Article 1 
The signing, on behalf of the European Union and its Member States, of the Protocol to the Partnership and Cooperation Agreement establishing a partnership between the European Communities and their Member States, of the one part, and the Russian Federation, of the other part, to take account of the accession of the Republic of Croatia to the European Union is hereby authorised, subject to the conclusion of the 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 European Union and its Member States.
Article 3 
The Protocol shall be applied on a provisional basis, as from 1 July 2013, pending the completion of the procedures for its conclusion.
Article 4 
This Decision shall enter into force on the date of its adoption.