Proposal for a Council Decision On the signature of a Euro-Mediterranean association Agreement between the European Community and its Member States and the Republic of Lebanon on behalf of the European Community /* COM/2002/0170 final */

Proposal for a COUNCIL DECISION On the signature of a Euro-Mediterranean Association Agreement between the European Community and its Member States and the Republic of Lebanon on behalf of the European Community

(presented by the Commission)

EXPLANATORY MEMORANDUM

1. The attached proposals constitute the legal instruments for the signature and conclusion of a Euro-Mediterranean Association Agreement between the European Community and its Member States, of the one part, and the Republic of Lebanon, of the other part:

(i) Proposal for a Council Decision for the signature of the Agreement;

(ii) Proposal for a Council Decision for the conclusion of the Agreement.

2. Lebanon's relations with the European Community are presently covered by the Co-operation Agreement signed in Brussels on 3 May 1977 (entered into force 1st November 1978), as modified by subsequent protocols. The Council adopted its negotiating directives and the Commission formally launched the negotiations for an Association Agreement in 1995. Progress was slow, with five rounds of negotiations held in five years. The pace of negotiations intensified in October 2000 after the election of a new Government in Lebanon, culminating in the tenth and final formal round in June 2001, followed by a series of technical discussions, leading to conclusion of the negotiations in December 2001. The text was initialled by the Commission and by the Government of Lebanon in Brussels on 10 January 2002.

3. The proposed Association Agreement between the EU and Lebanon will establish a new, closer relationship within the context of the Euro-Mediterranean partnership launched by the 1995 Barcelona Declaration. It will contribute to peace and security in the region and will stimulate trade and economic relations between Lebanon and the EU, and between Lebanon and its Mediterranean partners. With eight of the nine non-candidate countries of the Euro-Mediterranean Partnership linked to the EU by an Association Agreement, the Barcelona Declaration project is close to reality, and underlines the EU's priority to strengthen its security, economic and social relations with the partners of the southern Mediterranean Basin. Accords with Tunisia, Morocco, Egypt, Israel, the Palestinian Territories (PLO), and Jordan have already been signed; those with Algeria and Lebanon have been initialled; only Syria remains.

4. The EU-Lebanon Association Agreement is similar in content and pattern to the other association agreements in the region. It will have an unlimited duration and will open the way to deepen relations in a wide number of fields, based on reciprocity and partnership. Respect for the principles of democracy and human rights will constitute an essential element of the accord.

5. The Agreement focuses on the following main elements:

- a regular political dialogue;

- economic, social, and cultural dialogue;

- the progressive establishment of a free-trade area between the European Community and Lebanon over a maximum period of twelve years, in conformity with the rules of the WTO;

- for industrial products, the preferential regime accorded to Lebanon exports to the Community under the 1978 Co-operation Agreement is reconfirmed. Reciprocally, Lebanon will liberalise its import regime for Community products so that tariffs are reduced to zero by the end of the twelve year transition period after entry into force of the Agreement;

- for processed agricultural products, specific reciprocal concessions are foreseen;

- agricultural products from Lebanon to the Community will be liberalised, except for a list of sensitive products for which zero tariff quotas will apply. Products from the Community will enter Lebanon on a concessional basis. New reciprocal tariff concessions will be examined by both sides five years after entry into force of the Agreement;

- provisions for enhanced regional co-operation, including the creation of a regional Euro-Mediterranean free trade area;

- provisions on the movement of persons, on the rights of establishment and supply of services, payments, competition, the movement of capital, intellectual property protection, and public procurement;

- provisions for economic and financial co-operation in a wide range of fields;

- the Agreement will provide for commitments and co-operation in the control of illegal immigration and in re-admission, rule of law, combating drugs and organised crime, and money laundering;

- institutional provisions for the management of the Agreement, which will include the establishment of an Association Council to meet at ministerial level to supervise the implementation of the Agreement, and of an Association Committee;

- the Association Council shall take measures to promote co-operation between the European Parliament and the Lebanese Parliament.

6. As the request of the Lebanese authorities, an Interim Agreement is to be simultaneously proposed by the Commission to the Council for a Decision. The Interim Agreement is intended to cover the trade-related elements of the Association Agreement.

7. The Commission has judged the results of the negotiations to be satisfactory, and having initialled the texts of the proposed Agreement, the Commission requests the Council:

- to decide on the signature, on behalf of the European Community, of the Euro-Mediterranean Association Agreement between the Community and Lebanon;

- to conclude the Euro-Mediterranean Association Agreement on behalf of the Community.

The European Parliament will be called upon to give its agreement to this accord.

The Agreement will only enter into force following ratification by all Member States.

THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION,

Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Community, and in particular Article 310 in conjunction with the first sentence of the first sub paragraph of Article 300, paragraph 2 thereof,

Having regard to the proposal from the Commission [1],

[1] OJ C [...], [...], p.

Whereas:

(1) The Council adopted the directives on 2 October 1995 for the Commission to open negotiations for a Euro-Mediterranean Association Agreement between the European Community and its Member States, of the one part, and the Republic of Lebanon, of the other part;

(2) These negotiations have been concluded and the Agreement has been initialled on 10 January 2002;

HAS DECIDED AS FOLLOWS:

Sole Article

Subject to its conclusion at a later date, the President of the Council is hereby authorised to designate the person(s) empowered to sign, on behalf of the European Community, the Euro-Mediterranean Association Agreement between the European Community and its Member States, of the one part, and the Republic of Lebanon of the other part.

Done at Brussels, [...]

For the Council

The President

LIST OF ANNEXES AND PROTOCOLS

Protocol I

List of products referred to in Article 14

1. Imports into the Community of the following products originating in the Republic of Lebanon shall be subject to the conditions set out below

2. Imports into the Community of those agricultural products originating in the Republic of Lebanon other than those listed in this Protocol shall be allowed free of customs duty

3. For the first year of application, the volumes of tariff quotas shall be calculated as a pro rata of the basic volumes, taking into account the part of the period elapsed before the date of entry into force of this agreement

>TABLE POSITION>

(1) Notwithstanding the rules for the implementation of the Combined Nomenclature, the wording of the description of the products is to be considered as having no more than

an indicative value, the preferential scheme being determined, within the context of this Annex, by the coverage of the CN-code. Where ex CN codes are indicated, the preferential

scheme is to be determined by application of the CN code and description taken together.

(2) The reduction only applies to the ad valorem part of the duty

(3) Entry under this subheading is subject to conditions laid down in the relevant Community provisions (see Articles 1 to 13 of Commission Regulation (EEC) No 1047/2001 (OJ L 145, 31.05.2001, p. 35) and subsequent amendments)

(4) Entry under this subheading is subject to conditions laid down in the relevant Community provisions (see Articles 291 to 300 of Commission Regulation (EEC) No 2454/93 (OJ L 253, 11.10.1993, p. 71) and subsequent amendments)

(5) The concession applies to imports of untreated olive oil, wholly obtained in Lebanon and transported direct from Lebanon to the Community.

Protocol 2

List of products referred to in Article 14

1. Imports into the Republic of Lebanon of the following products originating in the Community shall be subject to the conditions set out below.

2. The reduction rates in column (B) of the customs duty in (A) shall neither apply to the minimum duties nor to the excise duties in (C).

>TABLE POSITION>

(1) Notwithstanding the rules for the implementation of the Lebanese Customs Nomenclature, the wording of the description of the products is to be considered as having no more than an indicative value, the preferential scheme being determined, within the context of this Annex, by the coverage of the Lebanese customs code. Where ex codes are indicated, the preferential scheme is to be determined by application of the code and description taken together.

Protocol 3

on trade between Lebanon and the Community in processed agricultural products

Article 1

Imports into the Community of processed agricultural products originating in Lebanon shall be subject to the customs duties and charges having equivalent effects mentioned in Annex 1 of this Protocol.

Article 2

1) Imports into Lebanon of processed agricultural products originating in the Community shall be subject to the customs duties and charges having equivalent effect as mentioned in Annex 2 of this Protocol.

2) The tariff dismantling schedule applying in accordance to paragraph 1 shall be that referred to in article 9 1 of the Agreement, unless otherwise specified in Annex 2 of this Protocol.

Article 3

The reductions of customs duties mentioned in Annexes 1 and 2 shall apply to the basic duties referred to in Article 19 of the Agreement.

Article 4

1. Customs duties applied pursuant to Article 1 and 2 may be reduced where in trade between the Community and Lebanon, the duties applied to the basic products are reduced, or where such reductions are the result of mutual concessions relating to processed agricultural products.

2. As regards the duties applied by the Community, the reductions provided for under the first paragraph will be calculated on the part of the duty designated as the agricultural component which shall correspond to the agricultural products actually used in the manufacture of the processed agricultural products in question and deduced from the duties applied to these basic agricultural products.

3. The reduction referred to in paragraph 1, the list of products concerned and, where appropriate, the tariff quotas within which the reduction applies shall be established by the Association Council.

Article 5

The European Community and Lebanon shall inform each other of the administrative arrangements adopted for the products covered by this Protocol.

These arrangements should ensure equal treatment for all interested parties and should be as simple and flexible as possible.

Protocol 3

Annex 1 - EU Scheme

Notwithstanding the rules for the interpretation of the Combined Nomenclature, the wording for the description of the products is to be considered as having no more than indicative value, the preferential scheme being determined, within the context of this Protocol, by the coverage of the CN codes as they exist at the time of adoption of the current act . Where ex CN codes are indicated, the preferential scheme is to be determined by application of the CN code and corresponding description together

List 1

>TABLE POSITION>

EU Scheme

List 2

>TABLE POSITION>

EU Scheme

List 3

>TABLE POSITION>

Protocol 3 ANNEX 2 - Lebanese Scheme

>TABLE POSITION>

(1) Notwithstanding the rules for the implementation of the Lebanese customs Nomenclature, the wording of the description of the products is to be considered as having no more than an indicative value, the preferential scheme being determined, within the context of this Annex, by the coverage of the Lebanese customs code. Where ex codes are indicated, the preferential scheme is to be determined by application of the code and description taken together.

(2) The reduction in column B of the customs duty in A shall neither apply to the minimum duty nor to the excise duty in C.

PROTOCOL 4

CONCERNING THE DEFINITION OF THE CONCEPT OF "ORIGINATING PRODUCTS" AND METHODS OF ADMINISTRATIVE COOPERATION

TABLE OF CONTENTS

TITLE I GENERAL PROVISIONS

- Article 1 Definitions

TITLE II DEFINITION OF THE CONCEPT OF "ORIGINATING PRODUCTS"

- Article 2 General requirements

- Article 3 Bilateral cumulation of origin

- Article 4 Diagonal cumulation of origin

- Article 5 Wholly obtained products

- Article 6 Sufficiently worked or processed products

- Article 7 Insufficient working or processing operations

- Article 8 Unit of qualification

- Article 9 Accessories, spare parts and tools

- Article 10 Sets

- Article 11 Neutral elements

TITLE III TERRITORIAL REQUIREMENTS

- Article 12 Principle of territoriality

- Article 13 Direct transport

- Article 14 Exhibitions

TITLE IV DRAWBACK OR EXEMPTION

- Article 15 Prohibition of drawback of, or exemption from, customs duties (amended)

TITLE V PROOF OF ORIGIN

- Article 16 General requirements

- Article 17 Procedure for the issue of a movement certificate EUR.1

- Article 18 Movement certificates EUR.1 issued retrospectively

- Article 19 Issue of a duplicate movement certificate EUR.1

- Article 20 Issue of movement certificates EUR.1 on the basis of a proof of origin issued or made out previously

- Article 21 Conditions for making out an invoice declaration

- Article 22 Approved exporter

- Article 23 Validity of proof of origin

- Article 24 Submission of proof of origin

- Article 25 Importation by instalments

- Article 26 Exemptions from proof of origin

-Article 27 Supporting documents

- Article 28 Preservation of proof of origin and supporting documents

- Article 29 Discrepancies and formal errors

- Article 30 Amounts expressed in Euro

TITLE VI ARRANGEMENTS FOR ADMINISTRATIVE COOPERATION

- Article 31 Mutual assistance

- Article 32 Verification of proofs of origin

- Article 33 Dispute settlement

- Article 34 Penalties

- Article 35 Free zones

TITLE VII CEUTA AND MELILLA

- Article 36 Application of the Protocol

- Article 37 Special conditions

TITLE VIII FINAL PROVISIONS

- Article 38 Amendments to the Protocol

- Article 39 Implementation of the Protocol

- Article 40 Goods in transit or storage

ANNEXES

ANNEX I: Introductory notes to the list in Annex II

ANNEX II: List of working or processing required to be carried out on non-originating materials in order that the products manufactured can obtain originating status.

ANNEX III : List of products originating in Turkey to which the provisions of Article 4 do not apply, listed in the order of HS Chapters and Headings

ANNEX IV: Movement certificate EUR.1 and application for a movement certificate EUR.1

ANNEX V: Invoice declaration

ANNEX VI: Joint declarations

TITLE I

GENERAL PROVISIONS

Article 1 Definitions

For the purposes of this Protocol:

(a) "manufacture" means any kind of working or processing including assembly or specific operations;

(b) "material" means any ingredient, raw material, component or part, etc., used in the manufacture of the product;

(c) "product" means the product being manufactured, even if it is intended for later use in another manufacturing operation;

(d) "goods" means both materials and products;

(e) "customs value" means the value as determined in accordance with the 1994 Agreement on implementation of Article VII of the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (WTO Agreement on customs valuation);

(f) "ex-works price" means the price paid for the product ex works to the manufacturer in the Community or Lebanon in whose undertaking the last working or processing is carried out, provided the price includes the value of all the materials used, minus any internal taxes which are, or may be, repaid when the product obtained is exported;

(g) "value of materials" means the customs value at the time of importation of the non-originating materials used, or, if this is not known and cannot be ascertained, the first ascertainable price paid for the materials in the Community or Lebanon;

(h) "value of originating materials" means the value of such materials as defined in subparagraph (g) applied mutatis mutandis;

(i) "added value" shall be taken to be the ex-works price minus the customs value of each of the products incorporated which did not originate in the country in which those products were obtained;

(j) "chapters" and "headings" mean the chapters and the headings (four-digit codes) used in the nomenclature which makes up the Harmonized Commodity Description and Coding System, referred to in this Protocol as "the Harmonized System" or "HS";

(k) "classified" refers to the classification of a product or material under a particular heading;

(l) "consignment" means products which are either sent simultaneously from one exporter to one consignee or covered by a single transport document covering their shipment from the exporter to the consignee or, in the absence of such a document, by a single invoice;

(m) "territories" includes territorial waters.

TITLE II

DEFINITION OF THE CONCEPT OF "ORIGINATING PRODUCTS"

Article 2 General requirements

1. For the purpose of implementing this Agreement, the following products shall be considered as originating in the Community:

(a) products wholly obtained in the Community within the meaning of Article 5 of this Protocol;

(b) products obtained in the Community incorporating materials which have not been wholly obtained there, provided that such materials have undergone sufficient working or processing in the Community within the meaning of Article 6 of this Protocol;

2. For the purpose of implementing this Agreement, the following products shall be considered as originating in Lebanon:

(a) products wholly obtained in Lebanon within the meaning of Article 5 of this Protocol;

(b) products obtained in Lebanon incorporating materials which have not been wholly obtained there, provided that such materials have undergone sufficient working or processing in Lebanon within the meaning of Article 6 of this Protocol.

Article 3 Bilateral cumulation of origin

1. Materials originating in the Community shall be considered as materials originating in Lebanon when incorporated into a product obtained there. It shall not be necessary that such materials have undergone sufficient working or processing, provided they have undergone working or processing going beyond that referred to in Article 7(1) of this Protocol.

2. Materials originating in Lebanon shall be considered as materials originating in the Community when incorporated into a product obtained there. It shall not be necessary that such materials have undergone sufficient working or processing, provided they have undergone working or processing going beyond that referred to in Article 7(1) of this Protocol.

Article 4 Diagonal cumulation of origin

1. Subject to the provisions of paragraphs 2 and 3, materials originating in any of the countries which are signatory to a European-Mediterranean Association Agreement,, within the meaning of the Agreements between the Community and Lebanon and these countries shall be considered as originating in the Community or Lebanon when incorporated into a product obtained there. It shall not be necessary that such materials have undergone sufficient working or processing.

This paragraph shall not apply to materials originating in Turkey which are mentioned in the list at Annex III to this Protocol."

2. Products which have acquired originating status by virtue of paragraph 1 shall only continue to be considered as products originating in the Community or Lebanon when the value added there exceeds the value of the materials used originating in any one of the other countries referred to in paragraph 1. If this is not so, the products concerned shall be considered as originating in the country referred to in paragraph 1 which accounts for the highest value of originating materials used. In the allocation of origin, no account shall be taken of materials originating in the other countries referred to in paragraph 1 which have undergone sufficient working or processing in the Community or Lebanon.

3. The cumulation provided for in this Article may only be applied where the materials used have acquired the status of originating products by an application of rules of origin identical to the rules in this Protocol. The Community and Lebanon shall provide each other, through the European Commission with details of agreements and their corresponding rules of origin which have been concluded with the other countries referred to in paragraph 1.

4. Once the requirements laid down in paragraph 3 have been fulfilled, and a date for the entry into force of these provisions has been agreed, each party shall fulfill its own notification and information obligations.

Article 5 Wholly obtained products

1. The following shall be considered as wholly obtained in the Community or Lebanon:

(a) mineral products extracted from their soil or from their seabed;

(b) vegetable products harvested there;

(d) products from live animals raised there;

(e) products obtained by hunting or fishing conducted there;

(f) products of sea fishing and other products taken from the sea outside the territorial waters of the Community or Lebanon by their vessels;

(g) products made aboard their factory ships exclusively from products referred to in subparagraph (f);

(h) used articles collected there fit only for the recovery of raw materials, including used tyres fit only for retreading or for use as waste;

(i) waste and scrap resulting from manufacturing operations conducted there;

(j) products extracted from marine soil or subsoil outside their territorial waters provided that they have sole rights to work that soil or subsoil;

(k) goods produced there exclusively from the products specified in subparagraphs (a) to (j).

2. The terms "their vessels" and "their factory ships" in paragraph 1(f) and (g) shall apply only to vessels and factory ships:

(a) which are registered or recorded in an EC Member State or in Lebanon;

(b) which sail under the flag of an EC Member State or of Lebanon;

(c) which are owned to an extent of at least 50 per cent by nationals of EC Member States or of Lebanon, or by a company with its head office in one of these States, of which the manager or managers, Chairman of the Board of Directors or the Supervisory Board, and the majority of the members of such boards are nationals of EC Member States or of Lebanon and of which, in addition, in the case of partnerships or limited companies, at least half the capital belongs to those States or to public bodies or nationals of the said States;

(d) of which the master and officers are nationals of EC Member States or of Lebanon; and

(e) of which at least 75 per cent of the crew are nationals of EC Member States or of Lebanon.

Article 6 Sufficiently worked or processed products

1. For the purposes of Article 2, products which are not wholly obtained are considered to be sufficiently worked or processed when the conditions set out in the list in Annex II are fulfilled.

The conditions referred to above indicate, for all products covered by this Agreement, the working or processing which must be carried out on non-originating materials used in manufacturing and apply only in relation to such materials. Accordingly, it follows that if a product, which has acquired originating status by fulfilling the conditions set out in the list is used in the manufacture of another product, the conditions applicable to the product in which it is incorporated do not apply to it, and no account shall be taken of the non-originating materials which may have been used in its manufacture.

2. Notwithstanding paragraph 1, the products which are not wholly obtained and listed in Annex II(a) are considered to be sufficiently worked or processed when the conditions set out in the list in Annex II(a) are fulfilled.

The provision of this paragraph shall apply for three years following the entry into force of the Agreement.

3. Notwithstanding paragraph 1 and 2, non-originating materials which, according to the conditions set out in the list, should not be used in the manufacture of a product may nevertheless be used, provided that:

(a) their total value does not exceed 10 per cent of the ex-works price of the product;

(b) any of the percentages given in the list for the maximum value of non-originating materials are not exceeded through the application of this paragraph.

This paragraph shall not apply to products falling within Chapters 50 to 63 of the Harmonized System.

4. Paragraphs 1, 2 and 3 shall apply except as provided in Article 7.

Article 7 Insufficient working or processing operations

1. Without prejudice to paragraph 2, the following operations shall be considered as insufficient working or processing to confer the status of originating products, whether or not the requirements of Article 6 are satisfied:

(a) operations to ensure the preservation of products in good condition during transport and storage (ventilation, spreading out, drying, chilling, placing in salt, sulphur dioxide or other aqueous solutions, removal of damaged parts, and like operations);

(b) simple operations consisting of removal of dust, sifting or screening, sorting, classifying, matching (including the making-up of sets of articles), washing, painting, cutting up;

(ii) simple placing in bottles, flasks, bags, cases, boxes, fixing on cards or boards, etc., and all other simple packaging operations;

(d) affixing marks, labels and other like distinguishing signs on products or their packaging;

(e) simple mixing of products, whether or not of different kinds, where one or more components of the mixtures do not meet the conditions laid down in this Protocol to enable them to be considered as originating in the Community or Lebanon;

(f) simple assembly of parts to constitute a complete product;

(g) a combination of two or more operations specified in subparagraphs (a) to (f);

(h) slaughter of animals.

2. All the operations carried out in either the Community or Lebanon on a given product shall be considered together when determining whether the working or processing undergone by that product is to be regarded as insufficient within the meaning of paragraph 1.

Article 8 Unit of qualification

1. The unit of qualification for the application of the provisions of this Protocol shall be the particular product which is considered as the basic unit when determining classification using the nomenclature of the Harmonized System.

Accordingly, it follows that:

(a) when a product composed of a group or assembly of articles is classified under the terms of the Harmonized System in a single heading, the whole constitutes the unit of qualification;

(b) when a consignment consists of a number of identical products classified under the same heading of the Harmonized System, each product must be taken individually when applying the provisions of this Protocol.

2. Where, under General Rule 5 of the Harmonized System, packaging is included with the product for classification purposes, it shall be included for the purposes of determining origin.

Article 9 Accessories, spare parts and tools

Accessories, spare parts and tools dispatched with a piece of equipment, machine, apparatus or vehicle, which are part of the normal equipment and included in the price thereof or which are not separately invoiced, shall be regarded as one with the piece of equipment, machine, apparatus or vehicle in question.

Article 10 Sets

Sets, as defined in General Rule 3 of the Harmonized System, shall be regarded as originating when all component products are originating. Nevertheless, when a set is composed of originating and non-originating products, the set as a whole shall be regarded as originating, provided that the value of the non-originating products does not exceed 15 per cent of the ex-works price of the set.

Article 11 Neutral elements

In order to determine whether a product originates, it shall not be necessary to determine the origin of the following which might be used in its manufacture:

(a) energy and fuel;

(b) plant and equipment;

(d) goods which do not enter and which are not intended to enter into the final composition of the product.

TITLE III

TERRITORIAL REQUIREMENTS

Article 12 Principle of territoriality

1. The conditions set out in Title II relative to the acquisition of originating status must be fulfilled without interruption in the Community or Lebanon, except as provided for in Article 4.

2. If originating goods exported from the Community or Lebanon to another country are returned, except insofar as provided for in Article 4 they must be considered as non-originating, unless it can be demonstrated to the satisfaction of the customs authorities that:

(a) the goods returned are the same goods as those exported; and

(b) they have not undergone any operation beyond that necessary to preserve them in good condition while in that country or while being exported.

Article 13 Direct transport

1. The preferential treatment provided for under the Agreement applies only to products, satisfying the requirements of this Protocol, which are transported directly between the Community and Lebanon or through the territories of the other countries referred to in Article 4. However, products constituting one single consignment may be transported through other territories with, should the occasion arise, trans-shipment or temporary warehousing in such territories, provided that they remain under the surveillance of the customs authorities in the country of transit or warehousing and do not undergo operations other than unloading, reloading or any operation designed to preserve them in good condition.

Originating products may be transported by pipeline across territory other than that of the Community or Lebanon.

2. Evidence that the conditions set out in paragraph 1 have been fulfilled shall be supplied to the customs authorities of the importing country by the production of:

(a) a single transport document covering the passage from the exporting country through the country of transit; or

(b) a certificate issued by the customs authorities of the country of transit:

(i) giving an exact description of the products;

(ii) stating the dates of unloading and reloading of the products and, where applicable, the names of the ships, or the other means of transport used; and

(iii) certifying the conditions under which the products remained in the transit country; or

Article 14 Exhibitions

1. Originating products, sent for exhibition in a country other than those referred to in Article 4 and sold after the exhibition for importation in the Community or Lebanon shall benefit on importation from the provisions of the Agreement provided it is shown to the satisfaction of the customs authorities that:

(a) an exporter has consigned these products from the Community or Lebanon to the country in which the exhibition is held and has exhibited them there;

(b) the products have been sold or otherwise disposed of by that exporter to a person in the Community or Lebanon;

(c) the products have been consigned during the exhibition or immediately thereafter in the state in which they were sent for exhibition; and

(d) the products have not, since they were consigned for exhibition, been used for any purpose other than demonstration at the exhibition.

2. A proof of origin must be issued or made out in accordance with the provisions of Title V and submitted to the customs authorities of the importing country in the normal manner. The name and address of the exhibition must be indicated thereon. Where necessary, additional documentary evidence of the conditions under which they have been exhibited may be required.

3. Paragraph 1 shall apply to any trade, industrial, agricultural or crafts exhibition, fair or similar public show or display which is not organized for private purposes in shops or business premises with a view to the sale of foreign products, and during which the products remain under customs control.

TITLE IV

DRAWBACK OR EXEMPTION

Article 15 Prohibition of drawback of, or exemption from, customs duties

1. Non-originating materials used in the manufacture of products originating in the Community, in Lebanon or in one of the other countries referred to in Article 4 for which a proof of origin is issued or made out in accordance with the provisions of Title V shall not be subject in the Community or Lebanon to drawback of, or exemption from, customs duties of whatever kind.

2. The prohibition in paragraph 1 shall apply to any arrangement for refund, remission or non-payment, partial or complete, of customs duties or charges having an equivalent effect, applicable in the Community or Lebanon to materials used in the manufacture, where such refund, remission or non-payment applies, expressly or in effect, when products obtained from the said materials are exported and not when they are retained for home use there.

3. The exporter of products covered by a proof of origin shall be prepared to submit at any time, upon request from the customs authorities, all appropriate documents proving that no drawback has been obtained in respect of the non-originating materials used in the manufacture of the products concerned and that all customs duties or charges having equivalent effect applicable to such materials have actually been paid.

4. The provisions of paragraphs 1 to 3 shall also apply in respect of packaging within the meaning of Article 8(2), accessories, spare parts and tools within the meaning of Article 9 and products in a set within the meaning of Article 10 when such items are non-originating.

5. The provisions of paragraphs 1 to 4 shall apply only in respect of materials which are of the kind to which the Agreement applies. Furthermore, they shall not preclude the application of an export refund system for agricultural products, applicable upon export in accordance with the provisions of the Agreement.

6. The provisions of this article shall not apply for six years following the entry into force of the Agreement.

7. After the entry into force of the provisions of this Article and notwithstanding paragraph 1, Lebanon may apply arrangements for drawback of, or exemption from, customs duties or charges having an equivalent effect, applicable to materials used in the manufacture of originating products, subject to the following provisions:

(a) a 5 per cent rate of customs charge shall be retained in respect of products falling within Chapters 25 to 49 and 64 to 97 of the Harmonised System, or such lower rate as in force in Lebanon;

(b) a 10 per cent rate of customs charge shall be retained in respect of products falling within Chapters 50 to 63 of the Harmonized System, or such lower rate as in force in Lebanon.

Before the end of the transitional period referred to in Article 6 of the Agreement, the provisions of this paragraph will be reviewed.

TITLE V

PROOF OF ORIGIN

Article 16 General requirements

1. Products originating in the Community shall, on importation into Lebanon and products originating in Lebanon shall, on importation into the Community benefit from this Agreement upon submission of either:

(a) a movement certificate EUR.1, a specimen of which appears in Annex IV; or

(b) in the cases specified in Article 21(1), a declaration, the text of which appears in Annex V, given by the exporter on an invoice, a delivery note or any other commercial document which describes the products concerned in sufficient detail to enable them to be identified (hereinafter referred to as the "invoice declaration").

2. Notwithstanding paragraph 1, originating products within the meaning of this Protocol shall, in the cases specified in Article 26, benefit from this Agreement without it being necessary to submit any of the documents referred to above.

Article 17 Procedure for the issue of a movement certificate EUR.1

1. A movement certificate EUR.1 shall be issued by the customs authorities of the exporting country on application having been made in writing by the exporter or, under the exporter's responsibility, by his authorized representative.

2. For this purpose, the exporter or his authorized representative shall fill out both the movement certificate EUR.1 and the application form, specimens of which appear in Annex IV. These forms shall be completed in one of the languages in which this Agreement is drawn up and in accordance with the provisions of the domestic law of the exporting country. If they are handwritten, they shall be completed in ink in printed characters. The description of the products must be given in the box reserved for this purpose without leaving any blank lines. Where the box is not completely filled, a horizontal line must be drawn below the last line of the description, the empty space being crossed through.

3. The exporter applying for the issue of a movement certificate EUR.1 shall be prepared to submit at any time, at the request of the customs authorities of the exporting country where the movement certificate EUR.1 is issued, all appropriate documents proving the originating status of the products concerned as well as the fulfilment of the other requirements of this Protocol.

4. A movement certificate EUR.1 shall be issued by the customs authorities of an EC Member State or Lebanon if the products concerned can be considered as products originating in the Community, Lebanon or in one of the other countries referred to in Article 4 and fulfil the other requirements of this Protocol.

5. The issuing customs authorities shall take any steps necessary to verify the originating status of the products and the fulfilment of the other requirements of this Protocol. For this purpose, they shall have the right to call for any evidence and to carry out any inspection of the exporter's accounts or any other check considered appropriate. The issuing customs authorities shall also ensure that the forms referred to in paragraph 2 are duly completed. In particular, they shall check whether the space reserved for the description of the products has been completed in such a manner as to exclude all possibility of fraudulent additions.

6. The date of issue of the movement certificate EUR.1 shall be indicated in Box 11 of the certificate.

7. A movement certificate EUR.1 shall be issued by the customs authorities and made available to the exporter as soon as actual exportation has been effected or ensured.

Article 18 Movement certificates EUR.1 issued retrospectively

1. Notwithstanding Article 17(7), a movement certificate EUR.1 may exceptionally be issued after exportation of the products to which it relates if:

(a) it was not issued at the time of exportation because of errors or involuntary omissions or special circumstances; or

(b) it is demonstrated to the satisfaction of the customs authorities that a movement certificate EUR.1 was issued but was not accepted at importation for technical reasons.

2. For the implementation of paragraph 1, the exporter must indicate in his application the place and date of exportation of the products to which the movement certificate EUR.1 relates, and state the reasons for his request.

3. The customs authorities may issue a movement certificate EUR.1 retrospectively only after verifying that the information supplied in the exporter's application agrees with that in the corresponding file.

4. Movement certificates EUR.1 issued retrospectively must be endorsed with one of the following phrases:

"NACHTRÄGLICH AUSGESTELLT", "DELIVRE A POSTERIORI",

"RILASCIATO A POSTERIORI", "AFGEGEVEN A POSTERIORI",

"ISSUED RETROSPECTIVELY", "UDSTEDT EFTERFØLGENDE",

"ÅÊÄÏÈÅÍ ÅÊ ÔÙÍ ÕÓÔÅÑÙÍ", "EXPEDIDO A POSTERIORI",

"EMITIDO A POSTERIORI", "ANNETTU JÄLKIKÄTEEN",

"UTFÄRDAT I EFTERHAND", "......... ".

5. The endorsement referred to in paragraph 4 shall be inserted in the "Remarks" box of the movement certificate EUR.1.

Article 19 Issue of a duplicate movement certificate EUR.1

1. In the event of theft, loss or destruction of a movement certificate EUR.1, the exporter may apply to the customs authorities which issued it for a duplicate made out on the basis of the export documents in their possession.

2. The duplicate issued in this way must be endorsed with one of the following words:

"DUPLIKAT", "DUPLICATA", "DUPLICATO", "DUPLICAAT", "DUPLICATE", "ÁÍÔÉÃÑÁÖÏ", "DUPLICADO", "SEGUNDA VIA", "KAKSOISKAPPALE", "....".

3. The endorsement referred to in paragraph 2 shall be inserted in the "Remarks" box of the duplicate movement certificate EUR.1.

4. The duplicate, which must bear the date of issue of the original movement certificate EUR.1, shall take effect as from that date.

Article 20 Issue of movement certificates EUR.1 on the basis of a proof of origin issued or made out previously

When originating products are placed under the control of a customs office in the Community or Lebanon, it shall be possible to replace the original proof of origin by one or more movement certificates EUR.1 for the purpose of sending all or some of these products elsewhere within the Community or Lebanon. The replacement movement certificate(s) EUR.1 shall be issued by the customs office under whose control the products are placed.

Article 21 Conditions for making out an invoice declaration

1. An invoice declaration as referred to in Article 16(1)(b) may be made out:

(a) by an approved exporter within the meaning of Article 22, or

(b) by any exporter for any consignment consisting of one or more packages containing originating products whose total value does not exceed Euro 6 000.

2. An invoice declaration may be made out if the products concerned can be considered as products originating in the Community, Lebanon or in one of the other countries referred to in Article 4 and fulfil the other requirements of this Protocol.

3. The exporter making out an invoice declaration shall be prepared to submit at any time, at the request of the customs authorities of the exporting country, all appropriate documents proving the originating status of the products concerned as well as the fulfilment of the other requirements of this Protocol.

4. An invoice declaration shall be made out by the exporter by typing, stamping or printing on the invoice, the delivery note or another commercial document, the declaration, the text of which appears in Annex V, using one of the linguistic versions set out in that Annex and in accordance with the provisions of the domestic law of the exporting country. If the declaration is handwritten, it shall be written in ink in printed characters.

5. Invoice declarations shall bear the original signature of the exporter in manuscript. However, an approved exporter within the meaning of Article 22 shall not be required to sign such declarations provided that he gives the customs authorities of the exporting country a written undertaking that he accepts full responsibility for any invoice declaration which identifies him as if it had been signed in manuscript by him.

6. An invoice declaration may be made out by the exporter when the products to which it relates are exported, or after exportation on condition that it is presented in the importing country no longer than two years after the importation of the products to which it relates.

Article 22 Approved exporter

1. The customs authorities of the exporting country may authorize any exporter who makes frequent shipments of products under this Agreement to make out invoice declarations irrespective of the value of the products concerned. An exporter seeking such authorization must offer to the satisfaction of the customs authorities all guarantees necessary to verify the originating status of the products as well as the fulfilment of the other requirements of this Protocol.

2. The customs authorities may grant the status of approved exporter subject to any conditions which they consider appropriate.

3. The customs authorities shall grant to the approved exporter a customs authorization number which shall appear on the invoice declaration.

4. The customs authorities shall monitor the use of the authorization by the approved exporter.

5. The customs authorities may withdraw the authorization at any time. They shall do so where the approved exporter no longer offers the guarantees referred to in paragraph 1, does not fulfil the conditions referred to in paragraph 2 or otherwise makes an incorrect use of the authorization.

Article 23 Validity of proof of origin

1. A proof of origin shall be valid for four months from the date of issue in the exporting country, and must be submitted within the said period to the customs authorities of the importing country.

2. Proofs of origin which are submitted to the customs authorities of the importing country after the final date for presentation specified in paragraph 1 may be accepted for the purpose of applying preferential treatment, where the failure to submit these documents by the final date set is due to exceptional circumstances.

3. In other cases of belated presentation, the customs authorities of the importing country may accept the proofs of origin where the products have been submitted before the said final date.

Article 24 Submission of proof of origin

Proofs of origin shall be submitted to the customs authorities of the importing country in accordance with the procedures applicable in that country. The said authorities may require a translation of a proof of origin and may also require the import declaration to be accompanied by a statement from the importer to the effect that the products meet the conditions required for the implementation of the Agreement.

Article 25 Importation by instalments

Where, at the request of the importer and on the conditions laid down by the customs authorities of the importing country, dismantled or non-assembled products within the meaning of General Rule 2(a) of the Harmonized System falling within Sections XVI and XVII or heading Nos 7308 and 9406 of the Harmonized System are imported by instalments, a single proof of origin for such products shall be submitted to the customs authorities upon importation of the first instalment.

Article 26 Exemptions from proof of origin

1. Products sent as small packages from private persons to private persons or forming part of travellers' personal luggage shall be admitted as originating products without requiring the submission of a proof of origin, provided that such products are not imported by way of trade and have been declared as meeting the requirements of this Protocol and where there is no doubt as to the veracity of such a declaration. In the case of products sent by post, this declaration can be made on the customs declaration CN22/CN23 or on a sheet of paper annexed to that document.

2. Imports which are occasional and consist solely of products for the personal use of the recipients or travellers or their families shall not be considered as imports by way of trade if it is evident from the nature and quantity of the products that no commercial purpose is in view.

3. Furthermore, the total value of these products shall not exceed Euro 500 in the case of small packages or Euro 1 200 in the case of products forming part of travellers' personal luggage.

Article 27 Supporting documents

The documents referred to in Articles 17(3) and 21(3) used for the purpose of proving that products covered by a movement certificate EUR.1 or an invoice declaration can be considered as products originating in the Community, Lebanon or in one of the other countries referred to in Article 4 and fulfil the other requirements of this Protocol may consist inter alia of the following:

(a) direct evidence of the processes carried out by the exporter or supplier to obtain the goods concerned, contained for example in his accounts or internal bookkeeping;

(b) documents proving the originating status of materials used, issued or made out in the Community or Lebanon where these documents are used in accordance with domestic law;

(c) documents proving the working or processing of materials in the Community or Lebanon, issued or made out in the Community or Lebanon, where these documents are used in accordance with domestic law;

(d) movement certificates EUR.1 or invoice declarations proving the originating status of materials used, issued or made out in the Community or Lebanon in accordance with this Protocol, or in one of the other countries referred to in Article 4, in accordance with rules of origin which are identical to the rules in this Protocol.

Article 28 Preservation of proof of origin and supporting documents

1. The exporter applying for the issue of a movement certificate EUR.1 shall keep for at least three years the documents referred to in Article 17(3).

2. The exporter making out an invoice declaration shall keep for at least three years a copy of this invoice declaration as well as the documents referred to in Article 21(3).

3. The customs authorities of the exporting country issuing a movement certificate EUR.1 shall keep for at least three years the application form referred to in Article 17(2).

4. The customs authorities of the importing country shall keep for at least three years the movement certificates EUR.1 and the invoice declarations submitted to them.

Article 29 Discrepancies and formal errors

1. The discovery of slight discrepancies between the statements made in the proof of origin and those made in the documents submitted to the customs office for the purpose of carrying out the formalities for importing the products shall not ipso facto render the proof of origin null and void if it is duly established that this document does correspond to the products submitted.

2. Obvious formal errors such as typing errors on a proof of origin should not cause this document to be rejected if these errors are not such as to create doubts concerning the correctness of the statements made in this document.

Article 30 Amounts expressed in Euro

1. Amounts in the national currency of the exporting country equivalent to the amounts expressed in Euro shall be fixed by the exporting country and communicated to the importing countries through the European Commission.

2. When the amounts exceed the corresponding amounts fixed by the importing country, the latter shall accept them if the products are invoiced in the currency of the exporting country. When the products are invoiced in the currency of EC Member State or another country referred to in Article 4, the importing country shall recognize the amount notified by the country concerned.

3. The amounts to be used in any given national currency shall be the equivalent in that national currency of the amounts expressed in Euro as at the first working day in October 1999.

4. The amounts expressed in Euro and their equivalents in the national currencies of EC Member States and Lebanon shall be reviewed by the Association Committee at the request of the Community or Lebanon. When carrying out this review, the Association Committee shall ensure that there will be no decrease in the amounts to be used in national currency and shall furthermore consider the desirability of preserving the effects of the limits concerned in real terms. For this purpose, it may decide to modify the amounts expressed in Euro.

TITLE VI

ARRANGEMENTS FOR ADMINISTRATIVE COOPERATION

Article 31 Mutual assistance

1. The customs authorities of the EC Member States and of Lebanon shall provide each other, through the European Commission, with specimen impressions of stamps used in their customs offices for the issue of movement certificates EUR.1 and with the addresses of the customs authorities responsible for verifying those certificates and invoice declarations.

2. In order to ensure the proper application of this Protocol, the Community and Lebanon shall assist each other, through the competent customs administrations, in checking the authenticity of the movement certificates EUR.1 or the invoice declarations and the correctness of the information given in these documents.

Article 32 Verification of proofs of origin

1. Subsequent verifications of proofs of origin shall be carried out at random or whenever the customs authorities of the importing country have reasonable doubts as to the authenticity of such documents, the originating status of the products concerned or the fulfilment of the other requirements of this Protocol.

2. For the purposes of implementing the provisions of paragraph 1, the customs authorities of the importing country shall return the movement certificate EUR.1 and the invoice, if it has been submitted, the invoice declaration, or a copy of these documents, to the customs authorities of the exporting country giving, where appropriate, the reasons for the enquiry. Any documents and information obtained suggesting that the information given on the proof or origin is incorrect shall be forwarded in support of the request for verification.

3. The verification shall be carried out by the customs authorities of the exporting country. For this purpose, they shall have the right to call for any evidence and to carry out any inspection of the exporter's accounts or any other check considered appropriate.

4. If the customs authorities of the importing country decide to suspend the granting of preferential treatment to the products concerned while awaiting the results of the verification, release of the products shall be offered to the importer subject to any precautionary measures judged necessary.

5. The customs authorities requesting the verification shall be informed of the results of this verification as soon as possible. These results must indicate clearly whether the documents are authentic and whether the products concerned can be considered as products originating in the Community, Lebanon or one of the other countries referred to in Article 4 and fulfil the other requirements of this Protocol.

6. If in cases of reasonable doubt there is no reply within ten months of the date of the verification request or if the reply does not contain sufficient information to determine the authenticity of the document in question or the real origin of the products, the requesting customs authorities shall, except in exceptional circumstances, refuse entitlement to the preferences.

Article 33 Dispute settlement

Where disputes arise in relation to the verification procedures of Article 32 which cannot be settled between the customs authorities requesting a verification and the customs authorities responsible for carrying out this verification or where they raise a question as to the interpretation of this Protocol, they shall be submitted to the Association Committee.

In all cases the settlement of disputes between the importer and the customs authorities of the importing country shall be under the legislation of the said country.

Article 34 Penalties

Penalties shall be imposed on any person who draws up, or causes to be drawn up, a document which contains incorrect information for the purpose of obtaining a preferential treatment for products.

Article 35 Free zones

1. The Community and Lebanon shall take all necessary steps to ensure that products traded under cover of a proof of origin which in the course of transport use a free zone situated in their territory, are not substituted by other goods and do not undergo handling other than normal operations designed to prevent their deterioration.

2. By means of an exemption to the provisions contained in paragraph 1, when products originating in the Community or Lebanon are imported into a free zone under cover of a proof of origin and undergo treatment or processing, the authorities concerned shall issue a new EUR.1 certificate at the exporter's request, if the treatment or processing undergone is in conformity with the provisions of this Protocol.

TITLE VII

CEUTA AND MELILLA

Article 36 Application of the Protocol

1. The term "Community" used in Article 2 does not cover Ceuta and Melilla.

2. Products originating in Lebanon, when imported into Ceuta or Melilla, shall enjoy in all respects the same customs regime as that which is applied to products originating in the customs territory of the Community under Protocol 2 of the Act of Accession of the Kingdom of Spain and the Portuguese Republic to the European Communities. Lebanon shall grant to imports of products covered by the Agreement and originating in Ceuta and Melilla the same customs regime as that which is granted to products imported from and originating in the Community.

3. For the purpose of the application of paragraph 2 concerning products originating in Ceuta and Melilla, this Protocol shall apply mutatis mutandis subject to the special conditions set out in Article 37.

Article 37 Special conditions

1. Providing they have been transported directly in accordance with the provisions of Article 13, the following shall be considered as:

(1) products originating in Ceuta and Melilla:

(a) products wholly obtained in Ceuta and Melilla;

(b) products obtained in Ceuta and Melilla in the manufacture of which products other than those referred to in (a) are used, provided that:

(i) the said products have undergone sufficient working or processing within the meaning of Article 6 of this Protocol; or that

(ii) those products are originating in Lebanon or the Community within the meaning of this Protocol, provided that they have been submitted to working or processing which goes beyond the insufficient working or processing referred to in Article 7(1).

(2) products originating in Lebanon:

(a) products wholly obtained in Lebanon;

(b) products obtained in Lebanon, in the manufacture of which products other than those referred to in (a) are used, provided that:

(i) the said products have undergone sufficient working or processing within the meaning of Article 6 of this Protocol; or that

(ii) those products are originating in Ceuta and Melilla or the Community within the meaning of this Protocol, provided that they have been submitted to working or processing which goes beyond the insufficient working or processing referred to in Article 7(1).

2. Ceuta and Melilla shall be considered as a single territory.

3. The exporter or his authorized representative shall enter "Lebanon" and "Ceuta and Melilla" in Box 2 of movement certificates EUR.1 or on invoice declarations. In addition, in the case of products originating in Ceuta and Melilla, this shall be indicated in Box 4 of movement certificates EUR.1 or on invoice declarations.

4. The Spanish customs authorities shall be responsible for the application of this Protocol in Ceuta and Melilla.

TITLE VIII

FINAL PROVISIONS

Article 38 Amendments to the Protocol

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

Article 39 Implementation of the Protocol

The Community and Lebanon shall each take the steps necessary to implement this Protocol.

Article 40 Goods in transit or storage

The provisions of the Agreement may be applied to goods which comply with the provisions of this Protocol and which on the date of entry into force of the Agreement are either in transit or are in the Community or in Lebanon or, in temporary storage in bonded warehouses or in free zones, subject to the submission to the customs authorities of the importing State, within four months of that date, of a certificate EUR.1 issued retrospectively by the competent authorities of the exporting State together with the documents showin that the goods have been transported directly.

ANNEX I

Introductory notes to the list in Annex II

Note 1:

The list sets out the conditions required for all products to be considered as sufficiently worked or processed within the meaning of Article 6 of the Protocol.

Note 2:

2.1. The first two columns in the list describe the product obtained. The first column gives the heading number or chapter number used in the Harmonized System and the second column gives the description of goods used in that system for that heading or chapter. For each entry in the first two columns, a rule is specified in column 3 or 4. Where, in some cases, the entry in the first column is preceded by an "ex", this signifies that the rules in column 3 or 4 apply only to the part of that heading as described in column 2.

2.2. Where several heading numbers are grouped together in column 1 or a chapter number is given and the description of products in column 2 is therefore given in general terms, the adjacent rules in column 3 or 4 apply to all products which, under the Harmonized System, are classified in headings of the chapter or in any of the headings grouped together in column 1.

2.3. Where there are different rules in the list applying to different products within a heading, each indent contains the description of that part of the heading covered by the adjacent rules in column 3 or 4.

2.4. Where, for an entry in the first two columns, a rule is specified in both columns 3 and 4, the exporter may opt, as an alternative, to apply either the rule set out in column 3 or that set out in column 4. If no origin rule is given in column 4, the rule set out in column 3 is to be applied.

Note 3:

3.1. The provisions of Article 6 of the Protocol, concerning products having acquired originating status which are used in the manufacture of other products, shall apply, regardless of whether this status has been acquired inside the factory where these products are used or in another factory in the Community or in Lebanon.

Example:

An engine of heading 8407, for which the rule states that the value of the non-originating materials which may be incorporated may not exceed 40 % of the ex-works price, is made from "other alloy steel roughly shaped by forging" of heading ex 7224.

If this forging has been forged in the Community from a non-originating ingot, it has already acquired originating status by virtue of the rule for heading ex 7224 in the list. The forging can then count as originating in the value-calculation for the engine, regardless of whether it was produced in the same factory or in another factory in the Community. The value of the non-originating ingot is thus not taken into account when adding up the value of the non-originating materials used.

3.2. The rule in the list represents the minimum amount of working or processing required, and the carrying-out of more working or processing also confers originating status; conversely, the carrying-out of less working or processing cannot confer originating status. Thus, if a rule provides that non-originating material, at a certain level of manufacture, may be used, the use of such material at an earlier stage of manufacture is allowed, and the use of such material at a later stage is not.

3.3. Without prejudice to Note 3.2, where a rule uses the expression "Manufacture from materials of any heading", then materials of any heading(s) (even materials of the same description and heading as the product) may be used, subject, however, to any specific limitations which may also be contained in the rule.

However, the expression "Manufacture from materials of any heading, including other materials of heading ..." or "Manufacture from materials of any heading, including other materials of the same heading as the product" means that materials of any heading(s) may be used, except those of the same description as the product as given in column 2 of the list.

3.4. When a rule in the list specifies that a product may be manufactured from more than one material, this means that one or more materials may be used. It does not require that all be used.

Example:

The rule for fabrics of headings 5208 to 5212 provides that natural fibres may be used and that chemical materials, among other materials, may also be used. This does not mean that both have to be used; it is possible to use one or the other, or both.

3.5. Where a rule in the list specifies that a product must be manufactured from a particular material, the condition obviously does not prevent the use of other materials which, because of their inherent nature, cannot satisfy the rule. (See also Note 6.2 below in relation to textiles).

Example:

The rule for prepared foods of heading 1904, which specifically excludes the use of cereals and their derivatives, does not prevent the use of mineral salts, chemicals and other additives which are not products from cereals.

However, this does not apply to products which, although they cannot be manufactured from the particular materials specified in the list, can be produced from a material of the same nature at an earlier stage of manufacture.

Example:

In the case of an article of apparel of ex Chapter 62 made from non-woven materials, if the use of only non-originating yarn is allowed for this class of article, it is not possible to start from non-woven cloth - even if non-woven cloths cannot normally be made from yarn. In such cases, the starting material would normally be at the stage before yarn - that is, the fibre stage.

3.6. Where, in a rule in the list, two percentages are given for the maximum value of non-originating materials that can be used, then these percentages may not be added together. In other words, the maximum value of all the non-originating materials used may never exceed the higher of the percentages given. Furthermore, the individual percentages must not be exceeded, in relation to the particular materials to which they apply.

Note 4:

4.1. The term "natural fibres" is used in the list to refer to fibres other than artificial or synthetic fibres. It is restricted to the stages before spinning takes place, including waste, and, unless otherwise specified, includes fibres which have been carded, combed or otherwise processed, but not spun.

4.2. The term "natural fibres" includes horsehair of heading 0503, silk of headings 5002 and 5003, as well as wool-fibres and fine or coarse animal hair of headings 5101 to 5105, cotton fibres of headings 5201 to 5203, and other vegetable fibres of headings 5301 to 5305.

4.3. The terms "textile pulp", "chemical materials" and "paper-making materials" are used in the list to describe the materials, not classified in Chapters 50 to 63, which can be used to manufacture artificial, synthetic or paper fibres or yarns.

4.4. The term "man-made staple fibres" is used in the list to refer to synthetic or artificial filament tow, staple fibres or waste, of headings 5501 to 5507.

Note 5:

5.1. Where, for a given product in the list, reference is made to this Note, the conditions set out in column 3 shall not be applied to any basic textile materials used in the manufacture of this product and which, taken together, represent 10 % or less of the total weight of all the basic textile materials used. (See also Notes 5.3 and 5.4 below.)

5.2. However, the tolerance mentioned in Note 5.1 may be applied only to mixed products which have been made from two or more basic textile materials.

The following are the basic textile materials:

- silk,

- wool,

- coarse animal hair,

- fine animal hair,

- horsehair,

- cotton,

- paper-making materials and paper,

- flax,

- true hemp,

- jute and other textile bast fibres,

- sisal and other textile fibres of the genus Agave,

- coconut, abaca , ramie and other vegetable textile fibres,

- synthetic man-made filaments,

- artificial man-made filaments,

- current-conducting filaments,

- synthetic man-made staple fibres of polypropylene,

- synthetic man-made staple fibres of polyester,

- synthetic man-made staple fibres of polyamide,

- synthetic man-made staple fibres of polyacrylonitrile,

- synthetic man-made staple fibres of polyimide,

- synthetic man-made staple fibres of polytetrafluoroethylene,

- synthetic man-made staple fibres of poly(phenylene sulphide),

- synthetic man-made staple fibres of poly(vinyl chloride),

- other synthetic man-made staple fibres,

- artificial man-made staple fibres of viscose,

- other artificial man-made staple fibres,

- yarn made of polyurethane segmented with flexible segments of polyether, whether or not gimped,

- yarn made of polyurethane segmented with flexible segments of polyester, whether or not gimped,

- products of heading 5605 (metallised yarn) incorporating strip consisting of a core of aluminium foil or of a core of plastic film whether or not coated with aluminium powder, of a width not exceeding 5 mm, sandwiched by means of a transparent or coloured adhesive between two layers of plastic film,

- other products of heading 5605.

Example:

A yarn, of heading 5205, made from cotton fibres of heading 5203 and synthetic staple fibres of heading 5506, is a mixed yarn. Therefore, non-originating synthetic staple fibres which do not satisfy the origin-rules (which require manufacture from chemical materials or textile pulp) may be used, provided that their total weight does not exceed 10 % of the weight of the yarn.

Example:

A woollen fabric, of heading 5112, made from woollen yarn of heading 5107 and synthetic yarn of staple fibres of heading 5509, is a mixed fabric. Therefore, synthetic yarn which does not satisfy the origin-rules (which require manufacture from chemical materials or textile pulp), or woollen yarn which does not satisfy the origin-rules (which require manufacture from natural fibres, not carded or combed or otherwise prepared for spinning), or a combination of the two, may be used, provided that their total weight does not exceed 10 % of the weight of the fabric.

Example:

Tufted textile fabric, of heading 5802, made from cotton yarn of heading 5205 and cotton fabric of heading 5210, is a only mixed product if the cotton fabric is itself a mixed fabric made from yarns classified in two separate headings, or if the cotton yarns used are themselves mixtures.

Example:

If the tufted textile fabric concerned had been made from cotton yarn of heading 5205 and synthetic fabric of heading 5407, then, obviously, the yarns used are two separate basic textile materials and the tufted textile fabric is, accordingly, a mixed product.

5.3. In the case of products incorporating "yarn made of polyurethane segmented with flexible segments of polyether, whether or not gimped", this tolerance is 20 % in respect of this yarn.

5.4. In the case of products incorporating "strip consisting of a core of aluminium foil or of a core of plastic film whether or not coated with aluminium powder, of a width not exceeding 5 mm, sandwiched by means of a transparent or coloured adhesive between two layers of plastic film", this tolerance is 30 % in respect of this strip.

Note 6:

6.1. Where, in the list, reference is made to this Note, textile materials (with the exception of linings and interlinings), which do not satisfy the rule set out in the list in column 3 for the made-up product concerned, may be used, provided that they are classified in a heading other than that of the product and that their value does not exceed 8 % of the ex-works price of the product.

6.2. Without prejudice to Note 6.3, materials, which are not classified within Chapters 50 to 63, may be used freely in the manufacture of textile products, whether or not they contain textiles.

Example:

If a rule in the list provides that, for a particular textile item (such as trousers), yarn must be used, this does not prevent the use of metal items, such as buttons, because buttons are not classified within Chapters 50 to 63. For the same reason, it does not prevent the use of slide-fasteners, even though slide-fasteners normally contain textiles.

6.3. Where a percentage-rule applies, the value of materials which are not classified within Chapters 50 to 63 must be taken into account when calculating the value of the non-originating materials incorporated.

Note 7:

7.1. For the purposes of headings ex 2707, 2713 to 2715, ex 2901, ex 2902 and ex 3403, the "specific processes" are the following:

(a) vacuum-distillation;

(b) redistillation by a very thorough fractionation-process;

(d) reforming;

(e) extraction by means of selective solvents;

(f) the process comprising all of the following operations: processing with concentrated sulphuric acid, oleum or sulphuric anhydride; neutralisation with alkaline agents; decolourisation and purification with naturally-active earth, activated earth, activated charcoal or bauxite;

(g) polymerisation;

(h) alkylation;

(i) isomerisation.

7.2. For the purposes of headings 2710, 2711 and 2712, the "specific processes" are the following:

(a) vacuum-distillation;

(b) redistillation by a very thorough fractionation-process;

(d) reforming;

(e) extraction by means of selective solvents;

(g) polymerisation;

(h) alkylation;

(ij) isomerisation;

(k) in respect of heavy oils of heading ex 2710 only, desulphurisation with hydrogen, resulting in a reduction of at least 85 % of the sulphur-content of the products processed (ASTM D 1266-59 T method);

(l) in respect of products of heading 2710 only, deparaffining by a process other than filtering;

(m) in respect of heavy oils of heading ex 2710 only, treatment with hydrogen, at a pressure of more than 20 bar and a temperature of more than 250 °C, with the use of a catalyst, other than to effect desulphurisation, when the hydrogen constitutes an active element in a chemical reaction. The further treatment, with hydrogen, of lubricating oils of heading ex 2710 (e.g. hydrofinishing or decolourisation), in order, more especially, to improve colour or stability shall not, however, be deemed to be a specific process;

(n) in respect of fuel oils of heading ex 2710 only, atmospheric distillation, on condition that less than 30 % of these products distils, by volume, including losses, at 300 °C, by the ASTM D 86 method;

(o) in respect of heavy oils other than gas oils and fuel oils of heading ex 2710 only, treatment by means of a high-frequency electrical brush-discharge;

(p) in respect of crude products (other than petroleum jelly, ozokerite, lignite wax or peat wax, paraffin wax containing by weight less than 0.75 % of oil) of heading ex 2712 only, de-oiling by fractional crystallisation.

7.3. For the purposes of headings ex 2707, 2713 to 2715, ex 2901, ex 2902 and ex 3403, simple operations, such as cleaning, decanting, desalting, water-separation, filtering, colouring, marking, obtaining a sulphur-content as a result of mixing products with different sulphur-contents, or any combination of these operations or like operations, do not confer origin.

ANNEX II

LIST OF WORKING OR PROCESSING REQUIRED TO BE CARRIED OUT ON NON-ORIGINATING MATERIALS IN ORDER THAT THE PRODUCT MANUFACTURED CAN OBTAIN ORIGINATING STATUS

The products mentioned in the list may not be all covered by the Agreement. It is, therefore, necessary to consult the other parts of the Agreement.

>TABLE POSITION>

Annex IIa

List of working or processing or processing required to be carried out on non-originating materials in order that the products manufactured referred to in Article 6(2) can obtain originating status.

>TABLE POSITION>

Annex III

List of products originating in Turkey to which the provisions of Article 4 do not apply, listed in the order of HS Chapters and Headings

Chapter 1

Chapter 2

Chapter 3

0401 to 0402

ex 0403 - Buttermilk, curdled milk and cream, yoghurt, kephir and other fermented or acidified milk and cream, whether or not concentrated or containing added sugar or other sweetening matter or flavoured or containing added fruit or cocoa

0404 to 0410

0504

0511

Chapter 6

0701 to 0709

ex 0710 - Vegetables (uncooked or cooked by steaming or boiling in water), frozen

ex 0711 - Vegetables, except sweet corn of heading 0711 90 30, provisionally preserved (for example, by sulphur dioxide gas, in brine, in sulphur water or in other preservative solutions), but unsuitable in that state for immediate consumption

0712 to 0714

Chapter 8

ex Chapter 9 - Coffee, tea, and spices, excluding maté of heading 0903

Chapter 10

Chapter 11

Chapter 12

ex 1302 - Pectin

1501 to1514

ex 1515 - Other fixed vegetable fats and oils (excluding jojoba oil and its fractions) and their fractions, whether or not refined, but not chemically modified

ex 1516 - Animal or vegetable fats and oils and their fractions, partly or wholly hydrogenated, inter-esterified, re-esterified or elaidinised, whether or not refined, but not further prepared, excluding hydrogenated castor oil known as 'opal-wax'

ex 1517 and

ex 1518 - Margarines, imitation lard and other prepared edible fats

ex 1522 - Residues resulting from the treatment of fatty substances or animal or vegetable waxes, excluding degras

Chapter 16

1701

ex 1702 - Other sugars, including chemically pure lactose, maltose, glucose and fructose, in solid form; sugar syrups not containing added flavouring or colouring matter; artificial honey, whether or not mixed with natural honey; caramel excluding that of headings 1702 11 00, 1702 30 51, 1702 30 59, 1702 50 00 and 1702 90 10

1703

1801 and 1802

ex 1902 - Pasta, stuffed, containing more than 20% by weight of fish, crustaceans, molluscs or other aquatic invertebrates, sausages and the like or meat and meat offal of any kind, including fats of all kinds

ex 2001 - Cucumbers and gherkins, onions, mango chutney, fruit of the genus Capsicum other than sweet peppers or pimentos, mushrooms and olives, prepared or preserved by vinegar or acetic acid

2002 and 2003

ex 2004 - Other vegetables prepared or preserved otherwise than by vinegar or acetic acid, frozen, other than products of heading 2006, excluding potatoes in the form of flour or meal and flakes of sweet corn

ex 2005 - Other vegetables prepared or preserved otherwise than by vinegar or acetic acid, not frozen, other than products of heading 2006, excluding potato and sweet corn products

2006 and 2007

ex 2008 - Fruits, nuts and other edible parts of plants, otherwise prepared or preserved, whether or not containing added sugar or other sweetening matter or spirit, not elsewhere specified or included, excluding peanut butter, palm hearts, maize, yams, sweet potatoes and similar edible parts of plants containing 5% or more by weight of starch, vine leaves, hop shoots and other similar edible parts of plants

2009

ex 2106 - Flavoured and coloured sugars, syrups and molasses

2204

2206

ex 2207 - Undenatured ethyl alcohol of an alcoholic strength by volume of 80% vol or higher obtained from agricultural produce listed here

ex 2208 - Undenatured ethyl alcohol of an alcoholic strength by volume of less than 80% vol obtained from agricultural produce listed here.

2209

Chapter 23

2401

4501

5301 and 5302"

ANNEX IV

specimens of movement certificate EUR.1 and application for a movement certificate EUR.1

Printing instructions

1. Each form shall measure 210 x 297 mm; a tolerance of up to minus 5 mm or plus 8 mm in the length may be allowed. The paper used must be white, sized for writing, not containing mechanical pulp and weighing not less than 25 g/m2. It shall have a printed green guilloche pattern background making any falsification by mechanical or chemical means apparent to the eye.

2. The competent authorities of the Member States of the Community and of Lebanon may reserve the right to print the forms themselves or may have them printed by approved printers. In the latter case, each form must include a reference to such approval. Each form must bear the name and address of the printer or a mark by which the printer can be identified. It shall also bear a serial number, either printed or not, by which it can be identified.

MOVEMENT CERTIFICATE

>TABLE POSITION>

13. REQUEST FOR VERIFICATION, to

// 14. RESULT OF VERIFICATION

// Verification carried out shows that this certificate (1)

| | was issued by the customs office indicated and

that the information contained therein is accurate.

| | does not meet the requirements as to authenticity

and accuracy (see remarks appended).

Verification of the authenticity and accuracy of this certificate is requested.

...............................................................................................

(Place and date)

Stamp

...........................................................

(Signature)

...............................................................................

(Place and date)

Stamp

........................................................

(Signature)

(1) Insert X in the appropriate box.

NOTES

1. Certificate must not contain erasures or words written over one another. Any alterations must be made by deleting the incorrect particulars and adding any necessary corrections. Any such alteration must be initialled by the person who completed the certificate and endorsed by the Customs authorities of the issuing country or territory.

2. No spaces must be left between the items entered on the certificate and each item must be precede by an item number. A horizontal line must be drawn immediately below the last item. Any unused space must be struck through in such a manner as to make any later additions impossible.

3. Goods must be described in accordance with commercial practice and with sufficient detail to enable them to be identified.

APPLICATION FOR A MOVEMENT CERTIFICATE

>TABLE POSITION>

(1) If goods are not packed, indicate number of articles or state « in bulk » as appropriate

DECLARATION BY THE EXPORTER

I, the undersigned, exporter of the goods described overleaf,

DECLARE that the goods meet the conditions required for the issue of the attached certificate;

SPECIFY as follows the circumstances which have enable these goods to meet the above conditions:

SUBMIT the following supporting documents ( [2]):

[2] For example : import documents, movement certificates, invoices, manufacturer's declarations, etc., referring to the products used in manufacture or to the goods re-exported in the same state.

UNDERTAKE to submit, at the request of the appropriate authorities, any supporting evidence which these authorities may require for the purpose of issuing the attached certificate, and undertake, if required, to agree to any inspection of my accounts and to any check on the processes of manufacture of the above goods, carried out by the said authorities;

REQUEST the issue of the attached certificate for these goods.

(Place and date)

(Signature)

ANNEX V

Invoice declaration

The invoice declaration, the text of which is given below, must be made out in accordance with the footnotes. However, the footnotes do not have to be reproduced.

English version

The exporter of the products covered by this document (customs authorization No... [3]) declares that, except where otherwise clearly indicated, these products are of ... preferential origin [4]

[3] When the invoice declaration is made out by an approved exporter within the meaning of Article 22 of the Protocol, the authorization number of the approved exporter must be entered in this space. When the invoice declaration is not made out by an approved exporter, the words in brackets shall be omitted or the space left blank.

[4] Origin of products to be indicated. When the invoice declaration relates in whole or in part, to products originating in Ceuta and Melilla within the meaning of Article 37 of the Protocol, the exporter must clearly indicate them in the document on which the declaration is made out by means of the symbol "CM".

Spanish version

El exportador de los productos incluidos en el presente documento (autorización aduanera n° ...[5])declara que, salvo indicación en sentido contrario, estos productos gozan de un origen preferencial ...[6]

[5] When the invoice declaration is made out by an approved exporter within the meaning of Article 22 of the Protocol, the authorization number of the approved exporter must be entered in this space. When the invoice declaration is not made out by an approved exporter, the words in brackets shall be omitted or the space left blank.

[6] Origin of products to be indicated. When the invoice declaration relates in whole or in part, to products originating in Ceuta and Melilla within the meaning of Article 37 of the Protocol, the exporter must clearly indicate them in the document on which the declaration is made out by means of the symbol "CM".

Danish version

Eksportøren af varer, der er omfattet af nærværende dokument, (toldmyndighedernes tilladelse nr. ... [7]) erklærer, at varerne, medmindre andet tydeligt er angivet, har præferenceoprindelse i ... [8]

[7] When the invoice declaration is made out by an approved exporter within the meaning of Article 22 of the Protocol, the authorization number of the approved exporter must be entered in this space. When the invoice declaration is not made out by an approved exporter, the words in brackets shall be omitted or the space left blank.

[8] Origin of products to be indicated. When the invoice declaration relates in whole or in part, to products originating in Ceuta and Melilla within the meaning of Article 37 of the Protocol, the exporter must clearly indicate them in the document on which the declaration is made out by means of the symbol "CM".

German version

Der Ausführer (Ermächtigter Ausführer; Bewilligungs-Nr. ... [9]), der Waren, auf die sich dieses Handelspapier bezieht, erklärt, dass diese Waren, soweit nicht anders angegeben, präferenzbegünstigte ... Ursprungswaren sind [10]

[9] When the invoice declaration is made out by an approved exporter within the meaning of Article 22 of the Protocol, the authorization number of the approved exporter must be entered in this space. When the invoice declaration is not made out by an approved exporter, the words in brackets shall be omitted or the space left blank.

[10] Origin of products to be indicated. When the invoice declaration relates in whole or in part, to products originating in Ceuta and Melilla within the meaning of Article 37 of the Protocol, the exporter must clearly indicate them in the document on which the declaration is made out by means of the symbol "CM".

Greek version

Ï åîáãùãÝáò ôùí ðñïúüíôùí ðïõ êáëýðôïíôáé áðü ôï ðáñüí Ýããñáöï (Üäåéá ôåëùíåßïõ õð´áñéè. .... [11])äçëþíåé üôé, åêôüò åÜí äçëþíåôáé óáöþò Üëëùò, ôá ðñïúüíôá áõôÜ åßíáé ðñïôéìçóéáêÞò êáôáãùãÞò .... [12] .

[11] When the invoice declaration is made out by an approved exporter within the meaning of Article 22 of the Protocol, the authorization number of the approved exporter must be entered in this space. When the invoice declaration is not made out by an approved exporter, the words in brackets shall be omitted or the space left blank.

[12] Origin of products to be indicated. When the invoice declaration relates in whole or in part, to products originating in Ceuta and Melilla within the meaning of Article 37 of the Protocol, the exporter must clearly indicate them in the document on which the declaration is made out by means of the symbol "CM".

French version

L'exportateur des produits couverts par le présent document (autorisation douanière n° ... [13]) déclare que, sauf indication claire du contraire, ces produits ont l'origine préférentielle ... [14]

[13] When the invoice declaration is made out by an approved exporter within the meaning of Article 22 of the Protocol, the authorization number of the approved exporter must be entered in this space. When the invoice declaration is not made out by an approved exporter, the words in brackets shall be omitted or the space left blank.

[14] Origin of products to be indicated. When the invoice declaration relates in whole or in part, to products originating in Ceuta and Melilla within the meaning of Article 37 of the Protocol, the exporter must clearly indicate them in the document on which the declaration is made out by means of the symbol "CM".

Italian version

L'esportatore delle merci contemplate nel presente documento (autorizzazione doganale n. ... [15] dichiara che, salvo indicazione contraria, le merci sono di origine preferenziale ... [16]

[15] When the invoice declaration is made out by an approved exporter within the meaning of Article 22 of the Protocol, the authorization number of the approved exporter must be entered in this space. When the invoice declaration is not made out by an approved exporter, the words in brackets shall be omitted or the space left blank.

[16] Origin of products to be indicated. When the invoice declaration relates in whole or in part, to products originating in Ceuta and Melilla within the meaning of Article 37 of the Protocol, the exporter must clearly indicate them in the document on which the declaration is made out by means of the symbol "CM".

Dutch version

De exporteur van de goederen waarop dit document van toepassing is (douanevergunning nr. ... [17] , verklaart dat, behoudens uitdrukkelijke andersluidende vermelding, deze goederen van preferentiële ... oorsprong zijn [18]

[17] When the invoice declaration is made out by an approved exporter within the meaning of Article 22 of the Protocol, the authorization number of the approved exporter must be entered in this space. When the invoice declaration is not made out by an approved exporter, the words in brackets shall be omitted or the space left blank.

[18] Origin of products to be indicated. When the invoice declaration relates in whole or in part, to products originating in Ceuta and Melilla within the meaning of Article 37 of the Protocol, the exporter must clearly indicate them in the document on which the declaration is made out by means of the symbol "CM".

Portuguese version

O abaixo assinado, exportador dos produtos cobertos pelo presente documento (autorização aduaneira n° ... [19] declara que, salvo expressamente indicado em contrário, estes produtos são de origem preferencial ... [20]

[19] When the invoice declaration is made out by an approved exporter within the meaning of Article 22 of the Protocol, the authorization number of the approved exporter must be entered in this space. When the invoice declaration is not made out by an approved exporter, the words in brackets shall be omitted or the space left blank.

[20] Origin of products to be indicated. When the invoice declaration relates in whole or in part, to products originating in Ceuta and Melilla within the meaning of Article 37 of the Protocol, the exporter must clearly indicate them in the document on which the declaration is made out by means of the symbol "CM".

Finnish version

Tässä asiakirjassa mainittujen tuotteiden viejä (tullin lupan:o ... [21] ilmoittaa, että nämä tuotteet ovat, ellei toisin ole selvästi merkitty, etuuskohteluun oikeutettuja ... alkuperätuotteita [22]

[21] When the invoice declaration is made out by an approved exporter within the meaning of Article 22 of the Protocol, the authorization number of the approved exporter must be entered in this space. When the invoice declaration is not made out by an approved exporter, the words in brackets shall be omitted or the space left blank.

[22] Origin of products to be indicated. When the invoice declaration relates in whole or in part, to products originating in Ceuta and Melilla within the meaning of Article 37 of the Protocol, the exporter must clearly indicate them in the document on which the declaration is made out by means of the symbol "CM".

Swedish version

Exportören av de varor som omfattas av detta dokument (tullmyndighetens tillstånd nr. ... [23]) försäkrar att dessa varor, om inte annat tydligt markerats, har förmånsberättigande ... ursprung [24]

[23] When the invoice declaration is made out by an approved exporter within the meaning of Article 22 of the Protocol, the authorization number of the approved exporter must be entered in this space. When the invoice declaration is not made out by an approved exporter, the words in brackets shall be omitted or the space left blank.

[24] Origin of products to be indicated. When the invoice declaration relates in whole or in part, to products originating in Ceuta and Melilla within the meaning of Article 37 of the Protocol, the exporter must clearly indicate them in the document on which the declaration is made out by means of the symbol "CM".

Arabic version

................................ [25]

[25] These indications may be omitted if the information is contained on the document itself.

(Place and date)

................................ [26]

[26] See Article 21(5) of the Protocol. In cases where the exporter is not required to sign, the exemption of signature also implies the exemption of the name of the signatory.

(Signature of the exporter; in addition the name of the person signing the declaration has to be indicated in clear script)

ANNEX VI

JOINT DECLARATION

ON THE TRANSITIONAL PERIOD CONCERNING THE ISSUING OR MAKING OUT OF DOCUMENTS RELATING TO THE PROOF OF ORIGIN

1. During twelve months following the entry into force of the agreement, the competent customs authorities of the Community and of Lebanon shall accept as valid proof of origin within the meaning of Protocol 3, movement certificates EUR.1 and EUR.2 forms, issued within the context of the Co-operation Agreement signed on 3 May 1977;

2. Requests for subsequent verification of documents referred to above shall be accepted by the competent customs authorities of the Community and of Lebanon for a period of two years after the issuing and making out of the proof of origin concerned. These verifications shall be carried out in accordance with Title VI of Protocol 3 to this Agreement.

JOINT DECLARATION

CONCERNING THE PRINCIPALITY OF ANDORRA

1. Products originating in the Principality of Andorra falling within Chapters 25 to 97 of the Harmonized System shall be accepted by Lebanon as originating in the Community within the meaning of this Agreement.

