THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION,
Having regard to the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union, and in particular Article 43, in conjunction with Article 218(6)(a) and (7) thereof,
Having regard to the proposal from the European Commission,
Having regard to the consent of the European Parliament,
Whereas:
(1)
On 5 October 2006, the Council approved the Partnership Agreement in the fisheries sector between the European Community and the Union of the Comoros (the ‘Partnership Agreement’) by means of Regulation (EC) No 1563/2006.
(2)
The European Union has negotiated with the Union of the Comoros a new protocol to the Partnership Agreement granting vessels of the European Union fishing opportunities in Comoros waters.
(3)
That new protocol was signed on the basis of Council Decision 2013/786/EU, and is provisionally applicable as from 1 January 2014.
(4)
It is in the interest of the European Union to implement the Partnership Agreement by means of a Protocol establishing the fishing opportunities and the corresponding financial contribution, and setting out the conditions for promoting responsible and sustainable fishing in Comoros waters.
(5)
The Partnership Agreement sets up a Joint Committee which is responsible for monitoring the application of this Agreement. Furthermore, in accordance with the Protocol, the Joint Committee may approve certain modifications to the Protocol. In order to facilitate the approval of such modifications, it is appropriate to empower the Commission, subject to specific conditions, to approve them under a simplified procedure..
(6)
The new Protocol should be approved,
HAS ADOPTED THIS DECISION: