EC/Egypt Euro-Mediterranean Association Agreement: Dispute Settlement Mechanism applicable to disputes under the trade provisions. Protocol

PURPOSE: to conclude a Protocol between the EU and Egypt establishing a Dispute Settlement Mechanism applicable to disputes under the trade provisions of the EU-Egypt Euro-Mediterranean Agreement.

PROPOSED ACT: Council Decision.

BACKGROUND: on 24 February 2006 the Council authorised the Commission to open negotiations with partners in the Mediterranean region in order to establish a dispute settlement mechanism related to trade provisions.

These negotiations have been concluded and an Agreement in the form of a Protocol between the European Union and Egypt establishing a dispute settlement mechanism applicable to disputes under the trade provisions of the EU- Egypt Euro-Mediterranean Agreement was initialled on 27 April 2010.

It is now necessary to conclude the protocol on behalf of the EU.

IMPACT ASSESSMENT: no impact assessment was carried out.

LEGAL BASIS: first sub-paragraph of Article 207(4), in conjunction with point (a)(v) of Article 218(6) of the treaty on the Functioning of the European Union (TFEU).

CONTENT: under this present Decision, the Agreement in the form of a Protocol between the EU and Egypt establishing a dispute settlement mechanism applicable to disputes under the trade provisions of the EU-Egypt Mediterranean Agreement is hereby approved on behalf of the Union.

The text of the protocol is attached to this Decision. For details of the content of the protocol, please refer to the summary of the previous initial legislative document dated 09/08/2010.

BUDGETARY IMPLICATION: this proposal has no implication for the EU budget.