Date: 2021-02-22Category: Not ApplicableState: Union GovernmentCountry: Europe
Council Decision (EU) 2021/270 of 25 January 2021 on the conclusion, on behalf of the Union, of the Comprehensive and Enhanced Partnership Agreement between the European Union and the European Atomic Energy Community and their Member States, of the one part, and the Republic of Armenia, of the other part
Executive Summary:
This Council Decision (EU) 2021/270 approves the Comprehensive and Enhanced Partnership Agreement between the European Union, the European Atomic Energy Community, their Member States, and the Republic of Armenia. The agreement, signed on 24 November 2017, aims to increase political and economic involvement with Armenia. The decision entered into force on 25 January 2021. The President of the Council will deposit the instrument of approval.
Key Points / Main Content:
* **Agreement Approval:**
* The Comprehensive and Enhanced Partnership Agreement between the EU and Armenia is approved on behalf of the Union.
* **Council Responsibilities:**
* The President of the Council is responsible for depositing the instrument of approval.
* **Commission Authorizations:**
* The Commission is authorized to approve amendments to the Agreement through decisions of the Subcommittee on Geographical Indications.
* The Commission is authorized to approve the Union position regarding amendments to Annex XI of the Agreement and to object to modifications proposed by Armenia.
* **Geographical Indications:**
* Names protected under the Agreement's Geographical Indications subsection can be used by any operator marketing conforming products.
* **Enforcement:**
* Member States and Union institutions shall enforce the protection provided in the Agreement, regardless of requests from interested parties.
* **Legal Invocation:**
* The Agreement does not create rights or obligations directly invoked in Union or Member State courts.
Impact Analysis:
European Union:
* Impact: Increased political and economic involvement in the South Caucasus region and more effective bilateral engagement with Armenia.
* Action Required: Enforce the protections outlined in the agreement.
European Atomic Energy Community:
* Impact: As a party to the agreement, it is bound by the terms and conditions outlined.
* Action Required: No specific action outlined in the document beyond adherence to the agreement.
Member States:
* Impact: Required to enforce the protections provided in the Agreement.
* Action Required: Enforce the protections outlined in Articles 297 to 300 of the Agreement.
Republic of Armenia:
* Impact: Enhanced partnership with the EU, with opportunities for increased political dialogue and cooperation.
* Action Required: Implement the terms of the Agreement.
Commission:
* Impact: Granted authority to approve amendments and positions related to geographical indications and Annex XI.
* Action Required: Approve amendments to the Agreement and Annex XI, and potentially object to modifications proposed by Armenia.
Council:
* Impact: Responsible for the formal approval and deposition of the agreement.
* Action Required: The President of the Council must deposit the instrument of approval.
Key Entities Referenced
European Union: A political and economic union of member states located primarily in Europe.
European Atomic Energy Community: An international organisation established by the Treaty of Rome in 1957 with the purpose of creating a specialist market for nuclear power in Europe.
Republic of Armenia: A sovereign state in the South Caucasus region of Eurasia.
Comprehensive and Enhanced Partnership Agreement: An agreement between the European Union, the European Atomic Energy Community and their Member States, and the Republic of Armenia.
South Caucasus: A geopolitical region situated in the Caucasus Mountains area, between the Black and Caspian Seas.
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.
European Parliament: The parliamentary body of the European Union that holds legislative power.
Council of the European Union: An institution of the European Union where ministers from each EU country meet to discuss, amend and adopt laws, and coordinate policies.
22.2.2021 E N O f f i c i a l J o u r n a l o f t h e E u r o p e a n U nion L 61/1
II
(Non-legislative acts)
INTERNATIONAL AGREEMENTS
COUNCIL DECISION (EU) 2021/270
of 25 January 2021
on the conclusion, on behalf of the Union, of the Comprehensive and Enhanced Partnership
Agreement between the European Union and the European Atomic Energy Community and their
Member States, of the one part, and the Republic of Armenia, of the other part
THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION,
Having regard to the Treaty on European Union, and in particular Article 37 thereof,
Having regard to the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union, and in particular Article 91, Article 100(2) and
Articles 207 and 209, in conjunction with point (a) of the second subparagraph of Article 218(6), Article 218(7) and the
second subparagraph of Article 218(8) thereof,
Having regard to the proposal from the European Commission and the High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs
and Security Policy,
Having regard to the consent of the European Parliament(1),
Whereas:
(1) In accordance with Decision (EU) 2018/104(2), the Comprehensive and Enhanced Partnership Agreement between
the European Union and the European Atomic Energy Community and their Member States, of the one part, and
the Republic of Armenia, of the other part (‘the Agreement’) was signed on 24 November 2017, subject to its
conclusion at a later date.
(2) The Agreement constitutes an important step towards the increased political and economic involvement of the
Union in the South Caucasus. By intensifying political dialogue and improving cooperation in a broad range of
areas, it will provide the basis for more effective bilateral engagement with the Republic of Armenia.
(3) The Agreement should be approved,
HAS ADOPTED THIS DECISION:
Article 1
The Comprehensive and Enhanced Partnership Agreement between the European Union and the European Atomic Energy
Community and their Member States, of the one part, and the Republic of Armenia, of the other part, is hereby approved
on behalf of the Union(3).
(1) Consent of 4 July 2018 (not yet published in the Official Journal).
(2) Council Decision (EU) 2018/104 of 20 November 2017 on the signing, on behalf of the Union, and provisional application of the
Comprehensive and Enhanced Partnership Agreement between the European Union and the European Atomic Energy Community
and their Member States, of the one part, and the Republic of Armenia, of the other part (OJ L 23, 26.1.2018, p. 1).
(3) The Agreement has been published in OJ L 23, 26.1.2018, p. 4 together with the decision on signature.L 61/2 E N O f f i c i a l J o u r n a l o f t h e E u r o p e an Union 22.2.2021
Article 2
The President of the Council shall, on behalf of the Union, deposit the instrument of approval provided for in Article 385(1)
of the Agreement(4).
Article 3
1. For the purposes of Article 240 of the Agreement, amendments to the Agreement through decisions of the Sub-
committee on Geographical Indications shall be approved by the Commission on behalf of the Union. Where interested
parties cannot reach agreement after objections have been raised concerning a geographical indication, the Commission
shall adopt a position on the basis of the procedure laid down in Article 57 of Regulation (EU) No 1151/2012(5).
2. For the purpose of the first sentence of Article 270(2) of the Agreement, the Commission is authorised to approve
the Union position with regard to amendments to Annex XI to the Agreement.
For the purpose of the second sentence of Article 270(2) of the Agreement, the Commission is authorised to object to a
modification or rectification of Annex XI proposed by the Republic of Armenia.
Article 4
1. A name protected under Subsection 3 (Geographical indications) of Chapter 9 of Title V of the Agreement may be
used by any operator marketing agricultural products, foodstuffs, wines, aromatised wines or spirits conforming to the
corresponding specification.
2. In accordance with Article 301 of the Agreement, the Member States and the institutions of the Union shall enforce
the protection provided for in Articles 297 to 300 of the Agreement, regardless of whether they have been requested to do
so by an interested party.
Article 5
The Agreement shall not be construed as conferring rights or imposing obligations that can be directly invoked before
Union or Member State courts and tribunals.
Article 6
This Decision shall enter into force on the date of its adoption.
Done at Brussels, 25 January 2021.
For the Council
The President
J. BORRELL FONTELLES
(4) 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.
(5) Regulation (EU) No 1151/2012 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 21 November 2012 on quality schemes for
agricultural products and foodstuffs (OJ L 343, 14.12.2012, p. 1).