Treaty establishing the European Community (Nice consolidated version)

Part Three: Community policies

Title XX: Development Cooperation

Article 181

Article 130y - EC Treaty (Maastricht consolidated version)

Article 181

Within their respective spheres of competence, the Community and the Member States shall cooperate with third countries and with the competent international organisations. The arrangements for Community cooperation may be the subject of agreements between the Community and the third parties concerned, which shall be negotiated and concluded in accordance with Article 300.

The previous paragraph shall be without prejudice to Member States' competence to negotiate in international bodies and to conclude international agreements.