5.3.2008 Official Journal of the European Union L 60/27 COUNCIL DECISION of 18 February 2008 on the conclusion of the Agreement between the European Community and the Republic of Croatia on certain aspects of air services (2008/193[EC) THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION, Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Community, and in particular Article 80(2), in conjunction with the first sentence of the first subparagraph of Article 300(2), and the first subparagraph of Article 300(3), Having regard to the proposal from the Commission, Having regard to the opinion of the European Parliament (%), Whereas: (1) By a decision of 5 June 2003 the Council authorised the Commission to open negotiations with third countries on the replacement of certain provisions in existing bilateral agreements with a Community agreement. 2)  On behalf of the Community the Commission has nego- tiated an agreement with the Republic of Croatia on certain aspects of air services in accordance with the mechanisms and directives in the Annex to the decision of 5 June 2003. (!) Opinion of 27 September 2005 (not yet published in the Official Journal). (3)  This Agreement was signed on behalf of the Community subject to its possible conclusion at a later date, in accordance with Council Decision 2006/370/EC (3). (4  This Agreement should be approved, HAS DECIDED AS FOLLOWS: Article 1 The agreement between the European Community and the Republic of Croatia on certain aspects of air services is approved on behalf of the Community. Article 2 The President of the Council is authorised to designate the person empowered to make the notification provided in Article 8(1) of the Agreement. Done at Brussels, 18 February 2008. For the Council The President D. RUPEL () O] L 136, 24.5.2006, p. 31.