Brussels Refers Bulgaria to Court of Justice for Failing to Review Agreement with U.S.
Thursday, 01 January 1970
The European Commission said on Thursday it referred Bulgaria to the Court of Justice for failing to bring its bilateral agreement with the U.S. on technical assistance into line with EU law.
“On its accession to the EU, Bulgaria committed to take all steps necessary to bring its existing agreements with third countries into line with EU law," the EC said in a press release.
This includes the bilateral agreement with the U.S. on technical assistance, under which Bulgaria waives customs duties and value added tax (VAT) on imports linked to U.S.-funded assistance projects. According to the Commission, the agreement goes beyond what is allowed under EU customs duty rules and EU VAT rules.
As Bulgaria failed to amend the agreement in order to make it compatible with EU law or to unilaterally terminate it, the EC is now referring the case to the European Court of Justice, the statement added.