2. Protocol 3 shall apply mutatis mutandis for the purpose of defining the originating status of the abovementioned products.

JOINT DECLARATION

CONCERNING THE REPUBLIC OF SAN MARINO

1. Products originating in the Republic of San Marino shall be accepted by Lebanon as originating in the Community within the meaning of this Agreement.

2. Protocol 3 shall apply mutatis mutandis for the purpose of defining the originating status of the abovementioned products.

PROTOCOL 5

ON MUTUAL ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANCE IN CUSTOMS MATTERS

Article 1

Definitions

For the purposes of this Protocol:

(a) "customs legislation" shall mean any legal or regulatory provisions adopted by the Community or Lebanon governing the import, export and transit of goods and their placing under any other customs regime or procedure, including measures of prohibition, restriction and control;

(b) "applicant authority" shall mean a competent administrative authority which has been designated by a Contracting Party for this purpose and which makes a request for assistance on the basis of this Protocol;

(c) "requested authority" shall mean a competent administrative authority which has been designated by a Contracting Party for this purpose and which receives a request for assistance on the basis of this Protocol;

(d) "personal data" shall mean all information relating to an identified or identifiable individual;

(e) "operation in breach of customs legislation" shall mean any violation or attempted violation of customs legislation.

Article 2

Scope

1. The Contracting Parties shall assist each other, in the areas within their competence, in the manner and under the conditions laid down in this Protocol, to ensure the correct application of the customs legislation, in particular by preventing, investigating and combating operations in breach of that legislation.

2. Assistance in customs matters, as provided for in this Protocol, shall apply to any administrative authority of the Contracting Parties which is competent for the application of this Protocol. It shall not prejudice the rules governing mutual assistance in criminal matters. Nor shall it cover information obtained under powers exercised at the request of a judicial authority, except where communication of such information is authorized by that authority.

3. Assistance to recover duties, taxes or fines is not covered by this Protocol.

Article 3

Assistance on request

1. At the request of the applicant authority, the requested authority shall provide it with all relevant information which may enable it to ensure that customs legislation is correctly applied, including information regarding activities noted or planned which are or could be operations in breach of customs legislation.

2. At the request of the applicant authority, the requested authority shall inform it:

(a) whether goods exported from the territory of one of the Contracting Parties have been properly imported into the territory of the other Contracting Party, specifying, where appropriate, the customs procedure applied to the goods;

(b) whether goods imported into the territory of one of the Contracting Parties have been properly exported from the territory of the other Party, specifying, where appropriate, the customs procedure applied to the goods.

3. At the request of the applicant authority, the requested authority shall, within the framework of its legal or regulatory provisions, take the necessary steps to ensure special surveillance of:

(a) natural or legal persons in respect of whom there are reasonable grounds for believing that they are or have been involved in operations in breach of customs legislation;

(b) places where stocks of goods have been or may be assembled in such a way that there are reasonable grounds for believing that these goods are intended to be used in operations in breach of customs legislation;

(c) goods that are or may be transported in such a way that there are reasonable grounds for believing that they are intended to be used in operations in breach of customs legislation;

(d) means of transport that are or may be used in such a way that there are reasonable grounds for believing that they are intended to be used in operations in breach of customs legislation.

Article 4

Spontaneous assistance

The Contracting Parties shall assist each other, at their own initiative and in accordance with their legal or regulatory provisions, if they consider that to be necessary for the correct application of customs legislation, particularly by providing information obtained pertaining to:

- activities which are or appear to be operations in breach of customs legislation and which may be of interest to the other Contracting Party;

- new means or methods employed in carrying out operations in breach of customs legislation;

- goods known to be subject to operations in breach of customs legislation;

- natural or legal persons in respect of whom there are reasonable grounds for believing that they are or have been involved in operations in breach of customs legislation;

- means of transport in respect of which there are reasonable grounds for believing that they have been, are, or may be used in operations in breach of customs legislation.

Article 5

Delivery, Notification

At the request of the applicant authority, the requested authority shall, in accordance with legal or regulatory provisions applicable to the latter, take all necessary measures in order:

- to deliver any documents or

- to notify any decisions,

emanating from the applicant authority and falling within the scope of this Protocol, to an addressee residing or established in the territory of the requested authority.

Requests for delivery of documents or notification of decisions shall be made in writing in an official language of the requested authority or in a language acceptable to that authority.

Article 6

Form and substance of requests for assistance

1. Requests pursuant to this Protocol shall be made in writing. They shall be accompanied by the documents necessary to enable compliance with the request. When required because of the urgency of the situation, oral requests may be accepted, but must be confirmed in writing immediately.

2. Requests pursuant to paragraph 1 shall include the following information:

(a) the applicant authority;

(b) the measure requested;

(d) the legal or regulatory provisions and other legal elements involved;

(e) indications as exact and comprehensive as possible on the natural or legal persons who are the target of the investigations;

(f) a summary of the relevant facts and of the enquiries already carried out.

3. Requests shall be submitted in an official language of the requested authority or in a language acceptable to that authority. This requirement shall not apply to any documents that accompany the request under paragraph 1.

4. If a request does not meet the formal requirements set out above, its correction or completion may be requested; in the meantime precautionary measures may be ordered.

Article 7

Execution of requests

1. In order to comply with a request for assistance, the requested authority shall proceed, within the limits of its competence and available resources, as though it were acting on its own account or at the request of other authorities of that same Contracting Party, by supplying information already possessed, by carrying out appropriate enquiries or by arranging for them to be carried out. This provision shall also apply to any other authority to which the request has been addressed by the requested authority when the latter cannot act on its own.

2. Requests for assistance shall be executed in accordance with the legal or regulatory provisions of the requested Contracting Party.

3. Duly authorized officials of a Contracting Party may, with the agreement of the other Contracting Party and subject to the conditions laid down by the latter, be present to obtain in the offices of the requested authority or any other concerned authority in accordance with paragraph 1, information relating to activities that are or may be operations in breach of customs legislation which the applicant authority needs for the purposes of this Protocol.

4. Duly authorized officials of a Contracting Party may, with the agreement of the other Contracting Party and subject to the conditions laid down by the latter, be present at enquiries carried out in the latter's territory.

Article 8

Form in which information is to be communicated

1. The requested authority shall communicate results of enquiries to the applicant authority in writing together with relevant documents, certified copies or other items.

2. This information may be in computerized form.

3. Original documents shall be transmitted only upon request in cases where certified copies would be insufficient. These originals shall be returned at the earliest opportunity.

Article 9

Exceptions to the obligation to provide assistance

1. Assistance may be refused or may be subject to the satisfaction of certain conditions or requirements, in cases where a Party is of the opinion that assistance under this Protocol would:

(a) be likely to prejudice the sovereignty of Lebanon or that of a Member State which has been requested to provide assistance under this Protocol; or

(b) be likely to prejudice public policy, security or other essential interests, in particular in the cases referred to under Article 10(2); or

2. Assistance may be postponed by the requested authority on the ground that it will interfere with an ongoing investigation, prosecution or proceeding. In such a case, the requested authority shall consult with the applicant authority to determine if assistance can be given subject to such terms or conditions as the requested authority may require.

3. Where the applicant authority seeks assistance which it would itself be unable to provide if so requested, it shall draw attention to that fact in its request. It shall then be for the requested authority to decide how to respond to such a request.

4. For the cases referred to in paragraphs 1 and 2, the decision of the requested authority and the reasons therefor must be communicated to the applicant authority without delay.

Article 10

Information exchange and confidentiality

1. Any information communicated in whatsoever form pursuant to this Protocol shall be of a confidential or restricted nature, depending on the rules applicable in each of the Contracting Parties. It shall be covered by the obligation of official secrecy and shall enjoy the protection extended to similar information under the relevant laws of the Contracting Party that received it and the corresponding provisions applying to the Community authorities.

2. Personal data may be exchanged only where the Contracting Party which may receive it undertakes to protect such data in at least an equivalent way to the one applicable to that particular case in the Contracting Party that may supply it. To that end, contracting parties shall communicate to each other information on their applicable rules, including, where appropriate, legal provisions in force in the Member States of the Community.

3. The use, in judicial or administrative proceedings instituted in respect of operations in breach of customs legislation, of information obtained under this Protocol, is considered to be for the purposes of this Protocol. Therefore, the Contracting Parties may, in their records of evidence, reports and testimonies and in proceedings and charges brought before the courts, use as evidence information obtained and documents consulted in accordance with the provisions of this Protocol. The competent authority which supplied that information or gave access to those documents shall be notified of such use.

4. Information obtained shall be used solely for the purposes of this Protocol. Where one of the Contracting Parties wishes to use such information for other purposes, it shall obtain the prior written consent of the authority which provided the information. Such use shall then be subject to any restrictions laid down by that authority.

Article 11

Experts and witnesses

An official of a requested authority may be authorized to appear, within the limitations of the authorization granted, as an expert or witness in judicial or administrative proceedings regarding the matters covered by this Protocol, and produce such objects, documents or certified copies thereof, as may be needed for the proceedings. The request for appearance must indicate specifically before which judicial or administrative authority the official will have to appear, on what matters and by virtue of what title or qualification the official will be questioned.

Article 12

Assistance expenses

The Contracting Parties shall waive all claims on each other for the reimbursement of expenses incurred pursuant to this Protocol, except, as appropriate, for expenses to experts and witnesses, and those to interpreters and translators who are not public service employees.

Article 13

Implementation

1. The implementation of this Protocol shall be entrusted on the one hand to the customs authorities of Lebanon and on the other hand to the competent services of the Commission of the European Communities and the customs authorities of the Member States as appropriate. They shall decide on all practical measures and arrangements necessary for its application, taking into consideration the rules in force in particular in the field of data protection. They may recommend to the competent bodies amendments which they consider should be made to this Protocol.

2. The Contracting Parties shall consult each other and subsequently keep each other informed of the detailed rules of implementation which are adopted in accordance with the provisions of this Protocol.

Article 14

Other agreements

1. Taking into account the respective competencies of the European Community and the Member States, the provisions of this Protocol shall:

- not affect the obligations of the Contracting Parties under any other international agreement or convention;

- be deemed complementary to agreements on mutual assistance which have been or may be concluded between individual Member States and Lebanon; and

- not affect the Community provisions governing the communication between the competent services of the Commission of the European Communities and the customs authorities of the Member States of any information obtained under this Protocol which could be of interest to the Community.

2. Notwithstanding the provisions of paragraph 1, the provisions of this Protocol shall take precedence over the provisions of any bilateral agreement on mutual assistance which has been or may be concluded between individual Member States and Lebanon insofar as the provisions of the latter are incompatible with those of this Protocol.

3. In respect of questions relating to the applicability of this Protocol, the Contracting Parties shall consult each other to resolve the matter in the framework of the (ad hoc Committee) set up by the Association Council under Article 12 of the Association Agreement.

52002PC0170(01)