THE EUROPEAN UNION (hereinafter referred to as the EU),on the one hand, and
THE FORMER YUGOSLAV REPUBLIC OF MACEDONIA (hereinafter referred to as the Host Party),
on the other hand,
together hereinafter referred to as the "Parties",
TAKING INTO ACCOUNT:
- the invitation of the President of the Host Party dated 17 January 2003, and the reply of the Secretary General/High Representative for EU common foreign and security policy on 28 January,
- the letters of the President of the Host Party and of the Secretary General/High Representative,
- the adoption by the Council of the European Union on 27 January 2003 of Joint Action 2003/92/CFSP on the European Union military operation in the Host Party,
- the signature on 9 April 2001 in Luxembourg of a Stabilisation and Association Agreement between the Host Party and the European Communities and their Member States,
- the wish of the Host Party to promote stability, contributing to the further integration of the Host Party with the European Union,
- the preparedness of the EU to further enhance, including through the use of instruments of the European security and defence policy, efforts to support the rapprochement of the Host Party with the European Union,
- the shared desire that the Host Party be part of a region of peaceful, prosperous countries, cooperating closely with each other and with a view to further integration with the European Union,
- that the purpose of the privileges and immunities as provided for in this Agreement are not to benefit individuals but to ensure the efficient performance of the EU operation,
HAVE AGREED AS FOLLOWS: