title: Voorstel voor een besluit van de Raad betreffende de goedkeuring namens de Europese Gemeenschap, voor zover het aangelegenheden die onder haar bevoegdheden vallen betreft, van de resultaten van de WTO-onderhandelingen over basistelecommunicatiediensten

eurovoc_concepts:
World Trade Organisation
liberalisation of the market
protocol to an agreement
provision of services
telecommunications

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text: COMMISSIE VAN DE EUROPESE GEMEENSCHAPPEN ie it it it Brussel, 15. 07. 1997 COM(97)368 def. 97/0204 (CNS) Voorstel voor een Besluit van de Raad betreffende de goedkeuring namens de Europese Gemeenschap, voor zover het aangelegenheden die onder haar bevoegdheden vallen betreft, van de resultaten van de WTO-onderhandelingen over basistelecommunicatiediensten (door de Commissie ingediend) Bij besluit van 22 december 19941 hechtte de Raad van de Europese Unie zijn goedkeuring aan de Slotakte waarin de resultaten zijn neergelegd van de multilaterale handelsbesprekingen in het kader van de Uruguay-ronde, die eind december 1993 werd afgesloten. Bij dit besluit werd door de Raad de Overeenkomst van Marrakesh tot oprichting van de Wereldhandelsorganisatie goedgekeurd, alsmede de daarmee verband houdende overeenkomsten, waaronder de Algemene Overeenkomst betreffende de handel in diensten, de ministeriële verklaringen en besluiten (onder andere het Ministerieel Besluit betreffende inzake telecommunicatie en de bijlage betreffende onderhandelingen over basistelecommunicatie. over basistelecommunicatie), onderhandelingen de bijlage Het Ministerieel Besluit inzake basistelecommunicatiediensten stelde dat in het kader van de Algemene Overeenkomst betreffende de handel in diensten (GATS) op vrijwillige basis onderhandelingen dienden te worden aangegaan met het oog op de geleidelijke liberalisering van de handel in telecommunicatienetwerken en -diensten. Overeenkomstig het besluit diende de eerste onderhandelingsbijeenkomst uiterlijk op 16 mei 1994 te worden gehouden, en dienden de onderhandelingen uiterlijk op 30 april 1996 te worden afgerond. Op 30 april 1996 werden het Vierde Protocol bij de Algemene Overeenkomst betreffende de handel in diensten en het daarmee verband houdende besluit door de Raad voor de Handel in Diensten van de WTO goedgekeurd. Aan het Vierde Protocol werden 34 lijsten van verbintenissen gehecht, waarmee 48 WTO-leden zijn vertegenwoordigd, alsmede één lijst van vrijstellingen op grond van artikel II (meestbegunstiging). Overeenkomstig het Besluit inzake verbintenissen op het gebied van basistelecommunicatie kunnen de lijst van verbintenissen en de bijlage betreffende vrijstellingen, die aan het vierde Protocol zijn gehecht, worden aangevuld of gewijzigd gedurende de periode van 15 januari tot en met 15 februari 1997. Tevens werd een Groep Basistelecommunicatie opgericht voor overleg over de tenuitvoerlegging van deze bepaling. Op 15 februari 1997 meldde de Groep Basistelecommunicatie aan de Raad voor de Handel in Diensten van de WTO dat 55 lijsten van verbintenissen waren ingediend, waarmee 69 WTO-leden waren vertegenwoordigd, en dat door negen regeringen lijsten van vrijstellingen op grond van artikel II (meestbegunstiging) waren ingediend De verbintenissen op het gebied van basistelecommunicatie waren op 15 februari 1997 door de volgende WTO-leden bevestigd. Antigua en Barbuda, Argentinië, Australië, Bangladesh, Belize, Bolivia, Brazilië, Brunei Darussalam, Bulgarije, Canada, Chili, Colombia, Dominica, Dominicaanse Republiek, Ecuador, El Salvador, Filipijnen, Ghana, Grenada, Guatemala, Hongarije, Hongkong, IJsland, India, Indonesië, Israël, Ivoorkust, Jamaica, Japan, Korea, Maleisië, Marokko, Mauritius, Mexico, Nieuw-Zeeland, Noorwegen, Pakistan, Papoea-Nieuw-Guinea, Peru, Polen, Roemenië, Senegal, Singapore, Slowakije, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Trinidad en Tobago, Tsjechië, Tunesië, Turkije, Verenigde Staten van Amerika, Venezuela, Zuid-Afrika en Zwitserland. Lijsten van vrijstellingen voor meestbegunstigde naties werden bevestigd door Antigua en Barbuda, Argentinië, Bangladesh, Brazilië, India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Turkije en de Verenigde Staten van Amerika. Deze landen zullen het Vierde Protocol bij de GATS ondertekenen als juridisch instrument waaraan hun nieuwe lijsten van verbintenissen en vrijstellingen met betrekking tot meestbegunstiging zullen worden gehecht. 1 PB nr. L 336 van 23. 12. 1994, blz. 1. L De Raad machtigde de Commissie in zijn conclusies van 30 april 1996 om haar goedkeuring te hechten aan het besluit van de Raad voor de Handel in Diensten tot goedkeuring van het Vierde Protocol bij de GATS en het besluit betreffende verbintenissen op het gebied van basistelecommunicatie. Op 14 februari 1997 machtigde de Raad de Commissie tevens om namens de Europese Gemeenschap en haar lidstaten bij de WTO de definitieve lijst van verbintenissen in te dienen, die na de afronding van de interne procedures nog definitief moet worden aanvaard. De onderhandelingen werden derhalve definitief afgesloten op 15 februari 1997. De aan het Vierde Protocol bij de Algemene Overeenkomst betreffende de handel in diensten te hechten afzonderlijke lijsten van verbintenissen hebben een technische controle ondergaan en zijn door de Raad voor de Handel in Diensten van de WTO goedgekeurd in Genève op. 1997. Het Protocol staat tot en met 30 november 1997 voor de betrokken leden open voor aanvaarding door middel van ondertekening of anderszins. De onderhandelingen werden gevoerd aan de hand van de richtsnoeren die de Raad op 14 juni 1995 had vastgesteld. van zijn 93% aangemeld, de wereldhandel vertegenwoordigen De bij de Overeenkomst van 30 april 1996 tot stand gekomen verbintenissen, zowel voor markttoegang als voor nationale behandeling, met de wijzigingen die voor 15 februari 1997 in basistelecommunicatiediensten. WTO-leden uit alle continenten zijn verbintenissen aangegaan ten aanzien van alle subsectoren van de basistelecommunicatiediensten. Deze verbintenissen treden onmiddellijk in werking of worden gefaseerd ingevoerd. De meeste lijsten bevatten voorts ook verbintenissen met betrekking tot reguleringsprincipes. De Europese Gemeenschap en haar lidstaten hebben een essentiële bijdrage geleverd tot de succesvolle afsluiting van de onderhandelingen inzake basistelecommunicatiediensten. De overeenkomst betekent voor de telecommunicatie-bedrijfstak in de EU een grotere rechtszekerheid en voorspelbaarheid dan voorheen het geval was Zij komt ten goede aan zowel de gehele Europese bedrijfstak als de Europese consumenten en legt een reële basis voor verdere marktopenstelling in de toekomst. De Commissie beveelt daarom aan dat de Raad van de Europese Unie zijn goedkeuring hecht aan bijgaand besluit betreffende de goedkeuring van de resultaten van de WTO/GATS-onderhandelingen over basistelecommunicatiediensten betreffende de goedkeuring namens de Europese Gemeenschap, voor zover het aangelegenheden die onder haar bevoegdheden vallen betreft, van de resultaten van de WTO-onderhandelingen over DE RAAD VAN DE EUROPESE UNIE, Gelet op het Verdrag tot oprichting van de Europese Gemeenschap, inzonderheid op de artikelen 57, 66, 90,99, 100, 100 A en 113, juncto artikel 228, lid 2, en artikel 228, lid 3, eerste alinea, Gezien het voorstel van de Commissie, Gezien het advies van het Europees Parlement, tot oprichting van de Overwegende dat de Overeenkomst van Marrakesh Wereldhandelsorganisatie, de daarmee verband houdende overeenkomsten, de ministeriële verklaringen en besluiten (onder andere het Ministerieel Besluit betreffende onderhandelingen over basistelecommunicatie), de bijlage inzake telecommunicatie en de bijlage betreffende onderhandelingen over basistelecommunicatie bij besluit van de Raad van 22 december 1994 werden goedgekeurd1; Overwegende dat de verbintenissen op het gebied van basistelecommunicatiediensten waarover de Commissie namens de Europese Gemeenschap en haar lidstaten heeft onderhandeld, over het algemeen een bevredigend en evenwichtig resultaat vormen; Overwegende dat de Raad de Commissie op 30 april 1996 heeft gemachtigd om namens de Europese Gemeenschap en haar lidstaten haar goedkeuring te hechten aan het Besluit van de Onderhandelingsgroep voor Basistelecommunicatie en de Raad voor de Handel in Diensten van de WTO tot goedkeuring van het Vierde Protocol bij de Algemene Overeenkomst betreffende de handel in diensten alsmede het Besluit van de Raad voor de Handel in Diensten betreffende verbintenissen op het gebied van basistelecommunicatie, Overwegende dat de Raad de Commissie op 14 februari 1997 heeft gemachtigd om namens de Europese Gemeenschap en haar lidstaten de definitieve lijst van verbintenissen bij de WTO in te dienen, Overwegende dat de Gemeenschap niet alleen bevoegd internationale overeenkomsten te sluiten wanneer deze bevoegdheid haar door het Verdrag uitdrukkelijk is verleend, maar dat deze ook kan voortvloeien uit andere bepalingen van het Verdrag en uit besluiten die overeenkomstig die bepalingen door instellingen van de Gemeenschap zijn vastgesteld; is om Overwegende dat de lidstaten, wanneer communautaire regels zijn vastgesteld ter verwezenlijking van de doelstellingen van het verdrag, niet buiten het kader van de gemeenschappelijke instellingen verbintenissen mogen aangaan die deze regels kunnen aantasten of de reikwijdte ervan kunnen wijzigen; 1 PB nr. L 336 van 23. 12. 1994, blz. 1. <f dat een aantal Overwegende van basistelecommunicatiediensten op grond van artikel 113 van het Verdrag onder de bevoegdheid van de Gemeenschap valt; dat voorts andere verbintenissen op het gebied van basistelecommunicatiediensten van invloed zijn op communautaire regels die krachtens de artikelen 57, 66, 90, 99, 100 en 100 A zijn vastgesteld, en derhalve uitsluitend door de Gemeenschap kunnen worden aangegaan; verbintenissen gebied het op Overwegende dat de toepassing van artikel 100 van het Verdrag als rechtsgrond voor dit besluit tevens is gerechtvaardigd door de omstandigheid dat voornoemde verbintenissen op het gebied van basistelecommunicatiediensten naar alle waarschijnlijkheid van invloed zullen zijn op Richtlijn 90/434/EEG van de Raad van 23 juli 1990 betreffende de gemeenschappelijke fiscale regeling voor fusies, splitsingen, inbreng van activa en aandelenruil met betrekking tot vennootschappen uit verschillende lidstaten2 en Richtlijn 90/43 5/EEG van de Raad van 23 juli 1990 betreffende de gemeenschappelijke fiscale regeling voor moedermaatschappijen en dochterondernemingen uit verschillende lidstaten3, welke richtlijnen op artikel 100 van het Verdrag zijn gebaseerd, Overwegende dat op de Overeenkomst tot oprichting van de Wereldhandelsorganisatie en de Protocollen bij de Algemene Overeenkomst betreffende de handel in diensten, gezien hun aard, niet rechtstreeks in de rechtbanken van de Gemeenschap of de lidstaten een beroep kan worden gedaan, BESLUIT: Artikel 1 1. Het Vierde Protocol betreffende basistelecommunicatiediensten bij de Algemene Overeenkomst betreffende de handel in diensten wordt goedgekeurd namens de Europese Gemeenschap, ten aanzien van de onderdelen ervan die onder de bevoegdheid van de Europese Gemeenschap vallen. 2. De tekst van het Vierde Protocol is aan dit besluit gehecht, evenals de volgende teksten: - de lijst van specifieke verbintenissen van de Gemeenschap en haar lidstaten; deze maakt deel uit van de verbintenissen waarover op 15 februari 1997 in WTO- verband overeenstemming is bereikt, - het besluit van de Raad voor de Handel in Diensten inzake verbintenissen op het gebied van telecommunicatiediensten, en - het rapport van de Groep Basistelecommunicatie van 15 februari 1997 aan de Raad voor de Handel in Diensten. 3. De Voorzitter van de Raad wordt gemachtigd de persoon aan te wijzen die bevoegd is tot ondertekening van het Vierde Protocol bij de Algemene Overeenkomst betreffende de handel in diensten, teneinde de Europese Gemeenschap te binden ten aanzien van de onderdelen ervan die onder de bevoegdheid van de Europese Gemeenschap vallen. Gedaan te Brussel, 2 PB nr. L 225 van 20. 8. 1990, blz. 1. 3 PB nr L 225 van 20. 8. 1990, blz. 6. Voor de Raad De Voorzitter S-fc FOURTH PROTOCOL TO THE GENERAL AGREEMENT ON TRADE IN SERVICES Members of the World Trade Organization (hereinafter referred to as the "WTO") whose Schedules of Specific Commitments and Lists of Exemptions from Article II of the General Agreement on Trade in Services concerning basic telecommunications are annexed to this Protocol (hereinafter referred to as " Members concerned"), Having carried out negotiations under the terms of the Ministerial Decision on Negotiations on Basic Telecommunications adopted at Marrakesh on 15 April 1994, Having regard to the Annex on Negotiations on Basic Telecommunications, Agree as follows: 1. Upon the entry into force of this Protocol, a Schedule of Specific Commitments and a List of Exemptions from Article II concerning basic telecommunications annexed to this Protocol relating to a Member shall, in accordance with the terms specified therein, supplement or modify the Schedule of Specific Commitments and the List of Article II Exemptions of that Member. This Protocol shall be open for acceptance, by signature or otherwise, by the Members concerned 2. until 30 November 1997. 3. The Protocol shall enter into force on 1 January 1998 provided it has been accepted by all Members concerned. If by 1 December 1997 the Protocol has not been accepted by all Members concerned, those Members which have accepted it by that date may decide, prior to 1 January 1998, on its entry into force. 4. This Protocol shall be deposited with the Director-General of the WTO. The Director-General of the WTO shall promptly furnish to each Member of the WTO a certified copy of this Protocol and notifications of acceptances thereof. This Protocol shall be registered in accordance with the provisions of Article 102 of the Charter 5. of the United Nations. Done at Geneva this fifteenth day of April one thousand nine hundred and ninety-seven, in a single copy in the English, French and Spanish languages, each text being authentic, except as otherwise provided for in respect of the Schedules annexed hereto. EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES AND THEIR MEMBER STATES Schedule of Specific Commitments (This is authentic in English, French and Spanish) <? THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES AND THEIR MEMBER STATES - SCHEDULE OF SPECIFIC COMMITMENTS Modes of supply: 1) Cross-border supply 2) Consumption abroad 3) Commercial presence 4) Presence of natural persons Sector or subsector Limitations on market access Limitations on national treatment Additional commitments 2. C Telecommunications services Telecommunications services are the transport of electro magnetic signals - sound, data image and any combinations thereof, excluding broadcasting'. Therefore, commitments in this schedule do not cover the economic activity consisting of content provision which require telecommunications services for its transport. The provision of that content, transported via a telecommunications service, is subject to the specific commitments undertaken by the European Communities and their Member States in other relevant sectors. AH sub-sectors Cû The European Communities and their Member States undertake additional commitments as contained in the attachment, all parts of which are equally binding. o 'O O o 3 3 e 3 Cu 3 o* o» •n CO E? ^Broadcasting is defined as the uninterrupted chain of transmission required for the distribution of tv and radio programme signals to the general public, but does not cover contribution links between operators. M ^ t o ^ s w l y' » CmSS-borier«upply 2) O — p to »bn»d 3) Commercial presence 4) Presence of natural persons Sector or subsector Limitations on market access Limitations on national treatment Additional commitments • l ' ^f "Hf" B: Licensing conditions may address the need to guarantee universal service, including through financing, in a transparent, non-discriminatory and competitively neutral manner and will not be more burdensome than necessary. FIN : The general horizontal requirements for legal entities in GATS/SC/33 shall not apply to the telecommunications sector except as : FIN : The general horizontal requirements for legal entities in GATS/SC/33 shall not apply to the telecommunications sector. Requirements concerning the Aland islands shall continue to apply. half of the founders, half of the members of the board of directors and the managing director must have permanent residence in the European Economic Area. If the founder is a legal person, it must have residence in the EEA. 1) None except for: 1) None P: basic services can be supplied only by companies established in Portugal. GR: access through S. A. and the company must be exclusively engaged in the supply of telecommunication services. 2) None 2) None A 0 m c o •a w 3 n o 3 3 c 3 3 CO 3 ^* CO *-v CO (M CO Modes of supply: 1) Cross-border supply 2) Consumption abroad 3) Commercial presence 4) Presence of natural persons Sector or subsector Limitations on market access Limitations on national treatment Additional commitments 3) None except for(") : 3) None GR: access through S. A. and the company must be exclusively engaged in the supply of telecommunication services. P : The direct or indirect participation of natural persons, who are non-nationals of EC Member States or non-EC companies or firms in the capital of companies supplying basic telecommunications services cannot exceed 25 %. F : Indirect: none. Non-EC natural or juridical persons may not hold directly more than 20% of the shares or voting rights of companies authorised to establish and operate radio-based infrastructure for the provision of telecommunications services to the general public. For the application of this provision, companies or firms legally established according to the laws of a Member State of the EC are considered EC juridical persons. 4) Unbound except as indicated in the 4) Unbound except as indicated in the horizontal section. horizontal section. P: The Government of Portugal has the intention of presenting to the Parliament draft legislation aiming at removing partially the present limitations on foreign equity participation in the capital of companies supplying basic telecommunication services no later than in 1998. In case of approval, the new legislation will be bound no later than in 1999. m >-i o •o CO 3 O o B 3 e: 2. «S* C/J P» 3 <X CO S cr <p >-i 00 < • •* Cv) < - »• CO (*)Footnote for clarification purposes: Some EC Member States maintain public participation in certain telecommunication operators. EC Member States reserve their rights to maintain such public participation in the future. This is not a market access limiution. In Belgium, government participation and voting rights in Belgacom are freely determined under legislative power» at it presently 21 March 1991 on the reform of government-owned economic enterprises. the eaae under the Uw of Modes of supply: 1) Cross-border supply £) CUUMiui|/uvu Sector or sub-sector Limitations on market access Limitations on national treatment Additional commitments /y^ff'^gjjl Domestic and international Domestic and international services provided using any network technology, on a facilities based or resale basis, for public and non-public use, in the following market segments (these correspond to the following CPC numbers: 7521, 7522, 7523, 7524**, 7525, 7526 and 7529**, broadcasting is excluded): a. Voice telephone services 1) None except for:2 1) None b. Packet switched data transmission services c. Circuit-switched data transmissions services *> d. Telex services e. Telegraph services f. Facsimile services E: none, except that the liberalisation calendar will be as follows: one additional nation-wide licence in January 1998; full liberalisation as from30. 11. 19983. IRL: None except for public voice telephony and facilities-based services where none as of 1 January 2000. P: None, except for public voice telephony, telex and telegraph where none as from 1 January 2000, and facilities-based services where none as from 1 July 1999. GR: None except for public-voice telephony and facilities-based services where none as of 1 January 2003. 2 Luxembourg has requested a delayed date for the liberalisation of telecommunications until 1. 1. 2000. The EC decision on this request is still pending. applications for further licences to be received as from 1 August 98. m O •o co s» 3 O o 3 3 c 2. SF 3 O. % «-I r/3 f*- 05 «-* 8 Modes of supply !) Cross-border supply Consumption abroad 3) Commercial presence 4) Presence of natural persons Sector or sob-sector Limitations on marfceï KCCÖSS Limitations on national treatment Additional commitments g. Leased circuit services 2) 3) None None except for:4 2) Noue 3) None E: none, except that the liberalisation calendar will be as follows: one additional nation wide licence in January 1998; full liberalisation as from 30. 11. 1998s. IRL: None except for public voice telephony and facilities-based services where none as of 1 January 2000. P: None, except for public voice telephony, telex and telegraph where none as from 1 January 2000 and facilities-based services where none as from 1 July 1999. GR: None except for public voice telephony and facilities-based services where none as of 1 January 2003. LP 4) Unbound except as indicated in the horizontal section. 4) Unbound except as indicated in the horizontal section. *-i O •a ci» to O o 3 2 ta C2. CO 3 CD • "I 2" CD Luxembourg has requested a delayed date for the liberalisation of telecommunications until 1. 1. 2000. The EC decision on this request is still pending. ' Applications for further licences to be received as from \ August 9 8. Modes of supply: Sector or sub-sector o. Other services: 1) Cross-border supply 2) Consumption abroad 3) Compierci*! prepense 4) Prs?. ^s». co «f iK». fnr?!i fr^wes Limitations on market access Limitations on national tr^tnwat Additfcrnl c^mmitr^osptF Mobile and personal communications services and systems 1) None except for: 1) None IRL, P: international interconnection of mobile networks with other mobile or fixed networks where none as of 1. 1. 1999. 2) None 3) None except for: 2) None 3) None IRL, P: international interconnection of mobile networks with other mobile or fixed networks where none as of 1. 1. 1999. 4) Unbound except as indicated in the 4) Unbound except as indicated in the horizontal section. horizont?! section. F1 c O o 3 3 c 3 3 CL X o B cr a C/5 ^imiiujuiics mm memoer states ADDITIONAL COMMITMENT BY THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES AND THEIR MEMBER STATES SCOPEi The following are définitions and principles on the regulatory framework for the basic telecommunications servi?33 underpinning the marîcet access commitments by the European Communities and their Member States. DEFINITIONS: User mean service consumer and service suppliers. Esssnfia!facilities mean facilities of a public telecommunications transport network and service that a) b) ire exclusively or predominantly provided by a single or limited number of suppliers; and cannot feasibly be economically or technically substituted in order to provide a service. A major supplier is a supplier which has the ability to materially affect the terms of participation (having regard to prije and supply) in the relevant market for basic telecommunications services as a result of: a) b) 1. control over essential facilities; or use of its position in the market. COMPETITIVE SAFEGUARDS: î • - • Prevention of anti-competitive practices in telecommunications: Appropriate measures shall be maintained for the purpose of preventing suppliers who, alone or together, are a major supplier from engaging in or continuing anti-competitive practices. 1-2. Safeguards: The anti-competitive practices referred to above shall include in particular: a) 0) c) engaging in anti-competitive cross-subsidization; using information obtained from competitors with anti-competitive results; and not making available to other services suppliers on a timely basis technical information about essential facilities and commercially relevant information which are necessary for them to provide services. 2. INTERCONNECTION: This section applies to linking with suppliers providing public telecommunications transport 2. 1. networks or services in order to allow the users of one supplier to communicate with users of another supplier and te access services provided by another supplier. 15 y 1 | I I | | European Communities and Member Stales 7 2. Interconnection to be ensured: Within the limits of permitted market access, interconnection with a major supplier will be ensured gt any technically feasible point in the network. Such interconnection is provided6: j>. ) I:j under non-discriminatory terms, conditions (including technical standards and specifications) and rates and of a quality no less favourable than that provided for its own like services or for like services of non-affiliated service suppliers or for its subsidiaries or other affiliates7; in ? timely fashion, on terms, condition?, (including technical standards fine specifications) and eosl-crienled rates that are transparent, reasonable, having regard to economic feasibility, and sufficiently unbundled so that the supplier need not pay for network: components or facilities that it does not. require for the service to be provided; and c) upon request, at points in addition to the network terminai i en point s offered to the majority of users, subject to charges that reflect the cost of construction of necessary additional facilities. 5-3. Public availability of the procedures for interconnection negotiations : The procedures applicable for interconnection to a major supplier will be made publicly available. Transparency of interconnection arrangements: ^ /• • h. is ensured that a major supplier will make publicly available either its interconnection agreements c. y ? reference interconnection offer. 2-. 5. Interconnection : dispute settlement: A service supplier requesting interconnection with t major supplier will have recourse, either : a) b) at any time or after a reasonable period of time which has been made publicly known to an independent domestic body, which» may be a regulatory body as referred to in paragraph 5 below, to resolve disputes regarding appropriate terms, conditions and rates for interconnection within a reasonable period of time, to the extent that these have not been established previously. 'Suppliers of services or networks not generally available to the public, such as closed user groups, have cugranteed rights to connect with the public telecommunications transport network or sen ices on terms, conditions and rates which are non-discriminatory, transparent and cost-oriented. Such ternis, conditions and rates may, however, vary from the terms, conditions and rates applicable to interconnection between public telecommunications networks or services. 'Different terms, conditions and rates may be set in the Community for operators in different market segments, on die Lasts of non-discriminatory and transparent national licensing provisions, where such differences can be objectively justified because these sen ices arc not considered "like services". fe European Communities and Member States 3. UNIVERSAL SERVICE: Any Member has the right to define the kind of universal service obligation it wishes to maintain. Such obligations will not be regarded as anti-competitive per se, provided they are administered in n transparent, non-discriminatory and competitively neutral manner and are not more burdensome than n3C3Ssary for the kind of universal service defined by the Member. 4. PUBLIC AVAILABILITY OF LICENSING CRITERIA: Whsre a licence is required, the following will be made publicly available: a) all the licensing criteria and the period of time normally required to reach a decision concerning an application for a licence and b) the terms and conditions of individual licences. The reasons for the denial of a licence will be made known to the applicant upon request. 5. INDEPENDENT REGULATORS: The regulatory body is separate from, and not accountable to, any supplier of basic telecommunications services. The decisions of and the procedures used by regulators shall be impartial with respect to all market participants. 6. ALLOCATION AND USE OF SCARCE RESOURCES: Any procedures for the allocation and use of scarce resources, including frequencies, numbers and rights of way, will be carried out in an objective, timely, transparent and non-discriminatory manner. The current state of allocated frequency bands will be made publicly available, but detailed identification of frequencies allocated for specific government uses is not required. n DSCrSECN ON COMMITMENTS IN BASIC TELECOMMUNICATIONS The Council for Trade in Services, Helving -regard to the Annex on Negotiations on Basic TeU^ommwikations, Havmg regard to the results of the negotiations conducted under the terms of the Decision on Negotiations on Bask Tdccoaununicaticm£ adopicd at Marrakesh on 15 April 1994, Acting upon the final Report of the Negotiating Group on Basic Telecommunications, Decides as follows:. ««c 1. To adept Use tcxi of the "Fourth Protocol to lite General Agreement on Trade in Services" (hereinafter referred to as the Protocol) and to takt note of the Schedules of Commitments and Lists of Exemptionr. from Article II listed in the Attachment tc the final. Repon: of the Negotiating Group on Basic Telecommunicattonc. Commencing immediately md continuing until the dac of entry into force of the Protocol " 2. Members concerned shall, to die fullest extent consistent with their existing legislation and regulations,, not take, measures which would be inconsistent with their undertakings resulting from these negctiatfe. ÜS. 3. During the period from 15 January tc 15 February 1997, a Member which has a Schedule of. Commitments annexed to the Protocol, may supplement or modify such Schedule or its List of Article II Exemptions. Any such Member which has not annexed to the Protocol z List of Article II Exemptions may submit such a list during the siime period. A Group on basic telecommunications reporting to die Council for Trade in Services snail conduct 4. consuhatiuns on the implementation of paragraph 3 above commencing its work no later than 9Ü days from the adoption of the Decision. The Council for Trade in Services shall monitor the acceptance of the Protocol by Members 5. concerned and shall, at the request of a Member, examine any concerns raised regarding the application of paragraph 2 above. Members of the World Trade Organization which have noL annexed to the Protocol Schedules 6. of Commitments or Lists of Exemptions from Article II may submit, for approval by the Council, Schedules of Commitments and Lists of Exemptions from Article ÏÏ relating to basic telecommunications prior to 1 January 1998. I* WORLD TRADE ORGANIZATION Group on Basic Telecommunications c. _ 15 February 1997 (97-0675) REPORT OF THE GROUP ON BASIC TELECOMMUNICATIONS This repon is made in accordance with paragraph 4 of the Decision on Commitments in Basic 1. Telecommunications, adopted by the Council for Trade in Services on 30 April 1996 (S/L/19). In paragraph 1 of this Decision, the Council also adopted the text of the Fourth Protocol to the General Agreement on Trade in Services and took note of the Schedules of Ccmimitments and Lists of Exemptions from Article II listed in the Attachment to the final Repon of the Negotiating Group on Basic Telecommunications (S/NGBT/18). 2. The Decision on Commitments on Basic Telecommunications established the Group on Basic Telecommunications to "conduct consultations on the implementation of paragraph 3 of the Decision". Paragraph 3 states that "during the period from 15 January to 15 February 1997, a Member which has a Schedule of Commitments annexed to the Protocol, may supplement or modify such Schedule or its List of Article II Exemptions" and that "any such Member which has not annexed to the Protocol a List of Anicle II Exemptions may submit such a list during the same period*". At the Group's first meeting in July 1996, participants suggested that the principal issues before 3. the GBT included the desirability of improving the quantity and quality of Schedules offered, and the need to address certain issues which had been left unresolved in April. Subsequently, the Group sponsored frequent rounds of bilateral negotiations on offers and regularly included discussion of outstanding issues in its meetings. In November participants began submining revised draft offers of commitments on basic telecommunications for consideration. The Group's Report to the Council on Trade in Services (S/GBT/2). which formed pan of the Repon to the Singapore Ministerial Conference, recommended that Ministers "stress their commitment to bring the negotiations on basic îelecommunicanons to a successful conclusion by 15 February 1997, urge all WTO Members to strive for significant, balanced and rwrKliscrirninatory liberalization commitments on basic telecommunications by that date and recognize the importance of resolving the principal issues before the GBT". The Declaration adopted by Ministers in'Singapore fWT/MlN(96)/DEC) contained a commitment toy*achieve a successful conclusion to the negotiations on basic relecommunJcations in February 1997". Ministers also stated "We are determined to obtain a progressively higher level of liberalization in services on a mutually advantageous basis with appropriate flexibility for individual developing country members, as envisaged in the agreement, in the continuing negotiations and those scheduled to begin no later than 1 January 2000. In this context, we look forward to full MFN agreements based on improved market access commitments and national treatment \ In its discussions on outstanding issues, the Group considered the following maners: ways 4. to ensure accurate scheduling of commitments - particularly with respect to supply of services over satellites and to the management of radio spectrum; potential anti-competitive distonion of trade in international services; the status of intergovernmental satellite organizations in relation to GATS provisions; and the extent to which basic telecommunications commitments include transpon of video and/or broadcast signals within their scope '3 5. The Chairman issued notes reflecting his understanding of die position reached in discussion of the scheduling of comnutments and management of radio spectrum. The first such Note set out a number of assumptions applicable to the scheduling of commitments and was intended to assist in ensuring the transparency of commitments (S/GBT/W/2/Rev. I of 16 January 1997). The second addressed the allocation of radio spectrum, suggesting that the inclusion of references to the availability of spectrum in schedules was unnecessary and that such references should be deleted (S/GBT/W/3 of 3 February 1997). These Notes are attached to this Repon. 6. By 15 February 1997 the total number of schedules submitted had reached 55 (counting as one the offer of the European Communities and their Member States). Nine governments had submitted lists of Anicle II Exemptions. 7* The Group noted that five countries had taken Article II exemptions in respect of the application of differential accounting rates to services and sen/ice suppliers of other Members. In the light of die fact that the accounting rate system established tinder the Internationa! Tdeœrnmunicaîions Régulations is the usual method of terminating iniemationai traffic and by its nature involves differential rates, md in order to avoid the submission of further such exemptions, it is the understanding of the Group that: the application of such accounting rates would not give rise to action by Members under dispute settlement under the WTO; and that this understanding will be reviewed not later than the commencement of the further Round of negotiations on Services Commitments due to begin not later than 1 January 2000. The Group also recalled paragraph 6 of the Decision of 30 April, which stated thai Members 8. of die World Trade Organization which have not annexed to the Protocol Schedules of Commitments or Lists of Exemptions from Anicle II may submit, for approval by the Council, Schedules of Commitments and Lists of Exemptions from Anicle II relating to basic telecommunications prior to 1 January 1998. 9. At its meeting of 15 February 1997. the Group adopted this report and the attached list of the Schedules of Commitments and Lists of Anicle II Exemptions, which, in accordance with paragraph 3 of the Decision on Commitments in Basic Telecommunications, will be attached to the Fourth Protocol to the General Agreement on Trade in Services in replacement of those attached on 30 April 1996. 2© WORLD TRADE ORGANIZATION Group on Basic Telecommunications S/GBT/4 Page 3 16 January 1997 (97-0173) Note by the Chairman Rcvision It has been suggested by a number of delegations thai it might be helpful to produce a brief and simple note on assumptions applicable to the scheduling of commitments in basic télécoms. The purpose of the attached note is to assist delegations in ensuring the transparency of their commitments and lo promote a better understanding of the meaning of commitments. This note is not intended to hove or acquire any binding legal status. NOTES FOR SCHEDULING BASIC TELECOM SERVICES COMMITMENTS Unless otherwise noted in the sector column, any basic telecom service listed in the sector 1. column: (a) encompasses local, long distance and international services for public and non-public use; (b) may be provided on a facilities-basis or by resale; and (c) may be provided through any means of technology (e. g. , cable1, wireless, satellites). 2. Subsector (g) -private leased circuit services — involves the ability of service suppliers to sell or lease any type of network capacity for the supply of services listed in any other basic telecom service subsector unless otherwise noted in the sector column. This would include capacity via cable, satellite and wireless network. 3. In view of points I and 2 above, it should not be necessary to list cellular or mobile services as a separate subsector. However, a number of Members have done so, and a number of offers have commitments only in these subsectors. Therefore, in order to avoid extensive changes in schedules, it would seem appropriate for Members to maintain separate entries for these subsectors. 'Including all types of cable. WORLD TRADE ORGANIZATION i February 1997 (97-0415) Group on Basic Télécommunications Original: English CHAIRMAN'S NOTE Market Access Limitations on Spectrum Availability Many Members have entries in the market access column of their schedules indicating thai cornmitments are "subject to availability of speanrnVfrequency'' or similar wording. In light of the physical nature of spectrum and the constraints inherent in its use, it is understandable that Members may have sought to rely on these words to adequately protect legitieme spectrum management policies. There is. however, doubt that words such as "subject to availability of spectrum/fTequcncy" as listed in the market access column of many Members' schedules achieve that objective. Spectrum/frequency management is not, per se, a measure which needs to be listed under Anicle XVI. Funhermore under the GATS each Member has die right to exercise spectrum/frequency management, which may affect the number of service suppliers, provided that this is dene in accordance with Anicle VI and other relevant provisions of the GATS. This includes the ability to allocate frequency bands taking into account existing and future needs. Also, Members which have made additional commitment in line with the Reference Paper on regulatory principles are bound by its paragraph 6. Therefore, words such as "subject to availability of spearum/frequency" are unnecessary and should be deleted from Members* schedules. 2X ISSN 0254-1513 COM(97) 368 def. DOCUMENTEN NL 15 08 11 Catalogusnummer : CB-CO-97-356-NL-C ISBN 92-78-22667-X Bureau voor officiële publikaties der Europese Gemeenschappen L-2985 Luxemburg


title: REGLAMENTO (CE) N° 1350/97 DE LA COMISIÓN de 15 de julio de 1997 por el que se determina en qué medida podrá darse curso a las solicitudes de certificados de exportación, presentados en el mes de julio de 1997, para los productos del sector de la carne de bovino que se beneficien de un trato especial para su importación en Canadá

eurovoc_concepts:
Canada
beef
export licence
import
quantitative restriction


title: Förslag till rådets beslut om godkännande på Europeiska gemenskapens vägnar- vad beträffar frågor som omfattas av dess behörighet - av resultatet av WTO-förhandlingarna om basteletjänster

text: EUROPEISKA GEMENSKAPERNAS KOMMISSION Bryssel den 15. 07 1997 KOM(97)368 slutlig 97/0204 (CNS) Förslag till RÅDETS BESLUT om godkännande på Europeiska gemenskapens vägnar - vad beträffar frågor som omfattas av dess behörighet - av resultatet av WTO-förhandlingarna om basteletjänster (framlagt av kommissionen) innefattande resultaten av de multilaterala handelsförhandlingarna Genom sitt beslut av den 22 december 19941 godkände Europeiska unionens råd slutakten i Uruguayrundan vilka avslutades i slutet av december 1993. Rådet godkände genom sitt beslut Marrakechavtaleî om upprättande av Världshandelsorganisationen (WTO) och därtill knutna avtal, bland andra Allmänna tjänstehandelsavtalet (GATS), samt ministerdeklarationerna och ministerbesluten (inbegripet beslutet om förhandlingar om basteletjänster), bilagan om telekommunikationer samt bilagan om förhandlingar rörande basteletjänster. I ministerbeslutet om basteletjänster fastslogs att förhandlingar skulle inledas frivilligt inom ramen för Allmänna tjänstehandelsavtalet i syfte att fortlöpande libéralisera handeln med telekommunikationsnät och teletjänster. Enligt beslutet skulle det första förhandlingsmötet hållas senast den 16 maj 1994 och förhandlingarna vara slutförda senast den 30 april 1996. Den 30 april 1996 antog WTO: s tjänstehandelsråd det fjärde protokollet till Allmänna tjänstehandelsavtalet och ett därtill knutet beslut. Trettiofyra listor över åtaganden, omfattande fyrtioåtta WTO-medlemmar, samt en lista över Artikel II (MGN, mest gynnad na/zo«)-undantag fogades till det fjärde protokollet. I beslutet om åtaganden rörande basteletjänster föreskrevs att de listor över åtaganden eller undantag som bifogats det fjärde protokollet kunde kompletteras eller ändras under perioden 15 januari - 15 februari 1997, och en grupp för basteletjänster inrättades för samråd om genomförandet av denna bestämmelse. Den 15 februari 1997 rapporterade gruppen för basteletjänster till WTO: s tjänstehandelsråd att det nu förelåg sammanlagt femtiofem listor över åtaganden (representerande sextionio WTO-medlemsstater) och att nio stater lämnat in listor över Artikel Il-undantag (MGN). Följande WTO-medlemmar hade den 15 februari 1997 bekräftat sina åtaganden angående basteletjänster: Antigua och Barbuda, Argentina, Australien, Bangladesh, Belize, Bolivia, Brasilien, Brunei, Bulgarien, Chile, Colombia, Dominica, Dominikanska republiken, Ecuador, Elfenbenskusten, El Salvador, Filippinerna, Förenta Staterna, Ghana, Grenada, Guatemala, Hongkong, Kanada, Indien, Indonesien, Island, Israel, Jamaica, Japan, Korea, Malaysia, Marocko, Mauritius, Mexiko, Nya Zeeland, Norge, Pakistan, Papua Nya Guinea, Peru, Polen, Rumänien, Schweiz, Senegal, Singapore, Slovakien, Sri Lanka, Sydafrika, Thailand, Tjeckien, Trinidad och Tobago, Tunisien, Turkiet, Ungern och Venezuela. Listor över MGN-undantag bekräftades av Antigua och Barbuda, Argentina, Bangladesh, Brasilien, Förenta Staterna, Indien, Pakistan, Sri Lanka och Turkiet. Dessa länder kommer att underteckna det fjärde protokollet till GATS, det rättsliga instrument till vilket de kommer att foga sina nya listor över åtaganden och över MGN-undantag. 1 EGTnrL 336, 23. 12. 1994, s. 1. I sina slutsatser av den 30 april 1996 bemyndigade rådet kommissionen att godkänna tjänstehandelsrådets beslut om antagande av det fjärde protokollet till GATS och beslutet om åtaganden rörande basteletjänster. Den 14 februari 1997 bemyndigade rådet kommissionen att på Europeiska gemenskapens och dess medlemsstaters vägnar till WTO överlämna den slutgiltiga listan över åtaganden, med förbehåll för dennas slutliga antagande efter slutförande av de interna förfarandena. Förhandlingarna avslutades därför slutgiltigt den 15 februari 1997. De enskilda listorna över åtaganden som skall bifogas det fjärde protokollet till Allmänna tjänstehandelsavtalet granskades tekniskt och godkändes av WTO: s 1997. tjänstehandelsråd i Genève den Protokollet är till och med den 30 november 1997 öppet för godkännande av berörda medlemmar, genom undertecknande eller på annat sätt. $ :': # Förhandlingarna fördes med beaktande av de riktlinjer som rådet antog den 14 juni 1995. De åtaganden avseende marknadstillträde och nationell behandling som följer av överenskommelsen av den 30 april 1996 och av de före den 15 februari 1997 införda ändringarna motsvarar 93% av världsmarknaden för basteletjänster. WTO-medlemmar från alla kontinenter har gjort åtaganden inom alla underområden av basteletjänster med verkan antingen omedelbart eller gradvis. Därtill innehåller de flesta listor kompletterande åtaganden om. regleringsföreskrifter. Europeiska gemenskapen och medlemsstaterna har på väsentligt sätt bidragit til! att förhandlingarna om basteletjänster har kunnat slutföras på tillfredsställande vis. Överenskommelsen gör det möjligt för telekommunikationsindustrin inom EU att åtnjuta ett klarare rättsläge och större förutsägbarhet än tidigare. Den är till nytta för den europeiska industrin som helhet liksom för de europeiska konsumenterna och utgör en reell grund för ytterligare åtgärder för att öppna marknader i framtiden. Kommissionen rekommenderar därför Europeiska unionens råd att anta det bifogade beslutet om godkännande av resultatet av WTO/GATS-förhandlingarna om basteletjänster. 2 RÅDETS BESLUT om godkännande på Eiaropeiska gemenskapens vägnar - vad beträffar frågor som omfattas av dess behörighet - av resultatet av WTO-förhandlingarna om basteletjänster EUROPEISKA UNIONENS RÅD HAR BESLUTAT FÖLJANDE med beaktande av Fördraget om upprättandet av Europeiska gemenskapen, särskilt artiklarna 57, 66, 90, 99, 100, 100a och 113 jämförda med artikel 228. 2 och artikel 228. 3 första stycket i detta, med beaktande av kommissionens förslag, med beaktande av Europaparlamentets yttrande, och med beaktande av följande: Genom rådets beslut av den 22 december 19941 godkändes Marrakechavtalet om upprättande av Världshandelsorganisationen och därtill knutna avtal, ministerbeslut förhandlingar om och ministerdeklarationer basteletjänster) samt bilagan om telekommunikationer och bilagan om förhandlingar rörande basteletjänster. (inbegripet ministerbeslutet om De av kommissionen på Europeiska gemenskapens och dess medlemsstaters vägnar framförhandlade ett tillfredsställande och väl avvägt resultat. rörande basteletjänster utgör sammantaget åtagandena Den 30 april 1996 bemyndigade rådet kommissionen att på Europeiska gemenskapens och dess medlemsstaters vägnar godkänna det beslut av förhandlingsgruppen för basteletjänster och WTO:s tjänstehandelsråd om antagande av det fjärde protokollet till Allmänna tjänstehandelsavtalet, samt tjänstehandelsrådets beslut om åtaganden rörande basteletjänster. fattats som Den 14 februari 1997 bemyndigade rådet kommissionen att på Europeiska gemenskapens och dess medlemsstaters vägnar till WTO överlämna den slutgiltiga listan över åtaganden. EGTnrL 336, 23. 12. 1994, s. 1. U- Gemenskapens behörighet att ingå internationella avtal följer inte enbart av uttryckligt tillerkännande av sådan behörighet i fördraget utan kan även härledas från andra bestämmelser i fördraget och från rättsakter som antagits av gemenskapens institutioner på grandval av dessa bestämmelser. I de fall gemenskapsregler har antagits för att förverkliga målen i fördraget får medlemsstaterna inte utanför de gemensamma institutionernas ram göra åtaganden som kan beröra dessa regler eller ändra deras räckvidd. Vissa åtaganden rörande basteletjänster omfattas av gemenskapens behörighet enligt artikel 113 rörande basteletjänster berör gemenskapsregler som antagits på grundval av artiklarna 57, 66, 90, 99, 100 och 100a i fördraget och får därför endast göras av gemenskapen. fördraget. Andra åtaganden i Att använda artikel 100 i fördraget som rättslig grund för detta beslut är berättigat också därför att åtagandena rörande basteletjänster sannolikt berör rådets direktiv 90/434/EEG av den 23 juli 1990 om ett gemensamt beskattningssystem för fusion, fission, överföring av tillgångar och utbyte av aktier eller andelar som berör bolag i olika medlemsstater2 och rådets direktiv 90/43 5/EEG av den 23 juli 1990 om ett gemensamt beskattningssystem för moderbolag och dotterbolag hemmahörande i olika medlemsstater3, vilka grundas på artikel 100 i fördraget. Avtalet om upprättande av Världshandelsorganisationen och protokollen till Allmänna inför tjänstehandelsavtalet är inte av beskaffenhet att kunna åberopas direkt gemenskapens eller medlemsstaternas domstolar. HÄRIGENOM FÖRESKRIVS FÖLJANDE. Artikel 1 Fjärde protokollet till Allmänna tjänstehandelsavtalet, rörande baoteletjänster, godkänns på Europeiska gemenskapens vägnar, vad gäller den del därav som omfattas av Europeiska gemenskapens behörighet. Texten till fjärde protokollet bifogas detta beslut tillsammans ined följande: Listan över gemenskapens och dess medlemsstaters särskilda åtaganden vilken utgör en del av de samlade åtaganden som gjordes inom ramen för WTO den 15 februari 1997. Tjänstehandelsrådets beslut om åtaganden rörande basteletjänster. Rapporten av cien 15 februari 1997 frän gruppen för basteletjänster till tjänstehandeisrådet. 2 EGT nr L 225, 20. 8. 1990, ;;. L 3 EGT m L 225, 20. 8,1990, ?. 6. S 3. Rådets ordförande bemyndigas att utse den person som skall vara befullmäktigad att underteckna det fjärde protokollet till Allmänna tjänstehandelsavtalet med bindande verkan för Europeiska gemenskapen beträffande den del av protokollet som omfattas av dess behörighet. Utfärdat i Bryssel den På rådets vägnar Ordförande c FOURTH PROTOCOL TO THE GENERAL AGREEMENT ON TRADE IN SERVICES Members of the World Trade Organization (hereinafter referred to as the "WTO") whose Schedules of Specific Commitments and Lists of Exemptions from Article II of the General Agreement on Trade in Services concerning basic telecommunications are annexed to this Protocol (hereinafter referred to as " Members concerned"), Having carried out negotiations under the terms of the Ministerial Decision on Negotiations on Basic Telecommunications adopted at Marrakesh on 15 April 1994, Having regard to the Annex on Negotiations on Basic Telecommunications, Agree as follows: 1. Upon the entry into force of this Protocol, a Schedule of Specific Commitments and a List of Exemptions from Article II concerning basic telecommunications annexed to this Protocol relating to a Member shall, in accordance with the terms specified therein, supplement or modify the Schedule of Specific Commitments and the List of Article II Exemptions of that Member. This Protocol shall be open for acceptance, by signature or otherwise, by the Members concerned 2. until 30 November 1997. 3. The Protocol shall enter into force on 1 January 1998 provided it has been accepted by all Members concerned. If by 1 December 1997 the Protocol has not been accepted by all Members concerned, those Members which have accepted it by that date may decide, prior to 1 January 1998, on its entry into force. This Protocol shall be deposited with the Director-General of the WTO. The Director-General 4. of the WTO shall promptly furnish to each Member of the WTO a certified copy of this Protocol and notifications of acceptances thereof. This Protocol shall be registered in accordance with the provisions of Article 102 of the Charter 5. of the United Nations. Done at Geneva this fifteenth day of April one thousand nine hundred and ninety-seven, in a single copy in the English, French and Spanish languages, each text being authentic, except as otherwise provided for in respect of the Schedules annexed hereto. EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES AND THEIR MEMBER STATES Schedule of Specific Commitments (This is authentic in English, French and Spanish) <? THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES AND THEIR MEMBER STATES - SCHEDULE OF SPECIFIC COMMITMENTS Modes of supply: 1) Cross-border supply 2) Consumption abroad 3) Commercial presence 4) Presence of natural persons Sector or subsector Limitations on market access Limitations on national treatment Additional commitments 2. C Telecommunications services Telecommunications services are the transport of electro magnetic signals - sound, data image and any combinations thereof, excluding broadcasting1. Therefore, commitments in this schedule do not cover the economic activity consisting of content provision which require telecommunications services for its transport. The provision of that content, transported via a telecommunications service, is subject to the specific commitments undertaken by the European Communities and their Member States in other relevant sectors. All sub-sectors Co The European Communities and their Member States undertake additional commitments as contained in the attachment, all parts of which are equally binding. tr c •n O T3 a> & s c o 3 3 c CO 3 3 Q. 3 o* »i C/5 «-* W Broadcasting is defined as the uninterrupted chain of transmission required for the distribution of tv and radio programme signals to the general public, but does not cover contribution links between operators. Modes of supply: 1) Cross-border supply 2) Consumption abroad 3) Commercial presence 4) Presence of natural persons Sector or subsector Limitations on market access Limitations on national treatment Additional commitments B: Licensing conditions may address the need to guarantee universal service, including through financing, in a transparent, non-discriminatory and competitively neutral manner and will not be more burdensome than necessary. FIN : The general horizontal requirements for legal entities in GATS/SC/33 shall not apply to the telecommunications sector except as : FIN : The general horizontal requirements for legal entities in GATS/SC/33 shall not apply to the telecommunications sector. Requirements concerning the Aland islands shall continue to apply. half of the founders, half of the members of the board of directors and the managing director must have permanent residence in the European Economic Area. If the founder is a legal person, it must have residence in the EEA. 1) None except for: 1) None P: basic services can be supplied only by companies established in Portugal. GR: access through S. A. and the company must be exclusively engaged in the supply of telecommunication services. 2) None 2) None O G •n o •a O o 3 3 c 3 S? 3 CL ce 3 or ro o Q Modes of supply: 1) Cross-border supply 2) Consumption abroad 3) Commercial presence 4) Presence of natural persons Sector or subsector Limitations on market access Limitations on national treatment Additional commitments 3) None except for(") : 3) None GR: access through S. A. and the company must be exclusively engaged in the supply of telecommunication services. P : The direct or indirect participation of natural persons, who are non-nationals of EC Member States or non-EC companies or firms in the capital of companies supplying basic telecommunications services cannot exceed 25 %. F : Indirect: none. Non-EC natural or juridical persons may not hold directly more than 20% of the shares or voting rights of companies authorised to establish and operate radio-based infrastructure for the provision of telecommunications services to the general public. For the application of this provision, companies or firms legally established according to the laws of a Member State of the EC are considered EC juridical persons. 4) Unbound except as indicated in the 4) Unbound except as indicated in the horizontal section. horizontal section. P: The Government of Portugal has the intention of presenting to the Parliament draft legislation aiming at removing partially the present limitations on foreign equity participation in the capital of companies supplying basic telecommunication services no later than in 1998. In case of approval, the new legislation will be bound no later than in 1999. tt o •o CD 3 O o 3 CL. 3 cr o> —\ ET (*)FootriOte for clarification purposes: Some EC Member States maintain public participation in certain telecommunication operators. EC Member Slates reserve their rights to maintain such public participation in the future. This is not a market access limiution. In Belgium, government participation and voting rights in Belgacom are freely determined under legislative powers as is presently 21 March 1991 on the reform of government-owned economic enterprises. the case under the law o -. ^^^ssea?*"*!?^** Modes of supply: Î) Cross-border supply Z. ) V ^ U U b U m p u v /. i Wis»v»*~ Sector or sub-sector Limitations on market access Limitations on national treatment Additional commitments Domestic and international Domestic and international services provided using any network technology, on a facilities based or resale basis, for public and non-public use, in the following market segments (these correspond to the following CPC numbers: 7521, 7522, 7523, 7524**, 7525, 7526 and 7529**, broadcasting is excluded): a. Voice telephone services 1) None except for:2 1) None b. Packet switched data transmission services c. Circuit-switched data transmissions services ^ d. Telex services e. Telegraph services f. Facsimile services E: none, except that the liberalisation calendar will be as follows: one additional nation-wide licence in January 1998; full liberalisation as from30. 11. 1998\ IRL: None except for public voice telephony and facilities-based services where none as of 1 January 2000. P: None, except for public voice telephony, telex and telegraph where none as from 1 January 2000, and facilities-based services where none as from 1 July 1999. GR: None except for public-voice telephony and facilities-based services where none as of 1 January 2003. 2 Luxembourg has requested n delayed date for the liberalisation of telecommunications until 1. 1. 2000. The EC decision on this request is «ill pending. 'Applications for further licences to be received as from 1 August 98. m c >-» o >o eu 3 O o 3 3 c 3. S f» 3 fö CX 3 o* o "-» C/3 s Modes of supply Cross-border supply 2) Consumption abroad 3) Commercial presence 4) Presence of natural persons Limitations on market access Limitations on national treatment Additional commitments 2) None 3) None except for:4 2) None 3) None E: none, except that the liberalisation calendar will be as follows: one additional nation wide licence in January 1998; full liberalisation as from 30. 11. 19985. IRL: None except for public voice telephony and facilities-based services where none as of 1 January 2000. P: None, except for public voice telephony, telex and telegraph where none as from 1 January 2000 and facilities-based services where none as from 1 July 1999. GR: None except for public voice telephony and facilities-based services where none as of 1 January 2003. 4) Unbound except as indicated in the 4) Unbound except as indicated in the horizontal section. horizontal section. CP W c •i o -o '8 3 O o B 3 c 3 sa 3 C ce 3 er co >-« co 4 Luxembourg has requested a delayed date for the liberalisation of telecommunications until 1. 1. 2000. The EC decision on this request is »till pending. 'Application, for further licence, to be received as from V August 9 8. Modes of supply: 1) Cross-border supply 2) Consumption abroad 3) Commercial prcr^noe 4) Prr»<5ncr) ef naturel persons Sector or sub-sector Limitations on market access Limitations on national treatment Additional commitments o. Other services: Mobile and personal communications services and systems 1) None except for: 1) None IRL, P: international interconnection of mobile networks with other mobile or fixed networks where none as of 1. 1. 1999. 2) None 3) None except for: 2) None 3) None IRL, P: international interconnection of mobile networks with other mobile or fixed networks where none as of 1. 1. 1999. 4) Unbound except as indicated in the 4) Unbound except as indicated in the horizontal section. horizontal section. ffl n 3 O o S rx a cr •-» (Si European Communities and Member States ADDITIONAL COMMITMENT BY THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES AND THEIR MEMBER STATES SCOPE; The following are definitions and principles on the regulatory framework for the basic telecommunications services underpinning the market access commitments by the European Communities and their Member States. DEFINITIONS: •Ussr mean service consumer and service suppliers. EJS a filial facilities mean facilities of a public telecommunications transport network and service that a) b) are exclusively or predominantly provided by a single or limited number of suppliers; and :annot feasibly be economically or technically substituted in order to provide a service. A major suppliers a supplier which has the ability to materially affect the terms of participation (having regard to price and supply) in the relevant market for basic telecommunications services as a result of: a) b) 1. control over essential facilities; or use of its position in the market. COMPETITIVE SAFEGUARDS: 1. 1. Prevention of anti-competitive practices in telecommunications: Appropriate measures shall be maintained for the purpose of preventing suppliers who, alone or together, are a major supplier from engaging in or continuing anti-competitive practices. 1. 2. Safeguards: Ths anti-competitive practices referred to above shall include in particular: a) b) c) engaging in anti-competitive cross-subsidization; using information obtained from competitors with anti-competitive results; and not making available to other services suppliers on a timely basis technical information about essential facilities and commercially relevant information which are necessary for them to provide services. 2. INTERCONNECTION: This section applies to linking with suppliers providing public telecommunications transport 2. :. networks or services in order to allow the users of one supplier to communicate with users of another simpler and to access services provided by another supplier. 1S European Communities and Member States 2. 2. Interconnection to be ensured: Within the limits of permitted market access, interconnection with a major supplier will be ensured s( any technically feasible point in the network. Such interconnection is provided6: a) b) c) under non-discriminatory terms, conditions (including technical standards and specifications) and rates and cf a quality no less favourable than that provided for its own like services or for like services of non-affiliated service suppliers or for its subsidiaries or ether affiliates7; in a timely fashion, on terms, conditions (including technical standards and specifications) and cost-oriented rates that are transparent, reasonable, having regard to economic feasibility, and sufficiently unbundled so that the supplier need not pay for network components or facilities that it does not require for the service to be provided; and upon request, at points in addition to the network termination points offered to the majority of users, subject to charges that reflect the cost of construction of necessary additional facilities. 2. 3. Public availability of the procedures for interconnection negotiations : The procedures applicable for interconnection to a major supplier will be made publicly available. 2. 4. Transparency of interconnection arrangements: It is ensured that a major supplier will make publicly available either its interconnection agreements or a reference interconnection offer. 2. 5. Interconnection : dispute settlement: A service supplier requesting interconnection with a major supplier will have recourse, either : a) b) at any time or after a reasonable period of time which has been made publicly known to an independent domestic body, which may be a regulatory body as referred to in paragraph 5 below, to resolve disputes regarding appropriate terms, conditions and rates for interconnection within a reasonable period of time, to the extent that these have not been established previously. 'Suppliers of services or networks not generally available to the public, such as closed user groups, have guaranteed rights to connect with the public telecommunications transport network or services on terms, conditions and rates which are non-discriminatory, transparent tnd cost-oriented. Such terms, conditions and rates may. however, vary from the terms, conditions and rates applicable to interconnection between public telecommunications networks or services. 'Different terms conditions and rates may be set in the Community for operators in different market segments, on the basis of non-discriminatory and transparent nauonal licensing provisions, where such differences can be objectively justified because these services axe not considered "like services" fe European Communities and Member States 3. UNIVERSAL SERVICE: Any Member has the right to define the kind of universal service obligation it wishes to maintain. Such obligations will not be regarded as anti-competitive per se, provided they are administered in a transparent, non-discriminatory and competitiyely neutral manner and are not more burdensome than necessary for the kind of universal sen/ice defined by the Member. 4. PUBLIC AVAILABILITY OF LICENSING CRITERIA: Where a licence is required, the following will be made publicly available: a) all the licensing criteria and the period of time normally required to reach a decision concerning in application for a licence and b) the terms and conditions of individual licences. The reasons for the denial of a licence will be made known to the applicant upon request. 5. INDEPENDENT REGULATORS: The regulatory body is separate from, and not accountable to, any supplier of basic telecommunications services. The decisions of and the procedures used by regulators shall be impartial with respect to all market participants. 6. ALLOCATION AND USE OF SCARCE RESOURCES: Any procedures for the allocation and use of scarce resources, including frequencies, numbers and rights of way, will be carried out in an objective, timely, transparent and non-discriminatory manner. The current state of allocated frequency bands will be made publicly available, but detailed identification of frequencies allocated for specific government uses is not required. vr DECISION ON COMMITMENTS; IK BASIC TELECOMMUNICATIONS The Council for Trade in Services, Having regard to the Annex on Negotiations on Basic Telecommunications, Having regard to the results of the negotiations conducted under the terms of ihe Decision on Negotiations on Basic Telrccmmuiiicziions adopted at Marrakesh on 15 April 1994, Acting upon the final Report of the Negotiating Group on Basic Telecommunications, Decide? as follows: -«c L To adopt the text of the "Fourth Protocol to the General Agreement on Trade in Service" (hereinafter referred to as the Protocol) and to take note of the Schedules of Commitments and Lists of Exemptions from Article II listed in the Attachment to the final Report of the Negotiating Gryq, on Basic Telecommunications. 2. Commencing immediately and continuing until ihe date of entry into force of the Proiocol' Members concerned shall, tc the fullest extern cansisu-r. v with their existing legislation P. IIQ legixi-iLni. not take measures which would be inconsistent with their undertakings resu 1 ting from these i;e£CLi:-uions. 3. During the period from 15 January to 15 February 1997, a Men. iher which h?s a Schedule of. Commitments annexed to the Protocol, may supplement or modify such Schedule cr i te List of Article II Exemptions. Any such Member which has not annexed to the Protocol z List cf Article II" Exemptions may submit such a list during the same period. 4. A Group on basic telecommunications reporting to die Council for Trade in Services shrJI conduct consultations on die implementation of paragraph 3 above commencing tes work no later than 9U days from the adoption of the Decision. 5. The Council for Trade in Services shall monitor the acceptance of the Protocol by Members concerned and shall, at the request of a Member, examine any concerns raised regarding the application of paragraph 2 above. 