Date: 2021-10-22Category: Not ApplicableState: Union GovernmentCountry: Europe
Council Decision (EU) 2021/1856 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 Republic of Tunisia, of the other part, as regards the extension of the validity of the EU-Tunisia strategic priorities until new updated strategic priorities are adopted by the Association Council
**Executive Summary:**
This Council Decision establishes the European Union's position within the Association Council regarding the Euro-Mediterranean Agreement with Tunisia. It concerns the extension of the validity of the EU-Tunisia strategic priorities until new updated strategic priorities are adopted. The decision is based on the 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 EU-Tunisia strategic priorities.
* **Context:** The Euro-Mediterranean Agreement between the European Communities and Tunisia was signed in 1995 and entered into force in 1998.
* **Extension:** The validity of the EU-Tunisia strategic priorities is extended pending the adoption of new updated strategic priorities by the Association Council.
* **Legal Basis:**
* Article 217 in conjunction with Article 218(9) of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union.
* Article 80 of the Agreement, granting the Association Council the power to make decisions for achieving the Agreement's objectives.
* **Decision-Making Process:**
* The Association Council will adopt the decision via written procedure.
* The EU's position is based on the draft Decision of the Association Council (ST 12265/21).
* **Enforcement:** The decision entered into force on October 18, 2021.
**Impact Analysis:**
* **European Union:**
* *Impact:* Defines the EU's negotiating position and commitment to the EU-Tunisia partnership.
* *Action Required:* Ensure the EU position aligns with the draft Decision of the Association Council.
* **Republic of Tunisia:**
* *Impact:* Ensures continued strategic priorities with the EU, guiding the partnership until updated priorities are established.
* *Action Required:* Continue collaboration within the framework of the existing strategic priorities.
* **Association Council:**
* *Impact:* Mandated to adopt a decision extending the validity of the strategic priorities.
* *Action Required:* Adopt the decision via written procedure based on the EU's and Tunisia's agreement.
Key Entities Referenced
European Union: A political and economic union of member states located primarily in Europe.
Republic of Tunisia: A country in North Africa.
EuroMediterranean Agreement: An agreement establishing an association between the European Communities and their Member States, and the Republic of Tunisia.
Association Council: The council set up by the EuroMediterranean Agreement to make decisions for the purpose of attaining the objectives of the Agreement.
EUTunisia strategic priorities: Strategic priorities between the European Union and Tunisia, guiding document to consolidate the 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, implementing decisions, upholding the EU treaties and managing the day-to-day business of the EU.
Luxembourg: City in Luxembourg, where the Council Decision was adopted.
L 374/60 EN Official Journal of the European Union 22.10.2021
COUNCIL DECISION (EU) 2021/1856
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 Republic of Tunisia, of the other
part, as regards the extension of the validity of the EU-Tunisia strategic priorities until new updated
strategic 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 Republic of Tunisia, of the other part(1) (the ‘Agreement’) was signed on
17 July 1995and entered into force on 1 March 1998.
(2) The Association Council adopted the EU-Tunisia strategic priorities by its Decision No 1/2018(2).
(3) In an Exchange of Letters, both sides agreed that the validity of the EU-Tunisia strategic priorities should be extended
as a guiding document to consolidate the partnership pending the adoption of new updated strategic priorities.
(4) Under Article 80 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 strategic priorities
until new updated strategic 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 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 Communities and their Member States, of the one part, and the Republic
of Tunisia, of the other part, as regards the extension of the validity of the EU-Tunisia strategic priorities until new updated
strategic priorities are adopted by the Association Council, shall be based on the draft Decision of the Association
Council(3).
(1) OJ L 97, 30.3.1998, p. 2.
(2) Decision No 1/2018 of the EU-Tunisia Association Council of 9 November 2018 adopting the EU-Tunisia strategic priorities for the
period 2018-2020 (OJ L 293, 20.11.2018, p. 39).
(3) See document ST 12265/21 on http://register.consilium.europa.eu.22.10.2021 EN Official Journal of the European Union L 374/61
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