(1)

Regulation (EC) No 765/2006 (2) provides for a freezing of the assets of President Lukashenko and certain officials of Belarus as well as persons responsible for serious violations of human rights or the repression of civil society and democratic opposition, and persons and entities benefiting from or supporting the Lukashenko regime.

(2)

By Decision 2012/212/CFSP, the Council has decided that a derogation from the asset freeze should be provided, in order to ensure that funds or economic resources can be made available for the official purposes of diplomatic missions or consular posts or international organisations enjoying immunities in accordance with international law.

(3)

This measure falls within the scope of the Treaty and regulatory action at the level of the Union is therefore necessary in order to give effect to it, in particular with a view to ensuring its uniform application by economic operators in all Member States.

(4)

Regulation (EC) No 765/2006 should therefore be amended accordingly,

(1)

By Commission Regulation (EC) No 690/2008 (2) certain Member States or certain areas in Member States were recognised as protected zones in respect of certain harmful organisms. In some cases recognition was granted for a limited period of time to allow the Member State concerned to provide the full information necessary to show that the harmful organisms in question did not occur in the Member State or area concerned or to complete the efforts to eradicate the organism in question.

(2)

The entire territory of Spain, with the exception of the autonomous community of Castilla y León, was recognised as a protected zone with respect to Erwinia amylovora (Burr.) Winsl. et al. Spain has submitted information indicating that the autonomous community of Extremadura should no longer be recognised as a protected zone for this organism. Therefore, the autonomous community of Extremadura should be withdrawn as a protected zone in respect of that harmful organism.

(3)

Ireland and Lithuania, and certain regions and parts of regions of Italy, Slovakia and Slovenia were recognised as protected zones with respect to Erwinia amylovora (Burr.) Winsl. et al. until 31 March 2012.

(4)

From the information received from Ireland, Lithuania, Italy and Slovenia on the results of surveys conducted in 2010 and 2011, it appears that those protected zones should be recognised for two more years to give those Member States the time necessary to submit information showing that Erwinia amylovora (Burr.) Winsl. et al. is not present or, where necessary, to complete their efforts to eradicate that organism.

(5)

From the information received from Slovakia on the results of surveys conducted in 2010 and 2011, it appears that Erwinia amylovora (Burr.) Winsl. et al. is now established in the commune of Dvory nad Žitavou (Nové Zámky County), which is part of the protected zone. That commune should therefore no longer be recognised as a protected zone for that harmful organism. According to the results of those surveys, it is appropriate to continue, for two more years, to recognise the other parts of Slovakia previously recognised as a protected zone with respect to that harmful organism, in order to give Slovakia the time necessary to submit information showing that Erwinia amylovora (Burr.) Winsl. et al. is not present or, where necessary, to complete their efforts to eradicate that organism.

(6)

The entire territory of Portugal, with the exception of Madeira, was recognised as a protected zone with respect to Citrus tristeza virus (European strains). Portugal has submitted information showing that Citrus tristeza virus (European strains) has spread significantly in the region of Algarve where its eradication is no longer achievable, and requested the withdrawal of the status of protected zone for this part of its territory. Therefore, the region of Algarve should no longer be recognised as a protected zone in respect of that harmful organism.

(7)

Regulation (EC) No 690/2008 should therefore be amended accordingly.

(8)

The current recognition of some of these protected zones expires on 31 March 2012. Therefore, this Regulation should apply from 1 April 2012 so as to allow an uninterrupted recognition of all protected zones.

(9)

The measures provided for in this Regulation are in accordance with the opinion of the Standing Committee on Plant Health,

(1)

point 2 of heading (b) is amended as follows:

(2)

in the second column of point 3 of heading (d), the words ‘Portugal (except Madeira)’ are replaced by ‘Portugal (except Algarve and Madeira)’.

(1)

Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) No 1239/2011 (2) opened a standing invitation to tender for the 2011/2012 marketing year for imports of sugar of CN code 1701 at a reduced customs duty.

(2)

As the availability of supply on the Union sugar market has improved, Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) No 57/2012 (3) suspended the submission of tenders for the partial invitation to tender ending on 25 January 2012, 1 February 2012 and 15 February 2012.

(3)

Constant monitoring of the market revealed that availability of sugar supply in the Union has improved only moderately. Despite the increasing imports in January 2012 the pace of imports from African, Caribbean and Pacific States and Least Developed Countries decreased considerably since mid-February 2012. This analysis was confirmed by a large majority of Member States in the Management Committee of 8 March 2012 who considered that there were still supply problems that would get worse in the course of the marketing year. This could concern especially small and medium Enterprises and customers with fixed quantities in long term contracts.

(4)

It is therefore appropriate to advance the periods of submission of tenders and their ending dates which Implementing Regulation (EU) No 1239/2011 scheduled for 6 June 2012, 27 June 2012 and 11 July 2012.

(5)

Regulation (EU) No 1239/2011 should therefore be amended accordingly.

(6)

In order to give a rapid signal to the market and to ensure efficient management of the measure, this Regulation should enter into force on the day of its publication in the Official Journal of the European Union.

(7)

The measures provided for in this Regulation are in accordance with the opinion of the Management Committee for the Common Organisation of Agricultural Markets,

(1)

In Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) No 29/2012 of 13 January 2012 on marketing standards for olive oil (2), which is the codification of Commission Regulation (EC) No 1019/2002 (3), the references to the Community made in Article 4 of Regulation (EC) No 1019/2002 in respect of designations of origin have been replaced by references to the Union. Article 12(2) of Implementing Regulation (EU) No 29/2012 provides for a transitional period to allow products which have been legally manufactured and labelled in the Union or legally imported into the Union and put into free circulation before 1 July 2012 to be marketed until all stocks are used up. Firstly, this transitional period is considered too short and, secondly, the use of the term ‘legally’ in that provision leads to confusion regarding the transition between Regulation (EC) No 1019/2002 and Implementing Regulation (EU) No 29/2012.

(2)

In order to allow labels using the term ‘Community’ to be used for a longer period, it should therefore be provided that products which have been manufactured and labelled in the Union or imported into the Union and put into free circulation in accordance with Regulation (EC) No 1019/2002 before 1 January 2013 may be marketed until all stocks are used up.

(3)

Implementing Regulation (EU) No 29/2012 should therefore be amended accordingly.

(4)

The measures provided for in this Regulation are in accordance with the opinion of the Management Committee for the Common Organisation of Agricultural Markets,

(1)

Implementing Regulation (EU) No 543/2011 lays down, pursuant to the outcome of the Uruguay Round multilateral trade negotiations, the criteria whereby the Commission fixes the standard values for imports from third countries, in respect of the products and periods stipulated in Annex XVI, Part A thereto.

(2)

The standard import value is calculated each working day, in accordance with Article 136(1) of Implementing Regulation (EU) No 543/2011, taking into account variable daily data. Therefore this Regulation should enter into force on the day of its publication in the Official Journal of the European Union,

(1)

Article 136(1)(a) of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union (TFEU) foresees the possibility of adopting measures specific to the Member States whose currency is the euro with a view to strengthening the coordination and surveillance of their budgetary discipline.

(2)

Article 126 TFEU establishes that Member States are to avoid excessive government deficits and sets out the excessive deficit procedure to that effect. The Stability and Growth Pact, which in its corrective arm implements the excessive deficit procedure, provides the framework supporting government policies for a prompt return to sound budgetary positions taking account of the economic situation.

(3)

On 27 April 2009, the Council decided, in accordance with Article 104(6) of the Treaty establishing the European Community (TEC), that an excessive deficit existed in Greece.

(4)

On 10 May 2010, the Council adopted Decision 2010/320/EU (1) addressed to Greece under Article 126(9) and Article 136 TFEU with a view to reinforcing and deepening the fiscal surveillance and giving notice to take measures for the deficit reduction judged necessary to remedy the situation of excessive deficit at the latest by 2014. The Council established 2014 as the deadline for correcting the situation of excessive deficit, and annual targets for the government deficit.

(5)

Decision 2010/320/EU was substantially amended several times. Since further amendments were to be made, it was recast, on 12 July 2011, by Decision 2011/734/EU (2) in the interests of clarity.

(6)

Economic activity in 2011-2014 is currently estimated and projected to be much weaker than had been expected when Decisions 2010/320/EU and 2011/734/EU were adopted. Economic activity is estimated to have contracted in 2011 by 6,9 %. Currently, the Commission forecasts the real Greek GDP to contract by 4,7 % in 2012, and to stagnate in 2013, before resuming growth of 2,5 % in 2014. In nominal terms, GDP contracted by 5,2 % in 2011, and is expected to contract by 5,4 % and 0,4 % in 2012 and 2013, respectively, before expanding by 2,5 % in 2014.

(7)

In February 2012, the Greek government announced measures aimed at reducing the primary deficit in 2012, including the adoption of a supplementary budget. Extensive discussions on these measures have taken place between the Hellenic authorities and the Commission services. These discussions have considered not only the fiscal consolidation measures, but also the need to enhance the growth-friendly nature of these measures and to minimise any social impact.

(8)

In March 2012, Greece launched and executed a debt exchange operation which substantially reduces the debt level and interest expenditure in 2012 and in the next years, and contributes to the sustainability of government debt.

(9)

In the light of the above considerations, it appears appropriate to amend Decision 2011/734/EU in a number of respects, including the fiscal adjustment path, while keeping unchanged the deadline for the correction of the excessive deficit,

(1)

in Article 1, paragraphs 2 and 3 are replaced by the following:

(2)

in Article 2, the following paragraph is inserted:

(3)

in Article 2, paragraph 8 is amended as follows:

(4)

in Article 2(9), point (a) is replaced by the following:

(5)

in Article 2, the following paragraphs are added:

(1)

On 25 October 2010, the Council adopted Decision 2010/639/CFSP (1).

(2)

It is necessary to include a derogation to the asset freeze in Decision 2010/639/CFSP in order to ensure that funds or economic resources can be released or be made available for the official purposes of diplomatic missions or consular posts or international organisations enjoying immunities in accordance with international law.

(3)

Decision 2010/639/CFSP should be amended accordingly,

"(e)

to be paid into or from an account of a diplomatic mission or consular post or an international organisation enjoying immunities in accordance with international law, in so far as such payments are intended to be used for official purposes of the diplomatic mission or consular post or international organisation.".

(1)

On 27 October 2011 Swaziland requested, in accordance with Article 36 of Annex II to Regulation (EC) No 1528/2007, a derogation from the rules of origin set out in that Annex for the year 2012. On 11 January 2012 Swaziland submitted additional information relating to its request. The request covers a total quantity of 800 tonnes of peach and/or pear in fruit jelly of CN codes ex 2007 99 97 and mixtures of peach and/or pear and/or pineapple in fruit juice of CN code ex 2008 97 98.

(2)

According to the information received from Swaziland, it is unable to satisfy the rules on cumulation of origin laid down in Article 6 of Annex II to Regulation (EC) No 1528/2007. Because it has no production of peaches and pears, Swaziland sources non-originating diced peaches in juice not containing sugar of CN codes ex 2008 70 92 and 2008 70 98, and diced pears in juice not containing sugar of CN code ex 2008 40 90 in neighbouring South Africa for manufacture. However, in accordance with Article 6(7) of Annex II to Regulation (EC) No 1528/2007, the final products are excluded from cumulation with South Africa. A temporary derogation should therefore be granted. In order to allow Swaziland to make full use of the quantities granted, the temporary derogation should have retroactive effect from 1 January 2012.

(3)

A temporary derogation from the rules of origin laid down in Annex II to Regulation (EC) No 1528/2007 would not cause serious injury to an established Union industry, provided that certain conditions relating to quantities, surveillance and duration are respected.

(4)

It is therefore justified to grant a temporary derogation under Article 36(1)(b) of Annex II to Regulation (EC) No 1528/2007.

(5)

Accordingly a derogation should be granted to Swaziland in respect of 800 tonnes of peach and/or pear in fruit jelly of CN codes ex 2007 99 97 and mixtures of peach and/or pear and/or pineapple in fruit juice of CN code ex 2008 97 98 for one year.

(6)

Commission Regulation (EEC) No 2454/93 of 2 July 1993 laying down provisions for the implementation of Council Regulation (EEC) No 2913/92 establishing the Community Customs Code (2) lays down rules relating to the management of tariff quotas. In order to ensure efficient management carried out in close cooperation between the authorities of Swaziland, the customs authorities of the Member States and the Commission, those rules should apply to the quantities imported under the derogation granted by this Decision.

(7)

In order to allow efficient monitoring of the operation of the derogation, the authorities of Swaziland should communicate regularly to the Commission details of the EUR.1 movement certificates issued.

(8)

The measures provided for in this Decision are in accordance with the opinion of the Customs Code Committee,