Considerations on COM(2024)5 - EU position in the EPA Committee established under the interim agreement with a view to an Economic Partnership Agreement with the Central Africa Party as regards the adoption of the Protocol concerning the definition of the concept of ‘originating products’ and methods of administrative cooperation

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dossier COM(2024)5 - EU position in the EPA Committee established under the interim agreement with a view to an Economic Partnership Agreement with ...
document COM(2024)5 EN
date January 12, 2024
 
(1) The interim agreement with a view to an Economic Partnership Agreement between the European Community and its Member States, of the one part, and the Central Africa Party, of the other part (‘the Agreement’), was concluded by the Union pursuant to Council Decision 2009/152/EC4 and has been applied on a provisional basis by Cameroon since 4 August 2014.

(2) Pursuant to Article 13(2) of the Agreement, the EPA Committee may adopt a reciprocal common regime governing the rules of origin.

(3) In accordance with Article 13(2) and Article 108 of the Agreement, the reciprocal common regime governing the rules of origin will be annexed to the Agreement in the form of a Protocol concerning the definition of the concept of ‘originating products’ and methods of administrative cooperation and will form an integral part thereof.

(4) At its annual meeting in 2024 or by written procedure, the EPA Committee is to adopt a decision as regards the Protocol to the Agreement concerning the definition of the concept of ‘originating products’ and methods of administrative cooperation.

(5) The agreed Protocol takes into account the most recent developments in order to provide more flexible and simpler rules of origin, with a view to facilitating trade for economic operators and optimising the use of the preferential treatment provided for in the Agreement.

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