Council Decision

of 18 December 2006

on the conclusion of the Agreement between the European Community and the Government of Canada establishing a framework for cooperation in higher education, training and youth

(2006/964/EC)

THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION,

Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Community, and in particular Articles 149 and 150 in conjunction with the first sentence of the first subparagraph of Article 300(2) and the first subparagraph of Article 300(3) thereof,

Having regard to the proposal from the Commission,

Having regard to the Opinion of the European Parliament,

Whereas:

(1) By its decision of 24 October 2005 the Council authorised the Commission to negotiate with the government of Canada an agreement renewing the cooperation programme in the fields of higher education, training and youth.

(2) On behalf of the Community, the Commission has negotiated an agreement with the government of Canada in accordance with the directives in the Annex to the said decision.

(3) The Community and Canada expect to obtain mutual benefit from such cooperation, which must, on the Community's side, be complementary to the bilateral programmes between the Member States and Canada and provide a European added value.

(4) The Agreement was signed on behalf of the Community on 5 December 2006 subject to its possible conclusion at a later date.

(5) The Agreement should be approved,

HAS DECIDED AS FOLLOWS:

Article 1

1. The Agreement between the European Community and the government of Canada establishing a framework for cooperation in higher education, training and youth is hereby approved on behalf of the Community.

2. The text of the Agreement is attached to this Decision.

Article 2

The delegation of the European Community to the Joint Committee referred to in Article 6 of the Agreement shall consist of a representative from the Commission assisted by a representative from each Member State.

Article 3

The President of the Council is authorised to designate the person empowered to make the notification provided for in Article 12(1) of the Agreement.

Done at Brussels, 18 December 2006.

For the Council

The President

J.-E. Enestam

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