Proposal for a Council Decision on the signing and conclusion of the Agreement in the form of an exchange of letters between the European Community and the Arab Republic of Egypt concerning reciprocal liberalisation measures on agricultural, processed agricultural products and fish and fishery products and the replacement of Protocols 1 and 2 and of the Annex to Protocol 1 and the Annex to Protocol 2 and modifications 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
Date: 2009-01-27
Institutions: European Commission
Subjects: Egypt, agricultural product, agro-industry, association agreement (EU), fish, fishery product, ratification of an agreement, signature of an agreement

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COMMISSION OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES 

Brussels, 27.1.2009 
COM(2009) 18 final 

2009/0002 (ACC) 

Proposal for a 

COUNCIL DECISION 

on the signing and conclusion of the Agreement in the form of an exchange of letters 
between the European Community and the Arab Republic of Egypt concerning 
reciprocal liberalisation measures on agricultural, processed agricultural products and 
fish and fishery products and the replacement of Protocols 1 and 2 and of the Annex to 
Protocol 1 and the Annex to Protocol 2 and modifications 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 

(presented by the Commission) 

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EXPLANATORY MEMORANDUM 

Article  13  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 (“Association Agreement”) in force since 1 June 2004, of which the 
trade and trade-related provisions entered into force since 1 January 2004 in the form of an 
Interim  Agreement,  states  that  the  Community  and  Egypt  shall  gradually  implement  greater 
liberalisation of their trade in agricultural, processed agricultural products and fish and fishery 
products. 

On  14  October  2005  the  Council  has  authorised  the  Commission  to  conduct  negotiations 
within  the  framework  of  the  Euro-Mediterranean  Agreement  with  the  Arab  Republic  of 
Egypt,  taking  into  account  the  progress  made  by  Egypt  as  regards  the  European 
Neighbourhood  Policy  Action  Plan,  adopted  on  6  March  2007,  in  order  to  achieve  greater 
liberalisation of reciprocal trade in agricultural, processed agricultural products and fish and 
fishery products, in the spirit of the Barcelona Process and in line with the principles of the 
European Neighbourhood Policy and the conclusions of the Euro-Mediterranean Conference 
of Ministers of Foreign Affairs in Luxembourg on 30–31 May 2005. In this context and on the 
basis of the conclusions of the Euro-Mediterranean Ministerial Conference on Agriculture in 
Venice  of  27 November  2003,  the  following  measures  in  particular  should  form  an  integral 
part  of  the  negotiation  process:  sanitary  and  phytosanitary  measures;  the  approximation  of 
technical  standards  and  the  harmonisation  of  legislation;  and  the  protection  of  geographical 
indications.  

The  European  Commission  and  Egypt  officially  opened  the  negotiations  on  7–9  February 
2007 in Cairo and concluded on 19 June 2008 in Brussels. In order to implement the results of 
the negotiations concluded with Egypt, the Commission proposes to the Council to adopt, the 
replacement of Protocols 1 and 2 and of the Annex to Protocol 1 and the Annex to Protocol 2, 
to delete Protocol 3, to modify the title of Chapter 2, to amend Article 14(1) and (2), to delete 
Article 14(3) and insert Article 15(3). The intention of both sides is that this Agreement enters 
into force as of 1 January 2009. 

Furthermore, to reinforce the existing cooperation on SPS/TBT issues, a Common Declaration 
is added to this agreement. 

Regarding  the  protection  of  geographical  indications  and  denominations  of  origin,  Parties 
agreed to have a separate dialogue on this subject due to its complexity. 

The Commission proposes to the Council to adopt the replacement of Protocols 1 and 2 and of 
the  Annex  to  Protocol  1  and  the  Annex  to  Protocol  2,  the  deletion  of  Protocol  3,  the 
modification of the title of Chapter 2, the amendment of Article 14(1) and (2), the deletion of 
Article 14(3), the insertion of paragraph 3 in Article 15 and to add a Common Declaration on 
sanitary and phytosanitary or technical barriers to trade issues. 

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2009/0002 (ACC) 

Proposal for a 

COUNCIL DECISION 

on the signing and conclusion of the Agreement in the form of an exchange of letters 
between the European Community and the Arab Republic of Egypt concerning 
reciprocal liberalisation measures on agricultural, processed agricultural products and 
fish and fishery products and the replacement of Protocols 1 and 2 and of the Annex to 
Protocol 1 and the Annex to Protocol 2 and modifications 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 

THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION, 

Having  regard  to  the  Treaty  establishing  the  European  Community,  and  in  particular 
Article 133, in conjunction with the first sentence of Article 300(2), thereof, 

Having regard to the proposal from the Commission, 

Whereas: 

(1) 

(2) 

(3) 

(4) 

Article 13 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  part1  (“the  Association  Agreement”)  in  force  since 
1 June  2004,  of  which  the  trade  and  trade-related  provisions  entered  into  force  since 
1 January  2004,  states  that  the  Community  and  Egypt  shall  gradually  implement 
greater  liberalisation  of  their  reciprocal  trade  in  agricultural,  processed  agricultural 
products and fish and fishery products. 

The  EU-Egypt Association Council adopted on  6 March 2007 an  Action  Plan of the 
European  Neighbourhood  Policy  that  includes  a  specific  provision  for  further 
liberalisation  of  trade  in  agricultural,  processed  agricultural  products  and  fish  and 
fishery products. 

The  Council  has  authorised  the  Commission  on  14  October  2005  to  conduct 
negotiations  within  the  framework  of  the  Euro-Mediterranean  Agreement  with  the 
Arab Republic of Egypt, in order to achieve greater liberalisation of reciprocal trade in 
agricultural, processed agricultural products and fish and fishery products. 

The  Commission  has  negotiated  on  behalf  of  the  Community  an  Agreement  in  the 
form  of  an  exchange  of  letters  with  a  view  of  replacing  Protocols 1  and 2  and  the 
Annex  to  Protocol 1  and  the  Annex  to  Protocol 2  to  the  Association  Agreement,  to 
delete Protocol 3, to modify the title of Chapter 2, to amend Article 14(1) and (2), to 

1 

OJ L 304, 30.09.2004, p. 39. 

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delete  Article 14(3),  to  insert  Article 15(3)  and  to  add  a  Common  Declaration  on 
sanitary and phytosanitary or technical barriers to trade issues. 

(5) 

The agreement initialled on 19 June 2008 should be approved. 

(6) 

The measures necessary for the implementation of this Decision should be adopted in 
accordance  with  Council  Decision  1999/468/EC  of  28  June  1999  laying  down  the 
procedures for the exercise of implementing powers conferred on the Commission2, 

HAS DECIDED AS FOLLOWS: 

Article 1 

The Agreement in the form of an exchange of letters between the European Community and 
the Arab Republic of Egypt concerning reciprocal liberalisation measures on agricultural and 
processed  agricultural  products  and  fish  and  fishery  products  and  the  replacement  of 
Protocols 1  and 2  and  of  the  Annex  to  Protocol 1  and  the  Annex  to  Protocol 2  and 
modifications 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, is hereby approved on behalf of the Community. 

The text of the Agreement is attached to this Decision. 

Article 2  

1. 

2. 

The Commission shall adopt the necessary implementation measures for Protocols 1 
and 2. 

The Commission shall be assisted by the Management Committee for the Common 
Organisation  of  Agricultural  Markets  established  by  Article 195  of  Council 
Regulation  (EC)  No 1234/2007  of  22 October 2007  establishing  a  common 
organisation  of  agricultural  markets  and  on  specific  provisions  for  certain 
agricultural products (Single CMO Regulation)3, or by the Management Committee 
for  Fisheries  Products  as  established  by  Article 38  of  Council  Regulation  (EC) 
No 104/2000  of  17 December  1999  on  the  common  organisation  of  the  markets  in 
the  fishery  and  aquaculture  products4  or,  where  appropriate,  by  the  committees 
established  by  the  corresponding  provisions  of  other  regulations  on  the  common 
organisation  of  markets  or  by  the  Customs  Code  Committee  established  by 
Article 248a  of  Council  Regulation  (EEC)  No 2913/92  of  12 October 1992 
establishing the Community Customs Code5. 

2 
3 
4 
5 

OJ L 184, 17.7.1999, p. 23. 
OJ L 299, 16.11.2007, p. 1. 
OJ L 17, 21.1.2000, p. 22. 
OJ L 302, 19.10.1992, p. 1. 

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Article 3 

Where  the  Community  needs  to  take  a  safeguard  measure  as  provided  in  the  Association 
Agreement,  concerning  agricultural,  processed  agricultural  products  and  fish  and  fishery 
products, it shall be adopted in accordance with the procedures provided for by the relevant 
rules establishing the common organisation of the agricultural markets or markets in fishery 
and  aquaculture  products,  or  in  specific  provisions  adopted  pursuant  to  Article 308  of  the 
Treaty and applicable to products resulting from the  processing of agricultural  and  fisheries 
products, provided that the conditions laid down by the relevant provision of the Association 
Agreement are met.  

The President of the Council is hereby authorised to designate the person empowered to sign 
the Agreement so as to bind the Community. 

Article 4 

Article 5 

This Decision is published in the Official Journal of the European Union. 

Done at Brussels, 

For the Council 
The President 

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ANNEX 

AGREEMENT 

in the form of an exchange of letters between the European Community and the Arab 
Republic of Egypt concerning reciprocal liberalisation measures on agricultural, 
processed agricultural products and fish and fishery products and the replacement of 
Protocols 1 and 2 and of the Annex to Protocol 1 and the Annex to Protocol 2 and 
modifications 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 

A. Letter from the European Community 

Sir/Madam, 

I  have  the  honour  of  referring  to  the  negotiations  which  took  place  in  accordance  with  the 
Euro-Mediterranean  Roadmap  for  agriculture  (Rabat  Roadmap)  adopted  by  the  Euro-
Mediterranean  Ministers  of  Foreign  Affairs  on  28  November  2005  for  the  acceleration  of 
liberalisation  of  trade  in  agricultural,  processed  agricultural  products  and  fish  and  fishery 
products and under Articles 13 and 15 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  (“the  Association  Agreement”),  in  force  since 
1 June 2004, of which the trade and trade-related provisions entered into force since 1 January 
2004,  which  states  that  the  Community  and  the  Arab  Republic  of  Egypt  shall  gradually 
establish greater liberalisation of their trade in agricultural, processed agricultural products and 
fish and fishery products. 

On the conclusion of the negotiations the two Parties agreed upon the following: 

1. 

2. 

The  title  of  Chapter  2  is  replaced  by  “Agricultural,  processed  agricultural  products 
and fish and fishery products”. 

Paragraph 1 of Article 14 is amended as follows: 

“1.  Agricultural,  processed  agricultural  products  and  fish  and  fishery  products 
originating in Egypt listed in Protocol 1 on importation into the Community shall be 
subject to the arrangements set out in that Protocol.” 

3. 

Paragraph 2 of Article 14 is amended as follows: 

“2.  Agricultural,  processed  agricultural  products  and  fish  and  fishery  products 
originating in the Community listed in Protocol 2 on importation into Egypt shall be 
subject to the arrangements set out in that Protocol.” 

4. 

5. 

Paragraph 3 of Article 14 is deleted from the Association Agreement. 

The following paragraph 3 to Article 15 is inserted in the Association Agreement: 

"3.  The Contracting Parties shall meet two years from the date of entry into force of 
this agreement to consider the possibility of granting each other further concessions 

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of trade in agricultural, processed agricultural products and fish and fishery products 
in  accordance  with  Article 13  of  this  Agreement.  Such  meeting  shall  thereafter  be 
held regularly every two years." 

Protocols  1  and  2  of  the  Association  Agreement  and  their  Annexes  are  replaced  by 
the Protocols 1 and 2 and their Annexes attached to this exchange of letters. 

Protocol 3 of the Association Agreement is deleted. 

A  Common  Declaration  on  sanitary  and  phytosanitary  or  technical  barriers  to  trade 
issues, listed in Annex to this exchange of letters, is added to this Agreement.  

6. 

7. 

8. 

This Agreement shall enter into force on the first day of the second month following the date 
of deposit of the last instrument of approval. 

I would be grateful if you could confirm the agreement of your government to the above. 

Please accept, Sir/Madam, the assurance of my highest consideration. 

Done at Brussels, 

On behalf of the Council of the European Union 

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PROTOCOL 1 

concerning the arrangements applicable to the importation into the European 
Community of agricultural, processed agricultural products and fish and fishery 
products originating in the Arab Republic of Egypt 

1. 

2. 

3. 

4. 

5. 

6. 

7. 

8. 

Imports  into  the  European  Community  of  the  products  listed  in  the  Annex  to  this 
Protocol, which originate in Egypt, shall be subject to the conditions set out below. 

On the date of entry into force of this Protocol, customs duties applicable on imports 
into  the  European  Community  of  agricultural,  processed  agricultural  products  and 
fish and fishery products originating in Egypt shall be eliminated, except if otherwise 
provided for in Table 1 in the Annex to this Protocol. 

For  those  products  originating  in  Egypt  listed  in  Table 2  in  the  Annex  to  this 
Protocol, customs duties shall be eliminated or reduced within the limit of the tariff 
quotas listed in column "b" for each of them. 

Customs duties in respect of the quantities in excess of the quotas shall be reduced by 
the percentage listed in column "c" for each of them. 

For the first year of application of this Protocol, the volumes of tariff quotas shall be 
calculated as a pro rata of the basic volumes, taking into account the part of the period 
elapsed before the date of entry into force of this agreement. 

For  products  falling  under  CN  codes  0703 20 00  and  0707 00 05,  the  tariff  quota 
volume listed in column "b" shall be increased annually by 3% of the volume of the 
previous year, the first increase taking place one year after the entry into force of this 
agreement. 

For products falling under CN codes 0810 10 00, 1006 20, 1006 30 and 1006 40, the 
tariff  quota  volume  listed  in  column  "b"  shall  be  increased  annually  by  3%  of  the 
volume of the previous year over a period of five years, the first increase taking place 
one year after the entry into force of this agreement. 

For products falling under CN codes 1806 10 30, 1806 10 90, 1806 20 95, 2101 20 98 
and  2106 90 59,  the  tariff  quota  volume  listed  in  column  "b"  shall  be  increased 
annually  by  5%  of  the  volume  of  the  previous  year  over  a  period  of  five  years,  the 
first increase taking place one year after the entry into force of this agreement. 

For products falling under CN codes 1704 90 99, 1901 90 99, 2101 12 98, 2106 90 98 
and  3302 10 29,  the  tariff  quota  volume  listed  in  column "b"  shall  be  increased 
annually by 10% of the volume of the previous year over a period of five years, the 
first increase taking place one year after the entry into force of this agreement. 

(a)  Notwithstanding  the  conditions  under  point 2,  for  the  products  to  which  an 
entry price applies in accordance with Article 140a of Council Regulation (EC) 
No 1234/20076,  and  for  which  the  Common  Customs  Tariff  provides  for  the 

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OJ L 299, 16.11.2007, p. 1. 

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application  of  ad  valorem  customs  duties  and  a  specific  customs  duty,  the 
elimination applies only to the ad valorem part of the duty. 

(b)  For sweet oranges, fresh, falling within CN code 0805 10 207, within the limit 
of a tariff quota of 36 300 tons applicable for the concession on the ad valorem 
customs  duties,  the  agreed  entry  price  between  the  European  Community  and 
Egypt,  from  which  the  specific  duty  provided  in  the  Community's  list  of 
concessions to the WTO is reduced to zero, is EUR 264/tonne, for every period 
from 1 December to 31 May.  

If the entry price for a consignment is 2, 4, 6 or 8% lower than the agreed entry price, 
the  specific  customs  quota  duty  shall  be  equal  respectively  to  2,  4,  6  or  8%  of  this 
agreed entry price. If the entry price of a consignment is less than 92% of the agreed 
entry price, the specific customs duty bound within the WTO shall apply. 

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CN code corresponding to Regulation (EC) No 1214/2007 (OJ L 286 of 31.10.2007, p. 1). 

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ANNEX TO PROTOCOL 1  

concerning the arrangements applicable to the importation into the European 
Community of agricultural, processed agricultural products and fish and fishery 
products originating in the Arab Republic of Egypt 

Imports into the European Community of the following products originating in Egypt shall be 
subject to the conditions set out below. 

Table 1 

All  the  products  not  included  in  the  table  below  are  duty  free.  A  preferential  treatment  for 
some of the products listed below is indicated in Table 2. 

CN Code (1) 

Description (2) 

0702 00 00 

Tomatoes, fresh or chilled 

0703 20 00 

Garlic, fresh or chilled 

0707 00 05 

Cucumbers, fresh or chilled 

0709 90 70 

Courgettes, fresh or chilled 

0709 90 80 

Globe artichokes, fresh or chilled 

0806 10 10 

Table grapes, fresh 

0810 10 00 

Strawberries, fresh 

1006 

1604 13 

1604 14 

Rice 

Prepared or preserved sardines, sardinella and brisling or sprats, whole or in pieces, but 
not minced 

Prepared or preserved tuna, skipjack and bonito (Sarda spp.), whole or in pieces, but not 
minced 

1701 

Cane or beet sugar and chemically pure sucrose, in solid form 

1702 
excluding 
1702 90 10 

Other  sugars,  including  chemically  pure  lactose,  glucose  and  fructose,  in  solid  form; 
sugar  syrups  not  containing  added  flavouring  or  colouring  matter;  artificial  honey, 
whether or not mixed with natural honey; caramel 

1702 50 00 

Chemically pure fructose in solid form 

ex  1704 90 99 

Other  sugar  confectionery,  not  containing  cocoa,  containing:  70%  or  more  by  weight  of 
sucrose 

ex  1806 10 30 

Sweetened cacao powder, containing: 70% or more but less than 80% by weight of sucrose 

1806 10 90 

Sweetened cacao powder, containing: 80% or more by weight of sucrose 

ex  1806 20 95 

ex  1901 90 99 

Chocolate and other food preparations containing cocoa, in blocks, slabs or bars weighing 
more  than 2 kg  or  in  liquid, paste, powder,  granular or other bulk form,  in  containers or 
immediate  packings  of  a  content  exceeding  2 kg,  containing  less  than 18%  by weight  of 
cocoa butter, containing: 70% or more by weight of sucrose 

Other food preparations of flour, groats, meal, starch or malt extract, not containing cocoa 
or containing less than 40% by weight of cocoa calculated on a totally defatted basis, not 
elsewhere specified or included, food preparations of goods of headings 0401 to 0404, not 
containing  cocoa  or  containing  less  than  5%  by  weight  of  cocoa  calculated  on  a  totally 
defatted basis, not elsewhere specified or included, containing: 70% or more by weight of 
sucrose/isoglucose 

ex  2101 12 98 

Preparations  with  a  basis  of  coffee,  containing:  70%  or  more  by  weight  of 
sucrose/isoglucose 

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ex  2101 20 98 

Preparations  with  a  basis  of  tea  or  mate  containing:  70%  or  more  by  weight  of 
sucrose/isoglucose 

ex  2106 90 59  

Other  flavoured  or  coloured  sugar  syrups  (excl.  isoglucose,  lactose,  glucose  and 
maltodextrine syrups), containing: 70% or more by weight of sucrose/isoglucose 

ex  2106 90 98 

Other  food  preparations  not  elsewhere  specified  or  included,  of  a  kind  used  in  drink 
industries, containing: 70% or more by weight of sucrose/isoglucose 

ex  3302 10 29 

Other preparations of a kind used in the drink industries, containing all flavouring agents 
characterising a beverage, of an actual alcoholic strength by volume not exceeding 0,5%, 
containing: 70% or more by weight of sucrose/isoglucose 

(1) 
(2) 

CN codes corresponding to Regulation (EC) No 1214/2007 (OJ L 286 of 31 October 2007). 
Notwithstanding  the  rules  for  the  interpretation  of  the  combined  nomenclature,  the  wording  for  the 
description  of  the  products  is  to  be  considered  as  having  no  more  than  an  indicative  value,  the 
preferential  scheme  being  determined,  within  the  context  of  this  Annex,  by  the  coverage  of  the 
CN codes.  Where  "ex"  CN  codes  are  indicated,  the  preferential  scheme  is  to  be  determined  by  the 
application of the CN codes and corresponding description taken together. 

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For some of the products listed in Table 1 a preferential treatment is provided in form of tariff 
quotas, reduced duties beyond tariff quota and calendars as listed below: 

Table 2 

CN Code (1) 

Description (2) 

a 

b 

c 

Reduction 
of the MFN 
customs 
duty 
% 

Tariff 
quota 
(tonnes 
net 
weight) 

Reduction of 
the customs 
duty beyond 
the tariff 
quota  
% 

  0702 00 00 

Tomatoes, 
1 November to 30 June 

fresh 

or 

chilled, 

from 

100% 

unlimited 

– 

  0703 20 00 

Garlic,  fresh  or  chilled,  from  15 January  to 
30 June 

100% 

4 000 

50% 

  0707 00 05 

Cucumbers, 
or 
15 November to 15 May 

fresh 

chilled, 

from 

100% 

3 000 

  0709 90 70 

Courgettes, fresh or chilled, from 1 October 
to 30 April 

100% 

unlimited  

  0709 90 80 

Globe  artichokes,  fresh  or  chilled,  from 
1 November to 31 March 

100% 

unlimited  

  0806 10 10 

Table  grapes,  fresh  ,  from  1 February  to 
31 July  

100% 

unlimited  

from  1 October 

to 

100% 

10 000 

  0810 10 00 

Fresh  strawberries, 
30 April 

1006 20 

Husked (brown) rice 

  1006 30  

Semi-milled or wholly  milled rice, whether 
or not polished or glazed 

  1006 40 00 

Broken rice  

  1702 50 00 

Chemically pure fructose in solid form 

100% 

100% 

100% 

100% 

20 000 

70 000 

80 000 

1 000 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

100% on the ad 
valorem duty + 
30% on the 
EA8 

ex  1704 90 99 

ex  1806 10 30 

Other  sugar  confectionery,  not  containing 
cocoa,  containing:  70%  or  more  by  weight 
of sucrose 

Sweetened  cacao  powder,  containing:  70% 
or  more  but  less  than  80%  of  sucrose 
(sugar) 

100% 

1 000 

100% 

500 

  1806 10 90 

Sweetened  cacao  powder,  containing:  80% 
or more by weight of sucrose (sugar) 

100% 

500 

– 

– 

– 

8 

EA: agricultural component as referred to in Regulation (EEC) No 3448/93, as amended. 

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a 

b 

c 

Reduction 
of the MFN 
customs 
duty 
% 

Tariff 
quota 
(tonnes 
net 
weight) 

Reduction of 
the customs 
duty beyond 
the tariff 
quota  
% 

100% 

500 

– 

100% 

1 000 

– 

100% 

1 000 

100% 

500 

100% 

500 

100% 

1 000 

100% 

1 000 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

CN Code (1) 

Description (2) 

ex  1806 20 95 

ex  1901 90 99 

ex  2101 12 98 

ex  2101 20 98 

Chocolate  and  other  food  preparations 
containing  cocoa,  in  blocks,  slabs  or  bars 
weighing more than 2 kg or in liquid, paste, 
powder,  granular  or  other  bulk  form,  in 
containers  or  immediate  packings  of  a 
content exceeding 2 kg, containing less than 
18% by weight of cocoa butter, containing: 
70% or more by weight of sucrose 

Other  food  preparations  of  flour,  groats, 
meal,  starch  or  malt  extract,  not  containing 
cocoa  or  containing  less  than  40%  by 
weight  of  cocoa  calculated  on  a  totally 
defatted  basis,  not  elsewhere  specified  or 
included,  food  preparations  of  goods  of 
headings  0401  to  0404,  not  containing 
cocoa or containing less than 5% by weight 
of  cocoa  calculated  on  a  totally  defatted 
basis,  not  elsewhere  specified  or  included, 
containing:  70%  or  more  by  weight  of 
sucrose/isoglucose 

Preparations  with  a  basis  of  coffee, 
containing:  70%  or  more  by  weight  of 
sucrose/isoglucose 

Preparations  with  a  basis  of  tea  or  mate, 
containing:  70%  or  more  by  weight  of 
sucrose/isoglucose 

ex  2106 90 59   Other  flavoured  or  coloured  sugar  syrups 
(excl. 
lactose,  glucose  and 
maltodextrine  syrups),  containing:  70%  or 
more by weight of sucrose/isoglucose 

isoglucose, 

ex  2106 90 98 

ex  3302 1029 

Other  food  preparations  not  elsewhere 
specified  or  included,  of  a  kind  used  in 
drink  industries,  containing:  70%  or  more 
by weight of sucrose/isoglucose 

Other  preparations  of  a  kind  used  in  drink 
industries,  containing  all  flavouring  agents 
characterising  a  beverage,  of  an  actual 
alcoholic strength by volume not exceeding 
0,5%,  containing:  70%  or  more  by  weight 
of sucrose/isoglucose 

(1) 
(2) 

CN codes corresponding to Regulation (EC) No 1214/2007 (OJ L 286 of 31 October 2007). 
Notwithstanding  the  rules  for  the  interpretation  of  the  combined  nomenclature,  the  wording  for  the 
description  of  the  products  is  to  be  considered  as  having  no  more  than  an  indicative  value,  the 
preferential  scheme  being  determined,  within  the  context  of  this  Annex,  by  the  coverage  of  the  CN 
codes.  Where  "ex"  CN  codes  are  indicated,  the  preferential  scheme  is  to  be  determined  by  the 
application of the CN codes and corresponding description taken together. 

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PROTOCOL 2 

concerning the arrangements applicable to the importation into the Arab Republic of 
Egypt of agricultural, processed agricultural products and fish and fishery products 
originating in the European Community 

1. 

2. 

3. 

Imports into the Arab Republic of Egypt of the following products originating in the 
European Community shall be subject to the conditions set out below. 

On the date of entry into force of this Protocol, customs duties applicable on import 
into the Arab Republic of Egypt of agricultural, processed agricultural products and 
fish and fishery products originating in the European Community shall be eliminated 
except if otherwise provided for in Table 1 in the Annex to this Protocol. 

For  those  products  originating  in  the  European  Community  listed  in  Table 2  in  the 
Annex to this Protocol, customs duties shall be eliminated or reduced within the limit 
of the tariff quotas listed in column "b" for each of them. 

For the first year of application of this Protocol, the volumes of tariff quotas shall be 
calculated as a pro rata of the basic volumes, taking into account the part of the period 
elapsed before the date of entry into force of this agreement. 

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ANNEX TO PROTOCOL 2 

concerning the arrangements applicable to the importation into the Arab Republic of 
Egypt of agricultural, processed agricultural products and fish and fishery products 
originating in the European Community 

Imports into the Arab Republic of Egypt of the following products originating in the European 
Community shall be subject to the conditions set out below. 

Table 1 

All  the  products  not  included  in  the  table  below  are  duty  free.  A  preferential  treatment  for 
some of the products listed below is indicated in Table 2. 

HS or Egyptian 
Code (1) 

Description (2) 

0203 

Meat of swine, fresh, chilled or frozen 

ex 

0206 

Edible  offal  of  bovine  animals,  swine,  sheep,  goats,  horses,  asses,  mules  or  hinnies,  fresh, 
chilled or frozen: 

0206 30 

- of swine, fresh or chilled 

0206 41 

- of swine livers, frozen 

0206 49 

-- Other 

ex 

0207 

Meat and edible offal, of the poultry of heading 0105, fresh, chilled or frozen: 

- of fowls of the species Gallus domesticus: 

0207 11 

-- Not cut in pieces, fresh or chilled 

0207 12 

-- Not cut in pieces, frozen 

0209 

Pig fat, free of lean meat, and poultry fat, not rendered or otherwise extracted, fresh, chilled, 
frozen, salted, in brine, dried or smoked 

ex 

0210 

Meat and edible meat offal, salted, in brine, dried or smoked; edible flours and meals of meat 
or meat offal: 

- Meat of swine: 

0210 11 

-- Hams, shoulders and cuts thereof, with bone in 

0210 12 

-- Bellies (streaky) and cuts thereof 

0210 19 

-- Other 

ex 

0406 10 

Fresh (unripened or uncured) cheese, including whey cheese, and curd (less than 20 kg) 

1501 

Pig fat (including lard) and poultry fat, other than that of heading 0209 or 1503 

ex 

1602 

Other prepared or preserved meat, meat offal or blood: 

1602 10 

- homogenised preparations 

1602 20 

- of liver of any animal 

- of swine: 

1602 41 

- Hams and cuts thereof 

1602 42 

- Shoulders and cuts thereof 

1602 49 

- Other, including mixtures 

- Other, including preparations of blood of any animal: 

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1602 90 10 

- of swine 

1704 

1806 

1902 

1905 

2004 

Sugar confectionery (including white chocolate), not containing cocoa 

Chocolate and other food preparations containing cocoa 

Pasta,  whether  or  not  cooked  or  stuffed  (with  meat  or  other  substances)  or  otherwise 
prepared,  such  as  spaghetti,  macaroni,  noodles,  lasagne,  gnocchi,  ravioli,  cannelloni; 
couscous, whether or not prepared 

Bread,  pastry,  cakes,  biscuits  and  other  bakers'  wares,  whether  or  not  containing  cocoa; 
communion wafers, empty cachets of a kind suitable for pharmaceutical use, sealing wafers, 
rice paper and similar products 

Other vegetables prepared or preserved otherwise than by vinegar or acetic acid, frozen, other 
than products of heading 2006 

ex 

2106 

Food preparations not elsewhere specified or included: 

2106 90 20 

-- Compound alcoholic preparations, other than those based on odoriferous substances, of a 
kind used for the manufacture of beverages 

2203 

2204 

2205 

2206 

2207 

2208 

2401 

2402 

2403 

ex 

3302 

Beer made from malt 

Wine of fresh grapes, including fortified wines; grape must other than that of heading 2009 

Vermouth and other wine of fresh grapes flavoured with plants or aromatic substances 

Other  fermented  beverages  (for  example,  cider,  perry,  mead);  mixtures  of  fermented 
beverages and mixtures of fermented beverages and non-alcoholic beverages, not elsewhere 
specified or included 

Undenatured  ethyl  alcohol  of  an  alcoholic  strength  by  volume  of  80%  vol  or  higher;  ethyl 
alcohol and other spirits, denatured, of any strength 

Undenatured ethyl alcohol of an alcoholic strength by volume of less than 80% vol; spirits, 
liqueurs and other spirituous beverages 

Unmanufactured tobacco; tobacco refuse 

Cigars, cheroots, cigarillos and cigarettes, of tobacco or of tobacco substitute 

Other  manufactured  tobacco  and  manufactured  tobacco  substitutes;  "homogenised"  or 
"reconstituted" tobacco; tobacco extracts and essences 

Mixtures of odoriferous substances and mixtures (including alcoholic solutions) with a basis 
of  one  or  more  of  these  substances,  of  a  kind  used  as  raw  materials  in  industry;  other 
preparations  based  on  odoriferous  substances,  of  a  kind  used  for  the  manufacture  of 
beverages: 
of a kind used in the food or drink industry: 

3302 10 10  Compound alcoholic preparations of a kind used for manufacture of beverages 

(1) 
(2) 

Egyptian codes corresponding to the Egyptian Customs Tariff, published on 5 February 2007. 
Notwithstanding  the  rules  for  the  interpretation  of  the  Harmonised  System  (HS)  or  of  the  Egyptian 
tariff nomenclature, the wording for the description of the products is to be considered as having no 
more than an indicative value. 

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For some of the products listed in Table 1 a preferential treatment is provided in form of tariff 
quotas and reduced duties as listed below: 

Table 2 

HS or Egyptian Code (1) 

Description (2) 

a 

b 

Reduction 
of the 
MFN 
customs 
duty 
% 

Tariff 
quota 
(tonnes 
net 
weight) 

35% 

5 000 

Meat and edible offal, of the poultry of heading 0105, 
fresh, chilled or frozen: 
- of fowls of the species Gallus domesticus: 
-- Not cut in pieces, fresh or chilled 
-- Not cut in pieces, frozen 

Fresh  (unripened  or  uncured)  cheese,  including 
whey cheese, and curd (less than 20 kg) 

50% 

1 000 

Sugar  confectionery  (including  white  chocolate), 
not containing cocoa 

50% 

unlimited 

Chocolate  and  other  food  preparations  containing 
cocoa 

50% 

unlimited 

50% 

unlimited 

50% 

unlimited 

50% 

unlimited 

Pasta, whether or not cooked or stuffed (with meat 
or other substances) or otherwise prepared such as 
spaghetti,  macaroni,  noodles,  lasagne,  gnocchi, 
ravioli,  cannelloni;  couscous,  whether  or  not 
prepared  

Bread,  pastry,  cakes,  biscuits  and  other  bakers' 
wares,  whether  or  not 
cocoa; 
communion  wafers,  empty  cachets  of  a  kind 
suitable for pharmaceutical use, sealing wafers, rice 
paper and similar products 

containing 

Other  vegetables  prepared  or  preserved  otherwise 
than  by  vinegar  or  ascetic  acid,  frozen,  other  than 
products of heading 2006 

Mixtures  of  odoriferous  substances  and  mixtures 
(including alcoholic solutions) with bases of one or 
more  of  these  substances,  of  a  kind  used  as  raw 
materials  in  industry;  other  preparations  based  on 
odoriferous  substances,  of  a  kind  used  for  the 
manufacture of beverages:  

ex 

0207 

0207 11 
0207 12 

ex 

0406 10 

1704 

1806 

1902 

1905 

2004 

ex 

3302 

3302 10 10 

of a kind used in the food or drink industry:  
--- compound alcoholic preparations of a kind used 
for manufacture of beverages 

35% 

unlimited

(1) 
(2) 

Egyptian codes corresponding to the Egyptian Customs Tariff, published on 5 February 2007. 
Notwithstanding  the  rules  for  the  interpretation  of  the  Harmonised  System  (HS)  or  of  the  Egyptian 
tariff nomenclature, the wording for the description of the products is to be considered as having no 
more than an indicative value. 

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ANNEX TO THE ASSOCIATION AGREEMENT 

COMMON DECLARATION ON SANITARY AND PHYTOSANITARY OR 
TECHNICAL BARRIERS TO TRADE ISSUES 

The Parties shall solve any problems, in particular sanitary, phytosanitary or technical barriers 
to trade, hindering the implementation of this agreement, by means of existing administrative 
arrangements.  The  results  shall  then  be  reported  to  the  Subcommittee  for  agriculture  and 
fisheries, as well as to the Subcommittee of industry, trade, services and investment and to the 
Association Committee. The Parties commit to examine and solve such cases with the shortest 
possible delay on a friendly manner, in line with the respective applicable legislation. 

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B. Letter from the Arab Republic of Egypt 

Sir/Madam, 

I have the honour to acknowledge receipt of your letter of today’s date, worded as follows: 

“Sir/Madam, 

I  have  the  honour  of  referring  to  the  negotiations  which  took  place  in  accordance  with  the 
Euro-Mediterranean  Roadmap  for  agriculture  (Rabat  Roadmap)  adopted  by  the  Euro-
Mediterranean  Ministers  of  Foreign  Affairs  on  28  November  2005  for  the  acceleration  of 
liberalisation  of  trade  in  agricultural,  processed  agricultural  products  and  fish  and  fishery 
products and under Articles 13 and 15 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 (“the Association Agreement”), in force since 
1 June 2004, of which the trade and trade-related provisions entered into force since 1 January 
2004,  which  states  that  the  Community  and  the  Arab  Republic  of  Egypt  shall  gradually 
establish  greater  liberalisation  of  their  trade  in  agricultural,  processed  agricultural  products 
and fish and fishery products. 

On the conclusion of the negotiations the two Parties agreed upon the following: 

1. 

2. 

The  title  of  Chapter  2  is  replaced  by  “Agricultural,  processed  agricultural  products 
and fish and fishery products”. 

Paragraph 1 of Article 14 is amended as follows: 

“1.  Agricultural,  processed  agricultural  products  and  fish  and  fishery  products 
originating in Egypt listed in Protocol 1 on importation into the Community shall be 
subject to the arrangements set out in that Protocol.” 

3. 

Paragraph 2 of Article 14 is amended as follows: 

“2.  Agricultural,  processed  agricultural  products  and  fish  and  fishery  products 
originating in the Community listed in Protocol 2 on importation into Egypt shall be 
subject to the arrangements set out in that Protocol.” 

Paragraph 3 of Article 14 is deleted from the Association Agreement. 

The following paragraph 3 to Article 15 is inserted in the Association Agreement: 

"3.  The Contracting Parties shall meet two years from the date of entry into force 
of  this  agreement  to  consider  the  possibility  of  granting  each  other  further 
concessions  of  trade  in  agricultural,  processed  agricultural  products  and  fish  and 
fishery products in accordance with Article 13 of this Agreement. Such meeting shall 
thereafter be held regularly every two years." 

Protocols 1 and 2 of the Association Agreement and their Annexes are replaced by 
the Protocols 1 and 2 and their Annexes attached to this exchange of letters. 

Protocol 3 of the Association Agreement is deleted. 

4. 

5. 

6. 

7. 

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8. 

A Common Declaration on sanitary and phytosanitary or technical barriers to trade 
issues, listed in Annex to this exchange of letters, is added to this Agreement. 

This Agreement shall enter into force on the first day of the second month following the date 
of deposit of the last instrument of approval." 

The Arab Republic of Egypt has the honour of confirming its agreement with the content of 
this letter. 

Please accept, Sir/Madam, the assurance of my highest consideration. 

Done at Cairo / Brussels, 

For the Arab Republic of Egypt 

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FINANCIAL STATEMENT 

1. 

2. 

3. 

4. 

BUDGET HEADING: 
Chapter 10 – Agricultural duties 

APPROPRIATIONS: 
PDB2009: €1 403,5 M

TITLE: 
Proposal  for  a  Council  Decision  on  the  signing  and  conclusion  of  the  Agreement  in  the  form  of  an 
exchange  of  letters  between  the  European  Community  and  the  Arab  Republic  of  Egypt  concerning 
reciprocal liberalisation measures on agricultural and processed agricultural products and fish and fishery 
products  and  the  replacement  of  Protocols  1  and  2  and  of  the  Annex  to  Protocol  1  and  the  Annex  to 
Protocol 2  and  modifications  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. 

LEGAL BASIS: 
EC Treaty and in particular Article 133 in conjunction with the first sentence of Article 300 

AIMS: 
To adopt the replacement of several Protocols and Annex to Protocols, the deletion of Protocol 3 and of 
Article 14(3),  the  modification  of  the  title  of  Chapter  2,  the  amendment  of  Article  14(1)  and  (2),  the 
insertion of paragraph 3 in Article 15 and to add a Common Declaration on sanitary and phytosanitary or 
technical barriers to trade issues. 

5. 

FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS 

12-MONTH 
PERIOD 

(EUR million) 

CURRENT 
FINANCIAL 
YEAR 2008 
(EUR million) 

FOLLOWING 
FINANCIAL 
YEAR 2009 
(EUR million) 

5.0 

5.1 

CHARGED TO THE EC BUDGET 

NATIONAL AUTHORITIES 
OTHER 

EXPENDITURE 
– 
(REFUNDS/INTERVENTIONS) 
– 
– 
REVENUE 
– 
(LEVIES/CUSTOMS DUTIES) 
NATIONAL 
– 

OWN RESOURCES OF THE EC  

5.0.1  ESTIMATED EXPENDITURE 
5.1.1  ESTIMATED REVENUE 

5.2  METHOD OF CALCULATION: – 

– 

– 

2010 

– 

– 

– 

2011 

– 

6.0 

6.1 

CAN THE PROJECT BE FINANCED FROM APPROPRIATIONS ENTERED IN THE 
RELEVANT CHAPTER OF THE CURRENT BUDGET? 

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? 

– 

–4.5 

2012 

– 

YES NO 

YES NO 

YES NO 

YES NO 

OBSERVATIONS: 
The  proposal  concerns  reciprocal  liberalisation  measures  on  trade  of  agricultural  and  processed  agricultural 
products and fish and fishery products. As regards own resources, it's estimated that this proposal may result in a 
reduction of these resources by approximately €4.5 M (net amount after deduction of collection costs). 

EN 

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