Considerations on COM(2023)536 - EU position in the Association Council EU-Georgia with regard to the amendment of Annex XXII of the Association Agreement

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dossier COM(2023)536 - EU position in the Association Council EU-Georgia with regard to the amendment of Annex XXII of the Association Agreement.
document COM(2023)536 EN
date November  9, 2023
 
(1)The Association Agreement between the European Union and the European Atomic Energy Community and their Member States of the one part, and Georgia, of the other part (‘the Agreement’) was concluded by the Union by Council Decision 2014/494/EU and entered into force on 1 July 2016.

(2)Pursuant to Article 406(3) of the Agreement, the Association Council has the power to update or amend the Annexes to the Agreement.

(3)Pursuant to Article 283 of the Agreement the Parties shall develop their cooperation and harmonise policies in counteracting and fighting fraud and smuggling of excisable products. This cooperation will include, inter alia, the gradual approximation of excise rates on tobacco products, as far as possible, taking into account the constraints of the regional context, and in line with the World Health Organisation Framework Convention on Tobacco Control. To that end, the Parties will look to strengthen their cooperation within the regional context.

(4)Pursuant to Article 285 of the Agreement, Georgia will carry out approximation of its legislation to the EU acts and international instruments referred to in Annex XXII to this Agreement in accordance with the provisions of that Annex.

(5)The Association Council, during its eighth session/meeting is to adopt decision regarding the amendment of Annex XXII.

(6)It is appropriate to establish the position to be taken on the Union’s behalf in the Association Council, as the envisaged decision will be binding on the Union.