AGREEMENT in the form of an Exchange of Letters between the European Economic Community and the Swiss Confederation concerning non-agricultural and processed agricultural products not covered by the Agreement

Brussels, 14 July 1986

Sir,

I have the honour to refer to the Additional Protocol to the Agreement between the European Economic Community and the Swiss Confederation consequent upon the accession of the Kingdom of Spain and the Portuguese Republic to the Community, signed this day, and to the negotiations which have taken place between the Community and the Swiss Confederation on transitional customs arrangements to be applied to trade between Spain and Portugal, on the one hand, and Switzerland on the other, in respect of non-agricultural and processed agricultural products not covered by the abovementioned Agreement.

For the products listed in Annexes I and II, I hereby confirm that the Kingdom of Spain and the Portuguese Republic will gradually eliminate the difference which exists between the basic duty as defined in accordance with Articles 4 and 10 of the Additional Protocol and the Common Customs Tariff so as to attain by 1 January 1993 the duty stipulated in that Tariff. This elimination shall for Spain take place in steps of 10 %, 12,5 %, 15 %, 15 %, 12,5 %, 12,5 %, 12,5 % and 10 %, respectively. For Portugal the elimination shall take place in steps of 10 %, 10 %, 15 %, 15 %, 10 %, 10 %, 15 % and 15 %, respectively.

From 1 March 1986, in the case of tariff headings in respect of which the basic duties do not differ more than 15 % in either direction from the duties in the Common Customs Tariff or the ECSC unified tariff, these latter duties shall be applied by the Kingdom of Spain.

From 1 March 1986, the Portuguese Republic shall apply a duty reducing by 10 % the difference between the basic duty and the duty in the Common Customs Tariff. From 1 January 1987, in the case of tariff headings in respect of which the basic duties do not differ by more than 15 % in either direction from the duties in the Common Customs Tariff or the ECSC unified tariff, these latter duties shall be applied by Portugal.

The Swiss Confederation will proceed likewise in respect of the products listed in Annex III originating in Portugal, so as to attain by 1 January 1993 the duty stipulated in the Customs Tariff of Switzerland.

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

I should be obliged if you would confirm that the Government of the Republic of Austria is in agreement with the above.

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

On behalf of the Council of the

European Communities

Brussels, 14 July 1986

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 Additional Protocol to the Agreement between the European Economic Community and the Swiss Confederation consequent upon the accession of the Kingdom of Spain and the Portuguese Republic to the Community, signed this day, and to the negotiations which have taken place between the Community and the Swiss Confederation on transitional customs arrangements to be applied to trade between Spain and Portugal, on the one hand, and Switzerland on the other, in respect of non-agricultural and processed agricultural products not covered by the abovementioned Agreement.

For the products listed in Annexes I and II, I hereby confirm that the Kingdom of Spain and the Portuguese Republic will gradually eliminate the difference which exists between basic duty as defined in accordance with Articles 4 and 10 of the Additional Protocol and the Common Customs Tariff so as to attain by 1 January 1993 the duty stipulated in that Tariff. This elimination shall for Spain take place in steps of 10 %, 12,5 %, 15 %, 15 %, 12,5 %, 12,5 %, 12,5 % and 10 %, respectively. For Portugal the elimination shall take place in steps of 10 %, 10 %, 15 %, 15 %, 10 %, 10 %, 15 % and 15 %, respectively.

From 1 March 1986, in the case of tariff headings in respect of which the basic duties do not differ more than 15 % in either direction from the duties in the Common Customs Tariff or the ECSC unified tariff, these latter duties shall be applied by the Kingdom of Spain.

From 1 March 1986, the Portuguese Republic shall apply a duty reducing by 10 % the difference between the basic duty and the duty in the Common Customs Tariff. From 1 January 1987, in the case of tariff beadings in respect of which the basic duties do not differ by more than 15 % in either direction from the duties in the Common Customs Tariff or the ECSC unified tariff, these latter duties shall be applied by Portugal.

The Swiss Confederation will proceed likewise in respect of the products listed in Annex III originating in Portugal, so as to attain by 1 January 1993 the duty stipulated in the Customs Tariff of Switzerland.

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

I should be obliged if you would confirm that the Government of the Swiss Confederation is in agreement with the above.'

I have the honour to confirm that my Government is in agreement with the contents of your letter.

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

For the Government of the

Swiss Confederation

ANNEX I

SPAIN

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ANNEX II

PORTUGAL

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ANNEX III

PORTUGAL

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