28.4.2009 Official Journal of the European Union L 107/1 (Acts adopted under the EC Treaty/Euratom Treaty whose publication is not obligatory) DECISIONS COUNCIL COUNCIL DECISION of 15 September 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 Republic of Albania, of the other part, to take account of the accession of the Republic of Bulgaria and Romania to the European Union (2009/330/EC) THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION, Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Community, and in particular Article 310 in conjunction with the second sentence of Article 300(2), first subparagraph 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 Commission to open negotiations, on behalf of the Community and its Member States, with the Republic of Albania 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 Republic of Albania, of the other part, to take account of the accession of the Republic of Bulgaria and Romania to the European Union. (2)  These negotiations have been successfully completed and subject to its conclusion at a later date, the Protocol should be signed on behalf of the European Community and its Member States, HAS DECIDED AS FOLLOWS: Article 1 The signing of the Protocol to the Stabilisation and Association Agreement between the European Communities and their Member States, of the one part, and the Republic of Albania, of the other part, to take account of the accession of the Republic of Bulgaria and Romania to the European Union is hereby approved on behalf of the Community, subject to the conclusion of the said Agreement. The text of the Protocol is attached to this Decision. Article 2 The President of the Council is hereby authorised to designate the person(s) empowered to sign, on behalf of the Community and its Member States, the Protocol, subject to its conclusion at a later stage. Done at Brussels, 15 September 2008. For the Council The President B. KOUCHNER