24.1.2008 Official Journal of the European Union L 20/1 (Acts adopted under the EC Treaty/Euratom Treaty whose publication is obligatory) REGULATIONS COUNCIL REGULATION (EC) No 55/2008 of 21 January 2008 introducing autonomous trade preferences for the Republic of Moldova and amending Regulation (EC) No 980/2005 and Commission Decision 2005/924/EC THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION, Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Community, and in particular Article 133 thereof, Having regard to the proposal from the Commission, Whereas: The relationship between the European Union (EU) and the Republic of Moldova (hereinafter referred to as Moldova) builds on the Partnership and Cooperation Agreement (1) that entered into force on 1 July 1998. One of its main objectives is to promote trade and investment and  harmonious economic  relations between the Parties and so to foster their sustainable economic development. In the European Neighbourhood Policy Action Plan (ENP Action Plan) for Moldova, which was agreed in 2005, the EU committed itself to consider the possibility of granting Moldova additional ~Autonomous Trade Preferences (ATPs), provided that Moldova substantially improved its system of controls and certification of origin of goods. In 2006 Moldova reformed its customs legislation and a satisfactory level of implemen- tation of the new legislation was reached at the beginning of 2007. Until Romania’s accession to the EU on 1 January 2007, Moldova had a free trade regime with Romania. On the whole, the effect of the 2007 enlargement was negligible for Moldova, but it had a negative impact on a few key export products of Moldova. () O] L 181, 24.6.1998, p. 3. S Pursuant to Commission Decision 2005/924/EC (%), Moldova already benefits from the special incentive arrangement for sustainable development and good governance (the GSP+) provided for in Council Regu- lation (EC) No 980/2005 of 27 June 2005 applying a scheme of generalised tariff preferences () (GSPs). The general level of imports from Moldova is merely 0,03% of all Community imports. Further market opening is expected to support the development of Moldova’s  economy  through increased  export performance while not creating negative effects for the Community. It is therefore appropriate to extend autonomous trade preferences to Moldova by removing all remaining tariff ceilings for industrial products and by improving access to the Community market for agricultural products. In accordance with ENP Action Plan, the level of ambition of the EU-Moldova relationship will depend on the degree of Moldova’s commitment to common values as well as its capacity to implement jointly agreed priorities, including the readiness to engage in effective economic reforms. Furthermore, to benefit from the additional tariff preferences under the GSP+ regime, Moldova has fulfilled the conditions of ratifying and effectively implementing core international conventions on human and labour rights, environmental protection and good governance. To ensure Moldova maintains the level of progress it has achieved, the granting of additional autonomous trade preferences will be subject to continued implementation of, and compliance with, the priorities and conditions set in the ENP Action Plan and the GSP+. () 0] L 337, 22.12.2005, p. 50. () OJ L 169, 30.6.2005, p. 1. Regulation as amended by Commission Regulation (EC) No 606/2007 (O] L 141, 2.6.2007, p. 4).