Na podlagi druge alinee prvega odstavka 107. člena in prvega odstavka 91. člena Ustave Republike Slovenije izdajam
U K A Z
o razglasitvi Zakona o ratifikaciji Vmesnega sporazuma o gospodarskem partnerstvu med Slonokoščeno obalo na eni strani ter Evropsko skupnostjo in njenimi državami članicami na drugi strani (MESSOG)
Razglašam Zakon o ratifikaciji Vmesnega sporazuma o gospodarskem partnerstvu med Slonokoščeno obalo na eni strani ter Evropsko skupnostjo in njenimi državami članicami na drugi strani (MESSOG), ki ga je sprejel Državni zbor Republike Slovenije na seji 25. septembra 2009.
Št. 003-02-8/2009-19
Ljubljana, dne 5. oktobra 2009
dr. Danilo Türk l.r.
Predsednik
Republike Slovenije
Z A K O N
O RATIFIKACIJI VMESNEGA SPORAZUMA O GOSPODARSKEM PARTNERSTVU MED SLONOKOŠČENO OBALO NA ENI STRANI TER EVROPSKO SKUPNOSTJO IN NJENIMI DRŽAVAMI ČLANICAMI NA DRUGI STRANI (MESSOG)
1. člen
Ratificira se Vmesni sporazum o gospodarskem partnerstvu med Slonokoščeno obalo na eni strani ter Evropsko skupnostjo in njenimi državami članicami na drugi strani, sklenjen 22. januarja 2009 v Bruslju.
2. člen
Besedilo Vmesnega sporazuma se v izvirniku v slovenskem in angleškem jeziku glasi(1):
ВРЕМЕННО СПОРАЗУМЕНИЕ ЗА ИКОНОМИЧЕСКО ПАРТНЬОРСТВО МЕЖДУ КОТ Д’ИВОАР, ОТ ЕДНА СТРАНА, И ЕВРОПЕЙСКАТА ОБЩНОСТ И НЕЙНИТЕ ДЪРЖАВИ-ЧЛЕНКИ, ОТ ДРУГА СТРАНА
ACUERDO DE ASOCIACIÓN ECONÓMICA PRELIMINAR
ENTRE COSTA DE MARFIL, POR UNA PARTE,
Y LA COMUNIDAD EUROPEA
Y SUS ESTADOS MIEMBROS, POR OTRA
PROZATÍMNÍ DOHODA O PARTNERSTVÍ MEZI POBŘEŽÍM SLONOVINY NA JEDNÉ STRANĚ A EVROPSKÝM SPOLEČENSTVÍM A JEHO ČLENSKÝMI STÁTY NA STRANĚ DRUHÉ
FORELØBIG ØKONOMISK PARTNERSKABSAFTALE
MELLEM CÔTE D’IVOIRE PÅ DEN ENE SIDE OG DET EUROPÆISKE FÆLLESSKAB OG DETS MEDLEMSSTATER PÅ DEN ANDEN SIDE
INTERIMS-WIRTSCHAFTSPARTNERSCHAFTSABKOMMEN
ZWISCHEN CÔTE D'IVOIRE EINERSEITS UND DER EUROPÄISCHEN GEMEINSCHAFT UND IHREN MITGLIEDSTAATEN ANDERERSEITS
VAHEPEALNE MAJANDUSPARTNERLUSLEPING
ÜHELT POOLT CÔTE D’IVOIRE’I NING TEISELT POOLT EUROOPA
ÜHENDUSE JA SELLE LIIKMESRIIKIDE VAHEL
ενδιάμεση συμφωνία οικονομικής εταιρικής σχέσης
μεταξύ της Côte d’Ivoire, αφενός,
και της Ευρωπαϊκής Κοινότητας
και των κρατών μελών της, αφετέρου
STEPPING STONE ECONOMIC PARTNERSHIP AGREEMENT
BETWEEN CÔTE D’IVOIRE OF THE ONE PART,
AND THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITY
AND ITS MEMBER STATES OF THE OTHER PART
ACCORD DE PARTENARIAT ÉCONOMIQUE D’ÉTAPE ENTRE LA CÔTE D’IVOIRE, D’UNE PART, ET LA COMMUNAUTÉ EUROPÉENNE ET SES ÉTATS MEMBRES, D’AUTRE PART
ACCORDO DI PARTENARIATO ECONOMICO INTERINALE TRA LA COSTA D’AVORIO, DA UNA PARTE, E LA COMUNITÀ EUROPEA E I SUOI STATI MEMBRI, DALL’ALTRA
EKONOMISKO PARTNERATTIECĪBU PAGAIDU NOLĪGUMS
STARP KOTDIVUĀRU, NO VIENAS PUSES,
UN EIROPAS KOPIENU UN TĀS DALĪBVALSTĪM,
NO OTRAS PUSES
DRAMBLIO KAULO KRANTO, VIENOS ŠALIES, IR EUROPOS BENDRIJOS BEI JOS VALSTYBIŲ NARIŲ, KITOS ŠALIES, TARPINIS EKONOMINĖS PARTNERYSTĖS SUSITARIMAS
ÁTMENETI GAZDASÁGI PARTNERSÉGI MEGÁLLAPODÁS EGYRÉSZRŐL ELEFÁNTCSONTPART, MÁSRÉSZRŐL AZ EURÓPAI KÖZÖSSÉG ÉS TAGÁLLAMAI KÖZÖTT
FTEHIM TA’ SĦUBIJA EKONOMIKA INTERIM BEJN IL-CÔTE D’IVOIRE, FUQ NAĦA, U L-KOMUNITÀ EWROPEA U L-ISTATI MEMBRI TAGĦHA, FUQ IN-NAĦA L-OĦRA
TIJDELIJKE ECONOMISCHE PARTNERSCHAPSOVEREENKOMST
TUSSEN IVOORKUST, ENERZIJDS,
EN DE EUROPESE GEMEENSCHAPPEN
EN HAAR LIDSTATEN, ANDERZIJDS
WSTĘPNA UMOWA O PARTNERSTWIE GOSPODARCZYM
MIĘDZY WYBRZEŻEM KOŚCI SŁONIOWEJ Z JEDNEJ STRONY,
A WSPÓLNOTĄ EUROPEJSKĄ
I JEJ PAŃSTWAMI CZŁONKOWSKIMI Z DRUGIEJ STRONY
ACORDO DE PARCERIA ECONÓMICA INTERCALAR
ENTRE A COSTA DO MARFIM, POR UM LADO,
E A COMUNIDADE EUROPEIA
E OS SEUS ESTADOS-MEMBROS, POR OUTRO
ACORD DE PARTENERIAT ECONOMIC PRELIMINAR ÎNTRE CÔTE D’IVOIRE, PE DE O PARTE ŞI COMUNITATEA EUROPEANĂ ŞI STATELE SALE MEMBRE, PE DE ALTĂ PARTE
DOČASNÁ DOHODA O HOSPODÁRSKOM PARTNERSTVE MEDZI POBREŽÍM SLONOVINY NA JEDNEJ STRANE A EURÓPSKYM SPOLOČENSTVOM A JEHO ČLENSKÝMI ŠTÁTMI NA DRUHEJ STRANE
VMESNI SPORAZUM O GOSPODARSKEM PARTNERSTVU MED SLONOKOŠČENO OBALO NA ENI STRANI TER EVROPSKO SKUPNOSTJO IN NJENIMI DRŽAVAMI ČLANICAMI NA DRUGI STRANI
NORSUNLUURANNIKON SEKÄ EUROOPAN YHTEISÖN JA SEN JÄSENVALTIOIDEN VÄLINEN ENSIVAIHEEN TALOUSKUMPPANUUSSOPIMUS
INLEDANDE AVTAL OM EKONOMISKT PARTNERSKAP MELLAN ELFENBENSKUSTEN, Å ENA SIDAN, OCH EUROPEISKA GEMENSKAPEN OCH DESS MEDLEMSSTATER, Å ANDRA SIDAN
VMESNI SPORAZUM O GOSPODARSKEM PARTNERSTVU MED SLONOKOŠČENO OBALO NA ENI STRANI TER EVROPSKO SKUPNOSTJO IN NJENIMI DRŽAVAMI ČLANICAMI NA DRUGI STRANI
REPUBLIKA SLONOKOŠČENA OBALA,
na eni strani
in
KRALJEVINA BELGIJA,
REPUBLIKA BOLGARIJA,
ČEŠKA REPUBLIKA,
KRALJEVINA DANSKA,
ZVEZNA REPUBLIKA NEMČIJA,
REPUBLIKA ESTONIJA,
IRSKA,
HELENSKA REPUBLIKA,
KRALJEVINA ŠPANIJA,
FRANCOSKA REPUBLIKA,
ITALIJANSKA REPUBLIKA,
REPUBLIKA CIPER,
REPUBLIKA LATVIJA,
REPUBLIKA LITVA,
VELIKO VOJVODSTVO LUKSEMBURG,
REPUBLIKA MADŽARSKA,
MALTA,
KRALJEVINA NIZOZEMSKA,
REPUBLIKA AVSTRIJA,
REPUBLIKA POLJSKA,
PORTUGALSKA REPUBLIKA,
ROMUNIJA,
REPUBLIKA SLOVENIJA,
SLOVAŠKA REPUBLIKA,
REPUBLIKA FINSKA,
KRALJEVINA ŠVEDSKA,
ZDRUŽENO KRALJESTVO VELIKE BRITANIJE IN SEVERNE IRSKE,
In
EVROPSKA SKUPNOST,
na drugi strani,
PREAMBULA
OB UPOŠTEVANJU Sporazuma o partnerstvu med članicami skupine afriških, karibskih in pacifiških držav na eni strani in Evropsko skupnostjo na drugi strani, podpisanega v Cotonouju dne 23. junija 2000 in spremenjenega v Luxembourgu dne 25. junija 2005 (v nadaljevanju “Sporazum iz Cotonouja”),
OB UPOŠTEVANJU, da prehodni preferencialni trgovinski režim iz Sporazuma iz Cotonouja preneha veljati 31. decembra 2007;
OB UPOŠTEVANJU morebitnega negativnega učinka prenehanja teh prehodnih trgovinskih preferencialov, predvidenih ob sklenitvi Sporazuma iz Cotonouja o trgovini med pogodbenicama, če do 1. januarja 2008 ni sprejet sporazum, skladen s pravili Svetovne trgovinske organizacije (STO), ki ga bo nasledil;
OB PRIZNAVANJU potrebe po vzpostavitvi vmesnega sporazuma o gospodarskem partnerstvu (SGP) za zaščito ekonomskih in trgovinskih interesov pogodbenic;
OB UPOŠTEVANJU želje pogodbenic, da okrepijo svoje gospodarske in trgovinske odnose in vzpostavijo trajne odnose na podlagi partnerstva in sodelovanja;
OB UPOŠTEVANJU zavezanosti pogodbenic načelom in pravilom, ki urejajo mednarodno trgovino, zlasti pravic in obveznosti iz določb Splošnega sporazuma o tarifah in trgovini iz leta 1994 (GATT 1994) in drugih večstranskih sporazumov, priloženih k Sporazumu o ustanovitvi Svetovne trgovinske organizacije (Sporazum o ustanovitvi STO), ter potrebi po njihovem preglednem in nediskriminacijskem izvajanju;
OB PONOVNI POTRDITVI svoje zavezanosti k spoštovanju človekovih pravic, demokratičnih načel in pravne države, ki so temelj Sporazuma iz Cotonouja, in odgovornemu vodenju, ki je temeljni sestavni del Sporazuma iz Cotonouja;
OB UPOŠTEVANJU potrebe po spodbujanju in pospeševanju gospodarskega, kulturnega in socialnega razvoja zahodnoafriških držav, da bi prispevali k miru in varnosti ter spodbujali stabilno in demokratično politično okolje;
OB UPOŠTEVANJU pomena, ki ga pogodbenici pripisujeta razvojnim ciljem, dogovorjenim na mednarodni ravni, in ciljem tisočletja za razvoj Združenih narodov;
OB PONOVNI POTRDITVI svoje zavezanosti, da bosta sodelovali pri uresničevanju ciljev Sporazuma iz Cotonouja, zlasti izkoreninjenju revščine, trajnostnemu razvoju in postopnemu vključevanju članov skupine afriških držav, Karibov in Pacifika (države AKP) v svetovno gospodarstvo;
V ŽELJI, da bi ustvarili nove priložnosti za zaposlovanje, pritegnili naložbe in izboljšali življenjske razmere na ozemlju pogodbenic ob spodbujanju trajnostnega razvoja;
OB UPOŠTEVANJU pomena sedanjih tradicionalnih vezi in zlasti tesnih zgodovinskih, političnih in gospodarskih vezi med Evropsko skupnostjo, njenimi državami članicami in zahodnoafriškimi državami;
OB UPOŠTEVANJU sedanje razlike v ravneh gospodarskega in socialnega razvoja med zahodnoafriškimi državami in Evropsko skupnostjo;
V PREPRIČANJU, da bo ta sporazum ustvaril novo in ugodnejše ozračje za njune odnose na področju gospodarskega upravljanja, trgovine in naložb ter novih priložnosti za rast in razvoj;
OB PRIZNAVANJU pomena sodelovanja za razvoj pri izvajanju tega sporazuma;
DOKLER ne bo podpisan celovit sporazum o gospodarskem partnerstvu med Zahodno Afriko in Evropsko unijo, ki mora zagotavljati stalen in usklajen razvoj ter povezovanje regije Zahodne Afrike;
OB PONOVNI POTRDITVI svoje zavezanosti, da podpirata proces regionalnega povezovanja med državami Zahodne Afrike in zlasti da spodbujata regionalno gospodarsko povezovanje kot temeljni instrument njihovega povezovanja v svetovno gospodarstvo s tem, da jim pomagata pri spopadanju z izzivi globalizacije in uresničevanju načrtovanega gospodarskega in socialnega razvoja;
SO SE DOGOVORILI O NASLEDNJEM:
NASLOV I
CILJI
ČLEN 1
Vmesni sporazum
Ta sporazum določa začetni okvir Sporazuma o gospodarskem partnerstvu (SGP).
ČLEN 2
Cilji
Cilji tega sporazuma so:
a) Pogodbenici Slonokoščeni obali omogočiti boljši dostop do trga, ki ga ponuja pogodbenica ES pri pogajanjih o SGP, in se hkrati izogniti motnjam pri trgovanju med Slonokoščeno obalo in Evropsko skupnostjo po prenehanju prehodnega trgovinskega režima iz Sporazuma iz Cotonouja 31. decembra 2007, dokler ne bo sklenjen celovit SGP.
b) Postaviti temelje za pogajanja o SGP, ki bo prispeval k zmanjšanju revščine, spodbujal regionalno povezovanje, gospodarsko sodelovanje in odgovorno vodenje v Zahodni Afriki ter izboljšal zmogljivosti Zahodne Afrike na področju trgovinske politike in glede vprašanj, povezanih s trgovino.
c) Spodbujati nemoteno in postopno vključevanje Zahodne Afrike v svetovno gospodarstvo v skladu z njenimi političnimi odločitvami in razvojnimi prednostnimi nalogami.
d) Krepiti sedanje odnose med pogodbenicama na podlagi solidarnosti in skupnega interesa.
e) Ustvariti sporazum, skladen s členom XXIV GATT 1994.
NASLOV II
PARTNERSTVO ZA RAZVOJ
ČLEN 3
Sodelovanje za razvoj na podlagi tega sporazuma
Pogodbenici se zavezujeta, da bosta sodelovali pri izvajanju tega sporazuma in podpirali pogodbenico Slonokoščeno obalo pri uresničevanju ciljev SGP. Sodelovali bosta finančno in nefinančno.
ČLEN 4
Sodelovanje za financiranje razvoja na podlagi tega sporazuma
1. Določbe Sporazuma iz Cotonouja o sodelovanju ter gospodarskem in regionalnem povezovanju se bodo izvajale zato, da bodo koristi tega sporazuma čim večje.
2. Financiranje Evropske skupnosti(1), ki se nanaša na razvojno sodelovanje med pogodbenico Slonokoščeno obalo in Evropsko skupnostjo v podporo izvajanju tega sporazuma, se izvaja v okviru ustreznih pravil in postopkov, predvidenih v Sporazumu iz Cotonouja, zlasti postopkov programiranja Evropskega razvojnega sklada (ERS), ter v okviru ustreznih instrumentov, financiranih iz splošnega proračuna Evropske unije. V tem okviru je podpora izvajanju tega sporazuma ena od prednostnih nalog.
3. Države članice Evropske skupnosti se kolektivno zavezujejo, da bodo s svojimi razvojnimi politikami in instrumenti podpirale dejavnosti razvojnega sodelovanja za regionalno gospodarsko sodelovanje ter za izvajanje tega sporazuma na nacionalni in regionalni ravni, skladno z načeloma učinkovitosti in komplementarnosti pomoči.
4. Pogodbenici bosta sodelovali, da bi olajšali poseg drugih donatorjev, pripravljenih da podprejo prizadevanja pogodbenice Slonokoščene obale za doseganje ciljev tega sporazuma.
5. Pogodbenici priznavata koristnost posebnih mehanizmov regionalnega financiranja, kot je regionalni sklad SGP za regijo, za usmerjanje financiranja na regionalni in nacionalni ravni ter učinkovito izvajanje spremljevalnih ukrepov tega sporazuma. Evropska skupnost se zavezuje, da bo usmerila svojo podporo prek lastnih mehanizmov financiranja regije ali prek mehanizmov, ki so jih izbrale države podpisnice tega sporazuma ob upoštevanju pravil in postopkov, določenih v Sporazumu iz Cotonouja, in v skladu z načeli Pariške deklaracije o učinkovitosti pomoči, za zagotavljanje preprostega, učinkovitega in hitrega izvajanja.
6. Pri izvajanju določb iz odstavkov 1 do 5 tega člena se pogodbenici zavezujeta, da bosta finančno in nefinančno sodelovali na področjih iz členov 5, 6, 7 in 8.
ČLEN 5
Poslovni okvir
Pogodbenici ocenjujeta, da je poslovni okvir osnovni nosilec gospodarskega razvoja, in zato je namen določb iz tega sporazuma prispevati k navedenemu skupnemu cilju. Slonokoščena obala, podpisnica Pogodbe o Organizaciji za uskladitev poslovnega prava afriških držav (OHADA), ponovno potrjuje svojo zavezanost, da bo uporabljala določbe te pogodbe.
Pogodbenici se zavezujeta, da si bosta v skladu z določbami člena 4 nenehno prizadevali za izboljšanje poslovnega okvira.
ČLEN 6
Podpora izvajanju pravil
Pogodbenici se strinjata, da je izvajanje pravil v zvezi s trgovino, katerih področja sodelovanja so podrobno določena v različnih poglavjih tega sporazuma, bistven element za doseganje ciljev tega sporazuma. Sodelovanje na tem področju se izvaja v skladu z določbami, opredeljenimi v členu 4.
ČLEN 7
Krepitev in izboljšanje proizvodnih sektorjev
V okviru izvajanja tega sporazuma pogodbenici potrjujeta svojo odločenost, da bosta spodbujali konkurenčnost proizvodnih sektorjev Slonokoščene obale, ki so predmet tega sporazuma.
Pogodbenici soglašata, da bosta sodelovali prek instrumentov sodelovanja, kakor so opredeljeni v členu 4 in podpirali:
– prilagajanje zasebnega sektorja novim gospodarskim priložnostim, ki jih prinaša ta sporazum;
– določitev in izvajanje strategij izboljšav;
– izboljšanje okolja zasebnega sektorja in poslovnega okolja iz členov 5 in 6;
– spodbujanje partnerstva med zasebnimi sektorji pogodbenic.
ČLEN 8
Sodelovanje v zvezi s finančnim prilagajanju
1. Pogodbenici priznavata, da bi bila odprava ali bistveno zmanjšanje carin, ki jih predvideva ta sporazum, lahko izziv za Slonokoščeno obalo, in soglašata, da bosta vzpostavili dialog in sodelovanje na tem področju.
2. Glede na časovni razpored liberalizacije, ki sta ga odobrili v tem sporazumu, pogodbenici soglašata, da bosta vzpostavili poglobljen dialog o ukrepih fiskalnega prilagajanja za končno vzpostavitev proračunskega ravnotežja Slonokoščene obale.
3. Pogodbenici soglašata, da bosta sodelovali na podlagi določb člena 4, zlasti z omogočanjem ukrepov pomoči na naslednjih področjih:
a) precejšen prispevek k absorpciji neto fiskalnih posledic, ki je popolnoma skladen s fiskalnimi reformami,
b) podpora fiskalni reformi kot spremljanje dialoga na tem področju.
ČLEN 9
Sodelovanje na mednarodnih forumih
Pogodbenici si prizadevata sodelovati na vseh mednarodnih forumih, na katerih se obravnavajo vprašanja, pomembna za to partnerstvo.
NASLOV III
TRGOVINSKI REŽIM ZA BLAGO
POGLAVJE 1
CARINE IN NETARIFNI UKREPI
ČLEN 10
Carine
1. Carine pomenijo vse vrste dajatev ali taks, ki se naložijo za uvoz ali izvoz ali pri uvozu ali izvozu blaga, kot to določajo pravila STO.
Ta določbe se ne sme uporabljati za notranje dajatve ali dajatve z enakovrednim učinkom v trenutku, ko blago zapusti ozemlje.
2. Za vsak proizvod je osnovna carina, za katero se uporabljajo postopna znižanja, carina, ki je določena v časovnih razporedih odprave carinskih tarif vsake pogodbenice.
ČLEN 11
Pristojbine in druge dajatve
Pogodbenici potrjujeta svojo zavezanost, da bosta spoštovali določbe člena VIII GATT 1994.
ČLEN 12
Carine za proizvode s poreklom iz Slonokoščene obale
Proizvodi s poreklom iz Slonokoščene obale, razen proizvodi, navedeni v Prilogi 1 in pod tam določenimi pogoji, se uvažajo v pogodbenico ES brez carin.
ČLEN 13
Carine na proizvode s poreklom iz pogodbenice ES
Carine na proizvode s poreklom iz pogodbenice ES, namenjene v Slonokoščeno obalo, se znižajo ali odpravijo v skladu s časovnim razporedom odprave carinskih tarif iz Priloge 2.
ČLEN 14
Pravila o poreklu
1. V tem poglavju se izraz “s poreklom” uporablja za blago, ki izpolnjuje pravila o poreklu, ki veljajo na ozemljih pogodbenic 1. januarja 2008.
2. Pogodbenici na podlagi pravil o poreklu iz Sporazuma iz Cotonouja najpozneje do 31. julija 2008 vzpostavita recipročno skupno ureditev, ki bo urejala pravila o poreklu in predvidevala njihovo poenostavitev ob upoštevanju razvojnih ciljev pogodbenice Slonokoščene obale. Ta nova ureditev se priloži k temu sporazumu s sklepom Odbora SGP. Če se pogodbenici nista dogovorili, je veljavna ureditev tista, ki je za Slonokoščeno obalo ugodnejša med veljavno ureditvijo pri pogodbenici ES in izboljšanimi pravili iz sporazuma iz Cotonouja.
3. Najpozneje tri leta po začetku veljavnosti tega sporazuma pogodbenici pregledata veljavne določbe, ki urejajo pravila o poreklu, da bi poenostavili koncepte in metode, ki se uporabljajo za določitev porekla z vidika razvojnih ciljev Slonokoščene obale v skladu s cilji Zahodne Afrike. Pri tem pregledu pogodbenici upoštevata tehnološki razvoj, proizvodne procese in vse druge dejavnike, vključno s tekočimi reformami v zvezi s pravili o poreklu, zaradi katerih bi lahko bile potrebne spremembe sklenjene recipročne ureditve. Vse spremembe ali zamenjave se izvršijo s sklepom Odbora SGP.
