Council Decision (EU) 2020/983 of 7 July 2020 on the conclusion of the Protocol on the implementation of the Fisheries Partnership Agreement between the European Community and the Republic of Cape Verde (2019-2024)

THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION,

Having regard to the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union, and in particular Article 43 thereof, in conjunction with Article 218(6)(a)(v) and Article 218(7),

Having regard to the proposal from the European Commission,

Having regard to the consent of the European Parliament⁽¹⁾,

Whereas:

1. On 19 December 2006, the Council adopted Regulation (EC) No 2027/2006⁽²⁾, concluding the Fisheries Partnership Agreement between the European Community and the Republic of Cape Verde⁽³⁾ (‘the Agreement’). The Agreement entered into force on 30 March 2007, was tacitly renewed and remains in force.

2. Following the Commission recommendation, the Council decided on 4 June 2018 to authorise the opening of negotiations with the Republic of Cape Verde for the conclusion of a new protocol implementing the Agreement.

3. The previous protocol to the Agreement has expired on 22 December 2018.

4. The Commission has negotiated on behalf of the Union a new protocol. As a result of those negotiations the new protocol was initialled on 12 October 2018.

5. In accordance with Council Decision (EU) 2019/951⁽⁴⁾, the Protocol on the implementation of the Fisheries Partnership Agreement between the European Community and the Republic of Cape Verde (2019-2024)⁽⁵⁾ (‘the Protocol’) was signed on 20 May 2019.

6. The Protocol has been applied on a provisional basis from the date of its signature.

7. The objective of the Protocol is to enable the Union and the Republic of Cape Verde to work more closely on promoting a sustainable fisheries policy, sound exploitation of fisheries resources in Cape Verde waters, and efforts by Cape Verde to develop a blue economy.

8. The Protocol should be approved.

9. Article 9 of the Agreement establishes the Joint Committee responsible for monitoring its implementation. Furthermore, in accordance with that Article, and Article 5, Article 6(3) and Article 7(1) and (2) of the Protocol, the Joint Committee may adopt certain modifications to the Protocol. In order to facilitate the approval of such amendments, the Commission should be authorised, subject to specific substantive and procedural conditions, to approve them on behalf of the Union under a simplified procedure.

10. The Union position on the modifications to the Protocol should be established by the Committee of Permanent Representatives of the Governments of the Member States. The proposed amendments will be accepted unless a blocking minority of the Member States in accordance with Article 16(4) of the Treaty on European Union objects in the Committee of Permanent Representatives of the Governments of the Member States.

11. The position to be adopted by the Union in the Joint Committee on other matters should be determined in accordance with the Treaties and established forms of practice,

HAS ADOPTED THIS DECISION: