COMMISSION DECISION

of 28 April 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 I of the Agreement between the European Community and the United Mexican States on the mutual recognition and protection of designations for spirit drinks, taking into account the enlargement

(notified under document number C(2004) 1566)

(2004/483/EC)

THE COMMISSION OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES,

Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Community,

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) Taking account of the enlargement, it is necessary to amend Annex I of the Agreement between European Community and the United Mexican States on the mutual. recognition and protection for spirit drinks in order to protect the new spirit terms of the new Member States with effect from 1 May 2004.

(2) Therefore, the Community and the United Mexican States have negotiated, in accordance with Article 18 of the above mentioned Agreement, an agreement in the form of an exchange of letters to amend its Annex I. This exchange of letters should therefore be approved.

(3) The measures provided for in this Decision are in accordance with the opinion of the Implementation Committee for Spirit Drinks,

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 I of the Agreement between the European Community and the United Mexican States on mutual recognition 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, 28 April 2004.

For the Commission

Franz FISCHLER

Member of the Commission

(1)

OJ L 152, 11.6.1997, p. 15

ANNEX

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.

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

"ANNEX 1

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

1. Rum

Rhum de la Martinique / Rhum de la Martinique traditionnel

Rhum de la Guadeloupe / Rhum de la Guadeloupe traditionnel

Rhum de la Réunion / Rhum de la Réunion traditionnel

Rhum de la Guyane / Rhum de la Guyane traditionnel

Ron de Malaga

Ron de Granada

Rum da Madeira

2. (a)

Whisky

Scotch Whisky

Irish Whisky

Whisky español

(These designations may be supplemented by the terms "malt" or "grain")

2. (b)

Whiskey

Irish Whiskey

Uisce Beatha Eireannach /Irish Whiskey

(These designations may be supplemented by the terms "Pot Still")

3. Grain spirit

Eau-de-vie de seigle de marque nationale luxembourgeoise

Korn

Kornbrand

4. Wine spirit

Eau-de-vie de Cognac

Eau-de-vie des Charentes

Cognac

(The designation "Cognac" may be supplemented by the following terms:

— Fine

— Grande Fine Champagne

— Grande Champagne

— Petite Champagne

— Petite Fine Champagne

— Fine Champagne

— Borderies

— Fins Bois

— Bons Bois)

Fine Bordeaux

Armagnac

Bas-Armagnac

Haut-Armagnac

Ténarèse

Eau-de-vie de vin de la Marne

Eau-de-vie de vin originaire d'Aquitaine

Eau-de-vie de vin de Bourgogne

Eau-de-vie de vin originaire du Centre-Est

Eau-de-vie de vin originaire de Franche-Comté

Eau-de-vie de vin originaire du Bugey

Eau-de-vie de vin de Savoie

Eau-de-vie de vin originaire des Coteaux de la Loire

Eau-de-vie de vin des Côtes-du-Rhône

Eau-de-vie de vin originaire de Provence

Eau-de-vie de Faugères / Faugères

Eau-de-vie de vin originaire du Languedoc

Aguardente do Minho

Aguardente do Douro

Aguardente da Beira Interior

Aguardente da Bairrada

Aguardente do Oeste

Aguardente do Ribatejo

Aguardente do Alentejo

Aguardente do Algarve

5. Brandy

Brandy de Jerez

Brandy del Penedés

Brandy italiano

Brandy Αττικής / Brandy of Attica

Brandy Πελλοπονήσου / Brandy of the Peloponnese

Brandy Κεντρικής Ελλάδας / Brandy of Central Greece

Deutscher Weinbrand

Wachauer Weinbrand

Weinbrand Dürnstein

Karpatské brandy špeciál

6. Grape marc spirit

Eau-de-vie de marc de Champagne or

Marc de Champagne

Eau-de-vie de marc originaire d'Aquitaine

Eau-de-vie de marc de Bourgogne

Eau-de-vie de marc originaire du Centre-Est

Eau-de-vie de marc originaire de Franche-Comté

Eau-de-vie de marc originaire de Bugey

Eau-de-vie de marc originaire de Savoie

Marc de Bourgogne

Marc de Savoie

Marc d'Auvergne

Eau-de-vie de marc originaire des Coteaux de la Loire

Eau-de-vie de marc des Côtes du Rhône

Eau-de-vie de marc originaire de Provence

Eau-de-vie de marc originaire du Languedoc

Marc d'Alsace Gewürztraminer

Marc de Lorraine

Bagaceira do Minho

Bagaceira do Douro

Bagaceira da Beira Interior

Bagaceira da Bairrada

Bagaceira do Oeste

Bagaceira do Ribatejo

Bagaceiro do Alentejo

Bagaceira do Algarve

Orujo gallego

Grappa

Grappa di Barolo

Grappa piemontese / Grappa del Piemonte

Grappa lombarda / Grappa di Lombardia

Grappa trentina / Grappa del Trentino

Grappa friulana / Grappa del Friuli

Grappa veneta / Grappa del Veneto

Südtiroler Grappa / Grappa dell'Alto Adige

Τσικουδιά Κρήτης / Tsikoudia of Crete

Τσίπουρο Μακεδονίας / Tsipouro of Macedonia

Τσίπουρο Θεσσαλίας / Tsipouro of Thessaly

Τσίπουρο Τυρνάβου / Tsipouro of Tyrnavos

Τσιπουρο Τυρναβου / Tsipouro of Tyrnavos

Eau-de-vie de marc de marque nationale luxembourgeoise

Zivania

Pálinka

7. Fruit spirit

Schwarzwälder Kirschwasser

Schwarzwälder Himbeergeist

Schwarzwälder Mirabellenwasser

Schwarzwälder Williamsbirne

Schwarzwälder Zwetschgenwasser

Fränkisches Zwetschgenwasser

Fränkisches Kirschwasser

Fränkischer Obstler

Mirabelle de Lorraine

Kirsch d'Alsace

Quetsch d'Alsace

Framboise d'Alsace

Mirabelle d'Alsace

Kirsch de Fougerolles

Südtiroler Williams / Williams dell'Alto Adige

Südtiroler Aprikot / Südtiroler

Marille / Aprikot dell'Alto Adige /Marille dell'Alto Adige

Südtiroler Kirsch / Kirsch dell'Alto Adige

Südtiroler Zwetschgeler / Zwetschgeler dell'Alto Adige

Südtiroler Obstler / Obstler dell'Alto Adige

Südtiroler Gravensteiner / Gravensteiner dell'Alto Adige

Südtiroler Golden Delicious / Golden Delicious dell'Alto Adige

Williams friulano / Williams del Friuli

Sliwovitz del Veneto

Sliwovitz del Friuli-Venezia Giulia

Sliwovitz del Trentino-Alto Adige

Distillato di mele trentino / Distillato di mele del Trentino

Williams trentino / Williams del Trentino

Sliwovitz trentino / Sliwovitz del Trentino

Aprikot trentino / Aprikot del Trentino

Medronheira do Algarve

Medronheira do Buçaco

Kirsch Friulano / Kirschwasser Friulano

Kirsch Trentino / Kirschwasser Trentino

Kirsch Veneto / Kirschwasser Veneto

Aguardente de pêra da Lousã

Eau-de-vie de pommes de marque nationale luxembourgeoise

Eau-de-vie de poires de marque nationale luxembourgeoise

Eau-de-vie de kirsch de marque nationale luxembourgeoise

Eau-de-vie de quetsch de marque nationale luxembourgeoise

Eau-de-vie de mirabelle de marque nationale luxembourgeoise

Eau-de-vie de prunelles de marque nationale luxembourgeoise

Wachauer Marillenbrand

Bošácka Slivovica

Szatmári Szilvapálinka

Kecskeméti Barackpálinka

Békési Szilvapálinka

Szabolcsi Almapálinka

Slivovice

Pálinka

8. Cider spirit and perry spirit

Calvados

Calvados du Pays d'Auge

Eau-de-vie de cidre de Bretagne

Eau-de-vie de poiré de Bretagne

Eau-de-vie de cidre de Normandie

Eau-de-vie de poiré de Normandie

Eau-de-vie de cidre du Maine

Aguardiente de sidra de Asturias

Eau-de-vie de poiré du Maine

9. Gentian spirit

Bayerischer Gebirgsenzian

Südtiroler Enzian /Genzians dell'Alto Adige

Genziana trentina /Genziana del Trentino

10. Fruit spirit drinks

Pacharán

Pacharán navarro

11. Juniper-flavoured spirit drinks

Ostriesischer Korngenever

Genièvre Flandres Artois

Hasseltse jenever

Balegemse jenever

Péket de Wallonie

Steinhäger

Plymouth Gin

Gin de Mahón

Vilniaus Džinas

Spišská Borovička

Slovenská Borovička Juniperus

Slovenská Borovička

Inovecká Borovička

Liptovská Borovička

12. Caraway-flavoured spirit drinks

Dansk Akvavit / Dansk Aquavit

Svensk Aquavit / Svensk Akvavit /Swedish Aquavit

13. Aniseed-flavoured spirit drinks

Anis español

Evoca anisada

Cazalla

Chinchón

Ojén

Rute

Ούζο / Ouzo

14. Liqueur

Berliner Kümmel

Hamburger Kümmel

Münchener Kümmel

Chiemseer Klosterlikör

Bayerischer Kräuterlikör

Cassis de Dijon

Cassis de Beaufort

Irish Cream

Palo de Mallorca

Ginjinha portuguesa

Licor de Singeverga

Benediktbeurer Klosterlikör

Ettaler Klosterlikör

Ratafia de Champagne

Ratafia catalana

Anis português

Finnish berry / Finnish fruit liqueur

Grossglockner Alpenbitter

Mariazeller Magenlikör

Mariazeiler Jagasaftl

Puchheimer Bitter

Puchheimer Schlossgeist

Steinfelder Magenbitter

Wachauer Marillenlikör

Jägertee /Jagertee /Jagatee

Allažu Ķimelis

Čepkeliu

Demänovka Bylinný Likér

Polish Cherry

Karlovarská Hořká

15. Spirit drinks

Pommeau de Bretagne

Pommeau du Maine

Pommeau de Normandie

Svensk Punsch / Swedish Punch

Slivovice

16. Vodka

Svensk Vodka / Swedish Vodka

Suomalainen Vodka / Finsk Vodka /Vodka of Finland

Polska Wódka / Polish Vodka

Laugarício Vodka

Originali Lietuviška degtiné

Wódka zioowa z Niziny Pónocnopodlaskiej aromatyzowana ekstraktem z trawy żubrowej /

Herbal Vodka from the North Podlasie Lowland aromatised with an extract of bison grass

Latvijas Dzidrais

Rīgas Degvīns

LB Degvīns

LB Vodka

17. Bitter-tasting spirit drinks

Rīgas melnais Balzāms / Riga Black Balsam

Demänovka bylinná horká"