Council Regulation (EC) No 305/97 of 17 February 1997 establishing certain measures concerning imports of processed agricultural products from Switzerland in order to take account of the results of the Uruguay Round negotiations in the agricultural sector

COUNCIL REGULATION (EC) No 305/97 of 17 February 1997 establishing certain measures concerning imports of processed agricultural products from Switzerland in order to take account of the results of the Uruguay Round negotiations in the agricultural sector
THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION
,
Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Community, and in particular Article 113 thereof,
Having regard to the proposal from the Commission,
Whereas, pursuant to the agreement between the European Economic Community and the Swiss Federation (1), concessions regarding certain processed agricultural products have been granted on a reciprocal basis;
Whereas, further to Council Decision 94/800/EC of 22 December 1994 concerning the conclusion on behalf of the European Community, as regards matters within its competence, of the agreements reached in the Uruguay Round multilateral negotiations (1986 to 1994) (2), certain concessions regarding processed agricultural products have been amended as from 1 July 1995;
Whereas, as a result, certain aspects of the agreement concluded with Switzerland, and in particular the Protocol concerning processed agricultural products annexed to this Agreement, should be adjusted in order to maintain the existing level of reciprocal preferences;
Whereas, to that end, negotiations are still in progress with Switzerland with a view to an agreement on amendments to this Protocol; whereas, however, it was not possible to conclude these negotiations in time in order to implement the necessary adjustments on 1 January 1997;
Whereas in these circumstances it is appropriate for the Community to adopt autonomous measures in order to maintain the existing level of reciprocal preferences, pending the conclusion of negotiations,