12.8.2017   

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

L 209/8

(1)

The Stabilisation and Association Agreement between the European Union and the European Atomic Energy Community, of the one part, and Kosovo (*1), of the other part (2) (‘the SAA’) was signed on 27 October 2015 and entered into force on 1 April 2016.

(2)

Protocol II to the SAA lays down the arrangements applicable to the wines and spirit drinks mentioned therein and provides in Annex I thereto for an Agreement on reciprocal preferential trade concessions for certain wines originating in Kosovo. That agreement applies from 1 April 2016.

(3)

Council Regulation (EC) No 1215/2009 (3) provides for an annual import tariff quota for certain products originating in the customs territory of Kosovo. Following the entry into force of the SAA, these autonomous trade measures are adjusted by Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2017/1464 (4). In particular, specific wine tariff rate quotas for Kosovo are no longer applicable under the autonomous regime provided for by Regulation (EC) No 1215/2009 since these concessions have been included in the SAA regime.

(4)

In accordance with Annex I to Protocol II to the SAA, imports into the Union of wines originating in Kosovo are to be subject to quotas benefitting from total exemption from import duties. These quotas consist of 40 000 hl for wine of fresh grapes falling within CN codes ex 2204 21 and ex 2204 29 and 10 000 hl for quality sparkling wines and wine of fresh grapes falling within CN codes ex 2204 10 and ex 2204 21. This Protocol applies as from 1 April 2016, therefore the volumes of the new tariff quotas are calculated for 2016 as a pro rata of the basic annual volumes specified in the Protocol.

(5)

In order to implement the Union tariff quotas provided for in Annex I to Protocol II to the SAA, it is necessary to open tariff quotas for 2016 and for the following years based on the quantities granted in the SAA, specifying the conditions for their acceptance. The tariff quota volume shall be reduced by the quantity imported in 2016 and 2017, under the tariff quota 09.1560, to take account of imports into the Union of Kosovar wines under the autonomous trade measures established by Regulation (EC) No 1215/2009.

(6)

Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2015/2447 (5) has established the management rules for tariff quotas designed to be used following the chronological order of dates of acceptance of customs declarations.

(7)

Since Protocol II to the SAA applies from 1 April 2016, this Regulation should apply from the same date.

(8)

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

(a)

the imported wines shall be accompanied by a proof of origin as provided for in Protocol II to the SAA;

(b)

the imported wines do not benefit from export subsidies.