L 340/54 Official Journal of the European Union 24.12.2003 (Acts whose publication is not obligatory) COUNCIL COUNCIL DECISION of 17 December 2003 on the signing and provisional application of bilateral agreements between the European Com- munity and certain third countries (Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Tajikistan and Turkmenistan) on trade in textile products (2003/901EC) THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION, Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Community, and in particular Article 133, in conjunction with the first sentence of the first subparagraph of Article 300(2) thereof, Having regard to the proposal from the Commission, Whereas: (1)  The Commission has negotiated, on behalf of the Com- munity, bilateral agreements to extend the existing bilat- eral agreements on trade in textile products with certain third countries (Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Tajikistan and Turkmenistan). (2)  Subject to their possible conclusion at a later date, the agreements should be signed on behalf of the Com- munity. (3) It is appropriate to apply these agreements on a provi- sional basis as from 1 January 2004, pending the completion of the relevant procedures for its conclusion, subject to reciprocity, HAS DECIDED AS FOLLOWS: Atrticle 1 Subject to possible conclusion at a later date, the President of the Council is hereby authorised to designate the persons empowered to sign on behalf of the European Community the agreements on trade in textile products between the European Community and certain third countries (Azerbaijan, Kazakh- stan, Tajikistan and Turkmenistan). Atticle 2 Subject to reciprocity, the agreements referred to in Article 1 shall be applied on a provisional basis as from 1 January 2004 pending the completion of the procedures for its conclusion. The texts of the agreements are attached to this Decision. Done at Brussels, 17 December 2003. For the Council The President G. ALEMANNO