51997PC0536

Proposal for a Council Regulation (EC) extending the period provided for in Article 149 (1) of the Act of Accession of Austria, Finland and Sweden (97/C 352/06) COM(97) 536 final - 97/0271(CNS)

(Submitted by the Commission on 27 October 1997)

THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION,

Having regard to the Act of Accession of Austria, Finland and Sweden, and in particular Article 149 (2) thereof,

Having regard to the proposal from the Commission,

Having regard to the opinion of the European Parliament,

Whereas Article 149 (1) of the Act of Accession provides for a period during which transitional measures may be adopted to facilitate the transition from the regimes existing in Austria, Finland and Sweden at the time of Accession to those resulting from the application of the common organization of the markets under the conditions set out in the Act and, in particular, to overcome the serious difficulties in applying the new regimes from the date laid down; whereas that period expires on 31 December 1997;

Whereas, in certain sectors, these difficulties cannot be resolved by the date laid down and the period in question should therefore be extended, as provided for in the Act; whereas the said period should be extended by one year,

HAS ADOPTED THIS REGULATION:

Article 1

The period referred to in Article 149 (1) of the Act of Accession of Austria, Finland and Sweden is hereby extended until 31 December 1998.

Article 2

This Regulation shall enter into force on 1 January 1998.

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