6. Members of the World Trade Organization which have not annexed to the Protocol Schedules of Commitments or Lists of Exemptions from Article II may submit, for approval by the Council, Schedules of Commitments and Lists of Exemptions from Arricle II relating to basic telecommunications prior to 1 January 1998. it WORLD TRADE ORGANIZATION Group on Basic Telecommunications 15 February 1997 (97-0675) REPORT OF THE GROUP ON BASIC TELECOMMUNICATIONS 1. This repon is made in accordance with paragraph 4 of the Decision on Commimients in Basic Telecoinmurucations, adopted by the Council for Trade in Services on 30 April 1996 (S/L/19). In paragraph 1 of this Decision, the Council also adopted the text of the Fourth Protocol to the General Agreement on Trade in Services and took note of the Schedules of Coirimitments and Lists of Exemptions from Article ÏÏ listed in the Attachment to the final Repon of the Negotiating Group on Basic Telecommunications (S/NGBT/18). The Decision on Commitments on Basic Telecommunications established the Group on Basic 2. Telecommunications to "conduct consultations on the implementation of paragraph 3 of the Decision". Paragraph 3 states that "during the period from 15 January to 15 February 1997, a Member which has a Schedule of Commitments annexed to the Protocol, may supplement or modify such Schedule or its List of Anicle II Exemptions" and that "any such Member which has not annexed to the Protocol a List of Anicle II Exemptions may submit such a list during the same period". At the Group's first meeting in July 1996, participants suggested that the principal issues before 3. the GBT included the desirability of improving the quantity and quality of Schedules offered, and the need to address cenain issues which had been left unresolved in April. Subsequently, the Group sponsored frequent rounds of bilateral negotiations on offers and regularly included discussion of outstanding issues in its meetings. In November participants began submitting revised draft offers of commitments on basic telecommunications for consideration. The Group's Report to the Council on Trade in Services (S/GBT/2). which formed pan of the Repon to the Singapore Ministerial Conference, recommended that Ministers "stress their commitment to bring the negotiations on basic telecommunications to a successful conclusion by 15 February 1997. urge all WTO Members to strive for significant, balanced and rionKliscriminatory liberalization œrnmitments on basic telecommunications by thai date and recognize the importance of resolving the principal issues before the GBT". The Declaration adopted by Ministers in Singapore (WT/MlN(96)ADEC) contained a commitment to'"achieve a successful conclusion to the negotiations on basic télécommunications in February 1997L Ministers also stated "We are determined to obtain a progressively higher level of liberalization in services on a mutually advantageous basis with appropriate flexibility for individual developing country members, as envisaged in the agreement, in the continuing negotiations and those scheduled to begin no later than 1 January 2000. In this context, we look forward to full MFN agreements based on improved market access commitments and national treatment". 4. In its discussions on outstanding issues, the Group considered the following maners: ways to ensure accurate scheduling of commiunents - particularly with respect to supply of services over satellites and to the management of radio spectrum; potential anti-competitive disconion of trade in international services; the status of intergovernmental satellite organizations in relation to GATS provisions; and the extent to which basic telecommunications commitments include transport of video and/or broadcast signals within their scope. '3 5. The Chairman issued notes reflecting lus understanding of the position reached in discussion of the scheduling of commitments and management of radio spectrum. The 'first such Note set out a number of assumptions applicable to the scheduling of commitments and was intended to assist in ensuring the transparency of commitments (S/GBT/W/2/Rev. l of 16 January 1997). Ttie second addressed the allocation of radio spectrum, suggesting that the inclusion of references to die availability of spectrum in schedules was unnecessary and that such references should be deleted (S/GBT/W/3 of 3 February 1997). These Notes are attached to this Report. 6. By 15 February 1997 the total number of schedules submitted had reached 55 (counting as one the offer of the European Communities and their Member States). Nine governments had submitted lists of Anicle II Exemptions. The Group noted that five countries had uken Anicle II exemptions in respect of ihc application 7. of differential accounting rates to services and service suppliers of other Members, in the light of the fact that the accounting rate system established under the International Telecomniumcations Regulations is the usual method of terminating iniemaiionai traffic and by its nature involves differential rates, and in order to avoid the submission of further such exemptions, it is the understanding of the Group that. the application of such accouniing rates would not give rise to action by Members under dispute settlement under the WTO; and that this understanding will be reviewed not later than (he commencement of the further Round of negotiations on Services Commitments due to begin not later than 1 January 2000. The Group also recalled paragraph 6 of the Decision of 30 April, which stated that Members 8. of the World Trade Organization which have not annexed to the Protocol Schedules of Commitments or Lists of Exemptions from Anicle 11 may submit, for approval by the Council, Schedules of Commitments and Lists of Exemptions from Anicle II relating to basic telecommunications prior to 1 January 1998. 9. At its meeting of 15 February 1997. the Group adopted this report and the attached list of the Schedules of Commitments and Lists of Anicle II Exemptions, which, in accordance with paragraph 3 of the Decision on Commitments in Basic Telecommunications, will be attached to the Fourth Protocol to the General Agreement on Trade in Services in replacement of those attached on 30 April 1996. 2*0 WORLD TRADE ORGANIZATION Group 0D Basic Telecommunications S/GBT/4 Page 3 16 January 1997 (97-0173) Note bv the Chairman Revision It has been suggested by a number of delegations that it might be helpful to produce a brief and simple note on assumptions applicable to the scheduling of commitments in basic télécoms. The purpose of the attached note is to assist delegations in ensuring the transparency of their commitments and to promote a better understanding of the meaning of commitments. This note is not intended to have or acquire any binding legal status. HOTES FOR SCHEDULING BASIC TELECOM SERVICES COMMITMENTS Unless otherwise noted in the sector column, any basic telecom service listed in the sector 1. column: « (a) encompasses local, long distance and international services for public and non-public use; (b) may be provided on a facilities-basis or by resale: and (c) may be provided through any means of technology (e. g. , cable1, wireless, satellites). 1. Subsector (g) -private leased circuit services - involves the ability of service suppliers to sell or lease any type of network capacity for the supply of services listed in any other basic telecom-service subsector unless otherwise noted in the sector column. This would include capacity via cable, satellite and wireless network. 3. in view of points I and 2 above, it should not be necessary to list cellular or mobile services as a separate subsector. However, a number of Members have done so, and a number of offers have commitments only in ihese subsectors. Therefore, in order to avoid extensive changes in schedules. it wouîd seem appropriate for Members IQ maintain separate entries for these subsectors. 'Inciudiag all types of cable. WORLD TRADE ORGANIZATION 3 February 1997 (97-0415) Group on Basic Télécommunications Original: English CHAIRMAN'S NOTE Market Access Limitations on Spectrum Availability Many Members have entries in the market access column of their schedules indicating thai commitments are "subject to availability of spearum/frequency" or similar wording. In light of the physical nature of spectrum and the constraints inherent in its use. it is understandable that Members may have sought to rely on these words to adequately protect legitimate spectrum management policies. There is, however, doubt that words such as "subject to availability of spearum/frequency" as listed in the market access column of many Members' schedules achieve that objective. Spectrum/frequency management is not, per se, a measure which needs to be listed under Anicle XVI. Furthermore under the G ATS each Member has the right to exercise spectrum/frequency management, which may affea the number of service suppliers, provided mat this is done in accordance with Anicle VI and other relevant provisions of the GATS. This includes the ability to allocate frequency bands taking into account existing and fumre needs. Also, Members which have made additional commitment in line with the Reference Paper on regulatory principles are bound by its paragraph 6 Therefore, words such as "subject to availability of spearum/frequency" are unnecessary and should be deleted from Members" schedules. 2X ISSN 1024-4506 KOM(97) 368 slutlig DOKUMENT SV 15 08 11 Katalognummer : CB-CO-97-356-SV-C ISBN 92-78-22670-X Byrån för Europeiska gemenskapernas officiella publikationer L-2985 Luxemburg


title: Voorstel voor een verordening (EG) van de Raad inzake de erkenning van het onderscheidingsteken van de Lid-Staat van inschrijving van motorvoertuigen en aanhangwagens daarvan in het verkeer binnen de Gemeenschap

eurovoc_concepts:
EU Member State
freedom of movement
marketing standard
motor vehicle
vehicle registration

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title: REGOLAMENTO (CE) N. 1350/97 DELLA COMMISSIONE del 15 luglio 1997 che stabilisce in quale misura può essere dato seguito alle domande di titoli di esportazione presentate nel mese di luglio 1997 per i prodotti del settore delle carni bovine che beneficiano di un trattamento speciale all'importazione in Canada


title: Regulamento (CE) nº 1356/97 da Comissão de 15 de Julho de 1997 que altera o Regulamento (CE) nº 1218/96 relativo à isenção de direitos niveladores de importação, para certos produtos do sector dos cereais, prevista pelos acordos entre a Comunidade Europeia e a República da Polónia, a República da Hungria, a República Checa, a República Eslovaca, a República da Bulgária e a República da Roménia

eurovoc_concepts:
CCT duties
Central and Eastern Europe
cereals
import licence
quantitative restriction
tariff exemption