Proposal for a Council Decision on the position to be taken by the Community within the Association Council established by the Europe Agreement between the European Communities and their Member States, of the one part, and the Republic of latvia, on the other part, with regard to the adoption of provisions for the co-ordination of social security schemes
Date: 1999-12-20
Institutions: European Commission
Subjects: Latvia, association agreement (EU), social security, social-security harmonisation

EN

COMMISSION OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES

Brussels, 20.12.1999
COM(1999) 680 final

Proposal for a

COUNCIL DECISION

on the position to be taken by the Community within the Association Council
established by the Europe Agreement between the European Communities and
their Member States, of the one part, and the Republic of Latvia, on the other
part, with regard to the adoption of provisions for the co-ordination of social
security schemes

(presented by the Commission)

EXPLANATORY MEMORANDUM

Context

the Association Council shall by decision adopt

The Europe Agreement concluded between the Community and Latvia1 contains
provisions on co-ordination of social security systems. In accordance with the Europe
Agreement,
the appropriate
provisions to implement the above objective. A draft Association Council decision for
that purpose is attached, which is the same for all associated countries of central and
eastern Europe. Member States have been consulted within the Administrative
Commission for Social Security of Migrant Workers on 20 April 1999. Candidate
countries have also been informed in a meeting held on 28 May 1999.

One of the objectives of the Europe Agreements is to provide an appropriate
framework for the associated countries' gradual integration into the Community. The
Europe Agreements with the countries of Central and Eastern Europe are therefore a
means towards their joining the Community. This ultimate goal is taken into account
in the attached draft Association Council decision, insofar as it is based on the acquis
communautaire in this field, especially Regulation 1408/712. However,
to take
account of Ruling No 30/98 by Hungary's Constitutional Court, no direct reference to
the acquis communautaire3 has been used. Instead, the draft decision contains an
Annex I consisting of the Regulation 1408/71 text which allows to apply rules
matching those of Community law in this regard.

The Community has already found it necessary in the past to draw up provisions
similar to those which need to be adopted for implementation of the above mentioned
agreement, in particular Decision No 3/80 of the EEC-Turkey Association Council4
derived from Article 39 of the Additional Protocol to the Ankara Agreement.

Legal Basis

The draft Association Council decision is based on Articles 38, 39 and 40 of the
Europe Agreement with Latvia.

The Europe Agreement provides for the establishment of a coordination system
founded in particular on the following:

1. For nationals of the associated countries of central and eastern Europe legally

employed in a Member State and the members of their family:

(a)

1

2

3

4

aggregation of insurance, employment or residence periods completed under
the legislation of one or more Member States for acquisition of entitlement to
pensions and annuities in respect of old age, invalidity and death and to
medical care;

OJ L 26 of 2 February 1998, p. 3.
See codified version, OJ L 28 of 30 January 1997.
In its judgement, the Hungarian court ruled as unconstitutional the Hungarian authorities'
application of Community law provisions in whose formation they had not participated.
Decision No 3/80 of 19 September 1980, OJ C 110 of 25 April 1983, p. 60.

2

(b)

(c)

2.

exportation, to the associated country of origin, of pensions or annuities in
respect of old age, death, industrial accident or occupational disease, or of
invalidity resulting therefrom;

payment of family allowances for family members legally residing with the
worker.

For workers who are nationals of a Member State and legally employed in the
territory of an associated country and the members of their family:

affording, by analogy, the advantages referred to in 1(b) and 1(c) above.

It should be stressed that - in keeping with the Europe Agreement provisions - the
draft decisions will in no way affect the rights and obligations arising from bilateral
agreements concluded between a Member State and an associated country where such
bilateral agreements provide for more favorable treatment of those concerned.

Proposal

The attached draft Association Council decision contains (i) provisions concerning the
obligations incumbent on each Contracting Party and (ii) provisions dealing solely
with Member States' obligations with respect to associated country workers:

- Parts I, III, and IV relate to the Member States and associated countries;

- Part II is applicable by Member States alone.

In view of the above, the Commission invites the Council to approve the attached
proposal for an Association Council Decision.

3

Proposal for a

COUNCIL DECISION

on the position to be taken by the Community within the Association Council
established by the Europe Agreement between the European Communities and
their Member States, of the one part, and the Republic of Latvia, on the other
part, with regard to the adoption of provisions for the co-ordination of social
security schemes

THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION,

Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Community, and in particular
Article 42 thereof,

Having regard to the proposal of the Commission,

Whereas Article 39 of
the Europe Agreement signed between the European
Communities and their Member States, of the one part, and the Republic of Latvia, on
the other part, lays down that the Association Council shall by decision adopt the
appropriate provisions to implement the objective set out Article 38 thereof,

HAS DECIDED AS FOLLOWS:

The position to be taken by the Community within the Association Council
established by the Europe Agreement between the European Communities and their
Member States, of the one part and the Republic of Latvia, on the other part, with
regard to the provisions on the coordination of social security systems contained in
the Europe Agreement shall be based on the draft decision of the Association Council
annexed to this decision.

Done at Brussels,

For the Council
The President

4

ANNEX

ASSOCIATION BETWEEN THE
EUROPEAN UNION
AND THE REPUBLIC OF LATVIA

- The Association Council –

DECISION No…/99 OF THE ASSOCIATION COUNCIL

Established by the Europe Agreement between the European Communities and
their Member States, of the one part, and the Republic of Latvia, of the other
part,

of …

With regard to the provisions on co-ordination of the social security schemes
contained in the Europe Agreement

THE ASSOCIATION COUNCIL,

Having regard to the agreement creating an association between the European
Communities and their Member States, of the one part, and the Republic of Latvia, of
the other part, and in particular Articles 38, 39 and 40 thereof,

Whereas Article 38 of the said agreement provides for coordination of the social
security schemes of Latvia and the Members States and lays down the principles for
such co-ordination;

Whereas, Article 39 of the said agreement provides that the Association Council shall
by decision adopt the appropriate provisions to implement the objective set out in
Article 38,

HAS DECIDED AS FOLLOWS:

5

PART I - GENERAL PROVISIONS

Article 1

Definitions

For the purpose of application of this Decision:

a) “worker” means any person defined as an employed person within the meaning of

Article 1 of Annex I or within the meaning of the legislation of Latvia.

b) “frontier worker”, “seasonal worker”, “member of the family”, “survivor”,
insurance”, “period of
"residence", "stay", “competent State”, “period of
employment”, “period of residence”, “benefits and pensions”, "family benefits
and family allowances”, "death grants" have the meaning assigned to them in
Article 1 of Annex I.

c) "legislation",

"competent

institution",
"institution of the place of residence", "competent State" have, respectively for
each Member State and for Latvia, the meaning assigned to them in Article 1 of
Annex I.

"institution",

"competent

authority",

Article 2

Persons covered

Save as otherwise provided for, this Decision shall apply:

a)

b)

to workers who are nationals of Latvia legally employed in a Member State and
who are or have been subject to the legislation of one or more Member States, and
to the members of their family and to their survivors;

to workers who are nationals of a Member State legally employed in Latvia and
who are or have been subject to the legislation of Latvia, and to the members of
their family and to their survivors;

6

Article 3

Equality of treatment

Subject to the special provisions of this Decision, the nationals of Latvia to
whom the provisions of this Decision apply and who are resident in the
territory of a Member State shall be subject to the same obligations and enjoy
the same benefits under the legislation of any Member State as nationals of
the said State.

Similarly, subject to the special provisions contained in this Decision, the
nationals of a Member State to whom the provisions of this Decision apply
and who are resident in Latvia shall be subject to the same obligations and
enjoy the same benefits under the legislation of Latvia as nationals of the
said country.

The provisions of paragraph 1 and 2 shall apply to the right to elect members
of the organs of social security institutions or to participate in their
nomination, but shall not affect the legislative provisions of any Member
State relating to eligibility or methods of nomination of persons concerned to
those organs.

Article 4

Matters covered

Taking account of the special provisions which it contains, this Decision
shall apply to all legislation concerning the following branches of social
security:

1.

2.

3.

1.

a) sickness and maternity benefits;

b)

invalidity benefits;

c) old-age benefits;

d) survivors' benefits;

e) benefits in respect of accidents at work and occupational diseases;

f) death grants;

g) unemployment benefits;

h)

family benefits.

2.

This Decision shall apply to all general and special social security schemes,
whether contributory or non-contributory, and to schemes concerning the
liability of an employer or shipowner in respect of the benefits referred to in
paragraph 1.

7

2 a.

This Decision shall also apply to special non-contributory benefits which are
provided under legislation or schemes other than those referred to in
paragraph 1 or excluded by virtue of paragraph 4, where such benefits are
intended:

a) either to provide supplementary, substitute or ancillary cover against the
risks covered by the branches of social security referred to in paragraph 1
(a) to (f);

b) solely as specific protection for the disabled.

2 b.

3.

4.

This Decision shall not apply to the provisions in the legislation of a Member
State or of Latvia concerning the special non-contributory benefits referred to
in Annex II.B], the validity of which is confined to part of its territory.

The provisions of Part II, Title II, of this Decision shall not, however, affect
the provisions under any legislation concerning a shipowner's liability.

This Decision shall not apply to social and medical assistance, to benefit
schemes for victims of war or its consequences, or to special schemes for
civil servants and persons treated as such.

Article 5

Declarations by the Contracting Parties on the scope of this Decision

The Member States and Latvia shall specify the legislation and schemes referred to in
Article 4(1) and (2), the special non-contributory benefits referred to in Article 4(2a),
the minimum benefits referred to in Article 50 of Annex I in declarations to be
notified and published in accordance with Article 19.

Article 6

Waiving of residence clauses - Effect of compulsory insurance on reimbursement
of contributions

1.

Save as otherwise provided for in this Decision, old-age or survivors'
benefits, pensions for accidents at work or occupational diseases, and cash
benefits for invalidity arising therefrom, acquired respectively under the
legislation of one or more Member States or of Latvia shall not be subject to
any reduction, modification, suspension, withdrawal or confiscation by
reason of the fact that the recipient resides respectively in the territory of
Latvia or of a Member State other than that
in which the institution
responsible for payment is situated.

8

2.

1.

2.

3.

Where under the legislation of a Member State or of Latvia reimbursement of
contributions is conditional upon the person concerned having ceased to be
subject
to compulsory insurance, this condition shall not be considered
satisfied as long as the person concerned is subject to compulsory insurance
as a worker under the legislation of another Contracting Party.

Article 7

Special non-contributory benefits

Notwithstanding the provisions of Article 6 and Part II, Title II, persons to
whom this Decision applies shall be granted the special non-contributory
cash benefits referred to in Article 4(2 a) exclusively in the territory of the
State in which they reside, in accordance with the legislation of that State,
provided that such benefits are mentioned in Annex II. Such benefits shall be
granted by and at the expense of the institution of the place of residence.

Where entitlement to a benefit covered by paragraph 1 but granted in the
form of a supplement is subject, under the legislation of a Member State or
of Latvia, to receipt of a benefit covered by Article 4(1)(a) to (f), and no such
benefit is due under that legislation, any corresponding benefit granted under
the legislation of another Contracting Party shall be treated as a benefit
granted under the legislation of the first State for the purposes of entitlement
to the supplement.

invalidity benefit covered by
Where the granting of a disability or
paragraph 1 is subject, under the legislation of a Member State or of Latvia,
to the condition that the disability or invalidity should be diagnosed for the
first time in the territory of that Member State, this condition shall be deemed
to be fulfilled where such diagnosis is made for the first time in the territory
of another Contracting Party.

Article 8

Revalorisation of benefits

Rules for revalorisation provided for by the legislation of a Member State or of Latvia
shall apply to benefits due under that legislation taking into account the provisions of
this Decision.

9

Article 9

Prevention of overlapping of benefits

The provisions of Article 12 of Annex I shall apply for the purposes of applying the
provisions on benefit reduction, suspension or withdrawal contained in the legislation
of a Member State or of Latvia in respect of benefits calculated in accordance with
this Decision.

PART II - PROVISIONS GOVERNING APPLICATION OF THE SOCIAL
SECURITY SCHEMES OF MEMBER STATES TO WORKERS FROM
LATVIA

TITLE I - DETERMINATION OF THE LEGISLATION APPLICABLE

Article 10

Workers who are nationals of Latvia to which this Decision applies shall be subject to
the legislation of a single Member State only. That legislation shall be determined in
accordance with the provisions of Articles 13, 14, 14b, 14c, 14d, 15, 17 and 17a of
Annex I.

TITLE II - SPECIAL PROVISIONS RELATING TO THE VARIOUS
CATEGORIES OF BENEFITS

CHAPTER 1

SICKNESS AND MATERNITY

Article 11

Workers who are nationals of Latvia and the members of their family to whom this
Decision applies shall be entitled to sickness benefits in accordance with the terms
and conditions stipulated in Articles 18 to 36 of Annex I.

CHAPTER 2

INVALIDITY

Article 12

Workers who are nationals of Latvia to whom this Decision applies shall be entitled to
invalidity benefits in accordance with the terms and conditions stipulated in Articles
37 to 43 of Annex I.

10

CHAPTER 3

OLD AGE AND DEATH (PENSIONS)

Article 13

Workers who are nationals of Latvia to whom this Decision applies shall be entitled to
old-age benefits in accordance with the terms and conditions stipulated in Articles 44
to 51 of Annex I.

CHAPTER 4

ACCIDENTS AT WORK AND OCCUPATIONAL DISEASES

Article 14

Workers who are nationals of Latvia to whom this Decision applies shall be entitled to
benefits in respect of accidents at work and occupational diseases in accordance with
the terms and conditions stipulated in Articles 52 to 63 of Annex I.

CHAPTER 5

DEATH GRANTS

Article 15

Workers who are nationals of Latvia to whom this Decision applies shall be entitled to
death grants in accordance with the terms and conditions stipulated in Articles 65 and
66 of Annex I.

CHAPTER 6

FAMILY BENEFITS

Article 16

Workers who are nationals of Latvia to whom this Decision applies shall be entitled to
family benefits for the members of their family legally resident in the territory of the
competent State in accordance with the terms and conditions stipulated in the
legislation of that State.

11

PART III - MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS

Article 17

For the purposes of implementing this Decision, the provisions of Articles 84 to 93 of
Annex I shall apply to relations between the Contracting Parties.

PART IV - TRANSITIONAL AND FINAL PROVISIONS

Article 18

Transitional provisions

1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

6.

No right shall be acquired under this Decision in respect of a period prior to
the date on which it enters into force.

All periods of insurance and, where appropriate, all periods of employment
or residence completed under the legislation of a Member State prior to the
date on which this Decision enters into force shall be taken into consideration
for the determination of rights acquired under the provisions of Part II of this
Decision.

Subject to the provisions of paragraph 1, a right shall be acquired under this
Decision even though it relates to a contingency which materialised prior to
the date on which this Decision enters into force.

Any benefit which has not been awarded or which has been suspended by
reason of the nationality or place of residence of the person concerned shall,
on the application of the person concerned, be awarded or resumed with
effect from the date on which this Decision enters into force, provided that
the rights previously determined have not given rise to a lump-sum payment.

The rights of a person to whom a pension was awarded prior to the date on
which this Decision enters into force may, on the application of the person
concerned, be reviewed,
this
taking into account
Regulation.

the provisions of

If an application referred to in paragraph 4 or 5 is submitted within two years
from the date on which this Decision enters into force, the rights acquired
under this Decision shall have effect from that date, and the provisions of the
legislation of any Member State or of Latvia concerning the forfeiture or
limitation of rights may not be invoked against the persons concerned.

12

7.

1.

2.

If an application referred to in paragraph 4 or 5 is submitted after the expiry
of the two-year period following the date on which this Decision enters into
force, rights which have not been forfeited or which are not time-barred shall
have effect from the date on which the application was submitted, except
where more favorable provisions of the legislation of any Member State or of
Latvia apply.

Article 19

The notifications referred to in Article 5 shall be addressed to the President
of the Association Council. They shall indicate the date of entry into force of
the laws and schemes in question.

Notifications received in accordance with the provisions of paragraph 1 shall
be published in the Official Journal of the European Communities.

Article 20

Two or more Member States, or Latvia and one or more Member States may, where
necessary, conclude agreements designed to supplement the administrative procedures
for implementing this Decision.

Article 21

Each Contracting Party shall, each to the extent to which it is concerned, take the
necessary steps to implement this Decision.

Done at….,

For the Association Council,

.......

13

ANNEX I

Annex I contains the text of Regulation 1408/71 in its codified form as published on
30 January 1997 (OJ L 28).

14

A] Special non-contributory benefits

ANNEX II

A. Belgium

…..

B. Denmark

…..

C. Germany

…..

D. Spain

…..

E. France

…..

F. Greece

…..

G. Ireland

…..

H. Italy

…..

I. Luxembourg

…..

J. Netherlands

…..

K. Austria

…..

L. Portugal

…..

15

M. Finland

…..

N. Sweden

…..

O. United Kingdom

…..

P. Latvia

…..

B] Special non-contributory benefits within the meaning of Article 4(2 b) which
do not fall within the scope of the Decision

A. Belgium

…..

B. Denmark

…..

C. Germany

…..

D. Spain

…..

E. France

…..

F. Greece

…..

G. Ireland

…..

H. Italy

…..

16

I. Luxembourg

…..

J. Netherlands

…..

K. Austria

…..

L. Portugal

…..

M. Finland

…..

N. Sweden

…..

O. United Kingdom

…..

P. Latvia

…..

17