CELEX: 51993PC0655
Language: en
Date: 1993-12-10
Title: Proposal for a COUNCIL DECISION concerning the extension of the adaptations to the voluntary restraint agreements between the European Community and Bulgaria, the Czech Republic, the Slovak Republic, Hungary and Poland on trade in mutton, lamb and goatmeat

COMMISSION OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES
                                                          C0M(93) 655 final
                                                          Brussels, 10 December 1993
                                          Proposal for a
                                         COUNCIL DECISION
                   concerning the extension of the adaptations to the voluntary
                        restraint agreements between the European Community
                      and Bulgaria, the Czech Republic, the Slovak Republic,
                     Hungary and Poland on trade in mutton, lamb and goatmeat
                                  (presented by the Commission)
UteA.'3"1* Via
 ---pagebreak---                         MEMORANDUM TO THE COMMISSION
1. The existing adaptations to the voluntary restraint agreements between
   the European Community and Bulgaria, the Czech Republic, the Slovak
   Republic, Hungary and Poland on trade in sheepmeat and goatmeat are due
   to expire on 31 December 1993. The adaptations to the basic agreements
   with these countries were put in place in 1990. They provide for a levy
   on imports into the Community at 0% instead of 10** and compliance with
   traditional quantities during sensitive periods as well as arrangements
   for monitoring prices.
2. In the case of the Czech Republic, the Slovak Republic, Hungary and
   Poland, attention is drawn to the amendments made to the voluntary
   restraint agreements by the interim trade agreements and accompanying
   measures concluded with these countries, which entered into force on
   1 March 1992. Pursuant to these, the products and quantities referred to
   in the voluntary restraint agreements were changed (see Article 14(4) in
   conjunction with Annex X(b) of the agreements with Hungary and Poland and
   Article 14(4) in conjunction with Annex XIII(b) of the agreement with the
   Czech and Slovak Federal Republic). As a result of the decision of the
   European Council held in Copenhagen on 21 and 22 June 1993, the
   additional quantities provided for in the interim agreements have been
   brought forward with effect from 1 July 1993 by additional agreements.
   However, continued suspension of the levy at 0% depends on the extension
   of the adaptations to the voluntary restraint agreements. The quantities
   covered by the voluntary restraint agreement concluded with the Czech and
   ulovak Federal Republic were divided by common accord between the two
   states which replaced it. The Community has negotiated additional
   agreements with the Czech Republic and the Slovak Republic providing,
   inter alia, for the division of these quantities.
3. As it is now clear that the GATT Uruguay Round negotiations will not be
   completed in time to permit the application of the new multilateral
   framework for agricultural trade to enter into effect before 1 January
   1995, it is necessary to provide for interim access arrangements for
   sheepmeat and goatmeat for 1994. Therefore, on the Commission's
   proposal, the Council decided, on            1993, to authorize the
   Commission to open negotiations with the third countries with which the
   Community has concluded voluntary restraint agreements in the sheepmeat
   and goatmeat sector, and particularly Bulgaria, the Czech Republic, the
   Slovak Republic, Hungary and Poland.
4. Negotiations with Bulgaria, the Czech Republic, the Slovak Republic,
   Hungary and Poland have resulted in the adaptations to the voluntary
   restraint agreements being extended for one year to provide for the
   necessary interim access arrangements for 1994. The agreements to be
   concluded with these countries for 1994 stipulate that the existing
   adaptations are to be extended.
5. The Council is invited to approve the agreements in the form of exchanges
   of letters annexed hereto and to designate the person empowered to sign
   the agreements in order to bind the Community.
Financial impact;       No financial impact on the Community budget.
                                                                             1
 ---pagebreak---                            EXPLANATORY MEMORANDUM
1. The existing adaptations to the voluntary restraint agreements between
   the European Community and Bulgaria, the Czech Republic, the Slovak
   Republic, Hungary and Poland on trade in sheepmeat and goatmeat are due
   to expire on 31 December 1993. The adaptations to the basic agreements
   with these countries were put in place in 1990. They provide for a levy
   on imports into the community at 0% instead of 10% and compliance with
   traditional quantities during sensitive periods as well as arrangements
   for monitoring prices.
2. In the case of the Czech Republic, the Slovak Republic, Hungary and
   Poland, attention is drawn to the amendments made to the voluntary
   restraint agreements by the interim trade agreements and accompanying
   measures concluded with these countries, which entered into force on
   1 March 1992. Pursuant to these, the products and quantities referred to
   in the voluntary restraint agreements were changed (see Article 14(4) in
   conjunction with Annex X(b) of the agreements with Hungary and Poland and
   Article 14(4) in conjunction with Annex XIII(b) of the agreement with the
   Czech and Slovak Federal Republic). As a result of the decision of the
   European Council held in Copenhagen on 21 and 22 June 1993, the
   additional quantities provided for in the interim agreements have been
   brought forward with effect from 1 July 1993 by additional agreements.
   However, continued suspension of the levy at 0% depends on the extension
   of the adaptations to the voluntary restraint agreements. The quantities
   covered by the voluntary restraint agreement concluded with the Czech and
   Slovak Federal Republic were divided by common accord between the two
   states which replaced it. The Community has negotiated additional
   agreements with the Czech Republic and the Slovak Republic providing,
   inter alia, for the division of these quantities.
3. As it is now clear that the GATT Uruguay Round negotiations will not be
   completed in time to permit the application of the new multilateral
   framework for agricultural trade to enter into effect before 1 January
   1995, it is necessary to provide for interim access arrangements for
   sheepmeat and goatmeat for 1994. Therefore, on the Commission's
   proposal, the Council decided, on            1993, to authorize the
   Commission to open negotiations with the third countries with which the
   Community has concluded voluntary restraint agreements in the sheepmeat
   and goatmeat sector, and particularly Bulgaria, the Czech Republic, the
   Slovak Republic, Hungary and Poland.
4. Negotiations with Bulgaria, the Czech Republic, the Slovak Republic,
   Hungary and Poland have resulted in the adaptations to the voluntary
   restraint agreements being extended for one year to provide for the
   necessary interim access arrangements for 1994. The agreements to be
   concluded with these countries for 1994 stipulate that the existing
   adaptations are to be extended.
5. The Council is invited to approve the agreements in the form of exchanges
   of letters annexed hereto and to designate the person empowered to sign
   the agreements in order to bind the Community.
Financial impact:       No financial impact on the Community budget.
 ---pagebreak---                                COUNCIL DECISION
                                      Of
        concerning the extension of the adaptations to the voluntary
             restraint agreements between the European Community
           and Bulgaria, the Czech Republic, the Slovak Republic,
          Hungary and Poland on trade in mutton, lamb and goatmeat
THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION,
Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Community, and in
particular Article 228(2) and the first subparagraph of Article 228(3), in
conjunction with Article 113 thereof,
Having regard to the proposal from the Commission,
Whereas the voluntary restraint agreements concluded between the European
Community and Bulgaria, the Czech Republic, the Slovak Republic, Hungary and
Poland on trade in mutton, lamb and goatmeat were adapted in 19 9 0 in the
context of measures taken to stabilize the markets in this sector;
Whereas the said adaptations will cease to have effect on 31 December 1993;
whereas it is necessary to provide for interim arrangements for trade in the
sheepmeat and goatmeat sectors pending the conclusion of the negotiations
regarding agricultural trade in the framework of the General Agreement on
Tariffs and Trade;
Whereas the Community has negotiated agreements with the Czech Republic and
the Slovak Republic following the dissolution of the Czech and Slovak
Federal Republic; whereas those agreements provide for the quantities
covered by the voluntary restraint agreement concluded with the Czech and
Slovak Federal Republic to be divided between the two states which have
replaced it;
Whereas account should be taken of the implications of the implementation of
the single market from 1 January 1993;
Whereas it is appropriate in these circumstances to extend the adaptations
to the said voluntary restraint agreements for one year;
whereas the Commission has conducted negotiations in this connection with
Bulgaria, the Czech Republic, the Slovak Republic, Hungary and Poland which
have resulted in Agreements;
 ---pagebreak--- whereas the Agreements should be approved,
HAS DECIDED AS FOLLOWS:
                                  Article 1
The Agreements in the form of Exchanges of Letters between the European
Community and Bulgaria, the Czech Republic, the Slovak Republic, Hungary and
Poland concerning the extension of the adaptations to the voluntary
restraint agreements between the European Community and Bulgaria, the Czech
Republic, the Slovak Republic, Hungary and Poland on trade in mutton, lamb
and goatmeat are hereby approved on behalf of the European Community.
The texts of the Agreements are attached to this Decision.
                                  Article 2
The President of the Council is hereby authorized to designate the person
empowered to sign the Agreements in order to bind the Community.
This Decision shall be published in the Official Journal of the European
Communities.
Done at Brussels,
                                                        For the Council
                                                        The President
                                                                             1
 ---pagebreak---                                    AGREEMENT
    in the form of an Exchange of Letters extending the adaptation to the
                 Agreement between the European Community and
        the Republic of Bulgaria on trade in mutton, lamb and goatmeat
                                  LETTER No 1
Sir,
I have the honour to refer to the Exchange of Letters of 1990 constituting
an Agreement between the Community and the Republic of Bulgaria adapting the
Principal Agreement concluded in 19 82 between the Community and the Republic
of Bulgaria on trade in mutton, lamb and goatmeat.
Further to recent discussions, I have the honour to propose that the
Agreement set out in the above Exchange of Letters, extended for one year on
17 December 1992, shall continue in force until 31 December 1994 subject to
the following amendment:
   in Clause 6 of the Agreement the words "until 31 December 1993" shall be
   replaced by "until 31 December 1994".
I have the honour to propose that, if the foregoing is acceptable to your
Government, this letter and your confirmatory reply shall together
constitute an Agreement between the Community and the Government of the
Republic of Bulgaria on the matter.
Please accept, Sir, the assurances of my highest consideration.
                                          On behalf of the
                                          Council of the European Union
 ---pagebreak---                                  LETTER No 2
Sir,
I have the honour to acknowledge receipt of your letter of today * s date
which reads as follows :
"I have the honour to refer to the Exchange of Letters of 1990 constituting
an Agreement between the Community and the Republic of Bulgaria adapting the
Principal Agreement concluded in 1982 between the Community and the Republic
of Bulgaria on trade in mutton, lamb and goatmeat.
Further to recent discussions, I have the honour to propose that the
Agreement set out in the above Exchange of Letters, extended for one year on
17 December 1992, shall continue in force until 31 December 1994 subject to
the following amendment:
   in Clause 6 of the Agreement the words "until 31 December 199 3" shall be
   replaced by "until 31 December 1994".
I have the honour to propose that, if the foregoing is acceptable to your
Government, this letter and your confirmatory reply shall together
constitute an Agreement between the Community and the Government of the
Republic of Bulgaria on the matter."
I have the honour to confirm that my Government is in agreement with the
contents of your letter.
Please accept, Sir, the assurances of my highest consideration.
                                                On behalf of the
                                Government of the Republic of Bulgaria
 ---pagebreak---                                    AGREEMENT
    in the form of an Exchange of Letters extending the adaptation to the
                 Agreement between the European Community and
           the Czech Republic on trade in mutton, lamb and goatmeat
                                  LETTER NO 1
Sir,
I have the honour to refer to the Exchange of Letters of 1990 constituting
an Agreement between the Community and the Czech and Slovak Federal Republic
adapting the Principal Agreement concluded in 19 82 between the Community and
the Czech and Slovak Federal Republic on trade in mutton, lamb and goatmeat.
Further to recent discussions, I have the honour to propose that the
Agreement set out in the above Exchange of Letters, extended for one year on
17 December 1992, shall continue in force until 31 December 1994 subject to
the following amendment:
   in Clause 6 of the Agreement the words "until 31 December 1993" shall be
   replaced by "until 31 December 1994".
I have the honour to propose that, if the foregoing is acceptable to your
Government, this letter and your confirmatory reply shall together
constitute an Agreement between the Community and the Government of the
Czech Republic on the matter.
Please accept, Sir, the assurances of my highest consideration.
                                          On behalf of the
                                          Council of the European Union
                                                                              ?
 ---pagebreak---                                  LETTER No 2
Sir,
I have the honour to acknowledge receipt of your letter of today's date
which reads as follows :
"I have the honour to refer to the Exchange of Letters of 1990 constituting
an Agreement between the Community and the Czech and Slovak Federal Republic
adapting the Principal Agreement concluded in 1982 between the community and
the Czech and Slovak Federal Republic on trade in mutton, lamb and goatmeat.
Further to recent discussions, I have the honour to propose that the
Agreement set out in the above Exchange of Letters, extended for one year on
17 December 1992, shall continue in force until 31 December 1994 subject to
the following amendment:
   in Clause 6 of the Agreement the words "until 31 December 1993" shall be
   replaced by "until 31 December 1994".
I have the honour to propose that, if the foregoing is acceptable to your
Government, this letter and your confirmatory reply shall together
constitute an Agreement between the Community and the Government of the
Czech Republic on the matter."
I have the honour to confirm that my Government is in agreement with the
contents of your letter.
Please accept, Sir, the assurances of my highest consideration.
                                                On behalf of the
                                Government of the Czech Republic
                                                                             ,V
 ---pagebreak---                                   AGREEMENT
    in the form of an Exchange of Letters extending the adaptation to the
                Agreement between the European Community and
          the Slovak Republic on trade in mutton, lamb and goatmeat
                                 LETTER NO 1
Sir,
I have the honour to refer to the Exchange of Letters of 1990 constituting
an Agreement between the Community and the Czech and Slovak Federal Republic
adapting the Principal Agreement concluded in 19 82 between the Community and
the Czech and Slovak Federal Republic on trade in mutton, lamb and goatmeat.
Further to recent discussions, I have the honour to propose that the
Agreement set out in the above Exchange of Letters, extended for one year on
17 December 1992, shall continue in force until 31 December 1994 subject to
the following amendment:
   in Clause 6 of the Agreement the words "until 31 December 1993" shall be
   replaced by "until 31 December 1994".
I have the honour to propose that, if the foregoing is acceptable to your
Government, this letter and your confirmatory reply shall together
constitute an Agreement between the Community and the Government of the
Slovak Republic on the matter.
Please accept, Sir, the assurances of my highest consideration.
                                         On behalf of the
                                         Council of the European Union
                                                                              q
 ---pagebreak---                                  LETTER No 2
Sir,
I have the honour to acknowledge receipt of your letter of today•s date
which reads as follows :
"I have the honour to refer to the Exchange of Letters of 199 0 constituting
an Agreement between the Community and the Czech and Slovak Federal Republic
adapting the Principal Agreement concluded in 1982 between the Community and
the Czech and Slovak Federal Republic on trade in mutton, lamb and goatmeat.
Further to recent discussions, I have the honour to propose that the
Agreement set out in the above Exchange of Letters, extended for one year on
17 December 1992, shall continue in force until 31 December 1994 subject to
the following amendment:
   in Clause 6 of the Agreement the words "until 31 December 1993" shall be
   replaced by "until 31 December 1994".
I have the honour to propose that, if the foregoing is acceptable to your
Government, this letter and your confirmatory reply shall together
constitute an Agreement between the Community and the Government of the
Slovak Republic on the matter."
I have the honour to confirm that my Government is in agreement with the
contents of your letter.
Please accept, sir, the assurances of my highest consideration.
                                        On behalf of the
                                Government of the Slovak Republic
                                                                             10
 ---pagebreak---                                    AGREEMENT
    in the form of an Exchange of Letters extending the adaptation to the
                 Agreement between the European Community and
        the Republic of Hungary on trade in mutton, lamb and goatmeat
                                  LETTER No 1
Sir,
I have the honour to refer to the Exchange of Letters of 1990 constituting
an Agreement between the Community and the Republic of Hungary adapting the
Principal Agreement concluded in 1981 between the Community and the Republic
of Hungary on trade in mutton, lamb and goatmeat.
Further to recent discussions, I have the honour to propose that the
Agreement set out in the above Exchange of Letters, extended for one year on
17 December 1992, shall continue in force until 31 December 1994 subject to
the following amendment:
   in Clause 6 of the Agreement the words "until 31 December 1993" shall be
   replaced by "until 31 December 1994".
I have the honour to propose that if the foregoing is acceptable to your
Government, this letter and your confirmatory reply shall together
constitute an Agreement between the Community and the Government of the
Republic of Hungary on the matter.
Please accept, Sir, the assurances of my highest consideration.
                                                  On behalf of the
                                          Council of the European Union
 ---pagebreak---                                  LETTER No 2
Sir,
I have the honour to acknowledge receipt of your letter of today's date
which reads as follows:
"I have the honour to refer to the Exchange of Letters of 1990 constituting
an Agreement between the Community and the Republic of Hungary adapting the
Principal Agreement concluded in 1981 between the Community and the Republic
of Hungary on trade in mutton, lamb and goatmeat.
Further to recent discussions, I have the honour to propose that the
Agreement set out in the above Exchange of Letters, extended for one year on
17 December 1992, shall continue in force until 31 December 1994 subject to
the following amendment:
   in Clause 6 of the Agreement the words "until 31 December 1993" shall be
   replaced by "until 31 December 1994".
I have the honour to propose that if the foregoing is acceptable to your
Government, this letter and your confirmatory reply shall together
constitute an Agreement between the Community and the Government of the
Republic of Hungary on the matter."
I have the honour to confirm that my Government is in agreement with the
contents of your letter.
Please accept, Sir, the assurances of my highest consideration.
                                         On behalf of the
                                Government of the Republic of Hungary
                                                                             n
 ---pagebreak---                                    AGREEMENT
    in the form of an Exchange of Letters extending the adaptation to the
                 Agreement between the European Community and
         the Republic of Poland on trade in mutton, lamb and goatmeat
                                  LETTER No 1
Sir,
I have the honour to refer to the Exchange of Letters of 1990 constituting
an Agreement between the European Community and the Republic of Poland
adapting the Principal Agreement concluded in 19 81 between the Community and
the Republic of Poland on trade in mutton, lamb and goatmeat.
Further to recent discussions, I have the honour to propose that the
Agreement set out in the above Exchange of Letters, extended for one year on
17 December 1992, shall continue in force until 31 December 1994 subject to
the following amendment:
   in Clause 6 of the Agreement the words "until 31 December 1993" shall be
   replaced by "until 31 December 1994".
I have the honour to propose that, if the foregoing is acceptable to your
Government, this letter and your confirmatory reply shall together
constitute an Agreement between the community and the Government of the
Republic of Poland on the matter.
Please accept, sir, the assurances of my highest consideration.
                                          On behalf of the
                                          Council of the European Union
                                                                             n
 ---pagebreak---                                  LETTER NO 2
Sir,
I have the honour to acknowledge receipt of your letter of today's date
which reads as follows:
"I have the honour to refer to the Exchange of Letters of 1990 constituting
an Agreement between the Community and the Republic of Poland adapting the
Principal Agreement concluded in 1981 between the Community and the Republic
of Poland on trade in mutton, lamb and goatmeat.
Further to recent discussions, I have the honour to propose that the
Agreement set out in the above Exchange of Letters, extended for one year on
17 December 1992, shall continue in force until 31 December 1994 subject to
the following amendment:
   in Clause 6 of the Agreement the words "until 31 December 1993" shall be
   replaced by "until 31 December 1994".
I have the honour to propose that if the foregoing is acceptable to your
Government, this letter and your confirmatory reply shall together
constitute an Agreement between the Community and the Government of the
Republic of Poland on the matter."
I have the honour to confirm that my Government is in agreement with the
contents of your letter.
Please accept, sir, the assurances of my highest consideration.
                                                On behalf of the
                                Government of the Republic of Poland
                                                                             1/1
 ---pagebreak---                                                                      ISSN 0254-1475
                                                              COM(93) 655 final
                                                      DOCUMENTS
EN                                                                          u 03
                                Catalogue number : CB-CO-93-702-EN-C
                                                             ISBN 92-77-62680-1
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