Council Decision of 28 October 1996 on the conclusion of an Agreement in the form of an Exchange of Letters between the European Community and the Arab Republic of Egypt modifying the arrangements for imports into the Community of rice originating in and coming from Egypt (96/640/EC)

THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION,

Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Community, and in particular Article 113 in conjunction with the first sentence of Article 228 (2) thereof,

Having regard to the proposal from the Commission,

1. Whereas Article 19 of the Cooperation Agreement between the European Economic Community and the Arab Republic of Egypt⁽¹⁾ provides for a reduction in the levy on imports into the Community of rice originating in and coming from that country within the limits of an annual quantity of 32 000 tonnes and on condition that an export levy be collected; whereas the Agreement provides that the Community may modify these arrangements, taking accounts of Egypt's interests, in the event of any change in its rules;

2. Whereas the Community, in the Uruguay Round agreement on agriculture, has undertaken to replace variable levies with customs duties; whereas this necessitates the modifcation of the Agreement with Egypt;

3. Whereas the Community has to that end negotiated with the Arab Republic of Egypt an Agreement in the form of an Exchange of Letters modifying the arrangements in question;

4. Whereas this Agreement should be approved,

HAS DECIDED AS FOLLOWS: