L 312/32 Official Journal of the European Union 30.11.2007 COUNCIL DECISION of 30 October 2007 on the signing and provisional application of a Protocol to the Euro-Mediterranean Agreement establishing an association between the European Communities and its Member States, of the one part, and the Arab Republic of Egypt, of the other part, to take account of the accession of the Republic of Bulgaria and Romania to the European Union (2007/774/EC) THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION, Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Community, and in particular Article 310, in conjunction with Article 300(2), first subparagraph, first sentence, thereof, Having regard to the 2005 Act of Accession, and in particular Article 6(2) thereof, Having regard to the proposal from the Commission, Whereas: (1) On 23 October 2006 the Council authorised the Commission, on behalf of the European Community and its Member States, to open negotiations with the Arab Republic of Egypt with a view to adjusting the Euro-Mediterranean Agreement establishing an asso- ciation between the European Communities and their Member States, of the one part, and Egypt, of the other part (1), hereinafter referred to as ‘the Euro-Medi- terranean Agreement’, to take account of the accession of the Republic of Bulgaria and Romania to the European Union. (2)  These negotiations have since been completed to the satisfaction of the Commission. (3)  Article 9(2) of the Protocol negotiated with Egypt provides for the provisional application of the Protocol before its entry into force. () O] L 304, 30.9.2004, p. 39. (4 The Protocol should be signed on behalf of the European Community and its Member States and applied on a provisional basis subject to its conclusion at a later date, HAS DECIDED AS FOLLOWS: Article 1 The President of the Council is hereby authorised to designate the person(s) empowered to sign, on behalf of the European Community and its Member States, the Protocol to the Euro- Mediterranean Agreement establishing an association between the European Communities and their Member States, of the one part, and the Arab Republic of Egypt, of the other part, to take account of the accession of the Republic of Bulgaria and Romania to the European Union (2). Atrticle 2 The Protocol shall be applied provisionally from 1 January 2007, subject to its conclusion at a later date. Dorne at Luxembourg, 30 October 2007. For the Council The President F. NUNES CORREIA (%) See page 33 of this Official Journal.