5. 12. %6 Official Journal of the European Communities No L 316/1 (Acts whose publication is obligatory) COUNCIL REGULATION (EC) No 2320/96 of 28 November 1996 continuing a special system of assistance to traditional ACP suppliers of bananas established by Regulation (EC) No 2686/94 THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION, Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Community, and in particular Article 130w thereof, Having regard to the proposal from the Commission ('), Having regard to the opinion of the Economic and Social Committee (%), Acting in accordance with the procedure laid down in Article 189c of the Treaty (?), Whereas Protocol 5 on bananas to the fourth ACP-EC Convention provides that, in respect of its banana exports to the Community markets, no ACP State shall be placed, as regards access to its traditional markets and its advant- ages on those markets, in a less favourable situation than in the past or at present; Whereas national market organizations have hitherto granted traditional ACP suppliers of bananas an outlet for their production on their tradtional markets and enabled them to obtain from these markets and adequate income; Whereas the common organization of the market in bananas established by Regulation (EEC) No 404/93 () set the framework for continuing, on the Community market, the advantages enjoyed by traditional ACP suppliers, in accordance with the Community’s commitment set out above; Whereas risks exist nevertheless that the introduction of a new market organization and the need to adapt to it could jeopardize the continuing viability of ACP supplies; (') OJ No C 92, 28. 3. 1996, p. 16. (® OJ No C 37, 15. 7. 1996, p. 37. (*) Opinion of the European Parliament of 21 June 1996 (O] No C 198, 8. 7. 1996, p. 260), Council common position of 23 Ju- ly 1996 (OJ No C 333, 7. 11. 1996, p. 1) and European Parli- ament Decision of 13 November 1996 (O] No C 362, 2. 12. 1996). ) OJ I\)Io L 47, 25. 2. 1993, p. 1. Regulation as last amended by Regulation (EC) No 3290/94 (O] No L 349, 31. 12. 1994, p. 105). Whereas particular efforts will be needed to adapt to the new market conditions in order to take advantage of the opportunities offered; Whereas the structure and the nature of the new market and the marketing efforts necessary to maintain a presence on this market represent new elements some of which either the traditional ACP suppliers not the oper- ators handling this procedure could reasonably foresee; Whereas technical and financial assistance, additional to that provided for in the fourth ACP-EC Convention, should therefore be provided to carry out programmes designed to assist producers to adapt to new market conditions and in particular to improve quality, to improve marketing and to improve competitiveness; Whereas the new conditions prevailing on the market may result in temporary market disturbances, particularly in the sectors of the Community market traditionally supplied by the ACP States; Whereas such disturbances could seriously affect the income of the ACP States from the market and therefore the continued viability of the production in question; Whereas financial assistance should therefore be provided to permit the ACP States to remain on the market, until such time as the market stabilizes and a satisfactory economic return from the market can be received; Whereas income support should be complementary to transfers under the export earnings stabilization system (Stabex) triggered by the same set of circumstances; Whereas it is therefore appropriate to align calculation of income support with the calculation of Stabex transfers; Whereas Regulation (EC) No 2686/94 (%) introduced financial assistance in the form of income support; () OJ No L 286, 5. 11. 1994, p. 1.