MEMORANDUM
OF UNDERSTANDING ON IMPLEMENTATION OF FREE
DELIVERY OF FOOD PRODUCTS

THIS MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING IS MADE BETWEEN
THE RUSSIAN FEDERATION, REPRESENTED BY THE GOVERNMENT
OF THE RUSSIAN FEDERATION, ON THE ONE HAND, AND
THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITY REPRESENTED BY THE
COMMISSION OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES,
ON THE OTHER HAND


1. Objectives

1.1. Following a request from the Government of the Russian Federation on 12 November 1998 (Annex I), the Council of the European Union has decided to implement a food supply programme in the form of a donation in favour of the Russian Federation.

1.2. The specific objective of the food supply programme is to improve the food supply situation in the regions of the Russian Federation where there are major food shortages, in accordance with a plan established by the Government of the Russian Federation. This plan forms a part of this Memorandum of Understanding (Annex II) and will also be subject to an official decision by the Government of the Russian Federation, which will be published. The text thereof will be transmitted to the Commission of the European Communities (hereinafter referred to as the Commission) within 14 days after signature of this Memorandum of Understanding.

The action will assist the part of the population in need to overcome the consequences of the poor harvest in the Russian Federation as well as food supply problems in particular regions. The regions and areas which will be the beneficiaries are listed in Annex II. These regions and areas may only be subject to modifications after prior approval by the Commission.

2. Contents

2.1. The food supply programme will comprise free supply to the Russian Federation of maximum: