AGREEMENT in the form of an Exchange of Letters amending the Additional Protocol on trade in textile products between the European Community and the Czech Republic

Letter from the Council of the European Union

Sir,

I have the honour to refer to the negotiations held on 22-23 November 1995 between our respective Delegations with a view to amending the Additional Protocol on trade in textile products between the European Community and the Czech Republic, applied since 1 January 1993, as last amended by the Agreement in the form of an Exchange of Letters initialled on 24 November 1994. These negotiations were held in the context of Article 1, paragraph 3 of the aforesaid Additional Protocol.

2. During these negotiations both Parties noted with satisfaction the way in which the Additional Protocol has, in general, been implemented.

3. In order to foster the development of further mutually beneficial trade flows it was agreed to amend the Additional Protocol as follows:

3.1. The first subparagraph of Article 2, paragraph 3 of the Protocol is replaced by the following:

'3. The origin of the products covered by this Protocol shall be determined in accordance with the rules of non-preferential origin in force in the Community.`

3.2. Article 2, paragraph 3 of Appendix A is replaced by the following:

'The certificate of origin referred to in paragraph 1 above is not required for the importation of goods covered by a movement certificate EUR1 or a form EUR2 issued in conformity with Protocol 4 to the Europe Agreement in cases where those documents clearly establish that the Czech Republic is to be considered as the country of origin on the basis of the rules on non-preferential origin in force in the Community.`

3.3. The Annex to Appendix B concerning outward processing traffic is replaced by Appendix 1 attached (OPT quotas).

4. I should be obliged if you would kindly confirm the acceptance of your Government of the foregoing. Should this be the case, this letter, completed by its Appendix, Agreed Minute and your written confirmation, will constitute an Agreement in the form of an Exchange of Letters between the Community and the Czech Republic. This Agreement shall enter into force on the first day of the month following that in which the European Community and the Czech Republic notify each other that they have completed the necessary internal procedures to this effect. In the meantime, the amendments to the Additional Protocol will apply on a provisional basis from 1 January 1996, provided that they are applied on a reciprocal basis.

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

For the Council of the European Union

Appendix 1

ANNEX TO APPENDIX B (The full product descriptions of the categories listed in this Annex are to be found in Annex I to the Protocol)

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Letter from the Government of the Czech Republic

Sir,

I have the honour to acknowledge receipt of your letter of . . . which reads as follows:

'Sir,

I have the honour to refer to the negotiations held on 22-23 November 1995 between our respective delegations with a view to amending the Additional Protocol on trade in textile products between the European Community and the Czech Republic, applied since 1 January 1993, as last amended by the Agreement in the form of an Exchange of Letters initialled on 24 November 1994. These negotiations were held in the context of Article 1, paragraph 3 of the aforesaid Additional Protocol.

2. During these negotiations both parties noted with satisfaction the way in which the Additional Protocol has, in general, been implemented.

3. In order to foster the development of further mutually beneficial trade flows it was agreed to amend the Additional Protocol as follows:

3.1. The first subparagraph of Article 2, paragraph 3 of the Protocol is replaced by the following:

"3. The origin of the products covered by this Protocol shall be determined in accordance with the rules of non-preferential origin in force in the Community."

3.2. Article 2, paragraph 3 of Appendix A is replaced by the following:

"The certificate of origin referred to in paragraph 1 above is not required for the importation of goods covered by a movement certificate EUR1 or a form EUR2 issued in conformity with Protocol 4 to the Europe Agreement in cases where those documents clearly establish that the Czech Republic is to be considered as the country of origin on the basis of the rules on non-preferential origin in force in the Community."

3.3. The Annex to Appendix B concerning outward processing traffic is replaced by Appendix 1 attached (OPT quotas).

4. I should be obliged if you would kindly confirm the acceptance of your Government of the foregoing. Should this be the case, this letter, completed by its Appendix, Agreed Minute and your written confirmation, will constitute an Agreement in the form of an Exchange of Letters between the Community and the Czech Republic. This Agreement shall enter into force on the first day of the month following that in which the European Community and the Czech Republic notify each other that they have completed the necessary internal procedures to this effect. In the meantime, the amendments to the Additional Protocol will apply on a provisional basis from 1 January 1996, provided that they are applied on a reciprocal basis.

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

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 Czech Republic

Appendix 1

ANNEX TO APPENDIX B (The full product descriptions of the categories listed in this Annex are to be found in Annex I to the Protocol)

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AGREED MINUTE

In the context of the negotiations held on 22-23 November 1995 in accordance with Article 1, paragraph 3 of the Additional Protocol to the Europe Agreement on Trade in Textile Products between the European Community and the Czech Republic, the Parties agreed that further consultations shall be held not later than 31 March 1996 on the question of the pricing of Czech exports of category 90 and category 50 products.

For the Government of the Czech Republic

For the Council of the European Union