Article 1 
The signing on behalf of the Union of the Protocol to the Partnership and Cooperation Agreement between the European Communities and their Member States, of the one part, and the Republic of Azerbaijan, of the other part, on a Framework Agreement between the European Union and the Republic of Azerbaijan on the general principles for the participation of the Republic of Azerbaijan in Union programmes (hereinafter referred to as ‘the Protocol’) is hereby authorised, subject to the conclusion of the said Protocol. The text of the Protocol is attached to this Decision.
Article 2 
The President of the Council is hereby authorised to designate the person(s) empowered to sign the Protocol on behalf of the Union.
Article 3 
The Protocol shall be applied on a provisional basis from the date of its signature ( 2 ) , pending the procedures necessary for its conclusion.
Article 4 
This Decision shall enter into force on the date of its adoption.