Council Decision (EU) 2016/357 of 15 January 2016 on the position to be adopted by the European Union within the EU-the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia Stabilisation and Association Council on the participation of the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia as an observer in the European Union Agency for Fundamental Rights' work and the respective modalities thereof, within the framework set out in Articles 4 and 5 of Regulation (EC) No 168/2007, including provisions relating to participation in initiatives undertaken by the Agency, to the financial contribution and to staff

The position to be adopted by the European Union in the EU-the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia Stabilisation and Association Council on the participation of the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia as an observer in the European Union Agency for Fundamental Rights' work and the respective modalities thereof shall be based on the draft Decision of the EU-the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia Stabilisation and Association Council attached to this Decision.

The former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, as a candidate country, shall participate as an observer in the European Union Agency for Fundamental Rights set up by Regulation (EC) No 168/2007.

1 The Agency may deal with fundamental rights issues within the scope of Article 3(1) of Regulation (EC) No 168/2007 in the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia to the extent necessary for its gradual alignment to Union law.

2 To that end, the Agency will be able to carry out, in the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, the tasks set out in Articles 4 and 5 of Regulation (EC) No 168/2007.

The former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia shall contribute financially to the activities of the Agency referred to in Article 4 of Regulation (EC) No 168/2007 in accordance with the Annex to this Decision.

1 The former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia shall appoint persons complying with the criteria set out in Article 12(1) of Regulation (EC) No 168/2007 as observer and alternate observer. They may participate in the works of the Management Board on an equal footing with the members and alternate members appointed by Member States, but without a right to vote.

2 The former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia shall nominate a government official as a National Liaison Officer, as referred to in Article 8(1) of Regulation (EC) No 168/2007.

3 Within four months of the entry into force of this Decision, the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia shall inform the European Commission of the names, qualifications and contact details of the persons referred to in paragraphs 1 and 2.

The data supplied to or emanating from the Agency may be published and shall be made accessible to the public, provided that confidential information is afforded the same degree of protection in the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia as it is afforded within the Union.

The Agency shall enjoy in the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia the same capacity as that accorded to legal entities under the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia's law.

To enable the Agency and its staff to perform their tasks, the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia shall grant the privileges and immunities identical to those set out in Articles 1 to 4, 5, 6, 10 to 13, 15, 17 and 18 of Protocol No 7 on the privileges and immunities of the European Union, attached to the Treaty on European Union and to the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union.

The Parties shall each take any general or specific measures required to fulfil their obligations under this Decision and shall notify them to the Stabilisation and Association Council.

This Decision shall enter into force on the first day of the second month following the date of its adoption.