Proposal for a COUNCIL REGULATION (EC) amending Regulations (EC) Nos 3355/94, 3356/94 and 3357/94 on the arrangements applicable to imports into the Community of products originating in the Republics of Bosnia- Herzegovina, Croatia and Slovenia and the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia
COMMISSION OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES Brussels, 29 10. 1996 COM(96) 510 final 96/0246 (ACC) Proposal for a COUNCIL REGULATION (EC) amending Regulations (EQ Nos 3355/94, 3356/94 and 3357/94 on the arrangements applicable to imports into the Community of products originating in the Republics of Bosnia-Herzegovina, Croatia and Slovenia and the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (presented by the Commission) Explanatory memorandum 1. The Cooperation Agreement linking the Community with the Socialist Republic of Yugoslavia was denounced on 25 November 1991. On 2 December 1991, the Council adopted a decision selectively applying positive measures to the parties to the conflict in the former Yugoslavia which were held to be making a contribution to the peace process. 2. Those autonomous measures effectively applied to Bosnia-Herzegovina, Croatia, Slovenia and the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, but not to the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia, the preferential trade concessions provided for in the 1980 Agreement. 3. They consist essentially of duty-free access and the elimination of quantitative restrictions for the bulk of industrial products (apart from around thirty items subject to tariff ceilings) and specific concessions (duty-free access, tariff quotas or reduced levies) for various agricultural products. 4. In view of the constructive attitude displayed by the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia in the peace process and the implementation of the Dayton Agreements, however, we feel it should now be brought within the import regime established by Regulations (EC) Nos 3355/94, 3356/94 and 3357/94, as last amended by Regulation (EC) No 3032/95. 5. The attached proposal for a Regulation therefore extends the autonomous preferential trade arrangements to the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia. COUNCIL REGULATION (EC) No. amending Regulations (EC) Nos 3355/94, 3356/94 and 3357/94 on the arrangements applicable to imports into the Community of products originating in the Republics of Bosnia-Herzegovina, Croatia and Slovenia and the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION, Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Community, and in particulai Article 113 thereof, Having regard to the proposal from the Commission, Whereas Regulations (EC) Nos 3355/94,1 3356/942 and 3357/94,3 as last amended by Regulation (EC) No 3032/95,4 laying down the arrangements applicable to imports into the Community of products originating in the Republics of Bosnia-Herzegovina, Croatia and Slovenia and the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia do not apply to imports into the Community from the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia; Whereas in view of the constructive attitude shown by the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia in connection with the peace process and the implementation of the peace agreements signed in Paris on 14 December 1995, the said arrangements should be extended to that Republic, HAS ADOPTED THIS REGULATION Article I 1. 2. 3. The words "the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia" shall be inserted into the titles of Regulations (EC) Nos 3355/94, 3356/94 and 3357/94 after the word "Croatia" The words "the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia" shall be inserted into Article 1 of the three abovementioned Regulations after the word "Croatia". The words "the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia" shall be inserted into footnote 4 to Annex D (page 53 of OJ No L 353) of Regulation (EC) No 3355/94 after the word "Croatia" 1 OJNoL 353, 31. 12. 1994, p. 1. 2O J N o L 3 5 3, 31. 12. 1994, p. 55. 3O J N o L 3 5 3, 31. 12. 1994, p. 63. 4O J N o L 3 1 6, 30. 12. 1995, p. 4. 4. Textile products subject to quantitative restrictions under Council Regulation No 517/965 shall be imported free of duty within the quantitative limits set in Annexes III B and VI to that Regulation. Article 2 This Regulation shall enter into force on the day following its publication in the Official Journal of the European Communities This Regulation shall be binding in its entirety and directly applicable in all Member States. O J N o L 6 7, 7. 3. 94, p. 1. ISSN 0254-1475 COM(96) 510 final DOCUMENTS EN 11 02 Catalogue number : CB-CO-96-514-EN-C ISBN 92-78-10169-9 Office for Official Publications of the European Communities L-2985 Luxembourg 3