Date: 2015-04-11Category: Not ApplicableState: Union GovernmentCountry: Europe
Council Decision (EU) 2015/575 of 17 December 2014 on the signing, on behalf of the European Union, and provisional application of the Protocol to the Euro-Mediterranean Agreement establishing an association between the European Communities and their Member States, of the one part, and the Republic of Tunisia, of the other part, on a Framework Agreement between the European Union and the Republic of Tunisia on the general principles for the participation of the Republic of Tunisia in Union programmes
Executive Summary:
Council Decision (EU) 2015/575 authorises the signing and provisional application of the Protocol to the Euro-Mediterranean Agreement between the EU and Tunisia. The Protocol establishes a framework for Tunisia's participation in Union programmes by laying down financial and technical rules. The decision was adopted on December 17, 2014, and entered into force on the same date.
Key Points / Main Content:
* **Authorisation:**
* Authorises the signing of the Protocol on behalf of the EU, subject to its conclusion.
* Authorises provisional application of the Protocol from its signature, pending completion of conclusion procedures.
* **Signatories:**
* The President of the Council is authorised to designate persons empowered to sign the Protocol on behalf of the EU.
* **Implementation:**
* The Commission is authorised to determine specific terms and conditions for Tunisia's participation in Union programmes, including financial contributions.
* The Commission is required to keep the relevant Council working party informed.
Impact Analysis:
**European Union:**
* Impact: The EU is obligated to adhere to the conditions and framework set forth in the Protocol regarding Tunisia's participation in Union programmes. It also needs to ensure the correct procedures are followed for the signature and provisional application of the Protocol.
* Action Required: The President of the Council must designate the persons empowered to sign the Protocol on behalf of the Union. The Commission must determine specific terms and conditions for Tunisia's participation and keep the Council working party informed.
**Republic of Tunisia:**
* Impact: Tunisia gains the opportunity to participate in specific Union programmes, subject to the terms and conditions determined by the Commission, and to benefit from potential financial assistance.
* Action Required: Tunisia needs to adhere to the terms and conditions set by the Commission for participation in specific Union programmes.
**European Commission:**
* Impact: The Commission is responsible for setting the terms and conditions of the participation of Tunisia in the Union Programmes, as well as informing the corresponding Council Working Party.
* Action Required: The Commission must authorize the specific terms and conditions applicable to the participation of the Republic of Tunisia in any particular Union programme, including the financial contribution to be paid, and keep the relevant Council working party informed.
Key Entities Referenced
European Union: A political and economic union of member states located primarily in Europe.
Republic of Tunisia: A country in the Maghreb region of North Africa.
Euro-Mediterranean Agreement: An agreement establishing an association between the European Communities and their Member States, and the Republic of Tunisia.
European Commission: An institution of the European Union, responsible for proposing legislation, implementing decisions, upholding the EU treaties and managing the day-to-day business of the EU.
Council of the European Union: One of the institutions of the European Union, where ministers from each EU country meet to discuss, amend and adopt laws, and coordinate policies.
Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union: One of the primary treaties upon which the European Union is founded.
Brussels: The capital of Belgium and a major administrative center for the European Union, where the decision was made.
Protocol to the Euro-Mediterranean Agreement: A legal instrument that allows the Republic of Tunisia to participate in Union programmes, laying down the financial and technical rules.
11.4.2015 EN Official Journal of the European Union L 96/1
II
(Non-legislative acts)
INTERNATIONAL AGREEMENTS
COUNCIL DECISION (EU) 2015/575
of 17 December 2014
on the signing, on behalf of the European Union, and provisional application of the Protocol to the
Euro-Mediterranean Agreement establishing an association between the European Communities
and their Member States, of the one part, and the Republic of Tunisia, of the other part, on a
Framework Agreement between the European Union and the Republic of Tunisia on the general
principles for the participation of the Republic of Tunisia in Union programmes
THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION,
Having regard to the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union, and in particular Article 212, in conjunction
with Article 218(5) and (7) thereof,
Having regard to the proposal from the European Commission,
Whereas:
(1) On 18 June 2007 the Council authorised the Commission to negotiate a Protocol to the Euro-Mediterranean
Agreement establishing an association between the European Communities and their Member States, of the one
part, and the Republic of Tunisia, of the other part (1), on a Framework Agreement between the European Union
and the Republic of Tunisia on the general principles for the participation of the Republic of Tunisia in Union
programmes (‘the Protocol’).
(2) The negotiations have been concluded.
(3) The objective of the Protocol is to lay down the financial and technical rules enabling the Republic of Tunisia to
participate in certain Union programmes. The horizontal framework established by the Protocol constitutes an
economic, financial and technical cooperation measure which allows for access to assistance, in particular
financial assistance, to be provided by the Union pursuant to those Union programmes. That framework applies
only to those Union programmes for which the relevant constitutive legal acts provide for the possibility of the
participation of the Republic of Tunisia. The signing and provisional application of the Protocol therefore does
not entail the exercise of powers under the various sectoral policies pursued by the programmes, which are
exercised when establishing the programmes.
(4) The Protocol should be signed on behalf of the Union and should be applied on a provisional basis, pending the
completion of the procedures for its conclusion,
HAS ADOPTED THIS DECISION:
Article 1
The signing on behalf of the Union of the Protocol to the Euro-Mediterranean Agreement establishing an association
between the European Communities and their Member States, of the one part, and the Republic of Tunisia, of the other
part, on a Framework Agreement between the European Union and the Republic of Tunisia on the general principles for
the participation of the Republic of Tunisia in Union programmes is hereby authorised, subject to the conclusion of the
said Protocol.
(1) OJ L 97, 30.3.1998, p. 2.L 96/2 EN Official Journal of the European Union 11.4.2015
The text of the Protocol is attached to this Decision.
Article 2
The President of the Council is hereby authorised to designate the person(s) empowered to sign the Protocol on behalf
of the Union.
Article 3
The Protocol shall be applied on a provisional basis from its signature, pending the completion of the procedures for its
conclusion.
Article 4
The Commission is authorised to determine, on behalf of the Union, the specific terms and conditions applicable to the
participation of the Republic of Tunisia in any particular Union programme, including the financial contribution to be
paid. The Commission shall keep the relevant Council working party informed.
Article 5
This Decision shall enter into force on the date of its adoption.
Done at Brussels, 17 December 2014.
For the Council
The President
G. L. GALLETTI