
Article 1 
The signing, on behalf of the Union, of the Status Agreement between the European Union and the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia on actions carried out by the European Border and Coast Guard Agency in the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (the ‘Agreement’) is hereby authorised, subject to the conclusion of the said Agreement.
Article 2 
The text of the joint declarations 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, 28 September 2018.
For the Council
The President
M. SCHRAMBÖCK
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 former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, on the other hand, conclude, without delay, bilateral agreements on actions carried out by the European Border and Coast Guard Agency in the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia in terms similar to those of this Agreement.

Both parties agree that refraining from taking any measure likely to jeopardise possible subsequent criminal prosecution of the member of the team by the competent authorities of the host State includes refraining from actively facilitating the return of the concerned member of the team from the European Border and Coast Guard operation premises in the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia to his/her home Member State, pending the certification of the Executive Director of the Agency.
