Regulation (EU) 2020/2172 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 16 December 2020 amending Council Regulation (EC) No 1215/2009 introducing exceptional trade measures for countries and territories participating in or linked to the European Union’s Stabilisation and Association process
Regulation (EU) 2020/2172 of the European Parliament and of the Councilof 16 December 2020amending Council Regulation (EC) No 1215/2009 introducing exceptional trade measures for countries and territories participating in or linked to the European Union’s Stabilisation and Association processTHE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION,Having regard to the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union, and in particular Article 207(2) thereof,Having regard to the proposal from the European Commission,After transmission of the draft legislative act to the national parliaments,Acting in accordance with the ordinary legislative procedurePosition of the European Parliament of 11 November 2020 (not yet published in the Official Journal) and decision of the Council of 1 December 2020.,Whereas:(1)Council Regulation (EC) No 1215/2009Council Regulation (EC) No 1215/2009 of 30 November 2009 introducing exceptional trade measures for countries and territories participating in or linked to the European Union’s Stabilisation and Association process (OJ L 328, 15.12.2009, p. 1). provided for unlimited duty free access to the Union market for nearly all products originating in the participants in the Stabilisation and Association process to the extent that and until such time as bilateral agreements with those beneficiary parties were concluded.(2)Stabilisation and Association Agreements have now been concluded with all six beneficiary parties. The Stabilisation and Association Agreement between the European Union and the European Atomic Energy Community, of the one part, and KosovoThis designation is without prejudice to positions on status, and is in line with UNSCR 1244/1999 and the ICJ Opinion on the Kosovo declaration of independence., of the other part, is the last one to be concluded and entered into force on 1 April 2016.(3)Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2017/1464Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2017/1464 of 2 June 2017 amending Council Regulation (EC) No 1215/2009 as regards trade concessions granted to Kosovo* following the entry into force of 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 (OJ L 209, 12.8.2017, p. 1). amended Regulation (EC) No 1215/2009, removing the bilateral preferences granted to Kosovo but maintaining the unilateral preference granted to all Western Balkan beneficiary parties in the form of the suspension of all duties for products covered by Chapters 7 and 8 of the Combined Nomenclature and their access to the global wine tariff rate quota of 30000 hl.(4)Having regard to differences in the scope of the tariff liberalisation under the regimes provided for under the Stabilisation and Association Agreements between the Union and all participants in the Stabilisation and Association process and the preferences granted under Regulation (EC) No 1215/2009, it is appropriate to extend the period of application of Regulation (EC) No 1215/2009 until 31 December 2025.(5)The extension of the period of application of Regulation (EC) No 1215/2009 is considered to be a suitable guarantee of the Union’s enhanced engagement and commitment to the trade integration of the Western Balkans. The current system of autonomous trade measures remains a valuable support for the economies of the Western Balkan partners.(6)In addition, the denomination of two beneficiary parties needs to be amended to reflect the latest agreed terminology.(7)Regulation (EC) No 1215/2009 should therefore be amended accordingly,HAVE ADOPTED THIS REGULATION: