Proposal for a Council Decision on the signing and the provisional application of a protocol to the Euro-Mediterranean Agreement between the European Communities and their Member States, of the one part, and the Republic of Tunisia, of the other part, to take account of the accession of the Republic of Bulgaria and Romania to the European Union
Date: 2009-11-11
Institutions: European Commission
Subjects: Bulgaria, Romania, Tunisia, accession to the European Union, cooperation agreement (EU), protocol to an agreement, signature of an agreement, trade agreement (EU)

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COMMISSION OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES 

Brussels, 11.11.2009 

COM(2009)621 final 

Proposal for a 

COUNCIL DECISION 

on the signing and the provisional application of a protocol to the Euro-Mediterranean 

Agreement between the European Communities and their Member States, of the one 

part, and the Republic of Tunisia, of the other part, to take account of the accession of 

the Republic of Bulgaria and Romania to the European Union 

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EXPLANATORY MEMORANDUM 

According to Article 6(2) of the Act annexed to the Treaty of Accession of the new Member 

States to the EU, accession of the new Member States to the Euro-Mediterranean Association 

Agreement  is  to  be  agreed  by  means  of  a  protocol  to  that  Agreement.  The  same  article 

provides for a simplified procedure, whereby the protocol is to be concluded by the Council, 

acting unanimously on behalf of the Member States, and by the third country concerned. This 

procedure is without prejudice to the Community's own competences.  

On  23  October  2006  the  Council  authorised  the  Commission,  on  behalf  of  the  European 

Community  and  its  Member  States,  to  negotiate  with  Tunisia  a  protocol  amending  the 

agreements  between  the  European  Community  and  third  countries,  in  particular  the 

Euro-Mediterranean  Association  Agreement  between  the  European  Communities  and  their 

Member States, of the one part, and Tunisia, of the other part, to take account of the accession 

of the new Member States to the EU.  

The  negotiations  with  Tunisia  have  since  been  completed  to  the  satisfaction  of  the 

Commission. Tunisia showed its agreement in an exchange of letters which was concluded on 

25 June 2009. 

The attached proposals concern a Council Decision on the signing of the protocol.  

The text of the protocol negotiated with Tunisia is attached. The most important aspects of the 

protocol  are  the  provisions  for  the  accession  of  the  new  Member  States  to  the  EU-Tunisia 

Association  Agreement,  and  the  inclusion  of  the  new  official  languages  of  the  EU  to  take 

account of EU enlargement. 

The Commission invites the Council to approve the draft Council Decision for the conclusion 

of the Protocol. 

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Proposal for a 

COUNCIL DECISION 

on the conclusion and the provisional application of a protocol to the Euro-

Mediterranean Agreement between the European Communities and their Member 

States, of the one part, and the Republic of Tunisia, of the other part, to take account of 

the accession of the Republic of Bulgaria and Romania to the European Union 

THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION, 

Having  regard  to  the  Treaty  establishing  the  European  Community  and  in  particular 

Article 310  in  conjunction  with  the  first  sentence  of  the  first  subparagraph  of  Article 

300(2)thereof. 

Having regard to the Act of Accession of Bulgaria and Romania, and in particular Article 6(2) 

thereof, 

Having regard to the proposal from the Commission, 

Whereas: 

(1) 

On  23  October  2006  the  Council  authorised  the  Commission,  on  behalf  of  the 

European  Community  and  its  Member  States,  to  negotiate  with  Tunisia  a  protocol 

amending  the  agreements  between  the  European  Community  and  third  countries,  in 

particular  the  Euro-Mediterranean  Association  Agreement  between  the  European 

Communities and their Member States, of the one part, and Tunisia, of the other part, 

to take account of the accession of the new Member States to the EU.  

(2) 

These negotiations have been concluded to the satisfaction of the Commission. 

(3) 

The  text  of  the  Protocol  negotiated  with  Tunisia  provides,  in  Article  8(2),  for  the 

provisional application of the Protocol before its entry into force. 

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(4) 

The  Agreement  should  be  signed  and  applied  on  a  provisional  basis,  pending  the 

completion of the procedures for its formal conclusion. 

HAS DECIDED AS FOLLOWS: 

Article 1 

The  Protocol  to  the  Euro-Mediterranean  Association  Agreement  between  the  European 

Communities  and  their  Member  States,  of  the  one  part,  and  the  Republic  of  Tunisia,  of  the 

other part, to take account of the accession of the Republic of Bulgaria and Romania to the 

European Union is hereby approved on behalf of the European Community and its Member 

States, subject to its conclusion. 

The text of the Protocol is attached to this Decision. 

Article 2 

The  President  of  the  Council  is  hereby  authorised  to  designate  the  person(s)  empowered  to 

sign, on behalf of the European Community and its Member States, the Protocol to the Euro-

Mediterranean  Agreement  between  the  European  Communities  and  their  Member  States,  of 

the one part, and the Republic of Tunisia, of the other part, to take account of the accession of 

the Republic of Bulgaria and Romania to the European Union. 

The Protocol shall be applied provisionally from 1 January 2007, subject to its conclusion at a 

Article 3 

later date. 

Done in […] […] 

For the Council 

Benita FERRERO-WALDNER 

Member of the Commission 

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ANNEX  

to the Euro-Mediterranean Agreement between the European Communities and their Member 

States, of the one part, and Republic of Tunisia, of the other part, to take account of the 

accession of the Republic of Bulgaria and Romania to the European Union. 

THE KINGDOM OF BELGIUM, 

THE REPUBLIC OF BULGARIA, 

THE CZECH REPUBLIC, 

THE KINGDOM OF DENMARK, 

THE FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF GERMANY, 

THE REPUBLIC OF ESTONIA, 

THE HELLENIC REPUBLIC, 

THE KINGDOM OF SPAIN, 

THE FRENCH REPUBLIC, 

IRELAND, 

THE ITALIAN REPUBLIC, 

THE REPUBLIC OF CYPRUS, 

THE REPUBLIC OF LATVIA, 

THE REPUBLIC OF LITHUANIA, 

THE GRAND DUCHY OF LUXEMBOURG 

THE REPUBLIC OF HUNGARY, 

THE REPUBLIC OF MALTA, 

THE KINGDOM OF THE NETHERLANDS, 

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THE REPUBLIC OF AUSTRIA, 

THE REPUBLIC OF POLAND, 

THE PORTUGUESE REPUBLIC, 

ROMANIA, 

THE REPUBLIC OF SLOVENIA, 

THE SLOVAK REPUBLIC, 

THE REPUBLIC OF FINLAND, 

THE KINGDOM OF SWEDEN, 

THE UNITED KINGDOM OF GREAT BRITAIN AND NORTHERN IRELAND, 

(hereinafter referred to as "Member States"), 

represented by the Council of the European Union, 

and 

the EUROPEAN COMMUNITY, 

(hereinafter referred to as "the Community") 

represented by the Council of the European Union and the European Commission, 

of the one part, 

and 

THE REPUBLIC OF TUNISIA, 

(hereinafter referred to as "Tunisia") 

of the other part 

Whereas: 

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1. 

The Euro-Mediterranean Agreement concluded between the European Communities 

and their Member States, of the one part, and the Republic of Tunisia, of the other 

part,  hereinafter  referred  to  as  "the  Euro-Mediterranean  Agreement"  was  signed  in 

Brussels  on  17  July  1995,  entered  into  force  on  1  March  1998  and  was  amended 

notably by the Protocol of 31 May 2005 established to take account of the accession 

of the Czech Republic, the Republic of Estonia, the Republic of Cyprus, the Republic 

of  Latvia,  the  Republic  of  Lithuania,  the  Republic  of  Hungary,  the  Republic  of 

Malta, the Republic of Poland, the Republic of Slovenia and the Slovak Republic to 
the  European  Union1  and  by  Decision  No  1/2006  of  the  EU-Tunisia  Association 

Council of 28 July 2006 amending Protocol 4 to the Euro-Mediterranean Agreement 

concerning  the  definition  of  the  concept  of  originating  products  and  methods  of 
administrative cooperation2. 

2. 

The Treaty concerning the accession of the Republic of Bulgaria and Romania to the 

European  Union  (hereinafter  referred  to  as  “Treaty  of  Accession”)  was  signed  in 

Luxembourg on 25 April 2005 and entered into force on 1 January 2007. 

3. 

Pursuant to Article 6(2) of the Act annexed to the Treaty of Accession, the accession 

of the new Contracting Parties to the Euro-Mediterranean Agreement shall be agreed 

by the conclusion of a protocol to that Agreement. 

4. 

Consultations pursuant to Article 23(2) of the Euro-Mediterranean Agreement have 

taken place in order to ensure that account has been taken of the mutual interests of 

the Community and Tunisia. 

5. 

Tunisia decided by Decree No 2007-995 of 24 April 2007 to apply the provisions of 

the Euro-Mediterranean Agreement to the Republic of Bulgaria and Romania from 1 

January 2007. 

1 
2 

OJ L 278, 21.10.2005, p. 3. 
OJ L 260, 21.9.2006, p. 1. 

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HAVE AGREED AS FOLLOWS: 

Article 1 

The  Republic  of  Bulgaria  and  Romania  hereby  become  Contracting  Parties  to  the  Euro-

Mediterranean  Agreement  between  the  European  Communities  and  their  Member  States,  of 

the one part, and the Republic of Tunisia, of the other part, and shall respectively take note 

and adopt, in the same manner as the other Member States of the Community, of the texts of 

the Agreement, and of the Joint Declarations, Declarations and Exchanges of Letters. 

CHAPTER I  

AMENDMENTS TO THE TEXT OF THE EURO-MEDITERRANEAN 

AGREEMENT, INCLUDING ITS ANNEXES AND PROTOCOLS 

Article 2 (Rules of Origin) 

Protocol No 4, is amended as follows: 

1. The reference to new Member States in Article 3(1) and Article 4(1) is deleted. 

2. Annex IVa is amended as follows: 

Bulgarian version 

Износителят на продуктите, обхванати от този документ (митническо разрешение № … 
(1))  декларира,  че  освен  кьдето  ясно  е  отбелязано  друго,  тези  продукти  са  с  … 
преференциален произход (2). 

Spanish version 

El exportador de los productos incluidos en el presente documento (autorización aduanera n° 
.. …(1).) declara que, salvo indicación en sentido contrario, estos productos gozan de un origen 
preferencial . …(2). 

Czech version 

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Vývozce výrobků uvedených v tomto dokumentu (číslo povolení …(1)) prohlašuje, že kromě 
zřetelně označených, mají tyto výrobky preferenční původ v …(2). 

Danish version 

Eksportøren  af  varer,  der  er  omfattet  af  nærværende  dokument,  (toldmyndighedernes 
...(1)),  erklærer,  at  varerne,  medmindre  andet  tydeligt  er  angivet,  har 

tilladelse  nr. 
præferenceoprindelse i ...(2). 

German version 

Der Ausführer (Ermächtigter Ausführer; Bewilligungs-Nr. ...(1)) der Waren, auf die sich dieses 

Handelspapier  bezieht,  erklärt,  dass  diese  Waren,  soweit  nicht  anderes  angegeben, 
präferenzbegünstigte ...(2) Ursprungswaren sind. 

Estonian version 

Käesoleva dokumendiga hõlmatud toodete eksportija (tolliameti kinnitus nr. ...(1)) deklareerib, 
et need tooted on ...(2) sooduspäritoluga, välja arvatud juhul kui on selgelt näidatud teisiti. 

Greek version 

Ο  εξαγωγέας  των  προϊόντων  που  καλύπτονται  από  το  παρόν  έγγραφο  (άδεια  τελωνείου 
υπ΄αριθ.  ...(1))  δηλώνει  ότι,  εκτός  εάν  δηλώνεται  σαφώς  άλλως,  τα  προϊόντα  αυτά  είναι 
προτιµησιακής καταγωγής ...(2). 

English version 

The  exporter  of  the  products  covered  by  this  document  (customs  authorization  No  ...(1)) 
declares that, except where otherwise clearly indicated, these products are of ...(2) preferential 

origin. 

French version 

L'exportateur  des produits couverts par le présent document (autorisation douanière  n° ...(1)) 
déclare que, sauf indication claire du contraire, ces produits ont l'origine préférentielle ... (2). 

Italian version 

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L'esportatore  delle  merci  contemplate  nel  presente  documento  (autorizzazione  doganale  n… 
(1)) dichiara che, salvo indicazione contraria, le merci sono di origine preferenziale ...(2). 

Latvian version 

Eksportētājs produktiem, kuri ietverti šajā dokumentā (muitas pilnvara Nr. …(1)), deklarē, ka, 
iznemot tur, kur ir citādi skaidri noteikts, šiem produktiem ir priekšrocību izcelsme no …(2). 

Lithuanian version 

Šiame  dokumente  išvardintų  prekių  eksportuotojas  (muitinès  liudijimo  Nr  …(1))  deklaruoja, 
kad, jeigu kitaip nenurodyta, tai yra …(2) preferencinès kilmés prekés. 

Hungarian version 

A jelen okmányban szereplő áruk exportőre (vámfelhatalmazási szám: …(1)) kijelentem, hogy 
eltérő jelzés hianyában az áruk kedvezményes …(2) származásúak. 

Maltese version 

L-esportatur  tal-prodotti  koperti  b’dan  id-dokument  (awtorizzazzjoni  tad-dwana  nru.  …(1)) 

jiddikjara  li,  ħlief  fejn  indikat  b’mod  ċar  li  mhux  hekk,  dawn  il-prodotti  huma  ta’  oriġini 
preferenzjali …(2). 

Dutch version 

De exporteur van de goederen waarop dit document van toepassing is (douanevergunning nr. 
...(1)), verklaart dat, behoudens uitdrukkelijke andersluidende vermelding, deze goederen van 
preferentiële ... oorsprong zijn (2). 

Polish version 

Eksporter  produktów  objętych  tym  dokumentem  (upoważnienie  władz  celnych  nr  …(1)) 
deklaruje,  że  z  wyjątkiem  gdzie  jest  to  wyraźnie  określone,  produkty  te  mają  …(2) 

preferencyjne pochodzenie. 

Portuguese version 

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O exportador dos produtos cobertos pelo presente documento (autorização aduaneira n°. ...(1)), 

declara  que,  salvo  expressamente  indicado  em  contrário,  estes  produtos  são  de  origem 
preferencial ...(2). 

Romanian version 

Exportatorul produselor ce fac obiectul acestui document (autorizaţia vamală nr. …(1)) declară 

că, exceptând cazul în care în mod expres este indicat altfel, aceste produse sunt de origine 
preferențială …(2). 

Slovenian version 

Izvoznik blaga, zajetega s tem dokumentom (pooblastilo carinskih organov št …(1)) izjavlja, 
da, razen če ni drugače jasno navedeno, ima to blago preferencialno …(2) poreklo. 

Slovak version 

Vývozca výrobkov uvedených v tomto dokumente (číslo povolenia …(1)) vyhlasuje, že okrem 
zreteľne označených, majú tieto výrobky preferenčný pôvod v …(2). 

Finnish version 

Tässä  asiakirjassa  mainittujen  tuotteiden  viejä  (tullin  lupa  n:o  ...(1))  ilmoittaa,  että  nämä 

tuotteet ovat, ellei toisin ole selvästi merkitty, etuuskohteluun oikeutettuja ... alkuperätuotteita 
(2). 

Swedish version 

Exportören av de varor som omfattas av detta dokument (tullmyndighetens tillstånd nr. ...(1)) 

försäkrar att dessa varor, om inte annat tydligt markerats, har förmånsberättigande ... ursprung 
(2). 

Arabic version 

3. Annex IVb is amended as follows: 

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Bulgarian version 

Износителят на продуктите, обхванати от този документ (митническо разрешение № … 
(1))  декларира,  че  освен  кьдето  ясно  е  отбелязано  друго,  тези  продукти  са  с  … 
преференциален произход (2). 

- cumulation applied with Tunisia 

- no cumulation applied(3) 

Spanish version 

El exportador de los productos incluidos en el presente documento (autorización aduanera n° 
.. …(1).) declara que, salvo indicación en sentido contrario, estos productos gozan de un origen 
preferencial . …(2). 

- cumulation applied with Tunisia 

- no cumulation applied(3) 

Czech version 

Vývozce výrobků uvedených v tomto dokumentu (číslo povolení …(1)) prohlašuje, že kromě 
zřetelně označených, mají tyto výrobky preferenční původ v …(2). 

- cumulation applied with Tunisia 

- no cumulation applied(3) 

Danish version 

Eksportøren  af  varer,  der  er  omfattet  af  nærværende  dokument,  (toldmyndighedernes 
...(1)),  erklærer,  at  varerne,  medmindre  andet  tydeligt  er  angivet,  har 

tilladelse  nr. 
præferenceoprindelse i ...(2). 

- cumulation applied with Tunisia 

- no cumulation applied(3) 

German version 

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Der Ausführer (Ermächtigter Ausführer; Bewilligungs-Nr. ...(1)) der Waren, auf die sich dieses 

Handelspapier  bezieht,  erklärt,  dass  diese  Waren,  soweit  nicht  anderes  angegeben, 
präferenzbegünstigte ...(2) Ursprungswaren sind. 

- cumulation applied with Tunisia 

- no cumulation applied(3) 

Estonian version 

Käesoleva dokumendiga hõlmatud toodete eksportija (tolliameti kinnitus nr. ...(1)) deklareerib, 
et need tooted on ...(2) sooduspäritoluga, välja arvatud juhul kui on selgelt näidatud teisiti. 

- cumulation applied with Tunisia 

- no cumulation applied(3) 

Greek version 

Ο  εξαγωγέας  των  προϊόντων  που  καλύπτονται  από  το  παρόν  έγγραφο  (άδεια  τελωνείου 
υπ΄αριθ.  ...(1))  δηλώνει  ότι,  εκτός  εάν  δηλώνεται  σαφώς  άλλως,  τα  προϊόντα  αυτά  είναι 
προτιµησιακής καταγωγής ...(2). 

- cumulation applied with Tunisia 

- no cumulation applied(3) 

English version 

The  exporter  of  the  products  covered  by  this  document  (customs  authorization  No  ...(1)) 
declares that, except where otherwise clearly indicated, these products are of ...(2) preferential 

origin. 

- cumulation applied with Tunisia 

- no cumulation applied(3) 

French version 

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L'exportateur  des produits couverts par le présent document (autorisation douanière  n° ...(1)) 
déclare que, sauf indication claire du contraire, ces produits ont l'origine préférentielle ... (2). 

- cumulation applied with Tunisia 

- no cumulation applied(3) 

Italian version 

L'esportatore  delle  merci  contemplate  nel  presente  documento  (autorizzazione  doganale  n… 
(1)) dichiara che, salvo indicazione contraria, le merci sono di origine preferenziale ...(2). 

- cumulation applied with Tunisia 

- no cumulation applied(3) 

Latvian version 

Eksportētājs produktiem, kuri ietverti šajā dokumentā (muitas pilnvara Nr. …(1)), deklarē, ka, 
iznemot tur, kur ir citādi skaidri noteikts, šiem produktiem ir priekšrocību izcelsme no …(2). 

- cumulation applied with Tunisia 

- no cumulation applied(3) 

Lithuanian version 

Šiame  dokumente  išvardintų  prekių  eksportuotojas  (muitinès  liudijimo  Nr  …(1))  deklaruoja, 
kad, jeigu kitaip nenurodyta, tai yra …(2) preferencinès kilmés prekés. 

- cumulation applied with Tunisia 

- no cumulation applied(3) 

Hungarian version 

A jelen okmányban szereplő áruk exportőre (vámfelhatalmazási szám: …(1)) kijelentem, hogy 
eltérő jelzés hianyában az áruk kedvezményes …(2) származásúak. 

- cumulation applied with Tunisia 

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- no cumulation applied(3) 

Maltese version 

L-esportatur  tal-prodotti  koperti  b’dan  id-dokument  (awtorizzazzjoni  tad-dwana  nru.  …(1)) 

jiddikjara  li,  ħlief  fejn  indikat  b’mod  ċar  li  mhux  hekk,  dawn  il-prodotti  huma  ta’  oriġini 
preferenzjali …(2). 

- cumulation applied with Tunisia 

- no cumulation applied(3) 

Dutch version 

De exporteur van de goederen waarop dit document van toepassing is (douanevergunning nr. 
...(1)), verklaart dat, behoudens uitdrukkelijke andersluidende vermelding, deze goederen van 
preferentiële ... oorsprong zijn (2). 

- cumulation applied with Tunisia 

- no cumulation applied(3) 

Polish version 

Eksporter  produktów  objętych  tym  dokumentem  (upoważnienie  władz  celnych  nr  …(1)) 
deklaruje,  że  z  wyjątkiem  gdzie  jest  to  wyraźnie  określone,  produkty  te  mają  …(2) 

preferencyjne pochodzenie. 

- cumulation applied with Tunisia 

- no cumulation applied(3) 

Portuguese version 

O exportador dos produtos cobertos pelo presente documento (autorização aduaneira n°. ...(1)), 

declara  que,  salvo  expressamente  indicado  em  contrário,  estes  produtos  são  de  origem 
preferencial ...(2). 

- cumulation applied with Tunisia 

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- no cumulation applied(3) 

Romanian version 

Exportatorul produselor ce fac obiectul acestui document (autorizaţia vamală nr. …(1)) declară 

că, exceptând cazul în care în mod expres este indicat altfel, aceste produse sunt de origine 
preferențială …(2). 

- cumulation applied with Tunisia 

- no cumulation applied(3) 

Slovenian version 

Izvoznik blaga, zajetega s tem dokumentom (pooblastilo carinskih organov št …(1)) izjavlja, 
da, razen če ni drugače jasno navedeno, ima to blago preferencialno …(2) poreklo. 

- cumulation applied with Tunisia 

- no cumulation applied(3) 

Slovak version 

Vývozca výrobkov uvedených v tomto dokumente (číslo povolenia …(1)) vyhlasuje, že okrem 
zreteľne označených, majú tieto výrobky preferenčný pôvod v …(2). 

- cumulation applied with Tunisia 

- no cumulation applied(3) 

Finnish version 

Tässä  asiakirjassa  mainittujen  tuotteiden  viejä  (tullin  lupa  n:o  ...(1))  ilmoittaa,  että  nämä 

tuotteet ovat, ellei toisin ole selvästi merkitty, etuuskohteluun oikeutettuja ... alkuperätuotteita 
(2). 

- cumulation applied with Tunisia 

- no cumulation applied(3) 

Swedish version 

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Exportören av de varor som omfattas av detta dokument (tullmyndighetens tillstånd nr. ...(1)) 

försäkrar att dessa varor, om inte annat tydligt markerats, har förmånsberättigande ... ursprung 
(2). 

- cumulation applied with Tunisia 

- no cumulation applied(3) 

Arabic version 

- cumulation applied with Tunisia 

- no cumulation applied(3) 

CHAPTER II 

TRANSITIONAL PROVISIONS 

Article 3 (Proofs of origin and administrative cooperation) 

1. 

Proofs of origin issued by either Tunisia or a new Member State under preferential 

agreements or autonomous arrangements applied between them shall be accepted in 

the respective countries, provided that: 

a) 

the acquisition of such origin confers preferential tariff treatment on the basis 

of  either  the  preferential  tariff  measures  contained  in  the  Euro-Mediterranean 

Agreement or in the Community scheme of generalised tariff preferences; 

b) 

the proof  of origin and  the transport documents were  issued no later than the 

day before the date of accession; 

c) 

the proof of origin is submitted to the customs authorities within four months 

of the date of accession. 

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Where goods were declared for importation in either Tunisia or a new Member State, 

prior  to  the  date  of  accession,  under  preferential  agreements  or  autonomous 

arrangements applied between Tunisia and that new Member State at that time, proof 

of origin issued retrospectively under those agreements or arrangements may also be 

accepted  provided  that  it  is  submitted  to  the  customs  authorities  within  a  period  of 

four months from the date of accession. 

2. 

Tunisia and the new Member States are authorised to retain the authorisations with 

which  the  status  of  “approved  exporters”  has  been  granted  in  the  framework  of 

preferential  agreements  or  autonomous  arrangements  applied  between  them, 

provided that: 

a) 

such  a  provision  is  also  provided  for  in  the  agreement  concluded  between 

Tunisia and the Community prior to the date of accession of these States; 

b) 

the approved exporter applies the rules of origin in force under that agreement. 

These  authorisations  shall  be  replaced,  no  later  than  one  year  after  the  date  of 

accession,  by  new  authorisations  issued  in  accordance  with  the  conditions  of  the 

Agreement. 

3. 

Requests for subsequent verification of proof of origin issued under the preferential 

agreements  or  autonomous  arrangements  applied  between  Tunisia  and  a  new 

Member State may be made by the competent customs authorities of either Tunisia 

or  the  new  Member  States  and  accepted  by  those  authorities  for  a  period  of  three 

years after the issue of the proof of origin concerned. 

Article 4 (Goods in transit) 

1. 

The  provisions  of  the  Euro-Mediterranean  Agreement  may  be  applied  to  goods 

exported  from  either  Tunisia  to  one  of  the  new  Member  States  or  from  one  of  the 

new Member States to Tunisia, which comply with the provisions of Protocol 4 and 

which  on  the  date  of  accession  are  either  en  route  or  in  temporary  storage,  in  a 

customs warehouse, in a free zone or on an industrial estate in Tunisia or in that new 

Member State. 

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2. 

Preferential treatment may be granted in such cases, subject to the submission to the 

customs  authorities  of  the  importing  country,  within  four  months  from  the  date  of 

accession, of a proof of origin issued retrospectively by the customs authorities of the 

exporting country.  

CHAPTER III 

GENERAL AND FINAL PROVISIONS  

Article 5 

Under  this  Protocol  it  is  agreed  that  no  claim,  request  or  referral  may  be  submitted  and  no 

concession  pursuant  to  GATT  Articles  XXIV(6)  and  XXVIII  modified  or  withdrawn  in 

relation to this enlargement of the Community. 

This Protocol shall form an integral part of the Euro-Mediterranean Agreement.  

Article 6 

Article 7 

1. 

This Protocol shall be approved by the Community, by the Council of the European 

Union on behalf of the Member States, and by the Republic of Tunisia in accordance 

with their own procedures. 

2. 

The  instruments  of  approval  or  ratification  shall  be  deposited  with  the  General 

Secretariat of the Council of the European Union. 

Article 8 

1. 

This Protocol shall enter into force on the first day of the first month following the 

date of the deposit of the last instrument of approval or ratification. 

2. 

The provisions of this Protocol shall apply provisionally with effect from 1 January 

2007. 

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Article 9 

This  Protocol  is  drawn  up  in  duplicate  in  each  of  the  official  languages  of  the  Contracting 

Parties, each of these texts being equally authentic. 

Article 10 

The text of the Euro-Mediterranean Agreement, including the annexes and protocols forming 

an integral part thereof, and the Final Act together with the declarations annexed thereto shall 

be drawn up in the Bulgarian and Romanian languages and these texts shall be authentic in 

the same way as the original texts. 

The Association Council shall approve the Bulgarian and Romanian versions of these texts. 

FOR THE MEMBER STATES 

FOR THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITY 

FOR THE REPUBLIC OF TUNISIA 

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