L1/30 Official Journal of the European Communities 4.1.2003 COUNCIL REGULATION (EC) No 3/2003 of 19 December 2002 amending Regulation (EC) No 153/2002 on certain procedures for applying the Stabilisation and Association Agreement between the European Communities and their Member States, of the one part, and the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, of the other part, and for applying the Interim Agreement between the European Community and the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia 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 Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, of the other part, which was signed at Luxembourg on 9 April 2001 (hereinafter referred to as the ‘Stabilisation and Association Agreement’). (2)  Meanwhile on 9 April 2001 the Council concluded an Interim Agreement on trade and trade-related matters between the European Community, of the one part, and the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, of the other part ('), which provides for the early entry into force of the trade and trade-related provisions of the Stabilisation and Association Agreement (hereinafter referred to as ‘Interim Agreement). The Interim Agree- ment entered into force on 1 June 2001. (3)  Regulation (EC) No 153/2002 () 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 June 1999 laying down the procedures for the exercise of implementing 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, () OJ L 124, 4.5.2001, p. 2. () OJL 25,29.1.2002, p. 16. () 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). HAS ADOPTED THIS REGULATION: Atrticle 1 In Regulation (EC) No 153/2002 the following Articles shall be inserted: ‘Article 7a General safeguard clause and shortage clause 1. Where a Member State requests the Commission to take measures as provided for in Articles 24 and 25 of the Interim Agreement, and thereafter Articles 37 and 38 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 24 and 25 of the Interim Agreement, and thereafter Articles 37 and 38 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 the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia and shall notify it of the opening of the consultations within the Cooperation Council, and thereafter the Stabilisation and Association Committee as provided for in Article 24(4) and Article 25(3) of the Interim Agreement, and thereafter Article 37(4) and Article 38(3) of the Stabilisation and Association Agree- ment, — at the same time provide the Cooperation Council, and thereafter the Stabilisation and Association Committee with all the information necessary for these consulta- tions as provided for in Article 24(3) and Article 25(3) of the Interim Agreement, and thereafter Article 37(3) and Article 38(3) of the Stabilisation and Association Agreement.