AGREEMENT IN THE FORM OF AN EXCHANGE OF LETTERS between the Community and the ACP States concerning Annex XL to the fourth ACP-EC Convention relating to the Joint Declaration concerning agricultural products referred to in Article 168 (2) (a) (ii)

A. Letter from the Community

Brussels, 12 June 1997.

Sir,

Annex XL set out in the fourth ACP-EC Convention is replaced by the text set out in point 81 of the Agreement amending the fourth ACP-EC Convention of Lomé, signed in Mauritius on 4 November 1995.

However, in its present form the text will have to be adapted to take account of the results of the Uruguay Round negotiations which have been transposed into the Common Customs Tariff adopted by the Community in consequence.

Aware of that, the Community has undertaken to bring the text of Annex XL signed in Mauritius up to date and has consulted the ACP States on this matter over the last few months.

I enclose the final revised text in annex and should be obliged if you would confirm that the ACP States have taken note thereof.

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

On behalf of the Council of the European Union

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ANNEX

ANNEX XL

Joint Declaration concerning agricultural products referred to in Article 168 (2) (a) (ii)

The Contracting Parties have taken note that the Community intends to take the measures mentioned in the Annex, and which are laid down at the date of signing of the Convention, with a view to granting ACP States the preferential treatment provided for in Article 168 (2) (a) (ii), for certain agricultural and processed products.

They have taken note that the Community declares that it will take all the measures required to ensure that the corresponding agricultural regulations are adopted in good time and that, wherever possible, they come into force at the same time as the interim arrangements which will be introduced after the signing of the Agreement amending the fourth ACP-EC Convention of Lomé, signed in Mauritius on 4 November 1995.

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B. Letter from the ACP States

Brussels, 12 June 1997.

Sir,

I have the honour to acknowledge receipt of your letter of today's date which reads as follows:

'Annex XL set out in the fourth ACP-EC Convention is replaced by the text set out in point 81 of the Agreement amending the fourth ACP-EC Convention of Lomé, signed in Mauritius on 4 November 1995.

However, in its present form the text will have to be adapted to take account of the results of the Uruguay Round negotiations which have been transposed into the Common Customs Tariff adopted by the Community in consequence.

Aware of that, the Community has undertaken to bring the text of Annex XL signed in Mauritius up to date and has consulted the ACP States on this matter over the last few months.

I enclose the final revised text in annex (1) and should be obliged if you would confirm that the ACP States have taken note thereof`.

I have the honour to inform you that the ACP States have taken note of its content and the provisions attached thereto.

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

On behalf of the ACP States

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(1) See page 32 of this Official Journal.