L 328/20 Official Journal of the European Union 14.12.2010 (Acts adopted before 1 December 2009 under the EC Treaty, the EU Treaty and the Euratom Treaty) COUNCIL DECISION of 10 November 2009 on the conclusion of an Agreement in the form of a Protocol between the European Community and its Member States and the Republic of Lebanon establishing a dispute settlement mechanism applicable to disputes under the trade provisions of the Euro-Mediterranean Agreement establishing an association between the European Community and its Member States, of the one part, and the Republic of Lebanon, of the other part (2010/771/EC) THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION, Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Community, and in particular Article 133 in conjunction with the first sentence of the first subparagraph of Article 300(2) thereof, Having regard to the proposal from the Commission, Whereas: (1)  On 24 February 2006, the Council authorised the Commission to open negotiations with its partners from the Mediterranean region in order to establish a dispute settlement mechanism related to trade provisions. (2)  Negotiations have been conducted by the Commission in consultation with the Committee established by Article 133 of the Treaty and within the framework of the negotiating directives issued by the Council. (3)  The Commission has finalised negotiations for the conclusion of an Agreement in the form of a Protocol establishing a dispute settlement mechanism applicable to disputes under the trade provisions of the Euro-Mediter- ranean Agreement establishing an association between the European Community and its Member States, of the one part, and the Republic of Lebanon, of the other part (1). (4)  This Agreement should be approved, () O] L 143, 30.5.2006, p. 2. HAS DECIDED AS FOLLOWS: Article 1 The Agreement in the form of a Protocol between the European Community and the Republic of Lebanon establishing a dispute settlement mechanism applicable to disputes under the trade provisions of the Euro-Mediterranean Agreement establishing an association between the European Community and its Member States, of the one part, and the Republic of Lebanon, of the other part, is hereby approved on behalf of the Community. The text of the Agreement is attached to this Decision. Article 2 The President of the Council is hereby authorised to designate the person(s) empowered to sign the Agreement in the form of a Protocol in order to bind the Community. Done at Brussels, 10 November 2009. For the Council The President A. BORG