Date: 2021-10-22Category: Not ApplicableState: Union GovernmentCountry: Europe
Council Decision (EU) 2021/1853 of 18 October 2021 on the position to be taken on behalf of the European Union within the Association Council set up by the Euro-Mediterranean Agreement establishing an Association between the European Communities and their Member States, of the one part, and the Arab Republic of Egypt, of the other part, as regards the extension of the validity of the EU-Egypt Partnership Priorities until new updated Partnership Priorities are adopted by the Association Council
Executive Summary:
This Council Decision establishes the European Union's position within the Association Council regarding the extension of the EU-Egypt Partnership Priorities. The extension is valid until new updated Partnership Priorities are adopted by the Association Council. The decision is based on the draft Recommendation of the Association Council and entered into force on October 18, 2021.
Key Points / Main Content:
* **Purpose:** To define the EU's stance in the Association Council concerning the extension of the EU-Egypt Partnership Priorities.
* **Context:** The Euro-Mediterranean Agreement between the European Communities and Egypt was signed on June 25, 2001, and came into force on June 1, 2004. The EU and Egypt agreed on Partnership Priorities in the Association Council on July 25, 2017.
* **Extension:** The validity of the EU-Egypt Partnership Priorities is extended as a guiding document pending the adoption of new updated Partnership Priorities.
* **Legal Basis:** The Association Council has the power to take decisions to attain the objectives of the Agreement, as per Article 76.
* **Decision-Making:** The Association Council will adopt a recommendation via written procedure to extend the Partnership Priorities.
* **EU Position:** The EU's position in the Association Council is based on the draft Recommendation of the Association Council.
* **Entry into Force:** This decision took effect on October 18, 2021.
Impact Analysis:
European Union:
* Impact: The EU's position in the Association Council is formally defined, ensuring a unified approach regarding the extension of the EU-Egypt Partnership Priorities.
* Action Required: To adhere to the established position based on the draft Recommendation of the Association Council during Association Council meetings.
Arab Republic of Egypt:
* Impact: The existing EU-Egypt Partnership Priorities remain in effect, guiding the partnership until new priorities are adopted.
* Action Required: Continue to operate under the current Partnership Priorities framework until updated priorities are established with the EU.
Association Council:
* Impact: The Association Council is tasked with adopting a recommendation to extend the validity of the Partnership Priorities.
* Action Required: To adopt the recommendation via written procedure to extend the validity of the Partnership Priorities until new updated Partnership Priorities are adopted.
Key Entities Referenced
European Union: A political and economic union of member states located primarily in Europe.
Arab Republic of Egypt: A country in North Africa, and a party to the Euro-Mediterranean Agreement.
EuroMediterranean Agreement: An agreement establishing an Association between the European Communities and their Member States, and the Arab Republic of Egypt.
Association Council: The council set up by the EuroMediterranean Agreement, responsible for making decisions to attain the objectives of the Agreement.
EUEgypt Partnership Priorities: Partnership priorities agreed upon by the European Union and Egypt, intended to consolidate their partnership.
Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union: One of the primary treaties of the European Union.
European Commission: An institution of the European Union, responsible for proposing legislation.
Luxembourg: City in Luxembourg, where the Council Decision was adopted.
L 374/54 EN Official Journal of the European Union 22.10.2021
COUNCIL DECISION (EU) 2021/1853
of 18 October 2021
on the position to be taken on behalf of the European Union within the Association Council set up
by the Euro-Mediterranean Agreement establishing an Association between the European
Communities and their Member States, of the one part, and the Arab Republic of Egypt, of the other
part, as regards the extension of the validity of the EU-Egypt Partnership Priorities until new
updated Partnership Priorities are adopted by the Association Council
THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION,
Having regard to the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union, and in particular Article 217 in conjunction with
Article 218(9) thereof,
Having regard to the proposal from the European Commission,
Whereas:
(1) The Euro-Mediterranean Agreement establishing an Association between the European Communities and their
Member States, of the one part, and the Arab Republic of Egypt, of the other part(1)(the ‘Agreement’) was signed
on 25 June 2001and entered into force on 1 June 2004.
(2) In the Association Council of 25 July 2017, the European Union and Egypt agreed on the Partnership Priorities, as
set out in Recommendation No 1/2017 of the Association Council(2).
(3) Both sides agreed that the validity of the EU-Egypt Partnership Priorities should be extended as a guiding document
to consolidate the partnership pending the adoption of new updated Partnership Priorities.
(4) Under Article 76 of the Agreement, the Association Council has the power to take decisions for the purpose of
attaining the objectives of the Agreement.
(5) The Association Council is to adopt a recommendation by written procedure to extend the validity of the
Partnership Priorities until new updated Partnership Priorities are adopted by the Association Council.
(6) It is appropriate to establish the position to be taken on the Union’s behalf in the Association Council, as the
recommendation of the Association Council will have legal effects.
(7) The position of the Union within the Association Council should therefore be based on the draft Recommendation
of the Association Council,
HAS ADOPTED THIS DECISION:
Article 1
The position to be taken on the Union’s behalf within the Association Council set up by the Euro-Mediterranean Agreement
establishing an Association between the European Communities and their Member States, of the one part, and the Arab
Republic of Egypt, of the other part, as regards the extension of the validity of the EU-Egypt Partnership Priorities until
new updated Partnership Priorities are adopted by the Association Council, shall be based on the draft Recommendation
of the Association Council(3).
(1) OJ L 304, 30.9.2004, p. 39.
(2) Recommendation No 1/2017 of the EU-Egypt Association Council of 25 July 2017 agreeing on the EU-Egypt Partnership Priorities
(OJ L 255, 3.10.2017, p. 26).
(3) See document ST 12260/21 on http://register.consilium.europa.eu.22.10.2021 EN Official Journal of the European Union L 374/55
Article 2
This Decision shall enter into force on the date of its adoption.
Done at Luxembourg, 18 October 2021.
For the Council
The President
J. BORRELL FONTELLES