Date: 2022-06-30Category: Not ApplicableState: Union GovernmentCountry: Europe
Council Decision (EU) 2022/1042 of 21 June 2022 on the position to be adopted, on behalf of the European Union, within the EEA Joint Committee concerning the amendment of Protocol 31 on cooperation in specific fields outside the four freedoms, annexed to the EEA Agreement (Budget line 07 20 03 01 – social security) (Text with EEA relevance)
Executive Summary:
This Council Decision (EU) 2022/1042 establishes the EU's position within the EEA Joint Committee regarding the amendment of Protocol 31 to the EEA Agreement. The amendment concerns continued cooperation in Union actions funded from the general budget regarding free movement of workers, coordination of social security schemes, and measures for migrants. The decision entered into force on June 21, 2022.
Key Points / Main Content:
Amendment of Protocol 31:
* Protocol 31 to the EEA Agreement, concerning cooperation in specific fields outside the four freedoms, will be amended.
Continued Cooperation:
* The amendment allows for continued cooperation between the Contracting Parties to the EEA Agreement in Union actions.
* These actions are funded from the Union's general budget.
* Cooperation focuses on the free movement of workers, coordination of social security schemes, and measures for migrants, including those from third countries.
* This extended cooperation takes place from January 1, 2022.
Specific Changes to Protocol 31:
* In paragraphs 5 and 14 of Article 5 of Protocol 31, the words "financial year 2021" are replaced by "financial years 2021 and 2022".
Entry into Force and Application:
* The Decision of the EEA Joint Committee enters into force the day following the last notification under Article 103(1) of the EEA Agreement.
* It applies from January 1, 2022.
* The Decision will be published in the EEA Section of, and in the EEA Supplement to, the Official Journal of the European Union.
Impact Analysis:
EEA Joint Committee:
* Impact: Required to adopt the draft Decision amending Protocol 31.
* Action Required: Adopt the Decision based on the EU's position.
Contracting Parties to the EEA Agreement:
* Impact: Continued cooperation in the specified Union actions.
* Action Required: Continue cooperation efforts in alignment with the amended Protocol 31.
European Union:
* Impact: Maintain cooperation with EEA countries in areas of free movement of workers, social security, and migration measures.
* Action Required: Implement the decision through its representation in the EEA Joint Committee.
Key Entities Referenced
European Union: The supranational political and economic union of European countries.
EEA Joint Committee: The committee established by the EEA Agreement to amend protocols and make decisions regarding the agreement.
EEA Agreement: The Agreement on the European Economic Area.
Protocol 31: Protocol 31 on cooperation in specific fields outside the four freedoms, annexed to the EEA Agreement.
Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union: A primary treaty of the European Union.
Council Regulation EC No 2894/94: Council Regulation concerning arrangements for implementing the Agreement on the European Economic Area.
European Commission: The executive branch of the European Union.
Luxembourg: City in Luxembourg where the decision was made
L 173/68 EN Official Journal of the European Union 30.6.2022
DECISIONS
COUNCIL DECISION (EU) 2022/1042
of 21 June 2022
on the position to be adopted, on behalf of the European Union, within the EEA Joint Committee
concerning the amendment of Protocol 31 on cooperation in specific fields outside the four
freedoms, annexed to the EEA Agreement (Budget line 07 20 03 01 – social security)
(Text with EEA relevance)
THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION,
Having regard to the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union, and in particular Articles 46 and 48 in conjunction
with Article 218(9) thereof,
Having regard to Council Regulation (EC) No 2894/94 of 28 November 1994concerning arrangements for implementing
the Agreement on the European Economic Area(1), and in particular Article 1(3) thereof,
Having regard to the proposal from the European Commission,
Whereas:
(1) The Agreement on the European Economic Area(2)(‘the EEA Agreement’) entered into force on 1 January 1994.
(2) Pursuant to Article 98 of the EEA Agreement, the EEA Joint Committee established by the EEA Agreement (the ‘EEA
Joint Committee’) may decide to amend, inter alia, Protocol 31 on cooperation in specific fields outside the four
freedoms, annexed to the EEA Agreement (‘Protocol 31’).
(3) It is appropriate to continue the cooperation of the Contracting Parties to the EEA Agreement in Union actions
funded from the general budget of the Union regarding the free movement of workers, the coordination of social
security schemes and measures for migrants, including migrants from third countries.
(4) Protocol 31 should therefore be amended accordingly.
(5) The position of the Union in the EEA Joint Committee should therefore be based on the attached draft Decision of
the EEA Joint Committee,
HAS ADOPTED THIS DECISION:
Article 1
The position to be adopted on the Union’s behalf within the EEA Joint Committee concerning the amendment of Protocol
31 on cooperation in specific fields outside the four freedoms, annexed to the EEA Agreement, shall be based on the draft
Decision of the EEA Joint Committee attached to this Decision.
Article 2
This Decision shall enter into force on the date of its adoption.
(1) OJ L 305, 30.11.1994, p. 6.
(2) OJ L 1, 3.1.1994, p. 3.30.6.2022 EN Official Journal of the European Union L 173/69
Done at Luxembourg, 21 June 2022.
For the Council
The President
C. BEAUNEL 173/70 EN Official Journal of the European Union 30.6.2022
DRAFT
DECISION OF THE EEA JOINT COMMITTEE No […]
of …
amending Protocol 31 to the EEA Agreement, on cooperation in specific fields outside the four
freedoms
THE EEA JOINT COMMITTEE,
Having regard to the Agreement on the European Economic Area (‘the EEA Agreement’), and in particular Articles 86
and 98 thereof,
Whereas:
(1) It is appropriate to continue the cooperation of the Contracting Parties to the EEA Agreement in Union actions
funded from the general budget of the Union regarding the free movement of workers, coordination of social
security schemes and measures for migrants, including migrants from third countries.
(2) Protocol 31 to the EEA Agreement should therefore be amended in order to allow for this extended cooperation to
take place from 1 January 2022,
HAS ADOPTED THIS DECISION:
Article 1
In paragraphs 5 and 14 of Article 5 of Protocol 31 to the EEA Agreement, the words ‘financial year 2021’ are replaced by
the words ‘financial years 2021 and 2022’.
Article 2
This Decision shall enter into force on the day following the last notification under Article 103(1) of the EEA Agreement(*).
It shall apply from 1 January 2022.
Article 3
This Decision shall be published in the EEA Section of, and in the EEA Supplement to, the Official Journal of the European
Union.
Done at Brussels, […].
For the EEA Joint Committee The Secretaries
The President To the EEA Joint Committee
(*) [No constitutional requirements indicated.] [Constitutional requirements indicated.]