Council Decision 2005/199/CFSP

of 31 January 2005

concerning the conclusion of the Agreement between the European Union and the Republic of Albania on the participation of the Republic of Albania in the European Union military crisis management operation in Bosnia and Herzegovina (Operation Althea)

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 12 July 2004, the Council adopted Joint Action 2004/570/CFSP on the European Union military operation in Bosnia and Herzegovina [1].

(2) Article 11(3) of that Joint Action provides that detailed arrangements regarding the participation of third States are to be the subject of an agreement in accordance with Article 24 of the Treaty on European Union.

(3) Following authorisation by the Council on 13 September 2004, the Presidency, assisted by the Secretary-General/High Representative, negotiated an Agreement between the European Union and the Republic of Albania on the participation of the Republic of Albania in the European Union military crisis management operation in Bosnia and Herzegovina (Operation Althea).

(4) The Agreement should be approved,

HAS DECIDED AS FOLLOWS:

Article 1

The Agreement between the European Union and the Republic of Albania on the participation of the Republic of Albania in the European Union military crisis management operation in Bosnia and Herzegovina (Operation ALTHEA) 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, 31 January 2005.

For the Council

The President

J. Asselborn

[1] OJ L 252, 28.7.2004, p. 10.

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