PURPOSE: to conclude, on behalf of the European Union, the Framework Agreement on Partnership and Cooperation between the European Union and its Member States, of the one part, and the Government of Malaysia, of the other part.
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: in accordance with a Council Decision, the Framework Agreement on Partnership and Cooperation between the European Union and its Member States, of the one part, and the Government of Malaysia, of the other part, was signed, subject to its conclusion at a later date. It is therefore necessary to approve the Agreement on behalf of the Union.
CONTENT: the purpose of the draft Council Decision is to approve, on behalf of the Union, the Framework Agreement on Partnership and Cooperation between the European Union and its Member States, of the one part, and the Government of Malaysia, of the other part.
The objective of the Agreement is to establish a strengthened partnership between the Union and Malaysia and to deepen and enhance cooperation on issues of mutual interest, including human rights, non-proliferation of weapons of mass destruction, counterterrorism, the fight against corruption and organised crime, trade, migration, the environment, energy, climate change, transport, science and technology, employment and social affairs, education and agriculture.
Respect for democratic principles and human rights, as enshrined in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) and other relevant international human rights instruments applicable to the Parties, on the one hand, and for the principle of the rule of law on the other, underpins the internal and international policies of the Parties and constitutes an essential element of the Agreement.
Under the Agreement, the Parties:
- confirm their shared values as expressed in the Charter of the United Nations;
- confirm their commitment to promoting sustainable development, to cooperating to address the challenges of climate change as well as globalisation, and to contributing to the internationally agreed development goals, in particular to strengthening a global partnership for development as renewed in the 2030 Agenda;
- reaffirm their attachment to the principles of good governance in all its aspects.
The implementation of this Agreement shall be based on the principles of dialogue, mutual respect, equal partnership, consensus and respect for international law. The Agreement establishes a Joint Committee composed of representatives of the Parties at an appropriate high level, that will monitor the development of the bilateral relationship between the Parties.
It is the common understanding of the Parties to the Agreement that pursuant to Article 58(1) of the Agreement and in accordance with the Federal Constitution of Malaysia, the notification by the Government of Malaysia expressing its consent to be bound by the Agreement binds Malaysia as a whole.