The European Parliament adopted by 598 votes to 25, with 35 abstentions, a legislative resolution on the draft Council decision on the conclusion, on behalf of the European Union, of the Protocol to Eliminate Illicit Trade in Tobacco Products to the World Health Organisation's Framework Convention on Tobacco Control, as regards its provisions on obligations related to judicial cooperation in criminal matters and the definition of criminal offences.
In line with the recommendation made by the Committee on Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs, Parliament gave its consent to the conclusion of the Protocol.
To recall, the conclusion of the World Health Organisation (WHO) Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC) was approved on behalf of the Community by Council Decision 2004/513/EC. The Protocol to Eliminate Illicit Trade in Tobacco Products to the WHO FCTC was signed on 20 December 2013, subject to its conclusion at a later date.
The proposed Decision shall apply to provisions of the Protocol falling within the scope of Title V of Part Three of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union (area of freedom, security and justice). The Protocol contains: