Introductory text

THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION,

Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Community, and in particular Article 80(2), in conjunction with the first sentence of the first subparagraph of Article 300(2), and the first subparagraph of Article 300(3),

Having regard to the proposal from the Commission,

Having regard to the Opinion of the European Parliament^f1,

Whereas:

On 5 June 2003, the Council authorised the Commission to open negotiations with third countries on the replacement of certain provisions in existing bilateral agreements with a Community Agreement.

The Commission has negotiated, on behalf of the Community, an Agreement with the Kingdom of Morocco on certain aspects of air services (the Agreement) in accordance with the mechanisms and directives in the Annex to the Council Decision authorising the Commission to open negotiations with third countries on the replacement of certain provisions in existing bilateral agreements with a Community Agreement.

The Agreement was signed on behalf of the European Community subject to its possible conclusion at a later date, in conformity with Council Decision 2006/953/EC^f2.

The Agreement should be approved,

HAS DECIDED AS FOLLOWS: