TNAG-0132-FCO40-168-Tariff-preferences-for-developing-countries-1969 — Page 147

COMMISSION

of the

EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES

Spokesman's Group

INFORMATION MEMO

Brussels, Decomber 1968

P-60/68

Common commercial policy!

Gruith J.legram B.C...

M.R. Marland Cary) God Tay

The Council of Ministers has approved three regulations, proposed by the Commission, concerning the common commercial policy. These regulations deal with:

21271.

(1) The establishment of a common liberalization list

for imports into the Community from non-member countries;

· (ii) The gradual establishment of a common administrati procedure for quantitative quotas for imports into the Community,

20437

(iii) A special procedure for the importation of certain

products from certain non-member countries. 2045

Together with the common tariff policy, which has been in existence for several years (e.g. Dillon Round, Kennedy Round), and the anti-dumping regulation adopted by the Council in April 1968, these three regulations: cover practically the whole of the Community imports 'systems The regulations; planneà in the Action Programme of 25 September 1962 and proposed by the Commission between 1965 and 1957, have received the Council's approval six months after the completion of the customo' union and one year before the period allowed for unifying tho common commercial policy as a whole expires. It must be stressed, however, that they form only the framework for a balanced policy and they must be followed up by measures to be adopted. by the ̈* Council on Commission proposals in coming months. Nevertheless, these regulations will already enable the Community to pursue a liberal, commercial policy, as provided for in Article 110. of the Treaty, while at the same time providing the necessary assurances of effective protection should the markets be threatened with:¿. disorganization.

・

J

(a) Common liberalization list. This regulation provides that the Member States shall not revoke unilaterally arrangements so far made standardizing quota liberalization, allows for further progress with- regard to consolidation in this field, and specifies that measures may be jointly withdrawn in case of market disturbance. It also lists the non-member countries to which it applies. The common liberaliza- tion list now in force includes only two thirds of the items mentioned in the common customs tariff. For the other products, which are still at varying stages of liberalization in the Member States, an effort must be made to press forward with standardization.

.../...