(1)

The Agreement on partnership and cooperation establishing a partnership between the European Communities and their Member States, of the one part, and the Russian Federation, of the other part (2) (‘the PCA’), entered into force on 1 December 1997.

(2)

Article 21(1) of the PCA provides that trade in certain steel products is to be governed by Title III of the PCA, with the exception of Article 15 thereof, and by the provisions of an agreement on quantitative arrangements.

(3)

On 26 October 2007, the European Community and the Government of the Russian Federation concluded such an Agreement on trade in certain steel products (3) (‘the Agreement’).

(4)

On 22 October 2007, the Council adopted Regulation (EC) No 1342/2007 (4) in order to implement the Agreement.

(5)

The Agreement stipulates that in the event that the Russian Federation accedes to the World Trade Organization before the expiry of the Agreement, the Agreement will be terminated and, as a consequence, the quantitative limits will be abolished as of the date of accession.

(6)

On the date when the Russian Federation accedes to the World Trade Organization, the Regulation to implement the Agreement will no longer be necessary. Regulation (EC) No 1342/2007 should therefore be repealed with effect from that date,