EC/Montenegro Stabilisation and Association Agreement: accession of Croatia to the EU. Protocol

PURPOSE: to conclude the Protocol to the Stabilisation and Association Agreement between the European Communities and their Member States, of the one part, and Montenegro, of the other part, to take account of the accession of Croatia to the European Union.

PROPOSED ACT: Council Decision.

ROLE OF THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT: Council may adopt the act only if Parliament has given its consent to the act. 

BACKGROUND: in accordance with a Council Decision, the Protocol to the Stabilisation and Association Agreement between the European Communities and their Member States, of the one part, and Montenegro, of the other part, to take account of the accession of Croatia to the European Union has been signed, subject to its conclusion.

The conclusion of the Protocol is subject to a separate procedure as regards matters falling within the competence of the European Atomic Energy Community.

It is now necessary to approve the Protocol on behalf of the European Union.

CONTENT: under this proposal, the Council is invited to approve on behalf of the European Union, the Protocol to the Stabilisation and Association Agreement between the European Communities and their Member States, of the one part, and Montenegro, of the other part, to take account of the accession of Croatia to the European Union.

For further information as regards the main provisions of this Protocol and its impact on the EU budget, please refer to the summary of the initial legislative proposal dated 26/07/2013.