51997PC0088(02)

Proposal for a Council Decision on the conclusion by the European Community of the Protocol to the 1979 Convention on Long-range Transboundary Air Pollution on further reductions of sulphur emissions (97/C 190/08) (Text with EEA relevance) COM(97) 88 final - 97/0107(CNS)

(Submitted by the Commission on 20 May 1997)

THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION,

Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Community, and in particular Article 130r (4) in conjunction with the first sentence of Article 228 (2) and the first subparagraph of Article 223 (3) thereof,

Having regard to the proposal from the Commission,

Having regard to the opinion of the European Parliament,

Whereas on 14 June 1994 the Community signed in Oslo the Protocol to the 1979 Convention on Long-range Transboundary Air Pollution on further reductions of sulphur emissions (hereinafter 'the Protocol`);

Whereas the Protocol seeks to establish ceilings for sulphur emissions for all Contracting Parties to the Convention;

Whereas the measures envisaged in the Protocol contribute to achieving objectives of the Community policy on the environment;

Whereas the Community and the Member States cooperate, in the framework of their respective competences, with third countries and the competent international organizations;

Whereas, in consequence, the Community should approve the said Protocol,

HAS ADOPTED THIS DECISION:

Article 1

The Protocol to the 1979 Convention on Long-range Transboundary Air Pollution on further reductions of sulphur emissions, signed on 14 June 1994, is hereby approved on behalf of the Community.

The text of the Protocol is attached to this Decision.

Article 2

The President of the Council is hereby authorized to designate the person entitled to deposit the instruments of approval with the Secretary-General of the United Nations, in accordance with Article 14 of the Protocol.

Article 3

This Decision will be published in the Official Journal of the European Communities.