COUNCIL DECISION

of 13 May 2014

on the conclusion on behalf of the European Union and its Member States of the Protocol to the Stabilisation and Association Agreement between the European Communities and their Member States, of the one part, and the Republic of Montenegro, of the other part, to take account of the accession of the Republic of Croatia to the European Union

(2014/321/EU)

THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION,

Having regard to the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union, and in particular Article 217, in conjunction with point (a)(i) of Article 218(6) and the second subparagraph of Article 218(8) thereof,

Having regard to the Act of Accession of Croatia, and in particular the second subparagraph of Article 6(2) thereof,

Having regard to the proposal from the European Commission,

Having regard to the consent of the European Parliament,

Whereas:

(1) In accordance with Council Decision 2014/172/EU(1), the Protocol to the Stabilisation and Association Agreement between the European Communities and their Member States, of the one part, and the Republic of Montenegro, of the other part, to take account of the accession of the Republic of Croatia to the European Union (‘the Protocol’) has been signed, subject to its conclusion.

(2) The conclusion of the Protocol is subject to a separate procedure as regards matters falling within the competence of the European Atomic Energy Community.

(3) The Protocol should be approved,

HAS ADOPTED THIS DECISION:

Article 1

The Protocol to the Stabilisation and Association Agreement between the European Communities and their Member States, of the one part, and the Republic of Montenegro, of the other part, to take account of the accession of the Republic of Croatia to the European Union is hereby approved on behalf of the Union and its Member States(2).

Article 2

The President of the Council is hereby authorised to designate the person(s) empowered to deposit, on behalf of the Union and its Member States, the instrument of approval provided for in Article 11(2) of the Protocol.

Article 3

This Decision shall enter into force on the day of its adoption.

Done at Brussels, 13 May 2014.

For the Council

The President

E. VENIZELOS

(1)  

OJ L 93, 28.3.2014, p. 1

.

(2)  The text of the Protocol has been published in

OJ L 93, 28.3.2014, p. 2

, together with the decision on its signature.