2009/0174 (AVC)  Proposal for a Council Decision on the conclusion 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, ratification of an agreement, trade agreement (EU)

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COMMISSION OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES 

Brussels, 11.11.2009 
COM(2009)620 final 

2009/0174 (AVC) 

Proposal for a 

COUNCIL DECISION 

on the conclusion 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 concluded 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 marked its agreement in an exchange of letters which was concluded on 
25 June 2009. 

The attached proposal concerns a Council Decision on the conclusion 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 the enlargement of the EU. 

The Commission asks the Council to approve the attached proposal for a Council Decision on 
the conclusion of the protocol. 

The European Parliament will be called upon to give its assent to this protocol.  

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2009/0174 (AVC) 

Proposal for a 

COUNCIL DECISION 

on the conclusion 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  read  in  conjunction  with  the  second  sentence  of  the  first  subparagraph  of 
Article 300(2) and the second subparagraph of Article 300(3) thereof, 

Having regard to the 2005 Act of Accession, and in particular Article 6(2) thereof, 

Having regard to the proposal from the Commission1, 

Having regard to the assent of the European Parliament2, 

Whereas: 

(1) 

to 

the  Euro-Mediterranean  Agreement  between 

The  protocol 
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 (hereinafter referred to as "the Protocol") was signed 
on behalf of the European Community and its Member States on […] in […] subject to 
its possible conclusion at a later date in conformity with Council Decision […]. 

(2) 

The Protocol should be approved. 

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, is hereby approved on behalf of the European Community and its Member States 
to  take  account  of  the  accession  of  the  Republic  of  Bulgaria  and  Romania  to  the  European 
Union. 

1 
2 

OJ C […], […], p. […]. 
OJ C […], […], p. […]. 

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The text of the Protocol is annexed to this Decision.  

Article 2 

The President of the Council shall, on behalf of the Community and its Member States, give 
the notification provided for in Article 7 of the Protocol. 

Done at […] on […] 

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, 

THE REPUBLIC OF AUSTRIA, 

THE REPUBLIC OF POLAND, 

THE PORTUGUESE REPUBLIC, 

ROMANIA, 

THE REPUBLIC OF SLOVENIA, 

THE SLOVAK REPUBLIC, 

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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: 

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  Union3  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 cooperation4. 

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 
4 

OJ L 278, 21.10.2005, p.3. -8 
OJ L 260, 21.9.2006, p. 1.-110 

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3. 

4. 

5. 

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. 

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. 

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. 

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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 

Protocol No 4, is amended as follows: 

Article 2 (Rules of Origin) 

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 

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 

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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. 

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 

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  išvardytų  prekių  eksportuotojas  (muitinės  liudijimo  Nr  …(1))  deklaruoja, 
kad, jeigu kitaip nenurodyta, tai yra …(2) preferencinės kilmės prekės . 

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 

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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 

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  obiectulojiectul  acestui  document  (autorizaţia  vamalăvamalâ 
nr. …(1)) declară cădeclará cá, exceptând cazul în care în mod expres este indicat altfel, aceste 
produse sunt de origine preferențialăpreferenţialā …(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 

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. 

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- 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 

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 

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Šiame  dokumente  išvardytų  prekių  eksportuotojas  (muitinės  liudijimo  Nr  …(1))  deklaruoja, 
kad, jeigu kitaip nenurodyta, tai yra …(2) preferencinės kilmės prekės . 

- 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 

- 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  obiectulojiectul  acestui  document  (autorizaţia  vamalăvamalâ 
nr. …(1)) declară cădeclará cá, exceptând cazul în care în mod expres este indicat altfel, aceste 
produse sunt de origine preferențialăpreferenţialā …(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 

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 

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- 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  consistent  with 
preferential agreements or autonomous arrangements applied between them shall be 
accepted in the respective countries, provided that: 

a) 

b) 

c) 

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; 

the  proof  of origin and the  transport documents  were issued no  later than  the 
day before the date of accession; 

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

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. 

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3. 

1. 

2. 

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) 

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. 

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 

1. 

2. 

1. 

Article 7 

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. 

The  instruments  of  approval  or  ratification  shall  be  deposited  with  the  General 
Secretariat of the Council of the European Union. 

Article 8 

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. 

EN 

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   EN 

 
2. 

The provisions of this Protocol shall apply provisionally with effect from 1 January 
2007. 

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 9 

Article 10 

The text of the Euro-Mediterranean Agreement, including the annexes and protocols forming 
an integral part thereof, and the text of 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 

EN 

17 

   EN