Recommendation for a COUNCIL DECISION on the approval of the conclusion by the Commission, on behalf of the European Atomic Energy Community, of a Protocol to the Stabilisation and Association Agreement between the European Communities and their Member States, of the one part, and the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, of the other part, to take account of the accession of the Republic of Croatia to the European Union
Date: 2013-11-11
Institutions: European Commission
Subjects: Croatia, EAEC, North Macedonia, accession to the European Union, protocol to an agreement, signature of an agreement, stabilisation and association agreement













EUR-Lex - 52013PC0778 - EN











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52013PC0778

Recommendation for a COUNCIL DECISION on the approval of the conclusion by the Commission, on behalf of the European Atomic Energy Community, of a Protocol to the Stabilisation and Association Agreement between the European Communities and their Member States, of the one part, and the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, of the other part, to take account of the accession of the Republic of Croatia to the European Union /* COM/2013/0778 final */









EXPLANATORY MEMORANDUM
On 24 September 2012 the
Council authorised the Commission to open negotiations, on behalf of the
European Union and its Member States and the Republic of Croatia, with the
former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia in order to conclude a Protocol to the
Stabilisation and Association Agreement (SAA) between the European Communities
and their Member States, of the one part, and the former Yugoslav Republic of
Macedonia, of the other part, to take account of the accession of the Republic of
Croatia to the European Union. 
These negotiations started on 18 December 2012,
following prior technical consultations with the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia on the
issue. Further negotiating rounds took place on 25 January and 10 April 2013. The
Government of the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia confirmed its agreement with the protocol on 25 October 2013. The
Protocol is updated to reflect the 2013 EU Customs Tariff and the gradual
abolition of duties under the SAA. The text of the protocol is attached.
The
Commission proposes that the Council decides on the signature and provisional
application of the Protocol on behalf of the European Union and concludes the
Protocol on behalf of the European Union and its Member States. The European Atomic Energy Community (EAEC) is also a Party to the
Stabilisation and Association Agreement. For the conclusion of the Protocol on behalf of the
European Atomic Energy Community, the Commission proposes that the Council
gives its approval, pursuant to the second paragraph of Article 101 of the
Treaty establishing the EAEC. 
In accordance with Article
101 EAEC Treaty, the decision to sign the agreement is adopted by the
Commission and the decision to conclude the agreement is adopted by the
Commission with the approval of the Council. It is therefore necessary to adopt
separate decisions for the signature and conclusion of the Protocol by the EU
and by the EAEC.
For the conclusion of the
Protocol on behalf of the European Atomic Energy Community, the Commission
proposes that the Council: 
–                        
gives its approval, pursuant to the second
paragraph of Article 101 of the Treaty establishing the EAEC.
Recommendation for a
COUNCIL DECISION
on the approval of the conclusion by the
Commission, on behalf of the European Atomic Energy Community, of a Protocol to
the Stabilisation and Association Agreement between the European Communities
and their Member States, of the one part, and the former Yugoslav Republic of
Macedonia, of the other part, 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 establishing
the European Atomic Energy Community, and in particular the second paragraph of
Article 101 thereof,
Having regard to the recommendation from
Commission,
Whereas:
(1)                   
On 24 September 2012 the Council authorised the
Commission to open negotiations with the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia
in order to conclude a Protocol to the Stabilisation and Association Agreement
between the European Communities and their Member States, of the one part, and
the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, of the other part, to take account
of the accession of the Republic of Croatia to the European Union.
(2)                   
These negotiations have been successfully
completed. 
(3)                   
The conclusion, by the Commission, of the Protocol
should be approved as regards matters falling within the competence of the
European Atomic Energy Community.
(4)                   
The signature and conclusion of the Protocol is
subject to a separate procedure as regards matters falling within the
competence of the European Union.
HAS DECIDED AS FOLLOWS: 
Sole Article
The conclusion by the Commission, on behalf
of the European Atomic Energy Community, of the Protocol to the Stabilisation
and Association Agreement between the European Communities and their Member
States, of the one part, and the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, of the
other part, to take account of the accession of the Republic of Croatia to the
European Union ("the Protocol") is hereby approved.
The text of the Protocol is attached to the
Decision of the Council on the signing and provisional application of a
Protocol to the Stabilisation and Association Agreement between the European
Communities and their Member States, of the one part, and former Yugoslav
Republic of Macedonia, of the other part, to take account of the accession of
the Republic of Croatia to the European Union.
Done at Brussels, 
                                                                       For
the Council
                                                                       The
President