61In this regard, it should be recalled first of all that the purpose of the first paragraph of Article 351 TFEU is to make clear, in accordance with the principles of international law, that application of the Treaty does not affect the commitment of the Member State concerned to respect the rights of third countries under an agreement preceding its accession and to comply with its corresponding obligations (see Case C-324/93Evans Medical and Macfarlan Smith [1995] ECR I-563, paragraph 27, and Case C-124/95Centro-Com [1997] ECR I-81, paragraph 56).