L1/26 Official Journal of the European Communities 4.1.2003 COUNCIL REGULATION (EC) No 2/2003 of 19 December 2002 amending Regulation (EC) No 2248/2001 on certain procedures for applying the Stabilisation and Association Agreement between the European Communities and their Member States, of the one part, and the Republic of Croatia, of the other part, and for applying the Interim Agreement between the European Community and the Republic of Croatia THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION, Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Commu- nity, and in particular Article 133 thereof, Having regard to the proposal from the Commission, Whereas: (1) The Council is in the process of concluding a Stabilisa- tion and Association Agreement between the European Communities and their Member States, of the one part, and the Republic of Croatia, of the other part, which was signed at Luxembourg on 29 October 2001 (herein- after referred to as ‘the Stabilisation and Association Agreement). (2)  Meanwhile on 29 October 2001 the Council concluded an Interim Agreement on trade and trade-related matters between the European Community, of the one part, and the Republic of Croatia, of the other part (') (hereinafter referred to as ‘Interim Agreement). The Interim Agree- ment entered into force on 1 March 2002 but applied provisionally from 1 January 2002. (3)  Regulation (EC) No 2248/2001 (3 lays down certain procedures for applying some provisions of these Agree- ments. It is, however, necessary to lay down procedures for applying certain additional provisions of these Agree- ments. (4)  The measures necessary for the implementation of this Regulation should be adopted in accordance with Council Decision 1999/468/EC of 28 December 1999 laying down the procedures for the exercise of imple- menting powers conferred on the Commission (%). (5)  With regard to trade defence measures, it is appropriate to lay down specific provisions concerning the general rules provided for in Council Regulation (EC) No 384/96 of 22 December 1995 on protection against dumped imports from countries not members of the European Community (*). (6)  This Regulation should continue to apply after entry into force of the Stabilisation and Association Agreement, HAS ADOPTED THIS REGULATION: Article 1 In Regulation (EC) No 2248/2001 the following Articles shall be inserted: () OJ L 330, 14.12.2001, p. 3. () OJ L 304, 21.11.2001, p. 1. () OJ L 184, 17.7.1999, p. 23. (*) OJ L 56, 6.3.1996, p. 1. Regulation as last amended by Regulation (EC) No 1972/2002 (O] L 305, 7.11.2002, p. 1). ‘Article 7a General safeguard clause and shortage clause 1. Where a Member State requests the Commission to take measures as provided for in Articles 25 and 26 of the Interim Agreement, and thereafter Articles 38 and 39 of the Stabilisation and Association Agreement, it shall provide the Commission, in support of its request, with the information needed to justify it. 2. The Commission shall be assisted by the Advisory Committee established by Article 4 of Council Regulation (EC) No 3285/94 (*) (hereinafter referred to as “the Committee”). 3. Where reference is made to this paragraph, Articles 3 and 7 of Decision 1999/468/EC shall apply. 4. The Committee shall adopt its rules of procedure. 5. Where the Commission, at the request of a Member State or on its own initiative, finds that the conditions laid down in Articles 25 and 26 of the Interim Agreement, and thereafter Articles 38 and 39 of the Stabilisation and Asso- ciation Agreement are fulfilled, it shall: — inform the Member States forthwith if acting on its own initiative or, if it is responding to a Member State's request, within five working days of the date of receipt of that request, — consult the Committee on the proposed measures, — at the same time inform Croatia and shall notify it of the opening of the consultations within the Interim Commiittee, and thereafter the Stabilisation and Associa- tion Council as provided for in Article 25(4) and Article 26(3) of the Interim Agreement, and thereafter Article 38(4) and Article 39(3) of the Stabilisation and Associa- tion Agreement, — at the same time provide the Interim Committee, and thereafter the Stabilisation and Association Council, with all the information necessary for these consulta- tions as provided for in Article 25(3) and Article 26(3) of the Interim Agreement, and thereafter Article 38(3) and Article 39(3) of the Stabilisation and Association Agreement.