THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION,

Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Community, and in particular Article 113 and Article 130y, in conjunction with the first sentence of Article 228 (2) and the second subparagraph of Article 228 (3) thereof,

Whereas, under Article 130u of the Treaty, Community policy in the sphere of development cooperation should foster the sustainable economic and social development of the developing countries, their smooth and gradual integration into the world economy and the campaign against poverty in those countries;

Whereas this Euro-Mediterranean Interim Association Agreement on trade and cooperation between the European Community, of the one part, and the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) for the benefit of the Palestinian Authority of the West Bank and the Gaza Strip, of the other part, signed in Brussels on 24 February 1997 will serve to consolidate ties between the Palestinians and the European Union in the framework of the Euro-Mediterranean partnership and pave the way for the commencement of negotiations with a view to concluding a Euro-Mediterranean Association Agreement,

HAS DECIDED AS FOLLOWS: