L 56/6 Official Journal of the European Union 28.2.2009 (Acts adopted under the EC Treaty/Euratom Treaty whose publication is not obligatory) DECISIONS COUNCIL COUNCIL DECISION of 27 November 2008 concerning the conclusion of the Agreement between the European Community and the Government of the People’s Republic of China on drug precursors and substances frequently used in the illicit manufacture of narcotic drugs or psychotropic substances (2009/166EC) THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION, Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Community, and in particular Article 133 thereof, in conjunction with the first sentence of Article 300(2) thereof, Having regard to the proposal from the Commission, Whereas: (1) The Community should strengthen controls on shipments of precursors from the People’s Republic of China, given the risk of their diversion for the purposes of the illicit manufacture of synthetic drugs in the Community. (2 On 27 June 2006, the Council authorised the Commission to negotiate with the Government of the People’s Republic of China an Agreement on drug precursors and substances frequently used in the illicit manufacture of narcotic drugs or psychotropic substances (‘the Agreement). Following negotiations, the text of the Agreement was accepted on 13 March 2008. (3) It is appropriate that the Council should authorise the Commission, in consultation with a special committee appointed by the Council, to approve amendments on behalf of the Community where the Agreement provides for them to be adopted by the Joint Follow-Up Group. Such authorisation must, however, be limited to the amendment of the Annexes to the Agreement in so far as such amendment concerns substances already covered by Community legislation on drug precursors and substances. (4)  The Agreement should be approved, HAS DECIDED AS FOLLOWS: Atrticle 1 The Agreement between the European Community and the Government of the People’s Republic of China on drug precursors and substances frequently used in the illicit manu- facture of narcotic drugs or psychotropic substances is hereby approved on behalf of the Community. The text of the Agreement is attached to this Decision. Atrticle 2 1. The Commission, assisted by representatives of the Member States, shall represent the Community on the Joint Follow-Up Group set up under Article 9 of the Agreement.