EC/Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia Stabilisation and Association Agreement: accession of Croatia to the EU. Protocol

PURPOSE: to conclude the Protocol to the Stabilisation and Association Agreement between the European Communities and their Member States, of the one part, and the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (FYROM), of the other part, to take account of the accession of Croatia to the European Union.

PROPOSED ACT: Council Decision.

ROLE OF THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT: Council may adopt the act only if Parliament has given its consent to the act.

BACKGROUND: on 24 September 2012, the Council authorised the Commission to open negotiations with the FYROM in order to conclude a Protocol to the Stabilisation and Association Agreement (SAA) between the European Communities and their Member States, of the one part, and the FYROM, of the other part, to take account of the accession of Croatia to the European Union.

These negotiations started on 18 December 2012, following prior technical consultations with the FYROM on the issue. This country confirmed its agreement with the protocol on 25 October 2013.

It is now necessary to conclude the Protocol on behalf of the European Union.

CONTENT: under this proposal, the Council is invited to adopt a Decision aiming to approve, on behalf of the European Union, the Protocol to the Stabilisation and Association Agreement between the European Communities and their Member States, of the one part, and the FYROM, of the other part, to take account of the accession of Croatia to the European Union.

N.B.: for the conclusion of a Protocol on behalf of the European Atomic Energy Community, the Commission proposes that the Council gives its approval, pursuant to the second paragraph of Article 101 of the Treaty establishing the EAEC.

Updating of the Protocol: the Protocol has been updated to reflect the 2013 EU Customs Tariff and the gradual abolition of duties under the SAA.

The text of the Protocol is attached to the proposal.