title: RECOMMENDATION FOR A COUNCIL DECISION concluding three Agreements between the European Economic Community and respectively the KINGDOM OF LAOS and the REPUBLIC OF SRI LANKA on trade in fabrics of silk or of waste silk other than noil or of cotton woven on handlooms, on the one hand and with the KINGDOM OF LAOS on trade in hand-made products (handicrafts), on the other hand (submitted to the Council by the Commission)

text:
ARCHIVES HISTORIQUES
DE LA COMMISSION
COLLECTION RELIEE DES
DOCUMENTS "COM"
COM (75) 24
Vol. 1975/0011
 ---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
                                    C(75 ) 24 final
                                    Brus s els , 30 January 1975
                RECOMMENDATION FOR A COUNCIL DECISION
             «                                                   ; ■.
                 concluding three Agreements between
                   the European Economic Community
                           and respectively
         the KINGDOM OP LAOS and the REPUBLIC OF SRI LAMA
            on trade in fabrics of silk or of waste silk
                           other than noil
                   or of cotton woven on handlooms ,             f
                            on the one hand
                    and with the KINGDOM OF LAOS          .
           on trade in hand-made products ( handicrafts ),
                           on the other hand
            ( submitted to the Council by the Commission )
  C(75 ) 24 final
 ---pagebreak---                             EXPLANATORY MEMORANDUM
1.     Two decisions were adopted by the Council at its sessions of
13 and 15 May 197^, authorizing the Commission to open negotiations
with the Kingdom of Laos and the Republic of Sri Lanka with a view to
concluding with these countries :
       - two agreements on trade in fabrics of silk or of waste silk
           tother than noil and in woven fabrics of cotton , woven on
           handlooms , ( Laos and Sri Lanka ), and
       - an agreement on trade in hand-made products ( handicrafts ).
           ( Laos only )                                              ,
       These agreements should specify the arrangements for permitting
duty-free imports from the Kingdom of Laos and the Republic of Sri Lanka
under the Community 's annual tariff quotas for these two categories of'
product ; the terms should be similar to those in the agreements con
cluded by the Community with other third countries .
2. ,   At a meeting for the purposes of negotiation with representatives
of the governments of Laos and Sri Lanka , the Community specified the
said arrangements and terms under which the tariff quotas , of general
application , opened autonomously by the Community , for the products in
question , could be extended to Laos and Sri . Lanka . Laos and Sri Lanka
have given full guarantees as to fulfilment by the respective , authorities
of these countries of the requirements , in particular those relating
to the certificate of manufacture certifying that the fabrics in question
were woven on handlooms respectively in Laos and Sri Lanka and that
the products in question were hand-made in Laos .         \
       The Commission thus recommends the Council to adopt the following
decision :    / •                                                 '
 ---pagebreak---                  RECOMMENDATION FÓR A , CÒJJNCIL DECISION
                  concluding three Agreements between
                    the European Economic Community
                             and respectively
           the KINGDOM OF LAOS and the SSPUBLIC OF SRI LANKA
              on trade in fabrics of silk or of waste silk
                             other than noil
                    or of cotton woven on handlooms ,
                            • on the one hand
                     and with the KINGDOM OF LAOS
             on trade in hand-made products ( handicrafts ),
                             on the other hand
THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES ,
Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Economic Community ,
and in particular Article 113 therof ,
Having regard to the Recommendation of the Commission ,
Whereas the respective Governments of Laos and Sri Lanka have asked for
the extension to Laos and Sri Lanka of the Community duty-free tariff
                                                          ■>    > «■
quotas , opened by the Community for imports of fabrics of silk or of
waste silk other than noil or of cotton , woven on handlooms , and for im
ports of hand-made products ( handicrafts )*
Whereas during the negotiations between the European Economic Community
and respectively the Kingdom of Laos and the Republic of Sri Lanka three
draft Agreements were drawn up in the form of an exchange of letters and
these drafts were acceptable to the Community ,
HAS DECIDED AS FOLLOWS :
                                Article 1
                                        ι
     The three Agreements , in the form of an exchange of letters with
respectively the Kingdom of Laos and the Republic of Sri Lanka , the texts
of which are annexed to this Decision , on trade in fabrics of silk or of
waste silk other than noil and in woven fabrics of cotton , woven on hand-
looms on the one hand , ( Annex I ) (Laos and Sri Lanka ) ,
 ---pagebreak--- and with the Kingdom of Laos on trade in hand-made products ( handi
crafts ) ( Annex II ) one the other hand , are hereby noncluded on behalf
of the Community .
                                Article 2
     The President of the Council is hereby authorized to designate
the person empowered to sign the said Agreements and to confer on him
the power required in order to bind* the Community .
Done at Brussels ,                              For the Council
                                                The President
 ---pagebreak---               EXCHANGES OF LETTERS
     between the EUROPEAN ECONOMIC COMMUNITY
                and respectively
the KINGDOM OF LAOS and the REPUBLIC OF SRI LANKA
  on trade in fabrics of silk or of waste silk
                other than noil
  and in fabrics of cotton , woven on handlooras
 ---pagebreak--- A. Letter from the Community Delegation
     Sir ,
           I have the honour to refer to the letter of J January ,197^ from
     the Foreign Affairs Minister of the Kingdom of Laos , wherein your
     Government asks to participate in the Community duty-free tariff quotas ,
     of general application , opened autonomously by the Community for fabrics
     of silk or of waste silk other than noil and for cotton fabrics , woven
     on handlooms , each for a value of 2 million Units of account .
           In view of the results of the negotiations and after examination
     of your application , I have the honour - to inform you that the European
     Economic Community is ready to extend to the Kingdom of Laos the tariff
     quotas for fabrics of silk or of waste silk other tahn noil and for
     fabrics of cotton , woven on handlooms .
           I should like to draw your attention to the fact that importation
     under theso quotas is subject to . production, of . a certificate of manu
     facture , recognized by the Community customs authorities and issued
     by the relevant authorities in Laos ., certifying that - the fabrics in
     question were woven on handlooms in Laos .           •" •
           This certificate -will be prepared by agreement between the relevant
     departments of your Government and of the Commission ,of the European
     Communities .                                             " '    . i-
           The beginning sind end of 'each "certificate will bear a stamp ap
     proved by the Community customs authorities .              '   '        '
   /
           I should be grateful if you woiild kindly confirm your Government 's
     agreement to the contents of this letter .
           Please accept , Sir , the assurance of my highest consideration
 ---pagebreak--- B. Letter from the Laos Delegation
    Sir .
              1 have the honour to acknowledge receipt of your letter of
    worded as - follows :                           '
                      "I have the honour to refer to the letter of 3 January 1972*
              from the Foreign Affaires Minister of the Kingdom of Laos , wherein
              your Government asks to participate in the Community duty-free
    <   > tariff quotas , of general application , opened autonomously by the
              Community for fabrics of silk or of waste silk other than noil
              and for cotton fabrics , woven on handlooms , each for a value of
              2 million units of account .
                         In view of the results of the negotiations and after exami
              nation «f your application , I have the honour to inform you that
  ,           the European Economic Community is r,eady to extend to the Kingdom
              of Laos the tariff quotas for fabrics of silk or of waste silk
              other than noil and for fabrics of cotton , woven on handlooms *
                         I should like to draw your attention to the fact that impor
              tation under these quotas is subject to production of a certificate
          . of manufacture , recognized by the Community customs authorities
              and issued by the relevant authorities in Laos , certifying that
            • the fabrics in question were woven on handlooms in Laos .
                         This certificate will be prepared by agreement between the
              relevant departments of your Government and of the Commission of
              the European Communities . = "
                         The beginning and end of each certificate will bear a stamp
              approved by the Community customs authorities . /.
      "        '' '■ 1 " I- should be grateful if you would kindly confirm your Govern
              ment 's agreement to the contents of this letter ."
              I have the , honour to. confirm to , you my Government 's agreement to
    the foregoing .
              Plpase . accept , Sir , the assurance of my highest consideration .
 ---pagebreak--- C. Letter from the Community Delegation
   Sir ,
         I have the honour to refer to the letter of 6 February 197^ from
   the Mission of the Republic of Sri Lanka to the European Communities ,
   wherein your Government asks to participate in the Community duty-free
   tariff quotas , of general application , opened autonomously by the
   Community for fabrics of silk or of waste silk other than noil and for
   cotton fabrics , woven on handlooms , each for a value of 2 million units
   of account .
         In view of the results of the negotiations and after examination
   of your application , I have the honour to inform you that the European
   Economic Community is ready to extend to the Bepublic of Sri Lanka
   the tariff quotas for fabrics of silk or of waste silk other than noil
 ' and for fabrics of cotton , woven on handlooms .
         I ;, 4iould like to draw your attention to the fact that importation
   under tfeese quotas is subject to production of a certificate of manu
   facture , recognized by the Community customs authorities and issued
   by the relevant authorities in Sri Lanka , certifying that the fabrics
   in question were woven on handlooms in Sri Lanka .
         This certificate will be prepared by agreement between the relevant
   departments of your Government and of the Commission of the European
   Communities .
         The beginning and end of each certificate will bear -a stamp ap
   proved by the Community customs authorities .
         I should be grateful if you would kindly confirm your Government 's
   agreement to the contents of this letter .
         Please accept , Sir , the assurance of my highest consideration
 ---pagebreak--- Letter from the Sri Lanka Delegation
Sir ,
      I have the honour to acknowledge receipt of your letter or
worded as follows :
           "I have the honour to refer to the letter of 6 February 1974-
      from , the Mission of the Hepublik of Sri Lanka to the European
      Communities , wherein yarr Government asks to participate in the
      Community duty-free ta,:ri ff quotas , of general application , opened
      autonomously by the Conrua't/ for fabrics of silk or of waste silk
      other , than noil and tcr cotton fabrics , woven on handlooms , each
      for a value of 2 million u:\its of account .
             In view of the results of the   negotiations and after exami
      nation of your spplice^-i o i,v I have the honour to inform you that
      the European Eccnor.i'c Cceirrity is   ready to extend to the Republic
      of Sri Lanka the ta.v5.if qiotae. for  fabrics of silk or of waste silk
      other than noil and for ia '-ii.es of  cotton , woven on handlooms .
             I should like to d'raw yov.r attention to the fact that impor
      tation UAder these que tag i- ts subject to production of a certificate
      of manufacture , recc^riieci l-r the Community customs authorities
      and iscued by the rele.rar ^ e'reharities in Sri Lan'sa , certifying
      that the fabrics in q^st.iou vere woven on handlooms in Sri Lanka .
             This certificate w'.I I be prepared by agreement between the
      relevant departmevits of j oai Government and of the Commission of
      the European Communiti^-ja
             The beginning and en 2, of each certificate will bear a stamp
      approved by the Community customs authorities .
             I should be grateful if you would kindly confirm your Govern
      ment 's agreement to the contents of this letter ."
      I have the honour to confirm to you my Government 's agreement to
the foregoing .
      Please accept , Sir , "the assurance of my highest consideration .
 ---pagebreak---           EXCHANGE OF LETTERS
between the EUROPEAN ECONOMIC COMMUNITY
        and the KINGDOM OF LAOS
trade in hand-made products ( handicrafte )
 ---pagebreak---        A. Letter from the Community Delegation
-          Sir ,                                                         ■
 i
 f               I have the honour to refer to the note verbale of 3 January 197 ^
C»
   a       from the Foreign Affaire Minister of the Kingdom of Laos to the European
           Communities , wherein your Government asks to participate in the Community
           duty-free tariff quota , of general application , opened autonomously by
           the Community for certain hand-made products ( handicrafts ) for a value
           of ten million units of account .
                 After examination of your application and in the light of points
           that arose during the negotiations , I have the honour to inform you that
                                                                     ι
           the European Economic Community is ready to extend this tariff quota to
           the Kingdom of Laos for products on the list annexed hereto :
                 it being understood that the maximum value for any one tariff
                 heading shall not exceed one million units of account , and
                 that the setting off of amounts against this Community tariff
                 quota is subject to technical conditions to be determined by
                 the relevant authoriteis of the European Economic Community .
                 Regarding these conditions I should like to draw your attention to
         . the fact that duty-free importation is subject to production to the
           Community customs authorities of a certificate , recognized by those
           authorities and issued by the relevant authorities in Laos certifying
 '         that the goods in question were hand-made in Laos « This certificate ,
           however , will in no way bind the Community authorities .
                 The certificate will be prepared by agreement between the relevant--- -
           departments of your . Government and of the Commission of the European
     ^     Communities. ^
                 The above-mentioned tariff quota opened by the European Economic
           Community shall be broken down and administered according, tp the rules
           in effect to the Community .
                 I shouid' be grateful if . you would confirm to me your Government 's
           agreement to the contents of this letter .                       -
                 Please accept , Sir , the assurance of my highest consideration .
 ---pagebreak--- Letter from the Laos Delegation
Sir .                                         • v
        I have the honour to acknowledge receipt of your letter . of .
worded as follows :               •   :
              "I have the honour to refer to the note verbale of 3 January 197^
        from the Foreign Affairs Minister of the Kingdom of Laos to the
        European Communities , wherein your Government asks to participate
        in the Community duty-fr^e quota , of general application , opened
        autonomously by the - Community for certain hand-made products ( handi
        crafts ) for a value of ^ten million units of account .
               After examination of your application and in the light of
        points that arose during the negotiations , I have the honour to
        inform you that tfce Europ&aa Economic Community is ready to extend
        this tariff quota to the Kingdom of Laos for products on the list
        annexed hereto ;
               it being understood that the maximum value for any one tariff
               heading shall not exceed one million units of account , and
               that the setting off of amounts against this Community tariff
               quota is subject to technical conditions to be determined by
               the relevant authorities of the European Economic Community .
               Regarding these conditions I should like to draw your attention
        to . the fact that du'ty-freo importation is subject to production
        to the Community cuotcus authorities of a certificate , recognized
        by those authorities a-id issued by the relevant authorities in Laos
  , . . certifying that the goads in question were hand-made in Laos . This
        certificate , however , will in no v~ty bind the Community authorities .
               The certificate will be prepared by agreement between the
        relevant departments of your Government and of the Commission of - -
        the European Communities .
               The above-mentioned tariff quota opened by the European Eootujoiev
        Community shall be broken devn and administered according to the
        rules in effect to the Community .                                   –"■*
               I should be grateful if you would confirm to me your Goveriw..^^–
        ment 's agreement to the contents of this letter ."
        I have the honour1 to confirm to you my Government 's agreement to
 the foregoing .                 ' '                '
        Please accept , Sir , the assurance of my highest consideration .