10.4.2008 Official Journal of the European Union L 99/1 (Acts adopted under the EC Treaty/Euratom Treaty whose publication is not obligatory) DECISIONS COUNCIL COUNCIL DECISION of 18 February 2008 on the signing of a Protocol to the Stabilisation and Association Agreement between the European Communities and their Member States, of the one part, and the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, of the other part, to take account of the accession of the Republic of Bulgaria and Romania to the European Union (2008/273[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 second sentence of the first subparagraph of Article 300(2), thereof, Having regard to the Act of Accession of Bulgaria and Romania and in particular Article 6(2) thereof, Having regard to the proposal from the Commission, Whereas: (1) On 23 October 2006 the Council authorised the Commis- sion to open negotiations, on behalf of the Community and its Member States, with the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia in order to conclude a Protocol to the Stabi- lisation and Association Agreement between the European Communities and their Member States, of the one part, and the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, of the other part, to take account of the accession of the Repub- lic of Bulgaria and Romania to the European Union. (2)  These negotiations have been successfully completed and subject to its possible conclusion at a later date, the Proto- col should be signed on behalf of the European Commu- nity and its Member States, HAS DECIDED AS FOLLOWS: Sole Article The President of the Council is hereby authorised to designate the person(s) empowered to sign, on behalf of the European Commu- nity and its Member States, the Protocol to the Stabilisation and Association Agreement between the European Communities and their Member States, of the one part, and the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, of the other part, to take account of the accession of the Republic of Bulgaria and Romania to the Euro- pean Union, subject to its possible conclusion at a later date. The text of the Protocol is attached to this Decision. Done at Brussels, 18 February 2008. For the Council The President D. RUPEL