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The signing of the stepping stone Economic Partnership Agreement between Côte d'Ivoire, of the one part, and the European Community and its Member States, of the other part, is hereby approved on behalf of the Community, subject to the Council Decision concerning the conclusion of the said Agreement.
The text of the stepping stone EPA is attached to this Decision.
This Agreement creates an initial framework for an Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA).
For the purposes of Article 73(2) of the stepping stone EPA, the EPA Committee shall be composed, on the one hand, of the members of the Council and of representatives of the Commission and, on the other hand, of representatives of the Government of the Côte d'Ivoire. The Commission shall propose to the Council, for its decision, the position of the European Community with a view to the negotiation of the EPA Committee's rules of procedure.
The objectives of this Agreement are:
(a)
to allow the Ivorian Party to benefit from the enhanced market access offered by the EC Party in the context of the EPA negotiations, and thereby to avoid disrupting trade between Côte d'Ivoire and the European Community on the expiry of the transitional trade regime of the Cotonou Agreement on 31 December 2007, pending the conclusion of a comprehensive EPA;
(b)
to lay the foundations for the negotiation of an EPA which will help to reduce poverty, promote regional integration, economic cooperation and good governance in West Africa and to improve West Africa's capacities as regards commercial policy and trade-related issues;
(c)
to promote the harmonious and progressive integration of West Africa into the world economy, in accordance with its political choices and development priorities;
(d)
to strengthen the existing relations between the Parties on the basis of solidarity and mutual interest;
(e)
to create an agreement which is compatible with Article XXIV of GATT 1994.
The President of the Council is hereby authorised to designate the person(s) empowered to sign the stepping stone EPA on behalf of the European Community subject to its conclusion.
The Parties undertake to cooperate in order to implement this Agreement and to help support the Ivorian Party in the achievement of the EPA objectives. This cooperation shall take financial and non-financial forms.
As concerns elements falling within the competence of the Community, the stepping stone EPA shall be applied on a provisional basis as provided for in Article 75(4) of this Agreement, pending completion of the procedures necessary for its conclusion. The Commission will publish a notice providing information on the date of provisional application.
1. The provisions of the Cotonou Agreement concerning economic and regional cooperation and integration shall be implemented with a view to maximising the benefits of this Agreement.
2. European Community financing ( 1 ) pertaining to development cooperation between the Ivorian Party and the European Community in support of the implementation of this Agreement shall be provided in accordance with the appropriate rules and procedures set out in the Cotonou Agreement, in particular the programming procedures of the European Development Fund (EDF), and using the relevant instruments financed by the General Budget of the European Union. In this context, supporting the implementation of this Agreement shall be one of the priorities.
3. The Member States of the European Community collectively undertake to support, through their respective development policies and instruments, development actions to encourage regional economic cooperation and the implementation of this Agreement both at national and regional levels, in accordance with the principles of efficiency and complementarity of aid.
4. The Parties shall cooperate to facilitate the participation of other donors willing to support the efforts of the Ivorian Party to achieve the objectives of this Agreement.
5. The Parties acknowledge the usefulness of regional financing mechanisms such as a regional EPA fund established by and for the region in order to channel financing at regional and national level and effectively implement the measures accompanying this Agreement. The European Community undertakes to channel its support either through the financing mechanisms of the region or through those chosen by the countries signatory to this Agreement in accordance with the rules and procedures set out in the Cotonou Agreement and in compliance with the aid effectiveness principle of the Paris Declaration, with a view to ensuring simplified, efficient and rapid implementation.
6. For the implementation of the provisions of paragraphs 1 to 5 of this Agreement, the Parties undertake to cooperate using financial and non-financial means in the areas defined in Articles 5, 6, 7 and 8.
The Parties consider that the business environment is an essential factor in economic development and that, consequently, the provisions of this Agreement shall be aimed at contributing to this common objective. Côte d'Ivoire, which is a signatory to the Treaty establishing the Organisation for the Harmonisation of Business Law in Africa (OHADA), reaffirms its commitment to applying the provisions of this Treaty.
In accordance with the provisions of Article 4, the Parties undertake to work unremittingly on improving the business environment.
The Parties agree that the setting of trade rules, which include provisions on cooperation detailed in the various chapters of this Agreement, is fundamental to achieving the objectives of this Agreement. Cooperation in this field shall be organised in accordance with the arrangements specified in Article 4.
In relation to the implementation of this Agreement, the Parties affirm their wish to upgrade the competitiveness of the productive sectors of Côte d'Ivoire affected by this Agreement.
The Parties agree to work together using cooperation instruments and in accordance with the provisions of Article 4, and to support:
—
the repositioning of the private sector vis-à-vis the new economic opportunities created by this Agreement,
—
the definition and implementation of modernisation strategies,
—
the improvement of the private sector environment and of the business climate referred to in Articles 5 and 6,
—
the promotion of the partnership between the Parties' private sectors.
1. The Parties acknowledge the challenges which the elimination or substantial reduction of customs duties provided for in this Agreement may pose for Côte d'Ivoire, and they agree to establish dialogue and cooperation in this field.
2. In the light of the tariff dismantling schedule adopted as part of this Agreement, the Parties agree to establish in-depth dialogue on fiscal adjustment measures in order to ultimately ensure a balanced budget position for Côte d'Ivoire.
3. The Parties agree to cooperate as regards the provisions of Article 4, in particular through the facilitation of assistance measures in the following fields:
(a)
a significant contribution to absorbing net fiscal impact in full complementarity with fiscal reforms;
(b)
support for fiscal reform accompanying dialogue in this field.
The Parties shall endeavour to cooperate in all international fora where issues relevant to this partnership are discussed.
1. The term ‘customs duties’ refers to the duties or charges of any kind imposed on or in connection with the importation or exportation of goods, as provided for in the WTO rules.
This provision shall not be interpreted as applying to internal duties or charges or duties or charges having equivalent effect at the moment of leaving the territory.
2. For each product, the basic customs duty to which the successive reductions apply shall be that specified in the tariff dismantling schedules of each Party.
The Parties reaffirm their commitment to complying with the provisions of Article VIII of GATT 1994.
Products originating in Côte d'Ivoire shall be imported into the EC free of customs duties, except for the products indicated, and under the conditions set out in Annex 1.
Customs duties on products originating in the EC and exported to Côte d'Ivoire shall be reduced or eliminated in accordance with the tariff dismantling schedule in Annex 2.
1. Within the meaning of this Chapter, ‘originating’ status shall be conferred on goods meeting the rules of origin in force on 1 January 2008 on the territory of the Parties.
2. The Parties shall establish a reciprocal common regime governing the rules of origin by 31 July 2008 at the latest, based on the rules of origin set out in the Cotonou Agreement and providing for their simplification, in view of the Ivorian Party's development objectives. The new regime shall be part of this Agreement by decision of the EPA Committee. Failing agreement between the Parties, the applicable regime shall be the most favourable regime to Côte d'Ivoire of either the current regime adopted by the EC Party or the improved rules established under the Cotonou Agreement.
3. At the latest three years after the date of entry into force of this Agreement, the Parties shall revise the provisions in force governing the rules of origin with the common aim of simplifying the concepts and methods used to determine origin in the light of the development objectives of Côte d'Ivoire and in line with those of West Africa. In the context of this revision, the Parties shall take account of technological development, production procedures and all other factors, including current reforms of the rules of origin which could require consequent amendments to the negotiated reciprocal regime. All amendments or replacements shall be made pursuant to a decision by the EPA Committee.
1. No new customs duties on imports shall be introduced in trade between the Parties, nor shall those currently applied in trade between the Parties be increased from the date of entry into force of this Agreement.
2. Notwithstanding paragraph 1, and as part of the finalisation of the common external tariff of the Economic Community Of West African States (ECOWAS), Côte d'Ivoire may until 31 December 2011 revise its basic customs duties on goods originating in the European Community insofar as the general impact of these duties is no higher than that resulting from the duties specified in Annex 2. The EPA Committee shall amend Annex 2 accordingly.
1. No new customs duties on exports or charges with equivalent effect shall be introduced, nor shall those currently applied in trade between the Parties be increased from the date of entry into force of this Agreement.
2. In exceptional circumstances, if the Ivorian Party can justify specific needs for income, protection for infant industry or environmental protection, it may, on a temporary basis and after consulting the EC Party, introduce customs duties on exports or charges with equivalent effect on a limited number of traditional goods or increase the incidence of those which already exist.
3. The Parties agree to review the provisions of this Article in the framework of the EPA Committee at the latest three years after entry into force of this Agreement, taking full account of their impact on the development and diversification of the economy of the Ivorian Party.
1. For the fields covered by this Chapter, the EC Party shall grant the Ivorian Party any more favourable treatment applicable as a result of the European Community becoming party to a free-trade agreement with third parties after signing this Agreement.
2. For the fields covered by this Chapter, the Ivorian Party shall grant the EC Party any more favourable treatment applicable as a result of Côte d'Ivoire entering into a free-trade agreement with a major trade partner after signing this Agreement.
3. If the Ivorian Party obtains from a major trade partner substantially more favourable treatment than that offered by the EC Party, the Parties shall consult each other and decide together on the implementation of the provisions in paragraph 2.
4. The provisions of this Chapter cannot be interpreted as requiring the Parties to reciprocally grant each other preferential treatment which would be applicable owing to one of the Parties being signatory to a free-trade agreement with a third party on the date on which this Agreement enters into force.
5. In this Article, ‘free-trade agreement’ refers to an agreement which substantially liberalises trade and substantially eliminates discrimination between the parties through the repeal of existing discriminatory measures and/or the prohibition of new discriminatory measures and measures which are more discriminatory in nature, either on the entry into force of this Agreement or on the basis of a reasonable timetable.
6. In this Article, ‘major trade partner’ refers to any developed country, or any country with a share in world trade greater than 1 per cent in the year preceding the entry into force of the free-trade agreement mentioned in paragraph 2, or any group of countries acting individually, collectively or through a free-trade agreement with a share in world trade greater than 1,5 per cent in the year preceding the entry into force of the free-trade agreement mentioned in paragraph 2 ( 2 ) .
Notwithstanding the provisions of Articles 23, 24 and 25, on the entry into force of this Agreement, all prohibitions or restrictions on importation or exportation affecting trade between the Parties shall be eliminated, with the exception of the customs duties, taxes, fees and other charges referred to in Article 11, irrespective of whether they are implemented through quotas, import or export licensing or other measures. No new measures shall be introduced.
1. Products imported from the other Party shall not be directly or indirectly subject to internal taxation or other internal charges of any type surpassing those which are directly or indirectly applicable to similar domestic products. Furthermore, both Parties shall refrain from applying any other form of taxation or other internal charges with the aim of providing protection for domestic production.
2. Products imported from the other Party shall benefit from treatment which is no less favourable than the treatment given to similar domestic products in respect of all laws, regulations and requirements applicable to their sale, offering for sale, purchase, transportation, distribution or use on the national market. The provisions of this paragraph shall not prevent the application of tariffs for differentiated internal transportation based exclusively on the fuel-efficient use of transport and not on the origin of the product.
3. Notwithstanding the provisions on the rules of origin, each Party shall refrain from establishing or maintaining any internal regulations relating to the mixing, processing or use of products according to specified quantities or proportions which would require, directly or indirectly, that any specified amount or proportion of the product subject to the regulation in question be supplied from internal sources. Furthermore, each Party shall refrain from applying any other form of domestic quantitative regulation with the aim of providing protection for domestic production.
4. The provisions of this Article shall not apply to the laws, regulations, procedures or practices relating to public procurement.
5. The provisions of this Article shall be without prejudice to Chapter 2 concerning trade defence instruments.
6. For matters relating to the payment of subsidies to national producers, the Parties shall refer to the WTO.
Where the implementation of this Agreement leads to difficulties regarding the availability of, or access to, foodstuffs necessary to ensure food security, and where this situation gives rise to or is likely to give rise to major difficulties for Côte d'Ivoire, the latter may take appropriate measures in accordance with the procedures laid down in Article 25.
1. The Parties agree that administrative cooperation is essential to the implementation and control of the preferential treatment granted in this Chapter and underline their commitment to combating irregularities and fraud as regards customs and related fields.
2. When a Party obtains proof from objective information of a lack of administrative cooperation and/or irregularities or fraud, this Party may temporarily suspend the preferential treatment granted to the product(s) concerned in accordance with this Article.
