21.2.2006 Official Journal of the European Union L 50/1 (Acts whose publication is obligatory) REGULATION (EC) No 266/2006 OF THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND OF THE COUNCIL of 15 February 2006 establishing accompanying measures for Sugar Protocol countries affected by the reform of the EU sugar regime THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION, Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Community, and in particular Article 179 thereof, Having regard to the proposal from the Commission, Acting in accordance with the procedure laid down in Article 251 of the Treaty (1), Whereas: The European Community is committed, within the framework of the Partnership Agreement between the members of the African, Caribbean and Pacific Group of States, of the one part, and the European Community and its Member States, of the other part, signed in Cotonou on 23 June 2000 () (hereinafter referred to as the ACP-EC Partnership Agreement), to supporting the ACP countries on their path to poverty reduction and to sustainable development, and recognises the importance of the commodity sectors and their related Protocols. The provisions of the common organisation of the markets in the sugar sector established by Council Regulation (EC) No 1260/2001 (*) will be revised, taking into account the legislative proposals presented by the Commission to the Council. Position of the European Parliament of 15 December 2005 (not yet published in the Official Journal) and Council Decision of 23 January 2006. OJ L 317, 15.12.2000, p. 3. Agreement as last amended by Agreement of 25 June 2005 (O] L 287, 28.10.2005, p. 4). O] L 178, 30.6.2001, p. 1. Regulation as last amended by Commission Regulation (EC) No 39/2004 (O] L 6, 10.1.2004, p- 16). G) Under the Sugar Protocol, attached to Annex V to the ACP-EC Partnership Agreement, some ACP countries rely on the EU market to export sugar. The reform will significantly alter their market conditions. The adjustment process of the Sugar Protocol countries to these new market conditions will be complex, considering the socioeconomic importance and the multifunctional role of the sugar sector and its significant degree of reliance on the EU market, for several of these States. In its Communication to the European Parliament and the Council on accomplishing a sustainable agricultural model for Europe through the reformed CAP — sugar sector reform, the Commission committed itself to supporting the adjustment process of Sugar Protocol countries, and set out the principles for its support proposals in the Staff Working Document on an Action Plan on accompanying measures for Sugar Protocol countries affected by the reform of the EU sugar regime. This Working Document was discussed with the Sugar Protocol countries. It is essential that Sugar Protocol countries receive support as quickly as possible to maximise the chances of successful adaptation to the new conditions, in full complementarity with existing assistance. It is therefore necessary to grant Sugar Protocol countries financial and technical assistance, including budget support where appropriate, additional to that provided for in the framework of the ACP-EC Partnership Agreement, to enable them to adapt to the new market conditions, offering a broad range of support to take into account heterogeneity of situations between countries and within a country. This must include upgrading the competitiveness of their sugar cane sector, developing alternative economic activities, and coping, with the help of adequate resources, with the serious broader social, environmental and economic consequences of a reduc- tion in the contribution of the sugar sector to their economies, or a combination of several of these.