PURPOSE: to conclude the Agreement between the European Union and Georgia on the facilitation of the issuance of visas.
PROPOSED ACT: Council Decision.
BACKGROUND: the Agreement between the European Union and Georgia on the facilitation of the issuance of visas was signed by the Commission, subject to its conclusion at a later date.
It is now necessary to approve the Agreement on behalf of the Union.
IMPACT ASSESSMENT: no impact assessment was carried out.
LEGAL BASIS: Article 77(2)(a), in conjunction with Article 218(6)(a) of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union (TFEU).
CONTENT: under this proposed Decision, the Agreement between the European Union and Georgia on the facilitation of the issuance of visas is hereby approved.
The text of the Agreement is attached to this Decision. For details of the content of the Agreement, please refer to the summary of the previous initial legislative document (dated 5 May 2010).
The Agreement establishes a Joint Committee which should adopt its rules of procedure. It is appropriate to provide for a simplified procedure for the establishment of the Union position in this case.
Territorial provisions: this Decision constitutes a development of the provisions of the Schengen acquis in which the United Kingdom and Ireland do not take part. The United Kingdom and Ireland shall not take part in the adoption of this Decision and shall not be bound or subject to its application. Denmark takes the same stance.
BUDGETARY IMPLICATION: this proposal has no implication for the Union’s budget.