THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES,

Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Economic Community, and in particular Article 235 thereof,

Having regard to the proposal from the Commission1,

Having regard to the opinion of the European Parliament2,

Having regard to the opinion of the Economic and Social Committee3,

Whereas by Decision 87/499/EEC4 the Council adopted a communications network Community programme on trade electronic data interchange systems (Tedis);

Whereas by Decision 89/241 /EEC5 the Council amended the said Decision in order to enable firms in non-member countries with which the Community has concluded agreements associating those countries with the Tedis programme to take part in that programme;

Whereas, by that Decision 89/241/EEC, the Council also authorized the Commission to negotiate such agreements with the members of the European Free Trade Association;

Whereas the Agreement between the European Economic Community and the Republic of Iceland on trade electronic data interchange systems should there be approved,

HAS DECIDED AS FOLLOWS: