EUROPEAN COMMISSION

Brussels, 22.4.2015

COM(2015) 175 final

2015/0092(NLE)

Proposal for a

COUNCIL DECISION

on the position to be adopted on behalf of the European Union within the Association Council established by the Euro-Mediterranean Agreement establishing an association between the European Communities and their Member States, of the one part, and the Republic of Tunisia, of the other part, as regards the replacement of Protocol 4 to that Agreement, concerning the definition of the concept of ‘originating products’ and methods of administrative cooperation, by a new protocol which, as regards the rules of origin, refers to the Regional Convention on pan-Euro-Mediterranean preferential rules of origin

EXPLANATORY MEMORANDUM

1.CONTEXT OF THE PROPOSAL

The Regional Convention on pan-Euro-Mediterranean preferential rules of origin 1 ('the Convention') lays down provisions on the origin of goods traded under relevant Agreements concluded between the Contracting Parties. The EU and Tunisia signed the Convention on 15 June 2011 and on 16 January 2013 respectively.

The EU and Tunisia deposited their instrument of acceptance with the depositary of the Convention on 26 March 2012 and 21 November 2014 respectively. As a consequence, in application of its Article 10(3), the Convention entered into force in relation to the EU and Tunisia on 1 May 2012 and on 1 January 2015 respectively.

Article 6 of the Convention provides that each Contracting Party shall take appropriate measures to ensure that the Convention is effectively applied. To that effect, the Association Council established by the Euro-Mediterranean Agreement establishing an association between the European Communities and their Member States, of the one part, and the Republic of Tunisia, of the other part 2 , should adopt a Decision replacing Protocol 4 concerning the definition of the concept of 'originating products' and methods of administrative cooperation by a new Protocol which, with regard to the rules of origin, refers to the Convention. The position to be taken by the EU within the Association Council should be established by the Council.

2.RESULTS OF CONSULTATIONS WITH THE INTERESTED PARTIES AND IMPACT ASSESSMENTS

The EU Member States were informed on the draft Council Decision in the Customs Code Committee's Origin Section of 13 May 2013. The Contracting Parties to the Convention were last consulted at the meeting of the Pan-Euro-Med working group of 22 and 23 October 2014.

No recourse to external expertise has been necessary. Furthermore, it has not been necessary to conduct an impact assessment, since the proposed amendments are technical in nature and do not affect the substance of the protocol on rules of origin currently in effect.

3.LEGAL ELEMENTS OF THE PROPOSAL

The legal basis for the Council Decision is Article 207 in conjunction with Article 218(9) of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union.

The proposal falls under the exclusive competence of the Union. The principle of subsidiarity does therefore not apply.

Proposed instrument: Council Decision.

2015/0092 (NLE)

Proposal for a

COUNCIL DECISION

on the position to be adopted on behalf of the European Union within the Association Council established by the Euro-Mediterranean Agreement establishing an association between the European Communities and their Member States, of the one part, and the Republic of Tunisia, of the other part, as regards the replacement of Protocol 4 to that Agreement, concerning the definition of the concept of ‘originating products’ and methods of administrative cooperation, by a new protocol which, as regards the rules of origin, refers to the Regional Convention on pan-Euro-Mediterranean preferential rules of origin

THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION,

Having regard to the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union, and in particular Article 207 in conjunction with Article 218(9) thereof,

Having regard to the proposal from the European Commission,

Whereas:

(1)Protocol 4 to the Euro-Mediterranean Agreement establishing an association between the European Communities and their Member States, of the one part, and the Republic of Tunisia, of the other part 3 (‘the Agreement’), concerns the definition of the concept of ‘originating products’ and methods of administrative cooperation (‘Protocol 4’).

(2)The Regional Convention on pan-Euro-Mediterranean preferential rules of origin 4 (‘the Convention’) lays down provisions on the origin of goods traded under relevant agreements concluded between the Contracting Parties.

(3)The Union and Tunisia signed the Convention on 15 June 2011 and 16 January 2013 respectively.

(4)The Union and Tunisia deposited their instruments of acceptance with the depositary of the Convention on 26 March 2012 and 21 November 2014 respectively. Consequently, in application of Article 10(3) of the Convention, the Convention entered into force in relation to the Union and Tunisia on 1 May 2012 and on 1 January 2015 respectively.

(5)Article 6 of the Convention provides that each Contracting Party is to take appropriate measures to ensure that the Convention is effectively applied. To that effect, the Association Council established by the Agreement should adopt a decision replacing Protocol 4 by a new protocol which, with regard to the rules of origin, refers to the Convention.

(6)The position of the Union within the Association Council should therefore be based on the attached draft decision,

HAS ADOPTED THIS DECISION:

Article 1

The position to be adopted on behalf of the European Union within the Association Council established by the Euro-Mediterranean Agreement establishing an association between the European Communities and their Member States, of the one part, and the Republic of Tunisia, of the other part, as regards the replacement of Protocol 4 to that Agreement, concerning the definition of the concept of ‘originating products’ and methods of administrative cooperation, by a new protocol which, as regards the rules of origin, refers to the Regional Convention on pan-Euro-Mediterranean preferential rules of origin, shall be based on the draft decision of the Association Council attached to this Decision.

Minor changes to the draft decision of the Association Council may be agreed to by the representatives of the Union in the Association Council without further decision of the Council.

Article 2

The decision of the Association Council shall be published in the Official Journal of the European Union.

Article 3

This Decision shall enter into force on the date of its adoption.

Done at Brussels,

(1) OJ L 54, 26.2.2013, p. 4.

(2) OJ L 97, 30.3.1998, p. 2.

(3) OJ L 97, 30.3.1998, p. 2.

(4) OJ L 54, 26.2.2013, p. 4.

EUROPEAN COMMISSION

Brussels, 22.4.2015

COM(2015) 175 final

ANNEX

Attachment

to the

proposal for a Council Decision

on the position to be adopted on behalf of the European Union within the Association Council established by the Euro-Mediterranean Agreement establishing an association between the European Communities and their Member States, of the one part, and the Republic of Tunisia, of the other part, as regards the replacement of Protocol 4 to that Agreement, concerning the definition of the concept of ‘originating products’ and methods of administrative cooperation, by a new protocol which, as regards the rules of origin, refers to the Regional Convention on pan-Euro-Mediterranean preferential rules of origin

Draft

DECISION No … OF THE EU-TUNISIA ASSOCIATION COUNCIL

of

replacing Protocol 4 to the Euro-Mediterranean Agreement establishing an association between the European Communities and their Member States, of the one part, and the Republic of Tunisia, of the other part, concerning the definition of the concept of 'originating products' and methods of administrative cooperation

The EU-TUNISIA ASSOCIATION COUNCIL,

Having regard to the Euro-Mediterranean Agreement establishing an association between the European Communities and their Member States, of the one part, and the Republic of Tunisia, of the other part 1 , and in particular Article 29 thereof,

Having regard to Protocol 4 to the Euro-Mediterranean Agreement establishing an association between the European Communities and their Member States, of the one part, and the Republic of Tunisia, of the other part, concerning the definition of the concept of 'originating products' and methods of administrative cooperation,

Whereas:

(1)Article 29 of the Euro-Mediterranean Agreement establishing an association between the European Communities and their Member States, of the one part, and the Republic of Tunisia, of the other part ('the Agreement') refers to Protocol 4 to the Agreement ('Protocol 4') which lays down the rules of origin and provides for cumulation of origin between the European Union, Tunisia and other Contracting Parties to the Convention.

(2)Article 39 of Protocol 4 provides that the Association Council provided for in Article 78 of the Agreement may decide to amend the provisions of this protocol.

(3)The Regional Convention on pan-Euro-Mediterranean preferential rules of origin 2 ('the Convention') aims to replace the protocols on rules of origin currently in force among the countries of the pan-Euro-Mediterranean area with a single legal act.

(4)The European Union and Tunisia signed the Convention on 15 June 2011 and 16 January 2013 respectively.

(5)The European Union and Tunisia deposited their instruments of acceptance with the depositary of the Convention on 26 March 2012 and 21 November 2014 respectively. Consequently, in application of Article 10(3) of the Convention, the Convention entered into force in relation to the European Union and Tunisia on 1 May 2012 and on 1 January 2015 respectively.

(6)Protocol 4 should therefore be replaced by a new protocol making reference to the Convention.

HAS ADOPTED THIS DECISION:

Article 1

Protocol 4 to the Euro-Mediterranean Agreement establishing an association between the European Communities and their Member States, of the one part, and the Republic of Tunisia, of the other part, concerning the definition of the concept of 'originating products' and methods of administrative cooperation shall be replaced by the text set out in the Annex to this Decision.

Article 2

This Decision shall enter into force on the date of its adoption.

It shall apply from …

Done at

   For the Association Council

   The President

Annex

Protocol 4

concerning the definition of the concept of 'originating products' and methods of administrative cooperation

Article 1

Applicable rules of origin

1.    For the purpose of implementing this Agreement, Appendix I and the relevant provisions of Appendix II to the Regional Convention on pan-Euro-Mediterranean preferential rules of origin 3 ('the Convention') shall apply.

2.    All references to the 'relevant agreement' in Appendix I and in the relevant provisions of Appendix II to the Convention shall be construed so as to mean this Agreement.

Article 2

Dispute settlement

1.    Where disputes arise in relation to the verification procedures of Article 32 of Appendix I to the Convention that cannot be settled between the customs authorities requesting the verification and the customs authorities responsible for carrying out that verification, they shall be submitted to the Association Council.

2.    In all cases the settlement of disputes between the importer and the customs authorities of the importing country shall take place under the legislation of that country.

Article 3

Amendments to the Protocol

The Association Council may decide to amend the provisions of this Protocol.

Article 4

Withdrawal from the Convention

1.    Should either the European Union or Tunisia give notice in writing to the depositary of the Convention of their intention to withdraw from the Convention according to Article 9 thereof, the European Union and Tunisia shall immediately enter into negotiations on rules of origin for the purpose of implementing this Agreement.

2.    Until the entry into force of such newly negotiated rules of origin, the rules of origin contained in Appendix I and, where appropriate, the relevant provisions of Appendix II to the Convention, applicable at the moment of withdrawal, shall continue to apply to this Agreement. However, as of the moment of withdrawal, the rules of origin contained in Appendix I and, where appropriate, the relevant provisions of Appendix II to the Convention shall be construed so as to allow bilateral cumulation between the European Union and Tunisia only.

(1) OJ L 97, 30.3.1998, p. 2.

(2) OJ L 54, 26.2.2013, p. 4.

(3) OJ L 54, 26.2.2013, p. 4.