2012/400/EU: Council Decision of 10 July 2012 on the position to be taken by the European Union in the EEA Joint Committee concerning an amendment to Protocol 31 to the EEA Agreement, on cooperation in specific fields outside the four freedoms

18.7.2012 EN Official Journal of the European Union L 188/4
COUNCIL DECISION
of 10 July 2012
on the position to be taken by the European Union in the EEA Joint Committee concerning an amendment to Protocol 31 to the EEA Agreement, on cooperation in specific fields outside the four freedoms
(2012/400/EU)
THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION
,
Having regard to the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union, and in particular Articles 46 and 48, in conjunction with Article 218(9) thereof,
Having regard to Council Regulation (EC) No 2894/94 of 28 November 1994 concerning arrangements for implementing the Agreement on the European Economic Area (1), and in particular Article 1(3) thereof,
Having regard to the proposal from the European Commission,
Whereas:
(1) Protocol 31 to the Agreement on the European Economic Area (2) (the ‘EEA Agreement’) contains specific provisions and arrangements concerning cooperation in specific fields outside the four freedoms.
(2) It is appropriate to extend the cooperation of the Contracting Parties to the EEA Agreement to activities outside the four freedoms, including cooperation concerning free movement of workers, coordination of social security systems and measures for migrants, including migrants from third countries.
(3) Protocol 31 to the EEA Agreement should therefore be amended accordingly.
(4) The position of the Union within the EEA Joint Committee should be based on the attached draft Decision,