Date: 2023-11-17Category: Not ApplicableState: Union GovernmentCountry: Europe
Council Decision (EU) 2023/2593 of 10 July 2023 on the conclusion of the Protocol implementing the Fisheries Partnership Agreement between the European Union and the Republic of Mauritius (2022-2026)
Executive Summary:
This Council Decision approves the Protocol implementing the Fisheries Partnership Agreement between the EU and Mauritius for 2022-2026. It aims to enhance cooperation in ocean economy, aquaculture, and sustainable marine development while ensuring decent working conditions in fisheries. The Decision empowers the Commission to approve amendments to the Protocol adopted by the Joint Committee, subject to Council review. It entered into force on the date of its adoption, July 10, 2023.
Key Points / Main Content:
* **Approval of the Protocol:**
* The Protocol implementing the Fisheries Partnership Agreement between the EU and Mauritius (2022-2026) is approved on behalf of the Union.
* **Notification of Consent:**
* The President of the Council will notify Mauritius of the EU's consent to be bound by the Protocol.
* **Amendments to the Protocol:**
* The Commission is empowered to approve amendments to the Protocol adopted by the Joint Committee, under specified conditions.
* The Commission must ensure alignment with the common fisheries policy and relevant rules from regional fisheries management organizations.
* Proposed amendments must be submitted to the Council for assessment before approval.
* Amendments are approved unless a blocking minority of Member States objects.
* **Joint Committee:**
* The Joint Committee, established by Article 9 of the Agreement, monitors the application of the Agreement.
* The Unions position on proposed amendments to the Protocol should be established by the Council.
Impact Analysis:
**The European Union:**
* *Impact:* The EU is now formally bound by the Protocol, enabling closer cooperation with Mauritius on fisheries and marine-related matters and will benefit from the sustainable use of fisheries resources.
* *Action Required:* The President of the Council must notify Mauritius of the EU’s consent to be bound by the Protocol. The Commission is required to follow the procedure for approving amendments to the Protocol.
**The Council of the European Union:**
* *Impact:* The Council retains oversight of proposed amendments to the Protocol.
* *Action Required:* The Council must assess proposed amendments submitted by the Commission and decide whether to object, potentially forming a blocking minority.
**The European Commission:**
* *Impact:* The Commission is empowered to approve amendments to the Protocol and is responsible for ensuring alignment with EU policy.
* *Action Required:* The Commission must submit proposed amendments to the Council, ensure compliance with relevant criteria, and take necessary steps following decisions of the Joint Committee.
**Member States of the European Union:**
* *Impact:* Member States have the power to object to proposed amendments if a blocking minority is formed.
* *Action Required:* Member States need to assess proposed amendments and voice objections if they do not comply with established criteria.
**The Republic of Mauritius:**
* *Impact:* Mauritius is now party to the approved Protocol, strengthening its fisheries partnership with the EU.
* *Action Required:* No specific action mentioned in the document.
**Fisheries Sector:**
* *Impact:* The Protocol contributes to decent working conditions in the fisheries sector.
* *Action Required:* No specific action mentioned in the document.
Key Entities Referenced
European Union: A political and economic union of member states located primarily in Europe.
Republic of Mauritius: An island nation in the Indian Ocean, and a party to the Fisheries Partnership Agreement with the European Union.
Fisheries Partnership Agreement between the European Union and the Republic of Mauritius: A bilateral agreement focused on fisheries cooperation between the EU and Mauritius.
European Parliament: The parliamentary body of the European Union, directly elected by EU citizens.
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.
Council of the European Union: A body composed of government ministers from each EU member state.
Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union: One of the primary treaties of the European Union, detailing its organization and operation.
Joint Committee: A committee established by Article 9 of the Fisheries Partnership Agreement responsible for monitoring the application of the Agreement.
Official Journal EN
of the European Union L series
2023/2593 17.11.2023
COUNCIL DECISION (EU) 2023/2593
of 10 July 2023
on the conclusion of the Protocol implementing the Fisheries Partnership Agreement between the
European Union and the Republic of Mauritius (2022-2026)
THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION,
Having regard to the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union, and in particular Article 43 in conjunction with
Article 218(6), point (a)(v), and Article 218(7) thereof,
Having regard to the proposal from the European Commission,
Having regard to the consent of the European Parliament,
Whereas:
(1) The Fisheries Partnership Agreement between the European Union and the Republic of Mauritius(1) (the
‘Agreement’) was concluded by Council Decision 2014/146/EU(2)and entered into force on 28 January 2014.
(2) In accordance with Council Decision (EU) 2022/2585(3), the Protocol implementing the Fisheries Partnership
Agreement between the European Union and the Republic of Mauritius (2022-2026) (the ‘Protocol’) was signed on
21 December 2022, subject to its conclusion at a later date.
(3) The objective of the Protocol is to enable the Union and Mauritius to work more closely on promoting cooperation
in the fields of ocean economy, aquaculture, sustainable development of the oceans, maritime spatial planning,
marine energy and marine environment, development of maritime policy and the blue economy, while contributing
to decent working conditions in the fisheries sector.
(4) The Protocol should be approved.
(5) Article 9 of the Agreement establishes a Joint Committee responsible for monitoring the application of the
Agreement. Furthermore, pursuant to the Protocol, the Joint Committee may approve certain amendments to the
Protocol. The Union’s position on proposed amendments to the Protocol should be established by the Council. The
proposed amendments should be approved unless a blocking minority of Member States in accordance with
Article 16(4) of the Treaty on European Union objects to them.
(6) The European Data Protection Supervisor was consulted in accordance with Article 42 of Regulation
(EU) 2018/1725 of the European Parliament and of the Council(4)and delivered an opinion on 24 October 2022,
HAS ADOPTED THIS DECISION:
Article 1
The Protocol implementing the Fisheries Partnership Agreement between the European Union and the Republic of
Mauritius (2022-2026) is hereby approved on behalf of the Union(5).
(1) OJ L 79, 18.3.2014, p. 3.
(2) Council Decision 2014/146/EU of 28 January 2014 on the conclusion of the Fisheries Partnership Agreement between the European
Union and the Republic of Mauritius (OJ L 79, 18.3.2014, p. 2).
(3) Council Decision (EU) 2022/2585 of 8 November 2022 on the signing, on behalf of the Union, and provisional application of
theProtocol implementing the Fisheries Partnership Agreement between the European Union and the Republic of Mauritius
(2022-2026) (OJ L 338, 30.12.2022, p. 4).
(4) Regulation (EU) 2018/1725 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 23 October 2018 on the protection of natural persons
with regard to the processing of personal data by the Union institutions, bodies, offices and agencies and on the free movement of
such data, and repealing Regulation (EC) No 45/2001 and Decision No 1247/2002/EC (OJ L 295, 21.11.2018, p. 39).
(5) The text of the Protocol is published in OJ L 338, 30.12.2022, p. 6.
ELI: http://data.europa.eu/eli/dec/2023/2593/oj 1/3EN
OJ L, 17.11.2023
Article 2
The President of the Council shall, on behalf of the Union, give the notification provided for in Article 19 of the Protocol, in
order to express the Union’s consent to be bound by the Protocol.
Article 3
Subject to the provisions and conditions set out in the Annex to this Decision, the Commission shall be empowered to
approve, on behalf of the Union, amendments to the Protocol adopted by the Joint Committee established by Article 9 of
the Agreement.
Article 4
This Decision shall enter into force on the date of its adoption.
Done at Brussels, 10 July 2023.
For the Council
The President
P. NAVARRO RÍOS
2/3 ELI: http://data.europa.eu/eli/dec/2023/2593/ojEN
OJ L, 17.11.2023
ANNEX
PROCEDURE FOR THE APPROVAL OF AMENDMENTS TO THE PROTOCOL TO BE ADOPTED BY THE
JOINT COMMITTEE
Where the Joint Committee is asked to adopt amendments to the Protocol implementing the Fisheries Partnership
Agreement between the European Union and the Republic of Mauritius (the ‘Protocol’) in accordance with Article 11(3) or
Article 12(1), (2), (3) or (4) of the Protocol, the Commission shall be empowered to approve the proposed amendments on
behalf of the Union, under the following conditions:
1. The Commission shall ensure that the approval on behalf of the Union:
(a) is in accordance with the objectives of the common fisheries policy;
(b) is consistent with the relevant rules adopted by regional fisheries management organisations and takes account of
joint management by coastal States;
(c) takes account of the latest statistical, biological and other relevant information sent to the Commission.
2. Before the Commission approves the proposed amendments on behalf of the Union, it shall submit them to the Council
in sufficient time before the relevant Joint Committee meeting.
3. The Council shall assess whether the proposed amendments comply with the criteria laid down in point 1.
4. Unless a number of Member States equivalent to a blocking minority of the Council in accordance with Article 16(4) of
the Treaty on European Union object to the proposed amendments, the Commission shall approve them on behalf of
the Union. If there is such a blocking minority, the Commission shall reject the proposed amendments on behalf of the
Union.
5. If, in the course of subsequent meetings of the Joint Committee, it is impossible to reach an agreement, including on the
spot, the matter shall be referred back to the Council, in accordance with the procedure set out in points 2, 3 and 4, in
order for the Union position to take account of new factors.
6. The Commission is invited to take, in due time, any steps necessary as a follow-up to the decision of the Joint
Committee, including, where appropriate, publishing the relevant decision in the Official Journal of the European Union
and submitting any proposal necessary for the implementation of that decision.
As regards other matters which do not concern amendments to the Protocol in accordance with Article 11(3) or
Article 12(1), (2), (3) or (4) thereof, the position to be adopted by the Union in the Joint Committee shall be determined in
accordance with the Treaties and established working practices.
ELI: http://data.europa.eu/eli/dec/2023/2593/oj 3/3