PURPOSE: to conclude, on behalf of the Union, the Protocol on the implementation of the fisheries partnership agreement between the Côte d’Ivoire and the European Community (2018-2024).
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 fisheries partnership agreement between the Republic of Côte d’Ivoire and the European Community entered into force on 18 April 2008. The previous Protocol to the agreement entered into force on 1 July 2013 and expired on 30 June 2018.
The Commission negotiated, on behalf of the Union, a new Protocol implementing the Agreement. The Protocol was initialled on 16 March 2018. It has applied on a provisional basis since the date of signature and must now be approved.
CONTENT: the draft Council Decision seeks to approve, on behalf of the Union, the Protocol on the implementation of the fisheries partnership agreement between the European Union and the Republic of Côte d'Ivoire (2018-2024).
The objective of the Protocol is to enable the Union and the Republic of Côte d'Ivoire ('Côte d'Ivoire') to work more closely on promoting a sustainable fisheries policy, sound exploitation of fisheries resources in Ivorian waters, and Côte d'Ivoire's efforts to develop a blue economy.
The Agreement establishes the Joint Committee responsible for monitoring its implementation. Furthermore, in accordance with the Protocol, the Joint Committee may approve certain amendments to the Protocol. In order to facilitate the approval of such amendments, the Commission should be empowered, subject to specific conditions, to approve those amendments under a simplified procedure.
For details of fishing opportunities and the financial impact of the draft Protocol on the EU budget, see the summary of the Commission's original legislative proposal dated 2/7/2018.