COUNCIL DECISION (EU) 2024/3029

of 21 October 2024

on the position to be taken on behalf of the European Union within the EU-CTC Joint Committee established by the Convention on the simplification of formalities in trade in goods and within the EU-CTC Joint Committee established by the Convention on a common transit procedure as regards invitations to Georgia to accede to those Conventions

THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION,

Having regard to the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union, and in particular Article 207(4), in conjunction with Article 218(9) thereof,

Having regard to the proposal from the European Commission,

Whereas:

(1) The Convention of 20 May 1987 on the simplification of formalities in trade in goods (1) and the Convention of 20 May 1987 on a common transit procedure (2) (jointly the ‘Conventions’), concluded between the European Economic Community, the Republic of Austria, the Republic of Finland, the Republic of Iceland, the Kingdom of Norway, the Kingdom of Sweden and the Swiss Confederation, entered into force on 1 January 1988.

(2) Georgia has expressed its wish to accede to the Conventions once it has complied with the requirements for its accession.

(3) Pursuant to Article 11(3) of the Convention on the simplification of formalities in trade in goods, the EU-CTC Joint Committee established by that Convention may, by decision, adopt invitations to third countries to accede to that Convention.

(4) Pursuant to Article 15(3), point (e), of the Convention on a common transit procedure, the EU-CTC Joint Committee established by that Convention may, by decision, adopt invitations to third countries to accede to that Convention.

(5) It is appropriate to establish the position to be taken on the Union’s behalf within the EU-CTC Joint Committees established by the Conventions, as the decisions to invite Georgia to accede to the Conventions will be binding on the Union.

(6) The Conventions will ensure efficient border crossing procedures between Georgia and the parties to the Conventions.

(7) The position of the Union within the EU-CTC Joint Committees established by the Conventions as regards the adoption of a decision inviting Georgia to accede to the Conventions should therefore be favourable and be based on the attached draft decisions.

(8) In order to facilitate Georgia’s timely accession to the Conventions, it is necessary to adopt this Decision without delay,

HAS ADOPTED THIS DECISION:

Article 1

The position to be taken on the Union’s behalf within the EU-CTC Joint Committee established by the Convention on the simplification of formalities in trade in goods as regards the adoption of a decision inviting Georgia to accede to that Convention shall be based on the draft decision of that Joint Committee attached to this Decision.

Article 2

The position to be taken on the Union’s behalf within the EU-CTC Joint Committee established by the Convention on a common transit procedure as regards the adoption of a decision inviting Georgia to accede to that Convention shall be based on the draft decision of that Joint Committee attached to this Decision.

Article 3

After their adoption, the decisions of the EU-CTC Joint Committees referred to in Articles 1 and 2 shall be published in the

Official Journal of the European Union

Article 4

This Decision shall enter into force on the date of its adoption.

Done at Luxembourg, 21 October 2024.

For the Council

The President

NAGY I.

(1)

OJ L 134, 22.5.1987, p. 2

(2)

OJ L 226, 13.8.1987, p. 2

ELI: http://data.europa.eu/eli/dec/2024/3029/oj

ISSN 1977-0677 (electronic edition)