FantasticSearch

1. The Agency shall be open to the participation of candidate countries as observers.

2. The participation referred to in paragraph 1 and the relevant modalities shall be determined by a decision of the relevant Association Council, taking into account the specific status of each country. The decision shall indicate in particular the nature, extent and manner in which those countries will participate in the Agency’s work, within the framework set in Articles 4 and 5, including provisions relating to participation in initiatives undertaken by the Agency, to the financial contribution and to staff. The decision shall comply with this Regulation and with the Staff Regulations and the Conditions of Employment. The decision shall provide that the participating country may appoint an independent person fulfilling the qualifications for persons referred to in Article 12(1), point (a) as observer to the Management Board without a right to vote. Upon the decision of the Association Council the Agency may deal with fundamental rights issues within the scope of Article 3(1) in the relevant country, to the extent necessary for the gradual alignment to Union law of the country concerned.

3. The Council, acting unanimously on a proposal by the Commission, may decide to invite a country with which a Stabilisation and Association Agreement has been concluded by the Union to participate in the Agency as an observer. If it does so, paragraph 2 shall apply accordingly.