AGREEMENT IN THE FORM OF AN EXCHANGE OF LETTERS

amending the Agreement in the form of an Exchange of Letters between the European Community and the Republic of Bulgaria on the reciprocal establishment of tariff quotas for certain wines

A. Letter from the Community

Brussels, 18 June 1999.

Sir,

I have the honour to refer to the Agreement of 29 November 1993 in the form of an Exchange of Letters between the European Community and the Republic of Bulgaria on the reciprocal establishment of tariff quotas for certain wines and to the negotiations which have taken place between the European Community and the Republic of Bulgaria with a view to extending the Agreement beyond 31 December 1998.

I hereby confirm that the European Community and the Republic of Bulgaria have agreed on the following:

I. Table 1 in the Annex to the said Agreement shall be replaced by the following table:

"Quantities of wine originating in the Community and qualifying for tariff reductions

>TABLE>"

II. Table 2 in the Annex to the said Agreement shall be replaced by the following table:

"Quantities of wine originating in Bulgaria and qualifying for tariff reductions

>TABLE>"

III. Point 3(a) of the said Agreement shall be replaced by the following: "in the case of duties applied by Bulgaria to imports of wine originating in the Community:

- in 1993: 90 % of the basic duty,

- in 1994: 80 % of the basic duty,

- in 1995 and subsequent years: 70 % of the basic duty but not exceeding 28 % ad valorem,

- in 1999, EUR 15 per hectolitre."

This Exchange of Letters shall be approved by the contracting parties in accordance with their respective procedures.

This Agreement shall enter into force on 1 January 1999. It shall expire on 31 December 1999. During the first half of 1999 negotiations will take place with a view to concluding an additional protocol to the Europe Agreement covering both wines and spirits. Moreover, the additional Protocol to the Europe Agreement will define the modalities of cooperation between Bulgaria and the European Community to support the implementation of a programme for progressive adoption by Bulgaria of the acquis communautaire in the field of wine and spirits, particularly as regards reinforcing the supply management and control instruments in the wine sector (including the establishment of a wine register).

I should be obliged if you would confirm that your Government is in agreement with the contents of this letter.

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

On behalf of the Council of the European Union

>PIC FILE= "L_1999172EN.000401.EPS">

B. Letter from Bulgaria

Brussels, 18 June 1999.

Sir,

I have the honour to acknowledge receipt of your letter of today's date which reads as follows: "I have the honour to refer to the Agreement of 29 November 1993 in the form of an Exchange of Letters between the European Community and the Republic of Bulgaria on the reciprocal establishment of tariff quotas for certain wines and to the negotiations which have taken place between the European Community and the Republic of Bulgaria with a view to extending the Agreement beyond 31 December 1998.

I hereby confirm that the European Community and the Republic of Bulgaria have agreed on the following:

I. Table 1 in the Annex to the said Agreement shall be replaced by the following table:

'Quantities of wine originating in the Community and qualifying for tariff reductions

>TABLE>'

II. Table 2 in the Annex to the said Agreement shall be replaced by the following table:

'Quantities of wine originating in Bulgaria and qualifying for tariff reductions

>TABLE>'

III. Point 3(4) of the said Agreement shall be replaced by the following: 'in the case of duties applied by Bulgaria to imports of wine originating in the Community:

- in 1993: 90 % of the basic duty,

- in 1994: 80 % of the basic duty,

- in 1995 and subsequent years: 70 % of the basic duty but not exceeding 28 % ad valorem,

- in 1999, EUR 15 per hectolitre.'

This Exchange of Letters shall be approved by the contracting Parties in accordance with their respective procedures.

This Agreement shall enter into force on 1 January 1999. It shall expire on 31 December 1999. During the first half of 1999 negotiations will take place with a view to concluding an additional protocol to the Europe Agreement covering both wines and spirits. Moreover, the additional Protocol to the Europe Agreement will define the modalities of cooperation between Bulgaria and the European Community to support the implementation of a programme for progressive adoption by Bulgaria of the acquis communautaire in the field of wine and spirits, particularly as regards reinforcing the supply management and control instruments in the wine sector (including the establishment of a wine register).

I should be obliged if you would confirm that your Government is an agreement with the contents of this letter."

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 Bulgaria

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