THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION,
Having regard to the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union, and in particular Articles 113 and 115, in conjunction with Article 218(6)(b) and (8), second subparagraph, thereof,
Having regard to the proposal from the European Commission,
Having regard to the opinion of the European Parliament,
Whereas:
(1)
In accordance with Council Decision 2013/671/EU, the Agreement between the European Union and the French Republic concerning the application to the collectivity of Saint-Barthélemy of Union legislation on the taxation of savings and administrative cooperation in the field of taxation (hereinafter ‘the Agreement’) was signed on 17 February 2014, subject to its conclusion at a later date.
(2)
The purpose of the Agreement is to ensure that the mechanisms of Council Directive 2011/16/EU and Council Directive 2003/48/EC, designed in particular to combat fraud and cross-border tax evasion, continue to apply to Saint-Barthélemy despite its changed status.
(3)
The Agreement should be concluded,
HAS ADOPTED THIS DECISION: