THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION,

Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Community, and in particular the second paragraph of Article 245 thereof,

Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Atomic Energy Community, and in particular the second paragraph of Article 160 thereof,

Having regard to the request of the Court of Justice of 11 July 2007,

Having regard to the opinion of the Commission of 20 November 2007,

Having regard to the opinion of the European Parliament of 29 November 2007,

Whereas:

Provision should be made to allow derogations from certain provisions of the Protocol on the Statute of the Court of Justice with regard to the procedure governing urgent references for a preliminary ruling concerning the area of freedom, security and justice, and it is appropriate, for the sake of good order, that the provision authorising such derogations should also refer to the expedited and accelerated procedures laid down in the Rules of Procedure of the Court of Justice,

HAS DECIDED AS FOLLOWS: