activities,- each Party shall use all the legal means at its disposal to oppose the disclosure of this information. The European Communities recall the principles which govern the relationship between the Commission and the Member States in the application of the competition rules as enshrined, for example, in Council Regulation 17/62. The Commission after notice to the US competition authorities, will inform the Member State or Member States whose interests are affected of the notifications sent to it by the US antitrust authorities. The Commission, after consultation with the US competition authorities, will also inform such Member State or Member States of any cooperation and coordination of enforcement activities. However, as regards such activities, either competition authority will respect the other's request not to disclose the information which it provides when necessary to ensure confidentiality, subject to any contrary requirement of the applicable law.We should be grateful if you would also confirm that these interpretative statements do not present any difficulties for the US Government.Yours sincerely,ANNEX CHANGES TO THE TEXT OF THE AGREEMENT NECESSITATED BY THE CONCLUSION OF THE AGREEMENT BY THE COMMISSION ON BEHALF OF THE EUROPEAN COAL AND STEEL COMMUNITY AND BY THE COUNCIL ON BEHALF OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITY (1) TitleAgreement between the European Communities and the Government of the United States of America regarding the application of their competition lawsPartiesThe European Community and the European Coal and Steel Community on the one hand (hereinafter referred to as « the European Communities »)Recital Nº 2Noting that the European Communities and the Government of the United States of America share the view that the sound and effective enforcement of competition law is a matter of importance to the efficient operation of their respective markets and to trade between them;ExecutionFor the European CommunityFor the European Coal and Steel CommunityFor the Government of the United States of America.(1) All changes have been underlined (italic in this Official Journal).