THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION,

Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Community,

Having regard to the proposal from the Commission,

Whereas the International Tropical Timber Agreement 1994 negotiated on the basis of Resolution 93 (IV) of the text entitled ‘A new partnership for development: Cartagena Commitment’ and the relevant objectives in the final document ‘Cartagena Spirit’ adopted by the United Nations Trade and Development Conference was opened for signing from 1 April 1994 until one month after the date of its entry into force;

Whereas the said Agreement has not yet entered into force;

Whereas, pursuant to Article 42 (3) of the 1983 International Tropical Timber Agreement, that Agreement was extended until the provisional or definitive entry into force of the new Agreement;

Whereas the objectives pursued by the new Agreement fit into the context of the common commercial policy;

Whereas the Member States participate, through financial contributions, in the measures provided for in that Agreement;

Whereas all the Member States have expressed their intention to sign and to contribute towards the provisional application of the Agreement; whereas the Community therefore should sign the Agreement lodged with the United Nations Secretary-General and, as soon as possible, notify its intention to apply the Agreement provisionally,

HAS DECIDED AS FOLLOWS: