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, 8 February 2000

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 1999.

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

I. The tables below shall be added to the Annex to the said Agreement:

"Quantities of wine originating in the Community and qualifying for tariff reductions in 2000

>TABLE>

Quantities of wine originating in Bulgaria and qualifying for tariff reductions in 2000

>TABLE>"

II. The following shall be added at the end of point 3(a) of the said Agreement: "- in 2000, 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 2000. It shall expire on 31 December 2000. During the first half of 2000, negotiations will take place with a view to concluding an additional Protocol to the Europe Agreement covering both wines and spirits. The additional Protocol to the Europe Agreement will also lay down detailed rules for cooperation between Bulgaria and the European Community to support the implementation of a programme under which Bulgaria will progressively adopt the acquis communautaire relating to wine and spirits, particularly as regards reinforcing inspection structures and controlling wine production (including the establishment of a vineyard register).

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 Bulgaria

Brussels, 8 February 2000

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 1999.

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

I. The tables below shall be added to the Annex to the said Agreement:

'Quantity of wine originating in the Community and qualifying for tariff reductions in 2000

>TABLE>

Quantities of wine originating in Bulgaria and qualifying for tariff reductions in 2000

>TABLE>'

II. The following shall be added at the end of point 3(a) of the said Agreement: '- in 2000, 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 2000. It shall expire on 31 December 2000. During the first half of 2000, negotiations will take place with a view to concluding an additional Protocol to the Europe Agreement covering both wines and spirits. The additional Protocol to the Europe Agreement will also lay down detailed rules for cooperation between Bulgaria and the European will progressively adopt the acquis communautaire relating to wine and spirits, particularly as regards reinforcing inspection structures and controlling wine production (including the establishment of a vineyard register).

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 my Government is in agreement with the content of your letter.

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

For the Government of the Republic of Bulgaria

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