21.12.2006   

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

L 366/85


DECISION OF THE EEA JOINT COMMITTE

No 139/2006

of 27 October 2006

amending Protocol 31 to the EEA Agreement, on cooperation in specific fields outside the four freedoms

THE EEA JOINT COMMMITTEE,

Having regard to the Agreement on the European Economic Area, as amended by the Protocol adjusting the Agreement on the European Economic Area, hereinafter referred to as ‘the Agreement’, and in particular Articles 86 and 98 thereof,

Whereas:

(1)

Protocol 31 to the Agreement was amended by Decision of the EEA Joint EEA Joint Committee No 90/2004 of 8 June 2004 (1).

(2)

Decision of the EEA Joint Committee No 56/96 of 28 October 1996 (2) extended the cooperation between the Contracting Parties to the Agreement by including in Protocol 31 to the Agreement the European Employment Services network (Eures).

(3)

Liechtenstein originally reserved its right to participate in Eures subject to the results of the joint review of the transitional measures in the field of free movement of persons as contained in Protocol 15 to the Agreement.

(4)

On the basis of this joint review, Decision of the EEA Joint Committee No 191/1999 of 17 December 1999 (3) introduced new sectoral adaptations in Annexes V and VIII to the Agreement with regard to Liechtenstein, which restrict the taking up of residence in Liechtenstein.

(5)

The reservation with regard to Liechtenstein's participation in Eures should no longer apply.

(6)

Protocol 31 to the Agreement should therefore be amended in order to allow for the participation of Liechtenstein in Eures to take place with effect from 1 January 2007,

HAS DECIDED AS FOLLOWS:

Article 1

Article 15(4) of Protocol 31 to the Agreement shall be replaced by the following:

‘4.

Paragraphs 1 to 3 shall apply to Liechtenstein as from 1 January 2007.’

Article 2

This Decision shall enter into force on the day following the last notification to the EEA Joint Committee under Article 103(1) of the Agreement (*1).

It shall apply from 1 January 2007.

Article 3

This Decision shall be published in the EEA Section of, and in the EEA Supplement to, the Official Journal of the European Union.

Done at Brussels, 27 October 2006.

For the EEA Joint Committee

The President

Oda Helen SLETNES


(1)   OJ L 349, 25.11.2004, p. 52.

(2)   OJ L 58, 27.2.1997, p. 50.

(3)   OJ L 74, 15.3.2001, p. 29.

(*1)  No constitutional requirements indicated.