Date: 2021-10-22Category: Not ApplicableState: Union GovernmentCountry: Europe
Council Decision (EU) 2021/1855 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 Community and its Member States, of the one part, and the Republic of Lebanon, of the other part, as regards the extension of the validity of the EU-Lebanon Partnership Priorities until new updated joint documents are adopted by the Association Council
Executive Summary:
This Council Decision establishes the EU's position within the Euro-Mediterranean Association Council regarding the extension of the EULebanon Partnership Priorities. It extends the validity of these priorities, including the EULebanon Compact, until new updated joint documents are adopted by the Association Council. The decision is based on a draft Decision of the Association Council and entered into force on October 18, 2021.
Key Points / Main Content:
* **Purpose:** Define the EU's stance on extending the EULebanon Partnership Priorities.
* **Context:** The Euro-Mediterranean Agreement between the European Community and Lebanon was signed in 2002 and entered into force in 2006.
* **Extension:** The validity of the EULebanon Partnership Priorities, including the EULebanon Compact, is extended beyond 2020.
* **Association Council's Role:** The Association Council will adopt a decision to extend the Partnership Priorities via written procedure.
* **Legal Basis:** The decision is based on Article 217 in conjunction with Article 218(9) of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union.
* **Decision Basis:** The EU's position is based on the draft Decision of the Association Council (document ST 12263/21).
* **Entry into Force:** The Decision entered into force on October 18, 2021.
Impact Analysis:
European Union:
* Impact: The EU will maintain a defined partnership framework with Lebanon based on existing priorities while awaiting updated joint documents.
* Action Required: Implement and uphold the extended EULebanon Partnership Priorities in its relations with Lebanon.
Republic of Lebanon:
* Impact: Lebanon will continue to operate under the established Partnership Priorities and Compact with the EU, ensuring continued cooperation.
* Action Required: Continue adhering to the EULebanon Partnership Priorities and Compact until new joint documents are established.
Euro-Mediterranean Association Council:
* Impact: The Association Council is empowered to make decisions to meet the objectives of the Euro-Mediterranean Agreement.
* Action Required: Adopt the decision to extend the validity of the Partnership Priorities via written procedure.
Key Entities Referenced
European Union: A political and economic union of member states located primarily in Europe.
Association Council: The council set up by the Euro-Mediterranean Agreement to manage the association between the European Community/European Union and the Republic of Lebanon.
Euro-Mediterranean Agreement: An agreement establishing an association between the European Community and its Member States, and the Republic of Lebanon.
Republic of Lebanon: A country in Western Asia.
EULebanon Partnership Priorities: Partnership priorities between the European Union and Lebanon, including the EULebanon Compact.
European Community: A former organization that was part of the European Union.
Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union: One of the two primary treaties upon which the European Union is founded.
J. BORRELL FONTELLES: The President of the Council of the European Union.
L 374/58 EN Official Journal of the European Union 22.10.2021
COUNCIL DECISION (EU) 2021/1855
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
Community and its Member States, of the one part, and the Republic of Lebanon, of the other part,
as regards the extension of the validity of the EU-Lebanon Partnership Priorities until new updated
joint documents 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 Community and its Member
States, of the one part, and the Republic of Lebanon, of the other part(1) (the ‘Agreement’) was signed on
17 June 2002and entered into force on 1 April 2006.
(2) The Association Council adopted the EU-Lebanon Partnership Priorities, including the EU-Lebanon Compact
annexed thereto (the ‘Compact’), by its Decision No 1/2016(2)for the period 2016-2020.
(3) In an Exchange of Letters, both sides agreed that the validity of the EU-Lebanon Partnership Priorities, including the
Compact, should be extended as guiding documents to consolidate their partnership pending the adoption of new
updated joint documents.
(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 decision by written procedure to extend the validity of the Partnership
Priorities, including the Compact, until new updated joint documents 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 decision
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 Decision 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 Community and its Member States, of the one part, and the Republic of
Lebanon, of the other part, as regards the extension of the validity of the EU-Lebanon Partnership Priorities until new
updated joint documents are adopted by the Association Council, shall be based on the draft Decision of the Association
Council(3).
(1) OJ L 143, 30.5.2006, p. 2.
(2) Decision No 1/2016 of the EU-Lebanon Association Council of 11 November 2016 agreeing on EU-Lebanon Partnership Priorities (OJ
L 350, 22.12.2016, p. 114).
(3) See document ST 12263/21 on http://register.consilium.europa.eu.22.10.2021 EN Official Journal of the European Union L 374/59
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