COUNCIL DECISION
of 25 June 2013
on the position to be adopted, on behalf of the European Union, within the EEA Joint Committee concerning an amendment to Protocol 31 to the EEA Agreement, on cooperation in specific fields outside the four freedoms
(2013/335/EU)
THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION,
Having regard to the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union, and in particular Article 114, in conjunction with Article 218(9) thereof,
Having regard to Council Regulation (EC) No 2894/94 of 28 November 1994 concerning arrangements for implementing the Agreement on the European Economic Area (1), and in particular Article 1(3) thereof,
Having regard to the proposal from the European Commission,
Whereas:
(1)
The Agreement on the European Economic Area (2) ("the EEA Agreement") entered into force on 1 January 1994.
(2)
Pursuant to Article 98 of the EEA Agreement, the EEA Joint Committee may decide to amend, inter alia, Protocol 31 thereto.
(3)
Protocol 31 to the EEA Agreement contains provisions and arrangements concerning cooperation in specific fields outside the four freedoms.
(4)
It is appropriate to continue the cooperation of the Contracting Parties to the EEA Agreement in European Union actions funded from the General Budget of the European Union regarding the implementation, operation and development of the Internal Market.
(5)
Protocol 31 to the EEA Agreement should therefore be amended accordingly.
(6)
The amendment should apply from 1 January 2013 in order to allow for this extended cooperation to continue beyond 31 December 2012.
(7)
The position of the European Union within the EEA Joint Committee should therefore be based on the attached draft Decision,
HAS ADOPTED THIS DECISION:
Article 1
The position to be adopted, on behalf of the European Union, within the EEA Joint Committee on the proposed amendment to Protocol 31 to the EEA Agreement shall be based on the draft Decision of that Committee attached to this Decision.
Article 2
This Decision shall enter into force on the day of its adoption.
Done at Luxembourg, 25 June 2013.