Proposal for a COUNCIL DECISION approving the exchanges of letters between the European Community, of the one part, and Bulgaria, Hungary, Poland, the Czech Republic, the Slovak Republic, Romania, Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania, of the other part, concerning certain arrangements for live bovine animals
COMMISSION OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES Brussels, 07. 02. 1997 COM(97) 33 final 97/ 0033 (ACC) Proposal for a COUNCIL DECISION approving the exchanges of letters between the European Community, of the one the Slovak Republic, part, and Bulgaria, Hungary, Poland, the Czech Republic, Romania, Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania, of the other part, concerning certain arrangements for live bovine animals (presented by the Commission) EXPLANATORY MEMORANDUM Council Regulation (EC) No 2490/96 lays down, as an autonomous measure for 1997, certain preferential arrangements applicable to trade in agricultural products between the Community, of the one part, and the countries associated by a Europe Agreement (Poland, Hungary, the Czech Republic, the Slovak Republic, Romania and Bulgaria), of the other part. Council Regulation (EC) No 1926/96 introduces similar provisions for trade in agriculture between the Community and the three Baltic States. 2. 3. 4. 5. Both these Regulations provide for identical arrangements for trade in live bovine animals, opening two tariff quotas for the nine associated countries concerned and authorizing the Community to take action to protect its own market where forecasts indicate that, for a given year, imports into the Community might exceed 500 000 head. In essence, these arrangements are similar to those provided for by the Europe Agreements, although the measures for the management of the Community market in live bovine animals have been modified in the light of the conclusions of the Uruguay Round agricultural negotiations and the ceiling on annual imports has been increased from 425 000 to 500 000 head to take account of the accession of Austria, Finland and Sweden. Furthermore, the specific measures laid down in the Europe Agreements for trade in live bovine animals expire at the end of 1996. In view of the above, the Commission has negotiated agreements on behalf of the Community, in the form of exchanges of letters, with the nine associated countries concerned on the arrangements for live bovine animals laid down in Council Regulations (EC) No2490/96 and No 1926/96. The purpose of this proposal for a Council Decision is to approve these nine agreements in the form of an exchange of letters and, if necessary, to adopt detailed rules for their implementation. «2, Proposal for a COUNCIL DECISION of /97 approving the exchanges of letters between the European Community, of the one the Slovak Republic, part, and Bulgaria, Hungary, Poland, the Czech Republic, Romania, Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania, of the other part, concerning certain arrangements for live bovine animals THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION, Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Community, and in particular Article 113, in conjunction with the first sentence of Article 228 (2) thereof, Having regard to the proposal from the Commission, Whereas the Europe Agreements establishing an association between the European Communities and their Member States, of the one part, and Bulgaria, the Czech Republic, Hungary, Poland, Romania and the Slovak Republics, of the other part, lay down certain arrangements for trade in live bovine animals; Whereas, under the Agreement on Agriculture concluded in the framework of the Uruguay Round trade negotiations, the Community introduced full tarification of the arrangements governing imports of live bovine animals with effect from 1 July 1995; Whereas the measures laid down in Regulation (EC) No 2490/96l ( autonomous measures for 1997) providing for the adjustment, as an autonomous and transitional measure, of agricultural concessions provided for in the Europe Agreements for 1997 incorporate the new arrangements for trade in live bovine animals; Whereas the measures laid down in Regulation (EC) No 1926/962 establish in particular certain arrangements for trade in live bovine animals between the European Community, of the one part, and Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania, of the other part; Whereas, in order to maintain the equilibrium of the Community market, the Commission, acting on behalf of the Community, has negotiated exchanges of letters with Bulgaria, the OJNoL 338,28. 12. 1996, p. 13. OJNoL254, 8. 10. 1996, p. 1. Czech Republic, Hungary, Poland, Romania, the Slovak Republic, Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania concerning certain arrangements applicable to trade in live bovine animals; Whereas it is necessary to approve these exchanges of letters and to authorize the Commission to take any measures required for their implementation, HAS DECIDED AS FOLLOWS: Article 1 The exchanges of letters between the European Community and Bulgaria, the Czech Republic, Hungary, Poland, Romania, the Slovak Republic, Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania concerning certain arrangements applicable to trade in live bovine animals are hereby approved on behalf of the Community. The texts of the exchanges of letters are attached to this Decision. Article 2 If necessary, the Commission shall adopt the detailed rules for the application of the Agreement in accordance with the procedure provided for in Article 27 of Regulation (EEC) No 805/68. 3 Article 3 The President of the Council is hereby authorized to designate the person empowered to sign these exchanges of letters in order to bind the Community. Done at Brussels, For the Council The President 3 Council Regulation of 27 June 1968 (OJ No L 148, 28. 6. 1968, p. 24), as last amended by Regulation (EC) No 2222/96 (OJ No L 296) <f AGREEMENT in the form of an exchange of letters between the European Community and Bulgaria concerning certain arrangements applying to live bovine animals A. Letter from the Community Sir, I hereby confirm that, in the framework of the Europe Agreement, the Community will open annual tariff quotas for 1997 at a reduced rate of duty equivalent to 20% of the basic rate for products originating in Bulgaria, the Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Romania, the Slovak Republic and subject to the following limits: - 178 000 head of live bovine animals of a live weight not exceeding 80 kg (Combined Nomenclature code 01 02 9005); - 153 000 head of live bovine animals of a live weight exceeding 160 kg but not exceeding 300 kg (Combined Nomenclature codes 01 02 9041 and 01 02 9049). In the event that forecasts indicate that total imports into the Community of live bovine animals from all countries could exceed 500 000 head in a given year, the Community reserves the right to adopt appropriate management measures to protect the Community market, without prejudice to any other right conferred upon it by the Europe Agreement. I should be obliged if you would confirm that your Government is in agreement with the content of this letter. Please accept, Sir, the assurance of my highest consideration. On behalf of the Community r B. Letter from Bulgaria Sir, I have the honour to acknowledge receipt of your letter of today's date, which reads as follows: "I hereby confirm that in the framework of the Europe Agreement, the Community will open annual tariff quotas for 1997 at a reduced rate of duty equivalent to 20% of the basic rate for products originating in Bulgaria, the Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Romania, the Slovak Republic and subject to the following limits: - 178 000 head of live bovine animals of a live weight not exceeding 80 kg (Combined Nomenclature code 01 02 9005); - 153 000 head of live bovine animals of a live weight exceeding 160 kg but not exceeding 300 kg (Combined Nomenclature codes 01 02 9041 and 01 02 9049). In the event that forecasts indicate that total imports into the Community of live bovine animals from all countries could exceed 500 000 head in a given year, the Community reserves the right to adopt appropriate management measures to protect the Community market, without prejudice to any other right conferred upon it by the Europe Agreement. " I have the honour to confirm that my Government is in agreement with the content of this letter. Please accept, Sir, the assurance of my highest consideration. the Government of For Bulgaria AGREEMENT in the form of an exchange of letters between the European Community and Hungary concerning certain arrangements applying to live bovine animals A. Letter from the Community Sir, I hereby confirm that, in the framework of the Europe Agreement, the Community will open annual tariff quotas for 1997 at a reduced rate of duty equivalent to 20% of the basic rate for products originating in Bulgaria, the Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Romania, the Slovak Republic and subject to the following limits: - 178 000 head of live bovine animals of a live weight not exceeding 80 kg (Combined Nomenclature code 01 02 9005); - 153 000 head of live bovine animals of a live weight exceeding 160 kg but not exceeding 300 kg (Combined Nomenclature codes 01 02 9041 and 01 02 9049). In the event that forecasts indicate that total imports into the Community of live bovine animals from all countries could exceed 500 000 head in a given year, the Community reserves the right to adopt appropriate management measures to protect the Community market, without prejudice to any other right conferred upon it by the Europe Agreement. I should be obliged if you would confirm that your Government is in agreement with the content of this letter. Please accept, Sir, the assurance of my highest consideration. On behalf of the Community i B. Letter from Hungary Sir, I have the honour to acknowledge receipt of your letter of today's date, which reads as follows: "I hereby confirm that, in the framework of the Europe Agreement, the Community will open annual tariff quotas for 1997 at a reduced rate of duty equivalent to 20% of the basic rate for products originating in Bulgaria, the Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Romania, the Slovak Republic and subject to the following limits: - 178 000 head of live bovine animals of a live weight not exceeding 80 kg (Combined Nomenclature code 01 02 9005); - 153 000 head of live bovine animals of a live weight exceeding 160 kg but not exceeding 300 kg (Combined Nomenclature codes 01 02 9041 and 01 02 9049). In the event that forecasts indicate that total imports into the Community of live bovine animals from all countries could exceed 500 000 head in a given year, the Community reserves the right to adopt appropriate management measures to protect the Community market, without prejudice to any other right conferred upon it by the Europe Agreement. " I have the honour to confirm that my Government is in agreement with the content of this letter. Please accept, Sir, the assurance of my highest consideration. the Government of For Hungary ? AGREEMENT in the form of an exchange of letters between the European Community and Poland concerning certain arrangements applying to live bovine animals A. Letter from the Community Sir, I hereby confirm that, in the framework of the Europe Agreement, the Community will open annual tariff quotas for 1997 at a reduced rate of duty equivalent to 20% of the basic rate for products originating in Bulgaria, the Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Romania, the Slovak Republic and subject to the following limits: - 178 000 head of live bovine animals of a live weight not exceeding 80 kg (Combined Nomenclature code 01 02 9005); - 153 000 head of live bovine animals of a live weight exceeding 160 kg but not exceeding 300 kg (Combined Nomenclature codes 01 02 9041 and 01 02 9049). In the event that forecasts indicate that total imports into the Community of live bovine animals from all countries could exceed 500 000 head in a given year, the Community reserves the right to adopt appropriate management measures to protect the Community market, without prejudice to any other right conferred upon it by the Europe Agreement. I should be obliged if you would confirm that your Government is in agreement with the content of this letter. Please accept, Sir, the assurance of my highest consideration. On behalf of the Community B. Letter from Poland Sir, I have the honour to acknowledge receipt of your letter of today's date, which reads as follows: "I hereby confirm that, in the framework of the Europe Agreement, the Community will open annual tariff quotas for 1997 at a reduced rate of duty equivalent to 20% of the basic rate for products originating in Bulgaria, the Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Romania, the Slovak Republic and subject to the following limits: - 178 000 head of live bovine animals of a live weight not exceeding 80 kg (Combined Nomenclature code 01 02 9005); - 153 000 head of live bovine animals of a live weight exceeding 160 kg but not exceeding 300 kg (Combined Nomenclature codes 01 02 9041 and 01 02 9049). In the event that forecasts indicate that total imports into the Community of live bovine animals from all countries could exceed 500 000 head in a given year, the Community reserves the right to adopt appropriate management measures to protect the Community market, without prejudice to any other right conferred upon it by the Europe Agreement. " I have the honour to confirm that my Government is in agreement with the content of this letter. Please accept, Sir, the assurance of my highest consideration. the Government of For Poland /o AGREEMENT in the tbrm of an exchange of letters between the European Community and the Czech Republic concerning certain arrangements applying to live bovine animals A. Letter from the Community Sir, I hereby confirm that, in the framework of the Europe Agreement, the Community will open annual tariff quotas for 1997 at a reduced rate of duty equivalent to 20% of the basic rate for products originating in Bulgaria, the Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Romania, the Slovak Republic and subject to the following limits: - 178 000 head of live bovine animals of a live weight not exceeding 80 kg (Combined Nomenclature code 01 02 9005); - 153 000 head of live bovine animals of a live weight exceeding 160 kg but not exceeding 300 kg (Combined Nomenclature codes 01 02 9041 and 01 02 9049). In the event that forecasts indicate that total imports into the Community of live bovine animals from all countries could exceed 500 000 head in a given year, the Community reserves the right to adopt appropriate management measures to protect the Community market, without prejudice to any other right conferred upon it by the Europe Agreement. I should be obliged if you would confirm that your Government is in agreement with the content of this letter. Please accept, Sir, the assurance of my highest consideration. On behalf of the Community // B. Letter from the Czech Republic Sir, I have the honour to acknowledge receipt of your letter of today's date, which reads as follows: "I hereby confirm that, in the framework of the Europe Agreement, the Community will open annual tariff quotas for 1997 at a reduced rate of duty equivalent to 20% of the basic rate for products originating in Bulgaria, the Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Romania, the Slovak Republic and subject to the following limits: - 178 000 head of live bovine animals of a live weight not exceeding 80 kg (Combined Nomenclature code 01 02 9005); - 153 000 head of live bovine animals of a live weight exceeding 160 kg but not exceeding 300 kg (Combined Nomenclature codes 01 02 9041 and 01 02 9049). In the event that forecasts indicate that total imports into the Community of live bovine animals from all countries could exceed 500 000 head in a given year, the Community reserves the right to adopt appropriate management measures to protect the Community market, without prejudice to any other right conferred upon it by the Europe Agreement. " I have the honour to confirm that my Government is in agreement with the content of this letter. Please accept, Sir, the assurance of my highest consideration. For the Government of the Czech Republic IX AGREEMENT in the form of an exchange of letters between the European Community and the Slovak Republic concerning certain arrangements applying to live bovine animals A. Letter from the Community Sir, 1 hereby confirm that, in the framework of the Europe Agreement, the Community will open annual tariff quotas for 1997 at a reduced rate of duty equivalent to 20% of the basic rate for products originating in Bulgaria, the Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Romania, the Slovak Republic and subject to the following limits: - 178 000 head of live bovine animals of a live weight not exceeding 80 kg (Combined Nomenclature code 01 02 9005); - 153 000 head of live bovine animals of a live weight exceeding 160 kg but not exceeding 300 kg (Combined Nomenclature codes 01 02 9041 and 01 02 9049). In the event that forecasts indicate that total imports into the Community of live bovine animals from all countries could exceed 500 000 head in a given year, the Community reserves the right to adopt appropriate management measures to protect the Community market, without prejudice to any other right conferred upon it by the Europe Agreement. I should be obliged if you would confirm that your Government is in agreement with the content of this letter. Please accept, Sir, the assurance of my highest consideration. On behalf of the Community i% B. Letter from the Slovak Republic Sir, I have the honour to acknowledge receipt of your letter of today's date, which reads as follows: "I hereby confirm that, in the framework of the Europe Agreement, the Community will open annual tariff quotas for 1997 at a reduced rate of duty equivalent to 20% of the basic rate for products originating in Bulgaria, the Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Romania, the Slovak Republic and subject to the following limits: - 178 000 head of live bovine animals of a live weight not exceeding 80 kg (Combined Nomenclature code 01 02 9005); - 153 000 head of live bovine animals of a live weight exceeding 160 kg but not exceeding 300 kg (Combined Nomenclature codes 01 02 9041 and 01 02 9049). In the event that forecasts indicate that total imports into the Community of live bovine animals from all countries could exceed 500 000 head in a given year, the Community reserves the right to adopt appropriate management measures to protect the Community market, without prejudice to any other right conferred upon it by the Europe Agreement. " 1 have the honour to confirm that my Government is in agreement with the content of this letter. Please accept, Sir, the assurance of my highest consideration. For the Government of the Slovak Republic tt AGREEMENT in the form of an exchange of letters between the European Community and Romania concerning certain arrangements applying to live bovine animals A. Letter from the Community Sir, I hereby confirm that, in the framework of the Europe Agreement, the Community will open annual tariff quotas for 1997 at a reduced rate of duty equivalent to 20% of the basic rate for products originating in Bulgaria, the Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Romania, the Slovak Republic and subject to the following limits: - 178 000 head of live bovine animals of a live weight not exceeding 80 kg (Combined Nomenclature code 01 02 9005); - 153 000 head of live bovine animals of a live weight exceeding 160 kg but not exceeding 300 kg (Combined Nomenclature codes 01 02 9041 and 01 02 9049). In the event that forecasts indicate that total imports into the Community of live bovine animals from all countries could exceed 500 000 head in a given year, the Community reserves the right to adopt appropriate management measures to protect the Community market, without prejudice to any other right conferred upon it by the Europe Agreement. I should be obliged if you would confirm that your Government is in agreement with the content of this letter. Please accept, Sir, the assurance of my highest consideration. On behalf of the Community *r B. Letter from Romania Sir, I have the honour to acknowledge receipt of your letter of today's date, which reads as follows: "I hereby confirm that, in the framework of the Europe Agreement, the Community will open annual tariff quotas for 1997 at a reduced rate of duty equivalent to 20% of the basic rate for products originating in Bulgaria, the Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Romania, the Slovak Republic and subject to the following limits: - 178 000 head of live bovine animals of a live weight not exceeding 80 kg (Combined Nomenclature code 01 02 9005); - 153 000 head of live bovine animals of a live weight exceeding 160 kg but not exceeding 300 kg (Combined Nomenclature codes 01 02 9041 and 01 02 9049). In the event that forecasts indicate that total imports into the Community of live bovine animals from all countries could exceed 500 000 head in a given year, the Community reserves the right to adopt appropriate management measures to protect the Community market, without prejudice to any other right conferred upon it by the Europe Agreement. " I have the honour to confirm that my Government is in agreement with the content of this letter. Please accept, Sir, the assurance of my highest consideration. the Government of For Romania A AGREEMENT in the form of an exchange of letters between the European Community and Estonia concerning certain arrangements applying to live bovine animals A. Letter from the Community Sir, I hereby confirm that, in the framework of the Europe Agreement, the Community will open annual tariff quotas for 1997 at a reduced rate of duty equivalent to 20% of the basic rate for products originating in Bulgaria, the Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Romania, the Slovak Republic and subject to the following limits: - 178 000 head of live bovine animals of a live weight not exceeding 80 kg (Combined Nomenclature code 01 02 9005); - 153 000 head of live bovine animals of a live weight exceeding 160 kg but not exceeding 300 kg (Combined Nomenclature codes 01 02 9041 and 01 02 9049). In the event that forecasts indicate that total imports into the Community of live bovine animals from all countries could exceed 500 000 head in a given year, the Community reserves the right to adopt appropriate management measures to protect the Community market, without prejudice to any other right conferred upon it by the Europe Agreement. I should be obliged if you would confirm that your Government is in agreement with the content of this letter. Please accept, Sir, the assurance of my highest consideration. On behalf of the Community B. Letter from Estonia Sir, I have the honour to acknowledge receipt of your letter of today's date, which reads as follows: "I hereby confirm that, in the framework of the Europe Agreement, the Community will open annual tariff quotas for 1997 at a reduced rate of duty equivalent to 20% of the basic rate for products originating in Bulgaria, the Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Romania, the Slovak Republic and subject to the following limits: - 178 000 head of live bovine animals of a live weight not exceeding 80 kg (Combined Nomenclature code 01 02 9005); - 153 000 head of live bovine animals of a live weight exceeding 160 kg but not exceeding 300 kg (Combined Nomenclature codes 01 02 9041 and 01 02 9049). In the event that forecasts indicate that total imports into the Community of live bovine animals from all countries could exceed 500 000 head in a given year, the Community reserves the right to adopt appropriate management measures to protect the Community market, without prejudice to any other right conferred upon it by the Europe Agreement. " I have the honour to confirm that my Government is in agreement with the content of this letter. Please accept, Sir, the assurance of my highest consideration. the Government of For Estonia /f AGREEMENT in the form of an exchange of letters between the European Community and Latvia concerning certain arrangements applying to live bovine animals A. Letter from the Community Sir, I hereby confirm that, in the framework of the Europe Agreement, the Community will open annual tariff quotas for 1997 at a reduced rate of duty equivalent to 20% of the basic rate for products originating in Bulgaria, the Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Romania, the Slovak Republic and subject to the following limits: - 178 000 head of live bovine animals of a live weight not exceeding 80 kg (Combined Nomenclature code 01 02 9005); - 153 000 head of live bovine animals of a live weight exceeding 160 kg but not exceeding 300 kg (Combined Nomenclature codes 01 02 9041 and 01 02 9049). In the event that forecasts indicate that total imports into the Community of live bovine animals from all countries could exceed 500 000 head in a given year, the Community reserves the right to adopt appropriate management measures to protect the Community market, without prejudice to any other right conferred upon it by the Europe Agreement. I should be obliged if you would confirm that your Government is in agreement with the content of this letter. Please accept, Sir, the assurance of my highest consideration. On behalf of the Community B. Letter from Latvia Sir, I have the honour to acknowledge receipt of your letter of today's date, which reads as follows: "I hereby confirm that, in the framework of the Europe Agreement, the Community will open annual tariff quotas for 1997 at a reduced rate of duty equivalent to 20% of the basic rate for products originating in Bulgaria, the Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Romania, the Slovak Republic and subject to the following limits: - 178 000 head of live bovine animals of a live weight not exceeding 80 kg (Combined Nomenclature code 01 02 9005); - 153 000 head of live bovine animals of a live weight exceeding 160 kg but not exceeding 300 kg (Combined Nomenclature codes 01 02 9041 and 01 02 9049). In the event that forecasts indicate that total imports into the Community of live bovine animals from all countries could exceed 500 000 head in a given year, the Community reserves the right to adopt appropriate management measures to protect the Community market, without prejudice to any other right conferred upon it by the Europe Agreement. " I have the honour to confirm that my Government is in agreement with the content of this letter. Please accept, Sir, the assurance of my highest consideration. For the Government of Latvia &> AGREEMENT in the form of an exchange of letters between the European Community and Lithuania concerning certain arrangements applying to bovine animals A. Letter from the Community Sir, I hereby confirm that, in the framework of the Europe Agreement, the Community will open annual tariff quotas for 1997 at a reduced rate of duty equivalent to 20% of the basic rate for products originating in Bulgaria, the Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Romania, the Slovak Republic and subject to the following limits: - 178 000 head of live bovine animals of a live weight not exceeding 80 kg (Combined Nomenclature code 01 02 9005); - 153 000 head of live bovine animals of a live weight exceeding 160 kg but not exceeding 300 kg (Combined Nomenclature codes 01 02 9041 and 01 02 9049). In the event that forecasts indicate that total imports into the Community of live bovine animals from all countries could exceed 500 000 head in a given year, the Community reserves the right to adopt appropriate management measures to protect the Community market, without prejudice to any other right conferred upon it by the Europe Agreement. I should be obliged if you would confirm that your Government is in agreement with the content of this letter. Please accept, Sir, the assurance of my highest consideration. On behalf of the Community oft, B. Letter from Lithuania Sir, I have the honour to acknowledge receipt of your letter of today's date, which reads as follows: "I hereby confirm that, in the framework of the Europe Agreement, the Community will open annual tariff quotas for 1997 at a reduced rate of duty equivalent to 20% of the basic rate for products originating in Bulgaria, the Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Romania, the Slovak Republic and subject to the following limits: - 178 000 head of live bovine animals of a live weight not exceeding 80 kg (Combined Nomenclature code 01 02 9005); - 153 000 head of live bovine animals of a live weight exceeding 160 kg but not exceeding 300 kg (Combined Nomenclature codes 01 02 9041 and 01 02 9049). In the event that forecasts indicate that total imports into the Community of live bovine animals from all countries could exceed 500 000 head in a given year, the Community reserves the right to adopt appropriate management measures to protect the Community market, without prejudice to any other right conferred upon it by the Europe Agreement. " I have the honour to confirm that my Government is in agreement with the content of this letter. Please accept, Sir, the assurance of my highest consideration. the Government of For Lithuania &SL ISSN 0254-1475 COM(97) 33 final DOCUMENTS EN 03 n Catalogue number : CB-CO-97-030-EN-C ISBN 92-78-15278-1 Office for Official Publications of the European Communities L-2985 Luxembourg «23