Date: 2025-07-02Category: Not ApplicableState: Union GovernmentCountry: Europe
Council Decision (EU) 2025/1300 of 17 June 2025 establishing the position to be taken on behalf of the European Union in the Partnership Council established by the Trade and Cooperation Agreement between the European Union and the European Atomic Energy Community, of the one part, and the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, of the other part, as regards decision No 1/2025 of the Partnership Council
Executive Summary:
The Council Decision (EU) 2025/300 establishes the EU's position in the Partnership Council regarding the interpretation of Article 508(2)(d) of the Trade and Cooperation Agreement with the United Kingdom. This interpretation concerns the powers of the Specialised Committee on Fisheries to adopt decisions regarding multiannual access to waters for fishing. The decision aims to clarify the basis on which the Specialised Committee on Fisheries may adopt such a Decision. This Decision shall enter into force on the date of its adoption.
Key Points / Main Content:
* **Purpose:** To establish the EU's position on interpreting Article 508(2)(d) of the Trade and Cooperation Agreement within the Partnership Council.
* **Context:** The Trade and Cooperation Agreement was concluded by the Union and entered into force on 1 May 2021, having been provisionally applied since 1 January 2021.
* **Article 1 of the Council Decision:** The EU's position is set out in the draft decision of the Partnership Council attached to the Council Decision, regarding the interpretation of Article 508(2)(d) of the Agreement.
* **Partnership Council Decision 1/2025:**
* Article 508(2)(d) empowers the Specialised Committee on Fisheries to adopt decisions on cooperation regarding sustainable fisheries management.
* The adjustment period for full access to waters to fish ends on June 30, 2026.
* After June 30, 2026, each Party grants access to fish in its waters based on annual consultations, provided TACs have been agreed.
* The Parties wish to provide for multiannual full access to waters to fish for a specified time period after June 2026.
* **Interpretation of Article 508(2)(d):** The term "cooperation on sustainable fisheries management" includes the adoption of a decision by the Specialised Committee on Fisheries to provide for multiannual full access to waters to fish, which is to be considered the agreed outcome of annual consultations.
Impact Analysis:
European Union:
* *Impact:* The EU defines its position within the Partnership Council concerning fisheries management and access to waters.
* *Action Required:* To implement the decision in negotiations and actions within the Partnership Council and Specialised Committee on Fisheries.
United Kingdom:
* *Impact:* The UK is party to the interpreted agreement, affecting its fisheries management and access to EU waters.
* *Action Required:* To implement the decision in negotiations and actions within the Partnership Council and Specialised Committee on Fisheries.
Specialised Committee on Fisheries:
* *Impact:* Clarifies the Committee's authority to make decisions regarding multiannual access to waters for fishing.
* *Action Required:* To consider and potentially adopt decisions on multiannual access to waters based on the interpreted Article 508(2)(d).
Fisheries Sector (EU and UK):
* *Impact:* Defines conditions of access to waters for fishing, including potential multiannual arrangements.
* *Action Required:* To adapt fishing practices according to any decisions made regarding access to waters, considering the agreed outcome of annual consultations.
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.
United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland: A sovereign country in north-western Europe, commonly known as the United Kingdom or Britain.
Trade and Cooperation Agreement: An agreement between the European Union and the United Kingdom that establishes terms for their relationship after the UK's withdrawal from the EU.
Partnership Council: A council established by the Trade and Cooperation Agreement between the European Union and the United Kingdom to oversee the implementation of the agreement.
Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union: One of the primary treaties of the European Union, detailing the organization and operation of the EU.
European Commission: An executive branch of the European Union responsible for proposing legislation, implementing decisions, and managing the EU's day-to-day operations.
Specialised Committee on Fisheries: A committee established under the Trade and Cooperation Agreement responsible for cooperation on sustainable fisheries management.
Official Journal EN
of the European Union L series
2025/1300 2.7.2025
COUNCIL DECISION (EU) 2025/1300
of 17 June 2025
establishing the position to be taken on behalf of the European Union in the Partnership Council
established by the Trade and Cooperation Agreement between the European Union and the
European Atomic Energy Community, of the one part, and the United Kingdom of Great Britain and
Northern Ireland, of the other part, as regards decision No 1/2025 of the Partnership Council
THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION,
Having regard to the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union, and in particular Article 43(2) thereof, in
conjunction with Article 218(9) thereof,
Having regard to the proposal from the European Commission,
Whereas:
(1) The Trade and Cooperation Agreement between the European Union and the European Atomic Energy Community,
of the one part, and the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, of the other part (‘the Trade and
Cooperation Agreement’ or ‘the Agreement’) was concluded by the Union by means of Council Decision (EU)
2021/689(1) and entered into force on 1 May 2021, having been provisionally applied since 1 January 2021.
(2) Pursuant to Article 519(b) of the Trade and Cooperation Agreement, the Partnership Council established under the
Agreement may adopt decisions to issue interpretations of the provisions of Part Two of the Agreement.
(3) Article 508(2)(d) of the Trade and Cooperation Agreement provides that the Specialised Committee on Fisheries
established under the Agreement may adopt measures, including decisions and recommendations, in relation to any
other aspect of cooperation on sustainable fisheries management under Heading Five of Part Two of the Agreement.
(4) The Partnership Council is to adopt at its next meeting or by written procedure a decision interpreting Article 508(2)
(d) of the Trade and Cooperation Agreement.
(5) It is appropriate to establish the position to be taken on the Union’s behalf in the Partnership Council as regards the
interpretation of Article 508(2)(d) of the Trade and Cooperation Agreement,
HAS ADOPTED THIS DECISION:
Article 1
The position to be taken on the Union’s behalf in the Partnership Council established by the Trade and Cooperation
Agreement between the European Union and the European Atomic Energy Community, of the one part, and the United
Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, of the other part, as regards the interpretation of Article 508(2)(d) of that
Agreement is set out in the draft decision of the Partnership Council attached to this Decision.
Article 2
This Decision shall enter into force on the date of its adoption.
(1) Council Decision (EU) 2021/689 of 29 April 2021 on the conclusion, on behalf of the Union, of the Trade and Cooperation
Agreement between the European Union and the European Atomic Energy Community, of the one part, and the United Kingdom of
Great Britain and Northern Ireland, of the other part, and of the Agreement between the European Union and the United Kingdom
of Great Britain and Northern Ireland concerning security procedures for exchanging and protecting classified information (OJ
L 149, 30.4.2021, p. 2, ELI: http://data.europa.eu/eli/dec/2021/689/oj).
ELI: http://data.europa.eu/eli/dec/2025/1300/oj 1/4EN
OJ L, 2.7.2025
Done at Luxembourg, 17 June 2025.
For the Council
The President
P. HENNIG-KLOSKA
2/4 ELI: http://data.europa.eu/eli/dec/2025/1300/ojEN
OJ L, 2.7.2025
DRAFT
DECISION No 1/2025 OF THE PARTNERSHIP COUNCIL ESTABLISHED BY THE TRADE AND
COOPERATION AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE EUROPEAN UNION AND THE EUROPEAN
ATOMIC ENERGY COMMUNITY, OF THE ONE PART, AND THE UNITED KINGDOM OF GREAT
BRITAIN AND NORTHERN IRELAND, OF THE OTHER PART
of …
issuing an interpretation of Article 508(2)(d) of the Trade and Cooperation Agreement between the
European Union and the European Atomic Energy Community, of the one part, and the United
Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, of the other part
THE PARTNERSHIP COUNCIL,
Having regard to the Trade and Cooperation Agreement between the European Union and the European Atomic Energy
Community, of the one part, and the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, of the other part (‘the
Agreement’), and in particular Article 519(b) thereof,
Whereas:
(1) The adjustment period provided for in Annex 38 to the Agreement, during which each Party grants to vessels of the
other Party full access to its waters to fish, ends on 30 June 2026.
(2) In accordance with Article 500(1) of the Agreement, which applies after 30 June 2026, each Party is to grant vessels
of the other Party access to fish in its waters in the relevant ICES sub-areas for the relevant year at a level and on
conditions determined in the annual consultations, provided that TACs have been agreed.
(3) The Parties wish to provide for multiannual full access to waters to fish for a specified time period after June 2026.
(4) Article 508(2)(b) in conjunction with Article 508(1)(l) of the Agreement empowers the Specialised Committee on
Fisheries to adopt decisions on the development of guidelines to support the practical application of Article 500 of
the Agreement. Moreover, Article 508(2)(d) of the Agreement empowers that Committee to adopt decisions in
relation to any other aspect of cooperation on sustainable fisheries management.
(5) It is appropriate, in that context, to issue an interpretation of Article 508(2)(d) of the Agreement to clarify the basis
on which the Specialised Committee on Fisheries may adopt such a Decision,
HAS ADOPTED THIS DECISION:
Article 1
The term ‘cooperation on sustainable fisheries management’ in Article 508(2)(d) of the Agreement shall be interpreted,
solely for the purpose of that provision, as including the adopting of a decision by the Specialised Committee on Fisheries
to provide for multiannual full access to waters to fish for a specified time period which is to be considered for the purposes
of Article 500(1) and (4) of the Agreement as the agreed outcome of annual consultations (including in the case of access
under Article 500(5) of the Agreement in the event that provisional TACs are set under Article 499 of the Agreement).
Article 2
This Decision shall enter into force on …
ELI: http://data.europa.eu/eli/dec/2025/1300/oj 3/4EN
OJ L, 2.7.2025
Done at Brussels and London, … 2025.
For the Partnership Council
The Co-Chairs
Maroš ŠEFČOVIČ
Nick THOMAS-SYMONDS
4/4 ELI: http://data.europa.eu/eli/dec/2025/1300/oj