Council Decision (EU) 2017/418
of 28 February 2017
on the conclusion on behalf of the European Union of the Sustainable Fisheries Partnership Agreement between the European Union and the Government of the Cook Islands 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)(v) 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 Government of the Cook Islands negotiated a Sustainable Fisheries Partnership Agreement (‘the Agreement’) for a duration of 5 years, renewable by tacit agreement, and an Implementation Protocol thereto (‘the Protocol’), granting Union vessels fishing opportunities in the waters over which the Cook Islands has sovereign rights or jurisdiction in respect to fisheries.
The Agreement and the Protocol were signed in accordance with Council Decision (EU) 2016/7762 and apply on a provisional basis from 14 October 2016.
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 Protocol should be approved,
HAS ADOPTED THIS DECISION: