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REPORT (COM(2024)0051 – C90022/2024 – 2024/0029(COD))

On the proposal for a regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council on temporary trade-liberalisation measures supplementing trade concessions applicable to products from the Republic of Moldova under the Association Agreement between the European Union and the European Atomic Energy Community and their Member States, of the one part, and the Republic of Moldova, of the other part

A-9-2024-0079

Committee on International Trade · Rapporteur: Markéta Gregorová

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Written by a language model from the full text only; every figure comes from the text. The paragraph links open the paragraph a statement rests on — check the text itself before relying on it.

Parliament's position at first reading takes over the Commission proposal to renew temporary trade-liberalisation measures for products from the Republic of Moldova for one year from 25 July 2024. The measures suspend all outstanding tariffs under Title V of the Association Agreement, covering tomatoes, garlic, table grapes, apples, cherries, plums and grape juice. A strengthened safeguard mechanism lets the Commission reintroduce customs duties if imports of a covered product cause market disturbances in the EU or a member state, with regular monitoring of import volumes and prices. The rapporteur says such measures are exceptional and should not set a precedent, and expects the proposal to be adopted swiftly before the existing measures expire.

Committee position. The Committee on International Trade adopts Parliament's position at first reading, taking over the Commission proposal, and calls on the Commission to refer the matter to Parliament again if it substantially amends its proposal.

Key points

  1. Parliament adopts its position at first reading and takes over the Commission proposal.
  2. The Commission must refer the matter to Parliament again if it replaces, substantially amends or intends to substantially amend its proposal.
  3. The proposal renews the trade-liberalisation measures for one year from 25 July 2024, when the current measures expire.
  4. All outstanding tariffs under Title V of the Association Agreement are suspended, covering fruits and vegetables under the entry-price system and tariff-rate quotas.
  5. The products concerned are tomatoes, garlic, table grapes, apples, cherries, plums and grape juice.
  6. A strengthened safeguard mechanism allows the Commission to take any necessary measures, including reintroducing customs duties, if imports cause market disturbances in the EU or any member state.
  7. The Commission will regularly monitor the impact of the measures on import volumes and prices.
  8. The rapporteur states that measures under the regulation should be exceptional and should not set a precedent for future temporary trade liberalisation.
  9. The measures are in line with the Association Agreement's objectives of enhancing economic and trade relations toward Moldova's gradual integration into the EU internal market.
  10. The rapporteur anticipates swift adoption ahead of the expiry of the existing trade-liberalisation measures.
  11. The Committee on Agriculture and Rural Development agreed with the proposed extension of the temporary measures.

Who is affected

  • Moldovan exporters of tomatoes, garlic, table grapes, apples, cherries, plums and grape juice, who gain suspended tariffs.
  • EU producers, who are protected by the safeguard mechanism against market disturbances.
  • The Commission, which monitors imports and may reintroduce customs duties.

Figures and deadlines

  • One year, the period of renewal of the trade-liberalisation measures.
  • 25 July 2024, the date on which the current measures expire and the renewal starts.
  • 2022, the year Moldova became an EU candidate country.

Legal basis: Article 294(2) and Article 207(2) of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union.