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Pan-Euro-Mediterranean preferential rules of origin. Regional Convention

2010/0093(NLE)

PURPOSE: conclude the Regional Convention on pan-Euro-Mediterranean preferential rules of origin.

PROPOSED ACT: Council Decision.

BACKGROUND: on 26 November 2009, the Council authorised the Commission to open negotiations with the EFTA States, the participants in the Barcelona Process, the participants in the Stabilization and Association Process and the Faroe Islands on the Regional Convention on pan-Euro-Mediterranean preferential rules of origin.

On 9 December 2009 the text of the Convention was endorsed by the Euromed Trade Ministers at their Conference held in Brussels.

In accordance with a Council Decision and subject to its conclusion at a later date, the Convention was signed on behalf of the European Union.

It is now necessary to conclude the Convention on behalf of the European Union.

IMPACT ASSESSMENT: no impact assessment was carried out.

LEGAL BASIS: the first subparagraph of Article 207(4), in conjunction with Article 218(6)(a)of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union (TFEU).

CONTENT: under the proposed Decision, the Regional Convention on pan-Euro-Mediterranean preferential rules of origin is hereby approved on behalf of the European Union.

This Convention lays down the provisions regarding the origin of goods traded in the context of the relevant free-trade agreements concluded between the following Contracting Parties:

  • the 27 Member States of the European Union,
  • the EFTA States (Iceland, Norway, Switzerland, Liechtenstein),
  • the Faroe Islands
  • the participants in the Barcelona Process (Algeria, Egypt, Israel, Jordan, Lebanon, Morocco, Syria, Tunisia, Turkey, Palestine),
  • the participants in the Stabilization and Association Process (Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Montenegro and Serbia , as well as Kosovo).

The Convention defines the concept of΄originating products` and the methods of administrative cooperation to be applied between partners.

For further details on the main points of the Convention, please refer to the summary of the previous initial legislative document dated 21/04/2010.

BUDGETARY IMPLICATION: this proposal has no budgetary implication for the Union budget.