[pic] | COMMISSION OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES |

Brussels, 17.10.2007

COM(2007) 436 final

2007/0158 (ACC)

Proposal for a

COUNCIL REGULATION

repealing Regulation (EC) No 152/2002 concerning the export of certain ECSC and EC steel products from the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia to the European Community (double-checking system)

(presented by the Commission)

EXPLANATORY MEMORANDUM

In the proposal for a Council Decision on a Community Position concerning a Decision of the EC – the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia Stabilisation and Association Council amending Protocol 2 on steel products to the Stabilisation and Association Agreement, the Commission proposes to abolish the double-checking system for the imports of certain steel products from the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia into the Community.

Where the Stabilisation and Association Council would take such a decision, the present proposal would implement that Decision as far as the Community is concerned. As the Stabilisation and Association Council Decision it should enter into force on [1 January 2008].

The Council is therefore invited to approve the attached proposal.

2007/0158 (ACC)

Proposal for a

COUNCIL REGULATION

repealing Regulation (EC) No 152/2002 concerning the export of certain ECSC and EC steel products from the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia to the European Community (double-checking system)

THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION,

Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Community, and in particular Article 133 thereof,

Having regard to the proposal from the Commission,

Whereas:

1. The Stabilisation and Association Agreement between the European Communities and their Member States, of the one part, and the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, of the other part, established in Protocol 2 on steel products a double-checking system, without quantitative limits, for the import into the Community of steel products originating in the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia.

2. Regulation (EC) No 152/2002 of 21 January 2002 concerning the export of certain ECSC and EC steel products from the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia to the European Community (double-checking system) and repealing Regulation (EC) No 190/98[1], implemented the double-checking system.

3. By decision on xxx[2] the Stabilisation and Association Council amended Protocol 2 on steel products to repeal the double-checking system. Regulation (EC) No 152/2002 should therefore be repealed with effect from [1 January 2008],

HAS ADOPTED THIS REGULATION:

Article 1

Regulation (EC) No 152/2002 is hereby repealed.

Article 2

This Regulation shall enter into force on [1 January 2008].

This Regulation shall be binding in its entirety and directly applicable in all Member States.

Done at Brussels,

For the Council

The President

[1] OJ L 25, 29.1.2002, p. 1. Regulation as last amended by Regulation (EC) No 1791/2006 (OJ L 363, 20.12.2006, p. 1).

[2] OJ L xx, xx.xx.xxxx, p. x.