Introductory text

THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION,

Having regard to the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union, and in particular Article 207(4), in conjunction with Article 218(9) thereof,

Having regard to the proposal from the European Commission,

Whereas:

Article 15a of the Convention between the European Economic Community, the Republic of Austria, the Republic of Finland, the Republic of Iceland, the Kingdom of Norway, the Kingdom of Sweden and the Swiss Confederation on a common transit procedure^f1 (the ‘Convention’) allows for a third country to become a Contracting Party to the Convention following a decision of the Joint Committee set up by the Convention to invite the country.

Article 15 of the Convention empowers the EU-EFTA Joint Committee to recommend and adopt, by decision, amendments to the Convention and the Appendices thereto.

The former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia formally expressed its wish to join the common transit system.

Having satisfied the essential legal, structural and information technology requirements which are preconditions for accession and following the formal procedure for accession, the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia may accede to the Convention.

The enlargement of the common transit system will require amendments to the Convention concerning new linguistic references in the official language of the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia and the appropriate adaptations to guarantee documents.

The proposed amendments were presented to, and discussed within, the EU-EFTA Working Group on ‘common transit’ and ‘simplification of formalities in trade in goods’ and the text received preliminary approval.

The position of the Union concerning the proposed amendments should therefore be based on the attached draft Decision,

HAS ADOPTED THIS DECISION: