CELEX: 51996PC0085
Language: en
Date: 1996-04-19
Title: Proposal for a COUNCIL DECISION on the conclusion of an Agreement in the form of an exchange of letters between the European Community and the Arab Republic of Egypt on the adjustment of the regime for imports into the European Community of oranges originating in and imported from Egypt

COMMISSION OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES
*    -sir
                                            Brussels, 19.04.19%
                                            COM(96) 85 final
                                            96/0054 (ACC)
                              Proposal for a
                         COUNCIL DECISION
    on the conclusion of an Agreement in the form of an
        exchange of letters between the European Community
  and the Arab Republic of Egypt on the adjustment of the
        regime for imports into the European Community of
          oranges originating in and imported from Egypt
                     (presented by the Commission)
 ---pagebreak---  ---pagebreak---                      Explanatory Memorandum
Following the agreements concluded during the Uruguay Round of
the GATT negotiations, some changes have been made to the
legislation on imports into the Community of oranges as from 1
December 1995.
An additional specific duty is now levied on imports of oranges
between the period from December to May, a period during which
the reference price system previously applied. A shipment can be
exempted from this specific duty may haveif a given entry price
is complied with. This new regime      a negative effect on the
Community's traditional imports from Egypt.
Article 22 of the Cooperation Agreement between the European
Economic Community and the Republic of Egypt provides for
adjustments to the Agreement when changes are introduced by the
Community in the current rules. Egypt has requested the
introduction of changes in the Cooperation Agreement in order to
permit the continuation of its traditional exports of oranges.
Negotiations have been held with Egypt and an agreement has been
reached which enables the concessions previously granted to be
maintained. The arrangement provides a special entry price for
8,000 tonnes of Egyptian oranges during the period from December
to May. This quantity corresponds to Egyptian traditional exports
to the Community during that period. This special entry price
is equal to that agreed with Morocco and Israel.     (See Council
Regulation (EC) No 3057/95 of 22.12.1995, OJ No L326/3).
The provisions of this Agreement shall commence on 1st December
1996.
This Agreement is contained in an exchange of letters (attached)
which the Commission herewith recommends to the Council for
adoption.
                              a
 ---pagebreak---                           Proposai for a
                       COUNCIL DFCISTON
      on the conclusion of an Agreement in the form of an
       exchange of letters between the European Community
    and the Arab Republi : of Egypt on the adjustment of'rh-
       regime for import:; into the European Community of
         oranges originating in and imported from Egypt
THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION,
Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Community,
and in particular Article 113 in conjunction with the first
sentence of Article 228 (2) thereof,
Having regard to the proposal from the Commission,
Whereas, in the context of the Uruguay Round of multilateral
trade negotiations the import regime for oranges has been
changed;
Whereas, this new regime may have a negative effect on the
Community's traditional imports from Eygpt;
Whereas Article 22 of the Cooperation Agreement between the
European Economic Community and the Arab Republic of Egypt1
provides that, where the existing rules are modified, the
Community may amend the regime set out in the Agreement for the
products concerned;
Whereas the Community has agreed with Egypt that, pending the
conclusion of a new Euro-Mediterranean Agreement, the said regime
will be adjusted on the basis of an Agreement in the form of an
exchange of letters;
Whereas this Agreement should now be approved;
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 on the
adjustment of the regime for imports into the European Community
of oranges originating in and imported from Egypt is hereby
approved on behalf of the European Community.
The text of the Agreement is attached to this Decision.
       OJ No L 266 of 27.9.1978, p. 1
                                  3
 ---pagebreak---                             Arlicit? 2
The President of the Council is hereby authorized to designate
the person empowered to sign the Agreement so as to bind the
Community.
                            Article 3
If necessary, the Commission shall adopt detailed rules for the
application of this Decision, in accordance with the procedure
laid down in Article 33 of Regulation (EEC) No 1035/722, as last
amended by Regulation (EC) No 1363/95.3
Done at Brussels,          1996
                                         For the Council
                                          The President
      2
        OJ No L 118 of 20.5.1972, p. 1
      3
        OJ No L 132 of 16.6.1995, p. 8
 ---pagebreak---                            AGREEMENT
in the form of an exchange of letters       between the European
Community and the Arab Republic of Egypt concerning the import
regime in the Community of oranges from Egypt
                    Letter from the Community
Sir
I have the honour to refer to the consultations held between the
Egyptian authorities and the services of the European Commission
on the implementation of the new WTO commitments following the
Uruguay Round.
The aim of these consultations was to grant to Egypt, pending the
conclusion of the Euro-Mediterranean Agreement and according to
Article 22 of the Cooperation Agreement, preferences equivalent
to those provided for in the Cooperation Agreement between the
European Economic Community and the Arab Republic of Egypt.
It has been agreed that for fresh oranges falling within the code
ex 080510 :
1. From 1 December to 31 May and for a maximum quantity of 8,000
tonnes, the entry price level from which specific duties will be
reduced to zero shall be Ecu 273 Ecu/tonne.
2. This agreed entry price shall be reduced in the same
proportion and at the same pace as the entry prices bound within
the WTO.
3. If the entry price of a particular lot is 2%, 4%, 6% or 8r.
below the agreed entry price, the specific customs duty shall be
2%, 4%, 6% or 8% of the agreed entry price as appropriate.
4. If the entry price of a particular lot is below 92% of the
agreed entry price, the specific customs duty bound within the
WTO shall apply.
This Agreement shall enter into force upon signature of both
parties. It shall be applicable as from 1 December 1996.
I should be grateful if you would kindly inform me whether your
government is in agreement with the above.
Please accept, the assurance of my highest consideration
                           For the Council of the European Union
                                5"
 ---pagebreak---                             AGREEMENT
in the form of an exchange of letters         between the European
Community and the Arab Republic of Egypt concerning the import
regime in the Community of oranges from Egypt
             Letter from the Arab Republic of Egypt
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 consultations held between the
Egyptian authorities and the services of the European Commission
on the implementation of the new WTO commitments following the
Uruguay Round.
The aim of these consultations was to grant to Egypt, pending
the conclusion of the Euro-Mediterranean Agreement and according
to Article 22 oL       the Cooperation Agreement,         preferences
equivalent to those provided for in the Cooperation Agreement
between the European Economic Community and the Arab Republic of
Egypt.
It has been agreed that for fresh oranges falling within the code
ex 080510 :
1. From 1 December to 31 May and for a maximum quantity of 8,000
tonnes the entry price level from which specilic duties will be
reduced to zero shall be Ecu 273 Ecu/tonne.
2. This agreed entry price shall be reduced in the same
proportion and at the same pace as the entry prices bound with
the WTO.
 3. If the entry price of a particular lot is 2%, 4%, 6% or 8%
below the agreed entry price, the specific customs duty shall be
 2%, 4%, 6% or 8% of the agreed entry price as appropriate.
 4. If the entry price of a particular lot is below 92% of the
 agreed entry price, the specific customs duty bound within the
WTO shall apply.
 This Agreement shall enter into force upon signature of both
 parties. It shall be applicable as from 1 December 1996.
 I should be grateful if you would kindly inform mo whether your
 qovernement is in agreement: with t ho above..1.
 Please accept the assurance of my highest consideration"
 I have the honour to confirm that my Government is in agreement
 with the contents of your letter.
 Please accept the assurance of my consideration
                For the Government of the Arab Republic of Egypt
                                  6
 ---pagebreak---                                                                    ISSN 0254-1475
                                                             COM(96) 85 final
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                                                              ISBN 92-78-01193-2
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