Considerations on COM(2020)375 - Application of Union tariff rate quotas and other import quotas

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dossier COM(2020)375 - Application of Union tariff rate quotas and other import quotas.
document COM(2020)375 EN
date December 16, 2020
 
table>(1)Council Regulation (EC) No 1215/2009 (2) provided for unlimited duty free access to the Union market for nearly all products originating in the participants in the Stabilisation and Association process to the extent that and until such time as bilateral agreements with those beneficiary parties were concluded.
(2)Stabilisation and Association Agreements have now been concluded with all six beneficiary parties. The Stabilisation and Association Agreement between the European Union and the European Atomic Energy Community, of the one part, and Kosovo (*), of the other part, is the last one to be concluded and entered into force on 1 April 2016.

(3)Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2017/1464 (3) amended Regulation (EC) No 1215/2009, removing the bilateral preferences granted to Kosovo but maintaining the unilateral preference granted to all Western Balkan beneficiary parties in the form of the suspension of all duties for products covered by Chapters 7 and 8 of the Combined Nomenclature and their access to the global wine tariff rate quota of 30 000 hl.

(4)Having regard to differences in the scope of the tariff liberalisation under the regimes provided for under the Stabilisation and Association Agreements between the Union and all participants in the Stabilisation and Association process and the preferences granted under Regulation (EC) No 1215/2009, it is appropriate to extend the period of application of Regulation (EC) No 1215/2009 until 31 December 2025.

(5)The extension of the period of application of Regulation (EC) No 1215/2009 is considered to be a suitable guarantee of the Union’s enhanced engagement and commitment to the trade integration of the Western Balkans. The current system of autonomous trade measures remains a valuable support for the economies of the Western Balkan partners.

(6)In addition, the denomination of two beneficiary parties needs to be amended to reflect the latest agreed terminology.

(7)Regulation (EC) No 1215/2009 should therefore be amended accordingly,