title: Proposition de décision du Conseil concernant la conclusion, au nom de la Communauté européenne, pour les matières relevant de sa compétence, des résultats des négociations de l'OMC sur les services de télécommunications de base

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

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text: l#iWr» COMMISSION DES COMMUNAUTES EUROPEENNES Bruxelles, le 15. 07. 1997 COM(97)368 final 97/0204 (CNS) Proposition de DECISION DU CONSEIL concernant la conclusion, au nom de la Communauté européenne, pour les matières relevant de sa compétence, des résultats des négociations de l'OMC sur les services de télécommunications de base (présentée par la Commission) Exposé des motifs Par décision du 22 décembre 19941, le Conseil de l'Union européenne a approuvé l'acte final reprenant les résultats des négociations commerciales multilatérales du cycle de l'Uruguay, conclu à la fin de décembre 1993. Ce faisant, il a approuvé l'accord de Marrakech instituant l'Organisation mondiale du commerce et les accords annexes, dont l'accord général sur le commerce des services, de même que les déclarations et décisions ministérielles (y compris la décision ministérielle relative aux négociations sur les télécommunications de base), l'annexe sur les télécommunications et l'annexe sur les négociations sur les télécommunications de base. La décision ministérielles relative aux services de télécommunications de base énonçait que la participation aux négociations devait se faire sur une base volontaire en vue de libéraliser progressivement le commerce des réseaux et services de transport des télécommunications dans le cadre de l'accord général sur le commerce des services (GATS). La décision indiquait que la première session de négociations devait se tenir au plus tard le 16 mai 1994 et que les négociations devaient être achevées au plus tard le 30 avril 1996. Le 30 avril 1996, le Conseil de l'OMC sur le commerce des services a adopté le quatrième protocole à l'accord général sur le commerce des services et sa décision connexe. Trente- quatre listes d'engagements représentant quarante-huit gouvernements membres de l'OMC et une liste d'exemptions des obligations énoncées à l'article II (NPF) ont été jointes m quatrième protocole. La décision sur les engagements en matière de télécommunications de base prévoyait que les listes d'engagements et d'exemptions jointes au quatrième protocole pouvaient être complétées ou modifiées pendant la période du 15 janvier au 15 février 1997 et a établi un groupe sur les télécommunications de base chargé de diriger les consultations sur la mise en oeuvre de cette disposition. Le 15 février 1997, le groupe sur les télécommunications de base a rapporté au Conseil de l'OMC sur le commerce des services qu'il y avait au total cinquante-cinq listes d'engagements, représentant soixante-neuf membres de l'OMC, et que neuf gouvernements avaient soumis des listes d'exemptions aux obligations énoncées à l'article II (NPF). Les membres de l'OMC suivants ont confirmé leurs engagements sur les télécommunications de base au 15 février 1997: Antigua et Barbuda, Argentine, Australie Bangladesh, Belize, Bolivie, Brésil, Brunei, Bulgarie, Canada, Chili, Colombie, Côte d'Ivoire, République tchèque, Dominique, République dominicaine, Equateur, Salvador, Ghana, Grenade, Guatemala, Hong-Kong, Hongrie, Islande, Inde, Indonésie, Israël, Jamaïque, Japon, Corée, Malaisie, Maurice, Mexique, Maroc, Nouvelle-Zélande, Norvège, Pakistan, Papouasie-Nouvelle-Guinée, Pérou, Philippines, Pologne, Roumanie, Sénégal, Singapour, République slovaque, Afrique du Sud, Sri Lanka, Suisse, Thaïlande, Trinité-et-Tobago, Tunisie, Turquie, États-Unis d'Amérique et Venezuela. Les listes d'exemptions de l'obligation NPF ont été confirmées par Antigua et Barbuda, l'Argentine, le Bangladesh, le Brésil, l'Inde, le Pakistan, Sri Lanka, la Turquie et les États-Unis d'Amérique. Ces pays seront signataires du quatrième protocole annexé au GATS, instrument juridique auquel ils annexeront leurs nouvelles listes d'engagements et d'exemptions de l'obligation NPF. 1 JO n° 336 du 23 décembre 1994, p. 1 Dans ses conclusions du 30 avril 1996, le Conseil & autorisé la Commission à approuver la décision du Conseil du commerce des services portant adoption du quatrième protocole annexé au GATS et la décision concernant les engagements sur les télécommunications de base. Le 14 février 1997, le Conseil a également autorisé la Commission à soumettre à l'OMC, au nom de la Communauté européenne et de ses États membres, la liste finale d'engagements, sous réserve d'acceptation définitive après finalisation des procédures internes. En conséquence, les négociations ont été définitivement conclues le 15 février 1997. Les listes individuelles d'engagements à annexer au quatrième protocole à l'accord général sur le commerce des services ont fait l'objet d'une vérification technique et ont été approuvées par le Conseil du commerce des services de l'OMC à Genève le 1997. Le protocole est ouvert à l'acceptation, par signature ou autrement, des membres concernés jusqu'au 30 novembre 1997. Les négociations ont été menées sur la base des orientations adoptées par le Conseil le 14 juin 1995. Le niveau général des engagements, tant en ce qui concerne l'accès aux marchés que le traitement national, atteint au moment de l'adoption de l'accord le 30 avril 1996, combiné aux modifications introduites avant le 15 février 1997, représente 93% du marché mondial des services de télécommunications de base. Les membres de l'OMC représentant tous les continents ont pris des engagements sur tous les sous-secteurs des services de télécommunications de base, soit immédiatement, soit progressivement. En outre, la plupart des listes contiennent des engagements supplémentaires sur des principes de réglementation. La contribution de la Communauté européenne et de ses États membres à une conclusion satisfaisante des négociations sur les télécommunications de base a été essentielle. L'accord permet aux industries des télécommunications de l'UE de bénéficier d'une meilleure sécurité juridique et d'une prévisibilité plus grande qu'auparavant. Les industries européennes dans leur ensemble ainsi que les consommateurs européens bénéficieront de cet accord qui constitue une base réelle à partir de laquelle d'autres mesures d'ouverture des marchés pourront être négociées à l'avenir. En conséquence, la Commission recommande au Conseil de l'Union européenne d'adopter la décision jointe concernant la conclusion des résultats des négociations de l'OMC/GATS sur les services de télécommunications de base. Décision du Conseil du concernant la conclusion, au nom de la Communauté européenne, pour les matières relevant de sa compétence, des résultats des négociations de l'OMC sur les services de télécommunications de base LE CONSEIL DE L'UNION EUROPEENNE, vu le traité instituant la Communauté européenne, et en particulier ses articles 57, 66, 90, 99, 100, 100A et 113, en liaison avec l'article 228 paragraphe 2 et le premier alinéa de l'article 228 paragraphe 3, vu la proposition de la Commission, vu l'avis du Parlement européen, considérant que l'accord de Marrakech instituant l'Organisation mondiale du commerce et ses accords annexes, de même que les décisions et déclarations ministérielles, notamment la décision ministérielle relative aux négociations sur les télécommunications de base, ainsi que l'annexe sur les télécommunications et l'annexe sur les négociations sur les télécommunications de base ont été approuvés par la décision du Conseil du 22 décembre 19941; considérant que les engagements généraux sur les services de télécommunications de base négociés par la Commission, au nom de la Communauté européenne et de ses États membres, constituent un résultat satisfaisant et équilibré; considérant que le 30 avril 1996, le Conseil a autorisé la Commission à approuver, au nom de la Communauté européenne et de ses États membres, la décision du groupe de négociation sur les télécommunications de base et du Conseil du commerce des services de l'OMC portant adoption du quatrième protocole à l'accord général sur le commerce des services et la décision du conseil du commerce des services sur les engagements concernant les télécommunications de base; considérant que le 14 février 1997, le Conseil a autorisé la Commission à soumettre à l'OMC les listes finales d'engagements au nom de la Communauté européenne et de ses États membres; considérant que la compétence de la Communauté pour conclure des accords internationaux ne découle pas seulement d'une habilitation explicite par le traité, mais aussi d'autres dispositions du traité et d'actes adoptés conformément à ces dispositions par les institutions de la Communauté; 1 JOn°L 336 du23. 12. 1994, p. 1. considérant que lorsque les règles de la Communauté ont été adoptées pour assurer la réalisation des objectifs du traité, les États membres ne sont pas autorisés, en dehors du cadre des institutions communes, à prendre des engagements susceptibles d'affecter ces règles ou d'altérer leur champ d'application; considérant que certains engagements sur les services de télécommunications de base relèvent de la compétence de la Communauté en vertu de l'article 113 du traité; qu'en outre, d'autres engagements sur les services de télécommunications de base affectent les règles de la Communauté adoptées sur la base des articles 57, 66, 90, 99, 100 et 100A et ne peuvent donc être souscrits que par la seule Communauté; considérant que l'utilisation de l'article 100 du traité comme fondement juridique de la présente décision est justifiée également par le fait que les engagements susmentionnés sur les services de télécommunications de base sont susceptibles d'affecter la directive 90/434/ CEE du Conseil, du 23 juillet 1990, concernant le régime fiscal commun applicable aux fusions, scissions, apports d'actifs et échanges d'actions intéressant des sociétés d'États membres différents2 et la directive 90/43 5/CEE du Conseil, du 23 juillet 1990, concernant le régime fiscal commun applicable aux sociétés mères et filiales dÉtats membres différents3, qui sont basées sur l'article 100 du traité; considérant que l'accord instituant l'Organisation mondiale du commerce et les protocoles à l'accord général sur le commerce des services ne sont pas, par leur nature, susceptibles d'être invoqués directement devant les juridictions de la Communauté ou des États membres, DECIDE: Article premier 1. 2. Le quatrième protocole annexé à l'accord général sur le commerce des services concernant les services de télécommunications de base est approuvé au nom de la Communauté européenne, pour ce qui est des matières relevant de la compétence de la Communauté européenne. Le texte du quatrième protocole est annexé à la présente décision, de même que les textes suivants: - liste des engagements spécifiques de la Communauté et de ses États membres, qui fait partie de l'ensemble général d'engagements atteints à l'OMC le 15 février 1997, - décision du conseil du commerce des services relative aux engagements concernant les services de télécommunications, - rapport du 15 février 1997 du groupe sur les télécommunications de base du conseil du commerce des services. 2 JO n° L 225 du 20. 8. 1990, p. 1. 3 JO n° L 225 du 20. 8. 1990, p. 6. 3. Le président du Conseil est autorisé à désigner la personne habilitée à signer le quatrième protocole annexé à l'accord général sur le commerce des services, de manière à lier la Communauté européenne pour les matières dudit protocole relevant de sa compétence. Fait à Bruxelles, le. Par le Conseil Le Président 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. ï EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES AND THEIR MEMBER STATES Schedule of Specific Commitments (This is authentic in English, French and Spanish) <z 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 m c 3 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. 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. 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 m c •n O •o n> W 3 O o 3 3 c s 3 Ou TO 3 cr CD *"» C/5 CO en 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 C O Ct» U> 3 o o 3 3 c 3 Co 3 3 cr o C/3 (*)Footnote for clarification purposes: Some EC Member Sûtes 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 limitation. In Belgium, government participation and voting rights in Belgacom are freely determined under legislative powers a. '. presently the csae under the law of 21. March 1991 on the reform of government-owned economic enterprises. Modes of supply: 1) Cross-border supply /. ) V~OllàUiupt Sector or sub-sector Limitations on market access Limitations on national treatment Additional conumtments 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 C o C6 P> 3 o o 3 3 e a W 3 O. £' CD % m 8 Mortes os supply: ] Sector or sub-sector Cross-border supply 2) Consumption abroad 3) Commercial presence 4) Presence of natural persons Limitations on market access Limitations on national treatment Additional commitments g. LcïiEôd circuit services 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. 6J 4) Unbound except as indicated in the 4) Unbound except as indicated in the horizontal section. horizontal section. m c o •o 1 C6 B5 3 o o 3 3 c 3 ft» 3 a. 3 a* n C/Î «•» * Luxembourg hss reqr. ested a delayed date for the liberalisation of telecommunications until 1. 1. 2000. The EC decision on this request is still pending. 5 Applications for surîhcr licences to be received as from 1 August 9 8. Modes of supply: 1) Cross-border supply 2) Consumption abroad 3) Commercial presence 4) Presenc» of natural person* Sector or sub-sector Other services: Mobile and personal communications services and systems Limitations on market access Limitations on national treatment Additional commitments 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. ! o I 3 e 2. 5' & z I C/5 <5 /uiiMuimics mm iviemoer states ADDITIONAL COMMITMENT BY THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES AND THEIR MEMBER STATES M 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: User mean service consumer and service suppliers. Essential 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 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 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: The 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. INTERCONNECTION: 2. 1. This section applies to linking with suppliers providing public telecommunications transport networks or services in order to allow the users of one supplier to communicate with users of another supplier 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 at 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 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 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 die public telecommunications transport network or services on terms, conditions and rates which are non-discriminatory, transparent and 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. 7Different terms, conditions and rates may be set in the Community for operators in different market segments, on the basis of non-discriminatory and transparent national licensing provisions, where such differences can be objectively justified because these services are not considered "like services". k 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 competitively neutral manner and are not more burdensome than necessary for the kind of universal service 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 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. ft DECISION ON COMMITMENTS IN BASIC TELECOMMUNICATIONS ' i \ r r I i •! i 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 the Decision on Negotiations on Basic Télécommunications adopted at Marrakesh on 15 April 1994, Acting upon the final Report of the Negotiating Group on Basic Telecommunications, Decides as follows: ?r "* I. To adopt the text of the "Fourth Protocol to the General Agreement on Trade in Services" (hereinafter referred to as the Protocol) and to take note of the Schedules of Cornrnitments and Lists of Exemptions from Article II listed in the Attachment to the final Report of the Negotiating Group on Basic Télécommunications. 2. Commencing immediately and continuing until the date of entry into force of the Protocol Members concerned shall, to the fullest extent consistent with their existing legislation and regulations, not take measures which would be inconsistent with their undertakings resulting from these negotiations. 3. 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. Any such Member which has not annexed to the Protocol a List of Article IT Exemptions may submit such a list during the same period. 4. A Group on basic telecommunications reporting to the Council for Trade in Services shall conduct consultations on die implementation of paragraph 3 above commencing its work no later than 90 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 Anicle II relating to basic telecommunications prior to 1 January 1998. i* WORLD TRADE ORGANIZATION Group on BasicTelecommunications 15 February 1997 (97-0675) REPORT OF THE GROUP ON BASIC TELECOMMUNICATIONS 1. This report is made in accordance with paragraph 4 of the Decision on Commitments in Basic 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 Cornminnents 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). 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 Article II Exemptions" and that "any such Member which has not annexed to the Protocol a List of Article II Exemptions may submit such a list during the same period". 3. At the Group's first meeting in July 1996, participants suggested that the principal issues before 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 submitting revised draft offers of commitments on basic telecommunications for consideration. The Group's Report to the Council on Trade in Services (S/GBT72). which formed pan of the Report 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 rwrnliscriminatory liberalization œmmitrnents on basic télécommunications by that date and recognize the importance of resolving the principal issues before the GBT". The Declaration adopted by Ministers in Singapore (WT/MlN(96)/DEC) contained a commiuneni to-""achieve a successful conclusion to the negotiations on basic telecommunications in February 1997*1. 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 matters: 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 distortion 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 <9 5. The Chairman issued notes reflecting his 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). 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 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 theii Member States). Nine governments had submitted lists of Article II Exemptions. 7. The Group noted that five countries had taken Article U exemptions in respect of the application 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 Tdecommunications Regulations is the usual method of terminating international 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 thai: 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 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 Article 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 die Schedules of Commitments and Lists of Article 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 on Basic Telecommunications S/GBT/4 Page 3 16 January 1997 (97-0173) Note by the Chairman Revision 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 to promote a better understanding of the meamng of commitments. This note is not iniended to have 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). Subsectot (g) -private leased circuit services — involves the ability of service suppliers to sell 2. 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 1 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, m 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 3 February 1997 (97-0415) Group on Basic Telecommunications 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 spectrum/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 Article XVI. Furthermore under me GATS each Member has the right to exercise spectrum/frequency management, which may affect the number of service suppliers, provided that this is done in accordance with Article 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 cornmitment in line with the Reference Paper on regulatory principles are bound by its paragraph 6 Therefore, words such as "subject to availability of srxx*rum/frequency~ are unnecessary and should be deleted from Members' schedules. 2X ISSN 0254-1491 COM(97) 368 final DOCUMENTS FR 15 08 11 N° de catalogue : CB-GO-97-356-FR-C ISBN 92-78-22665-3 Office des publications officielles des Communautés européennes L-2985 Luxembourg


title: KOMMISSIONENS FORORDNING (EF) Nr. 1359/97 af 15. juli 1997 om faste importværdier med henblik på fastsættelsen af indgangsprisen for visse frugter og grøntsager

eurovoc_concepts:
agri-monetary policy
citrus fruit
fruit vegetable
import price
pip fruit
stone fruit


title: Propuesta de decisión del Consejo relativa a la celebración en nombre de la Comunidad Europea, por lo que respecta a los asuntos de su competencia, de los resultados de las negociaciones de la OMC sobre los servicios de telecomunicaciones básicas

text: COMISIÓN DE LAS COMUNIDADES EUROPEAS Bruselas, 15. 07. 1997 COM(97)368 final 97/0204 (CNS) Propuesta de DECISIÓN DEL CONSEJO relativa a la celebración en nombre de la Comunidad Europea, por lo que respecta a los asuntos de su competencia, de los resultados de las negociaciones de la OMC sobre los servicios de telecomunicaciones básicas (presentada por la Comisión) Exposición de motivos En su Decisión de 22 de diciembre de 1994,'el Consejo de la Unión Europea aprobó el Acta Final en el que se recogen los resultados de la ronda Uruguay de las negociaciones comerciales multilaterales celebradas a finales de 1993 y con ello sancionó el Acuerdo de Marraquech por el que se establece la Organización Mundial del Comercio y sus acuerdos conexos, entre otros el Acuerdo General sobre el Comercio de Servicios, las declaraciones y decisiones Ministeriales, incluida la decisión ministerial relativa a las negociaciones sobre Telecomunicaciones Básicas, así como el Anexo sobre Telecomunicaciones y el Anexo de las negociaciones sobre Telecomunicaciones Básicas En la decisión ministerial sobre Servicios de Telecomunicaciones Básicas se establecía que se debían entablar negociaciones de manera voluntaria para conseguir la progresiva liberalización comercial de la red de transmisiones y servicios de telecomunicaciones en el marco del Acuerdo General sobre el Comercio de Servicios (AGCS). La decisión precisaba que la primera sesión de negociaciones debía celebrarse a más tardar el 16 de mayo de 1994 y que las negociaciones deberían darse por concluidas antes del 30 de abril de 1996. El 30 de abril de 1996 el Consejo del Comercio de Servicios de la OMC adoptó el Cuarto Protocolo del Acuerdo General sobre el Comercio de Servicios y la correspondiente decisión. A este cuarto Protocolo del Acuerdo General sobre el Comercio de Servicios se adjuntaron treinta y cuatro listas de compromisos correspondientes a cuarenta y ocho gobiernos miembros de la OMC y una lista de las excepciones al Artículo II (NMF). La decisión relativa a los compromisos en las telecomunicaciones básicas disponía que las listas de compromisos y las de excepciones adjuntas al Cuarto Protocolo podían complementarse o modificarse durante el período comprendido entre el 15 de enero y el 15 de febrero de 1997, y creaba un Grupo de Telecomunicaciones Básicas para efectuar consultas sobre la aplicación de esa disposición. El 15 de febrero de 1997, el Grupo de Telecomunicaciones Básicas comunicó en un informe al Consejo del Comercio de Servicios de la OMC que el número total de compromisos había llegado a cincuenta y cinco, que representaban a sesenta y nueve Miembros de la OMC, y que nueve gobiernos habían presentado listas de excepciones al Artículo II (NMF). El 15 de febrero de 1997 habían confirmado sus compromisos sobre telecomunicaciones básicas los siguientes miembros de la OMC: Antigua y Barbuda, Argentina, Australia, Bangladesh, Belice, Bolivia, Brasil, Brunéi-Darussalam, Bulgaria, Canadá, Colombia, Corea, Costa de Marfil, Chile, Dominica, Ecuador, El Salvador, Estados Unidos de América, Filipinas, Ghana, Granada, Guatemala, Hong Kong, Hungría, Islandia, India, Indonesia, Israel, Jamaica, Japón, Malasia, Marruecos, Mauricio, México, Noruega, Nueva Zelanda, Pakistán, Papua-Nueva Guinea, Perú, Polonia, República Checa, República Dominicana, República Eslovaca, Rumania, Senegal, Singapur, Sri Lanka Sudáfrica, Suiza, Tailandia, Trinidad y Tobago, Túnez, Turquía, y Venezuela. Confirmaron sus listas de exenciones MFN Antigua y Barbuda, Argentina, Bangladesh, Brasil, los Estados Unidos de América, India, Pakistán, Sri Lanka y. Turquía. Estos países serán signatarios del Cuarto Protocolo del AGCS, instrumento jurídico al que adjuntarán sus nuevas listas de compromisos y sus listas de exenciones MFN En sus conclusiones de 30 de abril de 1996, el Consejo autorizaba a la Comisión para aprobar la decisión del Consejo del Comercio de Servicios por la que se adopta el Cuarto Protocolo del AGCS y la Decisión relativa a los compromisos sobre telecomunicaciones básicas. El 14 de febrero de 1997 el Consejo autorizó también a la Comisión para que 1 DO n°L 336, de 23. 12. 1994, p. 1 presentara a la OMC, en nombre de la Comunidad Europea y de sus Estados miembros, la lista final de compromisos, sin perjuicio de su aceptación definitiva una vez finalizados los procedimientos internos. Las negociaciones concluyeron definitivamente, por lo tanto, el 15 de febrero de 1997 Todos las listas de compromisos que irán anejas al Cuarto Protocolo del Acuerdo General sobre el Comercio de Servicios fueron comprobadas en sus aspectos técnicos y aprobadas por el Consejo del Comercio de Servicios de la OMC en Ginebra el día de 1997. El Protocolo está expuesto a la aceptación, mediante firma u otro procedimiento, de los miembros interesados hasta el 30 de noviembre de 1997. Las negociaciones se llevaron a cabo con arreglo a las directrices aprobadas por el Consejo del 14 de junio de 1995. El nivel global de compromisos tanto sobre acceso a los mercados como sobre trato nacional alcanzado por el acuerdo del 30 de abril de 1996, en el que se introdujeron modificaciones antes del 15 de febrero de 1997, representa el 93% del mercado mundial de servicios de telecomunicaciones básicas. Miembros de la OMC de todos los continentes, inmediatamente o de manera escalonada, suscribieron compromisos sobre todos los subsectores de servicios de telecomunicaciones básicas. Además, la mayoría de los compromisos contienen compromisos suplementarios sobre principios regúlatenos. Ha resultado esencial la contribución de la Comunidad Europea y sus Estados miembros para que concluyeran de manera satisfactoria las negociaciones sobre telecomunicaciones básicas. Con el acuerdo, las industrias de telecomunicaciones de la Unión Europea pueden beneficiarse de una mayor seguridad jurídica y pueden realizar mejores previsiones. La medida beneficia a las industrias europeas en conjunto y también a los consumidores, y constituye una base real para ampliar en el futuro las medidas de apertura de los mercados. Por ello la Comisión recomienda que el Consejo de la Unión Europea adopte la Decisión adjunta relativa a los resultados de las negociaciones OMC/AGCS sobre servicios de telecomunicaciones básicas. Decisión del Consejo de relativa a la celebración en nombre de la Comunidad Europea, por lo que respecta a los asuntos de su competencia, de los resultados de las negociaciones de la OMC sobre los servicios de telecomunicaciones básicas 1. EL CONSEJO DE LA UNIÓN EUROPEA, Visto el Tratado constitutivo de la Comunidad Europea, y en particular sus artículos 57, 66, 90, 99, 100, 100A y 113, conjuntamente con el apartado 2 del artículo 228 y el primer párrafo del apartado 3 del artículo 228, Vista la propuesta de la Comisión, Visto el dictamen del Parlamento Europeo, Considerando que el Consejo aprobó, mediante la Decisión de 22 de diciembre de 1994*, el Acuerdo de Marraquech por el que se establece la Organización Mundial del Comercio y sus acuerdos conexos, las declaraciones y decisiones ministeriales, incluida la decisión ministerial relativa a las negociaciones sobre telecomunicaciones básicas, así como el Anexo sobre Telecomunicaciones Básicas, sobre Telecomunicaciones y el Anexo de las negociaciones Considerando que el conjunto de compromisos sobre servicios de telecomunicaciones básicas negociados por la Comisión, en nombre de la Comunidad Europea y de sus Estados miembros, constituye un logro satisfactorio y equilibrado; Considerando que, el 30 de abril de 1996, el Consejo autorizó a la Comisión para que, en nombre de la Comunidad Europea y de sus Estados miembros, aprobara la decisión del grupo negociador sobre telecomunicaciones básicas y del Consejo del Comercio de Servicios de la OMC por la que se adoptaba el Cuarto Protocolo del Acuerdo General sobre el Comercio de Servicios y la decisión del Consejo del Comercio de Servicios respecto de los compromisos relativa a las telecomunicaciones básicas, Considerando que, el 14 de febrero de 1997, el Consejo autorizó a la Comisión para que presentara ante la OMC la lista final de compromisos en nombre de la Comunidad Europea y de sus Estados miembros, 1 DO n° L 336, de 23. 12. 1994, p. 1 Considerando que la competencia de la Comunidad para celebrar acuerdos internacionales no deriva únicamente de las competencias que explícitamente le otorga el Tratado, sino también de otras disposiciones del Tratado y de actos adoptados en virtud de esas disposiciones por las instituciones comunitarias, Considerando que, cuando se han adoptado normativas comunitarias para lograr objetivos del Tratado, los Estados miembros no pueden contraer, fuera del marco de las instituciones comunes, compromisos que pudieran afectar a esas normas o modificar su alcance; Considerando que algunos de los compromisos sobre servicios de telecomunicaciones básicas entran dentro de la competencia de la Comunidad en virtud del artículo 113 del Tratado, que, además, otros compromisos sobre servicios de telecomunicaciones básicas afectan a determinadas normas comunitarias adoptadas conforme a los artículos 57, 66, 90, 99, 100 y 100A y, por consiguiente, únicamente la Comunidad como tal puede contraerlos; Considerando que la utilización del artículo 100 del Tratado como fundamento jurídico para la presente Decisión se justifica también por el hecho de que los compromisos mencionados sobre servicios de telecomunicaciones básicas pueden afectar a la Directiva CEE/90/434 del Consejo, de 23 de julio de 1990, relativa al régimen fiscal común aplicable a las fusiones, escisiones, aportaciones de activos y canjes de acciones realizados entre sociedades de diferentes Estados miembros^, y a la Directiva CEE/90/435 del Consejo, de 23 de julio de 1990, relativa al régimen fiscal común aplicable a las - sociedades matrices y filiales de Estados miembros diferentes^, ambas basadas en el artículo 100 del Tratado, Considerando que, por su naturaleza, ni el Acuerdo por el que se establece la Organización Mundial del Comercio ni los Protocolos del Acuerdo General sobre el Comercio de Servicios pueden ser invocados directamente en tribunales de la Comunidad o de los Estados miembros, DECIDE Artículo 1 1. Se aprueba el Cuarto Protocolo del Acuerdo General sobre Comercio de Servicios relativo a las servicios de telecomunicaciones básicas en nombre de la Comunidad Europea con respecto a la parte que entra dentro de las competencias de la Comunidad Europea. 2. Figuran adjuntos a la presente Decisión el texto del Cuarto Protocolo, y los siguientes documentos: 2 DO n° L 225 de 20. 8. 1990, p. 1. 3 DO n° L 225 de 20. 8. 1990, p. 6. 5" la lista de compromisos específicos de la Comunidad y los Estados miembros, que forma parte del paquete global de compromisos suscritos en la OMC el 15 de febrero de 1997, la Decisión del Consejo del Comercio de Servicios relativa a los Compromisos sobre servicios de telecomunicaciones; y el informe del Grupo sobre Telecomunicaciones Básicas al Consejo del Comercio de Servicios, presentado el 15 de febrero de 1997. 3. Se autoriza al Presidente del Consejo a que designe a la persona facultada para firmar el Cuarto Protocolo del Acuerdo General sobre el Comercio de Servicios a fin de vincular a la Comunidad Europea con respecto a la parte del Protocolo que entra dentro de sus competencias. Hecho en Bruselas* el. Por el Consejo El Presidente 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 enier 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 ANP 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. 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 >i o •o ce fts D o o 3 3 c s fts 3 a. 3 cr n> •n C/3 ft» «^ 'Broadcasting is defined as the uninterrupted chain of transmission required for the distribution of tv and radio programme signals to the general public, but docs 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 m c o •o ce 09 3 O o 3 3 c 3. <-• v¡ tû 3 CL ce 3 o* ce •i S? ET < - »• ce n'rîr " \,niin!ïtfàarMWïU rmiiMmMÉÊaàmt 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 c "1 o •o ce ft> 3 O o 3 3 c 3 ft) 3 CL ce 3 O" ce "-i GO ce (*)Footnote for clarification purposes: Some EC Member Sutes mainuin 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 powers as is presently the c«se under the law of 21 March 1991 on the reform of government-owned economic enterprises. Modes of supply: 1) Cross-border supply Z. ) t ^ U I l M i l i i p t i u ii H V > U I ». 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 fij 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 publicjvoice 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 c o TJ ce ft) 3 O o 3 3 c 3. <-* 8 es 3 Cu ce 3 o* to S" «•* 2 Modes of supply: 1) Cross-border supply 2) Consumption abroad 3) Commercial presence 4) Presence of natural persons Sector or sub-sector Limitations on market access Limitations on national treatment Additional commitments Leased circuit services 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. 3. •° '8 3 O o 3 3 e 3. ïï ft) g. s <p 3 a* ce •-i C/5 « -• -s 8 4 Luxembourg has requested a delayed date for the liberalisation of telecommunications until 1. 1. 2000. The EC decision on this request it still pending. 5 Applications for farther licences to be received as from 1 August 98. Modes of supply: 1) Cross-border supply 2) Consumption abroad 3) Commercial presence 4) Presence of natural 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. c 9 a I 3 g O. O* g. 8 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: User mean service consumer and service suppliers. Essential 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 cannot feasibly be economically or technically substituted in order to provide a service. A major supplieris 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: The anti-competitive practices referred to above shall include in particular: a) engaging in anti-competitive cross-subsidization; b) • using information obtained from competitors with anti-competitive results; and c) 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 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 at 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 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 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 and 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. 7Different terms conditions and rates may be set in the Community for operators in different market segments, on the basis of non-discriminatory and transparent national licensing provisions, where such differences can be objectively justified because these serv. ces are not considered "like services". lb 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 competitively neutral manner and are not more burdensome than necessary for the kind of universal service 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 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. vr DECISION ON COMMITMENTS IN 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 the Decision on Negotiations on Basic Telecommunications adopted at Marrakesh on 15 April 1994, Acting upon the final Report of the Negotiating Group on Basic Telecommunications, Decides as follows: To adopt the text of the "Fourth Protocol to the General Agreement on trade in Services" 1. (hereinafter referred to as the Protocol) and to take note of the Schedules of Cornmitments and Lists of Exemptions from Article II listed in the Attachment to the final Report of the Negotiating Group on Basic Telecommunications. 2. Commencing immediately and continuing until the date of entry into force of the Protocol Members concerned shall, to the fullest extent consistent with their existing legislation and regulations, not take measures which would be inconsistent with their undertakings resulting from these negotiations. 3. During the period from 15 January to 15 February 1997. a Member which has a Schedule of Commitments annexed to chc Protocol, may supplement or modify such Schedule or its List of Article II Exemptions. Any such Member which has not annexed to the Protocol a List of Article IT Exemptions may submit such a list during the same period. 4. A Group on basic telecommunications reporting to the Council for Trade in Services shall conduct consultations on die implementation of paragraph 3 above commencing its 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 Anicle ÏI relating to basic telecommunications prior to 1 January 1998. I* WORLD TRADE ORGANIZATION Group on BaslcTclecommunications 15 February 1997 (97-0675) REPORT OF THE GROUP ON BASIC TELECOMMUNICATIONS 1. This report is made in accordance with paragraph 4 of the Decision on Commitments in Basic 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 Cornrnitments 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 Ctornmitments 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 Article 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 submitting revised draft offers of commitments on basic telecommunications for consideration. The Group's Repon to the Council on Trade in Services (S/GBT/2). which formed pan of the Report to the Singapore Ministerial Conference, recommended that Ministers "stress their commitment to bring the negotiations on basic télécommunications to a successful conclusion by 15 February 1997, urge all WTO Members to strive for significant, balanced and rwrKliscrirriinatory liberalizarion commitment; on basic telecommiinicaiions by thai date and recognize the importance of resolving the principal issues before the GBT". The Declaration adopted by Ministers in Singapore (WT/MIN(96)/DEC) coniained a commirmeni to'"achieve a successful conclusion to the negotiations on basic telecommunications in February 1997*1. 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, die Group considered the following matters: 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 distortion of trade in international services; the starus 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 The Chairman issued notes reflecting his understanding of the position reached in discussion 5. of the scheduling of œrnrnitments and management of radio spectrum. The first such Note set out a number of assumptions applicable to the scheduling of conimitments and was intended to assist in ensuring the transparency of commitments (S/GBT/W/2/Rev. 1 of 16 January 1997). Tl>e 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/GBTAV73 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 Anicle II exemptions in respect of the application 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 Tdecornrnunications Regulations is the usual method of terminating international 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 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 Cornrnitments due to begin not later than 1 January 2000. 8. The Group also recalled paragraph 6 of the Decision of 30 April, which stated thai Members of the World Trade Organization which have not annexed to the Protocol Schedules of Cornmirrnents 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 I 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 Founh Protocol to the General Agreement on Trade in Services in replacement of those attached on 30 April 1996. 2¿D WORLD TRADE ORGANIZATION Group on Basic Télécommunications S/GBT/4 Page 3 16 January 1997 (97-0173) Note bv ÜV 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. 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. Subsecior (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 1 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 corrtimtments 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 3 February 1997 (97-OÍ15) Group on Basic Telecommunications Original: English CHAIRMAN'S NOTE Market Access Limitations on Spectrum Availability Many Members have entries in the market access column of their schedules indicating that commitments are "subject to availability of specmim/frequency" or similar wording. In light of the physical namre 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 spectrum/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 Article XVI. Furthermore under the GATS each Member has the right to exercise spectrum/frequency management, which may affect the number of service suppliers, provided that 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 comrnitmcm in line with the Reference Paper on regulatory principles are bound by its paragraph 6 Therefore, words such as "subject to availability of spearurn/frequency"' are unnecessary and should be deleted from Members' schedules. IX ISSN 0257-9545 COM(97) 368 final DOCUMENTOS ES 15 08 11 N° de catálogo : CB-CO-97-356-ES-C ISBN 92-78-22660-2 Oficina de Publicaciones Oficiales de las Comunidades Europeas L-2985 Luxemburgo


title: Resolución legislativa que contiene el dictamen del Parlamento Europeo sobre la propuesta de reglamento del Consejo relativo a la celebración del Protocolo por el que se fijan las posibilidades de pesca y la compensación financiera previstas en el Acuerdo celebrado entre la Comunidad Europea y el Gobierno de la República de Senegal, relativo a la pesca frente a la costa de Senegal, para el período comprendido entre el 1 de mayo de 1997 y el 30 de abril de 2001 (COM(97)0324 C4-0322/97 97/0179(CNS))

eurovoc_concepts:
Senegal
agreement (EU)
deep-sea fishing
financial compensation of an agreement
fishing agreement

formats: html print


title: La déclaration des accidents du travail et des maladies professionnelles dans les pays de la Communauté européenne.

eurovoc_concepts:
disability insurance
occupational accident
occupational safety
working conditions


title: Resolutie over het jaarverslag van de ombudsman van de Europese Unie voor 1996 (C4-0293/97)

eurovoc_concepts:
European Ombudsman
activity report