Article 1 Trade-liberalisation measures
The following trade-liberalisation measures are introduced: (a) all tariff-rate quotas established under Annex XV-A to the Association Agreement shall be suspended and the products covered by those quotas shall be admitted for importation into the Union from the Republic of Moldova without any customs duties; (b) the application of the entry price system shall be suspended for those products to which it applies as specified in Annex XV-B to the Association Agreement; no customs duties shall apply to imports of those products.
Article 2 Conditions for entitlement to the trade-liberalisation measures
The trade-liberalisation measures provided for in Article 1 shall be subject to the following conditions: (a) compliance by the Republic of Moldova with the rules of origin of products and the procedures related thereto, as provided for in the Association Agreement; (b) the Republic of Moldova abstaining from introducing new duties or charges having equivalent effect and new quantitative restrictions or measures having equivalent effect for imports originating in the Union, from increasing existing levels of duties or charges or from introducing any other restrictions, including discriminatory internal administrative measures, unless clearly justified in the context of Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine; and (c) the Republic of Moldova respecting democratic principles, human rights and fundamental freedoms as well as the countering of the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction, related materials and their means of delivery, respect for the principles of the rule of law and good governance, the fight against corruption, criminal activities, organised or otherwise, including those of transnational character, and terrorism, and respecting the principles of sustainable development and effective multilateralism provided for in Articles 2, 9 and 16 of the Association Agreement.
Article 3 Temporary suspension of measures
1. Where the Commission finds that there is sufficient evidence of a failure by the Republic of Moldova to comply with the conditions set out in Article 2, it may, by means of an implementing act, suspend in whole or in part the trade-liberalisation measures provided for in this Regulation. That implementing act shall be adopted in accordance with the examination procedure referred to in Article 5(3). 2. Where a Member State requests that the Commission suspend any of the trade-liberalisation measures provided for in this Regulation on the basis of a failure by the Republic of Moldova to comply with the conditions set out in Article 2, point (b), the Commission shall provide a reasoned opinion within four months of that request on whether the Member State’s claim of a failure to comply is substantiated. If the Commission concludes that the claim is substantiated, it shall initiate the procedure referred to in paragraph 1 of this Article.
Article 4 Expedited safeguard
1. Where a product originating in the Republic of Moldova is imported under conditions which adversely affect the Union market for like or directly competing products, the Commission may reintroduce the customs duties otherwise applicable under the Association Agreement on imports of that product at any time by means of an implementing act. That implementing act shall be adopted in accordance with the examination procedure referred to in Article 5(3). The customs duties otherwise applicable under the Association Agreement may be reintroduced for as long as necessary to counteract the adverse effects on the Union market for like or directly competing products. 2. The Commission shall regularly monitor the impact of this Regulation, taking into account the information on exports, imports, prices on the Union market and Union production of the products subject to the trade-liberalisation measures under Article 1, point (a). The Commission shall inform the Member States every two months of the results of the regular monitoring, starting from the date of entry into force of this Regulation. 3. The Commission shall carry out an assessment of the situation of the Union market for like or directly competing products with a view to reintroducing customs duties. That assessment shall be launched: (a) following a duly substantiated request from a Member State including sufficient prima facie evidence reasonably available to that Member State pursuant to paragraph 4 of imports adversely affecting the Union market as referred to in paragraph 1; or (b) on its own initiative, after it has become apparent to the Commission that there is sufficient prima facie evidence of imports adversely affecting the Union market as referred to in paragraph 1. The assessment referred to in the first subparagraph shall be concluded within three months of its launch. 4. In carrying out the assessment pursuant to paragraph 3, the Commission shall take into consideration all relevant market developments, including the impact of the imports concerned on the situation of the Union market for like or directly competing products. That assessment shall include factors such as: (a) the rate and amount of the increase in imports from the Republic of Moldova of the product concerned in absolute and relative terms; and (b) the effect of the imports concerned on Union production and prices, while taking into consideration the development of imports from other sources. This list is not exhaustive and other relevant factors may also be taken into consideration. 5. Where, as a result of the assessment referred to in paragraph 3, the Commission considers that the Union market for like or directly competing products has been adversely affected and intends to reintroduce customs duties, it shall publish a notice in the Official Journal of the European Union announcing the reintroduction of the customs duties otherwise applicable under the Association Agreement on imports of that product. The notice shall provide a summary of the main results of the assessment and specify the period within which interested parties may submit their views in writing. That period shall not exceed 10 days from the date of publication of the notice. 6. Where exceptional circumstances require immediate action, the Commission may, without following the procedure set out in paragraph 5 and after informing the Committee on Safeguards established by Article 3(1) of Regulation (EU) 2015/478 of the European Parliament and of the Council ( 6 ) , take any preventive measure which it considers necessary.
Article 5 Committee procedure
1. The Commission shall be assisted by the Customs Code Committee established by Article 285(1) of Regulation (EU) No 952/2013 of the European Parliament and of the Council ( 7 ) with regard to Article 3(1) of this Regulation. That Committee shall be a committee within the meaning of Regulation (EU) No 182/2011. 2. The Commission shall be assisted by the Committee on Safeguards established by Article 3(1) of Regulation (EU) 2015/478 with regard to Article 4(1) of this Regulation. That Committee shall be a committee within the meaning of Regulation (EU) No 182/2011. 3. Where reference is made to this paragraph, Article 5 of Regulation (EU) No 182/2011 shall apply.
Article 6 Assessment of the implementation of the trade-liberalisation measures
The Commission’s annual report on the implementation of the Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Area shall include a detailed assessment of the implementation of the trade-liberalisation measures provided for in this Regulation and shall include, insofar as appropriate, an assessment of the social impact of those measures in the Republic of Moldova and in the Union. Information on imports of products under Article 1, point (a), shall be made available via the website of the Commission and shall be updated on a monthly basis.
Article 7 Entry into force and application
This Regulation shall enter into force on 25 July 2023. It shall apply until 24 July 2024.