2004/239/EC,Euratom: Council and Commission Decision of 23 February 2004 concerning the conclusion of 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

Council and Commission Decision
of 23 February 2004
concerning the conclusion of 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
(2004/239/EC, Euratom)
THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION,
THE COMMISSION OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES
,
Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Community, and in particular Article 310 thereof, in conjunction with Article 300(2), first subparagraph, last sentence and Article 300(3), second subparagraph thereof(1),
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 proposal from the Commission(2),
Having regard to the assent of the European Parliament(3),
Having regard to the approval of the Council granted pursuant to Article 101 of the Treaty establishing the European Atomic Energy Community,
Whereas:
(1) 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, was signed on behalf of the European Community, in Luxembourg on 9 April 2001, in accordance with Council Decision of 4 April 2001 subject to its conclusion.
(2) The commercial provisions contained in this Agreement are of an exceptional nature, connected with the policy implemented within the framework of the stabilisation and association process and will not constitute, for the European Union, any precedent in the commercial policy of the Community with regard to third countries other than those of the Western Balkans.
(3) The provisions of this Agreement that fall within the scope of Part Three, Title IV of the Treaty establishing the European Community bind the United Kingdom and Ireland as separate Contracting Parties, and not as part of the European Community, until the United Kingdom or Ireland notifies the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia that it has become bound as part of the European Community in accordance with the Protocol on the position of the United Kingdom and Ireland annexed to the Treaty on European Union and the Treaty establishing the European Community. The same applies to Denmark, in accordance with the Protocol on the position of Denmark annexed to those Treaties.
(4) This Agreement should be approved,