THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION,
Having regard to the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union, and in particular the first subparagraph of Article 207(4), in conjunction with point (a)(v) of the second subparagraph of Article 218(6) and Article 218(7) thereof,
Having regard to the proposal from the European Commission,
Having regard to the consent of the European Parliament,
Whereas:
(1)
In accordance with Council Decision (EU) 2020/1111, the Agreement between the European Union and the Government of the People’s Republic of China on cooperation on, and protection of, geographical indications (‘the Agreement’), was signed on 14 September 2020, subject to its conclusion at a later date.
(2)
The Agreement seeks to obtain the highest possible level of protection for geographical indications and to provide instruments to counter deceptive practices and wrongful uses of geographical indications.
(3)
Article 10 of the Agreement establishes a Joint Committee responsible for amending the Annexes to the Agreement.
(4)
It is appropriate for the Council to authorise the Commission, in accordance with Article 218(7) of the Treaty, to approve on behalf of the Union, within the Joint Committee, modifications to Annexes I and III to VI of the Agreement.
(5)
The Agreement should be approved,
HAS ADOPTED THIS DECISION: