22003D0099

Decision No 1/2002 of the European Union-Mexico Joint Committee

of 20 December 2002

relating to Annex III to Decision No 2/2000 of the European Union-Mexico Joint Council of 23 March 2000, concerning the definition of the concept of "originating products" and methods of administrative cooperation

(2003/99/EC)

THE JOINT COMMITTEE,

Having regard to Decision No 2/2000 of the EU-Mexico Joint Council of 23 March 2000 (hereinafter "Decision No 2/2000"), and in particular note 4 of Appendix II(a) to Annex III and Joint Declaration VI thereto,

Whereas:

(1) Annex III to Decision No 2/2000 sets out the rules of origin for the products originating in the territory of the Parties to the Agreement.

(2) Note 4 of Appendix II(a) to Annex III to Decision No 2/2000, as well as Joint Declaration VI relating to that note have been adapted by the Joint Council Decision No 5/2002, with the purpose of ensuring their consistency with the Parties tariff laws and regulations.

(3) According to Joint Declaration VI, the Joint Committee shall extend beyond 31 December 2002 the rule of origin established in note 4 of Appendix II(a) to Annex III, as adapted by the Joint Council Decision No 5/2002, until the current round of multilateral negotiations within the World Trade Organisation ("WTO") has finished.

(4) It is envisaged that the WTO negotiations shall be concluded by 31 December 2004. Should those negotiations be finished by that date, the Joint Committee should at that time, and in accordance with Joint Declaration VI, determine the rule of origin to be applied for the products concerned,

HAS DECIDED AS FOLLOWS:

Article 1

The origin rules set out in note 4 of Appendix II(a) to Annex III to Decision No 2/2000, as adapted by the Joint Council Decision No 5/2002, shall be applied until 31 December 2004 instead of the origin rules set out in Appendix II to Annex III to Decision No 2/2000.

Article 2

This Decision shall enter into force on 1 January 2003.

Done at Brussels, 20 December 2002.

For the Joint Committee

The President

Francisco Da C芒mara Gomes