PURPOSE: to conclude a Protocol setting out the fishing opportunities and the financial contribution provided for in the Fisheries Partnership Agreement between the European Union and the Republic of Cape Verde.
PROPOSED ACT: Council Decision.
ROLE OF THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT: Council may adopt the act only if Parliament has given its consent to the act.
BACKGROUND: the Union has negotiated with Cape Verde a new EU-Cape Verde Protocol to the Agreement granting Union vessels fishing opportunities in the fishing zone in which Cape Verde exercises sovereignty or jurisdiction in fishing matters.
By a Decision of the Council, the latter authorised the signing and provisional application of the Protocol, subject to its later conclusion.
It is now necessary to approve the Protocol on behalf of the European Union.
CONTENT: under this proposed Decision, the Council is called upon to conclude, on behalf of the European Union, a Protocol setting out the fishing opportunities and the financial contribution provided for in the Fisheries Partnership Agreement between the European Union and the Republic of Cape Verde.
For further details of the fishing opportunities and the financial implications on the EU budget, please refer the initial legislative proposal dated 19/11/2014.
Simplified procedure to define the EU position with the EU-Cape Verde Joint Committee: the Agreement set up a Joint Committee to monitor its application. Furthermore, in accordance with the Protocol, the Joint Committee may approve certain modifications to it. In order to facilitate the approval of such modifications, it is appropriate to empower the European Commission, subject to specific conditions, to approve them under a simplified procedure.
Annex: the proposed Decision sets out the scope of the empowerment and procedure for the establishment of the Union position in the Joint Committee. The Commission shall be authorised to negotiate with the Republic of Cape Verde amendments to the Protocol in respect of the following issues:
In the Joint Committee, the Union shall act in accordance with the objectives pursued by the Union within the framework of the Common Fisheries Policy and promote positions that are consistent with the relevant rules adopted by Regional Fisheries Management Organisations. It shall also ensure the necessary steps have been taken in order that the position to be expressed on the Union's behalf take account of the latest statistical, biological and other relevant data transmitted to the Commission.
Lastly, technical provisions are laid down as regards the framework and the practical conditions of the approval of the abovementioned amendments to the Protocol.