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AGREEMENTS

in the form of an exchange of letters between the European Economic Community, the European Coal and Steel Community and the Member States of that Community on the one hand and the Republic of Austria, the Republic of Finland, the Republic of Iceland, the Kingdom of Norway, the Kingdom of Sweden and the Swiss Confederation respectively, on the other, on the arrangements applicable to trade between Spain and Portugal, on the one hand, and Austria, Finland, Iceland, Norway, Sweden and Switzerland on the other, respectively from 1 January to 28 February 1986

A. Letter from the Communities

Brussels, . . . . . .

Sir,

With reference to the Accession of Spain and Portugal to the European Communities with effect from 1 January 1986 and the related negotiations on transitional protocols to the free trade agreement between the Republic of Austria, on the one hand, and the European Communities and the Member States of the European Coal and Steel Community, on the other hand, we have the honour of proposing that, should these negotiations not be concluded in good time, the agreement and arrangements between Austria and Spain and Austria and Portugal expiring on 31 December 1985 continue to apply for the period 1 January to 28 February 1986 without prejudice to the two sides' legal and negotiating positions, particularly with respect to the goods covered and the substantive and formal rules of origin relating to such goods.

We have the honour of suggesting that this letter and your letter confirming its acceptance constitute an agreement between the Republic of Austria and the European Communities and the Member States of the European Coal and Steel Agreement that will come into effect on 1 January 1986, subject to fulfilment of Austria's constitutional requirements.

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

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

1.2 // On behalf of the Commission of the European Communities // On behalf of the Member States of the European Coal and Steel Community And on behalf of the Council of the European Communities B. Letter from Austria

Brussels, . . . . . .

Sirs,

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

'With reference to the Accession of Spain and Portugal to the European Communities with effect from 1 January 1986 and the related negotiations on transitional protocols to the free trade agreement between the Republic of Austria, on the one hand, and the European Communities and the Member States of the European Coal and Steel Community, on the other hand, we have the honour of proposing that, should these negotiations not be concluded in good time, the agreement and arrangements between Austria and Spain and Austria and Portugal expiring on 31 December 1985 continue to apply for the period 1 January to 28 February 1986 without prejudice to the two sides' legal and negotiating positions, particularly with respect to the goods covered and the substantive and formal rules of origin relating to such goods.

We have the honour of suggesting that this letter and your letter confirming its acceptance constitute an agreement between the Republic of Austria and the European Communities and the Member States of the European Coal and Steel Agreement that will come into effect on 1 January 1986, subject to fulfilment of Austria's constitutional requirements.

We should be obliged 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 Government

of the Republic of Austria