30.11.2001 Official Journal of the European Communities L 314/1 (Acts whose publication is not obligatory) COUNCIL COUNCIL DECISION of 27 November 2001 on the association of the overseas countries and territories with the European Community (‘Overseas Association Decision’) (2001/822/EC) THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION, Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Community, hereinafter referred to as the Treaty, and in partic- ular Article 187 thereof, Having regard to the proposal from the Commission, Whereas: 1) Council Decision 91/482[EEC of 25 July 1991 on the association of the overseas countries and territories with the European Economic Community (!), was applicable until 1 December 2001. Article 240(4) thereof states that the Council, acting unanimously on a proposal from the Commission, shall establish the provisions to be laid down for the subsequent application of the prin- ciples set out in Articles 182 to 186 of the Treaty. Declaration No 36 on the overseas countries and terri- tories, hereinafter referred to as the ‘OCTs’, annexed to the final act of the Conference of the Representatives of the Governments of the Member States signed in Amsterdam in 1997, invites the Council, acting in accordance with Article 187 of the Treaty, to review the association arrangements with the OCTs with a fourfold objective as follows: — promoting the economic and social development of the OCTs more effectively; — developing economic relations between the OCTs and the European Union; — taking greater account of the diversity and specific characteristics of the individual OCTs, including aspects relating to freedom of establishment; — and ensuring that the effectiveness of the financial instrument is improved. (') OJ L 263, 19.9.1991, p. 1. Decision as last amended and extended by Decision 2001/161/EC (O] L 58, 28.2.2001, p. 21). () On 11 February 1999 the European Parliament adopted a resolution on relations between the OCTs, the ACP States and the outermost regions of the European Union (?). Furthermore, on 4 October 2001, it adopted a resolution on the proposal from the Commission for a Council Decision on the association of the OCTs with the European Community (°). In its communication of 20 May 1999 entitled ‘the Status of OCTs associated with the EC and options for “OCT 20007, the Commission examined the features and the development of the OCT-EC association since 1957, noted the basic principles and the current situa- tion of the association and sketched out alternative poli- cies for it for the period beginning 1 March 2000. In accordance with Article 10 of Decision 91/482/EEC, the competent OCT authorities informed the Commis- sion of the amendments or additions they desired in future, notably at a meeting held in the context of the partnership on 29 and 30 April 1999, attended by the Commission, the four Member States to which the OCTs are linked and the 20 OCTs concerned. Though not third countries, the OCTs do not form part of the single market and must comply with the obliga- tions imposed on third countries in respect of trade, notably rules of origin, health and plant health standards and safeguard measures. As a general rule, when the Council adopts measures under Article 187 of the Treaty, it must take account both of the principles laid down in Part Four of the Treaty and of the other principles of Community law. It should also take account of experience acquired in the implementation of the trade arrangements of Decision 91/482[EEC. (» PE 228.210, 1.12.1998. (’) Not yet published C5-0070 - 2001/2033 (COS).