52002XC0425(04)

Commission notice concerning preferential agreements providing for diagonal cumulation of origin between the Community, Bulgaria, Switzerland (including Liechtenstein), the Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Iceland, Lithuania, Latvia, Norway, Poland, Romania, Slovenia, the Slovak Republic and Turkey

(2002/C 100/05)

Articles 3 and 4 of the protocols defining the concept of "originating products" and methods of administrative cooperation to the preferential agreements concluded between the European Community and, respectively, Bulgaria, Switzerland, the Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Iceland, Lithuania, Latvia, Norway, Poland, Romania, Slovenia and the Slovak Republic, and between the European Coal and Steel Community and Turkey, and Article 3 of Protocol 4 to the Agreement on the European Economic Area, provide for diagonal cumulation of origin between the countries concerned.

Under paragraph 4 of the provisions in question, the Community and the countries concerned notify each other, through the European Commission, of agreements and the associated origin rules in force with the other countries. The European Commission then publishes in the "C" series of the Official Journal of the European Communities the date on which the cumulation provided for in this Article may be applied by the countries meeting the requisite conditions.

The table below shows the situation with regard to agreements between the countries involved in such cumulation, based on the notifications received from the countries concerned, specifying the dates of entry into force of the associated origin protocols and amendments thereto.

THE SITUATION OF FREE TRADE AGREEMENTS PROVIDING FOR APPLICATION OF DIAGONAL CUMULATION BETWEEN THE EC, CEFTA COUNTRIES, EFTA STATES, BALTIC STATES AND TURKEY

>TABLE>

LEGEND:

- No FTA concluded.

NPY Not published yet.

1. Introduction of the "Pan-European cumulation".

2. Incorporation of Turkey into the "Pan-European" group of countries - target date 1 January 1999.

3. Introduction of the euro and certain list rule changes - target date 1 January 2000.

00.00.0000 In cases where countries apply between themselves the amended provisions of the agreements or agreements as such from different dates, these dates are being indicated in bold. The provisions concerned can be applied in trade relations between these countries from the latter date.

NB:

Bulgaria, Czech Republic, Hungary, Poland, Romania, Slovakia, and Slovenia are members of the CEFTA (Central European Free Trade Agreement), whose agreement includes one origin protocol (number 7) applying diagonal cumulation of origin between these countries in the context of pan-European cumulation.