THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION,

Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Community, and in particular Article 113 thereof, in conjunction with the first sentence of Article 228 (2), and Article 228 (4) thereof,

Having regard to the recommendation from the Commission,

Whereas, on 25 September 1995, the Council authorized the Commission to negotiate, on behalf of the Community, agreements on the control of precursors and chemical substances with the Member States of the Organization of American States, and as a priority with the Member Countries of the Cartagena Agreement; whereas the Commission, on the basis of this authorization, completed negotiations with the Republic of Venezuela on 13 November 1995;

Whereas it is appropriate that the Agreement between the European Community and the Republic of Venezuela on precursors and chemical substances frequently used in the illicit manufacture of narcotic drugs or psychotropic substances should be approved;

Whereas it is appropriate that the Council authorize the Commission, in consultation with a special committee appointed by the Council, to approve modifications on behalf of the Community where the Agreement provides for them to be adopted by the Joint Follow-Up Group; whereas, such authorization must be limited to the modification of the Annexes of the Agreement in so far as it concerns substances already covered by Community legislation on precursors and chemical substances,

HAS DECIDED AS FOLLOWS: