Agreement in the form of an Exchange of Letters between the European Community and the Republic of Moldova establishing a double-checking system without quantitative limits in respect of certain steel products from the Republic of Moldova to the European Community
Date: 2004-09-29
Institutions: European Community, Moldova
Subjects: Moldova, export, export monitoring, iron and steel product, originating product, trade agreement (EU)

14.10.2004

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

L 315/33

IN THE FORM OF AN EXCHANGE OF LETTERS

between the European Community and the Republic of Moldova establishing a double-checking
system without quantitative limits in respect of certain steel products from the Republic of
Moldova to the European Community

A. Letter from the European Community

Sir,

1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

I have the honour to refer to the consultations between the European Community and the Government
of the Republic of Moldova on trade in certain steel products.

Following these consultations the Parties hereby agree to establish a double-checking system, without
quantitative limits, in respect of certain steel products in order to improve transparency and to avoid
possible diversions of trade. The details of the double-checking system are annexed to this letter.

This Exchange of Letters is without prejudice to the application of the relevant provisions of the
bilateral agreements on trade and trade-related matters, in particular those relating to anti-dumping
and safeguard measures.

Either Party may at any time propose amendments to the Annex or the Appendices thereto, which
shall require the mutual consent of the Parties and shall take effect as agreed by them. Should anti-
dumping or safeguard investigations be initiated or measures introduced in the European Community
concerning a product under the double-checking system, Moldova will decide whether to exclude the
product in question from the double-checking system. Such a decision shall not affect the entry into
free circulation of the product in question into the European Community.

In conclusion, I have the honour to propose that if this letter, the Annex and the Appendices thereto
are acceptable to your Government, this letter and your confirmation shall together constitute an
agreement between the European Community and the Republic of Moldova, which shall enter into
force on the date of your reply.

Please accept, Sir, the assurance of my highest consideration,

L 315/34

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

14.10.2004

Hecho en Bruselas, el
V Bruselu dne
Udfærdiget i Bruxelles, den
Geschehen zu Brüssel am
Brüssel,
Έγινε στις Βρυξέλλες, στις
Done at Brussels,
Fait à Bruxelles, le
Fatto a Bruxelles, addì
Briselē,
Priimta Briuselyje,
Kelt Brüsszelben,
Magÿmula fi Brussel,
Gedaan te Brussel,
Sporządzono w Brukseli, dnia
Feito em Bruxelas,
V Bruseli
V Bruslju,
Tehty Brysselissä
Utfärdat i Bryssel den
Întocmit la Bruxelles

Por la Comunidad Europea
Za Evropské společenství
For Det Europæiske Fællesskab
Für die Europäische Gemeinschaft
Euroopa Ühenduse nimel
Για την Ευρωπαϊκή Κοινότητα

For the European Community
Pour la Communauté européenne
Per la Comunità europea
Eiropas Kopienas vārdā
Europos bendrijos vardu
az Európai Közösség részéről
Ghall-Komonità Ewropea
Voor de Europese Gemeenschap
W imieniu Wspólnoty Europejskiej
Pela Comunidade Europeia
Za Európske spoločenstvo
za Evropsko skupnost
Euroopan yhteisön puolesta
På Europeiska gemenskapens vägnar
din partea Comunitătii Europene

14.10.2004

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

L 315/35

B. Letter from the Government of the Republic of Moldova

Sir,

I have the honour to acknowledge receipt of your letter of 29 September 2004 which reads as follows:

‘1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

I have the honour to refer to the consultations between the European Community and the
Government of the Republic of Moldova on trade in certain steel products.

Following these consultations the Parties hereby agree to establish a double-checking system,
without quantitative limits, in respect of certain steel products in order to improve transparency
and to avoid possible diversions of trade. The details of the double-checking system are annexed to
this letter.

This Exchange of Letters is without prejudice to the application of the relevant provisions of the
bilateral agreements on trade and trade-related matters, in particular those relating to anti-dumping
and safeguard measures.

safeguard investigations be initiated or measures

Either Party may at any time propose amendments to the Annex or the Appendices thereto, which
shall require the mutual consent of the Parties and shall take effect as agreed by them. Should anti-
dumping or
introduced in the European
Community concerning a product under
the double-checking system, Moldova will decide
whether to exclude the product in question from the double-checking system. Such a decision
shall not affect the entry into free circulation of the product in question into the European
Community.

In conclusion, I have the honour to propose that if this letter, the Annex and the Appendices thereto
are acceptable to your Government, this letter and your confirmation shall together constitute an
agreement between the European Community and the Republic of Moldova, which shall enter into
force on the date of your reply.’

