Proposal for a Council Decision on a Community position in the Association Council on the implementation of Article 67 and Article 80 of the Euro-Mediterranean Agreement establishing an association between the European Communities and their Member States, on one part, and the Arab Republic of Egypt, of the other part
Date: 2005-05-12
Institutions: European Commission
Subjects: EU Member State, Egypt, association agreement (EU), comitology, cooperation policy, free-trade area

COMMISSION OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES 

Brussels, 12.5.2005 
COM(2005) 188 final 

Proposal for a 

COUNCIL DECISION 

on a Community position in the Association Council on the implementation of Article 67 
and Article 80 of the Euro-Mediterranean Agreement establishing an association 
between the European Communities and their Member States, on one part, and the 
Arab Republic of Egypt, of the other part 

(presented by the Commission) 

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1. 

2. 

3. 

4. 

5. 

6. 

7. 

8. 

EXPLANATORY MEMORANDUM 

The association agreement form the legal basis of the bilateral relations between the 
European Union and Egypt. 

The Euro-Med Association Agreement with Egypt entered into force on 1 June 2004 
and  envisages  the  establishment  of  a  free  trade  area  between  the  EU  and  Egypt 
before  31  December  2015  (for  a  restricted  number  of  goods  before  31  December 
2018).  The  establishment  of  this  free  trade  area  contributes  to  strengthening  the 
integration of the economic, institutional and social systems of the partner countries 
on the basis of approved legal instruments. 

The Association Agreement envisages, in its Article 80, the constitution of the bodies 
necessary for its implementation.  Article 67 of the agreement  envisages  for  its  part 
the  creation  of  a  working  group  instructed  to  evaluate  the  application  of  the 
provisions concerning the cooperation on migration as well as on social and consular 
affairs. 

An institutional structure formed by a number of sub-committees was established for 
the implementation of other Euro-Mediterranean partner countries, such as Morocco, 
Tunisia and Jordan. The present proposal follows the same scheme and structure. 

Egypt  is  willing  to  strengthen  cooperation  in  the  various  fields  covered  by  the 
the  European 
the  association  agreement.  Moreover,  under 
provisions  of 
Neighbourhood Policy, the bilateral relations between the EU and Egypt will develop 
to take the form of an overall partnership having a coherent approach, which has to 
be guaranteed by close and permanent coordination of the various parts concerned. 

With  this  in  mind,  the  European  Commission  proposes  to  the  Council  the 
constitution of a working group responsible for migration, social and consular affairs, 
as  the  Association  Agreement  envisages,  and  of  seven  sub-committees  intended  to 
help  the  Association  Council  and  Committee  for  the  implementation  of  the 
Agreement. These sub-committees will consider the questions of a technical nature 
that  are  not  possible  to  treat  completely  within  the  framework  of  the  Association 
Committee. 

The working group and the seven sub-committees of which we propose the creation 
will  be  entitled  respectively:  i)  working  group  on  migration,  social  and  consular 
affairs, ii) internal market, iii) industry, trade, services and investment, iv) transport, 
environment and energy, v) information society, research, audiovisual, education and 
culture  vi)  agriculture  and  fisheries,  vii)  justice  and  security  and  viii)  customs 
cooperation. 

As regards their organisation, the subcommittees will be chaired by the Commission 
pursuant to the Council decision of 25 March 2002. Under that decision, the "Justice 
and  security"  subcommittee  will  be  chaired,  insofar  as  the  EU  is  concerned, 
according to the same rules as apply to the Association Committee. In the event that 
the subject of the discussion is outside the Community competencies a representative 
of the Council Presidency will chair the Committee and the position of the Member 
States. In the latter case, the Commission will be fully associated in the preparatory 
work and in the definition of the objectives of the meetings of the sub-committees. 

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9. 

The  objective,  the  subjects  covered  by  each  sub-committee  and  the  implementing 
procedures are contained in the rules of procedure annexed. 

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Proposal for a 

COUNCIL DECISION 

on a Community position in the Association Council on the implementation of Article 67 
and Article 80 of the Euro-Mediterranean Agreement establishing an association 
between the European Communities and their Member States, on one part, and the 
Arab Republic of Egypt, of the other part 

THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION, 

Having  regard  to  the  Treaty  establishing  the  European  Community,  and  in  particular  the 
second subparagraph of Article 300(2) thereof, 

Having regard to the proposal from the Commission1, 

Whereas: 

(1) 

(2) 

(3) 

The  Euro-Mediterranean  Agreement  establishing  an  Association  between 
the 
European  Communities  and  their  Member  States,  of  the  one  part,  and  the  Arab 
Republic  of  Egypt.,  of  the  other  part,  was  signed  on  25  June  2001  and  entered  into 
force on 1 June 2004, 

Article  67  of  that  Agreement  provides  for  the  setting  up  of  a  working  group  to 
evaluate the implementation of the provisions related to migration, social and consular 
affairs, 

Article 80 of that Agreement states that the Association Council may decide to set up 
any working group or body necessary for the implementation of the Agreement. 

HAS DECIDED AS FOLLOWS: 

Sole Article 

The position to be adopted by the Community in the Association Council established by the 
Euro-Mediterranean  Agreement  concluded  between  the  European  Communities  and  their 
Member  States,  of  the  one  part,  and  the  Arab  Republic  of  Egypt,  of  the  other  part,  on  the 
implementation of Articles 67 and 80 of the Agreement, shall be based on the draft Decision 
of the Association Council annexed to this Decision. 

The  working  group  and  the  subcommittees  shall  be  chaired  by  a  European  Commission 
representative  on  behalf  of  the  European  Community  and  its  Member  States.  The  Member 

1 

OJ C […], […], p.[…]. 

