Considerations on COM(2022)345 - EU position in EU-CTC Joint Committee on simplification of trade formalities in goods and Common transit procedure as regards invitations to Ukraine to accede to those

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dossier COM(2022)345 - EU position in EU-CTC Joint Committee on simplification of trade formalities in goods and Common transit procedure as ...
document COM(2022)345 EN
date July 15, 2022
 
(1) The Convention of 20 May 1987 on the simplification of formalities in trade in goods 3 and the Convention of 20 May 1987 on a common transit procedure 4 (‘the Conventions’) were concluded between the European Economic Community, the Republic of Austria, the Republic of Finland, the Republic of Iceland, the Kingdom of Norway, the Kingdom of Sweden and the Swiss Confederation on 20 May 1987 and entered into force on 1 January 1988.

(2) Ukraine has expressed its wish to accede to the Conventions once it has complied with the requirements for its accession.

(3) Pursuant to Article 11(3) of the Convention on the simplification of formalities in trade in goods, the EU-CTC Joint Committee set up by that Convention may adopt, by decision, invitations to third countries to accede to that Convention.

(4) Pursuant to Article 15(3) of the Convention on a common transit procedure, the EU-CTC Joint Committee set up by that Convention may adopt, by decision, invitations to third countries to accede to that Convention.

(5) It is appropriate to establish the position to be taken on the Union’s behalf in the Joint Committees established by the Conventions, as the Decisions to invite Ukraine to accede to the Conventions will be binding on the Union.

(6) The Conventions are part of the Union acquis and are part of the pre-accession strategy for Ukraine. The Conventions will ensure efficient border crossing procedures between Ukraine and the parties to the Conventions. 

(7) The invitations are in line with the Commission’s opinion on the membership application of Ukraine to the European Union and the endorsement of that opinion by the European Council on 23 June 2022 that granted the status of candidate country to Ukraine.

(8) The position of the Union within the Joint Committees established by the Conventions should therefore be favourable to an invitation to accede to those Conventions and be based on the draft Decisions reflecting that position,

(9) In accordance with the Conventions a third country invited to become a contracting party is to do so by lodging an instrument of accession and that the accession is to become effective on the first day of the second month following the lodging of the instrument of accession.

(10) In order to facilitate Ukraine’s timely accession, it is necessary to adopt this decision without delay.