I have the honour to confirm that the above is acceptable to my Government and that your letter, this reply
in accordance with your
and the attached Annex and Appendices together constitute an agreement,
proposal.

Please accept, Sir, the assurance of my highest consideration,

L 315/36

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

14.10.2004

Hecho en Bruselas, el
V Bruselu dne
Udfærdiget i Bruxelles, den
Geschehen zu Brüssel am
Brüssel,
Έγινε στις Βρυξέλλες, στις
Done at Brussels,
Fait à Bruxelles, le
Fatto a Bruxelles, addì
Briselē,
Priimta Briuselyje,
Kelt Brüsszelben,
Magÿmula fi Brussel,
Gedaan te Brussel,
Sporządzono w Brukseli, dnia
Feito em Bruxelas,
V Bruseli
V Bruslju,
Tehty Brysselissä
Utfärdat i Bryssel den
Întocmit la Bruxelles

din partea Guvernului Republicii Moldova
Por el Gobierno de la República de Moldava
Za vládu Moldavské republiky
For regeringen for Republikken Moldova
Für die Regierung der Republik Moldau
Moldova Vabariigi valitsuse nimel
Για την κυβέρνηση της Δημοκρατίας της Μολδαβίας

For the Government of the Republic of Moldova
Pour le gouvernement de la République de Moldova
Per il governo della Repubblica moldova
Moldovas Republikas valdības vārdā
Moldovos Respublikos Vyriausybės vardu
a Moldovai Köztársaság kormánya nevében
Ghall-Gvern tar-Repubblika tal-Moldova
Voor de regering van de Republiek Moldavië
W imieniu Rządu Republiki Mołdowy
Pelo Governo da República da Moldova
za vládu Moldavskej republiky
Za Vlado Republike Moldavije
Moldovan tasavallan hallituksen puolesta
För Republiken Moldaviens regering

14.10.2004

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

L 315/37

ANNEX

to the Agreement in the form of an exchange of letters between the European Community and the Republic of
Moldova establishing a double-checking system without quantitative limits in respect of the export of certain
steel products from the Republic of Moldova to the European Community

1.1.

1.2.

1.3.

For the period 29 October 2004 to 31 December 2006, unless both Parties agree to terminate the system earlier,
imports into the European Community of the products listed in Appendix I originating in Moldova shall be subject
to the presentation of a surveillance document conforming to the model shown in Appendix II issued by the
authorities in the European Community.

For the period referred to in paragraph 1.1, unless both Parties agree to terminate the system earlier, imports into
the European Community of the products listed in Appendix I and which originate in Moldova shall, in addition,
be subject to the issue of an export document by the competent Moldovan authorities.

In order to obtain the surveillance document, the importer must present the original of the export document fully
completed. In any case, the importer must present the original of the export document not later than 31 March of
the year following that in which the goods covered by the document were shipped.

1.4. The surveillance document and the export document are issued for every transaction.

1.5.

Shipment is considered to have taken place on the date of loading on to the exporting means of transport.

1.6. The export document shall conform to the model shown in Appendix III. It shall be valid for exports throughout

the customs territory of the European Community.

1.7. The Republic of Moldova shall notify the Commission of the European Communities of the names and addresses of
the appropriate Moldova governmental authorities which are authorised to issue and verify export documents
together with specimens of the stamps and signatures they use. The Republic of Moldova shall also notify the
Commission of any change in these particulars.

1.8. The classification of the products covered by this Agreement is based on the tariff and statistical nomenclature of
the European Community (hereinafter referred to as the CN). The origin of the products covered by this Agreement
shall be determined in accordance with the rules of non-preferential origin in force in the European Community.

1.9. The competent authorities of the European Community undertake to inform the Republic of Moldova of any
changes in the CN in respect of products covered by this Agreement before their date of entry into force in the
European Community.

1.10. Certain technical provisions on the implementation of the double-checking system are set out in Appendix IV.

2.1. The Republic of Moldova undertakes to supply the European Community with precise statistical information on the
export documents issued by the Moldova authorities pursuant to paragraph 1.2. Such information shall be
transmitted to the European Community by the 28th of the month following the month to which the statistics
relate.

2.2. The European Community undertakes to supply the Moldova authorities with precise statistical information on
surveillance documents issued by Member States in respect of the export documents issued by the Moldova
authorities pursuant to paragraph 1.1. Such information shall be transmitted to the Moldova authorities by the
28th of the month following the month to which the statistics relate.

3.

If necessary, at the request of either of the Parties, consultations shall be held on any problems arising from the
operation of this Agreement. Such consultations shall be held promptly. Any consultations held under this
paragraph shall be approached by both Parties in a spirit of cooperation and with a desire to reconcile the
difference between them.

3.1. Without prejudice to paragraph 2.2, and with a view to ensuring the effective functioning of this Agreement, the
Community and the Republic of Moldova agree to take all necessary steps to prevent and/or investigate, or to take
any necessary legal and/or administration action against circumvention, notably by transhipment, re-routing, false
declaration concerning the country of origin, falsification of export documents and/or other documents, false
declaration concerning quantities, description or classification of merchandise. Accordingly, the Community and
the Republic of Moldova agree to establish the necessary legal provisions and administrative procedures,
in
accordance with their internal
legislation, permitting effective action to be taken against such circumvention,
which shall include the adoption of legally binding corrective measures against exporters and/or importers involved.

L 315/38

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

14.10.2004

3.2.

Should the Parties believe on the basis of information available that this Agreement is being circumvented, the
Parties shall request consultations, which shall be held immediately.

3.3.

3.4.

Pending the results of the consultations referred to in paragraph 3.2, each Party shall, as a precautionary measure,
and/or if so requested by the other Party, take all necessary measures, provided by internal legislation, to suspend or
refuse the issuing of the export document and surveillance document. The Republic of Moldova may also consider
to withdraw the issued export documents.

Should the Parties fail,
in the course of the consultations referred to in paragraph 3.2, to reach a mutually
satisfactory solution, the Community shall have a right to refuse to import the product in question where sufficient
evidence shows false declaration concerning quantities description or classification or country of origin has
occurred.

4.

Any notices to be given hereunder shall be given:

— in respect of the European Community, to the Commission of the European Communities,

— in respect of Moldova, to the Mission of the Republic of Moldova to the European Communities.

Appendix I

7301
7303
7304
7305
7306
7307
7312

7202
7203
7206
7207
7208
7209
7210
7211
7212
7213
7214
7215
7216
7217
7218
7219
7220
7221
7222
7223
7224
7225
7226
7227
7228
7229

14.10.2004

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

L 315/39

Appendix II

L 315/40

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

14.10.2004

14.10.2004

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

L 315/41

L 315/42

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

14.10.2004

14.10.2004

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

L 315/43

Appendix III

L 315/44

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

14.10.2004

14.10.2004

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

L 315/45

Appendix IV

MOLDOVA

Technical provisions on the implementation of the double-checking system

1. The export documents shall measure 210 × 297 mm. The paper used shall be white writing paper, sized, not
containing mechanical pulp, and weighing not less than 25 g/m2. They shall be made out in English. If they are
completed by hand, entries must be in ink and in printed script. These documents may comprise additional copies
duly indicated as such. If the documents have several copies only the top copy is the original. This copy shall be
clearly marked as ‘original’ and other copies as ‘copies’. Only the original shall be accepted by the competent
authorities of the European Community as being valid for the control of export to the European Community in
accordance with the provisions of the double-checking system.

2. Each document shall bear a standardised serial number, whether or not printed, by which it can be identified. This

number shall be composed of the following elements:

— two letters identifying the exporting country as follows: MO = Moldova,

— two letters identifying the intended Member State of customs clearance as follows:

BE = Belgium

DK = Denmark

DE = Germany

EL = Greece

ES = Spain

FR = France

IE = Ireland

IT = Italy

LU = Luxembourg

NL = Netherlands

AT = Austria

PT = Portugal

FI = Finland

SE = Sweden

GB = United Kingdom

CZ = Czech Republic

EE = Estonia

CY = Cyprus

LV = Latvia

LT = Lithuania

HU = Hungary

MT = Malta

PL = Poland

SI = Slovenia

SK = Slovak Republic

— a one-digit number identifying the year, corresponding to the last figure in the respective year, e.g. ‘4’ for 2004,

— a two-digit number from 01 to 99, identifying the particular issuing office concerned in the exporting country,

— a five-digit number running consecutively from 00001 to 99999 allocated to the intended Member State of

customs clearance.

3. The export documents shall be valid for the calendar year during which they are issued, as shown in Box No 3 of the

export document.

4. Moldova need not show price information on the export document, but

that

information is available to the

Commission authorities on request.

L 315/46

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

14.10.2004

5. Export documents may be issued after the shipment of the products to which they relate. In such cases they must bear

the endorsement ‘issued retrospectively’.

6. In the event of a theft,

loss or destruction of an export document, the exporter may apply to the competent
governmental authority which issued the document for a duplicate to be made out on the basis of the export
documents in his possession. The duplicate of any such document so issued shall bear the endorsement ‘duplicate’.
The duplicate shall bear the date of the original export document.

7. The competent authorities of the European Community shall be informed immediately of the withdrawal or modi-

fication of any export documents already issued and, where relevant, of the basis for such action.