Date: 2021-06-21Category: Not ApplicableState: Union GovernmentCountry: Europe
Council Decision (EU) 2021/990 of 7 June 2021 on the conclusion, on behalf of the Union, of the Agreement in the form of an Exchange of Letters between the European Union and the Republic of Cuba pursuant to Article XXVIII of the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT) 1994 relating to the modification of concessions on all the tariff-rate quotas included in the EU Schedule CLXXV as a consequence of the United Kingdom’s withdrawal from the European Union
Executive Summary:
This Council Decision (EU) 2021/990 approves an agreement between the European Union and the Republic of Cuba. The agreement, in the form of an Exchange of Letters, modifies concessions on tariff-rate quotas in the EU Schedule CLXXV following the United Kingdom's withdrawal from the European Union. The decision was adopted on June 7, 2021, and will enter into force on the date of its adoption.
Key Points / Main Content:
* **Agreement Approval:** The Agreement in the form of an Exchange of Letters between the EU and Cuba, pursuant to Article XXVIII of GATT 1994, is approved on behalf of the Union. This agreement relates to modifications of concessions on tariff-rate quotas in the EU Schedule CLXXV due to the UK's withdrawal.
* **Notification:** The President of the Council is authorized to provide notification as required by the Agreement on behalf of the Union.
* **Entry into Force:** This Decision takes effect on the date of its adoption, June 7, 2021.
Impact Analysis:
European Union:
* Impact: The EU is bound by the terms of the Agreement with Cuba regarding tariff-rate quotas.
* Action Required: The President of the Council must provide the necessary notification for the Agreement. The General Secretariat of the Council will publish the entry into force date in the Official Journal of the European Union.
Republic of Cuba:
* Impact: Cuba is party to the Agreement with the EU regarding modified concessions on tariff-rate quotas.
* Action Required: No specific action is mentioned for the Republic of Cuba in the provided text.
Council of the European Union:
* Impact: The Council has adopted the decision to approve the agreement.
* Action Required: Ensure the decision is implemented and that the President of the Council provides the required notification.
Key Entities Referenced
European Union: A political and economic union of member states located primarily in Europe.
Republic of Cuba: A country in the Caribbean.
General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade GATT 1994: A multilateral agreement regulating international trade.
United Kingdom: A country in Europe that withdrew from the European Union.
European Commission: An executive branch of the European Union responsible for proposing legislation, implementing decisions, upholding the EU treaties and managing the day-to-day business of the EU.
European Parliament: The parliamentary body of the European Union that shares legislative and budgetary powers with the Council of the European Union.
Council of the European Union: A component of the EU's legislative branch, where ministers from each member state meet to adopt laws and coordinate policies.
Luxembourg: City in Luxembourg where the decision was made.
21.6.2021 E N O f f i c i a l J o u r n a l o f t h e E u r o p e a n Union L 220/1
II
(Non-legislative acts)
INTERNATIONAL AGREEMENTS
COUNCIL DECISION (EU) 2021/990
of 7 June 2021
on the conclusion, on behalf of the Union, of the Agreement in the form of an Exchange of Letters
between the European Union and the Republic of Cuba pursuant to Article XXVIII of the General
Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT) 1994 relating to the modification of concessions on all the
tariff-rate quotas included in the EU Schedule CLXXV as a consequence of the United Kingdom’s
withdrawal from the European Union
THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION,
Having regard to the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union, and in particular the first subparagraph of Article
207(4), in conjunction with point (a)(v) of the second subparagraph of Article 218(6) thereof,
Having regard to the proposal from the European Commission,
Having regard to the consent of the European Parliament,
Whereas:
(1) On 15 June 2018 the Council authorised the Commission to open negotiations pursuant to Article XXVIII of the
General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT) 1994 on the apportionment of the tariff-rate quotas included in
the EU Schedule CLXXV as a consequence of the United Kingdom’s withdrawal from the Union.
(2) Negotiations with the Republic of Cuba were concluded on 3 July 2020with the initialling of an Agreement in the
form of an Exchange of Letters between the European Union and the Republic of Cuba pursuant to Article XXVIII
of the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT) 1994 relating to the modification of concessions on all the
tariff-rate quotas included in the EU Schedule CLXXV as a consequence of the United Kingdom’s withdrawal from
the European Union (‘the Agreement’).
(3) The Agreement was signed on behalf of the Union on 11 March 2021, subject to its conclusion at a later date, in
accordance with Council Decision (EU) 2020/1484(1).
(4) The Agreement should be approved,
(1) Council Decision (EU) 2020/1484 of 13 October 2020 on the signing, on behalf of the Union, of the Agreement in the form of an
Exchange of Letters between the European Union and the Republic of Cuba pursuant to Article XXVIII of the General Agreement on
Tariffs and Trade (GATT) 1994 relating to the modification of concessions on all the tariff-rate quotas included in the EU Schedule
CLXXV as a consequence of the United Kingdom's withdrawal from the European Union (OJ L 343, 16.10.2020, p. 1).L 220/2 E N O f f i c i a l J o u r n a l o f t h e E u r o p e a n Union 21.6.2021
HAS ADOPTED THIS DECISION:
Article 1
The Agreement in the form of an Exchange of Letters between the European Union and the Republic of Cuba pursuant to
Article XXVIII of the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT) 1994 relating to the modification of concessions on
all the tariff-rate quotas included in the EU Schedule CLXXV as a consequence of the United Kingdom’s withdrawal from the
European Union is hereby approved on behalf of the Union(2).
Article 2
The President of the Council shall, on behalf of the Union, give the notification provided for in the Agreement(3).
Article 3
This Decision shall enter into force on the date of its adoption.
Done at Luxembourg, 7 June 2021.
For the Council
The President
F. VAN DUNEM
(2) See page 3 of this Official Journal.
(3) The date of entry into force of the Agreement will be published in the Official Journal of the European Union by the General Secretariat of
the Council.