
Article 1 
The signing, on behalf of the Union, of the Status Agreement between the European Union and the Republic of Albania on actions carried out by the European Border and Coast Guard Agency in the Republic of Albania (the ‘Agreement’) is hereby authorised, subject to the conclusion of the said Agreement.
Article 2 
The text of the joint declaration annexed to this Decision shall be approved on behalf of the Union.
Article 3 
The President of the Council is hereby authorised to designate the person(s) empowered to sign the Agreement on behalf of the Union.
Article 4 
This Decision shall enter into force on the date of its adoption.
Done at Brussels, 13 July 2018.
For the Council
The President
H. LÖGER
ANNEX

The Contracting Parties take note of the close relationship between the European Union and Norway, Iceland, Switzerland and Liechtenstein, particularly by virtue of the Agreements of 18 May 1999 and 26 October 2004 concerning the association of those countries with the implementation, application and development of the Schengen acquis.
In such circumstances it is desirable that the authorities of Norway, Iceland, Switzerland and Liechtenstein, on the one hand, and the Republic of Albania, on the other hand, conclude, without delay, bilateral agreements on actions carried out by the European Border and Coast Guard Agency in the Republic of Albania in terms similar to those of this Agreement.
