COUNCIL DECISION
of 19 July 2011
on the position to be taken by 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
(2011/450/EU)
THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION,
Having regard to the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union, and in particular Article 114 and Article 218(9) thereof,
Having regard to the proposal from the European Commission,
Whereas:
(1)
Protocol 31 to the Agreement on the European Economic Area (1) (the EEA Agreement) contains specific provisions and arrangements concerning cooperation in specific fields outside the four freedoms.
(2)
It is appropriate to continue the cooperation of the Contracting Parties to the EEA Agreement in Union actions funded from the general budget of the Union regarding the implementation, operation and development of the internal market.
(3)
Protocol 31 to the EEA Agreement should therefore be amended in order to allow for this extended cooperation to continue beyond 31 December 2010.
(4)
The position of the Union within the EEA Joint Committee should be based on the attached draft Decision,
HAS ADOPTED THIS DECISION:
Article 1
The position to be taken by 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 the EEA Joint Committee attached to this Decision.
Article 2
This Decision shall enter into force on day of its adoption.
Done at Brussels, 19 July 2011.