L 156/48 Official Journal of the European Union 25.6.2003 COUNCIL DECISION of 16 June 2003 concerning the conclusion of the Agreement in the form of an Exchange of Letters between the European Community and the Kingdom of Norway concerning additional trade preferences in agricultural products undertaken on the basis of Article 19 of the Agreement on the European Economic Area (2003/465[EC) THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION, Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Com- munity, and in particular Article 133 thereof, in conjunction with the first sentence of Article 300(2) thereof, Having regard to the proposal from the Commission, Whereas: (1)  Article 19 of the Agreement on the European Economic Area (EEA) foresees that the Contracting Parties under- take to continue their efforts with a view to achieving progressive liberalisation of agricultural trade between them. (2)  The Kingdom of Norway and the European Community held bilateral trade negotiations in agriculture in 2002, on the basis of Article 19 of the Agreement on the European Economic Area, which were concluded satis- factorily on 18 December 2002. (3)  The Agreement in question, in the form of an Exchange of Letters, should be approved, HAS DECIDED AS FOLLOWS: Atrticle 1 The Agreement in the form of an Exchange of Letters between the European Community and the Kingdom of Norway concerning additional trade preferences in agricultural products undertaken on the basis of Article 19 of the Agreement on the European Economic Area, is hereby approved on behalf of the Community. The text of the Agreement is attached to this Decision. Atticle 2 The President of the Council is hereby authorised to designate the person(s) empowered to sign the Agreement in order to bind the Community. Done at Luxembourg, 16 June 2003. For the Council The President G. PAPANDREOU