(9)As the Union is a Party to the Convention, the Protocol is open for signature and ratification by the Union. The Union should become a party to the Protocol alongside its Member States, since the Union and Member States share competences in the areas covered by the Convention that the Protocol amends. The Union has exercised its competence through the adoption of Directive (EU) 2017/541. In areas of shared competences, Member States retain their competence insofar as the Protocol does not affect common Union rules or alter their scope. This Decision is without prejudice to the signing of the Protocol by the Member States, in accordance with their internal procedures.
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