PURPOSE : to update the partnership and co-operation agreement (PCA) between the Republic of Azerbaijan and the EU following the accession of ten new Member States.
PROPOSED ACT : Council and Commission Decision.
CONTENT : following the accession of ten new Member States to the EU in May 2004, the Council authorised the Commission to open negotiations with the Republic of Azerbaijan to update the previously agreed partnership and co-operation agreement by drawing up a Protocol to the PCA. The Protocol itself covers certain technical adjustments linked to institutional and legal developments within the EU and seeks to reflect the EU's new landscape following enlargement. The Commission has now completed these negotiations. The proposal includes firstly, a Council Decision on the signature of the Protocol and secondly, a Commission Decision on the conclusion of the Protocol.