ČLEN 15
Sedanje stanje
1. Od začetka veljavnosti tega sporazuma se v trgovini med pogodbenicama ne uvajajo nove uvozne carine, že obstoječe pa se ne zvišujejo.
2. Ne glede na določbe iz odstavka 1 bo lahko Slonokoščena obala v okviru dokončne uvedbe skupne zunanje tarife Gospodarske skupnosti zahodnoafriških držav (ECOWAS) najpozneje do 31. decembra 2011 spremenila svoje osnovne carine, ki se uporabljajo za blago s poreklom iz Evropske skupnosti, če splošne posledice teh carin ne bodo višje od posledic carin, določenih v Prilogi 2. Odbor SGP bo posledično spremenil Prilogo 2.
ČLEN 16
Carine, takse, pristojbine in druge dajatve pri izvozu
1. Od začetka veljavnosti tega sporazuma se v trgovini med pogodbenicama pri izvozu ne uvajajo nove carine ali dajatve z enakim učinkom, že obstoječe pa se ne zvišujejo.
2. V izrednih okoliščinah in če pogodbenica Slonokoščena obala lahko utemelji posebne potrebe zaradi prihodkov, zaščite mlade gospodarske panoge ali varstva okolja, lahko začasno in po posvetovanju s pogodbenico ES na izvoz omejenega števila dodatnega blaga uvede carine ali dajatve z enakim učinkom ali poveča učinek obstoječih carin.
3. Pogodbenici soglašata, da bosta pregledali določbe tega člena v okviru Odbora SGP najpozneje tri leta po začetku veljavnosti tega sporazuma ob doslednem upoštevanju njihovega vpliva na razvoj in diverzifikacijo gospodarstva pogodbenice Slonokoščene obale.
ČLEN 17
Ugodnejše obravnave na podlagi sporazumov o prosti trgovini
1. Glede področij, zajetih v tem poglavju, bo pogodbenica ES pogodbenici Slonokoščeni obali odobrila ugodnejšo obravnavo, ki bi lahko bila posledica tega, da bi pogodbenica Evropska skupnost po podpisu tega sporazuma postala stranka sporazuma o prosti trgovini s tretjimi strankami.
2. Glede področij, zajetih v tem poglavju, bo pogodbenica Slonokoščena obala odobrila pogodbenici ES vsako ugodnejšo obravnavo, ki bi lahko bila posledica tega, da bi pogodbenica Slonokoščena obala po podpisu tega sporazuma postala stranka sporazuma o prosti trgovini z velikim trgovinskim partnerjem.
3. Če bi pogodbenica Slonokoščena obala pri velikem trgovinskem partnerju dosegla bistveno boljšo obravnavo, kot ji ga ponuja pogodbenica ES, se bosta pogodbenici posvetovali in skupaj odločili o izvajanju določb iz odstavka 2.
4. Določb tega poglavja ni mogoče razlagati, kot da pogodbenici zavezujejo k vzajemni razširitvi preferencialne obravnave, ki bi se uporabljala, ker je ena od pogodbenic na dan začetka veljavnosti tega sporazuma stranka sporazuma o prosti trgovini s tretjo stranko.
5. V tem členu “sporazum o prosti trgovini” pomeni sporazum, ki občutno liberalizira trgovino in bistveno ukinja ali odpravlja diskriminacijo med pogodbenicama z odpravo sedanjih diskriminacijskih ukrepov in/ali prepovedjo novih diskriminacijskih ukrepov in bolj diskriminacijskih ukrepov ob začetku veljavnosti tega sporazuma ali na podlagi razumnega časovnega okvira.
6. V tem členu “velik trgovinski partner” pomeni vsako razvito državo ali državo, katere delež v svetovni trgovini je večji od enega odstotka v letu pred začetkom veljavnosti sporazuma o prosti trgovini iz odstavka 2, ali katero koli skupino držav, ki nastopajo individualno, kolektivno ali s sporazumom o prosti trgovini in imajo delež svetovne trgovine večji od enega in pol odstotka v letu pred začetkom veljavnosti sporazuma o gospodarskem povezovanju iz odstavka 2(2).
ČLEN 18
Prepoved količinskih omejitev
Ne glede na določbe iz členov 23, 24 in 25 se z začetkom veljavnosti tega sporazuma odpravijo vse uvozne ali izvozne prepovedi ali omejitve, ki vplivajo na trgovino med pogodbenicama, razen carin, taks, pristojbin in drugih dajatev iz člena 11, če se uveljavljajo s kvotami, uvoznimi ali izvoznimi dovoljenji ali drugimi ukrepi. Novih ukrepov ni mogoče uvesti.
ČLEN 19
Nacionalna obravnava na področju notranjega obdavčenja in ureditve
1. Uvoženi proizvodi s poreklom iz druge pogodbenice ne morejo biti posredno ali neposredno obdavčeni z notranjimi taksami ali drugimi notranjimi dajatvami, ki so višje od taks in dajatev, s katerimi so posredno ali neposredno obdavčeni podobni nacionalni proizvodi. Nobena pogodbenica ne sme kakor koli drugače uporabljati notranjih taks ali drugih dajatev za zaščito domače proizvodnje.
2. Obravnava uvoženih proizvodov s poreklom iz druge pogodbenice ne sme biti manj ugodna od tiste, ki jo podobnim proizvodom domačega porekla zagotavljajo zakoni, predpisi in zahteve glede prodaje na notranjem trgu, ponudbe, nakupa, prevoza, distribucije ali uporabe. Določbe tega odstavka ne nasprotujejo uporabi različnih notranjih prevoznih dajatev, ki temeljijo izključno na gospodarskem izkoriščanju prevoznih sredstev in ne na poreklu proizvoda.
3. Ne glede na določbe o pravilih o poreklu ne sme nobena pogodbenica uvesti ali ohranjati nobenega notranjega količinskega predpisa glede mešanja, predelave ali uporabe proizvodov v določenih količinah ali razmerjih, ki neposredno ali posredno zahteva, da je treba določeno količino ali razmerje katerega koli proizvoda, za katerega velja predpis, dobaviti iz domačih virov. Poleg tega nobena pogodbenica ne sme na kakršen koli drug način uporabljati nobenega notranjega količinskega predpisa, da bi zaščitila domačo proizvodnjo.
4. Določbe tega člena ne veljajo za zakone, predpise, postopke ali prakse, ki urejajo javna naročila.
5. Določbe iz tega člena ne vplivajo na določbe poglavja 2 glede instrumentov trgovinske zaščite.
6. V zvezi z vprašanji o izplačilih subvencij domačim proizvajalcem se morata pogodbenici ravnati po STO.
ČLEN 20
Varnost preskrbe s hrano
Če se izkaže, da izvajanje tega sporazuma povzroči težave z razpoložljivostjo ali dostopom do živil ali drugih proizvodov, bistvenih za zagotavljanje varnosti preskrbe s hrano, in če to stanje povzroči ali utegne povzročiti večje težave pri pogodbenici Slonokoščeni obali, lahko ta pogodbenica sprejme ustrezne ukrepe v skladu s postopki iz člena 25.
ČLEN 21
Posebne določbe o upravnem sodelovanju
1. Pogodbenici soglašata, da je upravno sodelovanje bistvenega pomena za izvajanje in nadzor preferencialne obravnave, odobrene na podlagi tega poglavja, ter poudarjata svojo zavezo za boj proti nepravilnostim in goljufijam v carinskih in s tem povezanih zadevah.
2. Če pogodbenica na podlagi objektivnih informacij ugotovi, da se upravno sodelovanje ne zagotavlja in/ali se pojavljajo nepravilnosti ali goljufije, lahko zadevna pogodbenica začasno opusti preferencialno obravnavo zadevnih proizvodov v skladu s tem členom.
3. V tem členu se nepravilnost pri upravnem sodelovanju med drugim opredeli kot:
a) ponavljajoče se nespoštovanje obveznosti preverjanja porekla zadevnih proizvodov;
b) stalno zavračanje ali nepotrebno odlašanje pri izvajanju in/ali sporočanju rezultatov naknadnega preverjanja dokazil o poreklu;
c) stalno zavračanje ali nepotrebno odlašanje pri pridobivanju pooblastil za izvajanje misij v zvezi z upravnim sodelovanjem, da bi se preverila verodostojnost dokumentov ali točnost informacij v zvezi z odobritvijo preferencialne obravnave.
4. Za uporabo začasne opustitve veljajo naslednji pogoji:
a) Pogodbenica, ki na podlagi objektivnih informacij ugotovi, da se upravno sodelovanje ne zagotavlja in/ali da se pojavljajo nepravilnosti ali goljufije, mora o svojih ugotovitvah brez nepotrebnega odlašanja obvestiti Odbor SGP skupaj z objektivnimi informacijami in dokazilom ter se z njim posvetovati, da se najde rešitev, sprejemljiva za obe pogodbenici, na podlagi vseh ustreznih informacij in objektivnih dokazil.
b) Če sta pogodbenici začeli s posvetovanjem znotraj Odbora SGP, kot je določeno zgoraj, in v treh mesecih po obvestilu nista našli sprejemljive rešitve, lahko zadevna pogodbenica začasno opusti preferencialno obravnavo, odobreno za zadevne proizvode. O začasni opustitvi je treba brez nepotrebnega odlašanja obvestiti Odbor SGP.
c) Začasne opustitve na podlagi tega člena se omejijo le na tiste, ki so potrebne za zaščito finančnih interesov zadevne pogodbenice. Obdobje ne sme preseči šest mesecev, lahko pa se obnovi. O začasnih opustitvah je treba takoj po njihovem sprejetju obvestiti Odbor SGP. V njem redno potekajo posvetovanja o začasnih opustitvah, zlasti z namenom njihove razveljavitve, takoj ko ni več pogojev za njihovo uporabo.
5. Hkrati ko zadevna članica obvesti Odbor SGP v skladu točko a) odstavka 4 tega člena, objavi tudi obvestilo uvoznikom v svojem Uradnem listu. V obvestilu uvoznikom je navedeno, da je bilo na podlagi objektivnih informacij dokazano, da se pri zadevnem proizvodu upravno sodelovanje ne zagotavlja in/ali da se pojavljajo nepravilnosti ali goljufije.
ČLEN 22
Obravnava upravnih napak
V primeru napake pristojnih organov pri upravljanju preferencialnih sistemov izvoza in zlasti pri uporabi pravil glede opredelitve pojma “proizvodi s poreklom” in postopkov upravnega sodelovanja, pri čemer zaradi te napake nastanejo posledice na področju uvoza in izvoza, lahko pogodbenica, ki je izpostavljena takim posledicam, zaprosi Odbor SGP, da prouči možnosti za sprejetje vseh ustreznih ukrepov za razrešitev položaja.
POGLAVJE 2
INSTRUMENTI TRGOVINSKE ZAŠČITE
ČLEN 23
Protidampinški in izravnalni ukrepi
1. Ob upoštevanju določb iz tega člena ne more nič iz tega sporazuma pogodbenici ES ali pogodbenici Slonokoščeni obali preprečiti sprejetja protidampinških ali izravnalnih ukrepov v skladu z ustreznimi sporazumi STO. Za namene tega člena se poreklo določa v skladu z nepreferencialnimi pravili pogodbenic o poreklu.
2. Preden pogodbenici uvedeta dokončne protidampinške ali izravnalne ukrepe, morata proučiti možnost konstruktivnih rešitev, opredeljenih v ustreznih sporazumih STO. O tem se lahko tudi posvetujeta.
3. Pogodbenica ES pred začetkom kakršne koli preiskave obvesti Slonokoščeno obalo o prejemu pravilno dokumentirane pritožbe.
4. Določbe tega člena se uporabljajo v vseh preiskavah, ki se začnejo po začetku veljavnosti tega sporazuma.
5. Določbe tega člena niso predmet določb o reševanju sporov iz tega sporazuma.
ČLEN 24
Večstranski zaščitni ukrepi
1. Ob upoštevanju določb iz tega člena ne more nič v tem sporazumu Slonokoščeni obali ali pogodbenici ES preprečiti sprejetja ukrepov v skladu s členom XIX GATT 1994, Sporazumom o zaščitnih ukrepih ter členom 5 Sporazuma STO o kmetijstvu. Za namene tega člena se poreklo določa v skladu z nepreferencialnimi pravili pogodbenic o poreklu.
2. Ne glede na odstavek 1 pogodbenica ES ob upoštevanju splošnih razvojnih ciljev tega sporazuma in majhnosti gospodarstva Slonokoščene obale uvoz iz Slonokoščene obale izloči iz ukrepov, sprejetih v skladu s členom XIX GATT 1994, Sporazumom STO o zaščitnih ukrepih ter členom 5 Sporazuma STO o kmetijstvu.
3. Določbe odstavka 2 se uporabljajo pet let od datuma začetka veljavnosti tega sporazuma. Najpozneje 120 dni pred koncem tega obdobja Odbor SGP prouči izvajanje teh določb glede na razvojne potrebe Slonokoščene obale, da ugotovi, ali naj se njihova uporaba podaljša.
4. Določbe odstavka 1 niso predmet določb o reševanju sporov iz tega sporazuma.
ČLEN 25
Dvostranski zaščitni ukrepi
1. Pogodbenica lahko po proučitvi alternativnih rešitev uporabi časovno omejene zaščitne ukrepe, ki odstopajo od določb iz členov 12 in 13, pod pogoji in v skladu s postopki iz tega člena.
2. Zaščitni ukrepi iz odstavka 1 zgoraj se lahko sprejmejo, če se proizvod pogodbenice uvaža na ozemlje druge pogodbenice v tako povečanih količinah in pod pogoji, ki lahko povzročijo ali grozijo, da bodo povzročili:
a) resno škodo domačim proizvajalcem podobnih ali neposredno konkurenčnih proizvodov na ozemlju pogodbenice uvoznice,
b) resne motnje v kakem gospodarskem sektorju, zlasti če bi te motnje lahko povzročile velike socialne probleme ali težave, ki bi resno poslabšale gospodarski položaj pogodbenice uvoznice, ali
c) motnje na trgih kmetijskih proizvodov podobnih ali neposredno konkurenčnih proizvodov(3) ali v mehanizmih, ki te trge upravljajo.
3. Zaščitni ukrepi iz tega člena ne smejo trajati dlje, kot je nujno za odpravo ali preprečitev resne škode ali motenj, kakor so opredeljene v odstavkih 2, 4 in 5. Ti zaščitni ukrepi uvoznice so lahko zajemajo enega ali več naslednjih ukrepov:
a) opustitev nadaljnjega znižanja veljavne stopnje uvozne dajatve za zadevni proizvod, kot je predpisana s tem sporazumom,
b) povečanje carinske stopnje za zadevni proizvod do stopnje, ki ne presega carinske stopnje, ki velja za druge članice STO, in
c) uvedbo tarifnih kvot za zadevni proizvod.
4. Ne glede na določbe iz zgornjih odstavkov 1 in 2, če se kak proizvod s poreklom iz Slonokoščene obale uvaža v povečanih količinah in pod takimi pogoji, da lahko povzroči ali grozi, da bo v eni ali več najbolj oddaljenih regijah pogodbenice ES povzročil eno od situacij, navedenih v točkah (a), (b) in (c) odstavka 2, lahko pogodbenica ES sprejme nadzorne ali zaščitne ukrepe, kakor so opredeljeni v zgornjem odstavku 3, omejene na zadevno regijo ali regije, skladno s postopki iz odstavkov 6 do 9.
5. a) Če se kak proizvod s poreklom iz ES uvaža v povečanih količinah in pod takimi pogoji, da lahko povzroči ali grozi, da bo povzročil eno od situacij, navedenih v točkah (a), (b) in (c) odstavka 2, lahko Slonokoščena obala sprejme nadzorne ali zaščitne ukrepe, omejene na njeno ozemlje, skladno s postopki iz odstavkov 6 do 9.
b) Ne glede na določbe odstavkov 1 in 2 lahko Slonokoščena obala sprejme zaščitne ukrepe, kakor so opredeljeni v odstavku 3, kadar se proizvod s poreklom iz pogodbenice ES uvaža na njeno ozemlje v tako povečanih količinah in pod takimi pogoji, da lahko povzroči ali grozi, da bo povzročil motnje v novi gospodarski panogi, ki proizvaja podobne ali neposredno konkurenčne proizvode.
Ta določba se lahko uporablja največ deset let od datuma začetka veljavnosti tega sporazuma. Ta rok se lahko s soglasjem pogodbenic podaljša, če kljub razvojnemu potencialu industrije in resničnim dejanskim prizadevanjem ta cilj ni bil dosežen, zlasti zaradi globalnega gospodarskega gibanja ali resnih motenj, ki so prizadele Slonokoščeno obalo.
Ukrepi morajo biti sprejeti v skladu z določbami odstavkov 6 do 9.
6. a) Zaščitni ukrepi iz tega člena ne smejo trajati dlje, kot je potrebno za odpravo ali preprečitev resne škode ali motenj, kot so opredeljene v odstavkih 2, 4 in 5.
b) Zaščitni ukrepi iz tega člena se ne uporabljajo več kot dve leti. Če okoliščine, ki upravičujejo uvedbo zaščitnih ukrepov, še vedno obstajajo, se lahko taki ukrepi podaljšajo za nadaljnje obdobje največ dveh let. Če Slonokoščena obala uporabi zaščitni ukrep ali če pogodbenica ES uporabi ukrep, omejen na ozemlje ene ali več svojih najbolj obrobnih regij, pa se taki ukrepi lahko uporabljajo največ štiri leta, in če okoliščine, ki upravičujejo uvedbo zaščitnih ukrepov, še vedno obstajajo, se jih lahko podaljša za nadaljnja štiri leta.
c) Zaščitni ukrepi iz tega člena, ki se uporabljajo več kot eno leto, morajo imeti priložen jasen časovni razpored za postopno odpravo najpozneje do konca določenega obdobja.
d) Razen v primeru izrednih okoliščin, ki jih mora oceniti Odbor SGP, se za proizvod, za katerega je pred tem veljal zaščitni ukrep, vsaj eno leto po izteku ukrepa ne sprejme nov zaščitni ukrep iz tega člena.
7. Za izvajanje odstavkov 1 do 6 se uporabljajo naslednje določbe:
a) Če pogodbenica meni, da obstaja ena od okoliščin iz odstavkov 2, 4 in/ali 5, to takoj sporoči Odboru SGP.
b) Odbor SGP lahko oblikuje priporočila za odpravo nastalih okoliščin. Če Odbor tega ne stori, ali če se zadovoljiva rešitev ne najde v tridesetih dneh po obvestilu Odbora, lahko država uvoznica sprejme ustrezne ukrepe za razrešitev položaja v skladu s tem členom.
c) Pred sprejetjem ukrepa iz tega člena ali v primerih iz odstavka 8, zadevna pogodbenica čim prej predloži Odboru SGP vse potrebne informacije za celovit pregled položaja, da se poišče rešitev, sprejemljiva za pogodbenici.
d) Pri izbiri zaščitnih ukrepov je treba dati prednost tistim, ki najmanj ovirajo delovanje tega sporazuma in omogočajo učinkovito in hitro odpravo nastalega problema.
e) Vsak zaščitni ukrep, sprejet v skladu s tem členom, se takoj sporoči Odboru SGP, v katerem o njem redno potekajo posvetovanja, da se predvsem določi časovni razpored za njegovo odpravo, takoj ko okoliščine to dopuščajo.
8. Kadar je v izrednih okoliščinah potrebno takojšnje ukrepanje, lahko zadevna pogodbenica uvoznica – pogodbenica ES ali pogodbenica Slonokoščena obala, odvisno od primera – sprejme začasne ukrepe, predvidene v odstavkih 3, 4 in/ali 5, ne da bi izpolnila zahteve iz odstavka 7. Taki ukrepi lahko trajajo največ 180 dni, kadar jih sprejme pogodbenica ES, in 200 dni, kadar jih sprejme Slonokoščena obala ali kadar so ukrepi, ki jih sprejme pogodbenica ES, omejeni na ozemlje ene ali več njenih najbolj obrobnih regij. Trajanje teh začasnih ukrepov se šteje kot del obdobja ukrepov in kakršnega koli njihovega podaljšanja, ki je opredeljeno v odstavku 6. Pri sprejemanju začasnih ukrepov morajo biti upoštevani interesi obeh pogodbenic. Zadevna pogodbenica uvoznica obvesti drugo pogodbenico in zadevo nemudoma predloži v proučitev Odboru SGP.
9. Če pogodbenica uvoznica pri uvozu proizvoda uporablja upravni postopek, katerega namen je hitro zagotoviti informacije o gibanju trgovinskih tokov, ki bi lahko povzročili težave iz tega člena, o tem nemudoma obvesti Odbor SGP.
10. Sporazum o STO se ne uporabi za to, da bi se pogodbenici preprečilo sprejetje zaščitnih ukrepov v skladu z določbami iz tega člena.
ČLEN 26
Sodelovanje
1. Pogodbenici priznavata pomen sodelovanja pri instrumentih trgovinske zaščite.
2. Pogodbenici soglašata, da bosta sodelovali v skladu z določbami člena 4, vključno z omogočanjem ukrepov pomoči, zlasti na naslednjih področjih:
a) razvoj predpisov in institucij za zagotavljanje trgovinske zaščite;
b) razvoj zmožnosti za uporabo instrumentov trgovinske zaščite, predvidenih v tem sporazumu.
POGLAVJE 3
CARINSKI POSTOPEK IN OLAJŠEVANJE TRGOVINE
ČLEN 27
Cilji
1. Pogodbenici priznavata pomen carinskih vprašanj in olajševanja trgovine v okvirih hitre rasti svetovne trgovine. Soglašata, da na tem področju okrepita sodelovanje, da bi zagotovili, da ustrezna zakonodaja in postopki ter tudi upravna usposobljenost zadevnih uprav izpolnjujejo cilje učinkovitega nadzora in olajševanja trgovine ter pomagajo spodbujati razvoj in regionalno povezovanje držav podpisnic SGP.
2. Pogodbenici soglašata, da legitimni cilji javne politike, vključno s tistimi, ki zadevajo varnost in preprečevanje goljufij, nikakor ne bodo ogroženi.
3. Pogodbenici se zavezujeta, da bosta na svojih ozemljih zagotavljali prost pretok blaga, ki ga zajema ta sporazum.
ČLEN 28
Carinsko in upravno sodelovanje
1. Za zagotovitev skladnosti z določbami tega naslova in učinkovit odziv na cilje iz člena 27 pogodbenici:
a) izmenjata informacije o zakonodaji in carinskih postopkih;
b) oblikujeta skupne pobude o uvoznih in izvoznih postopkih ter postopkih tranzita ter pobude za ponudbo učinkovitih storitev poslovni skupnosti;
c) sodelujeta pri avtomatizaciji carinskih in drugih trgovinskih postopkov ter si, če je to primerno, prizadevata oblikovati skupne standarde izmenjave podatkov;
d) določita skupna stališča, kolikor je to mogoče, na carinskem področju v mednarodnih organizacijah, kot so STO, Svetovna carinska organizacija (WCO), Organizacija združenih narodov (OZN) in Konferenca Združenih narodov o trgovini in razvoju (UNCTAD);
e) sodelujeta pri načrtovanju in izvajanju tehnične pomoči, zlasti za olajševanje carinskih reform in trgovine v skladu z določbami tega sporazuma, in
f) spodbujata sodelovanje med vsemi zadevnimi organi znotraj države in med državami.
2. Ne glede na odstavek 1 si uprave pogodbenic zagotavljajo medsebojno upravno pomoč v carinskih zadevah v skladu z določbami Protokola o medsebojni upravni pomoči v carinskih zadevah.
ČLEN 29
Zakonodaja in carinski postopki
1. Pogodbenici soglašata, da njuna trgovinska in carinska zakonodaja, njune določbe in postopki temeljijo na mednarodnih instrumentih in standardih, ki veljajo na področju carine in trgovine, zlasti na temeljih Mednarodne konvencije o uskladitvi in poenostavitvi carinskih postopkov, sklenjen v Kjotu 18. maja 1973 in revidirane v Bruslju 26. junija 1999 (revidirane Kjotska konvencija), Okvira WCO o standardih za zaščito in pospeševanje svetovne trgovine, carinskega podatkovnega modela WCO in Konvencije o usklajenem sistemu poimenovanj in šifrskih oznak proizvodov (“HS”).
Pogodbenici si prizadevata za prosti tranzit proizvodov čez njuno ozemlje ob določanju najprimernejše poti za tranzit.
Pogodbenici soglašata, da morajo omejitve, nadzor ali morebitne zahteve temeljiti na legitimnem cilju javne politike, biti nediskriminacijske in sorazmerne ter se enotno uporabljati.
Brez poseganja v izvajanje legitimnega carinskega nadzora pogodbenici proizvodom v tranzitu, namenjenim v drugo pogodbenico ali s poreklom iz druge pogodbenice, odobrita obravnavo, ki ni manj ugodna od obravnave proizvodov domače proizvodnje, zlasti pri izvozu in uvozu proizvodov ter njihovem gibanju.
Pogodbenici uvedeta postopke prevoza pod carinskim nadzorom, ki omogočajo tranzit proizvodov brez plačila carin in drugih dajatev, če so zagotovljena ustrezna jamstva.
Pogodbenici si prizadevata spodbujati in izvajati ureditve regionalnega tranzita, da bi zmanjšale trgovinske ovire.
Pogodbenici uporabljata mednarodne standarde in instrumente, ki zadevajo tranzit proizvodov.
Pogodbenici zagotavljata sodelovanje in usklajevanje vseh zadevnih organov na svojem ozemlju za olajševanje prevoza v tranzitu in spodbujanje čezmejnega sodelovanja.
2. Za izboljšanje delovnih metod in zagotovitev nediskriminacije, preglednosti, učinkovitosti, neoporečnosti in odgovornosti postopkov se pogodbenici zavezujeta, da bosta:
a) sprejeli ukrepe, potrebne za zmanjšanje obsega, poenostavitev in standardizacijo podatkov in dokumentov, ki jih zahtevajo carine in druge zadevne ustanove;
b) poenostavili, kolikor je to mogoče, carinske zahteve in formalnosti za krajše roke sprostitve in carinjenja blaga;
c) zagotovili učinkovite, hitre, nediskriminacijske postopke, ki omogočajo pravico do pritožbe proti sodbam, sklepom in ukrepom carine in drugih uprav glede uvoza, izvoza ali blaga v tranzitu. Ti postopki bodo pritožnikom lahko dostopni, pripadajoči stroški razumni in ne bodo presegali stroškov, nastalih pri vložitvi pritožbe;
d) zagotovili vzdrževanje najvišjih standardov neoporečnosti z uporabo ukrepov, ki odražajo načela ustreznih mednarodnih konvencij in instrumentov na tem področju.
ČLEN 30
Odnosi s poslovno skupnostjo
Pogodbenici soglašata, da:
a) zagotovita, da so vsa zakonodaja, postopki, pristojbine in dajatve, ter njihove utemeljitve javno dostopni, po možnosti prek elektronskih medijev;
b) se je treba s trgovinskimi predstavniki redno in pravočasno posvetovati o oblikovanju zakonodajnih predlogov in postopkov o carinskih vprašanjih in trgovini. Zato vsaka pogodbenica vzpostavi ustrezne mehanizme za redno posvetovanje med upravami in poslovno skupnostjo.
c) mora preteči dovolj časa med objavo in začetkom veljavnosti vsake zakonodaje, postopka ali nove oziroma spremenjene carine ali dajatve.
Pogodbenici objavita upravne informacije, predvsem o zahtevah uradov, postopkih za vstop, uradnih urah in operativnih carinskih postopkih na mejnih prehodih na kopnem in morju ter kontaktnih točkah za prejem informacij;
d) podpirata sodelovanje med subjekti in ustreznimi upravami z uporabo nearbitrarnih in javno dostopnih postopkov, kot so memorandumi o soglasju, ki temeljijo na soglasjih, ki jih je objavil WCO;
e) si bosta prizadevali, da bodo zahteve uprav glede carinskih in z njimi povezanih zahtev, predpisov in postopkov še naprej izpolnjevale potrebe poslovne skupnosti, upoštevale najboljše prakse in čim manj omejevale trgovino.
ČLEN 31
Carinsko vrednotenje
1. Člen VII GATT 1994 in Sporazum STO o izvajanju člena VII GATT 1994 urejata pravila carinskega vrednotenja, ki se uporabljajo v trgovini med pogodbenicama.
2. Pogodbenici sodelujeta, da oblikujeta skupni pristop k vprašanjem v zvezi s carinskim vrednotenjem.
ČLEN 32
Regionalno povezovanje
Pogodbenici soglašata, da bosta spodbujali carinske reforme, da bi omogočili olajševanje trgovine v regionalnem okviru Zahodne Afrike.
ČLEN 33
Nadaljnja pogajanja o carinah in olajševanju trgovine
V okviru pogajanj za celovit SGP pogodbenici soglašata, da bosta nadaljevali s pogajanji o tem poglavju, da ga končata v regionalnem okviru.
ČLEN 34
Poseben odbor za carine in olajševanje trgovine
V okviru Odbora SGP pogodbenici ustanovita poseben odbor za carino in olajševanje trgovine, ki ga sestavljajo predstavniki pogodbenic. Ta odbor poroča Odboru SGP. Odbor razpravlja o vseh carinskih vprašanjih, ki bi lahko spodbujala trgovino med pogodbenicama, ter spremlja izvajanje, upravljanje določb tega poglavja in izvajanje predpisov o poreklu.
ČLEN 35
Sodelovanje
1. Pogodbenici priznavata pomen sodelovanja pri carinah in olajševanju trgovine za izvajanje tega sporazuma.
2. Pogodbenici soglašata, da bosta sodelovali v skladu z določbami člena 4, vključno z omogočanjem ukrepov pomoči, zlasti na naslednjih področjih:
a) oblikovanje ustreznih in poenostavljenih zakonskih določb in predpisov;
b) obveščanje in ozaveščanje subjektov, vključno z usposabljanjem zadevnega osebja;
c) krepitev zmogljivosti, posodabljanje in medsebojno povezovanje carinskih uprav.
POGLAVJE 4
TEHNIČNE OVIRE PRI TRGOVANJU TER SANITARNI IN FITOSANITARNI UKREPI
ČLEN 36
Večstranske obveznosti
Pogodbenici potrjujeta svojo zavezanost pravicam in obveznostim iz Sporazuma o ustanovitvi STO in zlasti sporazumov STO o uporabi sanitarnih in fitosanitarnih ukrepov (Sporazum SPS) ter o tehničnih ovirah pri trgovanju (Sporazum OTC). Prav tako potrjujeta svojo zavezanost pravicam in obveznostim v skladu z Mednarodno konvencijo o varstvu rastlin (IPPC), Kodeksom Alimentarius in Svetovno organizacijo za zdravje živali (OIE).
Pogodbenici potrjujeta svojo zavezanost izboljšanju javnega zdravja v Slonokoščeni obali, zlasti s krepitvijo njenih zmožnosti za odkrivanje neustreznih proizvodov.
Te zaveze, pravice in obveznosti usmerjajo dejavnost pogodbenic iz tega poglavja.
ČLEN 37
Cilji
Cilji tega poglavja so olajševanje trgovine s proizvodi med pogodbenicama ob krepitvi njunih zmožnosti za odkrivanje, preprečevanje in odpravljanje ovir pri trgovanju zaradi tehničnih predpisov, standardov in postopkov za ugotavljanje skladnosti, ki jih uporablja ena ali druga pogodbenica ob ohranjanju zmožnosti pogodbenic za varovanje rastlin, živali in javnega zdravja.
ČLEN 38
Področje uporabe in opredelitev pojmov
1. Določbe tega poglavja se uporabljajo za tehnične predpise in standarde ter postopke za ugotavljanje skladnosti, opredeljene v Sporazumu OTC, ter sanitarne in fitosanitarne ukrepe (v nadaljnjem besedilu “standardi SPS”), ker ti vplivajo na trgovino med pogodbenicama.
2. Če ni drugače določeno, se v tem poglavju in v dodatkih k temu sporazumu, vključno za vsa sklicevanja na “proizvode”, uporabljajo opredelitve iz sporazumov SPS in OTC, Kodeksa Alimentarius, Mednarodne konvencije za varstvo rastlin in Svetovne organizacije za zdravje živali.
ČLEN 39
Pristojni organi
Organi pogodbenic, pristojni za izvajanje ukrepov iz tega poglavja, so navedeni v Dodatku II.
V skladu s členom 41 se pogodbenici medsebojno in pravočasno obveščata o pomembnih spremembah pri pristojnih organih iz Dodatka II. Odbor SGP sprejme vse potrebne spremembe Dodatka I.
ČLEN 40
Določitev sanitarnih in fitosanitarnih območij
Kar zadeva uvozne pogoje, lahko pogodbenici za vsak posamezen primer predlagata in opredelita območja z določenim sanitarnim in fitosanitarnim stanjem ob sklicevanju na člen 6 Sporazuma SPS.
ČLEN 41
Preglednost trgovinskih pogojev in izmenjava informacij
1. Pogodbenici se vzajemno obveščata o vseh spremembah svojih tehničnih predpisov za proizvode (zlasti iz živih živali in rastlin).
2. Pogodbenici soglašata, da se čim prej medsebojno pisno obvestita o ukrepih, sprejetih za prepoved uvoza blaga kot posega proti kakršnim koli težavam, ki so povezane z zdravjem (ljudi, živali ali rastlin), za preprečevanje in varstvo okolja v skladu s priporočili iz sporazuma SPS.
3. Pogodbenici soglašata, da bosta izmenjali informacije, da bi njuni proizvodi izpolnjevali zahtevane tehnične standarde in predpise ter bi se jim s tem omogočil dostop do njunih trgov.
4. Pogodbenici si tudi neposredno izmenjata informacije o drugih morebitnih pomembnih vprašanjih za svoje trgovinske odnose, vključno z vprašanji varnosti hrane, nenadnim pojavom živalskih in rastlinskih bolezni, znanstvenimi mnenji in drugimi pomembnimi dogodki, povezanimi z varnostjo proizvodov. Pogodbenici se zlasti zavezujeta, da si bosta izmenjali informacije, kadar uporabljata načelo območij brez škodljivcev ali bolezni ali območij, kjer škodljivci ali bolezni niso močno razširjeni, kot je določeno v členu 6 Sporazuma SPS.
5. Pogodbenici soglašata, da si bosta izmenjali informacije o epidemiološkem nadzoru živalskih bolezni. Kar zadeva fitosanitarno varstvo, si pogodbenici izmenjata tudi informacije o pojavu škodljivcev, ki pomenijo znano in takojšnjo nevarnost za drugo pogodbenico.
6. Pogodbenici soglašata, da bosta sodelovali pri medsebojnem in hitrem opozarjanju, kadar bi lahko nova regionalna pravila vplivala na njuno medsebojno trgovino.
ČLEN 42
Sodelovanje v mednarodnih telesih
Pogodbenici soglašata, da bosta sodelovali v mednarodnih telesih za določanje standardov, med drugim z omogočanjem udeležbe predstavnikov pogodbenice Slonokoščene obale na srečanjih in pri delu teh teles.
ČLEN 43
Sodelovanje
1. Pogodbenici priznavata pomen sodelovanja na področjih tehničnih predpisov, standardov in ugotavljanja skladnosti za doseganje ciljev tega poglavja.
2. Pogodbenici soglašata, da bosta sodelovali v skladu z določbami iz člena 4 za izboljšanje kakovosti in konkurenčnosti prednostnih proizvodov Slonokoščene obale in dostopa do trga Evropske skupnosti, vključno z ukrepi zlasti finančne pomoči, na naslednjih področjih:
a) vzpostavitev ustreznega okvira za izmenjavo informacij in izmenjavo strokovnega znanja med pogodbenicama;
b) sprejetje standardov in tehničnih predpisov, postopkov za ugotavljanje skladnosti ter sanitarnih in fitosanitarnih ukrepov, usklajenih na regionalni ravni na podlagi ustreznih mednarodnih standardov;
c) krepitev zmogljivosti javnih in zasebnih subjektov, vključno z informiranjem in usposabljanjem, za izpolnjevanje standardov, predpisov in ukrepov Evropske skupnosti ter sodelovanje v mednarodnih organih;
d) razvoj nacionalnih zmogljivosti za ugotavljanje skladnosti proizvodov in dostopa do trga Evropske skupnosti.
NASLOV IV
STORITVE, NALOŽBE IN PRAVILA, POVEZANA S TRGOVINO
ČLEN 44
Pogodbenici se na podlagi Sporazuma iz Cotonouja zavezujeta, da bosta sprejeli vse potrebne ukrepe ali sodelovali za spodbujanje pogajanj za čimprejšnjo sklenitev celovitega SGP v skladu z ustreznimi določbami STO med pogodbenico ES in celotno Zahodno Afriko na naslednjih področjih:
a) trgovina s storitvami in elektronsko poslovanje;
b) naložbe;
c) tekoča plačila in pretok kapitala;
d) konkurenca;
e) intelektualna lastnina;
f) javna naročila;
g) trajnostni razvoj;
h) varstvo osebnih podatkov.
Pogodbenici bosta sprejeli vse ukrepe, potrebne za pospešitev sprejetja celovitega SGP med pogodbenico ES in Zahodno Afriko do konca leta 2008.
NASLOV V
IZOGIBANJE IN REŠEVANJE SPOROV
POGLAVJE 1
NAMEN IN PODROČJE UPORABE
ČLEN 45
Cilj
Cilj tega naslova je preprečevanje in reševanje morebitnih sporov med pogodbenicama, da se doseže sporazumna rešitev, kjer koli je to mogoče.
ČLEN 46
Področje uporabe
1. Ta naslov se uporablja za vse spore v zvezi z razlago in uporabo tega sporazuma, razen določb iz naslova II, in če ni izrecno določeno drugače.
2. Ne glede na odstavek 1 se postopek iz člena 98 Sporazuma iz Cotonouja uporablja v primeru spora v zvezi s financiranjem razvojnega sodelovanja, kot ga predvideva Sporazum iz Cotonouja.
POGLAVJE 2
POSVETOVANJE IN POSREDOVANJE
ČLEN 47
Posvetovanje
1. Pogodbenici si prizadevata rešiti vse spore iz člena 46 tako, da začneta posvetovanja v dobri veri, da dosežeta sporazumno rešitev.
2. Pogodbenica, ki zahteva posvetovanje, predloži pisni zahtevek drugi pogodbenici (in kopijo Odboru SGP), v katerem opredeli sporni ukrep in določbe Sporazuma, s katerimi ukrep po njenem mnenju ni skladen.
3. Posvetovanja se začnejo v 40 dneh po datumu predložitve zahtevka. Posvetovanja se štejejo za končana po 60 dneh od datuma predložitve zahtevka, razen če se pogodbenici ne dogovorita, da jih bosta nadaljevali po izteku tega roka. Vse informacije, razkrite med posvetovanji, ostanejo zaupne.
4. Posvetovanja o nujnih zadevah, zlasti o tistih, ki se nanašajo na pokvarljivo ali sezonsko blago, se skličejo v 15 dneh od datuma predložitve zahtevka in se štejejo za končana po 30 dneh od datuma predložitve zahtevka.
5. Če se posvetovanja ne začnejo v rokih, predvidenih v odstavkih 3 ali 4, ali se končajo brez sporazumne rešitve, lahko pogodbenica pritožnica zahteva ustanovitev arbitražnega senata v skladu s členom 49.
ČLEN 48
Posredovanje
1. Če se posvetovanja ne končajo s sporazumno rešitvijo, se lahko pogodbenici po dogovoru obrneta na posrednika. Če pogodbenici ne odločita drugače, so formalni pogoji za posredovanje tisti navedeni v zahtevku za pogajanja.
2. Če se pogodbenici v 10 dneh od datuma predložitve zahtevka za posredovanje ne sporazumeta o posredniku, Odbor SGP z žrebom izbere posrednika iz skupine posameznikov, ki so na seznamu iz člena 64 in niso državljani nobene od pogodbenic. Izbor se opravi v 20 dneh od datuma predložitve zahtevka za posredovanje v navzočnosti predstavnika vsake od pogodbenic. Posrednik skliče sejo s pogodbenicama najpozneje 30 dni potem, ko je bil izbran. Posrednik prejme vloge vsake od pogodbenic najpozneje 15 dni pred sejo in svoje mnenje sporoči najpozneje 45 dni po tem, ko je bil izbran.
3. Mnenje posrednika lahko vključuje priporočilo o tem, kako rešiti spor skladno z določbami iz člena 53. Mnenje posrednika ni zavezujoče.
4. Pogodbenici se lahko dogovorita za spremembo rokov iz odstavka 2. Posrednik se lahko prav tako odloči za spremembo teh rokov na zahtevo katere koli od pogodbenic ali na lastno pobudo, glede na posebne težave, ki jih ima zadevna pogodbenica, ali zapletenost primera.
5. Postopki, povezani s posredovanjem, zlasti vse razkrite informacije in stališča, ki jih pogodbenici izrazita med temi postopki, so zaupni.
POGLAVJE 3
POSTOPKI IN REŠEVANJE SPOROV
ODDELEK I
Arbitražni postopek
ČLEN 49
Sprožitev arbitražnega postopka
1. Če pogodbenicama ne uspe rešiti spora s posvetovanji, kot so opredeljena v členu 47, ali s posredovanjem, kot je opredeljeno v členu 48, lahko pogodbenica pritožnica zahteva ustanovitev arbitražnega senata.
2. Zahtevek za ustanovitev arbitražnega senata se pisno naslovi toženi pogodbenici in Odboru SGP. Pogodbenica pritožnica v svojem zahtevku opredeli konkretne sporne ukrepe in razloži, kako ti ukrepi predstavljajo kršitev določb tega sporazuma.
ČLEN 50
Ustanovitev arbitražnega senata
1. Arbitražni senat sestavljajo trije razsodniki.
2. V 10 dneh od datuma predložitve zahtevka za ustanovitev arbitražnega senata se pogodbenici posvetujeta, da bi dosegli dogovor o njegovi sestavi.
3. Če pogodbenici ne moreta doseči soglasja o sestavi arbitražnega senata v roku, ki je določen v odstavku 2, lahko katera koli pogodbenica zaprosi predsednika Odbora SGP ali njegovega pooblaščenca, da z žrebom izbere tri člane s seznama, sestavljenega na podlagi člena 64, enega izmed oseb, ki jih predlaga pogodbenica pritožnica, enega izmed oseb, ki jih predlaga tožena pogodbenica, ter enega izmed oseb, ki sta jih pogodbenici imenovali za vodenje sej. Če se pogodbenici sporazumeta o izboru enega ali več članov arbitražnega senata, se vsi preostali člani izberejo po enakem postopku.
4. Predsednik Odbora SGP ali njegov pooblaščenec izbere razsodnike v petih dneh od zahtevka iz odstavka 3 s strani katere koli od pogodbenic, v navzočnosti predstavnika vsake od pogodbenic.
5. Datum ustanovitve arbitražnega senata je datum, ko so izbrani vsi trije razsodniki.
ČLEN 51
Vmesno poročilo arbitražnega senata
Arbitražni senat pogodbenici uradno obvesti o vmesnem poročilu, ki vključuje opisni del in njegove ugotovitve ter sklepe, praviloma najpozneje 120 dni po datumu ustanovitvi arbitražnega senata. Katera koli od pogodbenic lahko arbitražnemu senatu predloži pisne pripombe glede določenih vidikov njegovega vmesnega poročila v 15 dneh od vročitve uradnega obvestila o poročilu.
ČLEN 52
Odločitev arbitražnega senata
1. Arbitražni senat pogodbenici ter Odbor SGP o svoji odločitvi uradno obvesti v 150 dneh od datuma ustanovitve arbitražnega senata. Če meni, da tega roka ni mogoče upoštevati, mora predsednik arbitražnega senata o tem pisno obvestiti pogodbenici ter Odbor SGP, pri čemer navede razloge za odlog in datum, ko naj bi senat predvidoma končal svoje delo. Uradno obvestilo o odločitvi pod nobenim pogojem ne sme biti predloženo pozneje kot 180 dni od datuma ustanovitve arbitražnega senata.
2. V nujnih primerih, vključno s tistimi, ki so povezani s pokvarljivim in sezonskim blagom, si arbitražni senat vsestransko prizadeva, da svojo odločitev sporoči v 75 dneh od datuma svoje ustanovitve. Pod nobenim pogojem to ne sme trajati več kot 90 dni po njegovi ustanovitvi. Arbitražni senat lahko o tem, ali je primer po njegovem mnenju nujen, predhodno odloči v 10 dneh od svoje ustanovitve.
3. Katera koli od pogodbenic lahko zahteva, da arbitražni senat priporoči, kako bi lahko tožena pogodbenica odpravila neskladnost.
ODDELEK II
Izpolnitev odločitve
ČLEN 53
Izpolnitev odločitve arbitražnega senata
Vsaka od pogodbenic sprejme vse ukrepe, potrebne za izvajanje odločitve arbitražnega senata, in si prizadeva za dogovor o roku za izvršitev odločitve.
ČLEN 54
Razumno obdobje za izpolnitev odločitve
1. Najpozneje v 30 dneh po uradnem obvestilu pogodbenic o odločitvi arbitražnega senata tožena pogodbenica pisno obvesti pogodbenico pritožnico ter Odbor SGP o roku, ki ga bo potrebovala za izpolnitev odločitve (“razumni rok”).
2. Če med pogodbenicama pride do razhajanja glede razumnega roka za izpolnitev odločitve arbitražnega senata, pogodbenica pritožnica v 20 dneh po uradnem obvestilu tožene pogodbenice od arbitražnega senata pisno zahteva, da določi dolžino razumnega roka. O tem zahtevku se hkrati uradno obvestita druga pogodbenica in Odbor SGP. Arbitražni senat pogodbenici in Odbor SGP o svoji odločitvi uradno obvesti v tridesetih dneh od datuma predložitve zahtevka.
3 Arbitražni senat pri določanju dolžine razumnega obdobja upošteva obdobje, ki ga tožena pogodbenica običajno potrebuje za sprejetje zakonskih ali upravnih ukrepov, primerljivih s tistimi, za katere pogodbenica pritožnica ugotovi, da so potrebni za zagotovitev skladnosti. Arbitražni senat lahko poleg tega upošteva omejitve, ki lahko vplivajo na sprejetje potrebnih ukrepov tožene pogodbenice.
4. Če se prvotni arbitražni senat ali nekateri njegovi člani ne morejo ponovno sestati, se uporabijo postopki iz člena 50. Rok za sporočilo odločitve je 45 dni po datumu predložitve zahtevka iz odstavka 2.
5. Pogodbenici lahko podaljšata razumno obdobje z medsebojnim dogovorom.
ČLEN 55
Proučitev ukrepov, sprejetih za izpolnitev odločitve arbitražnega senata
1. Tožena pogodbenica lahko pred koncem razumnega obdobja uradno obvesti drugo pogodbenico ter Odbor SGP o vseh ukrepih, ki jih je sprejela za izpolnitev odločitve arbitražnega senata.
2. Če med pogodbenicama pride do razhajanja glede skladnosti katerega koli ukrepa, priglašenega na podlagi odstavka 1, z določbami tega sporazuma, lahko pogodbenica pritožnica pisno zahteva od arbitražnega senata, da odloča o zadevi. V zahtevku morajo biti opredeljeni konkretni sporni ukrepi in biti mora razloženo, v čem so ti ukrepi neskladni z določbami tega sporazuma. Arbitražni senat o svoji odločitvi uradno obvesti v 90 dneh od datuma predložitve zahtevka. V nujnih primerih, vključno s tistimi, ki so povezani s pokvarljivim in sezonskim blagom, arbitražni senat svojo odločitev sporoči v 45 dneh od datuma predložitve zahtevka.
3. Če se prvotni arbitražni senat ali nekateri njegovi člani ne morejo ponovno sestati, se uporabijo postopki iz člena 50. Rok za sporočitev odločitve je 105 dni od datuma predložitve zahtevka iz odstavka 2.
ČLEN 56
Začasna pravna sredstva v primeru neizpolnitve odločitve
1. Če zadevna pogodbenica ukrepov, sprejetih za izpolnitev odločitve arbitražnega senata, ne priglasi pred iztekom razumnega obdobja ali če arbitražni senat odloči, da ukrepi, priglašeni po členu 5(1), niso skladni z obveznostmi te pogodbenice na podlagi določb iz člena 53, mora tožena pogodbenica na zahtevo pogodbenice pritožnice predložiti ponudbo za začasno nadomestilo.
2. Če v 30 dneh po koncu razumnega roka ali odločitvi arbitražnega senata po členu 55, da sprejeti ukrepi za izpolnitev odločitve niso skladni z določbami iz člena 53, ni dosežen dogovor o nadomestilu, je pogodbenica pritožnica upravičena, da po uradnem obvestilu drugi pogodbenici sprejme ustrezne ukrepe. Pri sprejemanju takih ukrepov si pogodbenica pritožnica prizadeva izbrati ukrepe, ki najmanj vplivajo na doseganje ciljev tega sporazuma, ter upošteva njihov vpliv na gospodarstvo tožene pogodbenice.
Vsekakor pa ustrezni ukrepi, sprejeti na podlagi tega odstavka, ne vplivajo na zagotavljanje razvojne pomoči Slonokoščeni obali.
3. Pogodbenica ES je pri zahtevanju nadomestila ali sprejemanju ustreznih ukrepov v skladu z odstavkoma 1 in 2 ustrezno zadržana in bo upoštevala položaj države v razvoju pogodbenice Slonokoščene obale.
4. Nadomestilo ali ustrezni ukrepi so začasni in se uporabljajo samo, dokler se ukrep, za katerega je ugotovljeno, da krši določbe iz člena 53, ne odpravi ali spremeni tako, da je v skladu s temi določbami, ali dokler se pogodbenici ne dogovorita za rešitev spora.
ČLEN 57
Proučitev ukrepov za skladnost po njihovem sprejetju
1. Tožena pogodbenica obvesti drugo pogodbenico in Odbor SGP o ukrepih, ki jih je sprejela za izpolnitev odločitve arbitražnega senata, in v obvestilu zahteva, da pogodbenica pritožnica opusti izvajanje ustreznih ukrepov.
2. Če pogodbenici v 30 dneh od datuma predložitve uradnega obvestila ne dosežeta dogovora o skladnosti priglašenih ukrepov z določbami tega sporazuma, lahko pogodbenica pritožnica od arbitražnega senata pisno zahteva, da odloča o zadevi. O zahtevku se obvesti drugo pogodbenico in Odbor SGP. Arbitražni senat pogodbenici ter Odbor SGP o svoji odločitvi uradno obvesti v 45 dneh po datumu predložitve zahtevka. Če arbitražni senat odloči, da kateri koli sprejeti ukrepi za uskladitev niso v skladu z določbami tega sporazuma, odloči tudi, ali lahko pogodbenica pritožnica nadaljuje z izvajanjem ustreznih ukrepov. Če arbitražni senat odloči, da so kateri koli ukrepi, sprejeti za uskladitev, skladni z določbami tega sporazuma, se ustrezni ukrepi opustijo.
3. Če se prvotni arbitražni senat ali nekateri njegovi člani ne morejo ponovno sestati, se uporabijo postopki iz člena 50. Rok za sporočilo odločitve je 60 dni po datumu predložitve zahtevka iz odstavka 2.
ODDELEK III
Skupne določbe
ČLEN 58
Sporazumna rešitev
Pogodbenici lahko kadar koli dosežeta sporazumno rešitev spora v okviru tega naslova. O svojem sporazumu glede take rešitve obvestita Odbor SGP. Po sprejetju sporazumne rešitve se postopek konča.
ČLEN 59
Poslovnik
1. Postopke reševanja sporov iz poglavja 3 tega naslova ureja poslovnik, ki ga sprejme Odbor SGP tri mesece po svoji ustanovitvi.
2. Seje arbitražnega senata so odprte za javnost v skladu s poslovnikom, razen če senat na svojo pobudo ali na zahtevo pogodbenic ne določi drugače.
ČLEN 60
Splošne in tehnične informacije
Na zahtevo pogodbenice ali na lastno pobudo lahko arbitražni senat pridobi informacije iz katerega koli vira, tudi od pogodbenic, vpletenih v spor, za katerega meni, da je primeren za postopek arbitraže. Arbitražni senat je upravičen, da pridobi mnenje strokovnjakov, če meni, da je to primerno. Zainteresirane stranke so pooblaščene, da arbitražnemu senatu predložijo dopise prijateljev sodišča (amicus curiae) v skladu s poslovnikom. Tako pridobljene informacije je treba razkriti vsaki od pogodbenic in jima jih predložiti, da izrazita pripombe.
ČLEN 61
Jezik sporočil
Ustna in pisna sporočila pogodbenice se predložijo v katerem koli uradnem jeziku pogodbenic. Vendar pa si pogodbenici prizadevata, kolikor je to mogoče, da bi kot skupen delovni jezik sprejeli uradni jezik, skupen obema pogodbenicama, in bosta zlasti upoštevali položaj države v razvoju, pogodbenice Slonokoščene obale, predvsem z vidika težav pri prevajanju.
ČLEN 62
Pravila razlage
Arbitražni senat se zavezuje, da bo razlagal določbe tega sporazuma v skladu z običajnimi pravili razlage mednarodnega javnega prava, vključno z Dunajsko konvencijo o pogodbenem pravu. Odločitve arbitražnega senata ne morejo povečati ali zmanjšati pravic in obveznosti, določenih v določbah tega sporazuma.
ČLEN 63
Odločitve arbitražnega senata
1. Arbitražni senat si vsestransko prizadeva za sprejemanje odločitev s soglasjem. Če odločitve kljub temu ni mogoče doseči s soglasjem, se o sporni zadevi odloča z večino glasov, v nobenem primeru pa se ne objavijo ločena odklonilna mnenja razsodnikov.
2. Odločitev zajema ugotovitve o dejstvih, relevantnost ustreznih določb tega sporazuma ter argumente za sprejete ugotovitve in sklepe, ki jih je sprejel arbitražni senat. Odbor SGP javno objavi odločitev arbitražnega senata, razen če se odloči, da tega ne bo storil.
POGLAVJE 4
SPLOŠNE DOLOČBE
ČLEN 64
Seznam razsodnikov
1. Najpozneje tri mesece po začetku veljavnosti tega sporazuma Odbor SGP izdela seznam 15 posameznikov, ki so pripravljeni in sposobni opravljati funkcijo razsodnika. Vsaka od pogodbenic izbere pet posameznikov, ki so sposobni opravljati funkcijo razsodnika. Pogodbenici se prav tako dogovorita o petih posameznikih, ki niso državljani nobene od pogodbenic in ki bi lahko opravljali funkcijo predsednika arbitražnega senata. Odbor SGP bo skrbel, da se bo ta seznam vedno vodil v popolni zasedbi.
2. Razsodniki morajo imeti strokovno znanje ali izkušnje iz prava in mednarodne trgovine. Biti morajo samostojni, delovati morajo v svoji individualni pristojnosti, ne smejo sprejemati navodil od nobene organizacije ali vlade ali biti povezani z vlado katere koli od pogodbenic in ravnati morajo v skladu z etičnim kodeksom, ki ga sprejme Odbor SGP.
3. Odbor SGP lahko izdela dodaten seznam 15 posameznikov, ki imajo področno strokovno znanje iz posebnih zadev, ki jih zajema vmesni SGP. Če se uporabi postopek izbire iz člena 50(2), lahko predsednik Odbora SGP takšen področni seznam uporabi ob soglasju obeh pogodbenic.
ČLEN 65
Razmerje do obveznosti STO
1. Arbitražni organi, ustanovljeni na podlagi tega sporazuma, ne rešujejo sporov o pravicah in obveznostih vsake od pogodbenic v skladu s Sporazumom o ustanovitvi STO.
2. Uporaba določb o reševanju sporov iz tega sporazuma ne posega v nobeno dejanje v okviru STO in ne v postopek reševanja sporov. Toda kadar pogodbenica v zvezi z določenim ukrepom sproži postopek reševanja sporov, v skladu s členom 49(1) ali v skladu s Sporazumom STO, ta ne more sprožiti postopka reševanja sporov glede istega ukrepa pri drugem sodišču, dokler se prvi postopek ne konča. Za namene tega odstavka velja, da se postopki reševanja sporov v skladu s Sporazumom STO sprožijo na zahtevo pogodbenice za ustanovitev senata iz člena 6 Dogovora STO o pravilih in postopkih za reševanje sporov.
3. Ta sporazum pogodbenici ne preprečuje opustitve obveznosti, ki jo odobri Organ STO za poravnavo sporov.
ČLEN 66
Časovni okvir
1. Roki iz tega naslova, vključno z roki arbitražnih senatov za sporočanje njihovih odločitev, se štejejo v koledarskih dneh od dneva po aktu ali dejstvu, na katerega se nanašajo.
2. Kateri koli rok iz tega naslova se lahko podaljša z medsebojnim soglasjem pogodbenic.
ČLEN 67
Sprememba naslova V
Pobudo za vlogo za spremembo naslova V lahko da Odbor SGP ali vsaka od pogodbenic. Vloge za spremembo prouči Odbor SGP. Sprememba začne veljati potem, ko jo potrdita pogodbenici.
NASLOV VI
SPLOŠNE IZJEME
ČLEN 68
Klavzula o splošnih izjemah
Pod pogojem, da se takšni ukrepi ne uporabljajo na način, ki bi pomenil sredstvo za samovoljno ali neupravičeno diskriminacijo med pogodbenicama, medtem ko morajo prevladovati enaki pogoji, ali prikrito omejevanje trgovine s proizvodi in storitvami ter ustanavljanja, se nobena določba tega sporazuma ne razlaga tako, da pogodbenicama preprečuje, da sprejmeta ali uporabljata ukrepe, ki:
a) so potrebni za zaščito javne varnosti in javne morale ali za ohranjanje javnega reda in miru;
b) so potrebni za zaščito življenja ali zdravja ljudi, živali ali rastlin;
c) so potrebni za zagotovitev skladnosti z zakoni ali predpisi in ki niso v neskladju z določbami tega sporazuma, vključno s tistimi, ki se nanašajo na:
i) preprečevanje varljivega in goljufivega ravnanja ali obravnavanje posledic neizpolnjevanja obveznosti iz pogodb;
ii) varovanje zasebnosti posameznikov v zvezi z obdelavo in razširjanjem osebnih podatkov ter varovanje zaupnosti dokumentacije in računov posameznikov;
iii) varnost;
iv) uporabo carinskih predpisov in postopkov ali
v) varstvo pravic intelektualne lastnine;
d) se nanašajo na uvoz ali izvoz zlata ali srebra;
e) so potrebni za varstvo narodnega bogastva umetniške, zgodovinske ali arheološke vrednosti;
f) so povezani z ohranjanjem neobnovljivih naravnih virov, če se takšni ukrepi uveljavijo v povezavi z omejevanjem domače proizvodnje ali porabe blaga, domače ponudbe ali uporabe storitev ter domačih vlagateljev;
g) so povezani s proizvodi, ki jih izdelujejo zaporniki, ali
h) so v neskladju s členom 19 o nacionalni obravnavi, če je razlika v obravnavi namenjena zagotavljanju učinkovite ali pravične obdavčitve ali pobiranja neposrednih davkov od gospodarskih dejavnosti vlagateljev oziroma ponudnikov storitev druge pogodbenice.
ČLEN 69
Varnostne izjeme
1. Nobena določba tega sporazuma se ne razlaga tako, da:
a) od pogodbenic zahteva, da mora razkriti informacije, za katere menita, da je njihovo razkritje v nasprotju z njunimi bistvenimi varnostnimi interesi;
b) pogodbenicama preprečuje, da ukrepajo tako, kot menijo, da je potrebno za zaščito njihovih bistvenih varnostnih interesov:
i) v zvezi s cepljivimi in fuzijskimi materiali ali z materiali, iz katerih so pridobljeni;
ii) v zvezi z gospodarskimi dejavnostmi, ki se izvajajo neposredno ali posredno z namenom preskrbe oziroma oskrbe vojaških sil;
iii) ki se nanašajo na proizvodnjo ali trgovino z orožjem, strelivom ali vojaškim materialom;
iv) v zvezi z vladnimi naročili, ki so nepogrešljiva za nacionalno varnost ali za namene obrambe države, ali
v) sprejetih v času vojne ali drugega izrednega stanja v mednarodnih odnosih, ali
c) pogodbenicama preprečuje ukrepanje z namenom izpolnjevanja obveznosti, ki jih je sprejela za ohranjanje mednarodnega miru in varnosti.
2. Odbor SGP mora biti kar najbolje obveščen o ukrepih, sprejetih na podlagi točk (b) in (c) odstavka 1ter o datumu njihove opustitve.
ČLEN 70
Obdavčenje
1. Nobena določba tega sporazuma ali katerega koli dogovora, sklenjenega na podlagi tega sporazuma, se ne razlaga tako, da pogodbenicama preprečuje, da pri uporabi ustreznih določb svoje davčne zakonodaje razlikujeta med davkoplačevalci, ki niso v enakem položaju, zlasti glede na njihov kraj stalnega prebivališča ali glede na kraj, kjer je vložen njihov kapital.
2. Nobena določba tega sporazuma ali katerega koli dogovora, sklenjenega na podlagi tega sporazuma, se ne razlaga tako, da preprečuje sprejetje ali uporabo ukrepov, namenjenih preprečevanju izogibanja ali utaje davkov v skladu z davčnimi določbami iz sporazumov o izogibanju dvojnega obdavčevanja ali z drugo davčno ureditvijo ali domačo davčno zakonodajo.
3. Nobena določba tega sporazuma ne vpliva na pravice in obveznosti pogodbenic po kateri koli davčni konvenciji. V primeru morebitne neskladnosti med tem sporazumom in katero koli takšno konvencijo v okviru te neskladnosti prevlada konvencija.
NASLOV VII
INSTITUCIONALNE, SPLOŠNE IN KONČNE DOLOČBE
ČLEN 71
Nadaljnja pogajanja in izvajanje tega sporazuma
1. Pogodbenici bosta nadaljevali pogajanja v skladu z določbami iz tega sporazuma.
2. Po končanih pogajanjih bodo osnutki sprememb, ki bodo na njih doseženi, predloženi v odobritev pristojnim domačim organom.
ČLEN 72
Opredelitev pogodbenic in izpolnjevanje obveznosti
1. Pogodbenici tega sporazuma sta Republika Slonokoščena obala, “pogodbenica Slonokoščena obala”, na eni strani in Evropska skupnost ali njene države članice ali Evropska skupnost in njene države članice na svojih področij pristojnosti iz Pogodbe o ustanovitvi Evropske skupnosti, v “pogodbenica ES”, na drugi strani.
2. Za namene tega sporazuma se izraz “pogodbenica” nanaša na Slonokoščeno obalo ali pogodbenico ES, odvisno od primera. Izraz “pogodbenici” se nanaša na Slonokoščeno obalo in pogodbenico ES.
3. Pogodbenici sprejmeta vse splošne ali posebne ukrepe, potrebne za izpolnjevanje svojih obveznosti iz tega sporazuma, in skrbita za doseganje njegovih ciljev.
ČLEN 73
Odbor SGP
1. Za izvajanje tega sporazuma se ustanovi Odbor SGP v treh mesecih po podpisu tega sporazuma.
2. Pogodbenici se dogovorita, da pri sestavi, organizaciji in delovanju Odbora SGP upoštevata načelo enakosti. Odbor določi svoja pravila organizacije in delovanja.
3. Odbor SGP je odgovoren za upravljanje vseh področij, zajetih v tem sporazumu, in izvajanje vseh nalog, navedenih v tem sporazumu.
4. Za lažjo komunikacijo in zagotavljanje učinkovitega izvajanja tega sporazuma vsaka pogodbenica določi svojega korespondenta v SGP.
5. Seje SGP so lahko odprte za tretje osebe. Komisiji Ekonomske in monetarne unije zahodnoafriških držav (UEMOA) in Ekonomske skupnosti zahodnoafriških držav (ECOWAS) sta lahko povabljeni na seje SGP po njunih notranjih postopkih.
ČLEN 74
Najbolj obrobne regije Evropske skupnosti
1. Ob upoštevanju geografske bližine najbolj obrobnih regij Evropske skupnosti in Slonokoščene obale in da bi krepili ekonomske in socialne odnose teh regij in Slonokoščene obale, si pogodbenici prizadevata za lažje sodelovanje na vseh področjih, ki jih zajema ta sporazum, in olajševanje trgovine blaga in storitev, spodbujanje naložb in prevoza ter komunikacijskih povezav med temi regijami in Slonokoščeno obalo.
2. Cilji iz odstavka 1 se, kolikor je mogoče, izpolnjujejo s spodbujanjem sodelovanja Slonokoščene obale in najbolj obrobnih regij pri okvirnih in posebnih programih Evropske skupnosti na področjih, ki jih zajema ta sporazum.
3. Pogodbenica ES si prizadeva, da zagotovi usklajevanje med različnimi finančnimi instrumenti kohezijske in razvojne politike Evropske skupnosti s spodbujanjem sodelovanja med Slonokoščeno obalo in najbolj obrobnimi regijami Evropske skupnosti na področjih, ki jih zajema ta sporazum.
4. Nič v tem sporazumu pogodbenici ES ne preprečuje, da uporabi sedanje ukrepe za izboljšanje strukturnega, socialnega in gospodarskega položaja najbolj obrobnih regij v skladu s členom 299(2) Pogodbe o ustanovitvi Evropske skupnosti.
ČLEN 75
Začetek veljavnosti in odpoved
1. Ta sporazum se podpiše, ratificira ali odobri v skladu s posebnimi ustavnimi pravili vsake pogodbenice, kar zadeva pogodbenico ES pa v skladu z notranjimi pravili in postopki.
2. Ta sporazum začne veljati prvi dan po mesecu, ko se pogodbenica Slonokoščena obala in pogodbenica ES uradno obvestita o zaključku potrebnih postopkov.
3. Uradna obvestila se pošljejo generalnemu sekretarju Sveta Evropske unije, ki je depozitar tega sporazuma.
4. Do začetka veljavnosti tega sporazuma pogodbenici soglašata, da ga začasno uporabljata skladno s svojimi zakoni ali z ratifikacijo sporazuma.
5. O začasni uporabi je treba uradno obvestiti depozitarja. Sporazum se začne začasno uporabljati deset dni potem, ko depozitar od Evropske skupnosti ali Slonokoščene obale prejme zadnje uradno obvestilo o začetku začasne uporabe.
6. Ne glede na odstavek 4 lahko pogodbenica ES in Slonokoščena obala sporazum uporabljata delno ali v celoti pred njegovo začasno uporabo, če to omogoča njuna notranja zakonodaja.
7. Katera koli pogodbenica lahko drugo pogodbenico pisno obvesti, da namerava odpovedati ta sporazum. Odpoved začne veljati šest mesecev po uradnem obvestilu.
8. Ta sporazum bo zamenjan s celovitim SGP, sklenjenim na regionalni ravni s pogodbenico ES, z datumom začetka veljavnosti sporazuma. V tem primeru si bosta pogodbenici prizadevali, da celoviti SGP na regionalni ravni ohrani bistvene pridobljene pravice Slonokoščene obale iz tega sporazuma.
ČLEN 76
Teritorialna uporaba
Ta sporazum se na eni strani uporablja za ozemlja, na katerih se uporablja Pogodba o ustanovitvi Evropske skupnosti in pod pogoji, določenimi v navedeni pogodbi, ter na drugi strani v Slonokoščeni obali.
ČLEN 77
Pristop novih držav članic k Evropski uniji
1. Odbor SGP se obvesti o vseh prošnjah tretjih držav za članstvo v Evropski uniji. V času pogajanj med Evropsko unijo in državo kandidatko pogodbenica ES posreduje Slonokoščeni obali vse ustrezne informacije, ta pa pogodbenici ES posreduje svoje interese, tako da jih ta lahko v celoti upošteva. Slonokoščena obala bo obveščena o vseh pristopih k Evropski uniji.
2. Vsaka nova država članica Evropske unije pristopi k temu sporazumu z dnem pristopa k Evropski uniji z ustrezno klavzulo v aktu o pristopu. Če akt o pristopu k Evropski uniji ne določa takega avtomatičnega pristopa nove države članice k temu sporazumu, zadevna država članica pristopi tako, da pri Generalnem sekretariatu Sveta Evropske unije deponira akt o pristopu, ta pa pošlje overjeni izvod pogodbenici Slonokoščeni obali.
3. Pogodbenici proučita učinke pristopa novih držav članic k Evropski uniji na ta sporazum. Odbor SGP lahko odloči o prehodnih ukrepih ali potrebnih spremembah.
ČLEN 78
Dialog o finančnih vprašanjih
Pogodbenici soglašata, da bosta spodbujali dialog, preglednost in izmenjavo najboljših praks na področju davčne politike in uprave.
ČLEN 79
Sodelovanje v boju proti ilegalnim finančnim dejavnostim
Pogodbenica ES in Slonokoščena obala sta zavezani preprečevanju in boju proti ilegalnim, goljufivim in nepoštenim dejavnostim, pranju denarja in financiranju terorizma. Zato sprejmeta potrebne zakonodajne in upravne ukrepe za izpolnitev mednarodnih standardov, vključno s tistimi iz Konvencije Združenih narodov proti korupciji, Konvencije Združenih narodov proti mednarodnemu organiziranem kriminalu in njenimi protokoli, Konvencije Združenih narodov o zatiranju financiranja terorizma ter priporočili delovne skupine za finančno ukrepanje. Pogodbenica ES in Slonokoščena obala soglašata, da si bosta izmenjali informacije in sodelovali na teh področjih.
ČLEN 80
Razmerje do drugih sporazumov
1. Razen členov o razvojnem sodelovanju iz dela III naslova II Sporazuma iz Cotonouja v primeru morebitne neskladnosti med določbami tega sporazuma in določbami iz dela III naslova II Sporazuma iz Cotonouja prevladajo določbe tega sporazuma.
2. Nobena določba iz tega sporazuma se ne razlaga tako, da Evropski skupnosti ali Slonokoščeni obali preprečuje sprejetje potrebnih ukrepov, vključno s trgovinskimi ukrepi, ki so predvideni v členih 11b, 96 in 97 Sporazuma iz Cotonouja.
3. Pogodbenici se strinjata, da nobena določba tega sporazuma od njiju ne zahteva, da ravnata na način, ki bi bil v neskladju z njunimi obveznostmi v okviru STO.
ČLEN 81
Verodostojni jeziki
Ta sporazum je sestavljen v dveh izvodih v angleškem, bolgarskem, češkem, danskem, estonskem, finskem, francoskem, grškem, italijanskem, latvijskem, litovskem, madžarskem, malteškem, nemškem, nizozemskem, poljskem, portugalskem, romunskem, slovaškem, slovenskem, španskem in švedskem jeziku, pri čemer je vsako od teh besedil enako verodostojno.
V primeru neskladja se je treba sklicevati na jezik, v katerem so potekala pogajanja o tem sporazumu, v tem primeru francoski jezik.
ČLEN 82
Priloge
Dodatki, priloge in protokoli k temu sporazumu so sestavni del Sporazuma.
V potrditev tega, so spodaj podpisani pooblaščenci podpisali ta sporazum.
DODATEK I
Prednostni proizvodi Slonokoščene obale za izvoz v Evropsko skupnost
Te proizvode opredeli Slonokoščena obala in o njih najpozneje v treh mesecih od datuma podpisa tega sporazuma uradno obvesti Odbor SGP.
_______________
DODATEK II
Pristojni organi
A. Pristojni organi Evropske skupnosti
Dejavnosti nadzora si delijo nacionalne službe v posameznih državah članicah in Komisija Evropskih skupnosti. Pri tej temi se uporabljajo naslednje določbe:
– Kar zadeva izvoz v Slonokoščeno obalo, so države članice odgovorne za nadzor proizvodnih pogojev in zahtev, zlasti izvajanje obveznih inšpekcijskih pregledov ter izdajo sanitarnih potrdil (ali o dobrem počutju živali), ki dokazujejo upoštevanje dogovorjenih standardov in zahtev.
– Kar zadeva uvoz iz Slonokoščene obale, so države članice odgovorne za nadzor skladnosti tega uvoza z uvoznimi pogoji, ki jih je določila Evropska skupnost.
– Komisija Evropskih skupnosti je odgovorna za splošno usklajevanje, nadzor in revizijo kontrolnih sistemov ter sprejetje zakonskih pobud, potrebnih za zagotavljanje enotne uporabe standardov in zahtev na notranjem evropskem trgu.
B. Pristojni organi Slonokoščene obale
Slonokoščena obala določi pristojne organe in najpozneje v treh mesecih od datuma podpisa tega sporazuma pošlje seznam Odboru SGP.
PROTOKOL
O MEDSEBOJNI UPRAVNI POMOČI V CARINSKIH ZADEVAH
ČLEN 1
Opredelitev pojmov
V tem protokolu:
a) “carinska zakonodaja” pomeni vse zakonske ali druge določbe, ki se uporabljajo na ozemlju pogodbenic in urejajo uvoz, izvoz in tranzit blaga ter dajanje blaga v kateri koli carinski postopek, vključno z ukrepi o prepovedi, omejevanju in nadzoru;
b) “organ prosilec” pomeni pristojni upravni organ, ki ga imenuje pogodbenica v ta namen in ki zaprosi za pomoč na podlagi tega protokola;
c) “zaprošeni organ” pomeni pristojni upravni organ, ki ga imenuje pogodbenica v ta namen in ki prejme zahtevo za pomoč na podlagi tega protokola;
d) “osebni podatki” pomenijo vse informacije, ki se nanašajo na določenega ali določljivega posameznika;
e) “dejanje, ki krši carinsko zakonodajo” pomeni vsako kršitev ali vsak poskus kršitve carinske zakonodaje.
ČLEN 2
Področje uporabe
1. Pogodbenici si v okviru svojih pristojnosti vzajemno pomagata na način in pod pogoji, določenimi v tem protokolu, da zagotovita pravilno uporabo carinske zakonodaje, zlasti za preprečevanje in preiskavo dejanj, s katerimi se krši navedena zakonodaja, ter za pregon takih dejanj.
2. Pomoč v carinskih zadevah, predvidena v tem protokolu, se uporablja za carinske organe pogodbenic, ki so pristojni za uporabo tega protokola. Ne posega v določbe o vzajemni pomoči v kazenskih zadevah. Prav tako ne zajema informacij, pridobljenih po pooblastilih, ki se izvajajo na zahtevo pravosodnega organa, razen če navedeni organ to dovoli.
3. Ta protokol ne zajema pomoči pri pobiranju carin, davkov ali denarnih kazni.
ČLEN 3
Pomoč na prošnjo
1. Na prošnjo organa prosilca mu zaprošeni organ priskrbi vse ustrezne informacije, ki prvemu lahko omogočijo, da zagotovi pravilno uporabo carinske zakonodaje, vključno z informacijami o ugotovljenih ali načrtovanih dejavnostih, s katerimi se krši ali bi se lahko kršila carinska zakonodaja.
2. Na prošnjo organa prosilca ga zaprošeni organ obvesti:
a) ali je bilo blago, izvoženo z ozemlja pogodbenice pravilno uvoženo na ozemlje druge pogodbenice, in navede, če je to primerno, kateri carinski postopek je bil uporabljen za blago;
b) ali je bilo blago, uvoženo na ozemlje pogodbenice pravilno izvoženo z ozemlja druge pogodbenice, in navede, če je to primerno, kateri carinski postopek je bil uporabljen za blago.
3. Na prošnjo organa prosilca zaprošeni organ v okviru svojih zakonov ali drugih določb sprejme vse potrebne ukrepe za zagotovitev posebnega nadzora nad:
a) fizičnimi ali pravnimi osebami, za katere obstaja utemeljen sum, da so ali so bile vpletene v dejanja, ki kršijo carinsko zakonodajo;
b) kraji, kjer se zaloge blaga zbirajo ali bi se lahko zbirale tako, da obstaja utemeljen sum, da je to blago namenjeno za uporabo v dejanjih, ki kršijo carinsko zakonodajo;
c) blagom, ki se ali bi se lahko prevažalo na tak način, da obstaja utemeljen sum, da je namenjeno za uporabo v dejanjih, ki kršijo carinsko zakonodajo;
d) prevoznimi sredstvi, ki se ali bi se lahko uporabljala na tak način, da obstaja utemeljen sum, da so namenjena za uporabo v dejanjih, ki kršijo carinsko zakonodajo.
ČLEN 4
Pomoč na lastno pobudo
Pogodbenici si vzajemno na lastno pobudo in v skladu s svojimi zakoni in drugimi predpisi pomagata, če menita, da je to potrebno za pravilno uporabo carinske zakonodaje, še posebej z zagotavljanjem pridobljenih informacij o:
dejavnostih, ki so ali bi lahko bile kršitve carinske zakonodaje in ki bi lahko zanimale drugo pogodbenico;
novih načinih ali metodah, uporabljenih za izvrševanje dejanj kršitve carinske zakonodaje;
blagu, za katero je znano, da je v zvezi z njim prišlo do kršenja carinske zakonodaje;
fizičnih ali pravnih osebah, za katere obstaja utemeljen sum, da so ali so bile vpletene v dejanja, ki kršijo carinsko zakonodajo, in
prevoznih sredstvih, za katera obstaja razlog za utemeljen sum, da so bila, so ali bi lahko bila uporabljena pri dejanjih, ki kršijo carinsko zakonodajo.
ČLEN 5
Pošiljanje in obveščanje
1. Na zahtevo organa prosilca zaprošeni organ v skladu z zakoni ali drugimi določbami, ki se zanj uporabljajo, sprejme vse potrebne ukrepe za:
– dostavo katerega koli dokumenta ali
– uradno obveščanje o kateri koli odločitvi,
ki prihaja od organa prosilca in spada na področje uporabe tega protokola, naslovniku, ki prebiva ali je ustanovljen na ozemlju zaprošenega organa.
2. Prošnje za dostavo dokumentov ali uradno obveščanje o odločitvah se predložijo v pisni obliki v uradnem jeziku zaprošenega organa ali v jeziku, ki je za navedeni organ sprejemljiv.
ČLEN 6
Oblika in vsebina prošenj za pomoč
1. Prošnje morajo biti v skladu s tem protokolom pisne. Spremljati jih morajo dokumenti, ki so potrebni, da se nanje lahko odgovori. Kadar je nujno hitro ukrepanje, se lahko sprejmejo ustne prošnje, ki pa morajo biti takoj pisno potrjene.
2. V skladu z odstavkom 1 morajo prošnje vsebovati naslednje informacije:
a) ime organa prosilca;
b) zaprošeni ukrep;
c) predmet in razlog za prošnjo;
d) pravne ali regulativne določbe ter druge zadevne pravne elemente;
e) kolikor je mogoče natančne in celovite navedbe o fizičnih ali pravnih osebah, ki so v postopku preiskave, in
f) povzetek vseh pomembnih dejstev in že opravljenih poizvedb.
3. Prošnje za pomoč se predložijo v uradnem jeziku zaprošenega organa ali v jeziku, ki je za navedeni organ sprejemljiv. Ta zahteva se ne uporablja za dokumente, priložene prošnji iz odstavka 1.
4. Če prošnja ne ustreza zgoraj navedenim uradnim zahtevam, se lahko zahteva njen popravek ali dopolnitev; vendar pa se lahko medtem odredijo previdnostni ukrepi.
ČLEN 7
Izvedba prošnje za pomoč
1. Da bi ugodil prošnji za pomoč, mora zaprošeni organ v okviru svoje pristojnosti in razpoložljivih virov ravnati, kakor bi deloval zase ali na zahtevo drugih organov iste pogodbenice, in sporočiti informacije, ki jih že ima, izvesti ustrezne poizvedbe ali poskrbeti, da se izvedejo. Ta določba se uporablja tudi za vse druge organe, na katere je zaprošeni organ naslovil prošnjo, če sam ne more ukrepati.
2. Prošnje za pomoč se obravnavajo v skladu z zakoni in drugimi predpisi zaprošene pogodbenice.
3. Pooblaščeni uradniki pogodbenice lahko ob soglasju druge pogodbenice ter ob upoštevanju pogojev, ki jih slednja določi, od uradov zaprošenega organa ali drugega zadevnega organa v skladu z odstavkom 1 dobijo informacije glede dejavnosti, s katerimi se krši ali bi se lahko kršila carinska zakonodaja, ki jih organ prosilec potrebuje za namene tega protokola.
4. Pooblaščeni uradniki pogodbenice so lahko ob soglasju druge pogodbenice in pod pogoji, ki jih ta določi, prisotni ob poizvedbah, ki se izvajajo na ozemlju slednje pogodbenice.
ČLEN 8
Oblika sporočanja informacij
1. Zaprošeni organ pisno sporoči izide poizvedb organu prosilcu, skupaj z ustreznimi dokumenti, overjenimi kopijami dokumentov ali drugim.
2. Te informacije so lahko v elektronski obliki.
3. Izvirniki dokumentov se pošiljajo na zahtevo le v primerih, kadar overjene kopije ne zadostujejo. Takšni izvirniki morajo biti čim prej vrnjeni.
ČLEN 9
Izjeme pri obveznosti zagotavljanja pomoči
1. Pomoč se lahko zavrne ali pogoji z izpolnjevanjem nekaterih pogojev ali zahtev, kadar pogodbenica meni, da bi pomoč iz tega protokola:
a) po vsej verjetnosti vplivala na suverenost Slonokoščene obale ali države članice Evropske unije, ki je bila zaprošena za pomoč v skladu s tem protokolom, ali
b) lahko negativno vplivala na javni red, varnost ali druge bistvene interese, zlasti v primerih iz člena 10(2), ali
c) bi se zaradi pomoči kršila industrijska, poslovna ali poklicna tajnost.
2. Zaprošeni organ lahko zagotavljanje pomoči odloži z utemeljitvijo, da bi to poseglo v tekočo preiskavo, sodni pregon ali sodni postopek. V takem primeru se zaprošeni organ posvetuje z organom prosilcem, da ugotovita, ali je mogoče pomoč dodeliti v taki obliki in pod takimi pogoji, kot jih lahko zahteva zaprošeni organ.
3. Če organ prosilec zahteva pomoč, ki je sam ne bi mogel priskrbeti, če bi ga zanjo zaprosili, mora na to v svoji prošnji opozoriti. Zaprošeni organ se mora potem odločiti, kako bo na tako prošnjo odgovoril.
4. V primerih iz odstavkov 1 in 2 je treba odločitev zaprošenega organa in razloge zanjo nemudoma sporočiti organu prosilcu.
ČLEN 10
Izmenjava informacij in zaupnost
1. Vsaka informacija, sporočena v kakršni koli obliki v skladu s tem protokolom, ima stopnjo zaupno ali interno, glede na pravila, ki veljajo za vsako pogodbenico. Zanjo velja obveznost varovanja uradne skrivnosti, ki se zaščiti tako kot podobne informacije v skladu z ustreznimi zakoni na ozemlju pogodbenice, ki je to informacijo prejela, in v skladu z ustreznimi določbami, ki se uporabljajo za organe Evropske skupnosti.
2. Osebni podatki se lahko izmenjujejo le, če se pogodbenica, ki jih je prejela, zaveže, da bo za te podatke zagotovila vsaj tako raven varstva, kot se uporablja v zadevnem primeru v pogodbenici, ki je te podatke poslala. V ta namen si pogodbenici izmenjujeta informacije o veljavnih pravilih pri obeh pogodbenicah, po potrebi vključno s predpisi, ki veljajo v državah članicah Skupnosti.
3. Uporaba informacij, pridobljenih na podlagi tega protokola, v sodnih ali upravnih postopkih, sproženih zaradi dejanj, ki kršijo carinsko zakonodajo, se šteje za namene tega protokola. Zato lahko pogodbenici v svojih dokaznih spisih, poročilih in pričevanjih ter v postopkih in tožbah pred sodišči kot dokaze uporabljata informacije in dokumente, ki so jih pridobili v skladu z določbami tega protokola. O taki uporabi se obvesti pristojni organ, ki je priskrbel navedene informacije ali omogočil dostop do navedenih dokumentov.
4. Pridobljene informacije se uporabljajo samo za namene tega protokola. Kadar ena od pogodbenic želi uporabiti take informacije za druge namene, mora predhodno pridobiti pisno soglasje organa, ki jih je priskrbel. Za tako uporabo veljajo omejitve, ki jih določi navedeni organ.
ČLEN 11
Izvedenci in priče
Uradnik zaprošenega organa se lahko pooblasti, da v okviru podeljenega pooblastila nastopa kot izvedenec ali priča v sodnih ali upravnih postopkih v zvezi z zadevami, ki jih zajema ta protokol, ter predloži predmete, dokumente ali njihove overjene izvode, potrebne za postopek. V prošnji za prihod je treba posebej navesti, pred katerim sodnim ali upravnim organom mora uradnik nastopiti in v katerih zadevah ter na podlagi katerega naziva ali kvalifikacije bo uradnik zaslišan.
ČLEN 12
Stroški pomoči
Pogodbenici se odpovesta vsem medsebojnim zahtevkom za povračilo stroškov, nastalih na podlagi tega protokola, razen za stroške za izvedence in priče ter tolmače in prevajalce, ki niso državni uslužbenci.
ČLEN 13
Izvajanje
1. Izvajanje tega protokola se zaupa carinskim organom Slonokoščene obale na eni strani in pristojnim službam Komisije Evropskih skupnosti in, če je to primerno, carinskim organom držav članic Evropske skupnosti na drugi strani. Ti odločajo o vseh praktičnih ukrepih in dogovorih, potrebnih za njegovo uporabo, pri čemer upoštevajo pravila, ki veljajo zlasti na področju varstva podatkov. Pristojnim organom lahko priporočijo spremembe, za katere menijo, da so potrebne v tem protokolu.
2. Pogodbenici se med seboj posvetujeta in obveščata o podrobnih pravilih izvajanja, ki se sprejmejo v skladu z določbami tega protokola.
ČLEN 14
Drugi sporazumi
1. Ob upoštevanju pristojnosti Evropske skupnosti in njenih držav članic določbe tega protokola:
– ne vplivajo na obveznosti pogodbenic, ki jih imajo na podlagi drugih mednarodnih sporazumov ali konvencij;
– dopolnjujejo sporazume o vzajemni pomoči, ki so bili ali bi lahko bili sklenjeni med posameznimi državami članicami Evropske skupnosti in Slonokoščeno obalo;
– ne vplivajo na določbe Evropske skupnosti, ki urejajo sporočanje informacij med pristojnimi službami Komisije Evropskih skupnosti in carinskimi organi držav članic Evropske skupnosti, pridobljenih na podlagi tega protokola, ki so mogoče v interesu Evropske skupnosti.
2. Ne glede na določbe iz odstavka 1 imajo določbe iz tega protokola prednost pred določbami dvostranskih sporazumov o vzajemni pomoči, ki so bili ali morda bodo sklenjeni med posameznimi državami članicami Evropske skupnosti in Slonokoščeno obalo, če določbe slednjih niso skladne z določbami tega protokola.
3. V zvezi z vprašanji, ki se nanašajo na uporabo tega protokola, se pogodbenici posvetujeta in zadeve rešujeta v posebnem odboru ustanovljenem na podlagi člena 73 vmesnega Sporazuma o gospodarskem partnerstvu med Slonokoščeno obalo ter Evropsko skupnostjo in njenimi članicami.
STEPPING STONE ECONOMIC PARTNERSHIP AGREEMENT
BETWEEN CÔTE D'IVOIRE OF THE ONE PART,
AND THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITY
AND ITS MEMBER STATES OF THE OTHER PART
THE REPUBLIC OF CÔTE D'IVOIRE,
of the one part,
and
THE KINGDOM OF BELGIUM,
THE REPUBLIC OF BULGARIA,
THE CZECH REPUBLIC,
THE KINGDOM OF DENMARK,
THE FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF GERMANY,
THE REPUBLIC OF ESTONIA,
IRELAND
THE HELLENIC REPUBLIC,
THE KINGDOM OF SPAIN,
THE FRENCH REPUBLIC,
THE ITALIAN REPUBLIC,
THE REPUBLIC OF CYPRUS,
THE REPUBLIC OF LATVIA,
THE REPUBLIC OF LITHUANIA,
THE GRAND DUCHY OF LUXEMBURG,
THE REPUBLIC OF HUNGARY,
MALTA,
THE KINGDOM OF THE NETHERLANDS,
THE REPUBLIC OF AUSTRIA,
THE REPUBLIC OF POLAND,
THE PORTUGUESE REPUBLIC,
ROMANIA,
THE REPUBLIC OF SLOVENIA,
THE SLOVAK REPUBLIC,
THE REPUBLIC OF FINLAND,
THE KINGDOM OF SWEDEN,
THE UNITED KINGDOM OF GREAT BRITAIN AND NORTHERN IRELAND,
and
THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITY,
of the other part,
PREAMBLE
HAVING regard to the Partnership Agreement between the Members of the African, Caribbean and Pacific Group of States, of the one part, and the European Community and its Member States, of the other part, signed in Cotonou on 23 June 2000 and revised in Luxembourg on 25 June 2005, hereinafter the "Cotonou Agreement";
HAVING regard to the expiry of the transitional preferential trade regime of the Cotonou Agreement on 31 December 2007;
HAVING regard to the possible unfavourable impact of the expiry of these transitional trade preferences provided for under the Cotonou Agreement on trade between the two Parties if they fail to replace it with an agreement which is compatible with the rules of the World Trade Organisation by 1 January 2008;
RECOGNISING therefore the need to establish a stepping stone Economic Partnership Agreement in order to safeguard the economic and trade interests of the Parties;
WHEREAS the Parties wish to strengthen their economic and trade relations and establish lasting relations based on partnership and cooperation;
WHEREAS the Parties are committed to the principles and rules governing international trade, in particular the rights and obligations arising from the provisions of the General Agreement on Trade and Tariffs of 1994 (GATT 1994) and the other multilateral agreements annexed to the Agreement establishing the World Trade Organisation (the Agreement establishing the WTO), and to applying them in a transparent, non-discriminatory manner;
REAFFIRMING their commitment to respect for human rights, democratic principles and the rule of law, which constitute the main elements of the Cotonou Agreement, and to good governance, which is fundamental to the Cotonou Agreement;
WHEREAS the economic, cultural and social development of West African States must be promoted and expedited with a view to contributing to peace and security and to promoting a stable and democratic political environment;
WHEREAS the Parties attach importance to the development objectives agreed at the international level and to the United Nations Millennium Development Goals;
REAFFIRMING their commitment to working together towards the achievement of the Cotonou Agreement objectives, in particular the eradication of poverty, sustainable development and the progressive integration of the African, Caribbean and Pacific (ACP) States into the world economy;
WISHING to create new opportunities for employment, attract investment and improve living conditions on the territory of the Parties, while promoting sustainable development;
WHEREAS existing traditional links are important, in particular the close historical, political and economic links between the European Community, its Member States and the West African States;
RECOGNISING the difference in levels of economic and social development which exists between the West African States and the European Community;
CONVINCED that this Agreement will create a new and more favourable climate for their relations in the areas of economic governance, trade and investment, and open up new opportunities for growth and development;
RECOGNISING the importance of cooperation on development for the implementation of this Agreement;
PENDING the signing of a comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement between West Africa and the European Union with a view to the sustained and harmonious development and integration of the West African Region;
REAFFIRMING their commitment to supporting the regional integration process in West Africa, and in particular to promoting regional economic integration as an essential instrument for its integration in the world economy, which helps it to meet the challenges of globalisation and achieve its economic and social development objectives,
HAVE DECIDED AS FOLLOWS:
TITLE I
OBJECTIVES
ARTICLE 1
Stepping Stone Agreement
This Agreement creates an initial framework for an Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA).
ARTICLE 2
Objectives
The objectives of this Agreement are:
(a) to allow the Ivorian Party to benefit from the enhanced market access offered by the EC Party in the context of the EPA negotiations, and thereby to avoid disrupting trade between Côte d'Ivoire and the European Community on the expiry of the transitional trade regime of the Cotonou Agreement on 31 December 2007, pending the conclusion of a comprehensive EPA;
(b) to lay the foundations for the negotiation of an EPA which will help to reduce poverty, promote regional integration, economic cooperation and good governance in West Africa and to improve West Africa's capacities as regards commercial policy and trade-related issues;
(c) to promote the harmonious and progressive integration of West Africa into the world economy, in accordance with its political choices and development priorities;
(d) to strengthen the existing relations between the Parties on the basis of solidarity and mutual interest;
(e) to create an agreement which is compatible with Article XXIV of GATT 1994.
TITLE II
PARTNERSHIP FOR DEVELOPMENT
ARTICLE 3
Development cooperation in the framework of this Agreement
The Parties undertake to cooperate in order to implement this Agreement and to help support the Ivorian Party in the achievement of the EPA objectives. This cooperation shall take financial and non-financial forms.
ARTICLE 4
Development finance cooperation in the framework of this Agreement
1. The provisions of the Cotonou Agreement concerning economic and regional cooperation and integration shall be implemented with a view to maximising the benefits of this Agreement.
2. European Community financing(4) pertaining to development cooperation between the Ivorian Party and the European Community in support of the implementation of this Agreement shall be provided in accordance with the appropriate rules and procedures set out in the Cotonou Agreement, in particular the programming procedures of the European Development Fund (EDF), and using the relevant instruments financed by the General Budget of the European Union. In this context, supporting the implementation of this Agreement shall be one of the priorities.
3. The Member States of the European Community collectively undertake to support, through their respective development policies and instruments, development actions to encourage regional economic cooperation and the implementation of this Agreement both at national and regional levels, in accordance with the principles of efficiency and complementarity of aid.
4. The Parties shall cooperate to facilitate the participation of other donors willing to support the efforts of the Ivorian Party to achieve the objectives of this Agreement.
5. The Parties acknowledge the usefulness of regional financing mechanisms such as a regional EPA fund established by and for the region in order to channel financing at regional and national level and effectively implement the measures accompanying this Agreement. The European Community undertakes to channel its support either through the financing mechanisms of the region or through those chosen by the countries signatory to this Agreement in accordance with the rules and procedures set out in the Cotonou Agreement and in compliance with the aid effectiveness principle of the Paris Declaration, with a view to ensuring simplified, efficient and rapid implementation.
6. For the implementation of the provisions of paragraphs 1 to 5 of this Agreement, the Parties undertake to cooperate using financial and non-financial means in the areas defined in Articles 5, 6, 7 and 8.
ARTICLE 5
Business environment
The Parties consider that the business environment is an essential factor in economic development and that, consequently, the provisions of this Agreement shall be aimed at contributing to this common objective. Côte d'Ivoire, which is a signatory to the Treaty establishing the Organisation for the Harmonisation of Business Law in Africa (OHADA), reaffirms its commitment to applying the provisions of this Treaty.
In accordance with the provisions of Article 4, the Parties undertake to work unremittingly on improving the business environment.
ARTICLE 6
Support for implementation of the rules
The Parties agree that the setting of trade rules, which include provisions on cooperation detailed in the various chapters of this Agreement, is fundamental to achieving the objectives of this Agreement. Cooperation in this field shall be organised in accordance with the arrangements specified in Article 4.
ARTICLE 7
Strengthening and modernising productive sectors
In relation to the implementation of this Agreement, the Parties affirm their wish to upgrade the competitiveness of the productive sectors of Côte d'Ivoire affected by this Agreement.
The Parties agree to work together using cooperation instruments and in accordance with the provisions of Article 4, and to support:
– the repositioning of the private sector vis-à-vis the new economic opportunities created by this Agreement,
– the definition and implementation of modernisation strategies,
– the improvement of the private sector environment and of the business climate referred to in Articles 5 and 6,
– the promotion of the partnership between the Parties' private sectors.
ARTICLE 8
Cooperation on fiscal adjustment
1. The Parties acknowledge the challenges which the elimination or substantial reduction of customs duties provided for in this Agreement may pose for Côte d'Ivoire, and they agree to establish dialogue and cooperation in this field.
2. In the light of the tariff dismantling schedule adopted as part of this Agreement, the Parties agree to establish in-depth dialogue on fiscal adjustment measures in order to ultimately ensure a balanced budget position for Côte d'Ivoire.
3. The Parties agree to cooperate as regards the provisions of Article 4, in particular through the facilitation of assistance measures in the following fields:
(a) a significant contribution to absorbing net fiscal impact in full complementarity with fiscal reforms;
(b) support for fiscal reform accompanying dialogue in this field.
ARTICLE 9
Cooperation in international fora
The Parties shall endeavour to cooperate in all international fora where issues relevant to this partnership are discussed.
TITLE III
TRADE REGIME FOR GOODS
CHAPTER 1
CUSTOMS DUTIES AND NON-TARIFF MEASURES
ARTICLE 10
Customs duties
1. The term "customs duties" refers to the duties or charges of any kind imposed on or in connection with the importation or exportation of goods, as provided for in the WTO rules.
This provision shall not be interpreted as applying to internal duties or charges or duties or charges having equivalent effect at the moment of leaving the territory.
2. For each product, the basic customs duty to which the successive reductions apply shall be that specified in the tariff dismantling schedules of each Party.
ARTICLE 11
Fees and other charges
The Parties reaffirm their commitment to complying with the provisions of Article VIII of GATT 1994.
ARTICLE 12
Customs duties on products originating in Côte d'Ivoire
Products originating in Côte d'Ivoire shall be imported into the EC free of customs duties, except for the products indicated, and under the conditions set out in Annex 1.
ARTICLE 13
Customs duties on products originating in the EC
Customs duties on products originating in the EC and exported to Côte d'Ivoire shall be reduced or eliminated in accordance with the tariff dismantling schedule in Annex 2.
ARTICLE 14
Rules of origin
1. Within the meaning of this Chapter, "originating" status shall be conferred on goods meeting the rules of origin in force on 1 January 2008 on the territory of the Parties.
2. The Parties shall establish a reciprocal common regime governing the rules of origin by 31 July 2008 at the latest, based on the rules of origin set out in the Cotonou Agreement and providing for their simplification, in view of the Ivorian Party's development objectives. The new regime shall be part of this Agreement by decision of the EPA Committee. Failing agreement between the Parties, the applicable regime shall be the most favourable regime to Côte d'Ivoire of either the current regime adopted by the EC Party or the improved rules established under the Cotonou Agreement.
3. At the latest three years after the date of entry into force of this Agreement, the Parties shall revise the provisions in force governing the rules of origin with the common aim of simplifying the concepts and methods used to determine origin in the light of the development objectives of Côte d'Ivoire and in line with those of West Africa. In the context of this revision, the Parties shall take account of technological development, production procedures and all other factors, including current reforms of the rules of origin which could require consequent amendments to the negotiated reciprocal regime. All amendments or replacements shall be made pursuant to a decision by the EPA Committee.
ARTICLE 15
Standstill
1. No new customs duties on imports shall be introduced in trade between the Parties, nor shall those currently applied in trade between the Parties be increased from the date of entry into force of this Agreement.
2. Notwithstanding paragraph 1, and as part of the finalisation of the common external tariff of the Economic Community Of West African States (ECOWAS), Côte d'Ivoire may until 31 December 2011 revise its basic customs duties on goods originating in the European Community insofar as the general impact of these duties is no higher than that resulting from the duties specified in Annex 2. The EPA Committee shall amend Annex 2 accordingly.
ARTICLE 16
Duties, taxes and other fees and charges on exports
1. No new customs duties on exports or charges with equivalent effect shall be introduced, nor shall those currently applied in trade between the Parties be increased from the date of entry into force of this Agreement.
2. In exceptional circumstances, if the Ivorian Party can justify specific needs for income, protection for infant industry or environmental protection, it may, on a temporary basis and after consulting the EC Party, introduce customs duties on exports or charges with equivalent effect on a limited number of traditional goods or increase the incidence of those which already exist.
3. The Parties agree to review the provisions of this Article in the framework of the EPA Committee at the latest three years after entry into force of this Agreement, taking full account of their impact on the development and diversification of the economy of the Ivorian Party.
ARTICLE 17
More favourable treatment resulting from free-trade agreements
1. For the fields covered by this Chapter, the EC Party shall grant the Ivorian Party any more favourable treatment applicable as a result of the European Community becoming party to a free-trade agreement with third parties after signing this Agreement.
2. For the fields covered by this Chapter, the Ivorian Party shall grant the EC Party any more favourable treatment applicable as a result of Côte d'Ivoire entering into a free-trade agreement with a major trade partner after signing this Agreement.
3. If the Ivorian Party obtains from a major trade partner substantially more favourable treatment than that offered by the EC Party, the Parties shall consult each other and decide together on the implementation of the provisions in paragraph 2.
4. The provisions of this Chapter cannot be interpreted as requiring the Parties to reciprocally grant each other preferential treatment which would be applicable owing to one of the Parties being signatory to a free-trade agreement with a third party on the date on which this Agreement enters into force.
5. In this Article, "free-trade agreement" refers to an agreement which substantially liberalises trade and substantially eliminates discrimination between the parties through the repeal of existing discriminatory measures and/or the prohibition of new discriminatory measures and measures which are more discriminatory in nature, either on the entry into force of this Agreement or on the basis of a reasonable timetable.
6. In this Article, "major trade partner" refers to any developed country, or any country with a share in world trade greater than 1 per cent in the year preceding the entry into force of the free-trade agreement mentioned in paragraph 2, or any group of countries acting individually, collectively or through a free-trade agreement with a share in world trade greater than 1,5 per cent in the year preceding the entry into force of the free-trade agreement mentioned in paragraph 2(5).
ARTICLE 18
Prohibition of quantitative restrictions
Notwithstanding the provisions of Articles 23, 24 and 25, on the entry into force of this Agreement, all prohibitions or restrictions on importation or exportation affecting trade between the Parties shall be eliminated, with the exception of the customs duties, taxes, fees and other charges referred to in Article 11, irrespective of whether they are implemented through quotas, import or export licensing or other measures. No new measures shall be introduced.
ARTICLE 19
National treatment of internal taxation and regulation
1. Products imported from the other Party shall not be directly or indirectly subject to internal taxation or other internal charges of any type surpassing those which are directly or indirectly applicable to similar domestic products. Furthermore, both Parties shall refrain from applying any other form of taxation or other internal charges with the aim of providing protection for domestic production.
2. Products imported from the other Party shall benefit from treatment which is no less favourable than the treatment given to similar domestic products in respect of all laws, regulations and requirements applicable to their sale, offering for sale, purchase, transportation, distribution or use on the national market. The provisions of this paragraph shall not prevent the application of tariffs for differentiated internal transportation based exclusively on the fuel-efficient use of transport and not on the origin of the product.
3. Notwithstanding the provisions on the rules of origin, each Party shall refrain from establishing or maintaining any internal regulations relating to the mixing, processing or use of products according to specified quantities or proportions which would require, directly or indirectly, that any specified amount or proportion of the product subject to the regulation in question be supplied from internal sources. Furthermore, each Party shall refrain from applying any other form of domestic quantitative regulation with the aim of providing protection for domestic production.
4. The provisions of this Article shall not apply to the laws, regulations, procedures or practices relating to public procurement.
5. The provisions of this Article shall be without prejudice to Chapter 2 concerning trade defence instruments.
6. For matters relating to the payment of subsidies to national producers, the Parties shall refer to the WTO.
ARTICLE 20
Food security
Where the implementation of this Agreement leads to difficulties regarding the availability of, or access to, foodstuffs necessary to ensure food security, and where this situation gives rise to or is likely to give rise to major difficulties for Côte d'Ivoire, the latter may take appropriate measures in accordance with the procedures laid down in Article 25.
ARTICLE 21
Special provisions on administrative cooperation
1. The Parties agree that administrative cooperation is essential to the implementation and control of the preferential treatment granted in this Chapter and underline their commitment to combating irregularities and fraud as regards customs and related fields.
2. When a Party obtains proof from objective information of a lack of administrative cooperation and/or irregularities or fraud, this Party may temporarily suspend the preferential treatment granted to the product(s) concerned in accordance with this Article.
3. For the purposes of this Article, a lack of administrative cooperation shall include the following:
(a) repeated failure to comply with the obligation to verify the originating status of the product(s) concerned;
(b) repeated refusal to conduct a subsequent check of proof of origin and communicate the results, or undue delay in doing so;
(c) repeated refusal to grant authorisation for a cooperation mission to check the authenticity of documents or the accuracy of information of relevance to the preferential treatment in question, or undue delay in doing so.
4. The application of a temporary suspension shall be subject to the following conditions:
(a) A Party which obtains proof from objective information of a lack of administrative cooperation and/or irregularities or fraud must notify the EPA Committee without undue delay that it has obtained the proof and the objective information, and must consult with the EPA Committee to find a solution acceptable to both Parties, drawing on all relevant information and objective evidence;
(b) When the Parties have entered into consultation with the EPA Committee, as provided for above, and have been unable to agree on an acceptable solution in the three months following notification, the Party concerned can temporarily suspend the preferential treatment granted to the product(s) concerned. The EPA Committee must be notified of the temporary suspension without undue delay;
(c) Temporary suspensions under this Article shall be limited to those necessary to protect the financial interests of the Party concerned. They shall not exceed a renewable period of six months. The EPA Committee shall be notified of temporary suspensions immediately after their adoption. They shall be subject to periodic consultations within the EPA Committee, in particular with a view to repealing them once the conditions for application no longer exist.
5. At the same time as the notification to the EPA Committee specified in paragraph 4(a), the Party concerned shall publish a notice for importers in its Official Journal. This notice for importers shall indicate that, for the product concerned, and on the basis of objective information, proof has been obtained of a lack of administrative cooperation and/or irregularities or fraud.
ARTICLE 22
Management of administrative errors
In the event of an error on the part of the competent authorities in the management of the preferential export systems, and in particular in the application of the provisions concerning the definition of the term "originating products" and the administrative cooperation methods, where this error has consequences on imports and exports, the Party suffering these consequences can ask the EPA Committee to examine the possibilities of adopting all appropriate measures in the aim of remedying the situation.
CHAPTER 2
TRADE DEFENCE INSTRUMENTS
ARTICLE 23
Anti-dumping and countervailing measures
1. Subject to the provisions of this Article, the Agreement does not prevent the EC Party or Côte d'Ivoire from adopting anti-dumping or countervailing measures in accordance with the relevant WTO agreements. For the purposes of this Article, origin shall be determined in accordance with the non-preferential rules of origin of the Parties.
2. Before imposing definitive anti-dumping or countervailing measures on goods, the Parties shall consider the possibility of constructive solutions, such as those provided for in the relevant WTO agreements. In particular, they may hold appropriate consultations to this end.
3. The EC Party shall notify Côte d'Ivoire of the receipt of a sufficiently-documented complaint before opening an inquiry.
4. The provisions of this Article shall be applicable to all investigations initiated after this Agreement enters into force.
5. The provisions of this Article shall not be subject to the dispute settlement provisions of this Agreement.
ARTICLE 24
Multilateral safeguard measures
1. Subject to the provisions of this Article, this Agreement does not prevent Côte d'Ivoire and the EC Party from adopting measures in accordance with Article XIX of GATT 1994, the Agreement on Safeguards or Article 5 of the WTO Agreement on Agriculture. For the purposes of this Article, origin is determined in accordance with the non-preferential rules of origin of the Parties.
2. Notwithstanding paragraph 1, in the light of the general development objectives of this Agreement and the small scale of the Côte d'Ivoire economy, the EC Party shall exclude imports from Côte d'Ivoire from all measures taken pursuant to Article XIX of GATT 1994, the Agreement on Safeguards and Article 5 of the WTO Agreement on Agriculture.
3. The provisions of paragraph 2 shall apply for a period of five years, beginning with the date of entry into force of this Agreement. At the latest 120 days before the end of this period, the EPA Committee shall re-examine the implementation of these provisions in the light of the development needs of Côte d'Ivoire, in order to determine whether their period of application should be extended.
4. The provisions of paragraph 1 shall not be subject to the dispute settlement mechanisms of this Agreement.
ARTICLE 25
Bilateral safeguard measures
1. After examining the alternative solutions, a Party may take safeguard measures of limited duration which derogate from the provisions of Articles 12 and 13, under the conditions of, and in accordance with, the procedures laid down by this Article.
2. The safeguard measures referred to in paragraph 1 may be taken where a product originating in one Party is imported into the territory of the other Party in such increased quantities and under such conditions as to cause or threaten to cause:
(a) serious injury to the domestic industry of similar or directly competitive products in the territory of the importing Party;
(b) disruptions in a sector of the economy, particularly where these disruptions produce major social problems or difficulties which could bring about serious deterioration in the economic situation of the importing Party; or
(c) disruptions in the markets for similar or directly competitive agricultural products(6) or of the mechanisms regulating these markets in the territory of the importing Party.
3. The safeguard measures referred to in this Article shall not exceed that which is strictly necessary to prevent or remedy serious injury or disruptions as defined in paragraphs 2, 4 and 5. These safeguard measures of the importing Party may consist only of one or more of the following:
(a) the suspension of any further reduction in the customs duty on imports applicable for the product concerned, as provided for by this Agreement;
(b) an increase in the customs duty on the product concerned up to a level which does not exceed the customs duty applied to other WTO Members, and
(c) the introduction of tariff quotas on the product concerned.
4. Notwithstanding paragraphs 1 and 2, when a product originating in Côte d'Ivoire is imported in such increased quantities and under such conditions as to cause or threaten to cause one of the situations described in paragraphs 2(a), (b) and (c) in one or more outermost regions of the EC Party, the EC Party may take surveillance or safeguard measures, as provided for in paragraph 3, limited to the region(s) concerned and in accordance with the procedures defined in paragraphs 6 to 9.
5. (a) When a product originating in the EC Party is imported in such increased quantities and under such conditions as to cause or threaten to cause one of the situations described in paragraphs 2(a), (b) and (c), Côte d'Ivoire may take surveillance or safeguard measures limited to its territory in accordance with the procedures defined in paragraphs 6 to 9;
(b) Notwithstanding paragraphs 1 and 2, Côte d'Ivoire may take safeguard measures as provided for in paragraph 3 when a product originating in the EC Party is imported in such increased quantities and under such conditions as to cause or threaten to cause disturbances to an infant industry producing similar or directly competitive products.
Such provision shall be applicable only for a period of ten years from the date of entry into force of this Agreement. However, this period may be extended subject to an agreement between the Parties when, despite the development potential of the industry and the efforts actually made, this objective has not been achieved owing in particular to the world economic situation or to serious problems affecting Côte d'Ivoire.
The measures must be taken in compliance with the provisions of paragraphs 6 to 9.
6. (a) The safeguard measures referred to in this Article shall be maintained only for the period necessary to prevent or resolve serious damage or disruptions such as those described in paragraphs 2, 4 and 5;
(b) The safeguard measures referred to in this Article shall be applied for a period not exceeding two years. Where the circumstances warranting the imposition of safeguard measures continue to exist, such measures may be extended for a further period of no more than two years. Where Côte d'Ivoire applies a safeguard measure, or where the EC Party applies a measure limited to the territory of one or more of its outermost regions, this measure may nevertheless be applied for a period of no more than four years and, when the circumstances justifying the imposition of safeguard measures continue to exist, be extended for a further four-year period;
(c) The safeguard measures referred to in this Article which exceed one year shall be accompanied by clear evidence of a progressive move towards eliminating the causes of the damage and disruptions and the measures at the latest by the end of the established period;
(d) Except in exceptional circumstances subject to the assessment of the EPA Committee, no safeguard measures referred to in this Article shall be applied to a product which has previously been subject to such a measure for a period of at least one year from the date of expiry of this measure.
7. The following provisions shall apply for implementation of paragraphs 1 to 6:
(a) When a Party considers that one of the circumstances referred to in paragraphs 2, 4 and/or 5 exists, it shall immediately refer the matter to the EPA Committee;
(b) The EPA Committee can make any necessary recommendation to remedy the circumstances which have arisen. Where the EPA Committee has not made recommendations to remedy the circumstances, or where a satisfactory solution has not been found in the 30 days following notification to this Committee, the importing Party may adopt appropriate measures to remedy the circumstances, in accordance with this Article;
(c) Before taking a measure provided for in this Article or, in the cases referred to in paragraph 8, as soon as possible, the Party concerned shall communicate to the EPA Committee all information which can be used for a full examination of the situation with a view to finding an acceptable solution for the Parties;
(d) When selecting safeguard measures, priority must be given to those which help to efficiently and rapidly solve the problem, while causing the least possible disruption to the smooth functioning of this Agreement;
(e) All safeguard measures taken in accordance with this Article shall be notified immediately to the EPA Committee and shall be the subject of periodic consultations within that body, particularly with a view to establishing a timetable for their abolition as soon as circumstances permit.
8. Where exceptional circumstances require immediate action, the importing Party concerned, whether the EC Party or Côte d'Ivoire, as the case may be, may take the measures provided for in paragraphs 3, 4 and/or 5 on a provisional basis and without meeting the requirements of paragraph 7. Such action may be taken for a maximum period of 180 days where the measures are taken by the EC Party and 200 days when the measures are taken by Côte d'Ivoire, or when the measures of the EC Party are limited to one or more of its outermost regions. The duration of such provisional measures shall be counted as a part of the initial period or of any extension referred to in paragraph 6. When taking these provisional measures, the interests of all stakeholders must be taken into account. The importing party concerned shall inform the other Party and immediately refer the matter to the EPA Committee for examination.
9. If an importing party subjects imports of a product to an administrative procedure having as its purpose the rapid provision of information on the trend of trade flows liable to give rise to the problems referred to in this Article, it shall inform the EPA Committee without delay.
10. The WTO Agreement shall not be invoked to prevent a Party from adopting safeguard measures under this Article.
ARTICLE 26
Cooperation
1. The Parties recognise the importance of cooperation on trade defence instruments.
2. The Parties agree to cooperate in accordance with Article 4, including through the facilitation of assistance measures, particularly in the following fields:
(a) the development of regulations and institutions to ensure trade defence;
(b) the development of capacity to use the trade defence instruments provided for in this Agreement.
CHAPTER 3
CUSTOMS REGIME AND TRADE FACILITATION
ARTICLE 27
Objectives
1. The Parties recognise the importance of customs issues and of facilitating trade in the evolving context of world trade. They agree to strengthen cooperation in this area with a view to ensuring that the relevant legislation and procedures, as well as the administrative capacity of the administrative authorities concerned, to fulfil the objectives relating to the effective control and facilitation of trade, and to help promote the development and regional integration of the signatory countries.
2. The Parties agree that the legitimate objectives of public policy, including those in relation to security and fraud prevention, shall not be compromised in any way.
3. The Parties undertake to ensure the free movement of the goods covered by this Agreement in their respective territories.
ARTICLE 28
Customs and administrative cooperation
1. In order to ensure compliance with the provisions of this Title, and to respond effectively to the objectives set out in Article 27, the Parties shall:
(a) exchange information concerning customs legislation and procedures;
(b) develop joint initiatives relating to import, export and transit procedures and initiatives to offer an efficient service to the business community;
(c) cooperate on the automation of customs procedures and other trade procedures and, where appropriate, endeavour to establish common data exchange standards;
(d) establish wherever possible common positions in relation to customs in international organisations such as the WTO, the World Customs Organisation (WCO), the United Nations (UN) and the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD);
(e) cooperate on the planning and implementation of technical assistance, in particular with a view to facilitating customs reforms and to facilitating trade in accordance with the provisions of the Agreement; and
(f) encourage cooperation between all the agencies concerned, both within the country and between countries.
2. Notwithstanding paragraph 1, the administrative authorities of the Parties shall provide mutual administrative assistance for customs matters, in accordance with the provisions of the Protocol on Mutual Administrative Assistance in Customs Matters.
ARTICLE 29
Customs legislation and procedures
1. The Parties agree that their respective trade and customs legislation, provisions and procedures shall draw on international instruments and standards applicable in the fields of customs and trade, in particular the substantive elements of the International Convention on the Simplification and Harmonisation of Customs Procedures, concluded at Kyoto on 18 May 1973 and revised at Brussels on 26 June 1999 (the 'revised Kyoto Convention'), the WCO Framework of Standards to Secure and Facilitate Global Trade, the WCO data set and the International Convention on the Harmonised Commodity Description and Coding System (HS).
The Parties shall ensure the free transit of goods through their territory on the most suitable transit route.
Any restrictions, controls or requirements must be justified by a legitimate public policy objective, and must be non-discriminatory, proportionate and applied in a uniform manner.
Without prejudice to legitimate customs checks, the Parties shall treat goods in transit to or from the territory of the other Party no less favourably than domestic goods, exports, imports and their movement.
The Parties shall establish transport regimes under customs control to allow the transit of goods exempt from the payment of customs duties and other charges, subject to the provision of appropriate guarantees.
The Parties shall endeavour to promote and implement regional transit regimes with the aim of reducing barriers to trade.
The Parties shall have recourse to the international standards and instruments relating to the transit of goods.
The Parties shall ensure the cooperation and coordination of all the relevant authorities in their territories in order to facilitate transit traffic and promote cross-border cooperation.
2. In order to improve working methods and ensure respect for the principles of non-discrimination, transparency, efficiency, integrity and accountability, the Parties shall:
(a) take the necessary measures to reduce, simplify and standardise the data and documents required by customs and other related authorities;
(b) simplify customs requirements and formalities wherever possible, in respect of the rapid release and clearance of goods;
(c) provide efficient, prompt and non-discriminatory procedures enabling the right of appeal against administrative actions, rulings and decisions by the customs authorities affecting imports, exports or goods in transit. These procedures shall be easily accessible to the applicants, including small and medium-sized enterprises, and the related costs shall be reasonable and proportionate to the costs incurred by lodging the appeal;
(d) ensure that the highest standards of integrity are maintained, through the application of measures reflecting the principles set out in the relevant international conventions and instruments in this field.
ARTICLE 30
Relations with the business community
The Parties agree:
(a) to ensure that all the legislation, procedures, fees and charges and their justification are made publicly available, where possible by electronic means;
(b) on the need for consultation with trade representatives in due time and on a regular basis regarding legislative proposals and procedures relating to customs and trade issues. To this end, appropriate and regular mechanisms for consultation between the administrative authorities and the business community shall be established by each Party;
(c) that a sufficient period of time must pass between the publication and the entry into force of a new or amended law, procedure, right or charge;
The Parties shall publish administrative information concerning in particular agency requirements, entry procedures, working hours and operational procedures of the customs authorities in ports and at border posts, and also on information contact points:
(d) to encourage cooperation between the operators and the competent administrative authorities through the use of non-arbitrary, publicly accessible procedures such as the protocols of agreement, based on those promulgated by the WCO;
(e) to ensure that their respective customs and related regimes and the requirements and procedures associated with them continue to meet the needs of the business community, are in line with best practices and remain as unrestrictive as possible for trade.
ARTICLE 31
Customs value
1. Article VII of GATT 1994 and the WTO Agreement on Implementation of Article VII of GATT 1994 shall govern the customs valuation rules applied to trade between the Parties.
2. The Parties shall cooperate with a view to taking a common approach to issues relating to customs valuation.
ARTICLE 32
Regional integration
The Parties agree to push forward customs reforms aimed at facilitating trade in the region of West Africa.
ARTICLE 33
Continuation of customs and trade facilitation negotiations
As part of the negotiations on a global EPA, the Parties agree to continue the negotiations on this Chapter in order to complete it within a regional framework.
ARTICLE 34
Special committee on customs and trade facilitation
Through the EPA Committee, the Parties shall establish a special committee on customs and trade facilitation, composed of representatives from both Parties. This committee shall report to the EPA Committee. It shall discuss all customs issues with a view to facilitating trade between the Parties and shall monitor the implementation and administration of this Chapter as well as the implementation of the rules of origin.
ARTICLE 35
Cooperation
1. The Parties recognise the importance of cooperation on customs and trade facilitation for the implementation of this Agreement.
2. The Parties agree to cooperate pursuant to the provisions of Article 4, including through the facilitation of assistance measures, particularly in the following fields:
(a) the development of appropriate, simplified legislative and regulatory provisions;
(b) awareness-raising and information aimed at operators, including training for the staff concerned;
(c) strengthening the capacities of the customs authorities, and modernising and establishing links between them.
CHAPTER 4
TECHNICAL BARRIERS TO TRADE,
SANITARY AND PHYTOSANITARY MEASURES
ARTICLE 36
Multilateral obligations
The Parties reaffirm their rights and obligations under the Agreement establishing the WTO and, in particular, the WTO Agreements on the Application Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures (SPS Agreement) and on Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT Agreement). The Parties also reaffirm their rights and obligations under the International Plant Protection Convention (IPPC), the Codex Alimentarius, and the World Animal Health Organisation (OIE).
The Parties reaffirm their commitment to improving public health in Côte d'Ivoire, in particular by strengthening its capacities to identify non-compliant products.
These commitments, rights and obligations underpin the activity of the Parties in relation to this Chapter.
ARTICLE 37
Objectives
The objectives of this Chapter are to facilitate the trade in goods between the Parties, and to increase their ability to identify, prevent and eliminate unnecessary barriers to trade caused by technical regulations, standards and conformity assessment procedures applied by either Party, while preserving the Parties' ability to protect public health, animals and plants.
ARTICLE 38
Scope and definitions
1. The provisions of this Chapter shall apply to technical regulations and standards, to the conformity assessment procedures set out in the TBT Agreement and to the sanitary and phytosanitary measures (hereinafter the 'SPS standards') in so far as they affect trade between the Parties.
2. For the purposes of this Chapter and except where otherwise indicated, the definitions of the SPS and TBT Agreements, the Codex Alimentarius, the IPPC and the OIE shall apply, including for all references to "products" in this Chapter and in the Appendices to this Agreement.
ARTICLE 39
Competent authorities
The authorities of the Parties responsible for the implementation of the measures set out in this Chapter are described in Appendix II.
In accordance with Article 41, the Parties shall keep each other informed in due time of any significant changes in the competent authorities listed in Appendix II. The EPA Committee shall adopt any necessary amendments to Appendix II.
ARTICLE 40
Determination of sanitary and phytosanitary areas
In relation to importing conditions, the Parties may, on a case-by-case basis, identify and put forward areas with an established sanitary and phytosanitary status, with reference to Article 6 of the SPS Agreement.
ARTICLE 41
Transparency of trade conditions and exchange of information
1. The Parties shall inform each other of any changes to their technical regulations for the products (in particular live animals and plants).
2. The Parties agree to inform each other in writing, as soon as possible, of the measures taken to prohibit the importation of goods in a spirit of collaboration with the aim of addressing a given problem concerning health (public, animal or plant), prevention or the environment, in accordance with the recommendations set out in the SPS Agreement.
3. The Parties agree to exchange information with the aim of cooperating to ensure that their products comply with the technical regulations and standards subject to which they may access each other's markets.
4. The Parties shall also directly exchange information on other areas which the Parties agree to be of potential importance for their trade relations, including food safety issues, the sudden appearance of animal or plant diseases, scientific opinions and other noteworthy events relating to product safety. In particular, the Parties undertake to inform each other when they apply the principle of pest- or disease-free areas and areas of low pest or disease prevalence, as provided for in Article 6 of the SPS Agreement.
5. The Parties agree to exchange information on the epidemiological surveillance of animal diseases. As regards phytosanitary protection, the Parties will inform each other of the appearance of parasites presenting a known and immediate danger for the other Party.
6. The Parties agree to cooperate with a view to rapidly alerting each other when new regional rules might have an impact on mutual trade.
ARTICLE 42
Cooperation in international bodies
The Parties agree to cooperate with the international standardisation bodies, including with the aim of facilitating the participation of Ivorian representatives in the meetings of these bodies.
ARTICLE 43
Cooperation
1. The Parties recognise the importance of cooperating in the areas of technical regulations, standards and conformity assessment in order to achieve the objectives of this Chapter.
2. The Parties agree to cooperate in accordance with the provisions of Article 4 with a view to improving the quality and competitiveness of priority products for Côte d'Ivoire and access to the European Community market, including through assistance measures, particularly those which are financial in nature, in the following fields:
(a) the establishment of an appropriate framework for the exchange of information and sharing of expertise between the Parties;
(b) the adoption of technical standards and regulations, conformity assessment procedures and sanitary and phytosanitary measures which are harmonised at regional level on the basis of the relevant international standards;
(c) the strengthening of the capacities of public and private stakeholders, including information and training, with a view to complying with the standards, regulations and measures of the European Community, and to participating in international authorities;
(d) the development of national capacities for assessing the conformity of products and access to the market of the European Community.
TITLE IV
SERVICES, INVESTMENTS AND RULES CONCERNING TRADE
ARTICLE 44
On the basis of the Cotonou Agreement, the Parties shall take all necessary measures and cooperate in order to encourage the negotiation and earliest possible conclusion of a global EPA in accordance with the relevant WTO provisions between the EC Party and West Africa as a whole, in the following areas:
(a) trade in services and e-commerce;
(b) investments;
(c) current payments and capital movements;
(d) competition;
(e) intellectual property;
(f) public procurement;
(g) sustainable development;
(h) the protection of personal data.
The Parties shall adopt all appropriate measures with a view to encouraging the conclusion of a global EPA between the EC Party and West Africa before the end of 2008.
TITLE V
PREVENTION AND SETTLEMENT OF DISPUTES
CHAPTER 1
OBJECTIVE AND SCOPE
ARTICLE 45
Objective
The objective of this Title is to prevent and settle disputes which could occur between the Parties in order to reach, as far as possible, a mutually satisfactory solution.
ARTICLE 46
Scope
1. This Title shall apply to all disputes concerning the interpretation or application of this Agreement, with the exception of the provisions of Title II of the Agreement and except where specifically provided otherwise.
2. Notwithstanding paragraph 1, the procedure set out in Article 98 of the Cotonou Agreement shall apply in the event of disputes concerning the financing of cooperation on development, as specified in the Cotonou Agreement.
CHAPTER 2
CONSULTATION AND MEDIATION
ARTICLE 47
Consultations
1. The Parties shall endeavour to settle disputes covered by Article 46 by entering into consultations in good faith in order to reach a mutually satisfactory solution.
2. A Party wishing to enter into consultations does so by presenting a request in writing to the other Party with a copy to the EPA Committee, specifying the measure in question and the provisions of the Agreement with which, in its opinion, the measure fails to comply.
3. The consultations shall be initiated within 40 days of the date on which the request was submitted. They shall be considered closed within 60 days of the date on which the request was submitted unless the Parties agree to pursue them. The information exchanged during the consultations shall remain confidential.
4. In urgent situations, in particular those involving perishable or seasonal foodstuffs, the consultations shall be initiated within 15 days of the date on which the request was submitted and considered closed within 30 days of the date on which the request was submitted.
5. If the consultations are not initiated within the time-limits specified in paragraph 3 or paragraph 4, or if the consultations are closed without an agreement on a mutually satisfactory solution, the complaining Party shall have the option of requesting the creation of a special arbitration group in accordance with Article 49.
ARTICLE 48
Mediation
1. If the consultations do not lead to a mutually satisfactory solution, the Parties may, by amicable agreement, resort to a mediator. Unless the Parties decide otherwise, the terms of reference of the mediation shall be those set out in the consultation request.
2. Unless the Parties to the dispute agree on a mediator within ten days of the mediation request being submitted, the Chairperson of the EPA Committee or his/her delegate, shall choose by lot a mediator from among the individuals on the list referred to in Article 64 and who are not citizens of the Parties. The selection shall be made within 20 days of the mediation request being submitted, in the presence of a representative from each of the Parties. The mediator shall convene a meeting of the Parties at the latest 30 days after being appointed. The mediator shall receive submissions from each Party at the latest 15 days before the meeting and shall announce his/her opinion at the latest 45 days after being appointed.
3. In his/her opinion, the mediator may make recommendations on how the dispute should be settled, in accordance with the provisions in Article 53. The mediator's opinion shall not be binding.
4. The Parties may agree to modify the time-limits referred to in paragraph 2. The mediator may also decide to modify these time-limits on the request of either Party or on his/her own initiative, depending on the particular difficulties affecting the Party concerned and the complexity of the case.
5. The mediation procedures and in particular the information exchanged and the positions adopted during these procedures shall remain confidential.
CHAPTER 3
PROCEDURES FOR AND SETTLEMENT OF DISPUTES
SECTION I
Arbitration procedure
ARTICLE 49
Initiating the arbitration procedure
1. Where the Parties do not settle the dispute after having recourse to the consultations provided for in Article 47 or after engaging in the mediation referred to in Article 48, the complaining Party may request the establishment of an arbitration panel.
2. The request to establish an arbitration panel shall be addressed in writing to the Party complained against and to the EPA Committee. In its request, the complaining Party shall specify the measures in question and explain why these measures infringe the provisions of the Agreement.
ARTICLE 50
Creation of an arbitration panel
1. An arbitration panel shall be composed of three arbitrators.
2. Within ten days of the request for the establishment of an arbitration panel being submitted to the EPA Committee, the Parties shall consult in order to reach an agreement on the composition of the arbitration panel.
3. In the event that the Parties are unable to agree on the composition of the panel within the time frame laid down in paragraph 2, either Party may request the Chairperson of the EPA Committee, or her/his delegate, to select all three members by lot from the list established under Article 64: one from among the individuals proposed by the complaining Party, one from among the individuals proposed by the Party complained against and the third from among those selected by both Parties to act as Chairperson. If the Parties have agreed on the selection of one or more of the members of the arbitration panel, the remaining member(s) shall be selected according to the same procedure.
4. The Chairperson of the EPA Committee or his/her delegate shall select the arbitrators within five days of the request referred to in paragraph 3 from either of the Parties and in the presence of a representative from each Party.
5. The date on which the arbitration panel is established shall be the date on which the three arbitrators have been selected.
ARTICLE 51
Interim report by the arbitration panel
The arbitration panel shall submit to the Parties an interim report containing both the descriptive sections and its observations and conclusions, generally within 120 days at the latest from the date on which the panel was established. In the two weeks following the presentation of the interim report by the arbitration panel, each Party shall submit to the arbitration panel remarks in writing concerning specific aspects of the report.
ARTICLE 52
Arbitration panel ruling
1. The arbitration panel shall transmit its ruling to the Parties and the EPA Committee at the latest 150 days following its establishment. If it considers that this time-limit cannot be respected, the Chairperson of the panel shall inform the Parties and the EPA Committee in writing, giving reasons for the delay and stating the date on which the Committee plans to conclude its work. The arbitration ruling should under no circumstances be delivered any later than 180 days from the date on which the arbitration panel was established.
2. In urgent situations, including those involving perishable and seasonal foodstuffs, the panel shall endeavour to deliver its ruling within 75 days of being established. Under no circumstances should it deliver its ruling any later than 90 days after being established. Within ten days of being established, the panel may deliver a preliminary ruling on whether it deems the case to be urgent.
3. Each Party may ask the arbitration panel to recommend ways in which the Party complained against could achieve compliance.
SECTION II
Achieving compliance
ARTICLE 53
Compliance with the arbitration panel ruling
Each Party shall take all necessary measures to implement the arbitration panel ruling. The Parties shall endeavour to agree on a time-limit for compliance with the ruling.
ARTICLE 54
Reasonable time-limit for compliance
1. At the latest 30 days after the Parties have been informed of the arbitration panel ruling, the Party complained against shall inform the complaining Party and the EPA Committee in writing of the time it will need to achieve compliance (hereinafter "reasonable time-limit").
2. In the event of a disagreement between the Parties regarding what constitutes a reasonable time-limit within which to comply with the arbitration panel ruling, the complaining Party shall, within 20 days of notification by the Party complained against, send a written request to the arbitration panel asking it to determine a reasonable time-limit. This request shall be communicated simultaneously to the other Party and to the EPA Committee. The arbitration panel shall announce its decision to the Parties and to the EPA Committee within 30 days of submitting the request.
3. In order to determine the reasonable time-limit, the arbitration panel shall take account of the time which the Party complained against would normally need to adopt legislative or administrative measures comparable to those which the Party complained against deems necessary in order to ensure compliance. The arbitration panel may also take account of restrictions which might affect the adoption of the necessary measures by the Party complained against.
4. Where the original arbitration panel or some of its members are unable to attend further meetings, the procedures set out in Article 50 shall be applied. The time-limit for delivering a ruling shall be 45 days from the date on which the request referred to in paragraph 2 was submitted.
5. The reasonable time-limit may be extended by mutual agreement between the Parties.
ARTICLE 55
Re-examination of the measures taken to achieve compliance with the arbitration panel ruling
1. The Party complained against shall notify the other Party and the EPA Committee before the end of the reasonable time period of any measures it has taken to comply with the arbitration ruling.
2. In the event of a disagreement between the Parties concerning the compatibility of the measures notified under paragraph 1 with the provisions of this Agreement, the complaining Party may make a written request for an arbitration panel ruling on the matter. The request shall indicate the specific measures in question and explain why they are incompatible with the provisions of this Agreement. The arbitration panel shall communicate its ruling within 90 days from the date on which the request was submitted. In urgent situations, including cases in which perishable and seasonal foodstuffs are in question, the panel shall deliver its ruling within 45 days of the request being submitted.
3. Where the original arbitration panel or some of its members are unable to attend further meetings, the procedures set out in Article 50 shall be applied. The time-limit for notifying a ruling shall be 105 days from the date on which the request referred to in paragraph 2 was submitted.
ARTICLE 56
Temporary remedies in the event of non-compliance
1. If the Party complained against fails to notify measures it has taken to comply with the arbitration panel ruling before the expiry of the reasonable time-limit, or if the arbitration panel rules that the measures notified under Article 55(1) are not compatible with that Party's obligations under the provisions of Article 53, the Party complained against shall, if so requested by the complaining Party, present an offer for temporary compensation.
2. If the Parties do not agree on compensation within 30 days of the end of the reasonable time-limit or of the ruling by the arbitration panel referred to in Article 55, according to which the compliance measures which were taken are not compatible with the provisions referred to in Article 53, the complaining Party shall be authorised, after notifying the other Party, to adopt appropriate measures. By adopting such measures, the complaining Party shall endeavour to choose measures which have the least possible impact on the achievement of the objectives of this Agreement, and shall take into consideration their impact on the economy of the Party complained against.
In any case, the appropriate measures adopted pursuant to this paragraph shall not affect the provision of development assistance for Côte d'Ivoire.
3. The EC Party shall show moderation in its requests for compensation or when adopting the appropriate measures in accordance with paragraphs 1 and 2 and shall take account of the fact that the Ivorian Party is a developing country.
4. Appropriate measures or compensation are temporary and shall be applied only until the measure recognised to be in infringement of the provisions of Article 53 has been revoked or amended to bring it into line with the aforementioned provisions, or until the Parties have agreed to settle their dispute.
ARTICLE 57
Examination of the compliance measures following on from the adoption of appropriate measures
1. The Party complained against shall notify the other Party and the EPA Committee of the measures which it has taken to achieve compliance with the arbitration panel ruling, and in the notification shall ask the complaining Party to discontinue the application of the appropriate measures.
2. If the Parties do not reach an agreement on the compatibility of the notified measures with the provisions of this Agreement within 30 days of the notification being submitted, the complaining Party shall make a request in writing for the arbitration panel to rule on the matter. The request shall be notified to the other Party and to the EPA Committee. The arbitration panel shall announce its decision to the Parties and to the EPA Committee within 45 days of the request being submitted. If the arbitration group rules that any measures taken to achieve conformity do not comply with the provisions of this Agreement, it shall decide whether the complaining Party may continue to apply the appropriate measures. If the arbitration panel rules that measures taken to achieve conformity comply with the provisions of this Agreement, the appropriate measures shall be discontinued.
3. Where the original arbitration panel or some of its members are unable to attend further meetings, the procedures set out in Article 50 shall be applied. The time-limit for notifying a ruling shall be 60 days from the date on which the request referred to in paragraph 2 was submitted.
SECTION III
Common provisions
ARTICLE 58
Mutually satisfactory solution
Under this Title, the Parties may at any time agree on a mutually satisfactory solution to a dispute. They shall notify the EPA Committee of any such solution. The arbitration proceedings must be complete when a mutually satisfactory solution is adopted.
ARTICLE 59
Rules of procedure
1. The dispute settlement procedures set out in Chapter 3 shall be subject to the rules of procedure adopted by the EPA Committee three months after its establishment.
2. The meetings of the arbitration panel shall be open to the public in accordance with the rules of procedure, unless the arbitration panel decides otherwise on its own initiative or at the request of the Parties.
ARTICLE 60
General and technical information
At the request of a Party or on its own initiative, the arbitration panel may obtain information from any source, including the Parties concerned by the dispute, if it deems this to be appropriate for the arbitration proceedings. The arbitration panel shall also be authorised to obtain the opinion of experts where deemed appropriate. The Parties concerned shall have the option of submitting briefs on an amicus curiae basis to the arbitration group in accordance with the procedural rules. All information thus obtained must be disclosed to both Parties and subject to their comments.
ARTICLE 61
Language of submissions
Oral and written submissions shall be in one of the official languages of the Parties. However, the Parties shall endeavour, wherever possible, to use an official language shared by the two Parties as their common language, and shall take account of the fact that the Ivorian Party is a developing country, particularly in relation to translation difficulties.
ARTICLE 62
Rules of interpretation
The arbitration panel shall interpret the provisions of this Agreement in accordance with the customary rules of interpretation of public international law, including the Vienna Convention on the Law of Treaties. The decisions of the arbitration panel shall neither add to nor diminish the rights and obligations set out in this Agreement.
ARTICLE 63
Arbitration panel rulings
1. The arbitration panel shall endeavour to make consensus-based decisions. However, if it is impossible to reach a decision by consensus, the dispute shall be settled by a majority vote, but the diverging opinions of the arbitrators shall under no circumstances be published.
2. The decision shall expound the substantive findings, the applicability of the relevant provisions of this Agreement, and the reasoning underpinning the findings and conclusions reached by the arbitration panel. The EPA Committee shall make the arbitration ruling known to the public, unless it decides otherwise.
CHAPTER 4
GENERAL PROVISIONS
ARTICLE 64
List of arbitrators
1. Three months at the latest following the application of this Agreement, the EPA Committee shall draw up a list of 15 people willing and able to act as arbitrators. Each Party shall select five people capable of being arbitrators. The two Parties shall also agree on the choice of five individuals who are not nationals of either Party and could be called upon to chair the arbitration panel. The EPA Committee shall ensure that this list is always complete.
2. The arbitrators shall possess specialist knowledge or experience of law and international trade. They shall be independent, act individually and not under the instructions of an organisation or government, shall not be affiliated to the administration of either Party, and shall observe the code of conduct annexed to the Rules of Procedure.
3. The EPA Committee may draw up an additional list of 15 people with specialist sectoral knowledge of relevance to the specific matters covered by this Agreement. Where there is recourse to the selection procedure of Article 50(2), the Chairperson of the EPA Committee may use such a sectoral list, subject to the agreement of both Parties.
ARTICLE 65
Links with the WTO obligations
1. The arbitration authorities set up under this Agreement shall not deal with disputes relating to the rights and obligations of each Party pursuant to the Agreement establishing the WTO.
2. Recourse to the dispute settlement provisions of this Agreement shall be without prejudice to any possible action in the WTO framework, including a dispute settlement action. However, when a Party has initiated a dispute-settlement procedure with regard to a given measure, either under Article 49(1) or under the Agreement establishing the WTO, it may not initiate a dispute-settlement procedure for the same measure with the other forum before concluding the first procedure. For the purposes of this paragraph, a Party is considered to have initiated a dispute-settlement procedure under the Agreement establishing the WTO once it has requested the establishment of a panel pursuant to Article 6 of the WTO Dispute Settlement Understanding.
3. This Agreement cannot prevent a Party from applying the suspension of obligations authorised by the WTO Dispute Settlement Body.
ARTICLE 66
Time-limits
1. The time-limits set out in this Title, including time-limits for the notification of decisions by the arbitration panels, shall be counted in calendar days from the day following the act or event to which they relate.
