31974R0154

REGULATION (EEC) No 154/74 OF THE COUNCIL of 17 December 1973 on the protective measures provided in the Agreement between the European Economic Community and the Lebanese Republic

THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES,

Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Economic Community, and in particular Article 113 thereof;

Having regard to the proposal from the Commission;

Whereas an Agreement (1) between the European Economic Community and the Lebanese Republic, hereinafter called "the Agreement", was signed on 18 December 1972;

Whereas, for the purposes of implementing the protective clauses provided for in the Treaty establishing the European Economic Community, the procedures to be followed are laid down by the Treaty itself;

Whereas, on the other hand, the detailed rules for implementing the protective clause provided for in Article 12 of the Agreement have yet to be laid down,

HAS ADOPTED THIS REGULATION:

Article 1

1. The Commission may, at the request of a Member State or on its own initiative, decide to apply to products originating in the Lebanon the protective measures which the European Economic Community reserves the right to take in Article 12 of the Agreement, including the temporary, total or partial withdrawal of tariff or other concessions granted by the Community to the Lebanese Republic.

Where such a request is made to the Commission by a Member State, the Commission shall take its decision within three working days following receipt of the request.

The protective measures shall be communicated to the Member States and shall be immediately applicable.

2. Any Member State may refer the Commission's decision to the Council within ten working days following notification thereof. The Council shall meet forthwith. It may by a qualified majority amend or revoke the decision in question.

Article 2

1. Without prejudice to Article 1 the Commission may authorize a Member State to deal with such disturbances or difficulties referred to in Article 12 of the Agreement by taking protective measures.

These measures and the Commission's decision shall be notified to all Member States.

2. In case of urgency the Member State or States concerned may introduce quantitative import restrictions. They shall immediately notify these measures to the Commission and to the other Member States.

The Commission shall decide, by an emergency procedure and within a maximum period of five working days of the notification referred to in the first subparagraph, whether the measures are to be retained, modified or abolished.

All the Member States shall be notified of the Commission's decision, which shall be immediately enforceable.

3. Any Member State may refer the Commission's decision to the Council within a maximum period of ten working days of its notification. The Council shall meet forthwith. It may by a qualified majority amend or revoke the decision taken by the Commission.

If the Member State which took measures in pursuance of paragraph 2 refers the matter to the Council, the Commission's decision shall be suspended. The suspension shall end thirty days after the matter has been referred to the Council if by that time the latter has not amended or revoked the Commission's decision.

4. For the purpose of implementing this Article, priority must be given in selecting measures to those which least disturb the functioning of the common market. (1)See page 1 of this Official Journal.

Article 3

1. Before deciding to apply protective measures under Article 1 (1), before authorizing a Member State to take such measures or before taking its decision concerning the measures taken in implementation of Article 2 (1) and (2) by the Member State or States concerned, the Commission shall hold consultations.

2. These consultations shall take place within an advisory committee consisting of representatives of each Member State and presided over by a Commission representative.

3. The Committee shall meet when convened by its Chairman. The latter shall forward to the Member States, within the shortest possible time, any appropriate information.

Article 4

Articles 1 and 2 shall not affect implementation of the protective clauses provided for in the Treaty, in particular in Articles 108 and 109 thereof, in accordance with the procedures provided for therein.

Article 5

This Regulation shall in no way prevent the full application of the Regulations on the common organization of agricultural markets. Article 2 shall not apply to products covered by those Regulations.

Article 6

Notification to the Joint Committee by the Community as required by Article 12 (2) of the Agreement shall be effected by the Commission.

Article 7

This Regulation shall enter into force on the third day following its publication in the Official Journal of the European Communities.

It shall apply from the entry into force of the Agreement and during the latter's subsistence.

However, Article 2 (2) and (3) shall apply only until 31 December 1974. Prior to that date, the Council, acting by a qualified majority, on a proposal of the Commission, shall decide upon any amendments to be made thereto.

This Regulation shall be binding in its entirety and directly applicable in all Member States.

Done at Brussels, 17 December 1973.

For the Council

The President

I. N脴RGAARD