processed  agricultural  products  provided  for  in 
the  Additional  Protocols  adapting  the  Free  Trade  Agreements  with  the  countries 
referred  to  in  Article  1  shall,  from  the  entry  into  force  of  each  of  those  Protocols, 
replace  the  concessions  provided  for  in  the  annexes  to  this  regulation.  The  rules 
implementing  the  measures  provided  for  in  this  regulation  shall  be  also  applicable  for 
the corresponding  measures provided  in the Additional  Protocols. 

Article  3 

The quotas referred to  in Annexes  I, III and IV to this Regulation  shall  be administered  by 
the  Commission  in  accordance  with  the  provisions  of  Regulation  (EC)  No  1460/96 
establishing  the  detailed  rules  for  implementing  the  preferential  trade  arrangements 
applicable  to  certain  goods  resulting  from  the  processing  of  agricultural  products,  as 
provided for in Article 7 of Regulation (EC) No  3448/933. 

Article 4 

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

It shall apply with effect  from  I January  1998. 

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

Done at Brussels, 

For the Council 

• ' O J N oL  187, 26.07.1996, p. 18 

M 

ANNEX I 

LITHUANIA 

Order 
No 

CN code 

Description 

1998 quota 
(tonnes) 

Preference 

from 01/01 
to 
30/06/1998 

from 01/07 
to 
31/12/1998 

1506 00 00 

Other animal fats 

unlimited 

0% 

Animal and vegetable fats 

360 

09.6533 

09.6501 

1518 00 10 
1518 00 31 
1518 00 39 
1518 00 91 
1518 00 95 
1518 00 99 
17049071 
17049075 

Boiled sweets 
Caramels 

09.6503 

1806 90 

Chocolate 

09.6528 

2203 00 

Beer 

09.6525 

2208 60 11 

Vodka 

09.6534 

2402 20 90 

Cigarettes 

5.5% 
0% 
3.5% 
5.5% 
0% 
5.5% 
EAR 

EAR 

4.4% 

0% 

5% 
0% 
3% 
5% 
0% 
5% 
EAR 

EAR 

3.5% 

0.52 ECU/% 
vol/hl+2.53 
ECU/hl 
36.9% 

0.26 ECU/% 
vol/hl+1.27 
ECU/hl 
34.2% 

480 

600 

480 

390 

48 

^ 

ANNEX II 

Basic amounts to be taken into consideration  in calculating  agricultural  components 
and additional  duties 

from  01/01 
to 
30/06/1998 

from  01/07 
to 
31/12/1998 

ecus/ECU/Ecu/ 
ecu/écus/ecua/100 kg 

8.524 

I 

7.900 

13.231 

12.263 

8.306 

8.306 

7.408 

7.698 
-
7.698 

7.408 

23.706 

21.972 

26.730 

25.740 

33.423 

30.978 

48.575 

45.021 

32.565 

31.795 

Trigo blando / Blod hvede / Weichweizen /  MoÀCiKÔ airdpi / 
Common wheat / Blé tendre / Grano tenero / Zachte tarwe / 
Trigo mole / Tavallinen vehnà / Vete 
Trigo duro /Hard  hvede / Hartweizen /iKÀnpô arrdpi  / Durum 
wheat / Blé dur /Grano duro /Durum tarwe / Trigo duro 
/Durumvehna / Durumvete 
Centeno/ Rug / Roggen /IiKOXr) /Rye /Seigle / Segala / Rogge / 
Centeio / Ruis /Râg 
Cebada / Byg / Gerste /  KpiBdpt /Barley/ Orge / Orzo / Gerst / 
Cevada / Ohra / Kom 
Maiz / Majs  / Mais /  KoAdl-irtÔKi / Maize / Mai's / Granturco / 
Maïs / Milho / Maissi / Majs 
Arroz descascarillado de grano largo / Ris, afskallet,  langkornet / 
Reis, langkôrnig, geschâlt / AnocpXoio)|jévo pûÇi paKpoanepMO 
/ Long-grain husked rice / Riz décortiqué à grains longs / Riso 
semigreggio a grani lunghi / Langkorrelige gedopte rijst  /  Arroz 
em peliculas de grâos longos / Pitkàjyvàinen esikuorittu riisi / Ris, 
skalat làngkornigt 
Leche desnatada en polvo / Skummetmaelkspulver / 
Magermilchpulver  / Ano(3ouTupu>|jévo ydÀci ae aKÔvri  / 
Skimmed-milk powder / Lait érémé en poudre / Latte scremato in 
polvere / Magere-melkpoeder  / Leite desnatado em pô/ Rasvaton 
maitojauhe  / Skummjôlkspulver 
Leche entera en polvo / Sodmaelkspulver / Vollmilchpulver / 
n\r|peq ydAa ae  CFKÔVTI / Whole-milk powder  / Lait entier en 
poudre / Latte intero in polvere / Vollemelkpoeder / Leite inteiro 
ein pô / Rasvainen maitojauhe  / Mjôlkpulver 
Mantequilla  / Smer  I Butter /  Bouxupo / Butter / Beurre / Burro 
/ Boter / Manteiga / Voi / Smôr 
Azucar bianco / Hvidt sukker / Weifizucker  / AeuKrj Çdxapr]  / 
White sugar / Sucre blanc / Zucchero bianco / Witte suiker / 
Açùcar branco / Valkoinen sokeri / Vitt socker 

. 

