22.7.1999 Official Journal of the European Communities L 189/1 (Acts whose publication is obligatory) COUNCIL REGULATION (EC) No 1599/1999 of 12 July 1999 imposing a definitive countervailing duty and collecting definitively the provisional duty imposed on stainless steel wires with a diameter of 1 mm or more originating in India and terminating the proceeding concerning imports of stainless steel wires with a diameter of 1 mm or more origin- ating in the Republic of Korea THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION, Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Community, Having regard to Council Regulation (EC) No 2026/97 of 6 October 1997 on protection against subsidised imports from countries not members of the European Community (!), and in particular Articles 14 and 15 thereof, Having regard to the proposal submitted by the Commission after consulting the Advisory Committee, Whereas: (A) PROVISIONAL MEASURES The Commission, by Regulation (EC) No 618/1999 (3 (hereinafter referred to as the ‘provisional Regulation)) imposed provisional countervailing duties on imports of stainless steel wires with a diameter of 1 mm or more (hereinafter referred to as ‘large SSW’ or ‘product concer- ned’), originating in India and in the Republic of Korea (hereinafter referred to as ‘Korea’), and falling within CN code ex 722300 19. (B) SUBSEQUENT PROCEDURE Subsequent to the disclosure of the essential facts and considerations on the basis of which it was decided to impose provisional measures on imports of large SSW originating in India and Korea (hereinafter referred to as ‘disclosure’), several interested parties submitted comments in writing. The parties who so requested were also granted an opportunity to be heard orally. The Commission continued to seek and verify all infor- mation it deemed necessary for its definitive findings. All parties were informed of the essential facts and considerations on the basis of which it is intended to recommend: O] L 288, 21.10.1997, p. 1. O] L 79, 24.3.1999, p. 25. (i) the imposition of definitive countervailing duties on imports from India and the definitive collection of amounts secured by way of provisional duties on these imports; and (ii) the termination of the proceeding against imports from Korea without the imposition of measures. They were also granted a period within which they could make representations subsequent to this disclo- sure. The oral and written comments submitted by the parties were considered, and, where deemed appropriate, the provisional findings have been modified accordingly. (©) PRODUCT CONCERNED AND LIKE PRODUCT The product under consideration is large SSW, containing by weight 2,5% or more of nickel, other than containing by weight 28 % or more but no more than 31 % of nickel and 20 % or more but not more than 22 % of chromium. It was found at the provisional stage of the investigation that there were differences in physical characteristics and uses between SSW covered by the present investigation, i.e. with a diameter of 1 mm or more (large wire) and SSW with a diameter of less than 1 mm (fine wire). For these reasons, it also appeared that there was no or only very limited interchangeability between large and fine wires' applications. However, it was also stated in the provisional Regulation that the question whether a clear dividing line could be drawn between these two prod- ucts was going to be further investigated up to the definitive stage. On the basis of the further information collected from interested parties, it is concluded that large wire and fine wire are two different products as they present different physical characteristics and are used for different applications. Firstly, as to the physical characteristics, the tensile strength, granular structure and coating of SSW are different for large and fine wires. Secondly, as