Introductory text

THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES,

Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Economic Community,

Having regard to the recommendation from the Commission,

Having regard to the opinion of the European Parliament^f1,

Having regard to the opinion of the Economic and Social Committee^f2,

Whereas the International Convention on the Harmonization of Frontier Controls of Goods, concluded at Geneva on 21 October 1982, introduces provisions intended to facilitate the international movement of goods, to contribute to the progressive abolition of barriers to trade and to promote the development of world trade, thus attaining objectives consistent with those of the commercial policy of the European Economic Community;

Whereas the Convention allows inter alia the Community on the one hand to apply its own legislation to checks carried out at its own internal frontiers and, on the other hand, as regards questions within its competence, to exercise on its own behalf the rights and to fulfil the responsibilities which the said Convention confers on its Member States which are Contracting Parties thereto;

Whereas the International Convention on the Harmonization of Frontier Controls of Goods should therefore be approved on behalf of the Community,

HAS ADOPTED THIS REGULATION: