*****

AGREEMENT

in the form of an exchange of letters amending certain zero-duty tariff quotas opened by the United Kingdom for 1983 in accordance with Protocol 1 of the Agreement between the European Economic Community and the Republic of Finland

Letter No 1

Sir,

In accordance with Protocol 1 of the Agreement between the European Economic Community and the Republic of Finland signed in Brussels on 5 October 1973, the United Kingdom has since 1 January 1974 opened tariff quotas for coated printing paper and writing paper (subheading ex 48.07 D of the Common Customs Tariff) as well as for kraft paper for large-capacity sacks (subheading ex 48.01 C II of the Common Customs Tariff). The permissible maxima for these quotas were fixed on the basis of statistics available for the period 1968 to 1971.

Within the quota for coated printing and writing paper the United Kingdom has established a subquota for lightweight coated mechanical paper weighing less than 65 g/m2 (LWC).

During recent years the demand for LWC has increased significantly in the United Kingdom and elsewhere. Although the rest of the Community has been able to supply an increasing proportion of United Kingdom demand, much of the latter is still being met by supplies from Finland. It is therefore proposed that the permissible maximum for the quota which the United Kingdom may open in 1983 for coated printing and writing paper be increased by 7 571 tonnes to a total of 31 278 tonnes, it being understood that the increase will be confined to the subquota for LWC. By way of compensation, the permissible maximum for the quota for kraft paper for large-capacity sacks will be reduced for 1983 by 7 571 tonnes to 51 537 tonnes. The quota for this type of paper has been under-utilized during recent years.

I should be grateful if you would confirm that your Government is in agreement with the above.

Please accept, Sir, the assurance of my highest consideration.

On behalf of the

Council of the European Communities

Letter No 2

Sir,

I have the honour to acknowledge receipt of your letter of today's date which reads as follows:

'In accordance with Protocol 1 of the Agreement between the European Economic Community and the Republic of Finland signed in Brussels on 5 October 1973, the United Kingdom has since 1 January 1974 opened tariff quotas for coated printing paper and writing paper (subheading ex 48.07 D of the Common Customs Tariff) as well as for kraft paper for large-capacity sacks (subheading ex 48.01 C II of the Common Customs Tariff). The permissible maxima for these quotas were fixed on the basis of statistics available for the period 1968 to 1971.

Within the quota for coated printing and writing paper the United Kingdom has established a subquota for lightweight coated mechanical paper weighing less than 65 g/m2 (LWC).

During recent years the demand for LWC has increased significantly in the United Kingdom and elsewhere. Although the rest of the Community has been able to supply an increasing proportion of United Kingdom demand, much of the latter is still being met by supplies from Finland. It is therefore proposed that the permissible maximum for the quota which the United Kingdom may open in 1983 for coated printing and writing paper be increased by 7 571 tonnes to a total of 31 278 tonnes, it being understood that the increase will be confined to the subquota for LWC. By way of compensation, the permissible maximum for the quota for kraft paper for large-capacity sacks will be reduced for 1983 by 7 571 tonnes to 51 537 tonnes. The quota for this type of paper has been under-utilized during recent years.

I should be grateful if you would confirm that your Government is in agreement with the above.'

I have the honour to confirm that my Government is in agreement with the contents of your letter.

Please accept, Sir, the assurance of my highest consideration.

For the Republic of Finland