Introductory text

THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION,

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

Having regard to the proposal from the Commission,

Whereas in the new Transatlantic Agenda adopted at the EU-US summit in Madrid of 13 December 1995, it was decided to attempt to conclude an Information Technology Agreement;

Whereas, following reports from the Commission on its exploratory consultations with third countries, on 16 November 1996 the Council decided to open negotiations with third countries with a view to concluding an Information Technology Agreement;

Whereas on 13 December 1996, at the first Conference of the World Trade Organization in Singapore, a Ministerial Declaration on trade in information technology products was adopted; whereas the Declaration sets out certain preconditions for the implementation of the elimination of tariffs for information technology products; whereas these preconditions have been met;

Whereas the Ministerial Declaration on trade in information technology products together with its annexes and attachments form the Agreement on trade in information technology products;

Whereas the EC-ITA Schedule CXL, modifying the existing Community schedule, should be submitted to the World Trade Organization;

Whereas the Agreement on trade in information technology products together with the Communication on its implementation should be approved on behalf of the Community,

HAS DECIDED AS FOLLOWS: