PURPOSE: to conclude the Agreement in the form of an Exchange of Letters between the European Union and Norway concerning additional trade preferences in agricultural products reached on the basis of Article 19 of the Agreement on the European Economic Area.
PROPOSED ACT: Council Decision.
BACKGROUND: Article 19 of the Agreement on the European Economic Area foresees that the contracting parties undertake to continue their efforts with a view to achieving progressive liberalisation of agricultural trade between them.
The Agreement in the form of an Exchange of Letters between European Union and Norway concerning additional trade preferences in agricultural products was signed by the Parties, subject to its conclusion at a later date.
It is now necessary to approve this Agreement on behalf of the European Union.
IMPACT ASSESSMENT: no impact assessment was carried out.
LEGAL BASIS: Article 207(4), in conjunction with Article 218(6)(a) of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union (TFEU).
CONTENT: the purpose of this proposal is to approve, on behalf of the European Union, the Agreement in the form of an Exchange of Letters between the European Union and the Kingdom of Norway concerning additional trade preferences in agricultural products reached on the basis of Article 19 of the EEA Agreement.
The text of the Agreement is attached to the Decision. For further details, please refer to the summary of the previous initial legislative document dated 27/09/2010.
BUDGETARY IMPLICATION: this proposal has no implication on the EU budget.