Council Decision 2004/812/CFSP

of 19 July 2004

concerning the conclusion of the Agreement between the European Union and the Republic of Turkey on the participation of the Republic of Turkey in the European Union Police Mission (EUPOL "Proxima") in the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia

THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION,

Having regard to the Treaty on European Union, and in particular Article 24 thereof,

Having regard to the recommendation from the Presidency,

Whereas:

(1) On 29 September 2003 the Council adopted Joint Action 2003/681/CFSP on the European Union Police Mission (EUPOL "Proxima") in the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia [1].

(2) Article 9(6) of that Joint Action provides that detailed arrangements regarding the participation of third countries shall be the subject of an agreement, in conformity with Article 24 of the Treaty on European Union.

(3) Following the Council Decision of 2 March 2004 authorising the Presidency, assisted where necessary by the Secretary-General/High Representative to open negotiations, the Presidency negotiated an agreement with the Republic of Turkey on the participation of the Republic of Turkey in the European Union Police Mission (EUPOL "Proxima") in the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia.

(4) The Agreement should be approved,

HAS DECIDED AS FOLLOWS:

Article 1

The Agreement between the European Union and the Republic of Turkey on the participation of the Republic of Turkey in the European Union Police Mission (EUPOL "Proxima") in the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia is hereby approved on behalf of the European Union.

The text of the Agreement is attached to this Decision.

Article 2

The President of the Council is hereby authorised to designate the person empowered to sign the Agreement in order to bind the European Union.

Article 3

This Decision shall take effect on the day of its adoption.

Article 4

This Decision shall be published in the Official Journal of the European Union.

Done at Brussels, 19 July 2004.

For the Council

The President

P. H. Donner

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[1] OJ L 249, 1.10.2003, p. 66.