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

PURPOSE: to conclude a 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.

NON-LEGISLATIVE ACT: Council Decision 2014/321/EU on the conclusion on behalf of the European Union and its Member States of the Protocol to the Stabilisation and Association Agreement between the European Communities and their Member States, of the one part, and the Republic of Montenegro, of the other part, to take account of the accession of the Republic of Croatia to the European Union.

BACKGROUND: in accordance with Council Decision 2014/172/EU, the Protocol to the Stabilisation and Association Agreement between the European Communities and their Member States, of the one part, and the Republic of Montenegro, of the other part, to take account of the accession of the Republic of Croatia to the European Union (‘the Protocol’) 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 appropriate to conclude the protocol on behalf of the European Union.

CONTENT: by means of this decision, the Council approves on behalf of the European Union, with the consent of the European Parliament, 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.

The main provisions relate to the Montenegrin concessions on agricultural products, fisheries products and on the rules of origin.

ENTRY INTO FORCE: 13.05.2014.