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 Hungary on the reciprocal establishment of tariff quotas for certain wines

A. Letter from the Community

Brussels, 3 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 Hungary 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 Hungary 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 Hungary have agreed on the following:

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

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

>TABLE>"

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

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

>TABLE>"

III. The following shall be added at the end of point 3(a) of the said Agreement: "- in 2000, exemption from countries duties."

IV. The following shall be added at the end of point 3(b) of the said Agreement: "- in 2000, exemption from customs duties."

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

This Agreement shall enter into force on the day of its signature. It shall apply from 1 January 2000, in accordance with the respective legislation and regulations of the Contracting Parties. 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. Moreover, the additional Protocol to the Europe Agreement will define the modalities for cooperation between Hungary and the European Community to support the implementation of a programme for progressive application by Hungary of the acquis communautaire in the field of wine and spirits, particularly as regards reinforcing the supply management and control instruments in the winegrowing sector (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 the Republic of Hungary

Brussels, 3 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 Hungary 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 Hungary 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 Hungary have agreed on the following:

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

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

>TABLE>'

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

'Quantities of wine originating in Hungary and qualifying for tariff reductions in 2000

>TABLE>'

III. The following shall be added at the end of point 3(a) of the said Agreement: '- in 2000, exemption from customs duties.'

IV. The following shall be added at the end of point 3(b) of the said Agreement: '- in 2000, exemption from customs duties.'

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

This Agreement shall enter into force on the day of its signature. It shall apply from 1 January 2000, in accordance with the respective legislation and regulations of the Contracting Parties. 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. Moreover, the additional Protocol to the Europe Agreement will define the modalities for cooperation between Hungary and the European Community to support the implementation of a programme for progressive application by Hungary of the acquis communautaire in the field of wine and spirits, particularly as regards reinforcing the supply management and control instruments in the winegrowing sector (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 Hungary

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