EXCHANGE OF LETTERS concerning the provisional application of certain provisions of the Interregional Framework Cooperation Agreement between the European Community and its Member States, of the one part, and the Southern Common Market and its Party States, of the other part

A. Letter No 1

Brussels, . . .

Sir

I have the honour to refer to the Interregional Framework Cooperation Agreement between the European Community and its Member States, of the one part, and the Southern Common Market and its Party States, of the other part, signed on 15 December 1995 at Madrid.

Pending the entry into force of the said Agreement, I have the honour to propose to you that the European Community and Mercosur provisionally apply the provisions of that Agreement which deal with trade cooperation, as set out in Articles 4 to 8 of Title II of the abovementioned Agreement.

In the interests of ensuring that our cooperation referred to in those provisions is effective, I also have the honour to propose that we provisionally apply the provisions of Articles 27, 29 and 30, which deal with the establishment of the institutions responsible for the implementation of the Agreement.

In conclusion, I have the honour to propose that, if the above is acceptable to Mercosur, this letter and your confirmation shall together constitute an agreement between the European Community and Mercosur.

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

On behalf of the Council of the European Union

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B. Letter No 2

Brussels, . . .

Sir

I have the honour to acknowledge receipt of your letter of today's date concerning the provisional application of certain provisions of the Interregional Framework Cooperation Agreement between the European Community and its Member States, of the one part, and the Southern Common Market and its Party States, of the other part, signed on 15 December 1995 at Madrid, which reads as follows:

'I have the honour to refer to the Interregional Framework Cooperation Agreement between the European Community and its Member States, of the one part, and the Southern Common Market and its Party States, of the other part, signed on 15 December 1995 at Madrid.

Pending the entry into force of the said Agreement, I have the honour to propose to you that the European Community and Mercosur provisionally apply the provisions of that Agreement which deal with trade cooperation, as set out in Articles 4 to 8 of Title II of the abovementioned Agreement.

In the interests of ensuring that our cooperation referred to in those provisions is effective, I also have the honour to propose that we provisionally apply the provisions of Articles 27, 29 and 30, which deal with the establishment of the institutions responsible for the implementation of the Agreement.

In conclusion, I have the honour to propose that, if the above is acceptable to Mercosur, this letter and your confirmation shall together constitute an agreement between the European Community and Mercosur.`

I am able to confirm that Mercosur is in agreement with the contents of your letter.

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

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