EU/Kosovo Stabilisation and Association Agreement: certain procedures for applying the agreement

2016/0218(COD)

PURPOSE: to lay down certain procedures for applying the Stabilisation and Association Agreement between the European Union and the European Atomic Energy Community, of the one part, and Kosovo of the other part.

LEGISLATIVE ACT: Regulation (EU) 2017/355 of the European Parliament and of the Council on certain procedures for applying the Stabilisation and Association Agreement between the European Union and the European Atomic Energy Community, of the one part, and Kosovo of the other part.

CONTENT: the Stabilisation and Association Agreement between the European Union and the European Atomic Energy Community, of the one part, and Kosovo of the other part, was signed on 27 October 2015. The Agreement entered into force on 1 April 2016.

This Regulation lays down rules for the implementation of certain provisions of the Agreement, as well as the procedures for the adoption of detailed rules of implementation.

Implementing powers: in order to ensure uniform conditions for the implementation of the Agreement, the Regulation confers implementing powers on the Commission.

The examination procedure will apply in particular to the adoption of implementing acts concerning the common commercial policy (e.g. technical adaptations, safeguard clause, shortage clause). The advisory procedure may, however, apply in duly justified cases.

The Commission shall:

  • adopt immediately implementing acts where the Agreement provides for the possibility, in exceptional and critical circumstances, to apply forthwith measures necessary to deal with the situation;
  • adopt immediately applicable implementing acts where, in duly justified cases relating to measures concerning agricultural and fishery products, imperative grounds of urgency so require.

Tariff quota management: under the Agreement certain agricultural and fishery products originating in Kosovo may be imported into the Union at a reduced customs duty, within the limits of tariff quotas.

The Regulation lays down provisions regulating the management and review of these tariff quotas in order to allow for their thorough assessment.

Fraud or failure to provide administrative cooperation: where a Member State provides the Commission with information on possible fraud or a lack of administrative cooperation, the Commission shall inform the European Parliament and the Council and report its findings to the Stabilisation and Association Committee.

It may decide, by means of implementing acts, to temporarily suspend the preferential treatment of the products.

ENTRY INTO FORCE: 23.3.2017. The Regulation shall apply from 1.4.2016.