Introductory text

THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION,

Having regard to the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union, and in particular Article 79(3), in conjunction with Article 218(6)(a) thereof,

Having regard to the proposal from the European Commission,

Having regard to the consent of the European Parliament,

Whereas:

In accordance with Council Decision 2014/242/EU^f1, the Agreement between the European Union and the Republic of Azerbaijan on the readmission of persons residing without authorisation (‘the Agreement’) was signed, on behalf of the Union, subject to its conclusion at a later date.

The Agreement should be approved.

The Agreement establishes a Joint Readmission Committee which is to adopt its rules of procedure. It is appropriate to provide for a simplified procedure for the establishment of the Union position in this case.

In accordance with Articles 1 and 2 of Protocol No 21 on the position of the United Kingdom and Ireland in respect of the Area of Freedom, Security and Justice, annexed to the Treaty on European Union and to the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union, and without prejudice to Article 4 of that Protocol, those Member States are not taking part in the adoption of this Decision and are not bound by it or subject to its application.

In accordance with Articles 1 and 2 of Protocol No 22 on the position of Denmark, annexed to the Treaty on European Union and to the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union, Denmark is not taking part in the adoption of this Decision and is not bound by it or subject to its application,

HAS ADOPTED THIS DECISION: