Introductory text

THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES,

Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Economic Community, and in particular Article 113 thereof,

Having regard to the recommendation from the Commission,

Whereas, on 8 June 1989, at the United Nations Headquarters in New York the Community signed the United Nations Convention against Illicit Traffic in Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances, adopted in Vienna on 19 December 1988, as did all its Member States;

Whereas the work of the United Nations, the Council, the European Council meeting of December 1989 and the Committee for the Fight Against Drugs (CELAD) has made it possible for the Convention to enter into force rapidly;

Whereas most of the Member States will have completed their internal ratification procedures in the next few months and by 30 June 1991 at the latest;

Whereas, in respect of matters within its competence, the Community should therefore approve the Convention at the latest by the same date as the first Member States,

HAS DECIDED AS FOLLOWS: