COUNCIL REGULATION (EC) No 1568/97 of 24 July 1997 adopting autonomous and transitional measures for the preferential trade arrangements with Poland, Hungary, Slovakia, the Czech Republic, Romania and Bulgaria in certain processed agricultural products
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,
Having regard to the 1994 Act of Accession,
Whereas, pending adaptation of Protocol 3 to the Europe Agreements concluded with Poland, Hungary, Slovakia, the Czech Republic, Romania and Bulgaria (1), Council Regulation (EC) No 339/97 of 17 February 1997 adapting autonomous and transitional measures for the preferential trade arrangements with Poland, Hungary, Slovakia, the Czech Republic, Romania and Bulgaria in certain processed agricultural products (2) was adopted, which, until 30 June 1997 maintains the degree of preference granted, thus offsetting possible negative effects the implementation of the results of the Uruguay Round may have on exports of these countries to the Community;
Whereas the negotiations with the countries concerned for the conclusion of protocols amending the Europe Agreements have been concluded; whereas each Protocol 3, as adapted, has been initialled or will be soon; whereas procedures for the formal adoption of 'interim` protocols covering solely the trade-related aspects of the amending protocols are underway; whereas the time schedule required for formal adoption does not enable the 'interim` protocols to enter into force on 1 July 1997; whereas it is therefore advisable to extend the concessions on an autonomous basis until 31 December 1997;
Whereas, if the countries concerned are prepared to grant to the Community the concessions resulting from the negotiations for the adaptation of the Europe agreement by way of autonomous measures, the Community should equally implement the measures in favour of these countries as envisaged in each Protocol 3, as adapted,
1. From 1 July 1997 to 31 December 1997, the basic amounts to be taken into account in the calculation of the reduced agricultural components and the reduced additional duties applicable at importation into the Community of goods originating in Poland, Hungary, Slovakia, the Czech Republic, Romania and Bulgaria and listed in Annex I shall be those mentioned in Annex II.
2. From 1 July 1997 to 31 December 1997, the processed agricultural products originating in Poland, Hungary, Slovakia, the Czech Republic, Romania and Bulgaria and listed in Annex III shall be subject to the duties provided for in that Annex.
The Commission may, in accordance with Article 16 of Council Regulation (EC) No 3448/93 of 6 December 1993 laying down the trade arrangements applicable to certain goods resulting from the processing of agricultural products (3), suspend the autonomous application of the measures provided for in the draft Protocols 3 in favour of the countries referred to in Article 1 if these countries fail to apply reciprocal measures in favour of the Community.
Following the entry into force of each new Protocol 3 with the countries referred to in Article 1, the measures provided for in this Regulation shall be replaced by the measures provided for in each new Protocol 3 with the country in question.
1. The quotas referred to in Annex I to this Regulation shall be administered by the Commission in accordance with Commission Regulation (EC) No 1460/96 of 25 July 1996 establishing the detailed rules for implementing the preferential trade arrangements applicable to certain goods resulting from the processing of agricultural products, as provided for in Article 7 of Regulation (EC) No 3448/93 (4).
2. The volumes of the tariff quotas indicated in Annex I to this Regulation shall be reduced to take account of the volume of goods imported from 1 January to 30 June 1997 under the equivalent quotas set out in Annex I to Regulation (EC) No 339/97.
This Regulation shall enter into force on the third day following that of its publication in the Official Journal of the European Communities.
It shall apply from 1 July 1997.
This Regulation shall be binding in its entirety and directly applicable in all Member States.