Council Regulation (EC) No 269/2006 of  14 February 2006  amending Regulation (EC) No 533/2004 on the establishment of European partnerships in the framework of the stabilisation and association process

17.2.2006 EN Official Journal of the European Union L 47/7
COUNCIL REGULATION (EC) No 269/2006
of 14 February 2006
amending Regulation (EC) No 533/2004 on the establishment of European partnerships in the framework of the stabilisation and association process
THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION
,
Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Community, and in particular Article 181(a)(2) thereof,
Having regard to the proposal from the Commission,
Having regard to the opinion of the European Parliament (1),
Whereas:
(1) Regulation (EC) No 533/2004 (2) provides that European partnerships will be established in the framework of the stabilisation and association process for all the Western Balkan countries.
(2) The European Council decided at its meeting in Brussels on 17 and 18 June 2004 that Croatia is a candidate country for membership of the European Union. On 3 October 2005, accession negotiations have started with Croatia.
(3) It is therefore appropriate to provide that instead of a European Partnership, the European Union shall implement in its relations with Croatia an Accession Partnership and to amend Regulation (EC) No 533/2004 accordingly,