AGREEMENT IN THE FORM OF AN EXCHANGE OF LETTERS

between the European Community and the Republic of Tunisia on the arrangements for the import into the Community of untreated olive oil originating in Tunisia

A. Letter from the European Community

Brussels, 21.12.1999.

Sir,

I have the honour to refer to the consultations which took place, under Article 3(3) of Protocol 1 to the Euro-Mediterranean Agreement establishing an association between the European Communities and their Member States, of the one part, and the Republic of Tunisia, of the other part, between the Tunisian authorities and the Commission of the European Communities on the arrangements for the import of untreated olive oil originating in Tunisia.

The purpose of these consultations was to re-examine the situation with a view to determining the arrangements from 1 January 2000.

Following these consultations, it was agreed to extend the existing arrangements by one year on the same terms, as follows:

Customs duty of EUR 7,81 per 100 kg shall apply to the import into the Community between 1 January and 31 December 2000 of up to 46000 tonnes per marketing year of untreated olive oil of CN code 1509 10 10 or 1509 10 90 wholly obtained in Tunisia and transported directly from that country to the Community.

Reassessment of the situation will continue in the meantime with a view to determining the arrangements from 1 January 2001.

This Agreement will be approved by the Parties in accordance with their own procedures.

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

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

On behalf of the Council of the European Union

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B. Letter from the Government of the Republic of Tunisia

Brussels, 21.12.1999.

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 consultations which took place, under Article 3(3) of Protocol 1 to the Euro-Mediterranean Agreement establishing an association between the European Communities and their Member States, of the one part, and the Republic of Tunisia, of the other part, between the Tunisian authorities and the Commission of the European Communities on the arrangements for the import of untreated olive oil originating in Tunisia.

The purpose of these consultations was to re-examine the situation with a view to determining the arrangements from 1 January 2000.

Following these consultations, it was agreed to extend the existing arrangements by one year on the same terms, as follows:

Customs duty of EUR 7,81 per 100 kg shall apply to the import into the Community between 1 January and 31 December 2000 of up to 46000 tonnes per marketing year of untreated olive oil of CN code 1509 10 10 or 1509 10 90 wholly obtained in Tunisia and transported directly from that country to the Community.

Reassessment of the situation will continue in the meantime with a view to determining the arrangements from 1 January 2001.

This Agreement will be approved by the Parties in accordance with their own procedures.

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

I have the honour to confirm that the Government of the Republic of Tunisia is in agreement.

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

For the Government of the Republic of Tunisia

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