Article 1 
1. The Protocol on Strategic Environmental Assessment to the Espoo Convention on Environmental Impact Assessment in a Transboundary Context (SEA Protocol) is hereby approved on behalf of the European Community. 2. The text of the SEA Protocol is attached to this Decision.
Article 2 
1. The President of the Council is hereby authorised to designate the person(s) empowered to deposit the instrument of approval of the SEA Protocol with the Secretary-General of the United Nations, acting in his capacity as Depositary, in accordance with Article 22 of that Protocol. 2. At the same time, the designated person(s) shall deposit the declaration of competence set out in the Annex to this Decision, as required by Article 23(5) of the SEA Protocol.