Introductory text

THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION,

THE EUROPEAN COMMISSION,

Having regard to the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union, and in particular Article 217 in conjunction with Article 218(8) and Article 218(9) thereof,

Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Atomic Energy Community, and in particular Article 101 thereof,

Having regard to the proposal from the European Commission,

Having regard to the approval of the Council granted pursuant to Article 101 of the Treaty establishing the European Atomic Energy Community,

Having regard to Council and Commission Decision 2013/490/EU, Euratom of 22 July 2013 on the conclusion of the Stabilisation and Association Agreement between the European Communities and their Member States, of the one part, and the Republic of Serbia, of the other part^f1, and in particular Article 3(1) thereof,

Whereas:

Article 119 of the Stabilisation and Association Agreement between the European Communities and their Member States, of the one part, and the Republic of Serbia, of the other part (‘the Agreement’), establishes a Stabilisation and Association Council.

Article 120 of the Agreement provides that the Stabilisation and Association Council shall adopt its own rules of procedure.

Article 122 of the Agreement provides that the Stabilisation and Association Council shall be assisted by a Stabilisation and Association Committee.

Article 122 of the Agreement provides that the Stabilisation and Association Council shall, in its rules of procedure, determine the duties of the Stabilisation and Association Committee and that the Stabilisation and Association Council may delegate any of its powers to the Stabilisation and Association Committee.

Article 124 of the Agreement provides that the Stabilisation and Association Council may decide to set up other special committees or bodies that can assist it in carrying out its duties. It further provides that the Stabilisation and Association Council shall, in its rules of procedure, determine the composition and the duties of such committees and bodies and how they shall function.

Dialogue and cooperation between social partners and other civil society organisations as well as regional and local authorities in the European Union and those in Serbia can make a major contribution to the development of their relations and the integration of Europe.

It is appropriate that such cooperation be organised by setting up two Joint Consultative Committees,

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