Date: 2016-09-30Category: Not ApplicableState: Union GovernmentCountry: Europe
Council Decision (EU) 2016/1743 of 20 September 2016 on the conclusion, on behalf of the European Union, of the Agreement between the European Union and the Republic of Colombia on the short-stay visa waiver
Executive Summary:
This Council Decision (EU) 2016/1743 approves the Agreement between the European Union and the Republic of Colombia on a short-stay visa waiver on behalf of the Union. The agreement, which has been provisionally applied since December 3, 2015, establishes a Joint Committee of experts for its management. The decision entered into force on the day of its adoption, September 20, 2016.
Key Points / Main Content:
* **Agreement Approval:** The Agreement between the EU and Colombia on the short-stay visa waiver is approved.
* **Notification:** The President of the Council will notify the agreement as per Article 8(1).
* **Joint Committee Representation:** The Commission, assisted by Member State representatives, will represent the EU in the Joint Committee.
* **Schengen Acquis:** This decision does not apply to the United Kingdom or Ireland.
Impact Analysis:
European Union:
* Impact: The EU is now party to the short-stay visa waiver agreement with Colombia, facilitating travel for its citizens.
* Action Required: The President of the Council needs to provide the notification as required by the agreement. The Commission must represent the EU in the Joint Committee, assisted by Member States representatives.
Republic of Colombia:
* Impact: Colombia is now party to the short-stay visa waiver agreement with the EU, facilitating travel for its citizens.
* Action Required: No specific action is mentioned for the Republic of Colombia in this document.
Commission:
* Impact: The Commission is responsible for representing the Union in the Joint Committee of experts.
* Action Required: The Commission must represent the EU in the Joint Committee, assisted by representatives of the Member States.
Member States:
* Impact: Member States will assist the commission in representing the EU in the Joint Committee.
* Action Required: Member States must provide representatives to assist the Commission in the Joint Committee.
United Kingdom and Ireland:
* Impact: This decision does not apply to the United Kingdom or Ireland.
* Action Required: No action required.
Key Entities Referenced
European Union: A political and economic union of member states located primarily in Europe.
Republic of Colombia: A country situated largely in the northwest of South America.
Agreement between the European Union and the Republic of Colombia on the short-stay visa waiver: An agreement between the European Union and the Republic of Colombia that waives the visa requirement for short stays.
European Commission: An executive branch of the European Union responsible for proposing legislation, implementing decisions, upholding the EU treaties and managing the day-to-day business of the EU.
European Parliament: The parliamentary body of the European Union that shares legislative and budgetary authority with the Council of the European Union.
Council of the European Union: A part of the legislative branch of the European Union, it is where national ministers from each EU country meet to adopt laws and coordinate policies.
Schengen acquis: A body of law which encompasses: The Schengen Agreement of 1985, its implementing convention of 1990, and all decisions and declarations adopted by the bodies set up under these instruments, and other related measures.
United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland: A sovereign state located off the north-western coast of continental Europe.
30.9.2016 EN Official Journal of the European Union L 264/25
COUNCIL DECISION (EU) 2016/1743
of 20 September 2016
on the conclusion, on behalf of the European Union, of the Agreement between the European
Union and the Republic of Colombia 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 Colombia
on the short-stay visa waiver (the ‘Agreement’).
(2) In accordance with Council Decision (EU) 2015/2399 (2), the Agreement has been signed and is applied on
a provisional basis as from 3 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 Colombia on the short-stay visa waiver is hereby
approved on behalf of the Union.
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 (5).
(1) Consent given on 8 June 2016 (not yet published in the Official Journal).
(2) Council Decision (EU) 2015/2399 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 Colombia on the short-stay visa waiver (OJ L 333, 19.12.2015, p. 1).
(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).
(5) 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.L 264/26 EN Official Journal of the European Union 30.9.2016
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