52001PC0359

Proposal for a COUNCIL DECISION on the Community position within the EC-Cyprus Association Council regarding the draft Decision amending Association Council Decision No 1/73 setting up the Association Committee

(presented by the Commission)

EXPLANATORY MEMORANDUM

The Association Committee provided for in the EC-Cyprus Association Agreement (OJ L 133 of 21.05.1973, Article 14(3)) has been in existence since 1973.

The role of the Committee is to help the Association Council carry out its tasks. This involves ongoing cooperation, which is necessary if the Association Agreement is to function properly.

The Committee has met four times.

Given the need for more effective implementation of the Association Agreement, the practices applied within the framework of the Association Agreement now need to be brought into line with the provisions of the Europe Agreements concluded with the Central and Eastern European candidate countries. Under these agreements, the Association Committees are chaired by the European Commission, which also provides the secretariat.

It is therefore proposed that the Association Council Decision be amended accordingly.

Proposal for a COUNCIL DECISION on the Community position within the EC-Cyprus Association Council regarding the draft Decision amending Association Council Decision No 1/73 setting up the Association Committee

THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION,

Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Community, and in particular Article 300(2) thereof,

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

[1] OJ C of , p. .

Whereas:

(1) The Association Council set up an Association Committee pursuant to Article 14(3) of the EC-Cyprus Association Agreement. [2]

[2] OJ L 133, 21.5.1973, p. 4.

(2) The Chairmanship and the secretariat should be provided by the European Community in line with the practice established for the other candidate countries and the relevant Association Council Decision should be amended,

HAS DECIDED AS FOLLOWS:

The position to be adopted by the Community within the Association Council set up by the EC-Cyprus Association Agreement concluded between the European Communities and their Member States, of the one part, and the Republic of Cyprus, of the other part, regarding the draft Decision amending Council Association Decision No 1/73 setting up the Association Committee, is expressed in the attached draft Association Council Decision.

Done at Brussels,

For the Council

The President

ANNEX

Draft EC-CYPRUS ASSOCIATION COUNCIL DECISION amending Association Council Decision No 1/73 setting up the Association Committee

THE EC-CYPRUS ASSOCIATION COUNCIL,

Having regard to the Association Agreement, and in particular Article 14(3) thereof,

HAS DECIDED AS FOLLOWS:

A new paragraph is inserted after Article 14(3) of the rules of procedure attached to Association Council Decision No 1/73 (Article 2) setting up the Association Committee, as follows:

"However, the European Commission shall chair the Committee and provide the secretariat on behalf of the European Economic Community."

Done at Brussels,

For the Association Council

The President

The Secretaries