EN Official Journal of the European Communities L 160/140

AGREEMENT IN THE FORM OF AN EXCHANGE OF LETTERS

between the European Community and the United Mexican States concerning amendment of Annex I of the Agreement between the European Community and the United Mexican States on the mutual recognition and protection of designations for spirit drinks

Brussels, 28 April 2004

Sir,

I have the honour to refer to meetings related to technical adaptations which have been held under Article 18 of the Agreement between the European Community and the United Mexican States on the mutual recognition and protection of designations for spirit drinks, of 27 May 1997, which provides that the Contracting Parties may, by mutual consent, amend this Agreement.

As you are already aware the enlargement of the European Union will take place on 1 May 2004. Therefore, in this context it is necessary to make technical adaptations to Annex I of the above-mentioned Agreement, in order to include the recognition and protection of designations for spirit drinks of the new Member States with a view to be applied by the Parties with effect from 1 May 2004.

I have therefore the honour to propose that Annex I to the Agreement between the European Community and the United Mexican States on the mutual recognition and protection of designations for spirit drinks be replaced by the Annex attached hereto, with effect as of 1 May 2004, subject to the entry into force on the same date of the Treaty of Accession to the European Union of the Czech Republic, Estonia, Cyprus, Latvia, Lithuania, Hungary, Malta, Poland, Slovenia and Slovakia.

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 European Community Franz Fischler

Brussels, 28 April 2004

Sir,

I have the honour to acknowledge receipt of your letter of 28 April 2004 which reads as follows:

"I have the honour to refer to meetings related to technical adaptations which have been held under Article 18 of the Agreement between the European Community and the United Mexican States on the mutual recognition and protection of designations for spirit drinks, of 27 May 1997, which provides that the Contracting Parties may, by mutual consent, amend this Agreement. As you are already aware the enlargement of the European Union will take place on 1 May 2004. Therefore, in this context it is necessary to make technical adaptations to Annex I of the above-mentioned Agreement, in order to include the recognition and protection of designations for spirit drinks of the new Member States with a view to be applied by the Parties with effect from 1 May 2004. I have therefore the honour to propose that Annex I to the Agreement between the European Community and the United Mexican States on the mutual recognition and protection of designations for spirit drinks be replaced by the Annex attached hereto, with effect as of 1 May 2004, subject to the entry into force on the same date of the Treaty of Accession to the European Union of the Czech Republic, Estonia, Cyprus, Latvia, Lithuania, Hungary, Malta, Poland, Slovenia and Slovakia. I should be obliged if you would confirm that your Government is in agreement with the contents of this letter."

I have the honour to inform you that the United Mexican States are in agreement with the content of your letter.

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

On behalf of the United Mexican States Porfirio Alejandro Muñoz Ledo y Lazo de la Vega