The European Union (Definition of Treaties) (Partnership and Cooperation Agreement) (Vietnam) Order 2014

Draft Order laid before Parliament under section 1(3) of the European Communities Act 1972, for approval by resolution of each House of Parliament.

Draft Statutory Instruments

2014 No. 0000

European Union

The European Union (Definition of Treaties) (Partnership and Cooperation Agreement) (Vietnam) Order 2014

Made

2014

Coming into force in accordance with Article 2

At the Court at ***, the *** day of *** 2014

Present,

The Queen’s Most Excellent Majesty in Council

A draft of this Order has been laid before Parliament in accordance with section 1(3) of the European Communities Act 1972(1) and has been approved by a resolution of each House of Parliament.

Accordingly, Her Majesty, in exercise of the powers conferred on Her by section 1(3) of the European Communities Act 1972, is pleased, by and with the advice of Her Privy Council, to order as follows:

1.  This Order may be cited as the European Union (Definition of Treaties) (Partnership and Cooperation Agreement) (Vietnam) Order 2014.

2.  It comes into force on the date on which the treaty specified in article 3 enters into force for the United Kingdom(2).

3.  The Framework Agreement on Comprehensive Partnership and Cooperation between the European Union and its Member States, of the one part, and the Socialist Republic of Vietnam, of the other part, signed by the United Kingdom and the European Union at Brussels on 27th June 2012(3), is to be regarded as an EU Treaty as defined in section 1(2) of the European Communities Act 1972(4).

Richard Tilbrook

Clerk of the Privy Council

EXPLANATORY NOTE

(This note is not part of the Order)

This Order declares the Framework Agreement on Comprehensive Partnership and Cooperation between the European Union and its Member States, on the one hand, and the Socialist Republic of Vietnam on the other (the Agreement), to be an EU Treaty as defined in section 1(2) of the European Communities Act 1972.

This Agreement provides a legal framework for relations between the European Union, its Member States and Vietnam. The Agreement will enhance cooperation across a broad range of areas, including political dialogue, trade, energy, transport, human rights, education and training, science and technology, justice and migration. The Agreement also includes articles on countering the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction and their means of delivery, combating illicit trade in small arms and light weapons and terrorism.

The principal effect of declaring the Agreement to be an EU Treaty as so defined is that the provisions of section 2 of the European Communities Act 1972 (which provide for implementation of treaties specified in orders made under section 1(3) of that Act) apply to it.

A Regulatory Impact Assessment has not been carried out for this Order as there is a negligible impact on the costs to UK business, charities and voluntary bodies.

(1)

1972 c. 68; section 1(3) was amended by the European Union (Amendment) Act 2008 (c. 7), section 3(3), Schedule, Part 1.

(2)

It will be possible to find out the date on which the treaty specified in article 3 enters into force for the United Kingdom by referring to the relevant page on UK Treaties Online which can be found at this link: https://www.gov.uk/uk-treaties.

(3)

Cm 8721.

(4)

Section 1(2) was amended by the European Union (Amendment) Act 2008, section 3(1) and (3) and Schedule, Part 1.