Council Decision (EU) 2016/839

of 23 May 2016

on the conclusion, on behalf of the European Union, of the Association Agreement between the European Union and the European Atomic Energy Community and their Member States, of the one part, and the Republic of Moldova, of the other part

THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION,

Having regard to the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union, and in particular Article 217, in conjunction with Article 218(6)(a) and the second subparagraph of Article 218(8) thereof, as well as Article 218(7) thereof,

Having regard to the proposal from the European Commission,

Having regard to the consent of the European Parliament1,

Whereas:

(1)
On 15 June 2009, the Council authorised the Commission to open negotiations with the Republic of Moldova for the conclusion of a new Agreement between the Union and the Republic of Moldova to replace the Partnership and Cooperation Agreement2.
(2)

Those negotiations were successfully finalised and the Association Agreement between the European Union and the European Atomic Energy Community and their Member States, of the one part, and the Republic of Moldova, of the other part (‘the Agreement’), was initialled on 29 November 2013.

(3)
In accordance with Council Decision 2014/492/EU3, the Agreement was signed on 27 June 2014, subject to its conclusion at a later date.
(4)

Pursuant to Article 218(7) of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union, it is appropriate for the Council to authorise the Commission to approve modifications to the Agreement to be adopted by the Association Committee in Trade configuration, as set out in Article 438(4) of the Agreement, as proposed by the Geographical Indications Sub-Committee pursuant to Article 306 of the Agreement.

(5)

It is appropriate to set out the relevant procedures for the protection of geographical indications which are given protection pursuant to the Agreement.

(6)

The Agreement should not be construed as conferring rights or imposing obligations which can be directly invoked before Union or Member State courts and tribunals.

(7)

The Agreement should be approved,

HAS ADOPTED THIS DECISION: