25. 11. 97 Official Journal of the European Communities L 322/1 (Acts whose publication is obligatory) COUNCIL REGULATION (EC) No 2320/97 of 17 November 1997 imposing definitive anti-dumping duties on imports of certain seamless pipes and tubes of iron or non-alloy steel originating in Hungary, Poland, Russia, the Czech Republic, Romania and the Slovak Republic, repealing Regulation (EEC) No 1189/93 and terminating the proceeding in respect of such imports originating in the Republic of Croatia THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION, Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Community, Having regard to Council Regulation (EC) No 384/96 of 22 December 1995 on protection against dumped imports from countries not members of the European Com- munity ('), and in particular Article 9 (4) thereof, Having regard to the proposal submitted by the Commis- sion after consulting the Advisory Committee, Whereas: A. PROCEDURE (1) By Regulation (EEC) No 1189/93 (3), the Council imposed definitive anti-dumping duties on imports of certain seamless pipes and tubes, of iron or non-alloy steel, originating in Hungary, Poland and the Republic of Croatia. The rate of the duty was 21,7 % for Hungary, 10,8 % for Poland and 17,4 % for the Republic of Croatia. In addition, the Commission accepted undertakings (}) offered by the Hungarian, Polish and Croatian exporters. (2 On 31 August 1996, the Commission announced, by a notice published in the Official Journal of the European Communities (*), the initiation of an interim review of Regulation (EEC) No 1189/93 in respect of imports of certain seamless pipes and tubes of iron or non-alloy steel originating in Hungary, Poland and the Republic of Croatia and (") OJ L 56, 6. 3. 1996, p. 1. Regulation as amended by Regula- tion (EC) No 2331/96 (OJ L 317, 6. 12. 1996, p. 1) @ OJ L 120, 15. 5. 1993, p. 34. () OJ L 120, 15. 5. 1993, p. 42. () OJ C 253, 31. 8. 1996, p. 25. ( ( K ( 3) 4) 6) () OJ ) OJ commenced an investigation pursuant to Article 11 (3) of Regulation (EC) No 384/96 (hereinafter referred to as ‘the basic Regulation’). This interim review investigation was initiated in parallel with an investigation opened on the same date (°) in respect of such imports originating in Russia, the Czech Republic, Romania and the Slovak Republic following a complaint lodged by the Defence Committee of the Seamless Steel Tube Industry of the European Union. By Regulation (EC) No 981/97 (% (hereinafter referred to as the ‘provisional Regulation’), the Commission imposed a provisional anti-dumping duty on imports into the Community of the product in question originating in Russia, the Czech Republic, Romania and the Slovak Republic. Following the imposition of the provisional anti- dumping measures, certain interested parties submitted comments in writing. Those parties who so requested were granted an opportunity to be heard by the Commission. The Commission continued to seek and verify all information deemed necessary for its definitive findings. On 22 May 1997, the Association Councils estab- lished under the Agreements between the Euro- pean Communities and their Member States, of the one part, and the Czech Republic, Romanian and the Slovak Republic, respectively, of the other part, were informed by letter of the Commission’s inten- tion to impose provisional measures. C 253, 31. 8. 1996, p. 26. L 141, 31. 5. 1997, p. 36.