21.10.2006 Official Journal of the European Union L 292/1 (Acts whose publication is not obligatory) COUNCIL COUNCIL DECISION of 27 June 2006 on the signing of the Agreement between the European Union and the Republic of Iceland and the Kingdom of Norway on the surrender procedure between the Member States of the European Union and Iceland and Norway (2006/697 EC) THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION, Having regard to the Treaty on European Union and in particu- lar Articles 24 and 38 thereof, Whereas: (1)  The European Union is determined to improve judicial cooperation in criminal matters between the Member States of the European Union and Iceland and Norway, without prejudice to the rules protecting individual freedom. (2)  Following the Council Decision of 10 July 2001 authoris- ing the Presidency of the Council to negotiate Agreements with Norway and Iceland on judicial cooperation in crimi- nal matters on the basis of Articles 24 and 38 of the Treaty on European Union, which was amended by the Council Decision of 19 December 2002, the Presidency, assisted by the Commission, negotiated an agreement on the sur- render procedure between the Member States of the Euro- pean Union and Iceland and Norway, HAS DECIDED AS FOLLOWS: Article 1 The signing of the Agreement between the European Union and the Republic of Iceland and the Kingdom of Norway on the sur- render procedure between the Member States of the European Union and Iceland and Norway is hereby approved on behalf of the European Union, subject to its conclusion. The text of the Agreement and the declarations to be made upon the signing of the Agreement are attached to this Decision. Article 2 The President of the Council is hereby authorised to designate the person(s) empowered to sign the Agreement subject to its conclusion. Article 3 This Decision and the Agreement attached thereto shall be pub- lished in the Official Journal of the European Union. Done at Luxembourg, 27 June 2006. For the Council The President J. PROLL