THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION,
THE COMMISSION OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES,
Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Community, and in particular Article 310 in conjunction with the second sentence of Article 300(2), first subparagraph and the second subparagraph of Article 300(3) thereof,
Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Atomic Energy Community,
Having regard to the Treaty concerning the accession of the Czech Republic, the Republic of Estonia, the Republic of Cyprus, the Republic of Latvia, the Republic of Lithuania, the Republic of Hungary, the Republic of Malta, the Republic of Poland, the Republic of Slovenia and the Slovak Republic (hereinafter referred to as the new Member States) to the European Union, and in particular Article 6(2) of the Act concerning the conditions of accession annexed to that Treaty,
Having regard to the proposal from the Commission,
Having regard to the assent of the European Parliament,
Whereas:
(1)
The Europe Agreement establishing an association between the European Communities and their Member States, of the one part, and the Republic of Bulgaria, of the other part (hereinafter referred to as the Europe Agreement), entered into force on 1 February 1995.
(2)
The Treaty concerning the accession of the Czech Republic, the Republic of Estonia, the Republic of Cyprus, the Republic of Latvia, the Republic of Lithuania, the Republic of Hungary, the Republic of Malta, the Republic of Poland, the Republic of Slovenia and the Slovak Republic to the European Union (hereinafter referred to as Treaty of Accession) entered into force on 1 May 2004.
(3)
An Additional Protocol to the Europe Agreement is necessary to take account of the accession of the 10 new Member States.
(4)
Consultations on this Additional Protocol have taken place in accordance with Article 28(2) of the Europe Agreement, so as to ensure that account is taken of the mutual interests of the Community and Bulgaria.
(5)
The measures necessary for the implementation of this Decision should be adopted in accordance with Council Decision 1999/468/EC of 28 June 1999 laying down the procedures for the exercise of implementing powers conferred on the Commission.
(6)
The Additional Protocol should therefore be approved,
HAVE DECIDED AS FOLLOWS: