DECISION No 1/2007 OF THE EU-EGYPT ASSOCIATION COUNCIL

of 6 March 2007

setting up subcommittees of the Association Committee and a Working Group on Migration, Social and Consular Affairs

(2008/687/EC)

THE EU-EGYPT ASSOCIATION COUNCIL,

Having regard to the Euro-Mediterranean Agreement establishing an Association between the European Communities and their Member States, of the one part, and the Arab Republic of Egypt, of the other part (1) (the Euro-Mediterranean Agreement),

Whereas:

(1) A free trade area is to be established between the EU and the Arab Republic of Egypt by 31 December 2015 at the latest.

(2) The EU’s relations with the southern Mediterranean countries are becoming increasingly complex as a result of the implementation of the Euro-Mediterranean Agreements and the continuation of the Euro-Mediterranean partnership.

(3) Subcommittees of the association committees of the other associated countries have been set up in order to monitor the implementation of the partnership priorities and the approximation of legislation.

(4) There is a need to integrate the environment in sectoral policies, the objective being sustainable development.

(5) Article 80 of the Euro-Mediterranean Agreement provides for the setting up of the working groups or bodies necessary for the implementation of the Euro-Mediterranean Agreement and Article 67 of the Euro-Mediterranean Agreement provides for the setting up of a working group to evaluate the implementation of the provisions related to,

inter alia

, migration, social and consular affairs,

HAS DECIDED AS FOLLOWS:

Article 1

The working group on migration, social and consular affairs and the subcommittees of the EU-Egypt Association Committee listed in Annex 1 are hereby set up and the rules of procedure of the Working Group and those subcommittees listed in Annex 2 are hereby adopted.

The Working Group and the subcommittees shall work under the authority of the Association Committee, to which they shall report after each of their meetings. They shall have no decision-making power.

The Association Committee shall take any other action needed to ensure that they operate properly and inform the Association Council accordingly.

The Association Council may decide to set up further subcommittees or groups or to abolish existing subcommittees or groups.

Article 2

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

Done at Brussels, 6 March 2007.

For the Association Council

The President

A. ABUL GHEIT

(1)

OJ L 304, 30.9.2004, p. 39

ANNEX 1

EU-EGYPT ASSOCIATION AGREEMENT

Working Group on Migration, Social and Consular Affairs and subcommittees attached to the Association Committee

Working group on migration, social and consular affairs

Internal market

Industry, trade, services and investment

Transport, environment and energy

Information society and audiovisual, research and innovation, education and culture

Agriculture and fisheries

Justice and security

Customs cooperation

Political matters: Human Rights and Democracy — International and regional issues

ANNEX 2

RULES OF PROCEDURE

EU-Egypt Working Group on Migration, Social and Consular Affairs

1. Composition and chair

The Working Group shall be composed of representatives of the European Community and its Member States and representatives of the Government of the Arab Republic of Egypt and be chaired alternately by the two parties.

2. Role

The Working Group shall work under the authority of the Association Committee, to which it shall report after each meeting. The working Group does not have any decision-making power, but may submit proposals to the Association Committee.

3. Subject matter

The Working Group shall discuss the implementation of the Association Agreement in the areas listed below. In particular, it shall assess progress as regards law approximation, implementation and enforcement. Where relevant, cooperation in public administration matters shall be discussed. The Working Group shall examine any problems that may arise in the sectors listed below and shall suggest possible steps to be undertaken.

(a) Migrant communities’ living and working conditions

(b) Migration

(d) Equal treatment between Egyptian and Community nationals

(e) Cooperation in facilitating issuing of visas and simplification of its procedures

(f) Asylum

(g) Furthering of tolerance and the removal of discrimination, including for people with disabilities

(h) Promotion of the role of women

(i) Egyptian family planning and mother and child protection programmes

(j) Social protection system

(k) Employment policy and vocational training

(l) Technical cooperation related to institutional capacity building and human resources training

(m) Bilateral agreements between Egypt and EU Member States on social security of workers legally resident and working in their respective territories

The above list is not exhaustive and other subjects, including horizontal matters, e.g. statistics, may be added by the Association Committee.

The Working Group may discuss matters relating to one, several or all of the above sectors.

4. Secretariat

An official of the European Commission and an official of the Government of the Arab Republic of Egypt shall act jointly as permanent secretaries of the Working Group.

All communications concerning the Working Group shall be forwarded to the secretaries.

5. Meetings

The Working Group shall meet whenever circumstances require. A meeting may be convened on the basis of a request from either party, channelled through their secretary, who will pass the request onto the other party. Upon receipt of a request for a Working Group meeting, the secretary of the other party shall reply within 15 working days.

In cases of particular urgency, the Working Group may be convened at shorter notice subject to the agreement of both parties. All requests to convene meetings should be in writing.

Each meeting of the Working Group shall be held at a time and place agreed by both parties.

The meetings shall be convened by the secretary in charge in agreement with the chair. Before each meeting, the chair will be informed of the intended composition of the delegation of each party.

If both parties agree, the Working Group may invite experts to its meetings to provide the specific information so requested.

Each meeting will be attended by a representative of the Ministry of International Cooperation in order to ensure the appropriate coordination and linkages with both ongoing and future projects and programmes funded by the EU, as well as to ensure that the priorities identified during the meeting receive the necessary support.

6. Agenda of the meetings

All requests for items to be included in the Working Group agenda shall be forwarded to the secretaries.

A provisional agenda will be drawn up by the chair for each meeting. It shall be forwarded by the secretary in charge to his or her counterpart not later than 10 days before the beginning of the meeting.

The provisional agenda shall include the items in respect of which the secretaries have received a request for inclusion in the agenda not later than 15 days before the beginning of the meeting. Supporting documentation must be received by both parties at least seven days ahead of the meeting. To take account of urgent matters, these time limits may be shortened provided both parties agree.

The agenda shall be adopted by the Working Group at the beginning of each meeting.

7. Minutes

Minutes shall be taken and agreed by both secretaries after each meeting. A copy of the minutes, including the Working Group’s proposals, shall be forwarded by the secretaries of the Working Group to the secretaries and chair of the Association Committee.

8. Publicity

Unless otherwise decided, the meetings of the Working Group shall not be public.

RULES OF PROCEDURE

EU-Egypt subcommittee

Internal market

1. Composition and chair

The subcommittee shall be composed of representatives of the European Community and its Member States and representatives of the Government of the Arab Republic of Egypt and be chaired alternately by the two parties.

2. Role

The subcommittee shall work under the authority of the Association Committee, to which it shall report after each meeting. The subcommittee does not have any decision-making power, but may submit proposals to the Association Committee.

3. Subject matter

The subcommittee shall discuss the implementation of the Association Agreement in the areas listed below. In particular, it shall assess progress as regards law approximation, implementation and enforcement. Where relevant, cooperation in public administration matters shall be discussed. The subcommittee shall examine any problems that may arise in the sectors listed below and shall suggest possible steps to be undertaken.

(a) Technical regulations, metrology, accreditation, standardisation, normalisation, certification, conformity assessment and market surveillance

(b) Competition law and State aid

(d) Public procurement

The above list is not exhaustive and other subjects, including horizontal matters e.g. statistics, may be added by the Association Committee.

The subcommittee may discuss matters relating to one, several or all of the above sectors.

4. Secretariat

An official of the European Commission and an official of the Government of the Arab Republic of Egypt shall act jointly as permanent secretaries of the subcommittee.

All communications concerning the subcommittee shall be forwarded to the secretaries.

5. Meetings

The subcommittee shall meet whenever circumstances require. A meeting may be convened on the basis of a request from either party, channelled through their secretary, who will pass the request onto the other party. Upon receipt of a request for a subcommittee meeting, the secretary of the other party shall reply within 15 working days.

In cases of particular urgency, subcommittees may be convened at shorter notice subject to the agreement of both parties. All requests to convene meetings should be in writing.

Each meeting of the subcommittee shall be held at a time and place agreed by both parties.

The meetings shall be convened by the secretary in charge in agreement with the chair. Before each meeting, the chair will be informed of the intended composition of the delegation of each party.

If both parties agree, the subcommittee may invite experts to its meetings to provide the specific information so requested.

Each meeting will be attended by a representative of the Ministry of International Cooperation in order to ensure the appropriate coordination and linkages with both ongoing and future projects and programmes funded by the EU as well as to ensure that the priorities identified during the meeting receive the necessary support.

6. Agenda of the meetings

All requests for items to be included in the subcommittee agenda shall be forwarded to the secretaries.

A provisional agenda will be drawn up by the chair for each meeting. It shall be forwarded by the secretary in charge to his or her counterpart not later than ten days before the beginning of the meeting.

The agenda shall be adopted by the subcommittee at the beginning of each meeting.

7. Minutes

Minutes shall be taken and agreed by both secretaries after each meeting. A copy of the minutes, including the subcommittee’s proposals, shall be forwarded by the secretaries of the subcommittee to the secretaries and chair of the Association Committee.

8. Publicity

Unless otherwise decided, the meetings of the subcommittee shall not be public.

RULES OF PROCEDURE

EU-Egypt subcommittee

Industry, trade, services and investment

1. Composition and chair

2. Role

3. Subject matter

(a) Industrial cooperation, as described in Article 45 of the Association Agreement

(b) Trade issues, market access, tariff and non-tariff matters including origin issues

(d) Tourism

(e) Right of establishment and investment issues

(f) Industrial modernisation

(g) Access to finance and investment.

The above list is not exhaustive and other subjects, including horizontal matters, e.g. statistics, may be added by the Association Committee.

The subcommittee may discuss matters relating to one, several or all of the above sectors.

4. Secretariat

An official of the European Commission and an official of the Government of the Arab Republic of Egypt shall act jointly as permanent secretaries of the subcommittee.

All communications concerning the subcommittee shall be forwarded to the secretaries.

5. Meetings

In cases of particular urgency, subcommittees may be convened at shorter notice subject to the agreement of both parties. All requests to convene meetings should be in writing.

Each meeting of the subcommittee shall be held at a time and place agreed by both parties.

The meetings shall be convened by the secretary in charge in agreement with the chair. Before each meeting, the chair will be informed of the intended composition of the delegation of each party.

If both parties agree, the subcommittee may invite experts to its meetings to provide the specific information so requested.

Each meeting will be attended by a representative of the Ministry of International Cooperation in order to ensure the appropriate coordination and linkages with both ongoing and future projects and programmes funded by the EU as well as to ensure that the priorities identified during the meeting receive the necessary support.

6. Agenda of the meetings

All requests for items to be included in the subcommittee agenda shall be forwarded to the secretaries.

The agenda shall be adopted by the subcommittee at the beginning of each meeting.

7. Minutes

8. Publicity

Unless otherwise decided, the meetings of the subcommittee shall not be public.

RULES OF PROCEDURE

EU-Egypt subcommittee

Transport, environment and energy

1. Composition and chair

2. Role

3. Subject matter

The subcommittee shall discuss the implementation of the Association Agreement in the areas listed below. In particular, it shall assess progress as regards law approximation, implementation and enforcement and the integration of environment policy in all areas of the Association Agreement. Where relevant, cooperation in public administration matters shall be discussed. The subcommittee shall examine any problems that may arise in the sectors listed below and shall suggest possible steps to be undertaken.

(a) Transport: including infrastructure modernisation (in particular interconnections), market opening, security and safety in maritime and air transport, control and management of ports and airports, promoting intelligent transport systems and the use if information technologies in all modes of transport, developing road and rail transport connections with neighbouring countries, improving the multimodal system and boosting regional cooperation.

(b) Environmental governance, sector specific issues (climate change, air quality, water resources and water quality, waste management, nature protection, desertification, coastal and marine pollution, industrial pollution, etc.) environmental integration, as well as international and regional environment cooperation.

(c) Energy: including infrastructure modernization and development (in particular interconnections), security and safety of energy infrastructure and transport, demand management, promotion of renewable energies, research and cooperation in data exchange, regional cooperation in particular the promotion of a Mashrek gas market, pricing policy and agreements on purchasing gas in the European Union; exchange and transfer of new technology in the gas industry.

The above list is not exhaustive and other subjects, including horizontal matters, e.g. statistics, may be added by the Association Committee.

The subcommittee may discuss matters relating to one, several or all of the above sectors.

4. Secretariat

An official of the European Commission and an official of the Government of the Arab Republic of Egypt shall act jointly as permanent secretaries of the subcommittee.

All communications concerning the subcommittee shall be forwarded to the secretaries.

5. Meetings

In cases of particular urgency, subcommittees may be convened at shorter notice subject to the agreement of both parties. All requests to convene meetings should be in writing.

Each meeting of the subcommittee shall be held at a time and place agreed by both parties.

The meetings shall be convened by the secretary in charge in agreement with the chair. Before each meeting, the chair will be informed of the intended composition of the delegation of each party.

If both parties agree, the subcommittee may invite experts to its meetings to provide the specific information so requested.

Each meeting will be attended by a representative of the Ministry of International Cooperation in order to ensure the appropriate coordination and linkages with both ongoing and future projects and programmes funded by the EU as well as to ensure that the priorities identified during the meeting receive the necessary support.

6. Agenda of the meetings

All requests for items to be included in the subcommittee agenda shall be forwarded to the secretaries.

The agenda shall be adopted by the subcommittee at the beginning of each meeting.

7. Minutes

8. Publicity

Unless otherwise decided, the meetings of the subcommittee shall not be public.

RULES OF PROCEDURE

EU-Egypt subcommittee

Information society and audiovisual, research and innovation, education and culture

1. Composition and chair

2. Role

3. Subject matter

(a) Development of institutional capacities relating to science, technology and innovation, in particular those capacities in the use of S&T research findings by industry and SMEs together with follow-up of the agreement involving the Arab Republic of Egypt in the RTD Framework Programme.

(b) Cooperation in the field of communications and information technologies

inter alia

, methods of developing technical education, exchanging experience in training teachers and school management, modernising the educational programs and curricula and combating illiteracy among women

(d) Cultural cooperation

(e) Audiovisual, information and communication policies

(f) participation of Egyptian organisations in the calls for proposals of the Information Society Technologies program

(g) policies and regulation for electronic communication networks and services

The above list is not exhaustive and other subjects, including horizontal matters, e.g. statistics, may be added by the Association Committee.

The subcommittee may discuss matters relating to one, several or all of the above sectors.

4. Secretariat

An official of the European Commission and an official of the Government of the Arab Republic of Egypt shall act jointly as permanent secretaries of the subcommittee.

All communications concerning the subcommittee shall be forwarded to the secretaries.

5. Meetings

In cases of particular urgency, subcommittees may be convened at shorter notice subject to the agreement of both parties. All requests to convene meetings should be in writing.

Each meeting of the subcommittee shall be held at a time and place agreed by both parties.

The meetings shall be convened by the secretary in charge in agreement with the chair. Before each meeting, the chair will be informed of the intended composition of the delegation of each party.

If both parties agree, the subcommittee may invite experts to its meetings to provide the specific information so requested.

Each meeting will be attended by a representative of the Ministry of International Cooperation in order to ensure the appropriate coordination and linkages with both ongoing and future projects and programmes funded by the EU as well as to ensure that the priorities identified during the meeting receive the necessary support.

6. Agenda of the meetings

All requests for items to be included in the subcommittee agenda shall be forwarded to the secretaries.

The agenda shall be adopted by the subcommittee at the beginning of each meeting.

7. Minutes

8. Publicity

Unless otherwise decided, the meetings of the subcommittee shall not be public.

RULES OF PROCEDURE

EU-Egypt subcommittee

Agriculture and fisheries

1. Composition and chair

2. Role

3. Subject matter

(a) Agriculture and fisheries products;

(b) Agricultural cooperation and rural development

(d) Processed agricultural products

(e) Legislation applicable to trade

The above list is not exhaustive and other subjects, including horizontal matters, e.g. statistics, may be added by the Association Committee.

The subcommittee may discuss matters relating to one, several or all of the above sectors.

4. Secretariat

An official of the European Commission and an official of the Government of the Arab Republic of Egypt shall act jointly as permanent secretaries of the subcommittee.

All communications concerning the subcommittee shall be forwarded to the secretaries.

5. Meetings

In cases of particular urgency, subcommittees may be convened at shorter notice subject to the agreement of both parties. All requests to convene meetings should be in writing.

Each meeting of the subcommittee shall be held at a time and place agreed by both parties.

The meetings shall be convened by the secretary in charge in agreement with the chair. Before each meeting, the chair will be informed of the intended composition of the delegation of each party.

If both parties agree, the subcommittee may invite experts to its meetings to provide the specific information so requested.

Each meeting will be attended by a representative of the Ministry of International Cooperation in order to ensure the appropriate coordination and linkages with both ongoing and future projects and programmes funded by the EU as well as to ensure that the priorities identified during the meeting receive the necessary support.

6. Agenda of the meetings

All requests for items to be included in the subcommittee agenda shall be forwarded to the secretaries.

The agenda shall be adopted by the subcommittee at the beginning of each meeting.

7. Minutes

8. Publicity

Unless otherwise decided, the meetings of the subcommittee shall not be public.

RULES OF PROCEDURE

EU-Egypt subcommittee

Justice and security

1. Composition and chair

2. Role

3. Subject matter

(a) Cooperation on justice

(b) Judicial cooperation in civil and criminal matters

(d) Cooperation in combating organised crime, including trafficking of human beings, illegal immigration, terrorism and money laundering

(e) Cooperation in the field of fighting corruption.

The above list is not exhaustive and other subjects, including horizontal matters, e.g. statistics, may be added by the Association Committee.

The subcommittee may discuss matters relating to one, several or all of the above sectors.

4. Secretariat

An official of the European Commission and an official of the Government of the Arab Republic of Egypt shall act jointly as permanent secretaries of the subcommittee.

All communications concerning the subcommittee shall be forwarded to the secretaries.

5. Meetings

In cases of particular urgency, subcommittees may be convened at shorter notice subject to the agreement of both parties. All requests to convene meetings should be in writing.

Each meeting of the subcommittee shall be held at a time and place agreed by both parties.

The meetings shall be convened by the secretary in charge in agreement with the chair. Before each meeting, the chair will be informed of the intended composition of the delegation of each party.

If both parties agree, the subcommittee may invite experts to its meetings to provide the specific information so requested.

Each meeting will be attended by a representative of the Ministry of International Cooperation in order to ensure the appropriate coordination and linkages with both ongoing and future projects and programmes funded by the EU as well as to ensure that the priorities identified during the meeting receive the necessary support.

6. Agenda of the meetings

All requests for items to be included in the subcommittee agenda shall be forwarded to the secretaries.

The agenda shall be adopted by the subcommittee at the beginning of each meeting.

7. Minutes

8. Publicity

Unless otherwise decided, the meetings of the subcommittee shall not be public.

RULES OF PROCEDURE

EU-Egypt subcommittee

Customs cooperation

1. Composition and chair

2. Role

The subcommittee shall work under the authority of the Association Committee, to which it shall report after each meeting. The subcommittee does not have any decision making power, but may submit proposals to the Association Committee.

3. Subject matter

(a) Rules of origin

(b) General customs procedures, customs nomenclature, custom valuation

(d) Customs cooperation

The above list is not exhaustive and other subjects, including horizontal matters, e.g. statistics, may be added by the Association Committee.

The subcommittee may discuss matters relating to one, several or all of the above sectors.

4. Secretariat

An official of the European Commission and an official of the Government of the Arab Republic of Egypt shall act jointly as permanent secretaries of the subcommittee.

All communications concerning the subcommittee shall be forwarded to the secretaries.

5. Meetings

In cases of particular urgency, subcommittees may be convened at shorter notice subject to the agreement of both parties. All requests to convene meetings should be in writing.

Each meeting of the subcommittee shall be held at a time and place agreed by both parties.

The meetings shall be convened by the secretary in charge in agreement with the chair. Before each meeting, the chair will be informed of the intended composition of the delegation of each party.

If both parties agree, the subcommittee may invite experts to its meetings to provide the specific information so requested.

Each meeting will be attended by a representative of the Ministry of International Cooperation in order to ensure the appropriate coordination and linkages with both ongoing and future projects and programmes funded by the EU as well as to ensure that the priorities identified during the meeting receive the necessary support.

6. Agenda of the meetings

All requests for items to be included in the subcommittee agenda shall be forwarded to the secretaries.

The agenda shall be adopted by the subcommittee at the beginning of each meeting.

7. Minutes

8. Publicity

Unless otherwise decided, the meetings of the subcommittee shall not be public.

RULES OF PROCEDURE

EU- Egypt subcommittee

Political matters: Human rights and democracy — International and regional issues,

1. Composition and chair

The subcommittee shall be composed of representatives of the European Community and its Member States and representatives of the Government of the Arab Republic of Egypt and shall be chaired alternately by each party.

2. Role

The subcommittee, as a forum for discussion, consultation and assessment, shall work under the authority of the Association Committee, to which it shall report after each meeting. The subcommittee does not have any decision-making power, but may submit proposals to the Association Committee.

3. Topics

The subcommittee shall discuss the implementation of the Association Agreement and the related ENP Action Plan, including in the areas listed below and shall assess progress on the objectives and actions which have been identified and agreed upon in the Action Plan. For matters concerning human rights, democracy, international and regional issues included in the EU-Egypt Neighbourhood Action Plan, the subcommittee shall be the main technical follow-up mechanism. Where relevant, cooperation in public administration matters shall be discussed. The subcommittee shall also examine any problems that may arise in the sectors listed below and shall suggest steps to be undertaken. The subcommittee will be divided in the following two groups:

(a) Human rights and democracy

— democracy and the rule of law,

— human rights and fundamental freedoms including,

— rights of women and children,

— freedom of association and of expression and pluralism of the media,

— fight against discrimination, intolerance, racism and xenophobia,

— fundamental social rights and core labour standards;

(b) International and regional issues

— cooperation on foreign and security policy, including disarmament,

— regional issues including the Middle East Peace Process,

— combating terrorism,

— non-proliferation of WMD and their means of delivery.

The above list is not exhaustive and other subjects may be added by the Association Committee.

The subcommittee may discuss matters relating to one, several or all of the above sectors.

This subcommittee aims to facilitate dialogue, within a context of mutual understanding and respect for the positions of both parties, on all aspects of human rights and democracy, international and regional issues, in a comprehensive and non-exclusive way.

4. Secretariat

An official of the European Commission and an official of the Government of the Arab Republic of Egypt shall act jointly as permanent secretaries of the subcommittee.

All communications concerning the subcommittee shall be forwarded to the secretaries.

5. Meetings

In cases of particular urgency, subcommittee meetings may be convened at shorter notice subject to the agreement of both parties. All requests to convene meetings should be in writing.

Each meeting of the subcommittee shall be held at a time and place agreed by both parties, allocating adequate timing to each group as mentioned under section 3.

The meetings shall be convened by the secretary in charge in agreement with the chair. Before each meeting, the chair will be informed of the intended composition of the delegation of each party.

If both parties agree, the subcommittee may invite experts to its meetings to provide the specific information so requested.

Each meeting will be attended by a representative of the Ministry of International Cooperation in order to ensure the appropriate coordination and linkages with both ongoing and future projects and programmes funded by the EU as well as to ensure that the priorities identified during the meeting receive the necessary support.

6. Agenda of the meetings

All requests for items to be included on the subcommittee’s agenda shall be forwarded to the secretaries.

The provisional agenda shall include the items in respect of which the secretaries have received a request for inclusion in the agenda not later than fifteen days before the beginning of the meeting.

Supporting documentation must be received by both parties at least seven days ahead of the meeting. To take account of urgent matters, these time limits may be shortened provided both parties agree.

The agenda shall be adopted by the subcommittee at the beginning of each meeting.

7. Minutes

8. Publicity

Unless otherwise decided, the meetings of the subcommittee shall not be public and its proceedings shall not be made public.