20.3.2004 Official Journal of the European Union L 84/1 (Acts whose publication is not obligatory) COUNCIL AND COMMISSION COUNCIL AND COMMISSION DECISION of 23 February 2004 concerning the conclusion of the Stabilisation and Association Agreement between the European Communities and their Member States, of the one part, and the former Yugoslav Republic of Mace- donia, of the other part (2004/239/EC, Euratom) THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION, THE COMMISSION OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES, Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Com- munity, and in particular Article 310 thereof, in conjunction with Article 300(2), first subparagraph, last sentence and Article 300(3), second subparagraph thereof (), Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Atomic Energy Community, and in particular the second paragraph of Article 101 thereof, Having regard to the proposal from the Commission (), Having regard to the assent of the European Parliament (%), Having regard to the approval of the Council granted pursuant to Article 101 of the Treaty establishing the European Atomic Energy Community, Whereas: (1) The Stabilisation and Association Agreement between the European Communities and their Member States, of the one part, and the former Yugoslav Republic of Mace- donia, of the other part, was signed on behalf of the European Community, in Luxembourg on 9 April 2001, in accordance with Council Decision of 4 April 2001 subject to its conclusion. (") The European Community has taken over all rights and obligations of the European Coal and Steel Community, following the latter's expiry on 23 July 2002 (O] L 194, 23.7.2002, p. 35). () 0] C213 E, 31.7.2001, p. 23. () O] C 27 E, 31.1.2002, p. 59. (2)  The commercial provisions contained in this Agreement are of an exceptional nature, connected with the policy implemented within the framework of the stabilisation and association process and will not constitute, for the European Union, any precedent in the commercial policy of the Community with regard to third countries other than those of the Western Balkans. (3)  The provisions of this Agreement that fall within the scope of Part Three, Title IV of the Treaty establishing the European Community bind the United Kingdom and Ireland as separate Contracting Parties, and not as part of the European Community, until the United Kingdom or Ireland notifies the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia that it has become bound as part of the Euro- pean Community in accordance with the Protocol on the position of the United Kingdom and Ireland annexed to the Treaty on European Union and the Treaty estab- lishing the European Community. The same applies to Denmark, in accordance with the Protocol on the posi- tion of Denmark annexed to those Treaties. (4)  This Agreement should be approved, HAVE DECIDED AS FOLLOWS: Atrticle 1 The Stabilisation and Association Agreement between the Euro- pean Communities and their Member States, of the one part, and the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, of the other part, the Annexes and Protocols annexed thereto and the declarations attached to the Final Act are hereby approved on behalf of the European Community and the European Atomic Energy Community. The texts referred to in the first paragraph are attached to this Decision.