Council Decision (EU) 2016/1062
of 24 May 2016
on the conclusion on behalf of the European Union of the Sustainable Fisheries Partnership Agreement between the European Union and the Republic of Liberia and the Implementation Protocol thereto
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), second subparagraph, point (a) and Article 218(7) thereof,
Having regard to the proposal from the European Commission,
Having regard to the consent of the European Parliament1,
Whereas:
The Union and the Republic of Liberia negotiated a Sustainable Fisheries Partnership Agreement (hereinafter referred to as ‘the Agreement’) and an Implementation Protocol thereto (hereinafter referred to as ‘the Protocol’), granting Union vessels fishing opportunities in the waters over which the Republic of Liberia has sovereignty or jurisdiction in respect of fisheries.
The Agreement and the Protocol were signed in accordance with Council Decision (EU) 2015/23122 and apply on a provisional basis from 9 December 2015.
The Agreement set up a Joint Committee which is responsible for monitoring the performance, interpretation and application of the Agreement. Furthermore, 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.
The Agreement and the Protocol should be approved,
HAS ADOPTED THIS DECISION: