Proposal for a Council Decision extending Decision 91/482/CEE on the association of the overseas countries and territories with the European Community
COMMISSION OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES Brussels, 15. 2. 2000 COM(2000) 156 final Proposal for a COUNCIL DECISION extending Decision 91/482/CEE on the association of the overseas countries and territories with the European Community (presented by the Commission) EXPLANATORY MEMORANDUM The current Decision on the association of the OCT with the EC expires on 29 February 2000. Preparatory work on a new Council Decision was started at the beginning of 1999 (including Commission communication COM (1999) 163 final of 20 May 1999). However, the Commission will not be able to adopt its proposal in time for the Council to adopt its Decision before 1 March 2000. In order to avoid a legal lacuna incompatible with Article 187 of the Treaty, the Commission therefore proposes extending the Association Decision currently in force for a maximum of one year. 2 Proposal for a COUNCIL DECISION extending Decision 91/482/CEE on the association of the overseas countries and territories with the European Community THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION, Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Community, and in particular Article 187 thereof, Having regard to the proposal from the Commission, Whereas: (1) Pending the entry into force of a new Council Decision on the association of the overseas countries and territories with the European Community, the applicable provisions under Decision 91/482/EEC,1 as last amended by Decision 97/803/EC,2 should be extended until the entry into force of the new Decision, but not beyond 28 February 2001, HAS DECIDED AS FOLLOWS: Article 240(1) of Decision 91/482/EEC is hereby replaced by the following: "This Decision shall apply until 28 February 2001". Article 1 This Decision shall take effect on the day of its publication in the Official Journal of the European Communities. Article 2 It shall apply from 29 February 2000. Done at Brussels, 1 2 OJ L 263, 19. 9. 1991, p. 1 OJ L 329, 29. 11. 1997, p. 50 For the Council The President 3