Explanatory Memorandum to COM(2001)395 - Conclusion of an agreement with Slovenia concerning fishery products, in the form of an additional protocol completing the europe association agreement with Slovenia

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dossier COM(2001)395 - Conclusion of an agreement with Slovenia concerning fishery products, in the form of an additional protocol completing the ...
source COM(2001)395 EN
date 13-07-2001
On 29 May 2000, the Council approved the negotiating mandate for the Commission to undertake negotiations with the associated CEECs, including the Republic of Slovenia, to conclude reciprocal tariff concessions in the fisheries sector. As a result, negotiations were held on 28-29 August 2000 and 28 November 2000 to finalise these bilateral concessions. The details of the bilateral concessions are contained in Agreed Minutes that were signed on behalf of the Commission and the Slovenian authorities on 21 November 2000. The two parties agreed on a model for gradual and reciprocal liberalisation of trade on all fish and fishery products.

The agreement states that both the Community and the Republic of Slovenia, from the date of entry into force of the agreement, will apply full free trade for all the products covered by Annex VIII(a) and VIII(b) of the Europe Agreement. For products falling under CN Codes 1604 13 11 and 1604 13 19, reciprocal tariff quotas of 100 tonnes, at 4%, will be established, covering the first 12 months of this agreement. For the quantity above the quota a one third reduction of the applicable tariffs will be applied. After the 12-month period, the 4% duty rate will remain applicable for a further 24 months. The Community and Slovenia also agree to apply, from the date of entry into force of this agreement, a one third reduction of the tariff duties applied to all other fish and fishery products. The following year a further reduction of one third will be applied. Three years after the entry into force of the agreement, full free trade of all fish and fishery products will be applied.

The Commission services are of the opinion that the results of the technical negotiations represent a balanced and acceptable result which, in a simple administrative manner, and on a gradual basis, will lead to full free trade, without any exceptions, between the Republic of Slovenia and the European Community.

The present proposal is one of a series of seven on which the Commission is being asked to take a decision. They are being presented individually as they are not identical in content although all adhere to the same principles of gradual liberalisation of trade in fish and fishery products. In addition, they may not all follow the same timetable as the date of entry into force of each protocol, to be fixed by mutual agreement, will depend on the internal administrative procedures of each party.

In light of the above, the Council is requested to adopt the present decision to add a Protocol concerning trade concessions in the fisheries sector to the Europe Agreement with the Republic of Slovenia.