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States shall be informed of and may participate in the meetings of the working group and the 
subcommittees in question. 

A representative of the Council Presidency shall express the EU's position on matters relating 
to Titles V and VI of the Treaty on European Union. The Commission shall be fully involved 
in  the  preparatory  work  and  in  setting  the  objectives  of  working  group  and  subcommittee 
meetings. 

Done at Brussels, 

For the Council 
The President 

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ANNEX A 

Draft 

DECISION OF THE EU/EGYPT ASSOCIATION COUNCIL 

Setting up subcommittees of the Association Committee and a Working Group on 
Migration, Social and Consular Affairs 

THE EU/EGYPT ASSOCIATION COUNCIL, 

Having regard to the Euro-Mediterranean Agreement establishing an Association between the 
European Communities and their Member States, of the one part, and the Arab Republic of 
Egypt, of the other part, 

Whereas: 

(1) 

(2) 

(3) 

(4) 

(5) 

A free trade area is to be established between the EU and the Arab Republic of Egypt 
by 31 December 2015 at the latest, 

The  EU's  relations  with  the  southern  Mediterranean  countries  are  becoming 
increasingly  complex  as  a  result  of  the  implementation  of  the  Euro-Mediterranean 
Agreements and the continuation of the Euro-Mediterranean partnership, 

Subcommittees of the associations committees of the other associated countries have 
been set up in order to monitor the implementation of the partnership priorities and 
the approximation of legislation, 

There is a need to integrate the environment in sectoral policies, the objective being 
sustainable development, 

Article  80  of  the  Agreement  provides  for  the  setting  up  of  the  working  groups  or 
bodies  necessary  for  the  implementation  of  the  Agreement  and  article  67  of  the 
Agreement  provides  for  the  setting  up  of  a  working  group  to  evaluate  the 
implementation of the provisions related to migration, social and consular affairs, 

HAS DECIDED AS FOLLOWS: 

Sole Article 

The working group and the subcommittees of the EU/Egypt Association Committee listed in 
Annex  1  are  hereby  set  up  and  the  rules  of  procedure  of  the  Working  Group  and  those 
subcommittees in Annex 2 are hereby adopted. 

They shall work under the authority of the Association Committee, to which they shall report 
after each of their meetings. The Working Group on Migration, Social and Consular Affairs 
and the subcommittees shall have no decision-making power. 

The  Association  Committee  shall  take  any  other  action  needed  to  ensure  that  they  operate 
properly and inform the Association Council accordingly. 

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The Association Council may decide to set up further subcommittees or groups or to abolish 
existing subcommittees or groups. 

This Decision shall enter into force on the day of its adoption. 

Done at  

For the Association Council 

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ANNEX 1 

EU/EGYPT ASSOCIATION AGREEMENT 

WORKING GROUP ON MIGRATION, SOCIAL AND CONSULAR AFFAIRS AND 
SUBCOMMITTEES ATTACHED TO THE ASSOCIATION COMMITTEE 

(1) 

(2) 

(3) 

(4) 

(5) 

(6) 

(7) 

(8) 

Working group on migration, social and consular affairs 

Internal market 

Industry, trade, services and investment  

Transport, environment and energy 

Information society, research, audiovisual, education and culture 

Agriculture and fisheries 

Justice and security 

Customs co-operation 

In  view  of  their  importance  as  an  essential  element  of  the  Association  Agreement,  matters 
relating to democratic principles and human rights will be discussed with due attention in the 
various  bodies  set  up  under  the  Agreement  and  within  a  specific  informal  working  group. 
When the parties so decide and in the framework of their enhanced cooperation, they will also 
be discussed within a subcommittee of the Association Committee to be created. 

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ANNEX 2 

RULES OF PROCEDURE 

EU/Egypt Working Group on Migration, Social and Consular Affairs 

1. 

Composition and chair 

The  Working  Group  shall  be  composed  of  representatives of the  European Community  and its 
Member  States  and  representatives  of  the  Government  of  the  Arab  Republic  of  Egypt  and  be 
chaired alternately by the two parties. 

2. 

Role 

The  Working  Group  shall  work  under  the  authority  of  the  Association  Committee,  to  which  it 
shall report after each meeting. The working Group does not have any decision-making power 
but may submit proposals to the Association Committee. 

3. 

Subject matter 

The Working Group shall discuss the implementation of the Association Agreement in the areas 
listed below. In particular, it shall assess progress as regards law approximation, implementation 
and  enforcement.  Where  relevant,  co-operation  in  public  administration  matters  shall  be 
discussed. The Working Group shall examine any problems that may arise in the sectors listed 
below and shall suggest possible steps to be undertaken. 

3.a -  Migrant communities’ living and working conditions 

3.b -  migration 

3.c - 

fight against illegal migration 

3.d - 

equal treatment between Egyptian and Community nationals, 

3.e - 

cooperation in facilitating issuing of visas and simplification of its procedures, 

3.f - 

asylum 

3.g - 

furthering of tolerance and the removal of discrimination 

3.h - 

promotion of the role of women 

3.i - 

Egyptian family planning and mother and child protection programmes 

3.j - 

social protection system, 

3.k - 

employment policy and vocational training, 

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3.l - 

technical  cooperation  related  to  institutional  capacity  building  and  human  resources 
training, 

3.m - 

bilateral  agreements  between  Egypt  and  EU  Member  States  on  social  security  of 
workers legally resident and working in their respective territories. 

The above list is not exhaustive and other subjects, including horizontal matters, e.g. statistics, 
may be added by the Association Committee. 

The Working Group may discuss matters relating to one, several or all of the above sectors. 

4. 

Secretariat 

An official of the European Commission and an official of the Government of the Arab Republic 
of Egypt shall act jointly as permanent secretaries of the Working Group. 

All communications concerning the Working Group shall be forwarded to the secretaries. 

5. 

Meetings 

The Working Group shall meet whenever circumstances require. A meeting may be convened on 
the  basis  of  a  request  from  either  party,  channelled  through  their  secretary,  who  will  pass  the 
request  onto  the  other  party.  Upon  receipt  of  a  request  for  a  Working  Group  meeting,  the 
secretary of the other party shall reply within 15 working days. 

In cases of particular urgency, the Working Group may be convened at shorter notice subject to 
the agreement of both parties. All requests to convene meetings should be in writing. 

Each meeting of the Working Group shall be held at a time and place agreed by both parties. 

The meetings shall be convened by the secretary in charge in agreement with the chair. Before 
each meeting, the chair will be informed of the intended composition of the delegation of each 
party. 

If  both  parties  agree,  the  Working  Group  may  invite  experts  to  its  meetings  to  provide  the 
specific information so requested. 

Each meeting will be attended by a representative of the Ministry of International Cooperation in 
order to ensure the appropriate coordination and linkages with both ongoing and future projects 
and programmes funded by the EU, as well as to ensure that the priorities identified during the 
meeting receive the necessary support. 

6. 

Agenda of the meetings 

All  requests  for  items  to  be  included  in  the  Working  Group  agenda  shall  be  forwarded  to  the 
secretaries. 

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A provisional agenda will be drawn up by the chair for each meeting. It shall be forwarded by 
the secretary in charge to his or her counterpart not later than 10 days before the beginning of the 
meeting. 

The provisional agenda shall include the items in respect of which the secretaries have received a 
request  for  inclusion  in  the  agenda  no  later  than  15  days  before  the  beginning  of  the  meeting. 
Supporting documentation must be received by both parties at least 7 days ahead of the meeting. 
To  take  account  of  urgent  matters,  these  time  limits  may  be  shortened  provided  both  parties 
agree. 

The agenda shall be adopted by the Working Group at the beginning of each meeting. 

7. 

Minutes 

Minutes shall be taken and agreed by both secretaries after each meeting. A copy of the minutes, 
including the Working Group’s proposals, shall be forwarded by the secretaries of the Working 
Group to the secretaries and chair of the Association Committee. 

8. 

Publicity 

Unless otherwise decided, the meetings of the Working Group shall not be public. 

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RULES OF PROCEDURE 

EU/EGYPT SUBCOMMITTEE 

Internal market 

1. 

Composition and chair  

The  subcommittee  shall  be  composed  of  representatives  of  the  European  Community  and  its 
Member  States  and  representatives  of  the  Government  of  the  Arab  Republic  of  Egypt  and  be 
chaired alternately by the two parties. 

2. 

Role 

The subcommittee shall work under the authority of the Association Committee, to which it shall 
report after each meeting. The subcommittee does not have any decision-making power but may 
submit proposals to the Association Committee.  

3. 

Subject matter 

The  subcommittee  shall  discuss  the  implementation  of  the  Association  Agreement  in  the  areas 
listed below. In particular, it shall assess progress as regards law approximation, implementation 
and  enforcement.  Where  relevant,  co-operation  in  public  administration  matters  shall  be 
discussed.  The  subcommittee  shall  examine  any  problems  that  may  arise  in  the  sectors  listed 
below and shall suggest possible steps to be undertaken. 

3.a- 

Technical 
certification, conformity assessment and market surveillance 

regulations,  metrology,  accreditation,  standardisation,  normalisation, 

3.b- 

Competition law and state aid  

3.c- 

Intellectual, industrial and commercial property rights 

3.d- 

Public procurement 

The  above  list  is  not  exhaustive  and  other  subjects,  including  horizontal  matters  e.g.  statistics, 
may be added by the Association Committee. 

The subcommittee may discuss matters relating to one, several or all of the above sectors. 

4. 

Secretariat 

An official of the European Commission and an official of the Government of the Arab Republic 
of Egypt shall act jointly as permanent secretaries of the subcommittee. 

All communications concerning the subcommittee shall be forwarded to the secretaries. 

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5. 

Meetings 

The subcommittee shall meet whenever circumstances require. A meeting may be convened on 
the  basis  of  a  request  from  either  party,  channelled  through  their  secretary,  who  will  pass  the 
request onto the other party. Upon receipt of a request for a subcommittee meeting, the secretary 
of the other party shall reply within 15 working days. 

In cases of particular urgency, subcommittees may be convened at shorter notice subject to the 
agreement of both parties. All requests to convene meetings should be in writing. 

Each meeting of the subcommittee shall be held at a time and place agreed by both parties. 

The meetings shall be convened by the secretary in charge in agreement with the chair. Before 
each meeting, the chair will be informed of the intended composition of the delegation of each 
party. 

If both parties agree, the subcommittee may invite experts to its meetings to provide the specific 
information so requested. 

Each meeting will be attended by a representative of the Ministry of International Cooperation in 
order to ensure the appropriate coordination and linkages with both ongoing and future projects 
and programmes funded by the EU as well as to ensure that the priorities identified during the 
meeting receive the necessary support. 

6. 

Agenda of the meetings 

All  requests  for  items  to  be  included  in  the  subcommittee  agenda  shall  be  forwarded  to  the 
secretaries. 

A provisional agenda will be drawn up by the chair for each meeting. It shall be forwarded by 
the secretary in charge to his or her counterpart not later than ten days before the beginning of 
the meeting. 

The provisional agenda shall include the items in respect of which the secretaries have received a 
request  for  inclusion  in  the  agenda  no  later  than  15  days  before  the  beginning  of  the  meeting. 
Supporting documentation must be received by both parties at least 7 days ahead of the meeting. 
To  take  account  of  urgent  matters,  these  time  limits  may  be  shortened  provided  both  parties 
agree. 

The agenda shall be adopted by the subcommittee at the beginning of each meeting. 

7. 

Minutes 

Minutes shall be taken and agreed by both secretaries after each meeting. A copy of the minutes, 
including  the  subcommittee's  proposals,  shall  be  forwarded  by  the  secretaries  of  the 
subcommittee to the secretaries and chair of the Association Committee. 

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8. 

Publicity 

Unless otherwise decided, the meetings of the subcommittee shall not be public. 

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RULES OF PROCEDURE 

EU/EGYPT SUBCOMMITTEE 

Industry, Trade, Services and investment 

1. 

Composition and chair  

The  subcommittee  shall  be  composed  of  representatives  of  the  European  Community  and  its 
Member  States  and  representatives  of  the  Government  of  the  Arab  Republic  of  Egypt  and  be 
chaired alternately by the two parties. 

2. 

Role 

The subcommittee shall work under the authority of the Association Committee, to which it shall 
report after each meeting. The subcommittee does not have any decision-making power but may 
submit proposals to the Association Committee.  

3. 

Subject matter 

The  subcommittee  shall  discuss  the  implementation  of  the  Association  Agreement  in  the  areas 
listed below. In particular, it shall assess progress as regards law approximation, implementation 
and  enforcement.  Where  relevant,  cooperation  in  public  administration  matters  shall  be 
discussed.  The  subcommittee  shall  examine  any  problems  that  may  arise  in  the  sectors  listed 
below and shall suggest possible steps to be undertaken. 

3.a- 

Industrial cooperation, as described in Article 45 of the Association Agreement 

3.b- 

Trade issues, market access, tariff and non-tariff matters including origin issues 

3.c- 

Services, including financial and postal services 

3.d- 

Tourism 

3.e- 

Right of establishment and investment issues 

3.f- 

Industrial modernisation 

3.g- 

access to finance and investment. 

The above list is not exhaustive and other subjects, including horizontal matters, e.g. statistics, 
may be added by the Association Committee. 

The subcommittee may discuss matters relating to one, several or all of the above sectors. 

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4. 

Secretariat 

An official of the European Commission and an official of the Government of the Arab Republic 
of Egypt shall act jointly as permanent secretaries of the subcommittee. 

All communications concerning the subcommittee shall be forwarded to the secretaries. 

5. 

Meetings 

The subcommittee shall meet whenever circumstances require. A meeting may be convened on 
the  basis  of  a  request  from  either  party,  channelled  through  their  secretary,  who  will  pass  the 
request onto the other party. Upon receipt of a request for a subcommittee meeting, the secretary 
of the other party shall reply within 15 working days. 

In cases of particular urgency, subcommittees may be convened at shorter notice subject to the 
agreement of both parties. All requests to convene meetings should be in writing. 

Each meeting of the subcommittee shall be held at a time and place agreed by both parties. 

The meetings shall be convened by the secretary in charge in agreement with the chair. Before 
each meeting, the chair will be informed of the intended composition of the delegation of each 
party. 

If both parties agree, the subcommittee may invite experts to its meetings to provide the specific 
information so requested. 

Each meeting will be attended by a representative of the Ministry of International Cooperation in 
order to ensure the appropriate coordination and linkages with both ongoing and future projects 
and programmes funded by the EU as well as to ensure that the priorities identified during the 
meeting receive the necessary support. 

6. 

Agenda of the meetings 

All  requests  for  items  to  be  included  in  the  subcommittee  agenda  shall  be  forwarded  to  the 
secretaries. 

A provisional agenda will be drawn up by the chair for each meeting. It shall be forwarded by 
the secretary in charge to his or her counterpart not later than 10 days before the beginning of the 
meeting. 

The provisional agenda shall include the items in respect of which the secretaries have received a 
request  for  inclusion  in  the  agenda  no  later  than  15  days  before  the  beginning  of  the  meeting. 
Supporting documentation must be received by both parties at least 7 days ahead of the meeting. 
To  take  account  of  urgent  matters,  these  time  limits  may  be  shortened  provided  both  parties 
agree. 

The agenda shall be adopted by the subcommittee at the beginning of each meeting. 

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7. 

Minutes 

Minutes shall be taken and agreed by both secretaries after each meeting. A copy of the minutes, 
including  the  subcommittee's  proposals,  shall  be  forwarded  by  the  secretaries  of  the 
subcommittee to the secretaries and chair of the Association Committee. 

8. 

Publicity 

Unless otherwise decided, the meetings of the subcommittee shall not be public. 

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RULES OF PROCEDURE 

EU/EGYPT SUBCOMMITTEE 

Transport, environment and energy 

1. 

Composition and chair 

The  subcommittee  shall  be  composed  of  representatives  of  the  European  Community  and  its 
Member  States  and  representatives  of  the  Government  of  the  Arab  Republic  of  Egypt  and  be 
chaired alternately by the two parties. 

2. 

Role 

The subcommittee shall work under the authority of the Association Committee, to which it shall 
report after each meeting. The subcommittee does not have any decision-making power but may 
submit proposals to the Association Committee. 

3. 

Subject matter 

The  subcommittee  shall  discuss  the  implementation  of  the  Association  Agreement  in  the  areas 
listed below. In particular, it shall assess progress as regards law approximation, implementation 
and  enforcement  and  the  integration  of  environment  policy  in  all  areas  of  the  Association 
Agreement. Where relevant, cooperation in public administration matters shall be discussed. The 
subcommittee  shall  examine  any  problems  that  may  arise  in  the  sectors  listed  below  and  shall 
suggest possible steps to be undertaken. 

3.a- 

3.b- 

3.c- 

Transport:  including  infrastructure  modernization  (in  particular  interconnections), 
market  opening,  security  and  safety  in  maritime  and  air  transport,  control  and 
management of ports and airports, promoting intelligent transport systems and the use if 
information  technologies  in  all  modes  of  transport,  developing  road  and  rail  transport 
connections  with  neighbouring  countries,  improving  the  multimodal  system  and 
boosting regional cooperation. 

Environment: including environmental protection capacity in the priority areas specified 
in  the  Association  Agreement  (desertification,  water  resource  and  waste  management, 
salinisation,  impact  of  agriculture,  etc.)  and  in  the  Short  and  Medium-Term  Priority 
Environmental  Action  Programme  (SMAP)  and  integration  of  the  environmental 
dimension in the priority sectors of the Euro-Mediterranean Partnership with a view to 
sustainable development. 

including 

Energy: 
infrastructure  modernization  and  development  (in  particular 
interconnections),  security  and  safety  of  energy  infrastructure  and  transport,  demand 
management,  promotion  of  renewable  energies,  research  and  cooperation  in  data 
exchange,  regional  cooperation  in  particular  the  promotion  of  a  Mashrek  gas  market, 

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pricing policy and agreements on purchasing gas in the European Union; exchange and 
transfer of new technology in the gas industry. 

3.d-  Water:  including  infrastructure,  modernization,  management,  safe  access  to  water 

resources and research. 

The above list is not exhaustive and other subjects, including horizontal matters, e.g. statistics, 
may be added by the Association Committee. 

The subcommittee may discuss matters relating to one, several or all of the above sectors. 

4. 

Secretariat 

An official of the European Commission and an official of the Government of the Arab Republic 
of Egypt shall act jointly as permanent secretaries of the subcommittee. 

All communications concerning the subcommittee shall be forwarded to the secretaries. 

5. 

Meetings 

The subcommittee shall meet whenever circumstances require. A meeting may be convened on 
the  basis  of  a  request  from  either  party,  channelled  through  their  secretary,  who  will  pass  the 
request onto the other party. Upon receipt of a request for a subcommittee meeting, the secretary 
of the other party shall reply within 15 working days. 

In cases of particular urgency, subcommittees may be convened at shorter notice subject to the 
agreement of both parties. All requests to convene meetings should be in writing. 

Each meeting of the subcommittee shall be held at a time and place agreed by both parties. 

The meetings shall be convened by the secretary in charge in agreement with the chair. Before 
each meeting, the chair will be informed of the intended composition of the delegation of each 
party. 

If both parties agree, the subcommittee may invite experts to its meetings to provide the specific 
information so requested. 

Each meeting will be attended by a representative of the Ministry of International Cooperation in 
order to ensure the appropriate coordination and linkages with both ongoing and future projects 
and programmes funded by the EU as well as to ensure that the priorities identified during the 
meeting receive the necessary support. 

6. 

Agenda of the meetings 

All  requests  for  items  to  be  included  in  the  subcommittee  agenda  shall  be  forwarded  to  the 
secretaries. 

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A provisional agenda will be drawn up by the chair for each meeting. It shall be forwarded by 
the secretary in charge to his or her counterpart not later than 10 days before the beginning of the 
meeting. 

The provisional agenda shall include the items in respect of which the secretaries have received a 
request  for  inclusion  in  the  agenda  no  later  than  15  days  before  the  beginning  of  the  meeting. 
Supporting documentation must be received by both parties at least 7 days ahead of the meeting. 
To  take  account  of  urgent  matters,  these  time  limits  may  be  shortened  provided  both  parties 
agree. 

The agenda shall be adopted by the subcommittee at the beginning of each meeting. 

7. 

Minutes 

Minutes shall be taken and agreed by both secretaries after each meeting. A copy of the minutes, 
including  the  subcommittee's  proposals,  shall  be  forwarded  by  the  secretaries  of  the 
subcommittee to the secretaries and chair of the Association Committee. 

8. 

Publicity 

Unless otherwise decided, the meetings of the subcommittee shall not be public. 

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RULES OF PROCEDURE 

EU/EGYPT SUBCOMMITTEE 

Information Society, Research, Audiovisual, Education and Culture 

1. 

Composition and chair 

The  subcommittee  shall  be  composed  of  representatives  of  the  European  Community  and  its 
Member  States  and  representatives  of  the  Government  of  the  Arab  Republic  of  Egypt  and  be 
chaired alternately by the two parties. 

2. 

Role 

The subcommittee shall work under the authority of the Association Committee, to which it shall 
report after each meeting. The subcommittee does not have any decision-making power but may 
submit proposals to the Association Committee. 

3. 

Subject matter 

The  subcommittee  shall  discuss  the  implementation  of  the  Association  Agreement  in  the  areas 
listed below. In particular, it shall assess progress as regards law approximation, implementation 
and  enforcement.  Where  relevant,  cooperation  in  public  administration  matters  shall  be 
discussed.  The  subcommittee  shall  examine  any  problems  that  may  arise  in  the  sectors  listed 
below and shall suggest possible steps to be undertaken. 

3.a- 

Development of institutional capacities relating to science, technology and innovation, 
in particular those capacities in the use of S&T research findings by industry and SMEs 
together with follow-up of the agreement involving the Arab Republic of Egypt in the 
RTD Framework Programme.  

3.b- 

Cooperation in the field of communications and information technologies 

3.c- 

Reforms  and  cooperation  in  the  field  of  education,  training  and  youth  including  inter 
alia  methods  of  developing  technical  education,  exchanging  experience  in  training 
teachers  and  school  management,  modernising the educational  programs and curricula 
and combating illiteracy among women 

3.d- 

Cultural cooperation 

3.e- 

Audio-visual, information and communication policies 

3.f- 

participation  of  Egyptian  organizations  in  the  calls  for  proposals  of  the  Information 
Society Technologies program 

3.g- 

policies and regulation for electronic communication networks and services 

EN 

21 

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The above list is not exhaustive and other subjects, including horizontal matters, e.g. statistics, 
may be added by the Association Committee. 

The subcommittee may discuss matters relating to one, several or all of the above sectors. 

4. 

Secretariat 

An official of the European Commission and an official of the Government of the Arab Republic 
of Egypt shall act jointly as permanent secretaries of the subcommittee. 

All communications concerning the subcommittee shall be forwarded to the secretaries. 

5. 

Meetings 

The subcommittee shall meet whenever circumstances require. A meeting may be convened on 
the  basis  of  a  request  from  either  party,  channelled  through  their  secretary,  who  will  pass  the 
request onto the other party. Upon receipt of a request for a subcommittee meeting, the secretary 
of the other party shall reply within 15 working days. 

In cases of particular urgency, subcommittees may be convened at shorter notice subject to the 
agreement of both parties. All requests to convene meetings should be in writing. 

Each meeting of the subcommittee shall be held at a time and place agreed by both parties. 

The meetings shall be convened by the secretary in charge in agreement with the chair. Before 
each meeting, the chair will be informed of the intended composition of the delegation of each 
party. 

If both parties agree, the subcommittee may invite experts to its meetings to provide the specific 
information so requested. 

Each meeting will be attended by a representative of the Ministry of International Cooperation in 
order to ensure the appropriate coordination and linkages with both ongoing and future projects 
and programmes funded by the EU as well as to ensure that the priorities identified during the 
meeting receive the necessary support. 

6. 

Agenda of the meetings 

All  requests  for  items  to  be  included  in  the  subcommittee  agenda  shall  be  forwarded  to  the 
secretaries. 

A provisional agenda will be drawn up by the chair for each meeting. It shall be forwarded by 
the secretary in charge to his or her counterpart not later than 10 days before the beginning of the 
meeting. 

The provisional agenda shall include the items in respect of which the secretaries have received a 
request  for  inclusion  in  the  agenda  no  later  than  15  days  before  the  beginning  of  the  meeting. 

EN 

22 

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Supporting documentation must be received by both parties at least 7 days ahead of the meeting. 
To  take  account  of  urgent  matters,  these  time  limits  may  be  shortened  provided  both  parties 
agree. 

The agenda shall be adopted by the subcommittee at the beginning of each meeting. 

7. 

Minutes 

Minutes shall be taken and agreed by both secretaries after each meeting. A copy of the minutes, 
including  the  subcommittee's  proposals,  shall  be  forwarded  by  the  secretaries  of  the 
subcommittee to the secretaries and chair of the Association Committee. 

8. 

Publicity 

Unless otherwise decided, the meetings of the subcommittee shall not be public. 

EN 

23 

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RULES OF PROCEDURE 

EU/EGYPT SUBCOMMITTEE 

Agriculture and fisheries 

1. 

Composition and chair  

The  subcommittee  shall  be  composed  of  representatives  of  the  European  Community  and  its 
Member  States  and  representatives  of  the  Government  of  the  Arab  Republic  of  Egypt  and  be 
chaired alternately by the two parties. 

2. 

Role 

The subcommittee shall work under the authority of the Association Committee, to which it shall 
report after each meeting. The subcommittee does not have any decision-making power but may 
submit proposals to the Association Committee.  

3. 

Subject matter 

The  subcommittee  shall  discuss  the  implementation  of  the  Association  Agreement  in  the  areas 
listed below. In particular, it shall assess progress as regards law approximation, implementation 
and  enforcement.  Where  relevant,  co-operation  in  public  administration  matters  shall  be 
discussed.  The  subcommittee  shall  examine  any  problems  that  may  arise  in  the  sectors  listed 
below and shall suggest possible steps to be undertaken. 

3.a- 

Agriculture and fisheries products; 

3.b- 

agricultural cooperation and rural development 

3.c- 

Phytosanitary and veterinary matters 

3.d- 

processed agricultural products 

3.e- 

Legislation applicable to trade 

The above list is not exhaustive and other subjects, including horizontal matters, e.g. statistics, 
may be added by the Association Committee. 

The subcommittee may discuss matters relating to one, several or all of the above sectors. 

4. 

Secretariat 

An official of the European Commission and an official of the Government of the Arab Republic 
of Egypt shall act jointly as permanent secretaries of the subcommittee. 

All communications concerning the subcommittee shall be forwarded to the secretaries. 

EN 

24 

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5. 

Meetings 

The subcommittee shall meet whenever circumstances require. A meeting may be convened on 
the  basis  of  a  request  from  either  party,  channelled  through  their  secretary,  who  will  pass  the 
request onto the other party. Upon receipt of a request for a subcommittee meeting, the secretary 
of the other party shall reply within 15 working days. 

In cases of particular urgency, subcommittees may be convened at shorter notice subject to the 
agreement of both parties. All requests to convene meetings should be in writing. 

Each meeting of the subcommittee shall be held at a time and place agreed by both parties. 

The meetings shall be convened by the secretary in charge in agreement with the chair. Before 
each meeting, the chair will be informed of the intended composition of the delegation of each 
party. 

If both parties agree, the subcommittee may invite experts to its meetings to provide the specific 
information so requested. 

Each meeting will be attended by a representative of the Ministry of International Cooperation in 
order to ensure the appropriate coordination and linkages with both ongoing and future projects 
and programmes funded by the EU as well as to ensure that the priorities identified during the 
meeting receive the necessary support. 

6. 

Agenda of the meetings 

All  requests  for  items  to  be  included  in  the  subcommittee  agenda  shall  be  forwarded  to  the 
secretaries. 

A provisional agenda will be drawn up by the chair for each meeting. It shall be forwarded by 
the secretary in charge to his or her counterpart not later than 10 days before the beginning of the 
meeting. 

The provisional agenda shall include the items in respect of which the secretaries have received a 
request  for  inclusion  in  the  agenda  no  later  than  15  days  before  the  beginning  of  the  meeting. 
Supporting documentation must be received by both parties at least 7 days ahead of the meeting. 
To  take  account  of  urgent  matters,  these  time  limits  may  be  shortened  provided  both  parties 
agree. 

The agenda shall be adopted by the subcommittee at the beginning of each meeting. 

7. 

Minutes 

Minutes shall be taken and agreed by both secretaries after each meeting. A copy of the minutes, 
including  the  subcommittee's  proposals,  shall  be  forwarded  by  the  secretaries  of  the 
subcommittee to the secretaries and chair of the Association Committee. 

EN 

25 

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8. 

Publicity 

Unless otherwise decided, the meetings of the subcommittee shall not be public. 

EN 

26 

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RULES OF PROCEDURE 

EU/EGYPT SUBCOMMITTEE 

Justice and Security 

1. 

Composition and chair  

The subcommittee shall be composed of representatives of the European Community and its 
Member States and representatives of the Government of the Arab Republic of Egypt and be 
chaired alternately by the two parties. 

2. 

Role 

The subcommittee shall work under the authority of the Association Committee, to which it 
shall report after each meeting. The subcommittee does not have any decision-making power 
but may submit proposals to the Association Committee. 

3. 

Subject matter 

The subcommittee shall discuss the implementation of the Association Agreement in the areas 
listed  below.  In  particular,  it  shall  assess  progress  as  regards  law  approximation, 
implementation  and  enforcement.  Where  relevant,  cooperation  in  public  administration 
matters shall be discussed. The subcommittee shall examine any problems that may arise in 
the sectors listed below and shall suggest possible steps to be undertaken. 

3.a- 

Cooperation on justice 

3.b- 

Judicial cooperation in civil and criminal matters 

3.c- 

Drugs 

3.d- 

cooperation  in  combating  organised  crime,  including  trafficking  of  human  beings, 
illegal immigration, terrorism and money laundering 

3.e- 

cooperation in the field of corruption. 

The above list is not exhaustive and other subjects, including horizontal matters, e.g. statistics, 
may be added by the Association Committee. 

The subcommittee may discuss matters relating to one, several or all of the above sectors. 

4. 

Secretariat 

An  official  of  the  European  Commission  and  an  official  of  the  Government  of  the  Arab 
Republic of Egypt shall act jointly as permanent secretaries of the subcommittee. 

All communications concerning the subcommittee shall be forwarded to the secretaries. 

EN 

27 

   EN 

 
5. 

Meetings 

The subcommittee shall meet whenever circumstances require. A meeting may be convened 
on the basis of a request from either party, channelled through their secretary, who will pass 
the  request  onto  the  other  party.  Upon  receipt of  a  request  for  a  subcommittee  meeting,  the 
secretary of the other party shall reply within 15 working days. 

In  cases  of  particular  urgency,  subcommittees  may  be  convened  at  shorter  notice  subject  to 
the agreement of both parties. All requests to convene meetings should be in writing. 

Each meeting of the subcommittee shall be held at a time and place agreed by both parties. 

The meetings shall be convened by the secretary in charge in agreement with the chair. Before 
each meeting, the chair will be informed of the intended composition of the delegation of each 
party. 

If  both  parties  agree,  the  subcommittee  may  invite  experts  to  its  meetings  to  provide  the 
specific information so requested. 

Each meeting will be attended by a representative of the Ministry of International Cooperation 
in  order  to  ensure  the  appropriate  coordination  and  linkages  with  both  ongoing  and  future 
projects and programmes funded by the EU as well as to ensure that the priorities identified 
during the meeting receive the necessary support. 

6. 

Agenda of the meetings 

All  requests  for  items  to  be  included  in  the  subcommittee  agenda  shall  be  forwarded  to  the 
secretaries. 

A provisional agenda will be drawn up by the chair for each meeting. It shall be forwarded by 
the secretary in charge to his or her counterpart not later than 10 days before the beginning of 
the meeting. 

The  provisional  agenda  shall  include  the  items  in  respect  of  which  the  secretaries  have 
received a request for inclusion in the agenda no later than 15 days before the beginning of the 
meeting. Supporting documentation must be received by both parties at least 7 days ahead of 
the meeting. To take account of urgent matters, these time limits may be shortened provided 
both parties agree. 

The agenda shall be adopted by the subcommittee at the beginning of each meeting. 

7. 

Minutes 

Minutes  shall  be  taken  and  agreed  by  both  secretaries  after  each  meeting.  A  copy  of  the 
minutes, including the subcommittee's proposals, shall be forwarded by the secretaries of the 
subcommittee to the secretaries and chair of the Association Committee. 

8. 

Publicity 

Unless otherwise decided, the meetings of the subcommittee shall not be public. 

EN 

28 

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RULES OF PROCEDURE 

EU/EGYPT SUB-COMMITTEE 

Customs Co-operation 

1. 

Composition and chair 

The subcommittee shall be composed of representatives of the European Community and its 
Member States and representatives of the Government of the Arab Republic of Egypt and be 
chaired alternately by the two parties. 

2. 

Role 

The subcommittee shall work under the authority of the Association Committee, to which it 
shall report after each meeting. The subcommittee does not have any decision-making power 
but may submit proposals to the Association Committee. 

3. 

Subject matter 

The subcommittee shall discuss the implementation of the Association Agreement in the areas 
listed  below.  In  particular,  it  shall  assess  progress  as  regards  law  approximation, 
implementation  and  enforcement.  Where  relevant,  co-operation  in  public  administration 
matters shall be discussed. The subcommittee shall examine any problems that may arise in 
the sectors listed below and shall suggest possible steps to be undertaken. 

3.a- 

rules of origin  

3.b- 

general customs procedures, customs nomenclature, custom valuation 

3.c- 

tariff regimes 

3.d- 

customs co-operation 

The above list is not exhaustive and other subjects, including horizontal matters, e.g. statistics, 
may be added by the Association Committee. 

The subcommittee may discuss matters relating to one, several or all of the above sectors. 

4. 

Secretariat 

An  official  of  the  European  Commission  and  an  official  of  the  Government  of  the  Arab 
Republic of Egypt shall act jointly as permanent secretaries of the subcommittee. 

All communications concerning the subcommittee shall be forwarded to the secretaries. 

5. 

Meetings 

The subcommittee shall meet whenever circumstances require. A meeting may be convened 
on the basis of a request from either party, channelled through their secretary, who will pass 
the  request  onto  the  other  party.  Upon  receipt of  a  request  for  a  subcommittee  meeting,  the 
secretary of the other party shall reply within 15 working days. 

EN 

29 

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In  cases  of  particular  urgency,  subcommittees  may  be  convened  at  shorter  notice  subject  to 
the agreement of both parties. All requests to convene meetings should be in writing. 

Each meeting of the subcommittee shall be held at a time and place agreed by both parties. 

The meetings shall be convened by the secretary in charge in agreement with the chair. Before 
each meeting, the chair will be informed of the intended composition of the delegation of each 
party. 

If  both  parties  agree,  the  subcommittee  may  invite  experts  to  its  meetings  to  provide  the 
specific information so requested. 

Each meeting will be attended by a representative of the Ministry of International Cooperation 
in  order  to  ensure  the  appropriate  coordination  and  linkages  with  both  ongoing  and  future 
projects and programmes funded by the EU as well as to ensure that the priorities identified 
during the meeting receive the necessary support. 

6. 

Agenda of the meetings 

All  requests  for  items  to  be  included  in  the  subcommittee  agenda  shall  be  forwarded  to  the 
secretaries. 

A provisional agenda will be drawn up by the chair for each meeting. It shall be forwarded by 
the secretary in charge to his or her counterpart not later than 10 days before the beginning of 
the meeting. 

The  provisional  agenda  shall  include  the  items  in  respect  of  which  the  secretaries  have 
received a request for inclusion in the agenda no later than 15 days before the beginning of the 
meeting. Supporting documentation must be received by both parties at least 7 days ahead of 
the meeting. To take account of urgent matters, these time limits may be shortened provided 
both parties agree. 

The agenda shall be adopted by the subcommittee at the beginning of each meeting. 

7. 

Minutes 

Minutes  shall  be  taken  and  agreed  by  both  secretaries  after  each  meeting.  A  copy  of  the 
minutes, including the subcommittee's proposals, shall be forwarded by the secretaries of the 
subcommittee to the secretaries and chair of the Association Committee. 

8. 

Publicity 

Unless otherwise decided, the meetings of the subcommittee shall not be public. 

EN 

30 

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1. 

2. 

3. 

4. 

5. 

5.0 

FINANCIAL STATEMENT 

BUDGET HEADING: 

DATE:  
APPROPRIATIONS: 

TITLE: 
Community position in the Association Council on the implementation of Articles 80 and 67 of the Euro-
Mediterranean Agreement establishing an Association between the European Communities and their 
Member States, of the one part, and the Arab Republic of Egypt, of the other part 
LEGAL BASIS: 
Art. 67 and 80 of the EU/Egypt Association Agreement 
AIMS: 
Setting up one working group and seven sub-committees 
FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS 

12 MONTH 
PERIOD 

CURRENT 
FINANCIAL 
YEAR 
2004 
(EUR million) 
n/a 

FOLLOWING 
FINANCIAL 
YEAR 
2005 
(EUR million) 
n/a 

CHARGED TO THE EC BUDGET 

EXPENDITURE 
- 
(REFUNDS/INTERVENTIONS) 
- 
- 

NATIONAL AUTHORITIES 
OTHER 

(EUR million) 
n/a 

5.1  REVENUE 

n/a 

n/a 

n/a 

OWN RESOURCES OF THE EC  

- 
(LEVIES/CUSTOMS DUTIES) 
NATIONAL 
- 

5.0.1  ESTIMATED EXPENDITURE 
5.1.1  ESTIMATED REVENUE 
5.2  METHOD OF CALCULATION: 

2006 
- 
- 

2007 
- 
- 

2008 
- 
- 

6.0  CAN THE PROJECT BE FINANCED FROM APPROPRIATIONS ENTERED IN THE 

RELEVANT CHAPTER OF 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? 
6.3  WILL APPROPRIATIONS NEED TO BE ENTERED IN FUTURE BUDGETS? 
OBSERVATIONS: 
The meetings of the working group and of the sub-committees will take place in Brussels and in Cairo. When in 
Egypt, the mission budget of the participants will cover their expenses. 

2009 
- 
- 

YES  

YES  
NO 
NO 

EN 

31 

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