C 

ANNEX III 

LATVIA 

Order No 

CN code 

Description 

1998 quota 
(tonnes) 

Preference 

from  01/01 
to 
30/06/1998 

from  01/07 
to 
31/12/1998 

Sugar confectionery 

300 

EAR 

EAR 

Chocolate 

600 

EAR 

EAR 

09.6535 

09.6536 

09.6537 

1704 90 65 
1704 90 71 
1704 90 75 

1806 3100 
1806 32 10 
1806 32 90 
1806 90 11 
1806 90 19 

190190 11 
1901 90 19 
1901 90 91 
1901 90 99 

Food preparations 

240 

09.6538 

1905 30 

Biscuits 

09.6527 

2104 10 

Soups and broths 

09.6513 

2105 

Ice-cream 

09.6528 

2203 00 

Beer 

09.6525 

2208 60 11 

Vodka 

W.*$2$ 

2 2 * 7 0 10 

Liqueur» 

240 

39 

34 

600 

390 

" 

} 

EAR 
EAR 
8.2% 
EAR 

EAR 

5.7% 

EAR 

4.4% 

EAR 
EAR 
7.6% 
EAR 

EAR 

5.3% 

EAR 

3.5% 

0.52 ECU/% 
vol/hl+2.53 
ECU/W 
0.64 ÉCU/H 
v*4*itf4.1& 
BCUfti 

0.26  ECU/% 
vol/hl+1.27 
ECU/W 
0.32 ECU/% 
vd/h4+2.()5 
ECU/W 

AJNNEXIV 

ESTONIA 

Order 
No 

CN code 

Description 

1998 quota 
(tonnes) 

Preference 

from  01/01 
to 
30/06/1998 

from  01/07 
to 
31/12/1998 

09.6515 

1704 10 11 
1704  10 19 
1704 90 71 
1704 90 75 

Sugar confectionery 

180 

EAR 

EAR 

09.6530 

1805 00 00 

Cocoa powder 

09.6517 

ex 1806 

Chocolate confectionery, 
excluding CN code 1806 10 
15 

09.6519 

1806 10 15 
1905 

Bakery goods 

09.6521 

2102  10 39 

Yeasts 

34 

600 

130 

2400 

09.9539 

2103 90 90 

Sauces and preparations 

720 

09.6523 

2105 

Ice-cream 

09.6531 

2203 

Beer 

09.6525 

2208 60 11 

Vodka 

09.6529 

2208 70 10 

Liquors 

09.6532 

2208 90 69 

Other spirits 

09.6534 

2402 20 90 

Cigarettes 

13 

600 

120 

20 

20 

60 

0% 

EAR 

0% 
EAR 

EAR 

5.7% 

EAR 

4.4% 

0% 

EAR 

0% 
EAR 

EAR 

5.3% 

EAR 

3.5% 

0.52  ECU/% 
vol/hl+2.53 
ECU/hl 
0.64 ECU/% 
vol/hl+4.10 
ECU/hl 
0.64 ECU/% 
vol/hl+4.10 
ECU/hl 
36.9% 

0.26  ECU/% 
vol/hl+1.27 
ECU/hl 
0.32 ECU/% 
vol/hl+2.05 
ECU/hl 
0.32 ECU/% 
vol/hl+2.05 
ECU/hl 
34.2% 

S 

FINANCIAL STATEMENT 

1.BUDGET HEADING :  Article 120 

APPROPRIATIONS 

2.TITLE : 

Proposal for a Council Regulation adopting autonomous and transitional  measures for the free trade 
agreements with Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia in certain processed agricultural  products 

LLEGAL  BASIS: Article  113 

4. AIMS:  Extending the autonomous measures taken following enlargement of the Union and the 
implementation of the agreements on agriculture reached in the Uruguay Round multilateral  negotiations. 

5. FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS: 

Period of  12 months 

Current financial  year( ) 

5.0.Expenditures : 
-  Charged  to the  EC budget  (refunds/interventions) 
-  National  Authorities 
-  Other 

5.1. Revenue: 
-  Own  resources  of the  EC (levies/customs  duties) 

5.0.1.ESTIMATED EXPENDITURE 
5.1.1  ESTIMATED REVENUE 

5.2. MET!101) OF CALCULA 'HON 

6.0. CAN THE PROJECT BE FINANCED FROM APPROPRIATIONS ENTERED IN THE RELEVANT CHAPTER 

ON THE CURRENT BUDGET 

6.1. CAN THE PROJECT BE FINANCED BY TRANSFER BETWEEN CHAPTERS OF THE CURRENT BUDGET 

6.2. WILL. A SUPPLEMENTARY  BUDGET BE NECESSARY 

6..V WILL FUTURE BUDGET APPROPRIATIONS BE NECESSARY 

Following 
financial 
year( ) 

yes/no 

yes/no 

yes/no 

yes/no 

OBSERVATIONS : 
This proposal does not entail any additional expenditure other than those already agreed upon adoption of 
Regulations (EC) No 1507/97 which it is replacing. 

9 

ISSN 0254-1475 

COM(97) 547 final 

DOCUMENTS 

EN 

03  11  10 

Catalogue number  :  CB-CO-97-567-EN-C 

ISBN 92-78-26253-6 

Office  for Official  Publications of the European Communities 

L-2985  Luxembourg 

•1