3. For the purposes of this Article, a lack of administrative cooperation shall include the following:
(a)
repeated failure to comply with the obligation to verify the originating status of the product(s) concerned;
(b)
repeated refusal to conduct a subsequent check of proof of origin and communicate the results, or undue delay in doing so;
(c)
repeated refusal to grant authorisation for a cooperation mission to check the authenticity of documents or the accuracy of information of relevance to the preferential treatment in question, or undue delay in doing so.
4. The application of a temporary suspension shall be subject to the following conditions:
(a)
A Party which obtains proof from objective information of a lack of administrative cooperation and/or irregularities or fraud must notify the EPA Committee without undue delay that it has obtained the proof and the objective information, and must consult with the EPA Committee to find a solution acceptable to both Parties, drawing on all relevant information and objective evidence;
(b)
When the Parties have entered into consultation with the EPA Committee, as provided for above, and have been unable to agree on an acceptable solution in the three months following notification, the Party concerned can temporarily suspend the preferential treatment granted to the product(s) concerned. The EPA Committee must be notified of the temporary suspension without undue delay;
(c)
Temporary suspensions under this Article shall be limited to those necessary to protect the financial interests of the Party concerned. They shall not exceed a renewable period of six months. The EPA Committee shall be notified of temporary suspensions immediately after their adoption. They shall be subject to periodic consultations within the EPA Committee, in particular with a view to repealing them once the conditions for application no longer exist.
5. At the same time as the notification to the EPA Committee specified in paragraph 4(a), the Party concerned shall publish a notice for importers in its Official Journal. This notice for importers shall indicate that, for the product concerned, and on the basis of objective information, proof has been obtained of a lack of administrative cooperation and/or irregularities or fraud.
In the event of an error on the part of the competent authorities in the management of the preferential export systems, and in particular in the application of the provisions concerning the definition of the term ‘originating products’ and the administrative cooperation methods, where this error has consequences on imports and exports, the Party suffering these consequences can ask the EPA Committee to examine the possibilities of adopting all appropriate measures in the aim of remedying the situation.
1. Subject to the provisions of this Article, the Agreement does not prevent the EC Party or Côte d'Ivoire from adopting anti-dumping or countervailing measures in accordance with the relevant WTO agreements. For the purposes of this Article, origin shall be determined in accordance with the non-preferential rules of origin of the Parties.
2. Before imposing definitive anti-dumping or countervailing measures on goods, the Parties shall consider the possibility of constructive solutions, such as those provided for in the relevant WTO agreements. In particular, they may hold appropriate consultations to this end.
3. The EC Party shall notify Côte d'Ivoire of the receipt of a sufficiently-documented complaint before opening an inquiry.
4. The provisions of this Article shall be applicable to all investigations initiated after this Agreement enters into force.
5. The provisions of this Article shall not be subject to the dispute settlement provisions of this Agreement.
1. Subject to the provisions of this Article, this Agreement does not prevent Côte d'Ivoire and the EC Party from adopting measures in accordance with Article XIX of GATT 1994, the Agreement on Safeguards or Article 5 of the WTO Agreement on Agriculture. For the purposes of this Article, origin is determined in accordance with the non-preferential rules of origin of the Parties.
2. Notwithstanding paragraph 1, in the light of the general development objectives of this Agreement and the small scale of the Côte d'Ivoire economy, the EC Party shall exclude imports from Côte d'Ivoire from all measures taken pursuant to Article XIX of GATT 1994, the Agreement on Safeguards and Article 5 of the WTO Agreement on Agriculture.
3. The provisions of paragraph 2 shall apply for a period of five years, beginning with the date of entry into force of this Agreement. At the latest 120 days before the end of this period, the EPA Committee shall re-examine the implementation of these provisions in the light of the development needs of Côte d'Ivoire, in order to determine whether their period of application should be extended.
4. The provisions of paragraph 1 shall not be subject to the dispute settlement mechanisms of this Agreement.
1. After examining the alternative solutions, a Party may take safeguard measures of limited duration which derogate from the provisions of Articles 12 and 13, under the conditions of, and in accordance with, the procedures laid down by this Article.
2. The safeguard measures referred to in paragraph 1 may be taken where a product originating in one Party is imported into the territory of the other Party in such increased quantities and under such conditions as to cause or threaten to cause:
(a)
serious injury to the domestic industry of similar or directly competitive products in the territory of the importing Party;
(b)
disruptions in a sector of the economy, particularly where these disruptions produce major social problems or difficulties which could bring about serious deterioration in the economic situation of the importing Party; or
(c)
disruptions in the markets for similar or directly competitive agricultural products ( 3 ) or of the mechanisms regulating these markets in the territory of the importing Party.
3. The safeguard measures referred to in this Article shall not exceed that which is strictly necessary to prevent or remedy serious injury or disruptions as defined in paragraphs 2, 4 and 5. These safeguard measures of the importing Party may consist only of one or more of the following:
(a)
the suspension of any further reduction in the customs duty on imports applicable for the product concerned, as provided for by this Agreement;
(b)
an increase in the customs duty on the product concerned up to a level which does not exceed the customs duty applied to other WTO Members, and
(c)
the introduction of tariff quotas on the product concerned.
4. Notwithstanding paragraphs 1 and 2, when a product originating in Côte d'Ivoire is imported in such increased quantities and under such conditions as to cause or threaten to cause one of the situations described in paragraphs 2(a), (b) and (c) in one or more outermost regions of the EC Party, the EC Party may take surveillance or safeguard measures, as provided for in paragraph 3, limited to the region(s) concerned and in accordance with the procedures defined in paragraphs 6 to 9.
5.
(a)
When a product originating in the EC Party is imported in such increased quantities and under such conditions as to cause or threaten to cause one of the situations described in paragraphs 2(a), (b) and (c), Côte d'Ivoire may take surveillance or safeguard measures limited to its territory in accordance with the procedures defined in paragraphs 6 to 9;
(b)
Notwithstanding paragraphs 1 and 2, Côte d'Ivoire may take safeguard measures as provided for in paragraph 3 when a product originating in the EC Party is imported in such increased quantities and under such conditions as to cause or threaten to cause disturbances to an infant industry producing similar or directly competitive products.
Such provision shall be applicable only for a period of ten years from the date of entry into force of this Agreement. However, this period may be extended subject to an agreement between the Parties when, despite the development potential of the industry and the efforts actually made, this objective has not been achieved owing in particular to the world economic situation or to serious problems affecting Côte d'Ivoire.
The measures must be taken in compliance with the provisions of paragraphs 6 to 9.
6.
(a)
The safeguard measures referred to in this Article shall be maintained only for the period necessary to prevent or resolve serious damage or disruptions such as those described in paragraphs 2, 4 and 5;
(b)
The safeguard measures referred to in this Article shall be applied for a period not exceeding two years. Where the circumstances warranting the imposition of safeguard measures continue to exist, such measures may be extended for a further period of no more than two years. Where Côte d'Ivoire applies a safeguard measure, or where the EC Party applies a measure limited to the territory of one or more of its outermost regions, this measure may nevertheless be applied for a period of no more than four years and, when the circumstances justifying the imposition of safeguard measures continue to exist, be extended for a further four-year period;
(c)
The safeguard measures referred to in this Article which exceed one year shall be accompanied by clear evidence of a progressive move towards eliminating the causes of the damage and disruptions and the measures at the latest by the end of the established period;
(d)
Except in exceptional circumstances subject to the assessment of the EPA Committee, no safeguard measures referred to in this Article shall be applied to a product which has previously been subject to such a measure for a period of at least one year from the date of expiry of this measure.
7. The following provisions shall apply for implementation of paragraphs 1 to 6:
(a)
When a Party considers that one of the circumstances referred to in paragraphs 2, 4 and/or 5 exists, it shall immediately refer the matter to the EPA Committee;
(b)
The EPA Committee can make any necessary recommendation to remedy the circumstances which have arisen. Where the EPA Committee has not made recommendations to remedy the circumstances, or where a satisfactory solution has not been found in the 30 days following notification to this Committee, the importing Party may adopt appropriate measures to remedy the circumstances, in accordance with this Article;
(c)
Before taking a measure provided for in this Article or, in the cases referred to in paragraph 8, as soon as possible, the Party concerned shall communicate to the EPA Committee all information which can be used for a full examination of the situation with a view to finding an acceptable solution for the Parties;
(d)
When selecting safeguard measures, priority must be given to those which help to efficiently and rapidly solve the problem, while causing the least possible disruption to the smooth functioning of this Agreement;
(e)
All safeguard measures taken in accordance with this Article shall be notified immediately to the EPA Committee and shall be the subject of periodic consultations within that body, particularly with a view to establishing a timetable for their abolition as soon as circumstances permit.
8. Where exceptional circumstances require immediate action, the importing Party concerned, whether the EC Party or Côte d'Ivoire, as the case may be, may take the measures provided for in paragraphs 3, 4 and/or 5 on a provisional basis and without meeting the requirements of paragraph 7. Such action may be taken for a maximum period of 180 days where the measures are taken by the EC Party and 200 days when the measures are taken by Côte d'Ivoire, or when the measures of the EC Party are limited to one or more of its outermost regions. The duration of such provisional measures shall be counted as a part of the initial period or of any extension referred to in paragraph 6. When taking these provisional measures, the interests of all stakeholders must be taken into account. The importing party concerned shall inform the other Party and immediately refer the matter to the EPA Committee for examination.
9. If an importing party subjects imports of a product to an administrative procedure having as its purpose the rapid provision of information on the trend of trade flows liable to give rise to the problems referred to in this Article, it shall inform the EPA Committee without delay.
10. The WTO Agreement shall not be invoked to prevent a Party from adopting safeguard measures under this Article.
1. The Parties recognise the importance of cooperation on trade defence instruments.
2. The Parties agree to cooperate in accordance with Article 4, including through the facilitation of assistance measures, particularly in the following fields:
(a)
the development of regulations and institutions to ensure trade defence;
(b)
the development of capacity to use the trade defence instruments provided for in this Agreement.
1. The Parties recognise the importance of customs issues and of facilitating trade in the evolving context of world trade. They agree to strengthen cooperation in this area with a view to ensuring that the relevant legislation and procedures, as well as the administrative capacity of the administrative authorities concerned, to fulfil the objectives relating to the effective control and facilitation of trade, and to help promote the development and regional integration of the signatory countries.
2. The Parties agree that the legitimate objectives of public policy, including those in relation to security and fraud prevention, shall not be compromised in any way.
3. The Parties undertake to ensure the free movement of the goods covered by this Agreement in their respective territories.
1. In order to ensure compliance with the provisions of this Title, and to respond effectively to the objectives set out in Article 27, the Parties shall:
(a)
exchange information concerning customs legislation and procedures;
(b)
develop joint initiatives relating to import, export and transit procedures and initiatives to offer an efficient service to the business community;
(c)
cooperate on the automation of customs procedures and other trade procedures and, where appropriate, endeavour to establish common data exchange standards;
(d)
establish wherever possible common positions in relation to customs in international organisations such as the WTO, the World Customs Organisation (WCO), the United Nations (UN) and the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD);
(e)
cooperate on the planning and implementation of technical assistance, in particular with a view to facilitating customs reforms and to facilitating trade in accordance with the provisions of the Agreement; and
(f)
encourage cooperation between all the agencies concerned, both within the country and between countries.
2. Notwithstanding paragraph 1, the administrative authorities of the Parties shall provide mutual administrative assistance for customs matters, in accordance with the provisions of the Protocol on Mutual Administrative Assistance in Customs Matters.
1. The Parties agree that their respective trade and customs legislation, provisions and procedures shall draw on international instruments and standards applicable in the fields of customs and trade, in particular the substantive elements of the International Convention on the Simplification and Harmonisation of Customs Procedures, concluded at Kyoto on 18 May 1973 and revised at Brussels on 26 June 1999 (the ‘revised Kyoto Convention’), the WCO Framework of Standards to Secure and Facilitate Global Trade, the WCO data set and the International Convention on the Harmonised Commodity Description and Coding System (HS).
The Parties shall ensure the free transit of goods through their territory on the most suitable transit route.
Any restrictions, controls or requirements must be justified by a legitimate public policy objective, and must be non-discriminatory, proportionate and applied in a uniform manner.
Without prejudice to legitimate customs checks, the Parties shall treat goods in transit to or from the territory of the other Party no less favourably than domestic goods, exports, imports and their movement.
The Parties shall establish transport regimes under customs control to allow the transit of goods exempt from the payment of customs duties and other charges, subject to the provision of appropriate guarantees.
The Parties shall endeavour to promote and implement regional transit regimes with the aim of reducing barriers to trade.
The Parties shall have recourse to the international standards and instruments relating to the transit of goods.
The Parties shall ensure the cooperation and coordination of all the relevant authorities in their territories in order to facilitate transit traffic and promote cross-border cooperation.
2. In order to improve working methods and ensure respect for the principles of non-discrimination, transparency, efficiency, integrity and accountability, the Parties shall:
(a)
take the necessary measures to reduce, simplify and standardise the data and documents required by customs and other related authorities;
(b)
simplify customs requirements and formalities wherever possible, in respect of the rapid release and clearance of goods;
(c)
provide efficient, prompt and non-discriminatory procedures enabling the right of appeal against administrative actions, rulings and decisions by the customs authorities affecting imports, exports or goods in transit. These procedures shall be easily accessible to the applicants, including small and medium-sized enterprises, and the related costs shall be reasonable and proportionate to the costs incurred by lodging the appeal;
(d)
ensure that the highest standards of integrity are maintained, through the application of measures reflecting the principles set out in the relevant international conventions and instruments in this field.
The Parties agree:
(a)
to ensure that all the legislation, procedures, fees and charges and their justification are made publicly available, where possible by electronic means;
(b)
on the need for consultation with trade representatives in due time and on a regular basis regarding legislative proposals and procedures relating to customs and trade issues. To this end, appropriate and regular mechanisms for consultation between the administrative authorities and the business community shall be established by each Party;
(c)
that a sufficient period of time must pass between the publication and the entry into force of a new or amended law, procedure, right or charge;
The Parties shall publish administrative information concerning in particular agency requirements, entry procedures, working hours and operational procedures of the customs authorities in ports and at border posts, and also on information contact points:
(d)
to encourage cooperation between the operators and the competent administrative authorities through the use of non-arbitrary, publicly accessible procedures such as the protocols of agreement, based on those promulgated by the WCO;
(e)
to ensure that their respective customs and related regimes and the requirements and procedures associated with them continue to meet the needs of the business community, are in line with best practices and remain as unrestrictive as possible for trade.
1. Article VII of GATT 1994 and the WTO Agreement on Implementation of Article VII of GATT 1994 shall govern the customs valuation rules applied to trade between the Parties.
2. The Parties shall cooperate with a view to taking a common approach to issues relating to customs valuation.
The Parties agree to push forward customs reforms aimed at facilitating trade in the region of West Africa.
As part of the negotiations on a global EPA, the Parties agree to continue the negotiations on this Chapter in order to complete it within a regional framework.
Through the EPA Committee, the Parties shall establish a special committee on customs and trade facilitation, composed of representatives from both Parties. This committee shall report to the EPA Committee. It shall discuss all customs issues with a view to facilitating trade between the Parties and shall monitor the implementation and administration of this Chapter as well as the implementation of the rules of origin.
1. The Parties recognise the importance of cooperation on customs and trade facilitation for the implementation of this Agreement.
2. The Parties agree to cooperate pursuant to the provisions of Article 4, including through the facilitation of assistance measures, particularly in the following fields:
(a)
the development of appropriate, simplified legislative and regulatory provisions;
(b)
awareness-raising and information aimed at operators, including training for the staff concerned;
(c)
strengthening the capacities of the customs authorities, and modernising and establishing links between them.
The Parties reaffirm their rights and obligations under the Agreement establishing the WTO and, in particular, the WTO Agreements on the Application Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures (SPS Agreement) and on Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT Agreement). The Parties also reaffirm their rights and obligations under the International Plant Protection Convention (IPPC), the Codex Alimentarius, and the World Animal Health Organisation (OIE).
The Parties reaffirm their commitment to improving public health in Côte d'Ivoire, in particular by strengthening its capacities to identify non-compliant products.
These commitments, rights and obligations underpin the activity of the Parties in relation to this Chapter.
The objectives of this Chapter are to facilitate the trade in goods between the Parties, and to increase their ability to identify, prevent and eliminate unnecessary barriers to trade caused by technical regulations, standards and conformity assessment procedures applied by either Party, while preserving the Parties' ability to protect public health, animals and plants.
1. The provisions of this Chapter shall apply to technical regulations and standards, to the conformity assessment procedures set out in the TBT Agreement and to the sanitary and phytosanitary measures (hereinafter the ‘SPS standards’) in so far as they affect trade between the Parties.
2. For the purposes of this Chapter and except where otherwise indicated, the definitions of the SPS and TBT Agreements, the Codex Alimentarius, the IPPC and the OIE shall apply, including for all references to ‘products’ in this Chapter and in the Appendices to this Agreement.
The authorities of the Parties responsible for the implementation of the measures set out in this Chapter are described in Appendix II.
In accordance with Article 41, the Parties shall keep each other informed in due time of any significant changes in the competent authorities listed in Appendix II. The EPA Committee shall adopt any necessary amendments to Appendix II.
In relation to importing conditions, the Parties may, on a case-by-case basis, identify and put forward areas with an established sanitary and phytosanitary status, with reference to Article 6 of the SPS Agreement.
1. The Parties shall inform each other of any changes to their technical regulations for the products (in particular live animals and plants).
2. The Parties agree to inform each other in writing, as soon as possible, of the measures taken to prohibit the importation of goods in a spirit of collaboration with the aim of addressing a given problem concerning health (public, animal or plant), prevention or the environment, in accordance with the recommendations set out in the SPS Agreement.
3. The Parties agree to exchange information with the aim of cooperating to ensure that their products comply with the technical regulations and standards subject to which they may access each other's markets.
4. The Parties shall also directly exchange information on other areas which the Parties agree to be of potential importance for their trade relations, including food safety issues, the sudden appearance of animal or plant diseases, scientific opinions and other noteworthy events relating to product safety. In particular, the Parties undertake to inform each other when they apply the principle of pest- or disease-free areas and areas of low pest or disease prevalence, as provided for in Article 6 of the SPS Agreement.
5. The Parties agree to exchange information on the epidemiological surveillance of animal diseases. As regards phytosanitary protection, the Parties will inform each other of the appearance of parasites presenting a known and immediate danger for the other Party.
6. The Parties agree to cooperate with a view to rapidly alerting each other when new regional rules might have an impact on mutual trade.
The Parties agree to cooperate with the international standardisation bodies, including with the aim of facilitating the participation of Ivorian representatives in the meetings of these bodies.
1. The Parties recognise the importance of cooperating in the areas of technical regulations, standards and conformity assessment in order to achieve the objectives of this Chapter.
2. The Parties agree to cooperate in accordance with the provisions of Article 4 with a view to improving the quality and competitiveness of priority products for Côte d'Ivoire and access to the European Community market, including through assistance measures, particularly those which are financial in nature, in the following fields:
(a)
the establishment of an appropriate framework for the exchange of information and sharing of expertise between the Parties;
(b)
the adoption of technical standards and regulations, conformity assessment procedures and sanitary and phytosanitary measures which are harmonised at regional level on the basis of the relevant international standards;
(c)
the strengthening of the capacities of public and private stakeholders, including information and training, with a view to complying with the standards, regulations and measures of the European Community, and to participating in international authorities;
(d)
the development of national capacities for assessing the conformity of products and access to the market of the European Community.
On the basis of the Cotonou Agreement, the Parties shall take all necessary measures and cooperate in order to encourage the negotiation and earliest possible conclusion of a global EPA in accordance with the relevant WTO provisions between the EC Party and West Africa as a whole, in the following areas:
(a)
trade in services and e-commerce;
(b)
investments;
(c)
current payments and capital movements;
(d)
competition;
(e)
intellectual property;
(f)
public procurement;
(g)
sustainable development;
(h)
the protection of personal data.
The Parties shall adopt all appropriate measures with a view to encouraging the conclusion of a global EPA between the EC Party and West Africa before the end of 2008.
The objective of this Title is to prevent and settle disputes which could occur between the Parties in order to reach, as far as possible, a mutually satisfactory solution.
1. This Title shall apply to all disputes concerning the interpretation or application of this Agreement, with the exception of the provisions of Title II of the Agreement and except where specifically provided otherwise.
2. Notwithstanding paragraph 1, the procedure set out in Article 98 of the Cotonou Agreement shall apply in the event of disputes concerning the financing of cooperation on development, as specified in the Cotonou Agreement.
2009/156/EC: Council Decision of 21 November 2008 on the signature and provisional application of the stepping stone Economic Partnership Agreement between Côte d'Ivoire, of the one part, and the European Community and its Member States, of the other part (EUR-Lex). Retrieved via LawPlayer, https://lawplayer.com/eu/act/32009D0156
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