Article 1 
The Agreement between the European Union and the Intergovernmental Organisation for International Carriage by Rail on the Accession of the European Union to the Convention concerning International Carriage by Rail (COTIF) of 9 May 1980, as amended by the Vilnius Protocol of 3 June 1999 (hereinafter referred to as ‘the Agreement’) is hereby approved on behalf of the Union. The text of the Agreement is attached to this Decision.
Article 2 
When signing the Agreement a declaration, as set out in Annex I to this Decision, shall be made by the Union concerning the exercise of its competence and a declaration, as set out in Annex II to this Decision, shall be made by the Union in respect of Article 2 of the Agreement.
Article 3 
The President of the Council is hereby authorised to designate the person(s) empowered to sign the Agreement in order to bind the Union and to make the declarations referred to in Article 2.
Article 4 
The Commission shall represent the Union at OTIF meetings.
Article 5 
The internal arrangements for the preparation for OTIF meetings and for the representation and voting at such meetings are set out in Annex III to this Decision.
Article 6 
This Decision shall enter into force on the date of its adoption.