Council Regulation on the Conclusion of the Transitional Protocol to the Agreement between EEC and Portugal

On December 3, 1982, the Council adopts a Regulation concerning the conclusion of the Transitional Protocol to the Agreement between the European Economic Community (EEC) and Portugal regarding the customs regime. Specifically, on October 27, 1982, the EEC and Portugal sign in Brussels a Transitional Protocol which deals with the abolition, suspension of abolition, reduction/increase, and introduction of customs duties on various products. The two parties proceeded to sign this Protocol in order to strengthen their cooperation due to the difficulties faced by Portuguese industrial development and restructuring, with the aim of facilitating the country’s path to joining the European Communities. This Protocol complements the Agreement of July 22, 1972 (which provides for the abolition of customs duties on industrial goods and a number of agricultural products) and the Additional Protocol to the Agreement of September 20, 1976 (with provisions concerning trade measures as well as social, industrial, economic, and technological cooperation), which had been signed by both sides. The Portuguese Republic joined as a member state on January 1, 1986.