Date: 2026-03-12Category: Not ApplicableState: Union GovernmentCountry: Europe
Council Decision (EU) 2026/570 of 5 March 2026 on the position to be taken on behalf of the European Union within the Council of Members of the International Olive Council concerning the accession of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan to the International Agreement on Olive Oil and Table Olives, 2015
**Executive Summary**
This document outlines the European Union's position regarding the accession of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan to the International Agreement on Olive Oil and Table Olives, 2015. The Council of Members of the International Olive Council will decide on the conditions for Pakistan's accession, including participation shares and the time limit for depositing the instrument of accession. This decision entered into force on its adoption date.
**Key Points / Main Content**
**EU Position on Pakistan's Accession**
* The Union will support the accession of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan to the International Agreement on Olive Oil and Table Olives, 2015.
* This support will be provided during a future session of the Council of Members or via an exchange of correspondence procedure.
**Conditions for Support**
* Pakistan's participation shares must be calculated according to the formula in Article 11 of the Agreement.
* The time limit for Pakistan to deposit its instrument of accession must not exceed 18 months from the date of the Council of Members' decision.
**Delayed Accession**
* If the deposit of the instrument of accession is delayed, the Union may support subsequent decisions to extend the period for deposit.
**Impact Analysis**
**The European Union**
* **Impact**: The decision legally affects the Union by impacting the decisional balance within the Council of Members, as decisions are not adopted by consensus.
* **Action Required**: Adopt a formal position to be taken on behalf of the Union concerning the conditions for Pakistan's accession.
**The Council of Members of the International Olive Council**
* **Impact**: Will be invited to establish the conditions for Pakistan's accession to the Agreement.
* **Action Required**: To consider and adopt decisions on Pakistan's participation shares and the time limit for depositing the instrument of accession.
**The Islamic Republic of Pakistan**
* **Impact**: Is formally seeking accession to the Agreement and will need to meet specified conditions. Pakistan's development of its olive sectors could reinforce the IOC.
* **Action Required**: To formally apply for accession and, upon acceptance, deposit its instrument of accession within the stipulated timeframe.
Key Entities Referenced
International Agreement on Olive Oil and Table Olives, 2015: The central international agreement governing olive oil and table olives, to which Pakistan seeks to accede.
COUNCIL DECISION (EU) 2026/570: This EU Council Decision establishes the Union's position regarding Pakistan's accession to the Agreement.
International Olive Council: The governing body of the International Agreement on Olive Oil and Table Olives, responsible for approving accessions.
Islamic Republic of Pakistan: The country applying to accede to the International Agreement on Olive Oil and Table Olives.
Council Decision (EU) 2016/1892: An EU Council Decision related to the signing and provisional application of the International Agreement on Olive Oil and Table Olives, 2015.
Official Journal EN
of the European Union L series
2026/570 12.3.2026
COUNCIL DECISION (EU) 2026/570
of 5 March 2026
on the position to be taken on behalf of the European Union within the Council of Members of the
International Olive Council concerning the accession of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan to the
International Agreement on Olive Oil and Table Olives, 2015
THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION,
Having regard to the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union, and in particular Article 207(4), first subparagraph,
in conjunction with Article 218(9) thereof,
Having regard to the proposal from the European Commission,
Whereas:
(1) The International Agreement on Olive Oil and Table Olives, 2015 (the ‘Agreement’) was signed on behalf of the
Union in accordance with Council Decision (EU) 2016/1892(1)on 18 November 2016, subject to its conclusion at
a later date. The Agreement entered into force provisionally on 1 January 2017 in accordance with Article 31(2)
thereof and was concluded by the Union by way of Council Decision (EU) 2019/848(2).
(2) Pursuant to Article 29 of the Agreement, the Council of Members of the International Olive Council (the ‘Council of
Members’) is to establish the conditions for the accession of a Government to the Agreement.
(3) The Islamic Republic of Pakistan has formally applied to accede to the Agreement. The Council of Members will
therefore be invited, during a future session thereof or within the framework of a procedure for the adoption of
decisions by the Council of Members by way of exchange of correspondence, to establish the conditions for the
accession of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan to the Agreement in respect of the participation shares in the
International Olive Council (IOC) and the time limit for the deposit of the instrument of accession.
(4) Given that Pakistan is developing its olive sectors as regards consumption and intends to develop its production, its
accession could under certain conditions reinforce the IOC, in particular as regards the achievement of uniformity in
national and international legislation relating to the characteristics of olive products in order to prevent any obstacle
to trade.
(5) It is therefore appropriate to establish the position to be taken on the Union’s behalf in the Council of Members, as
the decisions to be adopted to establish the conditions for the accession of Pakistan to the Agreement will have legal
effects on the Union by impacting the decisional balance within the Council of Members where decisions are not
adopted by consensus in accordance with Article 10(4) of the Agreement,
HAS ADOPTED THIS DECISION:
Article 1
The position to be taken on the Union’s behalf within the Council of Members of the International Olive Council during
a future session thereof, or within the framework of a procedure for adoption of decisions by the Council of Members of the
International Olive Council by way of exchange of correspondence, concerning the conditions for the accession of the
Government of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan to the International Agreement on Olive Oil and Table Olives, 2015, is set
out in the Annex.
(1) Council Decision (EU) 2016/1892 of 10 October 2016 on the signing, on behalf of the European Union, and provisional
application of the International Agreement on Olive Oil and Table Olives, 2015 (OJ L 293, 28.10.2016, p. 2, ELI: http://data.europa.
eu/eli/dec/2016/1892/oj).
(2) Council Decision (EU) 2019/848 of 17 May 2019 on the conclusion on behalf of the European Union of the International
Agreement on Olive Oil and Table Olives, 2015 (OJ L 139, 27.5.2019, p. 1, ELI: http://data.europa.eu/eli/dec/2019/848/oj).
ELI: http://data.europa.eu/eli/dec/2026/570/oj 1/3EN
OJ L, 12.3.2026
Article 2
This Decision shall enter into force on the date of its adoption.
Done at Brussels, 5 March 2026.
For the Council
The President
N. IOANNIDES
2/3 ELI: http://data.europa.eu/eli/dec/2026/570/ojEN
OJ L, 12.3.2026
ANNEX
The Union shall support the accession of the Government of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan to the International
Agreement on Olive Oil and Table Olives, 2015, at a future session of the Council of Members or within the framework of
a procedure for adoption by the Council of Members by way of exchange of correspondence, provided that the
participation shares of Pakistan are calculated according to the formula specified in Article 11 of the Agreement and that
the time limit for the deposit by Pakistan of the instrument of accession does not exceed 18 months from the decision on
accession of the Council of Members of the International Olive Council. Where the deposit of the instrument of accession is
delayed, the Union may support, in subsequent decisions to be adopted by the Council of Members, the extension of the
period for the deposit of that instrument.
ELI: http://data.europa.eu/eli/dec/2026/570/oj 3/3