3.4.2003 Official Journal of the European Union L 86/21 (Acts whose publication is not obligatory) COUNCIL DECISION of 17 March 2003 concerning the accession of the European Community to the Protocol of Amendment to the Inter- national Convention on the simplification and harmonisation of customs procedures (Kyoto Convention) (2003/231/EC) THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION, (5)  Contracting Parties to the revised Kyoto Convention Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Commu- nity, and in particular Article 133 in conjunction with the first sentence of the first subparagraph of Article 300(2) thereof, Having regard to the proposal from the Commission, Whereas: (1)  The Community has been a Contracting Party to the International Convention on the simplification and harmonisation of customs procedures, hereinafter referred to as ‘the Convention’, since 1974. (2) At its sessions on 26 June 1999 the Customs Coopera- tion Council adopted the Protocol of Amendment to the Convention. Appendix I to the Protocol of Amendment contains the text of the revised Preamble and of the revised articles of the Convention, Appendix II to the Protocol of Amendment contains the revised General Annex and Appendix III to the Protocol of Amendment contains the revised specific annexes. The revised Preamble and the revised articles of the Convention together with the revised General Annex and the revised specific annexes are called the revised Kyoto Convention. (3)  The implementation of the principles of the revised Kyoto Convention will yield significant and measurable results by improving the effectiveness and efficiency of customs administrations and, therefore, the economic competitiveness of nations; it will also encourage invest- ment and the development of industry and it can increase the participation of small and medium-sized enterprises in international trade. (4)  The revised Kyoto Convention is an essential element in the facilitation of trade and as such an important stimulus for economic growth for those partners which have accepted it. show commitment to the application of clear, trans- parent and up-to-date customs procedures, allowing for a more rapid customs clearance of goods through new use of information technology and new techniques for customs control such as risk assessment and audits. (6)  The Protocol of Amendment, including Appendices I and II thereto, are to enter into force three months after 40 Contracting Parties to the Convention have expressed their consent to be bound by the Protocol of Amend- ment, including Appendices I and IL (7)  Initially the European Community is to accede to the Protocol of Amendment, including Appendices I and II thereto. Accession to the revised specific annexes, contained in Appendix III to the Protocol of Amend- ment, will be decided at a later stage, HAS DECIDED AS FOLLOWS: Atrticle 1 1.  The accession of the European Community to the Protocol of Amendment to the International Convention on the simplification and harmonisation of customs procedures, with the exception of Appendix III, is hereby approved on behalf of the European Community. 2. The text of the Protocol of Amendment, including Appendices I and II, appear in Annex I to this Decision. 3. The information required under Article 8(5)(a) and the notification required under Article 11 of the revised Kyoto Convention appear in Annexes Il and IIl respectively to this Decision.