31.12.2009 Official Journal of the European Union L 3531 111 (Acts adopted under the EU Treaty) ACTS ADOPTED UNDER TITLE VI OF THE EU TREATY COUNCIL DECISION of 21 September 2009 on the signing, on behalf of the European Union, and on the provisional application of certain provisions of the Agreement between the European Union and Iceland and Norway on the application of certain provisions of Council Decision 2008/615/JHA on the stepping up of cross- border cooperation, particularly in combating terrorism and cross-border crime and Council Decision 2008/616/JHA on the implementation of Decision 2008/615/JHA on the stepping up of cross-border cooperation, particularly in combating terrorism and cross-border crime, and the Annex thereto (2009/1023/JHA) THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION, Having regard to the Treaty on European Union, and in particular Articles 24 and 38 thereof, Whereas: () ) 0] 0] Iceland, in a letter to the President of the Council dated 24 September 2008, and Norway, in a letter to the President of the Council dated 7 July 2008, have asked to be associated with the mechanisms for police and judicial cooperation between the Member States of the Union established by Council Decision 2008/615/JHA of 23 June 2008 on the stepping up of cross-border coop- eration, particularly in combating terrorism and cross- border crime (*) and Council Decision 2008/616/JHA of 23 June 2008 on the implementation of Decision 2008/615/JHA on the stepping up of cross-border coop- eration, particularly in combating terrorism and cross- border crime (2), and the Annex thereto. Following the authorisation given on 24 October 2008 to the Presidency, assisted by the Commission and by the delegation representing the Member State which is to take on the forthcoming Presidency, negotiations with Iceland and Norway were finalised on an agreement on the application of certain provisions of Council Decision 2008/615/JHA on the stepping up of cross-border coop- eration, particularly in combating terrorism and cross- border crime and Council Decision 2008/616/JHA on L 210, 6.8.2008, p. 1. L 210, 6.8.2008, p. 12. the implementation of Decision 2008/615[JHA on the stepping up of cross-border cooperation, particularly in combating terrorism and cross-border crime, and the Annex thereto (the Agreement)). Subject to its conclusion at a later date, the Agreement that was initialled in Brussels on 28 November 2008 should be signed and the attached declaration be approved. The Agreement caters for the provisional application of certain of its provisions. These provisions should be applied on a provisional basis pending the completion of the procedures for the formal conclusion of the Agreement and entry into force, HAS DECIDED AS FOLLOWS: Atrticle 1 The signing of the Agreement is hereby approved on behalf of the European Union, subject to its conclusion. The text of the Agreement is attached to this Decision. Article 2 The declaration attached to this Decision shall be approved on behalf of the European Union.