Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
06STATE202476
2006-12-22 19:18:00
UNCLASSIFIED
Secretary of State
Cable title:
BULGARIA AND ROMANIA WILL NO LONGER BE DESIGNATED
how-toVZCZCXYZ0001 RR RUEHWEB DE RUEHC #2476 3570002 ZNR UUUUU ZZH R 221918Z DEC 06 FM SECSTATE WASHDC TO RUEHSF/AMEMBASSY SOFIA 7508 RUEHBM/AMEMBASSY BUCHAREST 5187 INFO RUEHBS/USEU BRUSSELS
UNCLAS STATE 202476
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: EAID ECON ETRD
SUBJECT: BULGARIA AND ROMANIA WILL NO LONGER BE DESIGNATED
AS GSP BENEFICIARIES UPON EU ACCESSION
UNCLAS STATE 202476
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: EAID ECON ETRD
SUBJECT: BULGARIA AND ROMANIA WILL NO LONGER BE DESIGNATED
AS GSP BENEFICIARIES UPON EU ACCESSION
1. This is an action request, please see paragraph 2.
2. Bulgaria and Romania currently receive benefits under the
U.S. Generalized System of Benefits (GSP) program, which
provides for duty-free export to the U.S. for 3,400 products.
Both countries are also scheduled to become European Union
(EU) member states in January 2007. Under the GSP
authorizing statute, EU member states may not be designated
as beneficiary developing countries for purposes of the GSP.
An upcoming Presidential proclamation will announce that
Bulgaria and Romania are no longer designated as GSP
beneficiaries, effective for each country on the day that it
becomes an EU Member State. While the exact release date of
the proclamation is not yet certain, publication is expected
before December 31, 2006. Posts are requested to inform host
governments of the upcoming Presidential proclamation, which
will result in the loss of each country's GSP benefits upon
accession to the EU.
Background
--------------
3. Sections 501 and 502(a)(1) of the Trade Act of 1974 (19
U.S.C. 2461, 2462(a)(1)),as amended, authorize the President
to designate countries as beneficiary developing countries
for purposes of GSP. Section 502(b)(1)(C) of the Act (19
U.S.C. 2462(b)(1)(C)) specifies that European Union member
states may not be designated as beneficiary developing
countries for purposes of GSP. As a result, each country may
not be designated as beneficiary developing countries for
purposes of the GSP, effective upon each country's accession
to the EU, which are both scheduled for January 1, 2007.
4. This proclamation with respect to Bulgaria and Romania is
not without precedent. In 2004, the President proclaimed
that the Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania,
Poland, and Slovakia were no longer GSP beneficiaries when
they acceded to the EU.
5. Full background on the GSP program can be found at
http://www.ustr.gov
6. Follow up inquiries may be directed to Aaron Scheibe in
EB's Office of Multilateral Trade Affairs. Mr. Scheibe may
be reached via email at ScheibeAP@state.gov, or at (202)
647-8202.
RICE
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: EAID ECON ETRD
SUBJECT: BULGARIA AND ROMANIA WILL NO LONGER BE DESIGNATED
AS GSP BENEFICIARIES UPON EU ACCESSION
1. This is an action request, please see paragraph 2.
2. Bulgaria and Romania currently receive benefits under the
U.S. Generalized System of Benefits (GSP) program, which
provides for duty-free export to the U.S. for 3,400 products.
Both countries are also scheduled to become European Union
(EU) member states in January 2007. Under the GSP
authorizing statute, EU member states may not be designated
as beneficiary developing countries for purposes of the GSP.
An upcoming Presidential proclamation will announce that
Bulgaria and Romania are no longer designated as GSP
beneficiaries, effective for each country on the day that it
becomes an EU Member State. While the exact release date of
the proclamation is not yet certain, publication is expected
before December 31, 2006. Posts are requested to inform host
governments of the upcoming Presidential proclamation, which
will result in the loss of each country's GSP benefits upon
accession to the EU.
Background
--------------
3. Sections 501 and 502(a)(1) of the Trade Act of 1974 (19
U.S.C. 2461, 2462(a)(1)),as amended, authorize the President
to designate countries as beneficiary developing countries
for purposes of GSP. Section 502(b)(1)(C) of the Act (19
U.S.C. 2462(b)(1)(C)) specifies that European Union member
states may not be designated as beneficiary developing
countries for purposes of GSP. As a result, each country may
not be designated as beneficiary developing countries for
purposes of the GSP, effective upon each country's accession
to the EU, which are both scheduled for January 1, 2007.
4. This proclamation with respect to Bulgaria and Romania is
not without precedent. In 2004, the President proclaimed
that the Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania,
Poland, and Slovakia were no longer GSP beneficiaries when
they acceded to the EU.
5. Full background on the GSP program can be found at
http://www.ustr.gov
6. Follow up inquiries may be directed to Aaron Scheibe in
EB's Office of Multilateral Trade Affairs. Mr. Scheibe may
be reached via email at ScheibeAP@state.gov, or at (202)
647-8202.
RICE