EN Official Journal of the European Union L 174/4

COUNCIL DECISION

of 22 June 2012

on the signing, on behalf of the European Union, of the Agreement between the European Union and the Republic of Moldova amending the Agreement between the European Community and the Republic of Moldova on the facilitation of the issuance of visas

(2012/353/EU)

THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION,

Having regard to the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union, and in particular point (a) of Article 77(2), in conjunction with Article 218(5), thereof,

Having regard to the proposal from the European Commission,

Whereas:

(1) The Agreement between the European Community and the Republic of Moldova on the facilitation of the issuance of visas (1) entered into force on 1 January 2008.

(2) On 11 April 2011, the Council authorised the Commission to open negotiations with the Republic of Moldova on amendments to that Agreement between the European Community and the Republic of Moldova on the facilitation of the issuance of visas. The negotiations were successfully concluded by the initialling of an Agreement between the European Union and the Republic of Moldova amending the Agreement between the European Community and the Republic of Moldova on the facilitation of the issuance of visas (‘the Agreement’) on 22 March 2012.

(3) The Agreement should be signed subject to its conclusion.

(4) This Decision constitutes a development of the provisions of the Schengen acquis in which the United Kingdom does not take part, in accordance with Council Decision 2000/365/EC of 29 May 2000 concerning the request of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland to take part in some of the provisions of the Schengen acquis (2); the United Kingdom is therefore not taking part in its adoption and is not bound by it or subject to its application.

(5) This Decision constitutes a development of the provisions of the Schengen acquis in which Ireland does not take part, in accordance with Council Decision 2002/192/EC of 28 February 2002 concerning Ireland's request to take part in some of the provisions of the Schengen acquis (3); Ireland is therefore not taking part in its adoption and is not bound by it or subject to its application.

(6) In accordance with Articles 1 and 2 of the Protocol (No 22) on the position of Denmark, annexed to the Treaty on European Union and to the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union, Denmark is not taking part in the adoption of this Decision and is not bound by it or subject to its application,

HAS ADOPTED THIS DECISION:

Article 1

The signing of the Agreement between the European Union and the Republic of Moldova amending the Agreement between the European Community and the Republic of Moldova on the facilitation of the issuance of visas is hereby authorised on behalf of the Union, subject to the conclusion of the said Agreement (4).

Article 2

The President of the Council is hereby authorised to designate the person(s) empowered to sign the Agreement on behalf of the Union.

Article 3

This Decision shall enter into force on the day of its adoption.

Done at Luxembourg, 22 June 2012. For the Council The President M. VESTAGER

(1) OJ L 334, 19.12.2007, p. 169.

(2) OJ L 131, 1.6.2000, p. 43.

(3) OJ L 64, 7.3.2002, p. 20.

(4) The text of the Agreement will be published together with the decision on its conclusion.