EN Official Journal of the European Union L 35/32

COUNCIL DECISION

of 30 January 2006

on the principles, priorities and conditions contained in the European Partnership with Serbia and Montenegro including Kosovo as defined by the United Nations Security Council Resolution 1244 of 10 June 1999 and repealing Decision 2004/520/EC

(2006/56/EC)

THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION,

Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Community,

Having regard to Council Regulation (EC) No 533/2004 of 22 March 2004 on the establishment of European Partnerships in the framework of the stabilisation and association process (1) and in particular to Article 2 thereof,

Having regard to the proposal from the Commission,

Whereas:

(1) The Thessaloniki European Council of 19 and 20 June 2003 endorsed the introduction of the European Partnerships as a means to materialise the European perspective of the Western Balkan countries within the framework of the stabilisation and association process.

(2) Regulation (EC) No 533/2004 provides that the Council is to decide on the principles, priorities and conditions to be contained in the European Partnerships, as well as any subsequent adjustments.

(3) The Council adopted on 14 June 2004 a first European Partnership with Serbia and Montenegro including Kosovo as defined by the United Nations Security Council Resolution 1244 of 10 June 1999 (2) (referred to as ‘Kosovo (UNSCR 1244)’). It is appropriate to update the European Partnership in order to identify renewed priorities for further work on the basis of the findings of 2005 Progress Reports on preparations made by Serbia and Montenegro and Kosovo (UNSCR 1244) for further integration with the European Union.

(4) Regulation (EC) No 533/2004 stated that the follow-up to the European Partnerships will be ensured within the framework of the mechanisms established under the stabilisation and association process.

(5) In order to prepare for further integration with the European Union, the competent authorities in Serbia and Montenegro should develop a plan with a timetable and specific measures to address the priorities of this European Partnership. As Kosovo is at present under international interim administration pursuant to (UNSCR 1244), a separate plan addressing the priorities concerning Kosovo should be developed under the authority of the United Nations Interim Administration in Kosovo.

(6) Decision 2004/520/EC should therefore be repealed,

HAS DECIDED AS FOLLOWS:

Article 1

In accordance with Article 1 of Regulation (EC) No 533/2004, the principles, priorities and conditions in the European Partnership with Serbia and Montenegro including Kosovo (UNSCR 1244) are set out in the Annex hereto, which forms an integral part of this Decision.

Article 2

The implementation of the European Partnership shall be examined through the framework of the mechanisms established under the stabilisation and association process, notably the annual progress reports presented by the Commission.

Article 3

Decision 2004/520/EC shall be repealed.

Article 4

This Decision shall take effect on the third day following its publication in the Official Journal of the European Union.

Done at Brussels, 30 January 2006. For the Council The President U. PLASSNIK

(1) OJ L 86, 24.3.2004, p. 1.

(2) Council Decision 2004/520/EC of 14 June 2004 on the principles, priorities and conditions contained in the European Partnership with Serbia and Montenegro including Kosovo as defined by the United Nations Security Council Resolution 1244 of 10 June 1999(OJ L 227, 26.6.2004. p. 21).