COUNCIL DECISION (CFSP) 2017/718

of 27 March 2017

concerning the signing and conclusion of the Agreement between the European Union and the Republic of Moldova on security procedures for exchanging and protecting classified information

THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION,

Having regard to the Treaty on European Union, and in particular Article 37 thereof, in conjunction with Article 218(5) and the first subparagraph of Article 218(6) of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union,

Having regard to the proposal of the High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy,

Whereas:

(1) At its meeting on 26 May 2015, the Council decided to authorise the High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy (HR) to open negotiations pursuant to Article 37 of the Treaty on European Union and in accordance with the procedure laid down in Article 218(3) of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union in order to conclude an Agreement on the security of information between the European Union and the Republic of Moldova.

(2) Following that authorisation, the HR negotiated an Agreement with the Republic of Moldova on security procedures for exchanging and protecting classified information.

(3) That Agreement should be approved,

HAS ADOPTED THIS DECISION:

Article 1

The Agreement between the European Union and the Republic of Moldova on security procedures for exchanging and protecting classified information is hereby approved on behalf of the Union.

The text of the Agreement is attached to this Decision.

Article 2

The President of the Council is hereby authorised to designate the person(s) empowered to sign the Agreement in order to bind the Union.

Article 3

This Decision shall enter into force on the date of its adoption.

Done at Brussels, 27 March 2017.

For the Council

The President

C. ABELA