Council Decision 2005/134/CFSP

of 20 December 2004

concerning the conclusion of the Agreement between the European Union and the Republic of Bulgaria establishing a framework for the participation of the Republic of Bulgaria in the European Union crisis management operations

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) Conditions regarding the participation of third states in the EU crisis management operations should be laid down in an Agreement establishing a framework for such possible future participation, rather than defining these conditions on a case-by-case basis for each operation concerned.

(2) Following authorisation by the Council on 23 February 2004, the Presidency, assisted by the Secretary-General/High Representative, negotiated an Agreement between the European Union and the Republic of Bulgaria establishing a framework for the participation of the Republic of Bulgaria in the European Union crisis management operations.

(3) The Agreement should be approved,

HAS DECIDED AS FOLLOWS:

Article 1

The Agreement between the European Union and the Republic of Bulgaria establishing a framework for the participation of the Republic of Bulgaria in the European Union crisis management operations 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(s) 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, 20 December 2004.

For the Council

The President

P. van Geel

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