CELEX: 52015PC0641
Language: en
Date: 2015-12-14
Title: Proposal for a COUNCIL DECISION on the conclusion, on behalf of the European Union and its Member States, of a Protocol to the Euro-Mediterranean Agreement establishing an Association between the European Community and its Member States, of the one part, and the Republic of Lebanon, of the other part, to take account of the accession of the Republic of Croatia to the European Union

EUROPEAN COMMISSION
            Brussels, 14.12.2015
            COM(2015) 641 final
            2015/0292(NLE)
            Proposal for a
            COUNCIL DECISION
            on the conclusion, on behalf of the European Union and its Member States, of a Protocol to the Euro-Mediterranean Agreement establishing an Association between the European Community and its Member States, of the one part, and the Republic of Lebanon, of the other part, to take account of the accession of the Republic of Croatia to the European Union
            
               
         
         
            
               EXPLANATORY MEMORANDUM
            
            
            
               The Euro-Mediterranean Agreement establishing an Association between the European Community and its Member States, of the one part, and the Republic of Lebanon, of the other part, was signed in Brussels on 1 April 2002 and entered into force on 1 April 2006.
            
            
               According to the Act of Accession of the Republic of Croatia, the Republic of Croatia shall accede to the international agreements signed or concluded by the European Union and its Member States by means of a protocol to those agreements.
            
            
               The attached proposal constitutes the legal instrument for conclusion of a Protocol to the Euro-Mediterranean Agreement establishing an Association between the European Community and its Member States, of the one part, and the Republic of Lebanon, of the other part to take account of the accession of the Republic of Croatia to the European Union.
            
            
               On 14 September 2012
                  1
               , the Council has authorised the Commission to open negotiations with the third countries concerned with a view to concluding the relevant protocols. The negotiations with the Republic of Lebanon were successfully concluded.
            
            
               The results of the negotiations have been judged to be satisfactory. The Commission requests the Council to adopt the attached decisions on the conclusion of the Protocol.
            
            
               The Council is requested to conclude the Protocol after obtaining the consent of the European Parliament.
            
            
               2015/0292 (NLE)
            
            
               Proposal for a
            
            
               COUNCIL DECISION
            
            
               on the conclusion, on behalf of the European Union and its Member States, of a Protocol to the Euro-Mediterranean Agreement establishing an Association between the European Community and its Member States, of the one part, and the Republic of Lebanon, of the other part, to take account of the accession of the Republic of Croatia to the European Union
            
            
               THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION,
            
            
               Having regard to the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union, and in particular Article 217 in conjunction with Article 218(6)(a), 
            
            
               Having regard to the Act of Accession of the Republic of Croatia, and in particular Article 6 (2) thereof,
            
            
               Having regard to the proposal from the European Commission,
            
            
               Having regard to the consent of the European Parliament,
            
            
               Whereas:
            
            
               (1)The Euro-Mediterranean Agreement establishing an Association between the European Community and its Member States, of the one part, and the Republic of Lebanon, of the other part was signed in Brussels on 1 April 2002 and entered into force on 1 April 2006.
            
         
         
            
               (2)The Republic of Croatia became a Member State of the European Union on 1 July 2013.
            
            
               (3)Under the terms of Article 6(2) of the Act of Accession of the Republic of Croatia, the accession of the Republic of Croatia to the Euro-Mediterranean Agreement establishing an Association between the European Community and its Member States, of the one part, and the Republic of Lebanon, of the other part is to be agreed by means of a protocol to the Agreement concluded between the Council, acting on behalf of the Union and unanimously on behalf of the Member States, and the Republic of Lebanon.
            
            
               (4)On 14 September 2012, the Council authorised the Commission to open negotiations with the third countries concerned. The negotiations were successfully concluded with the Republic of Lebanon. The accession Protocol to the Euro-Mediterranean Agreement establishing an Association between the European Community and its Member States, of the one part, and the Republic of Lebanon, of the other part to take account of the accession of the Republic of Croatia to the European Union has been signed on behalf of the European Union and its Member States in […] on […].
            
            
               (5)The Protocol should be approved.
            
            
               HAS ADOPTED THIS DECISION:
            
            
               Article 1
            
            
               The Protocol to the Euro-Mediterranean Agreement establishing an Association between the European Community and its Member States, of the one part, and the Republic of Lebanon, of the other part to take account of the accession of the Republic of Croatia to the European Union is hereby approved on behalf of the European Union and its Member States
                  2
               .
            
            
               The text of the Protocol is attached to this Decision.
            
            
               Article 2
            
            
               The President of the Council shall designate the person empowered to proceed, on behalf of the European Union and its Member States, to the notification provided for in Article 7 of the Protocol, in order to express the consent of the European Union and its Member States to be bound by the Protocol.
            
            
               Article 3
            
            
               This Decision shall enter into force on ….
            
            
               Done at Brussels,
            
            
               
                     
                        
                        For the Council
               
               
                     
                        
                        The President
               
            
         
         
            
                  
                     (1)
                  Council decision authorising the opening of negotiations for the adaptation of agreements signed or concluded between the European Union, or the European Union and its Member States, with one or more third countries or international organisations, in view of the accession of the Republic of Croatia to the European Union (Council doc. 13351/12 LIMITED). 
               
               
                  
                     (2)
                  The text has been published in the [OJ reference] together with the decision on signature.
               
            
      
    ---documentbreak--- 
      
         
               EUROPEAN COMMISSION
            Brussels, 14.12.2015
            COM(2015) 641 final
            ANNEX
            PROTOCOLto the Euro-Mediterranean Agreement establishing an Association between the European Community and its member states, of the one part, and the Republic of Lebanon, of the other part, to take account of the accession of the Republic of Croatia to the European Union
            to the 
            Proposal for aCOUNCIL DECISION
            on the conclusion, on behalf of the European Union and its Member States, of a Protocol to the Euro-Mediterranean Agreement establishing an Association between the European Community and its Member States, of the one part, and the Republic of Lebanon, of the other part to take account of the accession of the Republic of Croatia to the European Union
            
               
         
         
            
               ANNEX 
               
                  PROTOCOL
                  to the Euro-Mediterranean Agreement establishing an Association between the European Community and its member states, of the one part, and the Republic of Lebanon of the other part, to take account of the accession of the Republic of Croatia 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,
            
            
               IRELAND,
            
            
               THE HELLENIC REPUBLIC,
            
            
               THE KINGDOM OF SPAIN,
            
            
               THE FRENCH REPUBLIC,
            
            
               THE REPUBLIC OF CROATIA,
            
            
               THE ITALIAN REPUBLIC,
            
            
               THE REPUBLIC OF CYPRUS,
            
            
               THE REPUBLIC OF LATVIA,
            
            
               THE REPUBLIC OF LITHUANIA,
            
            
               THE GRAND DUCHY OF LUXEMBOURG,
            
            
               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,
            
            
               THE REPUBLIC OF FINLAND,
            
            
               THE KINGDOM OF SWEDEN,
            
            
               THE UNITED KINGDOM OF GREAT BRITAIN AND NORTHERN IRELAND
            
            
               Contracting Parties to the Treaty on European Union, the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union, hereinafter referred to as the "Member States", represented by the Council of the European Union, 
            
            
               and 
            
            
               THE EUROPEAN UNION, hereinafter referered to as the "European Union",
            
            
               of the one part,
            
            
               and
            
            
               THE REPUBLIC OF LEBANON, hereinafter referred to as "Lebanon"
            
            
               of the other part,
            
            
               hereinafter referred to together as the "Contracting Parties", for the pruposes of this Protocol
            
            
               Whereas:
            
            
               (1)The Euro-Mediterranean Agreement establishing an Association between the European Community and its Member States, of the one part, and the Republic of Lebanon, of the other part hereinafter referred to as "the Euro-Mediterranean Agreement", was signed in Brussels on 1 April 2002 and entered into force on 1 April 2006.
            
         
         
            
               (2)The Treaty of Accession of the Republic of Croatia to the European Union, hereinafter referred to as "Treaty of Accession", was signed in Brussels on 9 December 2011 and entered into force on 1 July 2013.
            
            
               (3)Pursuant to Article 6(2) of the Act of Accession of the Republic of Croatia its accession to the Agreement is to be agreed by the conclusion of a protocol to the Agreement.
            
            
               (4)Consultations pursuant to Article 22(2) of the Euro-Mediterranean Agreement have taken place in order to ensure that account has been taken of the mutual interests of the Union and Lebanon.
            
            
               HAVE AGREED AS FOLLOWS:
            
            
               Article 1
            
            
               The Republic of Croatia hereby accedes as Party to the Euro-Mediterranean Agreement establishing an Association between the European Community and its Member States, of the one part, and the Republic of Lebanon, of the other part and shall respectively adopt and take note, in the same manner as the other Member States of the Union, of the texts of the Agreement, as well as of the Joint Declarations and the Declarations.
            
            
            
               CHAPTER I
            
            
               Amendments to the text of the Euro-Mediterranean Agreement, and in particular to its annexes and protocols
            
            
               Article 2
            
            
               Rules of origin
            
            
               Protocol 4 shall be amended as follows:
            
            
               1.In Article 18(4), the following phrase shall be added : “Izdano naknadno”.
            
            
               2.Annex V shall be replaced by the following
            
            
            
               1. Annex V
            
            
            
               TEXT OF THE INVOICE DECLARATION
            
            
               The invoice declaration, the text of which is given below, must be made out in accordance with the footnotes. However, the footnotes do not have to be reproduced
            
            
         
         
            
               Bulgarian version
            
            
               Износителят на продуктите, обхванати от този документ (митническо разрешение № … (
                  1
               ) декларира, че освен където е отбелязано друго, тези продукти са с … преференциален произход (
                  2
               ).
            
            
               Spanish version
            
            
               El exportador de los productos incluidos en el presente documento [autorización aduanera no …(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 tilladelse nr. … (1)), erklærer, at varerne, medmindre andet tydeligt er angivet, har 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 anders 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 authorisation 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 no … (1)] déclare que, sauf indication claire du contraire, ces produits ont l’origine préférentielle … (2).
            
            
               Croatian version
            
            
               Izvoznik proizvoda obuhvaćenih ovom ispravom (carinsko ovlaštenje br. ...(1)) izjavljuje da su, osim ako je drukčije  izričito navedeno, ovi proizvodi .... (2) preferencijalnog podrijetla.
            
         
         
            
               Italian version
            
            
               L’esportatore delle merci contemplate nel presente documento [autorizzazione doganale n. … (1)] dichiarache, salvo indicazione contraria, le merci sono di origine preferenziale … (2).
            
            
               Latvian version
            
            
               Eksportētājs produktiem, kuri ietverti šajā dokumentā (muitas pilnvara Nr. … (1)), deklarē, ka, izņemot tur, kur ir citādi skaidri noteikts, šiem produktiem ir priekšrocību izcelsme no … (2).
            
            
               Lithuanian version
            
            
               Šiame dokumente išvardintų 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 egyértelmű jelzés hianyában az áruk preferenciális … (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
            
            
               O exportador dos produtos cobertos pelo presente documento [autorização aduaneira n.o … (1)], declara que, salvo expressamente indicado em contrário, estes produtos são de origem preferencial … (2).
            
            
               Romanian version
            
            
               Exportatorul produselor ce fac obiectul acestui document [autorizația 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 nro … (1)) ilmoittaa, että nämä tuotteet ovat, ellei toisin ole selvästi merkitty, etuuskohteluun oikeutettuja … (2) alkuperätuotteita.
            
            
               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
               ) (Place and date)
            
            
               .................................................................................................................................................. (
                  4
               )
            
            
               (Signature of exporter; in addition the name of the person signing the declaration has to be indicated in clear script)
            
            
               CHAPTER II
            
            
               Transitional provisions
            
            
               Article 3 
            
            
               Goods in transit
            
            
               The provisions of the Agreement may be applied to goods exported from either Lebanon to Croatia or from Croatia to Lebanon, which comply with the provisions of Protocol 4 to the Agreement and that on the date of accession of Croatia are either en route or in temporary storage, in a customs warehouse or in a free zone in Lebanon or in Croatia.
            
            
               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 Croatia, of a proof of origin issued retrospectively by the customs authorities of the exporting country.
            
            
         
         
            
               CHAPTER III
            
            
               Final and general provisions
            
            
               Article 4
            
            
               The Republic of Lebanon undertakes that it shall neither make any claim, request or referral nor modify or withdraw any concession pursuant to GATT 1994 Articles XXIV.6 and XXVIII in relation to this enlargement of the Union. 
            
            
               Article 5
            
            
               In due time after the initialling of this Protocol, the Union shall communicate to its Member States and the Republic of Lebanon, the Croatian language version of the Agreement. Subject to the entry into force of this Protocol, the language version referred to in the first sentence of this Article shall become authentic under the same conditions as the Arabic, Bulgarian, Czech, Danish, Dutch, English, Estonian, Finnish, French, German, Greek, Hungarian, Italian, Latvian, Lithuanian, Maltese, Polish, Portuguese, Romanian, Slovak, Slovenian, Spanish and Swedish language versions of the Agreement. 
            
            
               Article 6
            
            
               This Protocol shall form an integral part of the Agreement. 
            
            
               Article 7
            
            
               This Protocol shall be approved by the European Union, by the Council of the European Union on behalf of the Member States and by Lebanon, in accordance with their own procedures. The Contracting Parties shall notify each other of the completion of the procedures necessary for that purpose. The instruments of approval shall be deposited with the General Secretariat of the Council of the European Union. 
            
            
               This Protocol shall enter into force on the first day of the month following the date on which all the Parties have notified each other of the completion of the procedures necessary for this purpose. 
            
            
               Pending the date of its entry into force, the Protocol shall apply provisionally with effect from 1 July 2013. 
            
            
               Article 8
            
            
               This Protocol is drawn up in duplicate in Arabic, Bulgarian, Croatian, Czech, Danish, Dutch, English, Estonian, Finnish, French, German, Greek, Hungarian, Italian, Latvian, Lithuanian, Maltese, Polish, Portuguese, Romanian, Slovak, Slovenian, Spanish and Swedish languages, each of these texts being equally authentic.
            
            
               IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned Plenipotentiaries, duly empowered to this effect, have signed this Protocol. 
            
            
               Done at …, this … day of .... in the year ...
            
            
               For the European Union and its member states
                     
               
                  For the Republic of Lebanon
            
         
         
            
                  
                     (1)
                  
                  
                        When the invoice declaration is made out by an approved exporter within the meaning of Article 22 of the Protocol, the authorisation number of the approved exporter must be entered in this space. When the invoice declaration is not made out by an approved exporter, the words in brackets must be omitted or the space left blank.
                  
               
               
                  
                     (2)
                  
                  
                        Origin of products to be indicated. When the invoice declaration relates in whole or in part, to products originating in Ceuta and Melilla within the meaning of Article 38 of the Protocol, the exporter must clearly indicate them in the document on which the declaration is made out by means of the symbol ‘CM’
                  
               
               
                  
                     (3)
                  
                  
                        These indications may be omitted if the information is contained on the document itself
                  
               
               
                  
                     (4)
                  
                  
                        See Article 22(5) of the Protocol. In cases where the exporter is not required to sign, the exemption of signature also implies the exemption of the name of the signatory.’