Autonomous trade preferences for Moldova

2013/0325(COD)

The European Parliament adopted by 503 votes to 14, with 17 abstentions, a legislative resolution on the proposal for a regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council amending Council Regulation (EC) No 55/2008 introducing autonomous trade preferences for the Republic of Moldova.

Parliament adopted its position at first reading following the ordinary legislative procedure. The amendment adopted in plenary are the result of a compromise negotiated between the European Parliament and the Council:

  • Preferential treatment of imports of certain goods from Moldova: Article 16 par. 3, 4 and 5 of Regulation (EC) 55//2008 refers to the WTO waiver granted to the EU in order to allow for a preferential treatment of imports of certain goods from Moldova. The current waiver will expire on 31 December 2013. The Commission submitted to the WTO a request to extend the existing waiver until 31 December 2015. Pending the WTO decision, it is provided to ensure the undisrupted trade flows from Moldova, thereby providing legal certainty for the economic operators. Consequently, the references to the WTO waiver should therefore be deleted from the Regulation.
  • Application: having regard to the time constraints for the adoption of the amending Regulation, it is requested that the draft Regulation enter into force as soon as possible after the publication. They proposed setting the date of application for 1 January 2014.