Official Journal of the European Communities No L 217/1S§ 11. 8. 90 COUNCIL REGULATION (EEC) No 2344/90 of 24 July 1990 ‘ amending Regulation (EEC) No 3976/ 87 on the application of Article 85 (3) of the Treaty to certain categories of agreements and concerted practices in the air transport sector THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES, Having regard to the Treaty establishing;‘th:e European Economic Community, and in particular Article 87 thereof, ‘ Having regard to the proposal from the Commission (1), Having . regard to the opinion of the European Parliament (2), Having regard to the opinion of the Economic and Social Committee (3), Whereas Regulation (EEC) No 3976/87 (*) empowers the Commission to declare by way of regulation that the provisions of Article 85 (1) donot apply to certain categories of ,agreements between undertakings, . decisions by associations of undertakings and concerted practices; Whereas these block exemptions were granted for a limited period, expiring on 31 January 1991, during which air carriers could adapt to the more competitive environment introduced by changes in the regulatory system applicable to intra-Community international air transport; Whereas. after that date there will still be a-need for block exemptions for a further transitional period, HAS ADOPTED THIS REGULATION: | . Article 1 Regulation' (EEC) No 3976/87 is hereby amended as follows: 1. in Article 2(2) a new -indent is added reading as follows: ‘— consultations on cargo rates,’; 2. in Article 3, ‘31 January 1991’ is replaced by ‘31 December 1992; 3. in Article 8, ‘30 June 1990’ and ‘1 November 1989’ are replaced by ‘31 December 1992’ and ‘1 July 1992’ respectively. Article 2 This Regulation shall enter into force on the day following its - publication in the Official- Journal of the European Communities.~ This Regulation shall be binding in its entirety- and directly applicable .in all Member States. Done at Brussels, 24 July 1990. (1) OJ No C 258, 11:-10. 1989, p. 3. (3) OJ No C 149, 18. 6. 1990. (3) OJ No C 112, 7. 5. 1990, p. 17. (4) O No L 374, 31. 12. 1987, p. 9. For the Council The President C. MANNINO