
Article 1 
The signature of the Agreement between the European Union, the European Community and the Swiss Confederation concerning the Swiss Confederation’s association with the implementation, application and development of the Schengen acquis, and the related documents consisting of the Final Act, of the Agreement in the form of an Exchange of Letters concerning the Committees that assist the European Commission in the exercise of its executive power, and of the Common Declaration on joint meetings of the Mixed Committees, is hereby approved on behalf of the European Community, subject to conclusion.
The texts of the Agreement and related documents 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 and the related documents on behalf of the European Community, subject to conclusion.
Article 3 
This Decision shall apply to the fields covered by the provisions listed in Annexes A and B to the Agreement and to their development to the extent that such provisions have, or, in accordance with Decision 1999/436/EC, have been determined to have, a legal base within the Treaty establishing the European Community.
Article 4 

1. The provisions of Articles 1 to 4 of Council Decision 1999/437/EC shall apply, in the same way, to the association of Switzerland with the implementation, application and development of the Schengen acquis, which falls under the Treaty establishing the European Community.
2. Before the delegations representing the members of the Council take part in a decision of the Mixed Committee set up by the Agreement, in accordance with Article 7(4) and (5) and Article 10 thereof, they shall meet within the Council in order to determine whether a common position may be adopted.
Article 5 
In accordance with Article 14(2) of the Agreement, Articles 1, 3, 4, 5 and 6 and the first sentence of Article 7(2)(a) thereof shall be applied on a provisional basis, pending its entry into force.
Done at Luxembourg, 25 October 2004.
For the Council
The President
R. VERDONK