COUNCIL DECISION (EU) 2015/916

of 22 July 2013

on the signing and conclusion of the Agreement between the European Union and Australia establishing a framework for the participation of Australia in European Union crisis management operations

THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION,

Having regard to the Treaty on European Union, and in particular Article 37 thereof,

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

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

Whereas:

(1) Conditions regarding the participation of third States in European Union crisis management operations should be laid down in an agreement establishing a framework for such possible future participation, rather than defining those conditions on a case-by-case basis for each operation concerned.

(2) Following the adoption of a Decision by the Council on 26 April 2010 authorising the opening of negotiations, the High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy negotiated an agreement between the European Union and Australia establishing a framework for the participation of Australia in European Union crisis management operations (‘the Agreement’).

(3) The Agreement should be approved,

HAS ADOPTED THIS DECISION:

Article 1

The Agreement between the European Union and Australia establishing a framework for the participation of Australia in the European Union crisis management operations 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

The President of the Council shall, on behalf of the Union, give the notification provided for in Article 15(1) of the Agreement. (1)

Article 4

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

Done at Brussels, 22 July 2013.

For the Council

The President

C. ASHTON

(1)  The date of entry into force of the Agreement will be published in the

Official Journal of the European Union

by the General Secretariat of the Council.