2006/235/EC: Council Decision of  27 February 2006  on the conclusion, on behalf of the European Community, of the Agreement between the European Community and the Swiss Confederation concerning the latter's participation in the European Environment Agency and the European Environment Information and Observation Network
Date: 2006-02-27
Institutions: Council of the European Union
Subjects: European Environment Agency, Switzerland, cooperation agreement (EU), environmental cooperation, environmental monitoring, environmental protection, information network

L 90/36

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

28.3.2006

COUNCIL DECISION

of 27 February 2006

on the conclusion, on behalf of the European Community, of the Agreement between the Euro-
pean Community and the Swiss Confederation concerning the latter's participation in the Euro-
pean Environment Agency and the European Environment Information and Observation Network

(2006/235/EC)

THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION,

The text of the Agreement is attached to this Decision.

Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Com-
munity, and in particular Article 175(1) in conjunction with
the first sentence of the first subparagraph of Article 300(2),
the first sentence of the first subparagraph of Article 300(3)
and Article 300(4) thereof,

Having regard to the proposal from the Commission,

Having regard to the Opinion of the European Parliament (1),

Whereas:

(1)

(2)

(3)

The activities of the European Environment Agency and
the European Environment Information and Observation
Network,
established by Council Regulation (EEC)
No 1210/90 (2), have already been extended to other
European countries by means of bilateral agreements
entered into by the Community, taking into account the
transboundary nature of environmental
issues and the
importance of enhancing international cooperation in
the field of environment.

On 20 July 2000, the Council authorised the Commis-
sion to negotiate with the Swiss Confederation an agree-
ment concerning the participation in the European
Environment Agency and the European Environment
Information and Observation Network.

Subject to its conclusion at a later date, the Agreement
was signed on behalf of the European Community on
26 October 2004.

(4)

The Agreement should be approved by the Community,

HAS DECIDED AS FOLLOWS:

Article 1

The Agreement between the European Community and the
Swiss Confederation concerning the latter's participation in the
European Environment Agency and the European Environment
Information and Observation Network is hereby approved on
behalf of the Community.

Article 2

The President of the Council shall, on behalf of the Com-
munity, give the notification provided for in Article 20 of the
Agreement (3).

Article 3

The Community shall be represented by the Commission on
the Joint Committee set up under Article 16 of the Agreement.

The position to be taken by the Community as regards deci-
sions of the Joint Committee shall be adopted by the Council,
acting by qualified majority on a proposal from the Commis-
sion, for matters relating to the financial contribution of Swit-
zerland and for any substantial derogation regarding the incor-
poration of acts of Community legislation to Annex I and for
any amendment to Annex III.

For all other decisions of the Joint Committee, including the
regular incorporation of acts of Community legislation to
to any technical adjustment needed, and
Annex I, subject
matters
the Joint
Committee, the Community position shall be adopted by the
Commission.

relating to the internal

functioning of

Article 4

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

Done at Brussels, 27 February 2006.

For the Council

The President

U. PLASSNIK

(1) Not yet published in the Official Journal.
(2) OJ L 120, 11.5.1990, p. 1. Regulation as last amended by Regu-
lation (EC) No 1641/2003 of the European Parliament and of the
Council (OJ L 245, 23.9.2003, p. 1).

(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.