EC/Canada Air Transport Agreement: accession of Croatia to the EU. Protocol

PURPOSE: to conclude, on behalf of the Union and its Member States, a Protocol amending the Air Transport Agreement between Canada and the European Community and its Member States to take account of Croatia's accession to the European Union.

NON-LEGISLATIVE ACT: Council Decision (EU) 2019/704 on the conclusion, on behalf of the Union and its Member States, of a Protocol amending the Agreement on Air Transport between Canada and the European Community and its Member States, to take account of the accession to the European Union of the Republic of Croatia.

CONTENT: the Council adopted a Decision on the approval, on behalf of the Union, of the Protocol amending the Air Transport Agreement between Canada and the European Community and its Member States to take account of Croatia's accession to the European Union.

The EU-Canada Air Transport Agreement was initialled on 30 November 2008, endorsed by the EU-Canada summit on 6 May 2009, signed on 17-18 December 2009; subject to its conclusion at a later date. The Agreement is a comprehensive air transport agreement that includes a gradual phasing-in of traffic rights and investment opportunities, as well as a far reaching cooperation on a number of issues including safety, security, social matters, consumer interests, environment, air traffic management, state aids and competition.

The Protocol was signed subject to its conclusion. Under this Protocol, Croatia becomes a party to the Agreement. The Protocol outlines the linguistic adaptations to be made to the Agreement by reason of Croatia's accession.

ENTRY INTO FORCE: 15.4.2019.