52003PC0598

Proposal for a COUNCIL REGULATION amending Council Regulation (EC) No 427/2003 on a transitional product-specific safeguard mechanism for imports originating in the People's Republic of China and amending Regulation (EC) No 519/94 on common rules for imports from certain third countries

(presented by the Commission)

EXPLANATORY MEMORANDUM

Council Regulation (EC) No 427/2003 implemented the phasing-out of the quotas on footwear, tableware and ceramics by 2005 following the People's Republic of China's accession to the WTO. It replaced the Annex II of Regulation (EC) No 519/94. Due to the enlargement of the Community in May 2004 and following WTO rules, the 2004 quantities foreseen in this Annex have to be increased. The level of increase is determined by the Understanding on the interpretation of Article XXVIII of the GATT 1994.

2003/0230 (ACC)

Proposal for a COUNCIL REGULATION amending Council Regulation (EC) No 427/2003 on a transitional product-specific safeguard mechanism for imports originating in the People's Republic of China and amending Regulation (EC) No 519/94 on common rules for imports from certain third countries

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) Regulation (EC) No 427/2003 [1] lays down quantitative quotas for certain products originating in the People's Republic of China.

[1] OJ L 65, 8.3.2003, p. 1.

(2) Commission Regulation (EC) No 1351/2003 [2] established administrative procedures for the first tranche of the 2004 quantitative quotas for certain products originating in the People's Republic of China.

[2] OJ L 192, 31.7.2003, p. 8.

(3) In view of the enlargement of the European Community on 1 May 2004 it is appropriate to increase the quotas in accordance with Article XXVIII of the GATT 1994 and the Understanding of the interpretation of this Article.

(4) It is therefore appropriate to amend Annex I of Council Regulation (EC) No 427/2003,

HAS ADOPTED THIS REGULATION:

Article 1

Annex I of Regulation (EC) No 427/2003 shall be replaced with Annex I to this Regulation.

Article 2

This Regulation shall enter into force on the day of its publication in the Official Journal of the European Union.

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

Done at Brussels,

For the Council

The President

ANNEX I

Phasing-out timetable of industrial (non-textile) quotas on imports originating in China

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