EN Official Journal of the European Union L 238/1

COUNCIL DECISION

of 26 July 2010

on the conclusion of the Agreement between the European Union and Iceland and Norway on the application of certain provisions of Council Decision 2008/615/JHA on the stepping up of cross-border cooperation, particularly in combating terrorism and cross-border crime and Council Decision 2008/616/JHA on the implementation of Decision 2008/615/JHA on the stepping up of cross-border cooperation, particularly in combating terrorism and cross-border crime, and the Annex thereto

(2010/482/EU)

THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION,

Having regard to the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union, and in particular Article 82(1)(d) and Article 87(2)(a), in conjunction with Article 218(6)(a),

Having regard to the proposal from the European Commission,

Having regard to the consent of the European Parliament,

Whereas:

(1) On 24 October 2008, the Council authorised the Presidency, assisted by the Commission, to open negotiations on an agreement between the European Union and Iceland and Norway on the application of certain provisions of Council Decision 2008/615/JHA on the stepping up of cross-border cooperation, particularly in combating terrorism and cross-border crime and Council Decision 2008/616/JHA on the implementation of decision 2008/615/JHA on the stepping up of cross-border cooperation, particularly in combating terrorism and cross-border crime, and the Annex thereto (the Agreement).

(2) In accordance with Council Decision 2009/1023/JHA of 21 September 2009 (1) the Agreement was signed on 30 November 2009, subject to its conclusion.

(3) In accordance with Article 8 of the Agreement, some of its provisions are applied on a provisional basis, as from the date of signature.

(4) The Agreement has not yet been concluded. With the entry into force of the Treaty of Lisbon on 1 December 2009, the procedures to be followed by the Union in order to conclude the Agreement are governed by Article 218 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union.

(5) The Agreement should be approved.

(6) In accordance with Article 3 of the Protocol on the Position of the United Kingdom and Ireland in respect of the Area of Freedom, Security and Justice, annexed to the Treaty on European Union and the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union, these Member States have notified their wish to take part in the adoption and application of this Decision.

(7) In accordance with Articles 1 and 2 of the Protocol on the Position of Denmark, annexed to the Treaty on European Union and 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 Agreement between the European Union and Iceland and Norway on the application of certain provisions of Council Decision 2008/615/JHA on the stepping up of cross-border cooperation, particularly in combating terrorism and cross-border crime and Council Decision 2008/616/JHA on the implementation of decision 2008/615/JHA on the stepping up of cross-border cooperation, particularly in combating terrorism and cross-border crime, and the Annex thereto (2) (the Agreement) is hereby approved on behalf of the Union.

Article 2

The President of the Council is hereby authorised to designate the person(s) empowered to give, on behalf of the Union, the notification provided for in Article 8(1) of the Agreement in order to bind the Union (3).

Article 3

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

Article 4

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

Done at Brussels, 26 July 2010. For the Council The President S. VANACKERE

(1) OJ L 353, 31.12.2009, p. 1.

(2) OJ L 353, 31.12.2009, p. 3.

(3) The date of entry into force of the Agreement will be published in the Official Journal of the European Union by the General Secretariat of the Council.