EXPLANATORY MEMORANDUM

The Agreement between the European Economic Community and the Kingdom of Norway, hereinafter referred to as 'the Agreement', was signed on 14 May 1973 in Brussels and entered into force on 1 July 1973.

The attached proposal creates the legal instruments for the signature and provisional application of an Additional Protocol to the Agreement between the European Economic Community and the Kingdom of Norway, to take account of the accession of the Republic of Croatia to the European Union (hereinafter referred to as 'the Additional Protocol').

According to the Act of Accession of the Republic of Croatia, Croatia shall accede to the international agreements signed or concluded by the European Union and its Member States by means of a protocol to those agreements.

On 24 September 2012[1], the Council authorised the Commission to open negotiations with the third countries concerned to conclude the relevant protocols. Negotiations with Norway were successfully concluded by the initialling of the Additional Protocol.

The proposed Additional Protocol makes the Republic of Croatia a contracting party to the Agreement and commits the EU to providing an authentic version of the Agreement in the new official language of the EU. It also provides for additional fish trade concessions for Norway, in view of Croatia's accession to the European Economic Area.

The Additional Protocol was signed in Brussels on (...).

The Council is asked to adopt the decision on the conclusion of the Additional Protocol after obtaining the consent of the European Parliament.

2014/0050 (NLE)

Proposal for a

COUNCIL DECISION

on the conclusion, on behalf of the European Union and its Member States, of an Additional Protocol to the Agreement between the European Economic Community and the Kingdom of Norway, to take account of the accession of the Republic of Croatia to the European Union

THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION,

Having regard to the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union, and in particular Article 207 in conjunction with Article 218(6)(a) and the second subparagraph of Article 218(8) thereof,

Having regard to the Act concerning the conditions of accession of the Republic of Croatia, and in particular Article 6(2) thereof,

Having regard to the proposal from the European Commission[2],

Having regard to the consent of the European Parliament[3],

Whereas:

(1) The Additional Protocol to the Agreement between the European Economic Community and the Kingdom of Norway, to take account of the accession of the Republic of Croatia to the European Union, has been signed on behalf of the European Union and the Member States on [xx.xx.201x] in accordance with Council Decision No [...][4].

(2) The Additional Protocol should be approved,

HAS ADOPTED THIS DECISION:

Article 1

The Additional Protocol to the Agreement between the European Economic Community and the Kingdom of Norway, to take account of the accession of the Republic of Croatia to the European Union is hereby approved on behalf of the European Union and the Member States.

Article 2

The President of the Council shall designate the person empowered, on behalf of the European Union and its Member States, to deposit the instruments of approval provided for in Article 4 of the Additional Protocol.

Done at Brussels,

For the Council

The President

[1] Council decision authorising the opening of negotiations for the adaptation of agreements signed or concluded between the European Union, or the European Union and its Member States, with one or more third countries or international organisations, in view of the accession of the Republic of Croatia to the European Union (Council doc. 13351/12 LIMITED).

[2] OJ C […], […], p.[…].

[3] OJ C […], […], p.[…].

[4] OJ L […], […], p.[…].