2004/785/EC: Commission Decision of 26 October 2004 on the conclusion of an Agreement in the form of an exchange of letters between the European Community and the United Mexican States concerning amendments to Annex II of the Agreement between the European Community and the United Mexican States on the mutual recognition and protection of designations for spirit drinks
Date: 2004-10-26
Institutions: European Commission
Subjects: Mexico, alcoholic beverage, marketing standard, product designation, trade agreement (EU)

L 346/28

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

23.11.2004

COMMISSION DECISION

of 26 October 2004

on the conclusion of an Agreement in the form of an exchange of letters between the European
Community and the United Mexican States concerning amendments to Annex II of the Agreement
between the European Community and the United Mexican States on the mutual recognition and
protection of designations for spirit drinks

THE COMMISSION OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES,

(3)

(2004/785/EC)

The measures provided for
accordance with the opinion of
Committee for Spirit Drinks,

in this Decision are in
the Implementation

HAS DECIDED AS FOLLOWS:

Article 1

The Agreement in the form of an exchange of letters between
the European Community and the United Mexican States
amending Annex II of the Agreement between the European
Community and the United Mexican States on mutual recog-
nition and protection of designations for spirit drinks is hereby
approved on behalf of the Community.

The text of the Agreement is attached to this Decision.

Article 2

The Commissioner of Agriculture is hereby empowered to sign
the exchange of letters in order to bind the Community.

Done at Brussels, 26 October 2004.

For the Commission

Franz FISCHLER
Member of the Commission

Having regard to the Treaty
Community,

establishing the European

Having regard to Council Decision 97/361/EC of 27 May 1997
concerning the conclusion of an Agreement between the
European Community and the United Mexican States on
mutual recognition and protection of designations for spirit
drinks (1), and in particular Article 4 thereof,

Whereas:

(1)

(2)

Taking account of the Mexican request raised during the
‘Formal
talks on Free Trade Agreement adaptations
following the EU enlargement’ that took place on 28-
30 January 2004 in Mexico City,
is necessary to
amend Annex II of
the Agreement between the
European Community and the United Mexican States
recognition and protection for spirit
on the mutual
drinks in order to protect the Mexican new spirit terms
Charanda and Sotol, with effect as of 29 October 2004.

it

Therefore, the Community and the United Mexican States
in accordance with Article 18 of the
have negotiated,
abovementioned Agreement, an agreement in the form
of an exchange of
letters to amend Annex II of the
Agreement. This exchange of letters should therefore be
approved.

(1) OJ L 152, 11.6.1997, p. 15.

23.11.2004

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

L 346/29

ANNEX

AGREEMENT IN THE FORM OF AN EXCHANGE OF LETTERS

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

LETTER No 1

Letter from the European Community

Brussels, 29 October 2004

Sir,

I have the honour to refer to your request raised during the discussions related to Formal talks on Free Trade Agreement
adaptations following the enlargement on 28-30 January 2004 that took place in Mexico City and 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.

The Community has examined the request and agrees to modify Annex II of the Agreement in conformity with the
Annex attached to the present exchange of letters, with effect as of 29 October 2004.

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

L 346/30

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

23.11.2004

LETTER No 2

Letter from the United Mexican States

Mexico City, 29 October 2004

Sir,

I have the honour to acknowledge receipt of your letter of 29 October 2004 which reads as follows:

‘I have the honour to refer to your request raised during the discussions related to Formal talks on Free Trade
Agreement adaptations following enlargement on 28-30 January 2004 that took place in Mexico City and 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.

The Community has examined the request and agrees to modify Annex II of the Agreement in conformity with the
Annex attached to the present exchange of letters, with effect as of 29 October 2004.

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

Luis Ernesto DERBEZ

23.11.2004

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

L 346/31

ANNEX

Annex II of the Agreement between the European Community and the United Mexican States on the mutual recognition
and protection for spirit drinks shall be modified as follows:

‘ANNEX II

to the Agreement between the European Community and the United Mexican States on mutual recognition and
protection of designations for spirit drinks

Spririt drinks of Agave:

Tequila: protected, elaborated and classified in conformity with the laws and regulations of the United Mexican States.

Mezcal: protected, elaborated and classified in conformity with the laws and regulations of the United Mexican States.

Spirit drink of Sotol (Dasylirion):

Sotol: protected, elaborated and classified in conformity with the laws and regulations of the United Mexican States.

Spirit drink of sugar cane:
Charanda: protected, elaborated and classified in conformity with the laws and regulations of the United Mexican States.’