RECOMMENDATION FOR A COUNCIL DECISION CONCERNING THE CONCLUSION OF THE AGREEMENT FOR SCIENTIFIC AND TECHNICAL COOPERATION BETWEEN THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES AND THE KINGDOM OF SWEDEN


RECOMMENDATION FOR A COUNCIL DECISION ON THE POSITION TO BE ADOPTED BY THE COMMUNITY IN THE INTERNATIONAL NEGOTIATIONS ON CONDITIONS GOVERNING OFFICIALLY-SUPPORTED EXPORT CREDITS FOR AIRCRAFT


title: RECOMMENDATION FOR A DECISION OF THE COUNCIL concerning the negotiation of agreements on the proposed Annexes to the International Convention on the Simplification and Harmonisation of Customs Procédures (submitted to the Council by the Commission)

text:
ARCHIVES HISTORIQUES
DE LA COMMISSION
COLLECTION RELIEE DES
DOCUMENTS "COM"
COM (74) 1768
Vol. 1974/0280
 ---pagebreak--- Disclaimer
Conformément au règlement (CEE, Euratom) n° 354/83 du Conseil du 1er février 1983
concernant l'ouverture au public des archives historiques de la Communauté économique
européenne et de la Communauté européenne de l'énergie atomique (JO L 43 du 15.2.1983,
p. 1), tel que modifié par le règlement (CE, Euratom) n° 1700/2003 du 22 septembre 2003
(JO L 243 du 27.9.2003, p. 1), ce dossier est ouvert au public. Le cas échéant, les documents
classifiés présents dans ce dossier ont été déclassifiés conformément à l'article 5 dudit
règlement.
In accordance with Council Regulation (EEC, Euratom) No 354/83 of 1 February 1983
concerning the opening to the public of the historical archives of the European Economic
Community and the European Atomic Energy Community (OJ L 43, 15.2.1983, p. 1), as
amended by Regulation (EC, Euratom) No 1700/2003 of 22 September 2003 (OJ L 243,
27.9.2003, p. 1), this file is open to the public. Where necessary, classified documents in this
file have been declassified in conformity with Article 5 of the aforementioned regulation.
In Übereinstimmung mit der Verordnung (EWG, Euratom) Nr. 354/83 des Rates vom 1.
Februar 1983 über die Freigabe der historischen Archive der Europäischen
Wirtschaftsgemeinschaft und der Europäischen Atomgemeinschaft (ABI. L 43 vom 15.2.1983,
S. 1), geändert durch die Verordnung (EG, Euratom) Nr. 1700/2003 vom 22. September 2003
(ABI. L 243 vom 27.9.2003, S. 1), ist diese Datei der Öffentlichkeit zugänglich. Soweit
erforderlich, wurden die Verschlusssachen in dieser Datei in Übereinstimmung mit Artikel 5
der genannten Verordnung freigegeben.
 ---pagebreak--- COMMISSION OS THE SUXOPEAN COMMUNÎTIBS
                                               COM(74)1763   final
                                               Brussels , 31 October 1974
                              RECOMMENDATION FOR A
                             DECISION OF THE COUNCIL
                concerning the negotiation of agreements on the
                proposed Annexes to the International Convention
               on the Simplification and Harmonisation of Customs
                                   Procédures                    .
                 ( submitted to the Council "by the Commission)
   CCM(74) 1768 final
 ---pagebreak---                                  EXFLANATOIIY NOTE
   Introduction
        On 4 June 197^ "the Council authorised the Commission to sign on behalf
   of the Community the International Convention for the simplification and
   harmonisation of customs procedures drawn up by the Customs Cooperation
   Council (CCC ).
          This Convention consists of one common section •* which the Community
   has now signed – and a number of annexes each dealing with specific questions
   and each of which , for the purposes of voting in the CCC is considered as
   being a separate Convention .
          A number of these annexes have already been the subject of recommen
   dations for a decision of the Council , the object of which was to authorise
   the Commission to conduct negotiations on behalf of the Community on each of
   the separate annexes . However , according to the outline programme drawn up
   by the CCC , many more annexes dealing with customs matters are envisaged for
 . the future . In fact , if the CCC keeps to its programme there are over 20 such
   annexes to come .
           To the extent that the Community needs to. negotiate an agreement on
   each of those separate annexes the Commission , following recent precedents ,
   could seek a negotiating mandate for each specific annex or group of annexes .
   This would be a rather cumbersome approach involving much repetition , as well
   as being wasteful of scarce official time and resources . In the interests ,
   therefore , of rationalising the institutional procedures involved the attached
   draft recommendation seeks an overall negotiating mandate, covering most of
   the outstanding annexes proposed in the CCC 's programme . Such an approach has
   in fact been advocated by member States themselves during discussions in the
   Council 's Economic Questions Group which has recently considered individual
   negotiating mandates covering specific annexes .
           Should further annexes   not at present   outlined in the CCC 's programme
   be proposed separate recjuests for negotiating mandates will of course be put
" forward as appropriate , .
 ---pagebreak--- Nature of the proposed annexes
                 of tie roinming annexes to the Convention cf Kyoto are not yet
available , indeed much of the CCC 's work is probably still at a conceptual
stage . It seems clear , however , that in many cases they deal with questions
which are already or which will soon be subject of proposals from the Commis
sion for an appropriate Comuunity instrument .
          The programme of annexes is divided into various general sections each
one of which includes a number of proposed annexes dealing with a more part i~
cular issue . Section A of the CCC 's outline programme deals with formalities
prior to the lodging of a customs entry. This question is already the subject
of a Community instrument , namely : Council Directive of 30 July 1968 on the
harmonisation of the provisions laid down by law , regulation or administrative
action relating to : 1 . customs treatment entering the customs territory of
the Community , 2 . temporary storage of such goods .
                 Section B deals with the customs clearance of goods intended
for home use . The texts of the two outstanding annexes under this section ,
B 5 and. B 6 are still not available , but it is clear from the title that
annex B 5 will be of especial interest , in particular in the context of the
Community 's own resources system. Annex B 6 is of similar interest and the
Commission has already submitted a proposal to the Council ( l ) covering much
the same subject as the CCC 's proposal will do .
                Section C is concerned with customs clearance of goods for export
tation , annex C 1 dealing with definitive exportation , annex C 2 dealing with
temporary exportation pending reimportation of the goods in the same state .
                                   5
Here again texts are not yet available , but it seems hardly necessary to state
the importance to the working of the customs union and the common agricultural
policy of any proposals bearing on the " formalities to be carried at exportation
goods from the Community. In addition it is likely that annex C 2 will at least
in part deal with matters similar to those of the proposal refered to at foot--
note l ) below .                                                 /
                                                                 /•••
                                                             • ••/•••
 ( l ) Doc . COL(74 ) 417 final •• Proposal for a Council Regulation on the customs
       treatment applicable to goods returned to the customs territory of the
       Community
 ---pagebreak---                             RECOMMENDATION FOR A
                           DECISION OF THE COUNCIL
              concerning the negotiation of agreements on the
            proposed Ameres to the International Convention
                  on the' Sinplification   and Haraaonieation
                            of Customs Procedures '
THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES ,
Having regard to the Treaty establishing1' "the European Eoonomio Community
and in particular Artiole 113 thereof ;
Having regard to the ReconmeMdation      of the Commission ,
Whereas the conclusion of agreements on the proposed annexes to the
International Convention on the simplification and harmonisation of
customs procedures which are listed in the outline programme annexed
to this decision could make a significant contribution to the develop
ment of the international exchange of goods ;
Whereas such agreements have important implications for the colleotion
on a uniform basis of the duties of the Common Customs Tariff , agri
cultural levies and other charges under the Common Agricultural Policy
whereas they should take account of the requirements of the aastams
union   whereas it is therefore appropriate that the Community should
negotiate and conclude such agreements s
HAS BECIEED AS FOLLOWS s
 ---pagebreak---                               Sole Article
        The Commission is hereby authorised to negotiate in the Customs
Cooperation Council the conclusion of agreements on the proposed An
nexes to the International Convention for tiie .Simplification and Haxw
monisation of Customs Rwoedures    which are listed in the annex to this
decision .
        The Commission shall conduct these negotiations in consultation
with the Special Committee provided for in Article 113 of the EEC
Treaty. which shall assist the Commission in this task .
                                     Done at Brussels ,
                                     For . the Council
                                     The Président
 ---pagebreak---            One annex is still   outstanding in Section E of the CCC 's
programme , namely E.9 « which also deals with matters which are already
the subject of a proposal by the Commission for a Council Directive on
the harmonisation of provisions laid down by law , regulation or admin
istrative action on outwards processing (1 ) .
           Section F deals with a miscellany of special customs procedures .
F.1 is already regulated at Community level by Council Directive of k
March 19^9 on the harmonisation of provisions laid down by law , regula
tion or administrative action on free zones . The proposed annex F.2
also concerns a subject to be regulated at Community level and on which
the Commission has submitted a proposal to the Council ( 2 ).
           Annexes F.3 to F-7 , with the exception of F.6 which has already
been adopted have still not been prepared . But in each case they relate
to questions which have been or will be regulated by a Community legis
lative provisions .
Need for Community action in negotiation of agreements on the proposed
annexes
           It is cleat that considered individually or collectively the
draft annexes to be drawn up by the CCC have a direct and considerable
bearing on , in particular the uniform application of the Common Customs
Tariff , as well as the working of the customs union as a whole .
( 1 ) Doc . COM(72)936 final
( 2 ) Doc . C0M(72)1623 - Proposal for a Council Regulation concerning the
      regime allowing processing of goods under customs control before
      they enter into home use .
 ---pagebreak---                                   - if -
          If th.e Common Customs Tariff is an essential component of the
Common Commercial Policy ,, then those, customs procedures and formalities
designed to ensure its uniform application, must also be considered as
an essential instrument of that policy . It follows , by virtue of Arti
cle 113' of the EEC Treaty , that the Community is competent to negotiate
any agreement relating to the CCC 's proposed annexes .
          Article 11 3 of the EEC Treaty also stipulate that , within this
framework , when agreements with third countries are to be negotiated ,
the Commission shall submit recommendations to the Council authorising
it to open the necessary negotiations .
Conclusion
          The Commission recommends the Council by virtue of Article 113
of the EEC Treaty to authorise it to negotiate agreements on the proposed
annexes to the International Convention on the simplification and harmon
isation of customs procedures which are listed in the outline programme
prepared by the Customs Cooperation Council ( as annexed to the attached
proposal for a decision of the Council ).
 ---pagebreak---                                                           ANNEX
                          INTERNATIONAL CONVENTION
                 ON THE SIMPLIFICATION AND HARiiONI SATION
                           OF CUSTOMS PROCEDURES
                           DRAFT PLAN OF ANÎTÏ2ES
FORMALITIES PRIOR TO TIE! LODGING OF THE GOODS , DECLARATION ( INWARDS )
1 » Importation by sea            : formalities prior to the lodging of
                                      the Goods declaration (inwards ).
2 , Importation by air            : formalities prior to the lodging of
                                    " the Goods declaration (inwards ).
3 » Importation by road           : formalities prior to the lodging of
                                      the Goods declaration ( inwarda ).
4 * Importation by rail ■         : formalities prior to the lodging of
                                      the Goods declaration ( inwards ).
5 . Importation by inland         : formalities prior to the lodging of
    waterway                          the Goods declaration ( inwards ).
6 . Importation by other          : formalities prior to the lodging of
    means                             the Goods declaration ( inwards ).
7 « Temporary storage cf goods .
8 . Transformation or destruction of goods before clearance .
CLEARANCE OF GOODS FOR HOIIE USE
5 . Goods granted outright duty-free admission or admission at reduced
    rates *
6i Goods re~imported in the same state as exported .
CLEARANCE OF GOODS AT EXPORTATION
1 . Outright exportation of goods in free circulation .
2 . Temporary exportation of goods for re-importation in the same state .
 ---pagebreak---                                     *. 2 - '               ATOT3X
E. CONDITIONAL RELIEF PROCEDURES AI'TD PROCESSING TRAFFIC
   Q. Temporary exportation of goods in free circulation for outward
       processing .
P. SPECIAL CUSTOMS PROCEDURES
   1 . Free zones and free ports .
   2 . Manufacture tuader Customs control of goods for home use .
   3 . Customs provisions concerning travel and tourism.
   4 . Customs provisions concerning postal traffic .
   5 « Customs provisions concerning urgent consignments .
   7. Rules applicable to periods , dates and time limits .


title: Recommendation for a Council Decision abrogating Decision 2005/183/EC on the existence of an excessive deficit in Poland

text:
   EN
EN    EN
 ---pagebreak---                 COMMISSION OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES
                                                Brussels, 11.6.2008
                                                SEC(2008) 2011 final
                                Recommendation for a
                               COUNCIL DECISION
   abrogating Decision 2005/183/EC on the existence of an excessive deficit in Poland
                            (presented by the Commission)
EN                                                                                EN
 ---pagebreak---                                      EXPLANATORY MEMORANDUM
   1.         BACKGROUND
   Article 104 of the Treaty establishes that Member States should avoid excessive deficits and
   lays down a procedure for their identification and correction. The excessive deficit procedure
   (EDP) is further specified in Council Regulation (EC) No 1467/97 on “speeding up and
   clarifying the implementation of the excessive deficit procedure”1, which is part of the
   Stability and Growth Pact. According to Article 104(2) of the Treaty, the Commission has to
   monitor compliance with budgetary discipline on the basis of two criteria, namely: (a)
   whether the planned or actual government deficit exceeds the reference value of 3% of GDP
   (unless either the deficit ratio has declined substantially and continuously and reached a level
   that comes close to the reference value; or, alternatively, the excess over the reference value is
   only exceptional and temporary and the ratio remains close to the reference value); and (b)
   whether government debt exceeds the reference value of 60% of GDP (unless the debt ratio is
   sufficiently diminishing and approaching the reference value at a satisfactory pace).
   In accordance with the Protocol on the excessive deficit procedure annexed to the Treaty, the
   Commission provides the data for the implementation of the EDP. As part of the application
   of this Protocol, Member States have to notify data on government deficits and debt and other
   associated variables twice a year, namely before 1 April and before 1 October, in accordance
   with Article 4 of Council Regulation (EC) No 3605/932,3. As explained in the box below,
   Poland was among the countries which benefited from a transition period for implementing
   the Eurostat decision of 2 March 2004 on the classification of funded pension schemes and as
   a result notified deficit and debt figures without the net cost of the 1999 pension reform
   (currently amounting to around 2% of GDP annually) until March 2007. Since then, deficit
   and debt figures have been notified in accordance with the Eurostat decision. Unless
   mentioned explicitly, all figures quoted in this document are in accordance with the Eurostat
   decision.
                                    Box: The classification of pension schemes
   There are typically different pillars within a country’s pension system, such as pay-as-you-go or
   unfunded systems and funded systems; furthermore, pension schemes can be of the defined-benefit
   (DB) or defined-contribution (DC) variety.
   If a pension scheme is classified in the government sector, contributions collected and benefits paid by
   the scheme are government revenue and expenditure and contribute to the government balance. If a
   pension scheme is classified in a sector other than government, its contributions and benefits do not
   contribute to the government balance. The ESA95 accounting rules state that pension schemes
   classified within government are those which are “imposed, controlled and financed by government”.
   On 2 March 2004, Eurostat clarified that funded DC pension schemes do not fulfil these criteria
   because pensions paid by such schemes (i) depend primarily on financial markets performance (i.e. not
   under government control) and (ii) are financed by reserves that are not economically owned by
   1
            OJ L 209, 2.8.1997, p. 6. Regulation as amended by Regulation (EC) No 1056/2005 (OJ L 174,
            7.7.2005, p. 5).
   2
            OJ L 332, 31.12.1993, p. 7. Regulation as last amended by Regulation (EC) No 2103/2005 (OJ L 337,
            22.12.2005, p. 1).
   3
            The most recent notification of Poland can be found at:
            http://epp.eurostat.ec.europa.eu/portal/page?_pageid=2373,58110711&_dad=portal&_schema=portal.
EN                                                         2                                                  EN
 ---pagebreak---    government. Even if they are mandatory or if they are managed by government (for example, managed
   by the same government agency in charge of the pay-as-you-go pillar) or if there is some government
   guarantee of a minimum pension, funded DC schemes should not be classified within government (*).
   A transition period, expiring in spring 2007 (first notification of 2007), was granted to implement this
   decision (**).
   (*) Eurostat News Release No 30/2004 of 2 March 2004.
   (**) Eurostat News Release No 117/2004 of 23 September 2004.
   On 12 May 2004, the Commission initiated the EDP for Poland with the adoption of a report
   under Article 104(3), based on a general government deficit of 4.1% of GDP (excluding
   pension reform cost) in 20034. On 5 July 2004, the Council decided, on a recommendation
   from the Commission, that Poland was in excessive deficit according to Article 104(6)5. The
   Council decision stated that the deficit and the debt figures would have to be adjusted upward
   if the funded pension schemes were excluded from the general government sector following
   the Eurostat decision on the classification of the funded pension schemes (see box). At the
   same time, and also based on a Commission recommendation, the Council addressed
   recommendations under Article 104(7) to Poland with a view to bringing the situation of an
   excessive government deficit to an end, by 2007 at the latest6. On 28 November 2006, the
   Council decided under Article 104(8), on a recommendation from the Commission, that
   action taken until then by the Polish authorities was inadequate7. On 27 February 2007, the
   Council issued new recommendations under Article 104(7) based on a recommendation by
   the Commission.
   In its second recommendation under Article 104(7), the Council recommended that the Polish
   authorities put an end to the excessive deficit situation by the original deadline of 2007 and
   reduce the general government deficit in a credible and sustainable manner and to this end
   ensure an improvement of the structural balance (i.e. the cyclically-adjusted balance net of
   one-off and other temporary measures) by at least 0.5 percentage points of GDP between
   2006 and 2007. The Council established the deadline of 27 August 2007 for the Polish
   authorities to take effective action. In addition, the Council invited Poland to ensure that
   budgetary consolidation towards its medium-term objective of a structural deficit of 1% of
   GDP was sustained after the excessive deficit would have been corrected.
   4
             SEC(2004) 826.
   5
             OJ L 62, 9.3.2005, p. 18.
   6
             All EDP-related documents for Poland can be found at the following website:
             http://ec.europa.eu/economy_finance/sg_pact_fiscal_policy/excessive_deficit9109_en.htm.
   7
             OJ L 414, 30.12.2006, p. 81.
EN                                                           3                                              EN
 ---pagebreak---    Table 1: Adjustment endorsed by the Council on 27 February 2007
   % of GDP, unless indicated otherwise                                      2006                    2007
   General government balance                                                −3.9            deficit close to 38
   change in structural balance                                                                 at least +0.5
   p.m.: Real GDP growth (%)                                                  5.4                     5.1
   Note: Structural balance = cyclically-adjusted balance excluding one-off and other temporary measures.
   Source: Council recommendation under Article 104(7) and, for real GDP growth, Council opinion on the
   November 2006 update of the convergence programme, both adopted on 27 February 2007.
   On 20 November 2007, i.e. after the expiry of the deadline for taking action set in the Council
   recommendation, the Commission adopted a communication to the Council, which concluded
   that the action taken by Poland in response to the Council recommendation was consistent
   with the recommendation. While the Commission expressed concern about the durability of
   the correction of the excessive deficit in 2008 and 2009, no further steps under the EDP were
   recommended at that stage9. In its meeting of 4 December 2007, the Council concurred with
   this assessment. Both the Commission and the Council invited the Polish authorities to submit
   as soon as possible an updated convergence programme describing their medium-term
   strategy for the whole legislature, consistent with a durable correction of the excessive deficit
   and further progress towards the medium-term objective. A new programme was submitted at
   the end of March 2008. The Commission is recommending a Council opinion on this
   programme together with this recommendation for a Council decision.
   According to Article 104(12), a Council decision on the existence of an excessive deficit is to
   be abrogated, on the basis of a Commission recommendation, when the excessive deficit in
   the Member State concerned has, in the view of the Council, been corrected.
   2.         RECENT DEFICIT DEVELOPMENTS
   Since peaking at 6.3% of GDP in 2003, the general government deficit declined by more than
   1 percentage point annually on average to reach 2% of GDP in 2007, based on the data
   provided by the Commission (Eurostat) following the reporting by Poland before April
   200810, 11,12. The outturns were generally better than targeted thanks to positive growth
   8
            In its recommendation, the Council referred to the November 2006 update of the convergence
            programme, which targeted a deficit of 3.4% of GDP in 2007 and which “assumes that, for the purpose
            of abrogating the decision on the existence of an excessive deficit under Article 104(12), the
            Commission and the Council could, as foreseen in Article 2(7) of Regulation (EC) No 1467/97, consider
            the cost to the budget of the 1999 pension reform [estimated at around 2% of GDP in 2007] according
            to a linear degressive scale amounting to 60 % in 2007. The Council recalls that for Poland to benefit
            from this provision, the deficit should have declined substantially and continuously and have reached a
            level that comes close to the reference value. As the deficit has declined substantially and continuously
            over the period 2004-2006, the outcome for the 2007 deficit and the outlook thereafter will determine
            whether this provision can be applied to Poland”.
   9
            SEC(2007) 1543.
   10
            Eurostat News Release No 54 of 18 April 2008.
   11
            Deficit ratios are usually revised – upwards or downwards – after the publication of the first outcome in
            the spring notification. For the EU Member States as a whole, the revisions are usually relatively small
            and on average insignificantly different from zero. In view of the distance between the currently
EN                                                          4                                                         EN
 ---pagebreak---    surprises resulting in windfall revenues as well as the incomplete execution of expenditure
   plans.
   The 2007 general government deficit outturn was 2.0% of GDP, compared to 3.4% projected
   in the November 2006 convergence programme. Much higher real and nominal GDP growth
   than assumed in November 2006 was the main reason, but also expenditure was restrained. In
   particular, high profitability of companies allowed for growth in subsidies to be contained,
   while the rapid fall in unemployment and the lack of indexation imposed by the Hausner
   plan13 curtailed growth in social transfers. In addition, compensation of public sector
   employees was lower than planned. Finally, government investment was lower than projected
   because of a slower absorption of EU funds than planned. Overall, the expenditure-to-GDP
   ratio was 1.5 percentage point lower than projected in November 2006. On the revenue side,
   revenue from indirect taxes and social contributions turned out better than envisaged in
   November 2006, mainly thanks to a much higher employment and wage growth. These
   positive surprises were offset by a lower performance of other revenue items (direct taxes due
   to an increase in tax brackets). Overall, this led to a revenue ratio slightly below the planned
   one.
   3.        DEFICIT PROJECTIONS FOR 2008-2009 AND BEYOND
   For 2008, the Commission services’ spring 2008 forecast projects that the general government
   deficit will increase to 2.5% of GDP, in line with the target in the March 2008 convergence
   programme. GDP is expected to grow by 5.3% and 5% in 2008 and 2009, respectively. The
   Commission services foresee that private consumption accelerates in 2008 to 5.6% supported
   by the social contributions cuts and decelerates to 4.7% in 2009 because of a deteriorating
   external environment weighing on consumers’ confidence.
   The increasing general government deficit results from the Polish 2008 budget, which targets
   a worsening of the central state balance (non ESA95) by about 0.8% of GDP in 2008
   compared to the 2007 outturn because of a number of deficit-increasing measures adopted
   before the parliamentary elections of October 2007. Most of them will reduce government
   revenues: a second cut in social contributions and personal income tax relief for families. On
   the expenditure side, the 2008 budget envisages higher public investment and restores the
   generous (inflation plus wage growth) annual indexation of pensions and disability benefits.
   The deficit-increasing measures will be partly offset by improved tax compliance, higher
   taxable income, and excise duty hikes related to the EU tax harmonisation.
           reported deficit for 2007 and the deficit reference value, there is a very low probability that potential
           future revisions in government accounts would raise the 2007 deficit ratio in excess of 3% of GDP.
   12
           In accordance with Article 2(7) of Regulation (EC) No 1467/97, a decision to abrogate a decision on the
           existence of an excessive deficit should take into account the net cost of a pension reform introducing a
           multi-pillar system that includes a mandatory, fully funded pillar if the deficit has declined substantially
           and continuously and has reached a level that comes close to the reference value. Since the 2007 general
           government deficit was below the 3%-reference value there is no need to consider the application of this
           Article.
   13
           The most comprehensive and specific attempt at expenditure reform so far, proposed in 2003 and aimed
           at reducing public expenditure on social protection, public administration and state aids. Among other
           things, the Hausner plan replaced annual indexation with an indexation after cumulated inflation
           exceeds 5% or every three years (whatever comes first).
EN                                                         5                                                            EN
 ---pagebreak---    In 2009, the general government deficit ratio is expected to rise marginally to 2.6% of GDP
   according to the spring 2008 Commission forecast, which is based on the no-policy-change
   assumption. The March 2008 convergence programme, which assumes the implementation of
   some deficit-decreasing measures that remain to be specified, envisages a general government
   deficit of 2.0% of GDP.
   The spring forecast projects the structural deficit to widen by approximately ¼ percentage
   point of GDP in 2008 but to narrow by about ⅓ percentage point in 2009, resulting from the
   improvement in the labour market stimulated by the cuts in the tax wedge14.
   The main goal of the budgetary strategy presented in the March 2008 convergence
   programme is to reach the MTO, a structural deficit of 1% of GDP, by 2011, i.e. one year
   after the end of the programme period. The budgetary adjustment is expenditure-based and
   back-loaded to 2009 and 2010.
   4.        DEBT DEVELOPMENTS AND PROJECTIONS
   After having reached its peak of 47.6% of GDP in 2006, the debt ratio appears to be on a
   declining path. Significant debt reduction was achieved in 2007, when the ratio decreased by
   almost 2½ percentage points to 45.2% of GDP mainly thanks to high nominal GDP growth
   but also to the appreciation of the złoty. Gross debt is projected to fall more slowly this year
   and next to about 44% of GDP in 2009, according to the spring 2008 forecast under the no-
   policy-change assumption.
   5.        CONCLUSIONS
   The general government deficit decreased from 6.3% of GDP in 2003 to 2.0% in 2007, below
   the 3% of GDP reference value. The deficit reduction in 2007 mainly reflected higher
   economic growth, which together with expenditure restraint (partly due to an incomplete
   execution of investment plans) reduced the expenditure ratio compared to budget plans. The
   revenue ratio came in close to target, with windfall revenues from favourable economic
   conditions offset by direct tax cuts and underperformance in other revenue categories. The
   structural balance, i.e. the cyclically-adjusted balance net of one-off and other temporary
   measures, improved by about 1½ percentage point of GDP, well above the fiscal effort of at
   least 0.5 percentage point recommended by the Council. According to the Commission
   services’ spring 2008 forecast, the headline deficit is expected to increase to 2.5% of GDP in
   2008 and, on a no-policy change basis, to 2.6% in 2009. This indicates that the deficit has
   been brought below the 3% of GDP ceiling in a credible and sustainable manner.
   General government gross debt declined from 47.6% of GDP in 2006 to 45.4% in 2007,
   below the 60% of GDP reference value. According to the Commission services’ spring 2008
   14
           There seems to be a particularly high potential for reducing the shadow economy and stimulating labour
           activity in Poland, as suggested by the significant difference between the registered unemployment rate
           and the unemployment rate from labour force surveys (about 3 percentage points in the beginning of
           2008). Furthermore, Poland has one of the lowest activity rates in the EU (63½% compared to almost
           71% in the EU in the second half of 2007), especially for those aged 55+. Moreover, the steep increase
           in corporate-income and small-business personal-income tax revenues in the recent years in Poland may
           be partly explained with a better compliance following a reduction of initially high tax rates.
EN                                                         6                                                       EN
 ---pagebreak---    forecast, the debt ratio is expected to fall further to around 44% of GDP by 2009 (on a no-
   policy change basis).
   From an overall assessment, it follows that the excessive deficit situation in Poland has been
   corrected. Accordingly, the Commission recommends to the Council to abrogate its decision
   on the existence of an excessive deficit in Poland.
   Table 2: Budgetary developments, 2003-2009
   % of GDP, unless indicated           2003     2004    2005    2006    2007        2008            2009
   otherwise                                                                    COM CP(2)        COM(3) CP(2)
   General government balance            −6.3    −5.7     −4.3   −3.8    −2.0    −2.5     −2.5    −2.6     −2.0
   Total revenues                        38.4     36.9    39.0    40.0    40.4   40.1     40.0    39.7      39.2
   Total expenditure                     44.6     42.6    43.3    43.8    42.4   42.6     42.5    42.3      41.2
     Of which: − interest expenditure      3.0     2.8      2.8    2.7     2.6     2.7     2.3     2.7       2.3
        – gross fixed capital formation    3.3     3.4      3.4    3.9     4.1     4.5     5.2     4.8       5.0
   Primary balance                       −3.3    −2.9     −1.5   −1.1      0.6     0.2    −0.2     0.1       0.3
   One-off and temporary measures          0.0     0.0      0.0    0.0     0.0     0.0     0.0     0.0       0.0
   Structural balance(1)                 −5.9    −5.9     −4.2   −4.0    −2.5    −2.7     −2.8    −2.3     −1.9
   Structural primary balance(1)         −2.9    −3.1     −1.4   −1.3      0.1     0.0    −0.5     0.3       0.4
   Pm       Real GDP growth (%)            3.9     5.3      3.6    6.2     6.5     5.3     5.5     5.0       5.0
   Pm       Output gap                   −1.0      0.4    −0.4     0.6     1.2     0.5     0.7    −0.7     −0.2
   (1)
             Cyclically-adjusted (primary) balance excluding one-off and temporary measures.
   (2)
             Cyclically-adjusted and structural balances and output gaps according to the programme as calculated
             by Commission services on the basis of the information in the programme.
   (3)
             No-policy change assumption.
   Sources: Commission services’ spring 2008 forecast (COM) and March 2008 update of the convergence
             programme (CP).
EN                                                         7                                                      EN
 ---pagebreak---                                           Recommendation for a
                                         COUNCIL DECISION
       abrogating Decision 2005/183/EC on the existence of an excessive deficit in Poland
   THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION,
   Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Community, and in particular
   Article 104(12) thereof,
   Having regard to the recommendation from the Commission,
   Whereas:
   (1)     By Council Decision 2005/183/EC of 5 July 200415, following a recommendation
           from the Commission in accordance with Article 104(6) of the Treaty, it was decided
           that an excessive deficit existed in Poland. The Council noted that the general
           government deficit was 4.1% of GDP in 2003, above the 3% of GDP Treaty reference
           value, while general government gross debt stood at 45.4% of GDP, below the 60 % of
           GDP Treaty reference value. The Council decision stated that the deficit and the debt
           figures would have to be adjusted upward if the funded pension schemes were
           excluded from the general government sector following the Eurostat decision on the
           classification of the funded pension schemes16.
   (2)     On 5 July 2004, in accordance with Article 104(7) of the Treaty and Article 3(4) of
           Council Regulation (EC) No 1467/97 of 7 July 1997 on speeding up and clarifying the
           implementation of the excessive deficit procedure17, the Council made, based on a
           recommendation from the Commission, a recommendation addressed to Poland with a
           view to bringing the excessive deficit situation to an end by 2007 at the latest. The
           recommendation was made public.
   (3)     On 28 November 2006, the Council decided under Article 104(8), on a
           recommendation from the Commission, that action taken until then by the Polish
           authorities was inadequate18. On 27 February 2007, the Council issued a new
           recommendation under Article 104(7), on a recommendation from the Commission,
           confirming the 2007 deadline for the correction. The recommendation was made
           public.
   15
           OJ L 62, 9.3.2005, p. 18.
   16
           Eurostat News Releases No 30/2004 of 2 March 2004 and No 117/2004 of 23 September 2004.
   17
           OJ L 209, 2.8.1997, p. 6. Regulation as amended by Regulation (EC) No 1056/2005 (OJ L 174,
           7.7.2005, p. 5).
   18
           OJ L 414, 30.12.2006, p. 81.
EN                                                    8                                               EN
 ---pagebreak---    (4) In accordance with Article 104(12) of the Treaty, a Council Decision on the existence
       of an excessive deficit is to be abrogated when the excessive deficit in the Member
       State concerned has, in the view of the Council, been corrected.
   (5) In accordance with the Protocol on the excessive deficit procedure annexed to the
       Treaty, the Commission provides the data for the implementation of the procedure. As
       part of the application of this Protocol, Member States are to notify data on
       government deficits and debt and other associated variables twice a year, namely
       before 1 April and before 1 October, in accordance with Article 4 of Council
       Regulation (EC) No 3605/93 of 22 November 1993 on the application of the Protocol
       on the excessive deficit procedure annexed to the Treaty establishing the European
       Community19.
   (6) Based on data provided by the Commission (Eurostat) in accordance with Article
       8g(1) of Regulation (EC) No 3605/93 following the notification by Poland before 1
       April 2008 and on the Commission services’ spring 2008 forecast, the following
       conclusions are warranted:
         –     the general government deficit was reduced from 3.8% of GDP in 2006 to
               2.0% of GDP in 2007, which is below the 3% of GDP deficit reference value.
               This compares with a target of 3.4% of GDP set in the November 2006 update
               of the convergence programme,
         –     the much better 2007 deficit outturn compared to the target was supported by
               much higher real GDP growth than assumed in the November 2006
               convergence programme. In addition, relative to GDP, the government spent
               less on social transfers (due to lack of indexation in 2007), subsidies,
               investment and compensation of employees. Overall, total expenditure was by
               1.5 percentage point lower than planned in the November 2006 convergence
               programme. The improvement in the structural balance (i.e. the cyclically-
               adjusted balance net of one-off and other temporary measures) is estimated at
               1½ percentage point of GDP in 2007,
         –     with lower GDP growth than in 2007, the spring 2008 forecast projects the
               deficit to increase in 2008 to 2.5% of GDP, but remain below the reference
               value, driven mainly by cuts in social contributions, personal income tax relief
               and an increase of social transfers together with higher investment. This is the
               same as the official deficit target set in the March 2008 update of the
               convergence programme. For 2009, the spring forecast projects the deficit to
               broadly stabilise on a no-policy change basis. This indicates that the deficit has
               been brought below the 3% of GDP reference value in a credible and
               sustainable manner,
         –     nonetheless, the structural balance is projected to deteriorate slightly by ¼
               percentage point of GDP in 2008 and, on a no-policy change basis, improve by
               about ⅓ percentage point in 2009. This has to be seen against the need to make
   19
       OJ L 332, 31.12.1993, p. 7. Regulation as last amended by Regulation (EC) No 2103/2005 (OJ L 337,
       22.12.2005, p. 1).
EN                                                   9                                                   EN
 ---pagebreak---                  progress towards the medium-term objective (MTO) for the budgetary position,
                 which for Poland is a structural deficit of 1% of GDP,
            –    government debt declined from 47.6% of GDP in 2006 to 45.2% in 2007.
                 According to the spring 2008 forecast, the debt ratio is projected to remain well
                 below the 60% of GDP threshold and fall further to around 44% by end-2009.
   (7)    In the view of the Council, the excessive deficit in Poland has been corrected and
          Decision 2005/183/EC should therefore be abrogated.
   HAS ADOPTED THIS DECISION:
                                              Article 1
   From an overall assessment it follows that the excessive deficit situation in Poland has been
   corrected.
                                              Article 2
   Decision 2005/183/EC is hereby abrogated.
                                              Article 3
   This Decision is addressed to the Republic of Poland.
   Done at Brussels,
                                               For the Council
                                               The President
EN                                               10                                                EN


RECOMMENDATION FOR A COUNCIL DECISION ON THE OPENING OF NEGOTIATIONS WITH AUSTRIA, FINLAND, ICELAND, NORWAY, SWEDEN AND SWITZERLAND WITH A VIEW TO CONCLUDING ON AGREEMENT ON THE INTRODUCTION IN TRADE BETWEEN THE COMMUNITY AND THESE COUNTRIES OF A SINGLE ADMINISTRATIVE DOCUMENT IN PLACE OF THE EXISTING DECLARATIONS


title: Recommendation for a COUNCIL DECISION authorizing the Commission to participate in the negotiation of an international convention on the harmonization of controls at frontiers (submitted to the Council by the Commission)

text:
ARCHIVES HISTORIQUES
DE LA COMMISSION
COLLECTION RELIEE DES
DOCUMENTS "COM"
COM (80) 556
Vol. 1980/0180
 ---pagebreak--- Disclaimer
Conformément au règlement (CEE, Euratom) n° 354/83 du Conseil du 1er février 1983
concernant l'ouverture au public des archives historiques de la Communauté économique
européenne et de la Communauté européenne de l'énergie atomique (JO L 43 du 15.2.1983,
p. 1), tel que modifié par le règlement (CE, Euratom) n° 1700/2003 du 22 septembre 2003
(JO L 243 du 27.9.2003, p. 1), ce dossier est ouvert au public. Le cas échéant, les documents
classifiés présents dans ce dossier ont été déclassifiés conformément à l'article 5 dudit
règlement.
In accordance with Council Regulation (EEC, Euratom) No 354/83 of 1 February 1983
concerning the opening to the public of the historical archives of the European Economic
Community and the European Atomic Energy Community (OJ L 43, 15.2.1983, p. 1), as
amended by Regulation (EC, Euratom) No 1700/2003 of 22 September 2003 (OJ L 243,
27.9.2003, p. 1), this file is open to the public. Where necessary, classified documents in this
file have been declassified in conformity with Article 5 of the aforementioned regulation.
In Übereinstimmung mit der Verordnung (EWG, Euratom) Nr. 354/83 des Rates vom 1.
Februar 1983 über die Freigabe der historischen Archive der Europäischen
Wirtschaftsgemeinschaft und der Europäischen Atomgemeinschaft (ABI. L 43 vom 15.2.1983,
S. 1), geändert durch die Verordnung (EG, Euratom) Nr. 1700/2003 vom 22. September 2003
(ABI. L 243 vom 27.9.2003, S. 1), ist diese Datei der Öffentlichkeit zugänglich. Soweit
erforderlich, wurden die Verschlusssachen in dieser Datei in Übereinstimmung mit Artikel 5
der genannten Verordnung freigegeben.
 ---pagebreak--- COMMISSION OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES
                                              COM(80)556 final
           /                <"7 'v
             : <.             ' 1             Brussels , 6 October 1980
              A Ci -     '■       /'Jy'
              < :?x> ' ^ JW
                         Recommendation for a
                            COUNCIL DECISION
      authorizing the Commission to participate in the
      negotiation of an international convention on the
                 harmonization of controls at frontiers
        ( submitted to the Council by the Commission )
 C0MC80 ) 556 final
 ---pagebreak---                              EXPLANATORY MEMORANDUM
   Introduction                                                 -
                                                   affecting
        The Group of Experts on Customs Question^ Transport , under the Inland
  Transport Committee of the Economic Commission for Europe , a regional body
  of the United Nations , has decided to draw up a Convention on the
  Harmonization of Controls at Frontiers .
        The rapporteurs appointed "by the Group of Experts on Customs Questions
  were asked to consider the substance of such a Convention .     On the basis of
  their report , the Executive Seoretary of the Economic Commission for Europe
  has drafted a text to serve as a basis for negotiations .
        The Inland Transport Committee of the Economio Commission for Europe
  has organized a special meeting of the Group of Experts in Geneva from
  20 to 24 October 1980 to carry out negotiations.
  Purpose and scope of the Convention
        The purpose of the Convention is to make the international transport of
  goods easier and quicker , by harmonizing more olosely the conditions for
- the controls carried out by the various authorities responsible for checking
  goods at frontiers , and by reinforcing cooperation between these authorities.
        This purpose is to be achieved by :
        – coordinating at national level the action of the various departments
          responsible for controls ;
                           v
        – setting up the necessary framework for the operations of these
          departments ;
        – giving the maximum possible national and international publicity to
          the requirements of laws and regulations applying in the areas covered
          by the controls ;
        – ensuring international cooperation , including :
              mutual recognition of doouments , and some harmonization of these
               documents ;
 ---pagebreak---                coordinated organization and functioning of departments operating
               frontier services in adjacent countries ;
               bilateral or multilateral harmonization of control systems and
               procedures .
The competence of the Community
       The purpose of this Convention is to facilitate the international
transport of goods by improving the conditions for frontier controls , and
it is a contribution , in the common interest , to the smooth development of
world trade . It therefore comes under common commercial policy.
       What is more , the Convention applies to several matters for which
common rules have been adopted in the form of secondary legislation. For
example , the customs oontrols and other frontier inspections which are the
subject-matter of the Convention are in many cases the result of Community
legislation such as :
       – Council Directive 68/312/EEC on the customs treatment of goods ,
         which stipulates at Article 2(l ) that all goods entering the customs
         territory of the Community or coming from a free zone situated in
         the territory of the Community shall be subject to oustoms control ;
      – Council Directive 79/^95/EEG on the harmonization of procedures for
                                                    ( 2)
         the release of goods for free circulation , ' whioh stipulates at
         Article 9 "that the customs authority may examine all or part of the
         goods entered.
( 1 ) OJ No L 194 » 6.8.1968 , p. 13.
( 2 ) OJ Ho L 205 , 13.8.1979 » P* 19.
 ---pagebreak---                                          3-
       – Council Directive 77/93/^EC on protective measures against the
         introduction into the Member States of harmful organisms of plants
         or plant products, ^ which stipulates at Article 12 that plants
         and plant products entering the territory of any of the Member
         States and coming from non-member countries shall be inspected ;
       - Council Directive 72/462/EEC on health and veterinary inspection
         problems upon importation of bovine animals and swine and fresh meat
                                 2)
         from third countries ,     Which stipulates at Articles . 12 , 23 and 24
         that animals and fresh meat must undergo a health inspection on
         arrival in the territory of the Community.
       The Convention also deals , although subsidiarily , with goods in transit
thuB touching upon an area the customs aspects of which are almost
exclusively governed by Community secondary legislation.
       The above remarks show that this Convention covers fields where the
Community external competence is of considerable importance .
       The Community is therefore entitled to take part in the negotiation of
this convention and to beoome a Contraoting Party.
       The following clause , based on that included in the Convention of
27 May 1980 on International multimodal transport , could be adopted for this
purpose :
       "Regional eoonomic integration organizations composed of sovereign
States which are members of the United Nations and which have competence
to negotiate , conclude and apply international agreements on matters
covered by this Convention may also become Contracting Parties to it ."
       Moreover , sinoe the Convention provides for a Management Committee
whose members would have voting rights , the above olause should be             '
supplemented as follows :
       "In matters within their competence since regional economic integration
organizations shall , in their own name , exercise the rights and fulfil the
responsibilities that this Convention confers on their Member States. In
such cases the Member States of the organizations shall not be entitled
to exercise such rights independently. M
( 1 ) OJ Ko L 26 , 31.1.77 , P* 20.
( 2 ) OJ NO L 302 , 31.12.72 , p. 28
 ---pagebreak---                                     - 4 -
       It is also important to confine the application of the Convention to
 the Community 's external frontiers , so that trade between the Community
 Member States would still be exclusively governed by the national laws of
 the Member States or by Community law.    The Convention should therefore
 include a provision stipulating that Contracting Parties that are part of a
 regional economic integration organization may notify the Secretary-General
 of the United Nations that the Convention applies at the external frontiers
 only of the territory of this organization,
Leftal basis
      The main purpose of the Convention – to facilitate and encourage
 international trade in goods by simplifying formalities at frontiers – is
 in line with some aspects of common commercial policy as defined in
Article 113 of the Treaty,     What is more , the Convention deals mainly with
 subjects on which the Community has adopted rules of the form of secondary
legislation serving the common commercial policy#
      Article 113 of "the Treaty would thus appear to be the most appropriate
provision to be used as a basis for the negotiation and conclusion of the .
Convention by the Community,
Conclusions
      The Commission recommends that the Council , pursuant to Article 113 of
the Treaty , authorize it to take part in the negotiation of the International
Convention on the Harmonization of Controls at Frontiers ,
      The Commission would also urge upon the Council the need for
representations to the Executive Secretary of the Economic Commission for
Europe to demonstrate beyond doubt that the Community has competence in
respect of the matters covered by the Convention and to ensure that the
Community is invited to the negotiations under terms which enable it to
 exeroise its competence fully.
 ---pagebreak--- Recommendation for a Council Decision authorizing the Commission to
participate In the negotiation of an international convention on the
harmonization of controls at frontiers
THE COUNCIL OP THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES ,
Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Economic Community ,
and in particular Article 113 "thereof ,
Having regard to the recommendation by the Commission ,
Whereas negotiations are to begin in October 1980 within the Economio
Commission for Europe to draw up an international convention on the
harmonization of controls at frontiers ;
Whereas the purpose of that Convention is to facilitate the international
transport of goods ;
Whereas the draft of that Convention contains provisions concerning not
only customs matters , but also other fields where goods are subject to
control , in particular the fields of health , plant health , veterinary
matters and quality and standardization ;
Whereas these fields are governed by common rules in the form of secondary
legislation and consequently fall within the Community* s       competence ,
HAS DECIDED AS FOLLOWS : ■ . ■    .
                                Sole Article
The Commission
            and
                is hereby authorized to participate, on behalf of the
Community,/ within the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe , in the
negotiations for the conclusion of an international convention on the
harmonization of controls at frontiers.    The Commission shall conduct such
negotiations with the assistance of a special committee composed of
representatives of the Member States and in accordance with the directives
annexed hereto and with suoh directives as may be issued to it subsequently
                                          Pone at Brussels ,
                                          For the Council ,
                                          The President
 ---pagebreak---                                                           Annex I
           Directives issued "by the Council to the Commission
The Commission shall endeavour to ensure that the draft Conventions
 ( a) is consistent with the provisions adopted "by the Community in
        respect of customs matters and in the other fields covered by the
        Convention ;
 ( b ) does not contain any provisions on the control of persons ;
 ( c ) is drawn up in suoh a way as to allow of flexible application of the
       principle that controls at frontiers should , in the main , be
        organized and carried out mainly in conjunction with customs control
 ( d) contains a provision to the effect that regional economic
       integration organizations composed of sovereign States which are
       members of the United Nations and which have competence to negotiate
       conclude and apply international agreements on matters covered by
       the Convention may also become Contracting Parties to the Convention
       that , in matters within their competence , such regional economic
       integration organizations shall , in their own name , exercise the
       rights and fulfil the responsibilities that the    Convention
       confers on their Member States ; and that in such cases the Member
       States of the organizations shall not be entitled to exercise such
       rights independently ;
( e ) contains a provision to the effect that the Convention applies
       exclusively to the external frontiers of the territories covered by
       such regional economio integration organizations.


               EUROPEAN COMMISSION
            Brussels, 24.4.2017
            COM(2017) 190 final
            Recommendation for a
            COUNCIL DECISION
            approving the conclusion, by the European Commission, on behalf of the European Atomic Energy Community, of the Protocol to the Partnership and Cooperation Agreement establishing a partnership between the European Communities and their Member States, of the one part, and the Republic of Uzbekistan, of the other part, to take account of the accession of the Republic of Croatia to the European Union

               EXPLANATORY MEMORANDUM

               The attached proposal constitutes the legal instrument for the Recommendation for a Council Decision approving the conclusion of the Protocol, by the European Commission, on behalf of the European Atomic Energy Community, to the Partnership and Cooperation Agreement establishing a partnership between the European Communities and their Member States, of the one part, and the Republic of Uzbekistan, of the other part, to take account of the Republic of Croatia’s accession to the European Union. The proposal includes the following:

               (i)recommendation for a Council Decision approving the conclusion of the Protocol, by the European Commission, on behalf of the European Atomic Energy Community.

               This proposal is presented jointly with a:

               (ii)proposal for a Council Decision on the signature and provisional application of the Protocol on behalf of the European Union and its Member States;

               (iii)proposal for a Council Decision on the conclusion of the Protocol on behalf of the European Union and its Member States.

               According to its Act of Accession, Croatia undertakes to 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 Partnership and Cooperation Agreement establishing a partnership between the European Communities and their Member States, of the one part, and the Republic of Uzbekistan, of the other part, hereinafter referred to as ‘the Agreement’, was signed on 21 June 1996 and entered into force on 1 July 1999.

               A Council Decision of 14 September 2012
                  1
                authorised the Commission to open negotiations with the non-EU countries concerned, in order to conclude the relevant protocols. Negotiations with the Republic of Uzbekistan were successfully concluded by the exchange of notes verbales.

               The proposed Protocol incorporates the Republic of Croatia as a contracting party to the Agreement and commits the EU to providing the authentic version of the Agreement in the Croatian language.

               The Commission has judged the results of the negotiations to be satisfactory and requests the Council to recommend a Council Decision approving the conclusion, by the European Commission, on behalf of the European Atomic Energy Community, of the Protocol to the Partnership and Cooperation Agreement establishing a partnership between the European Communities and their Member States, of the one part, and the Republic of Uzbekistan, of the other part, to take account of the Republic of Croatia’s accession to the European Union.

               Recommendation for a

               COUNCIL DECISION

               approving the conclusion, by the European Commission, on behalf of the European Atomic Energy Community, of the Protocol to the Partnership and Cooperation Agreement establishing a partnership between the European Communities and their Member States, of the one part, and the Republic of Uzbekistan, 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 establishing the European Atomic Energy Community, and in particular the second paragraph of Article 101 thereof,

               Having regard to the recommendation from the European Commission,

               Whereas:

               (1)In accordance with Article 6(2) of the Act of Accession of the Republic of Croatia, the accession of the Republic of Croatia to the Partnership and Cooperation Agreement establishing a partnership between the European Communities and their Member States, of the one part, and the Republic of Uzbekistan, of the other part (‘the Agreement’)
                  2
                 is to be agreed by means of a protocol to the Agreement.

               (2)On 14 September 2012, the Council authorised the Commission to open negotiations with the non-EU countries concerned
                  3
               . Negotiations were successfully concluded with the Republic of Uzbekistan by exchange of notes verbales.

               (3)The conclusion, by the Commission, of the Protocol should be approved as regards matters falling within the competence of the European Atomic Energy Community.

               (4)The signature and conclusion of the Protocol are subject to a separate procedure as regards matters falling within the competence of the Union and its Member States,

               HAS ADOPTED THIS DECISION:

                  Sole Article

               The conclusion by the European Commission, on behalf of the European Atomic Energy Community, of the Protocol to the Partnership and Cooperation Agreement establishing a partnership between the European Communities and their Member States, of the one part, and the Republic of Uzbekistan, of the other part, to take account of the accession of the Republic of Croatia to the European Union, is hereby approved.

               The text of the Protocol is attached to the Decision on its signature.

               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)
                  Council and Commission Decision 1999/593/EC, ECSC, Euratom of 31 May 1999 on the conclusion of the Partnership and Cooperation Agreement establishing a partnership between the European Communities and their Member States, of the one part, and the Republic of Uzbekistan, of the other part (OJ L 229, 31.8.1999, p. 1).

                     (3)
                  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)


title: Recommendation for a COUNCIL DECISION authorizing the Commission to negotiate on behalf of the Community an agreement in the form of an exchange of letters amending certain zero-duty tariff quotas opened by the United Kingdom for 1983 in accordance with Protocol No 1 of the Agreement between the European Economic Community and the Republic of Finland (submitted to the Council by the Commission)

text:
ARCHIVES HISTORIQUES
DE LA COMMISSION
COLLECTION RELIEE DES
DOCUMENTS "COM"
COM (83) 248
Vol. 1983/0103
 ---pagebreak--- Disclaimer
Conformément au règlement (CEE, Euratom) n° 354/83 du Conseil du 1er février 1983
concernant l'ouverture au public des archives historiques de la Communauté économique
européenne et de la Communauté européenne de l'énergie atomique (JO L 43 du 15.2.1983,
p. 1), tel que modifié par le règlement (CE, Euratom) n° 1700/2003 du 22 septembre 2003
(JO L 243 du 27.9.2003, p. 1), ce dossier est ouvert au public. Le cas échéant, les documents
classifiés présents dans ce dossier ont été déclassifiés conformément à l'article 5 dudit
règlement.
In accordance with Council Regulation (EEC, Euratom) No 354/83 of 1 February 1983
concerning the opening to the public of the historical archives of the European Economic
Community and the European Atomic Energy Community (OJ L 43, 15.2.1983, p. 1), as
amended by Regulation (EC, Euratom) No 1700/2003 of 22 September 2003 (OJ L 243,
27.9.2003, p. 1), this file is open to the public. Where necessary, classified documents in this
file have been declassified in conformity with Article 5 of the aforementioned regulation.
In Übereinstimmung mit der Verordnung (EWG, Euratom) Nr. 354/83 des Rates vom 1.
Februar 1983 über die Freigabe der historischen Archive der Europäischen
Wirtschaftsgemeinschaft und der Europäischen Atomgemeinschaft (ABI. L 43 vom 15.2.1983,
S. 1), geändert durch die Verordnung (EG, Euratom) Nr. 1700/2003 vom 22. September 2003
(ABI. L 243 vom 27.9.2003, S. 1), ist diese Datei der Öffentlichkeit zugänglich. Soweit
erforderlich, wurden die Verschlusssachen in dieser Datei in Übereinstimmung mit Artikel 5
der genannten Verordnung freigegeben.
 ---pagebreak--- COMMISSION OF THE E U R O P E A N COMMUNITIES
                                                                                COM(83) 248          final
                                                                                B r u s s e l s , 5 May 1983
                                             Recommendation           for a
                                                 COUNCIL DECISION
    a u t h o r i z i n g t h e Commission t o n e g o t i a t e o n b e h a l f o f t h e Community
           an a g r e e m e n t  i n the form of a n exchange of l e t t e r s                      amending
          certain         zero-duty t a r i f f quotas opened b yt h e United                         Kingdom
                      for   1983   i n a c c o r d a n c e w i t h P r o t o c o l No 1 o f t h e
                      Agreement between t h e European Economic                             Community
                                      and t h e R e p u b l i c o f F i n l a n d
                          (submitted to the Council by the                         Commission)
 COM(83) 248            final
 ---pagebreak---                                            Explanatory Memorandum
1. As for the Last four years the United Kingdom has requested that the
   1983 zero-duty t a r i f f quota for coated p r i n t i n g and w r i t i n g paper,
   including Light weight coated mechanical paper weighing less than
   65 gms/m 2 (LWC), provided for i n Protocol No 1 of the Free Trade Agree
   ment between the European Economic Community (EEC) and Finland be i n
   creased.
2. The reasons for t h i s request are the f o l l o w i n g :
   - Since the conclusion of the Agreement i n 1973 the demand structure
       for paper products imported from Finland has changed considerably.
   - The demand f o r l i g h t weight coated paper has increased sharply since
       1973, i n p a r t i c u l a r for a special type of t h i s paper supplied by
       Finland.
   - There i s no production of t h i s type of paper in the United Kingdom
       and although the rest of the Community has been able to supply an
       increasing proportion of U.K.                demand, much of the l a t t e r has still
       to be met by supplies from Finland. P o l i t i c a l l y and economically i t
       would not be desirable to impose customs duties - even very minor
       ones - on t h i s t r a d i t i o n a l commerce during the last year of t r a n s i t i o n
       towards f u l l free trade.
3. The increase i n the quotas for coated p r i n t i n g and w r i t i n g paper would be
   for 1983 and would be accomplished through a temporary transfer of
   7.571       tons from the u n d e r u t i l i z e d quota for ex 48.01 C I I (kraft paper
   for     large capacity sacks) to the quota ex 48.07 D (coated p r i n t i n g and
   w r i t i n g paper).
4. Therefore, the Commission presents to the Council the attached recommen
   dation for a Council Decision authorizing the Commission to negotiate on
   behalf of the Community an agreement i n the form of an exchange of l e t t e r s
   amending certain zero-duty t a r i f f quotas opened by the United Kingdom for
   1983      i n accordance with Protocol No 1 of the Agreement between the
   European Economic Community and the Republic of Finland.
 ---pagebreak---                                    RBCCKNEimATION FOR A
                                       COUNCIL DECISION
 authorising the Commission to negotiate on "behalf of the Community an
agreement i n the form of an exchange of letters amending certain zero-
duty t a r i f f (footas opened by the United Kingdom for 1933 in accordance-- ^
 with Protocol No 1 of the Agreement between the Europe n Economic Community
                             and the Republic of Finland                                                   />>·...:;·'··.··
                                                                                v
THE COUWCIL OF SHE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES                                                                ^?'v:"-.'- - -;:.?·/'···
Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Economic Coarounity,
and in particular Article 113 thereof}                                                                                . .. ·.
Having regard to the Agreement signed in Brussels on 5 October 1973 between
the European Economic Community'and the Republic of Finland ( l )
Having regard to the recommendation from the Commission}
Whereas certain zero-duty t a r i f f quotas opened by the United Kingdom for
 1 9 8 3 i n a c c o r d a n c e w i t h P r o t o c o l No 1 o f t h e a f o r e m e n t i o n e d A g r e e m e n t s h o u l d b e
amended,
HAS DECIDED AS FOLLOWSt
                                        Sole, Article
The Commission is hereby authorized to negotiate on behalf of the Community
an agreement in the form of an exchange of letters amending certain zero-duty
t a r i f f quotas opened by the United Kingdom for 198 3 i n accordance with Proto
 c o l No 1 o f t h e A g r e e m e n t b e t w e e n t h e E u r o p e a n E c o n o m i c C o m m u n i t y a n d t h e
Republio of Finland.
( l ) OJ No L 328, 28.11.1973, p.2
 ---pagebreak---                                  - 2 -
The Commission, assisted by representatives of the Member States, s h a l l
conduct the negotiations i n accordance with the annexed d i r e c t i v e s .
                                        Done at Brussels,
                                             For the Counoil
                                              The President
 ---pagebreak---                                                                                Annex
                   D i r e c t i v e s f o r n e g o t i a t i o n from the              Council     to the        Commission
  According         to Protocol             No    1 of the          Agreement between the                 European         Economic
  Community and             the      Republic         of    Finland signed              in Brussels         on    5 O c t o b e r 1973  (1)
 the      United      Kingdom has             s i n c e 1 J a n u a r y 1974          opened zero-duty             tariff        quotas
 for coated           p r i n t i n g and       w r i t i n g paper       ( e x 4 8 . 0 7 D)     as w e l l as      f o r k r a f t paper
 for      large capacity              sacks       Cex     48.01       C I I ) . The      permissible         maxima f o r         these
 q u o t a s w e r e f i x e d on        the b a s i s of s t a t i s t i c s          f o r the p e r i o d      1968-1971.
 Since      1974     t h e demand f o r l i g h t w e i g h t c o a t e d                paper     (LWC)     has     increased
significantly              i n p a r t i c u l a r f o r a s p e c i a l type of t h i s paper                     supplied
by      Finland.
T h u s an      increase          i n the      quota f o r coated              p r i n t i n g and   w r i t i n g paper
 ( e x 4 8 . 0 7 D)      f o r 1983        should        be    accomplished through a temporary                           trans
f e r o f 7 571          t from the            u n d e r u t i l i z e d quota f o r k r a f t paper f o r              large
capacity         sacks       (ex 48.01           C I I ) to the          former        quota.
( 1 ) OJ     No   L 328,        2 8 . 1 1 . 1 9 7 3 , p.       2
 ---pagebreak---                                    Financial sheet
The inoreaae by 7,571             t of the duty-free quota would mean a reduction
of     98.600       E C U i n Customs duties levied on light weight coated paper.
It i s unlikely that the revenue from duties levied on kraft paper w o u l d
increase "because of the quota reduction, since these .quotas were n o t
f u l l y u t i l i z e d i n the past.


title: RECOMMENDATION FOR A COUNCIL DECISION concluding the agreement in the form of an exchange of letters extending the Trade Agreement between the European Economic Community and the Argentina Republic (submitted to the Council by the Commission)

text:
ARCHIVES HISTORIQUES
DE LA COMMISSION
COLLECTION RELIEE DES
DOCUMENTS "COM"
COM (77) 551
Vol. 1977/0181
 ---pagebreak--- Disclaimer
Conformément au règlement (CEE, Euratom) n° 354/83 du Conseil du 1er février 1983
concernant l'ouverture au public des archives historiques de la Communauté économique
européenne et de la Communauté européenne de l'énergie atomique (JO L 43 du 15.2.1983,
p. 1), tel que modifié par le règlement (CE, Euratom) n° 1700/2003 du 22 septembre 2003
(JO L 243 du 27.9.2003, p. 1), ce dossier est ouvert au public. Le cas échéant, les documents
classifiés présents dans ce dossier ont été déclassifiés conformément à l'article 5 dudit
règlement.
In accordance with Council Regulation (EEC, Euratom) No 354/83 of 1 February 1983
concerning the opening to the public of the historical archives of the European Economic
Community and the European Atomic Energy Community (OJ L 43, 15.2.1983, p. 1), as
amended by Regulation (EC, Euratom) No 1700/2003 of 22 September 2003 (OJ L 243,
27.9.2003, p. 1), this file is open to the public. Where necessary, classified documents in this
file have been declassified in conformity with Article 5 of the aforementioned regulation.
In Übereinstimmung mit der Verordnung (EWG, Euratom) Nr. 354/83 des Rates vom 1.
Februar 1983 über die Freigabe der historischen Archive der Europäischen
Wirtschaftsgemeinschaft und der Europäischen Atomgemeinschaft (ABI. L 43 vom 15.2.1983,
S. 1), geändert durch die Verordnung (EG, Euratom) Nr. 1700/2003 vom 22. September 2003
(ABI. L 243 vom 27.9.2003, S. 1), ist diese Datei der Öffentlichkeit zugänglich. Soweit
erforderlich, wurden die Verschlusssachen in dieser Datei in Übereinstimmung mit Artikel 5
der genannten Verordnung freigegeben.
 ---pagebreak---     COMMISSION OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES
                                                      COM(77)551 final.
                                                      Brussels , 7 November 1977
                     RECOMMENDATION FOR A COUNCIL DECISION
       concluding -the agreement in the lore of an exchange of letters
extending the Trade Agreement T >          European Economic Community and "the
                ( submitted to the Council "by the Commission)
 ---pagebreak---                        EXPLAN /lTORY MliWORANDUM
                              i  ■■   >
            The Trade Agreement between the European Eoonomio Community
  and the Argentine Republic concluded on 8 November 1971 for & period of
   three years entered into foroe pn 1 January 1972 and expires on 31 December
1977 after three extensions for a period of one year as provided for in
  article 9 ( 2 ) of the Agreement .
            The Argentine Mission to the     European Communities has made known
  verbally to the Commiasion'is services that the Argentina Government oonsiders
  it advisable to renew the agreement again .
            Considering that the Trade Agreement of 8 November 1971 should
  again be extended for one year,
            the Commission recommends that the Counoil I
  • adopts the draft Decision annexed hereto conoluding an agreement , in the
     form of an exchange of letterqi , extending the Trade Agreement between 'the
     European Eoononio Community aq,d the Argentine Republio for & period of one
     year .
 ---pagebreak---              Recommendation for a Council DECISION
concluding the Agreement in the form of an exchange of letters extending
the Trade Agreement "between the European Economic Community and the
Argentine Republic
THE COUNCIL OP THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES ,
Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Economic
Community , and in particular Article 113 thereof ,
Having regard to the Recommendation from the Commission ,
Whereas the Trade Agreement "between the European Economic Community
                            1
and the Argentine Republic should "be extended for one year as provided
for in Article 9 (2 ) thereof ,
HAS DECIDED l
                            Article 1
             The Agreement in the form of an exchange of letters "between
the European Economio Community and the Argentine Republic extending the
Trade Agreement signed in Brussels on 8 November 1971 is hereby concluded
on "behalf of the European Economic Community*  The text of the exchange of
letters is annexed to this Decision.
                            Article 2
             The President of the Council is hereby authorized to designate
the persons empowered to sign the Agreement and to confer on them the'
powers required in order to bind the Community.
    Done at Brussels ,                         For the Council
                                               The President
 OJ No L 249 . 10.11.1971 , p. 19
 ---pagebreak---                               AGHEEICT1
        d THE FOHIi OP ANr EXCKA1<C3 OP LETTERS
      EXTEJTDING TH3 TRADE AGHSEI-ZI^T BETKEESf THB
             EUROPEAN ECOirOI-IIC pOMOJNITY
              m TEE ARGENTINE REPUBLIC
             »i liimmuiiwiwii  j–– m–   mm» mwww»w*
A. Letter to the Argentine aathj^yltl^ga.
Sir »
                   With reference to Article 9 ( 2 ) of the Trado Agreor.ent
between the European Economip Community and the Argentine Repuolio
eiffied in Brussels on 8 Jfovepbar 19U , I have -the honour to inform you
that the European Economic Comr.ur.ity agrees to the extension of tho
above Agreement for a period of on© year froo 1 January 1978.
                   ?i®ase &oc®pt sSife i&® . ftssuurano® of ny highest oonsider&tion,
                                                    For the Council of the
                                                    European Communities
 ---pagebreak--- B,    Letter to the President of the Coimcil of the European Communities
Sir .
            In your letter of                you informed, me as follows :
            " With reference to Article 9 (2 ) of the Trade Agreement
""between the European Ecoriomio Community and the Argentine Republic
" signed in Brussels on 8 November 1971 » I have the honour to inform you
" that the European Economic Community agrees to the extension of the
"above Agreement for a period of one year from 1 January 1978 ."
            I have the honour to inform you , on behalf of the Government
of the Argentine Republic , that lay Government also agrees to the extension
of the above Agreement for & period of one year from 1 January 1 978-
            Please accept , Sifro the assuranoe of ny highest consideration .