Date: 2016-09-30Category: Not ApplicableState: Union GovernmentCountry: Europe
Council Decision (EU) 2016/1741 of 20 September 2016 on the conclusion, on behalf of the European Union, of the Agreement between the European Union and the Republic of Palau on the short--stay visa waiver
Executive Summary:
This Council Decision approves the Agreement between the European Union and the Republic of Palau on a short-stay visa waiver. The agreement, which has been provisionally applied since December 8, 2015, establishes a Joint Committee of experts for management. The decision was adopted on September 20, 2016, and came into force on the day of its adoption.
Key Points / Main Content:
Agreement Approval:
* The Agreement between the EU and the Republic of Palau on the short-stay visa waiver is approved on behalf of the Union.
Notification:
* The President of the Council will provide notification as per Article 8(1) of the Agreement.
* The date of entry into force will be published in the Official Journal of the European Union.
Joint Committee Representation:
* The Commission, assisted by Member State representatives, will represent the Union in the Joint Committee of experts.
Schengen Acquis:
* The United Kingdom and Ireland do not participate in this decision.
Impact Analysis:
European Union:
* Impact: The EU formalizes its commitment to the short-stay visa waiver agreement with Palau, facilitating travel for its citizens.
* Action Required: The President of the Council must provide the notification as per Article 8(1) of the Agreement.
European Commission:
* Impact: The Commission is responsible for representing the EU within the Joint Committee, ensuring the agreement is managed effectively.
* Action Required: Represent the Union within the Joint Committee of experts, assisted by the representatives of the Member States.
Member States:
* Impact: Member States support the Commission in its representation within the Joint Committee.
* Action Required: Assist the Commission in its representation within the Joint Committee of experts.
Republic of Palau:
* Impact: Palau benefits from the visa waiver agreement, potentially increasing tourism and strengthening ties with the EU.
* Action Required: No direct action specified in this decision.
Key Entities Referenced
European Union: A political and economic union of member states located primarily in Europe.
Republic of Palau: An island country located in the western Pacific Ocean.
Agreement between the European Union and the Republic of Palau on the short-stay visa waiver: A bilateral agreement between the European Union and the Republic of Palau that waives visa requirements for short-term stays.
Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union: One of the primary treaties of the European Union, outlining its objectives, organization, and powers.
European Commission: An executive branch of the European Union responsible for proposing legislation, implementing decisions, and managing the EU's budget.
European Parliament: The directly elected parliamentary body of the European Union.
Council Decision EU 2015/2377: Council Decision on the signing, on behalf of the European Union, and provisional application of the Agreement between the European Union and the Republic of Palau on the short-stay visa waiver.
Joint Committee of experts: A committee established by the Agreement between the European Union and the Republic of Palau to manage the agreement.
30.9.2016 EN Official Journal of the European Union L 264/21
DECISIONS
COUNCIL DECISION (EU) 2016/1741
of 20 September 2016
on the conclusion, on behalf of the European Union, of the Agreement between the European
Union and the Republic of Palau on the short–stay visa waiver
THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION,
Having regard to the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union, and in particular point (a) of Article 77(2), in
conjunction with point (a)(v) of the second subparagraph of Article 218(6), thereof,
Having regard to the proposal from the European Commission,
Having regard to the consent of the European Parliament (1),
Whereas:
(1) The Commission has negotiated on behalf of the European Union an agreement with the Republic of Palau on
the short-stay visa waiver (the ‘Agreement’).
(2) In accordance with Council Decision (EU) 2015/2377 (2), the Agreement has been signed and is applied on
a provisional basis as from 8 December 2015.
(3) The Agreement sets up a Joint Committee of experts for the management of the Agreement. The Union is to be
represented within that Joint Committee by the Commission, which should be assisted by the representatives of
the Member States.
(4) This Decision constitutes a development of the provisions of the Schengen acquis in which the United Kingdom
does not take part, in accordance with Council Decision 2000/365/EC (3); the United Kingdom is therefore not
taking part in the adoption of this Decision and is not bound by it or subject to its application.
(5) This Decision constitutes a development of the provisions of the Schengen acquis in which Ireland does not take
part, in accordance with Council Decision 2002/192/EC (4); Ireland is therefore not taking part in the adoption
of this Decision and is not bound by it or subject to its application.
(6) The Agreement should be approved,
HAS ADOPTED THIS DECISION:
Article 1
The Agreement between the European Union and the Republic of Palau on the short-stay visa waiver is hereby approved
on behalf of the Union.
(1) Consent given on 8 June 2016 (not yet published in the Official Journal).
(2) Council Decision (EU) 2015/2377 of 26 October 2015 on the signing, on behalf of the European Union, and provisional application of
the Agreement between the European Union and the Republic of Palau on the short-stay visa waiver (OJ L 332, 18.12.2015, p. 11).
(3) Council Decision 2000/365/EC of 29 May 2000 concerning the request of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland to
take part in some of the provisions of the Schengen acquis (OJ L 131, 1.6.2000, p. 43).
(4) Council Decision 2002/192/EC of 28 February 2002 concerning Ireland's request to take part in some of the provisions of the Schengen
acquis (OJ L 64, 7.3.2002, p. 20).L 264/22 EN Official Journal of the European Union 30.9.2016
Article 2
The President of the Council shall give, on behalf of the Union, the notification provided for in Article 8(1) of the
Agreement (1).
Article 3
The Commission, assisted by the representatives of the Member States, shall represent the Union within the Joint
Committee of experts set up pursuant to Article 6 of the Agreement.
Article 4
This Decision shall enter into force on the day of its adoption.
Done at Brussels, 20 September 2016.
For the Council
The President
I. KORČOK
(1) The date of entry into force of the Agreement will be published in the Official Journal of the European Union by the General Secretariat of
the Council.