2. All time-limits in this Title may be extended by mutual agreement between the Parties.
ARTICLE 67
Amendment of Title V
The EPA Committee and each of the Parties shall be entitled to request the amendment of Title V. Amendment requests shall be examined by the EPA Committee. Amendments shall take effect only after approval by the Parties.
TITLE VI
GENERAL EXCEPTIONS
ARTICLE 68
General exception clause
Subject to the requirement that such measures not be applicable in a manner which would constitute a means of arbitrary or unjustifiable discrimination between the Parties where like conditions prevail, or a disguised restriction on trade in goods, services or establishment, this Agreement shall not be construed as preventing the adoption or enforcement by the Parties of measures which:
(a) are necessary to ensure the protection of public security, public morality or to maintain public order;
(b) are necessary to protect human, animal or plant life or health;
(c) are necessary to ensure compliance with laws and regulations and which are not incompatible with the provisions of this Agreement, including those relating to:
(i) the prevention of deceptive or fraudulent practices and means to deal with the effects of a default on contract payments;
(ii) the protection of the privacy of individuals in relation to the processing and dissemination of personal data and the protection of confidentiality of individual records and accounts;
(iii) safety;
(iv) the application of customs rules and procedures; or
(v) the protection of intellectual property rights;
(d) concern the import or export of gold or money;
(e) are necessary for the protection of national treasures of artistic, historic or archaeological value;
(f) concern the conservation of natural, non-renewable resources where these measures involve restrictions on domestic production or consumption of goods, domestic supply or consumption of services and on domestic investors;
(g) relate to the products of prison labour; or
(h) are incompatible with Article 19 on national treatment, provided that the difference in treatment is aimed at ensuring effective or fair imposition or collection of direct taxes on the economic activities of investors or service suppliers of the other Party.
ARTICLE 69
Security exceptions
1. Nothing in this Agreement shall be construed:
(a) as requiring the Parties to supply information the disclosure of which they consider contrary to their essential security interests;
(b) as preventing the Parties from taking any action they deem necessary for the protection of their essential security interests:
(i) relating to fissionable or fusionable materials or the materials from which they are derived;
(ii) relating to economic activities undertaken directly or indirectly for the purpose of delivering supplies or provisions to a military establishment;
(iii) connected with the manufacturing of, or trade in, weapons, ammunition and war materiel;
(iv) relating to government procurement essential to national security or for national defence purposes; or
(v) taken in time of war or other emergency in international relations; or
(c) as preventing the Parties from taking any action in order to carry out obligations they have accepted for the purpose of maintaining international peace and security.
2. The EPA Committee shall be kept informed as far as possible of the measures taken pursuant to paragraphs 1(b) and 1(c) and of the date of their termination.
ARTICLE 70
Taxation
1. This Agreement or any arrangement adopted under this Agreement shall not be construed as preventing the Parties from distinguishing, in the application of the relevant provisions of their fiscal legislation, between taxpayers who are not in the same situation, in particular with regard to their place of domicile or the place where their capital is invested.
2. This Agreement or any arrangement adopted under this Agreement shall not be construed as preventing the adoption or enforcement of any measure aimed at preventing the avoidance or evasion of taxes pursuant to agreements to avoid double taxation or other tax arrangements or national fiscal legislation.
3. This Agreement shall not affect the rights and obligations of the Parties under any tax convention. In the event of any inconsistency between this Agreement and any such convention, that convention shall prevail to the extent of the inconsistency.
TITLE VII
INSTITUTIONAL, GENERAL AND FINAL PROVISIONS
ARTICLE 71
Continuation of negotiations and implementation of this Agreement
1. The Parties shall continue negotiations in accordance with the provisions of this Agreement.
2. When negotiations are complete, the resulting draft amendments shall be submitted for approval to the relevant internal authorities.
ARTICLE 72
Definition of the Parties and fulfilment of obligations
1. The Contracting Parties of this Agreement shall be the Republic of Côte d'Ivoire, hereinafter the "Ivorian Party" or "Côte d'Ivoire", of the one part, and the European Community or its Member States, within their respective areas of competence as derived from the Treaty establishing the European Community, hereinafter the "EC Party", of the other part.
2. For the purposes of this Agreement, the term "Party" shall refer to Côte d'Ivoire or the EC Party, as appropriate. The term "Parties" shall refer to Côte d'Ivoire and the EC Party.
3. The Parties shall adopt any general or specific measures required for them to fulfil their obligations under this Agreement and shall ensure that they comply with the objectives laid down in this Agreement.
ARTICLE 73
EPA Committee
1. For the purposes of implementing this Agreement, an EPA Committee shall be established within three months from the date of signature of this Agreement.
2. The Parties agree that the composition, organisation and operation of this EPA Committee will respect the principle of equality. The Committee shall determine the rules governing its organisation and operation.
3. The EPA Committee shall be responsible for the administration of all the fields covered by this Agreement and for the achievement of all the tasks mentioned in this Agreement.
4. In order to facilitate communication and ensure the effective implementation of this Agreement, each Party shall designate a correspondent within the EPA Committee.
5. The EPA Committee meetings may be open to third parties. The West African Economic and Monetary Union (WAEMU) and ECOWAS Commissions may be invited to the EPA Committee meetings, in accordance with their internal procedures.
ARTICLE 74
Outermost regions of the European Community
1. Taking account of the geographical proximity of the outermost regions of the European Community and Côte d'Ivoire, and in order to strengthen economic and social links between these regions and Côte d'Ivoire, the Parties shall endeavour to facilitate cooperation in all the areas covered by this Agreement and facilitate trade in goods and services, promote investments and encourage transport and communication links between the outermost regions and Côte d'Ivoire.
2. The objectives set out in paragraph 1 shall be pursued as far as possible by fostering the joint participation of Côte d'Ivoire and the outermost regions in framework and specific programmes of the European Community in the areas covered by this Agreement.
3. The EC Party shall endeavour to ensure coordination between the different financial instruments of the European Community's cohesion and development policies in order to foster cooperation between Côte d'Ivoire and the outermost regions of the European Community in the areas covered by this Agreement.
4. This Agreement shall not prevent the EC Party from applying existing measures aimed at addressing the structural, social and economic situation of the outermost regions in accordance with Article 299(2) of the Treaty establishing the European Community.
ARTICLE 75
Entry into force and denunciation
1. This Agreement shall be signed, ratified or approved in accordance with the constitutional rules specific to each Party or, as far as the EC Party is concerned, according to its internal rules and procedures.
2. This Agreement shall enter into force on the first day of the month following that in which the Ivorian Party and the EC Party have notified each other of the completion of the procedures thus required.
3. Notification shall be sent to the Secretary-General of the Council of the European Union, who shall be the depositary for this Agreement.
4. Pending entry into force of the Agreement, the Parties shall agree to apply it provisionally, in accordance with their respective laws or by ratification of the Agreement.
5. Provisional application shall be notified to the depositary. The Agreement shall be applied provisionally ten days after receipt of such notification of provisional application by the European Community or Côte d'Ivoire.
6. Notwithstanding paragraph 4, the EC Party and Côte d'Ivoire may apply the agreement, in whole or in part, before its provisional application, to the extent that this is possible under their national legislation.
7. Either Party may give written notice to the other of its intention to denounce this Agreement. Denunciation shall take effect six months after notification to the other Party.
8. This Agreement shall be superseded by a global EPA concluded at regional level with the EC Party on the date of its entry into force. In this case, the Parties shall endeavour to ensure that the global EPA at regional level preserves most of the benefits obtained by Côte d'Ivoire under this Agreement.
ARTICLE 76
Territorial application
This Agreement shall apply to the territories in which the Treaty establishing the European Community is applied and under the conditions laid down in that Treaty, on the one hand, and, to Côte d'Ivoire, on the other hand.
ARTICLE 77
Accession of new Member States to the European Union
1. The EPA Committee shall be advised of any request by a third State to become a member of the European Union. During the negotiations between the European Union and the applicant State, the EC Party shall provide Côte d'Ivoire with any relevant information and Côte d'Ivoire shall in turn convey its concerns to the EC Party so that it can take them fully into account. Côte d'Ivoire shall be notified of any accession to the European Union.
2. Any new Member State of the European Union shall accede to this Agreement from the date of its accession to the European Union by means of a clause to that effect in the act of accession. If the act of accession to the European Union does not provide for such automatic accession of the new Member State of the European Union to this Agreement, the Member State concerned shall accede by depositing an act of accession with the General Secretariat of the Council of the European Union, which shall send certified copies to the Ivorian Party.
3. The Parties shall review the effects of the accession of new Member States of the European Union on this Agreement. The EPA Committee may decide on any transitional measures or amendments which may be necessary.
ARTICLE 78
Dialogue on financial issues
The Parties agree to foster dialogue and transparency and to share best practices in the area of fiscal policy and administration.
ARTICLE 79
Cooperation in the fight against illegal financial activities
The EC Party and Côte d'Ivoire shall be committed to preventing and combating illegal, fraudulent and corrupt activities, money laundering and terrorist financing. To this end, the Parties shall take the necessary legislative and administrative measures to comply with international standards, including those laid down in the United Nations Convention against Corruption, the United Nations Convention against Transnational Organised Crime and its Protocols, the United Nations Convention for the Suppression of Terrorist Financing and the Financial Action Task Force recommendations. The EC Party and Côte d'Ivoire agree to exchange information and cooperate in these areas.
ARTICLE 80
Relationships with other agreements
1. With the exception of the articles concerning development cooperation in Title II of Part III of the Cotonou Agreement, in the event of any inconsistency between the provisions of this Agreement and the provisions of Title II of Part III of the Cotonou Agreement, the provisions of this Agreement shall prevail.
2. This Agreement shall not be construed as preventing the adoption by the European Community or by Côte d'Ivoire of measures, including trade measures, deemed appropriate and provided for in Articles 11b, 96 and 97 of the Cotonou Agreement.
3. The Parties agree that this Agreement does not require them to act in a manner inconsistent with their WTO obligations.
ARTICLE 81
Authentic languages
This Agreement is drawn up in duplicate in the Bulgarian, Czech, Danish, Dutch, English, Estonian, Finnish, French, German, Greek, Hungarian, Italian, Latvian, Lithuanian, Maltese, Polish, Portuguese, Romanian, Slovak, Slovene, Spanish and Swedish languages, each of these texts being equally authentic.
In the event of contradiction, reference shall be made to the language in which this Agreement has been negotiated, namely French.
ARTICLE 82
Annexes
The Appendices, the Annexes and the Protocol to this Agreement shall form an integral part thereof.
In witness whereof, the undersigned Plenipotentiaries have affixed their signatures below this Agreement.
APPENDIX I
Priority products from Côte d'Ivoire for export to the European Community
These products shall be identified by Côte d'Ivoire and the EPA Committee shall be notified accordingly at the latest three months after the date on which this Agreement was signed.
_______________
APPENDIX II
Competent authorities
A. Competent authorities of the European Community
Responsibility for monitoring activities shall be shared between the national services of the Member States and the Commission of the European Communities. The following provisions shall apply on this subject:
– as regards exports to Côte d'Ivoire, the Member States shall be responsible for monitoring production conditions and requirements, in particular the performance of the compulsory inspections and the issuing of health (or animal welfare) certificates confirming compliance with the agreed standards and requirements,
– as regards imports from Côte d'Ivoire, the Member States shall be responsible for monitoring compliance with the import conditions set by the European Community,
– the Commission of the European Communities shall be responsible for the general coordination, inspection and auditing of the monitoring systems, and for taking the legislative initiatives required to ensure the uniform application of standards and requirements on the European internal market.
B. Competent authorities of Côte d'Ivoire
These authorities shall be appointed by Côte d'Ivoire and the list shall be communicated to the EPA Committee at the latest three months after the date on which this Agreement was signed.
_______________
PROTOCOL
ON MUTUAL ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANCE
IN CUSTOMS MATTERS
ARTICLE 1
Definitions
For the purposes of this Protocol:
(a) “customs legislation” means any legal or regulatory provisions governing the import, export and transit of goods and their placing under any other customs regime or procedure, including measures of prohibition, restriction and control;
(b) “applicant authority” means a competent administrative authority which has been designated by a Party for this purpose and which makes a request for assistance on the basis of this Protocol;
(c) “requested authority” means a competent administrative authority which has been designated by a Party for this purpose and which receives a request for assistance on the basis of this Protocol;
(d) “personal data” means all information relating to an identified or identifiable individual;
(e) “operation in breach of customs legislation” means any infringement or attempted infringement of customs legislation.
ARTICLE 2
Scope
1. The Parties shall assist each other, in the areas within their competence, in the manner and under the conditions laid down in this Protocol, to ensure the correct application of the customs legislation, in particular by preventing, investigating and prosecuting operations in breach of that legislation.
2. Assistance in customs matters, as provided for in this Protocol, shall apply to any administrative authority of the Parties which is competent for the application of this Protocol. It shall not prejudice the rules governing mutual assistance in criminal matters. Nor shall it cover information obtained under powers exercised at the request of a judicial authority, except where communication of such information is authorised by that authority.
3. Assistance to recover duties, taxes or fines is not covered by this Protocol.
ARTICLE 3
Assistance on request
1. At the request of the applicant authority, the requested authority shall provide it with all relevant information which may enable it to ensure that customs legislation is correctly applied, including information regarding activities noted or planned which are or could be operations in breach of customs legislation.
2. At the request of the applicant authority, the requested authority shall inform it:
(a) whether goods exported from the territory of one of the Parties have been properly imported into the territory of another Party, specifying, where appropriate, the customs procedure applied to the goods;
(b) whether goods imported into the territory of one of the Parties have been properly exported from the territory of the other Party, specifying, where appropriate, the customs procedure applied to the goods.
3. At the request of the applicant authority, the requested authority shall, within the framework of its legal or regulatory provisions, take the necessary steps to ensure surveillance of:
(a) natural or legal persons in respect of whom there are reasonable grounds for believing that they are or have been involved in operations in breach of customs legislation;
(b) places where stocks of goods have been or may be assembled in such a way that there are reasonable grounds for believing that these goods are intended to be used in operations in breach of customs legislation;
(c) goods that are or may be transported in such a way that there are reasonable grounds for believing that they are intended to be used in operations in breach of customs legislation;
(d) means of transport that are or may be used in such a way that there are reasonable grounds for believing that they are intended to be used in operations in breach of customs legislation.
ARTICLE 4
Spontaneous assistance
The Parties shall assist each other, at their own initiative and in accordance with their legal or regulatory provisions, if they consider that to be necessary for the correct application of customs legislation, particularly by providing information obtained pertaining to:
(a) activities which are or appear to be operations in breach of customs legislation and which may be of interest to another Party;
(b) new means or methods employed in carrying out operations in breach of customs legislation;
(c) goods known to be subject to operations in breach of customs legislation;
(d) natural or legal persons in respect of whom there are reasonable grounds for believing that they are or have been involved in operations in breach of customs legislation;
(e) means of transport in respect of which there are reasonable grounds for believing that they have been, are, or may be used in operations in breach of customs legislation.
ARTICLE 5
Delivery/Notification
1. At the request of the applicant authority, the requested authority shall, in accordance with legal or regulatory provisions applicable to the latter, take all necessary measures to:
– deliver any documents or
– notify all decisions
emanating from the applicant authority and falling within the scope of this Protocol, to an addressee residing or established in the territory of the requested authority.
2. Requests for delivery of documents and notification of decisions shall be made in writing in an official language of the requested authority or in a language acceptable to that authority.
ARTICLE 6
Form and substance of requests for assistance
1. Requests pursuant to this Protocol shall be made in writing. They shall be accompanied by the documents necessary to enable compliance with the request. When required because of the urgency of the situation, oral requests may be accepted, but must be confirmed in writing immediately.
2. Requests pursuant to paragraph 1 shall include the following information:
(a) the applicant authority;
(b) the action requested;
(c) the object of and the reason for the request;
(d) the legal or regulatory provisions and other legal elements involved;
(e) indications, as exact and comprehensive as possible, on the natural or legal persons who are the target of the investigations;
(f) a summary of the relevant facts and of the enquiries already carried out.
3. Requests shall be submitted in an official language of the requested authority or in a language acceptable to that authority. This requirement shall not apply to any documents which accompany the request under paragraph 1.
4. If a request does not meet the formal requirements set out above, its correction or completion may be requested; in the meantime, precautionary measures may be ordered.
ARTICLE 7
Execution of requests
1. In order to comply with a request for assistance, the requested authority shall proceed, within the limits of its competence and available resources, as though it were acting on its own account or at the request of other authorities of that same Party, by supplying information already possessed, by carrying out appropriate enquiries or by arranging for them to be carried out. This provision shall also apply to any other authority to which the request has been addressed by the requested authority in application of this Protocol when the latter cannot act on its own.
2. Requests for assistance shall be executed in accordance with the legal or regulatory provisions of the requested Party.
3. Duly authorised officials of one of the Parties may, with the agreement of the other Party involved and subject to the conditions laid down by the latter, be present to obtain in the offices of the requested authority or any other authority concerned in accordance with paragraph 1, information relating to activities that are or may be operations in breach of customs legislation which the applicant authority needs for the purposes of this Protocol.
4. Duly authorised officials of a Party may, with the agreement of the other Party involved and within the conditions laid down by the latter, be present at enquiries carried out in the latter's territory.
ARTICLE 8
Form in which information is to be communicated
1. The requested authority shall communicate results of enquiries to the applicant authority in writing together with relevant documents, certified copies or other items.
2. This information may be in computerised form.
3. Original documents shall be transmitted only upon request in cases where certified copies would be insufficient. These originals shall be returned at the earliest opportunity.
ARTICLE 9
Exceptions to the obligation to provide assistance
1. Assistance may be refused or may be subject to the satisfaction of certain conditions or requirements in cases where a Party is of the opinion that assistance under this Protocol would:
(a) be likely to prejudice the sovereignty of Côte d'Ivoire or that of a Member State whose assistance has been requested pursuant to this Protocol; or
(b) be likely to prejudice public policy, security or other essential interests, in particular in the cases referred to under Article 10(2); or
(c) be likely to disclose an industrial, commercial or professional secret.
2. Assistance may be postponed by the requested authority on the ground that it will interfere with an ongoing investigation, prosecution or proceeding. In such a case, the requested authority shall consult with the applicant authority to determine whether assistance can be given subject to such terms or conditions as the requested authority may require.
3. Where the applicant authority seeks assistance which it would itself be unable to provide if so requested, it shall draw attention to that fact in its request. It shall then be for the requested authority to decide how to respond to such a request.
4. For the cases referred to in paragraphs 1 and 2, the decision of the requested authority and the reasons therefore must be communicated to the applicant authority without delay.
ARTICLE 10
Exchange of information and confidentiality
1. Any information communicated in whatever form pursuant to this Protocol shall be of a confidential or restricted nature, depending on the rules applicable in each of the Parties. It shall be covered by the obligation of official secrecy and shall enjoy the protection extended to similar information under the relevant laws of the Party that received it and the corresponding provisions applying to the Community authorities.
2. Personal data may be exchanged only where the Party which may receive it undertakes to protect such data in at least an equivalent way to that applicable to that particular case in the Party which may supply it. To that end, the Parties shall inform each other of their applicable rules, including, where appropriate, legal provisions in force in the Member States of the Community.
3. The use, in judicial or administrative proceedings instituted in respect of operations in breach of customs legislation, of information obtained under this Protocol, is considered to be for the purposes of this Protocol. Therefore, the Parties may, in their records of evidence, reports and testimonies and in proceedings and charges brought before the courts, use as evidence information obtained and documents consulted in accordance with the provisions of this Protocol. The competent authority which supplied that information or gave access to those documents shall be notified of such use.
4. Information obtained shall be used solely for the purposes of this Protocol. Where one of the Parties wishes to use such information for other purposes, it shall obtain the prior written consent of the authority which provided the information. Such use shall then be subject to any restrictions laid down by that authority.
ARTICLE 11
Experts and witnesses
An official of a requested authority may be authorised to appear, within the limitations of the authorisation granted, as an expert or witness in judicial or administrative proceedings regarding the matters covered by this Protocol, and produce such objects, documents or certified copies thereof, as may be needed for the proceedings. The request for appearance must indicate specifically before which judicial or administrative authority the official must appear, on what matters and by virtue of what capacity or qualification he/she will be questioned.
ARTICLE 12
Assistance expenses
The Parties shall waive all claims on each other for the reimbursement of expenses incurred pursuant to this Protocol, except, as appropriate, for the expenses of experts and witnesses, and those for interpreters and translators who are not public service employees.
ARTICLE 13
Implementation
1. The implementation of this Protocol shall be entrusted, on the one hand, to the customs authorities of Côte d'Ivoire and, on the other hand, to the competent departments of the Commission of the European Communities and, where appropriate, the customs authorities of the Member States of the European Community. They shall decide on all practical measures and arrangements necessary for its application, taking into consideration the rules in force in particular in the field of data protection. They may recommend to the competent bodies amendments which they consider should be made to this Protocol.
2. The Parties shall consult each other and keep each other informed of the detailed rules of implementation which are adopted in accordance with the provisions of this Protocol.
ARTICLE 14
Other agreements
1. Taking into account the respective competencies of the European Community and the Member States, the provisions of this Protocol shall:
– not affect the obligations of the Parties under any other international agreement or convention,
– be deemed complementary to agreements on mutual assistance which have been or may be concluded between individual Member States of the European Community and Côte d'Ivoire,
– not affect the Community provisions governing the communication between the competent services of the Commission of the European Communities and the customs authorities of the Member States of any information obtained in the fields covered by this Protocol which could be of interest to the Community.
2. Notwithstanding the provisions of paragraph 1, the provisions of this Protocol shall take precedence over the provisions of any bilateral agreement on mutual assistance which has been or may be concluded between individual Member States and Côte d'Ivoire insofar as the provisions of the latter are incompatible with those of this Protocol.
3. In respect of questions relating to the applicability of this Protocol, the Parties shall consult each other to resolve the matter in the framework of the EPA Committee set up under Article 73 of the stepping stone Economic Partnership Agreement between Cote d'Ivoire and the European Community and its Member States.
3. člen
Za izvajanje Vmesnega sporazuma skrbi Vlada Republike Slovenije.
4. člen
Ta zakon začne veljati petnajsti dan po objavi v Uradnem listu Republike Slovenije – Mednarodne pogodbe
Št. 310-08/09-6/9
Ljubljana, dne 25. septembra 2009
EPA 491-V
Državni zbor
Republike Slovenije
dr. Pavel Gantar l.r.
predsednik
(1) Besedilo sporazuma v francoskem jeziku ter v bolgarskem, češkem, danskem, estonskem, finskem, grškem, italijanskem, latvijskem, litovskem, madžarskem, malteškem, nemškem, nizozemskem, poljskem, portugalskem, romunskem, slovaškem, španskem in švedskem jeziku je na vpogled v Sektorju za mednarodno pravo Ministrstva za zunanje zadeve Republike Slovenije.
(1) Brez držav članic.
(2) Za ta izračun se uporabljajo uradni podatki STO o glavnih svetovnih izvoznikih blaga (brez trgovine znotraj EU).
(3) V tem členu so kmetijski proizvodi tisti proizvodi, ki jih zajema Priloga I Sporazuma STO o kmetijstvu.
(4) Not including financing provided by the individual Member States.
(5) For this calculation, the official WTO figures on the leading exporters in world trade will be used (excluding intra-EU trade).
(6) For the purposes of this Article, agricultural products shall be those covered by Annex I to the WTO Agreement on Agriculture.
