19.9.2005 Official Journal of the European Union L2421 (Acts whose publication is not obligatory) COUNCIL COUNCIL DECISION of 16 March 2005 on the signature and provisional application of a Protocol to the Euro-Mediterranean Agreement establishing an Association between the European Communities and their Member States, of the one part, and the Kingdom of Morocco, of the other part, to take account of the accession of the Czech Republic, the Republic of Estonia, the Republic of Cyprus, the Republic of Latvia, the Republic of Lithuania, the Republic of Hungary, the Republic of Malta, the Republic of Poland, the Republic of Slovenia and the Slovak Republic to the European Union (2005/645[EC) THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION, Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Commu- nity, and in particular Article 310, in conjunction with the first sentence of the first subparagraph of Article 300(2) thereof, Having regard to the 2003 Act of Accession, and in particular to Article 6(2) thereof, Having regard to the proposal from the Commission, Whereas: (1) On 10 February 2004 the Council authorised the Commis- sion, on behalf of the European Community and its Mem- ber States, to negotiate with Morocco a Protocol amending the Euro-Mediterranean Association Agreement between the European Communities and their Member States, on the one part, and Morocco, on the other part (), to take account of the accession of the new Member States to the EU. (2)  These negotiations have since been completed to the sat- isfaction of the Commission. (3)  Article 12(2) of the Protocol negotiated with Morocco pro- vides for the provisional application of the Protocol before its entry into force. (4)  Subject to its possible conclusion at a later date, the Pro- tocol should be signed on behalf of the Community and applied provisionally, () OJ L 70, 18.3.2000, p. 2. HAS DECIDED AS FOLLOWS: Article 1 The President of the Council is hereby authorised to designate the person(s) empowered to sign, on behalf of the European Community and its Member States, the Protocol to the Euro- Mediterranean Agreement establishing an Association between the European Communities and their Member States, of the one part, and the Kingdom of Morocco, of the other part, to take account of the accession of the Czech Republic, the Republic of Estonia, the Republic of Cyprus, the Republic of Latvia, the Republic of Lithuania, the Republic of Hungary, the Republic of Malta, the Republic of Poland, the Republic of Slovenia and the Slovak Republic to the European Union (2). Article 2 The Protocol shall be applied provisionally from 1 May 2004, subject to its possible conclusion at a later date. Done at Brussels, 16 March 2005. For the Council The President J. ASSELBORN (%) See page 2 of this Official Journal.