Council Decision (EU) 2024/396 of 16 January 2024 on the conclusion, on behalf of the Union, of the Protocol on the implementation of the Fisheries Partnership Agreement between the European Community, on the one hand, and the Republic of Kiribati, on the other (2023-2028)

What it is

to conclude, on behalf of the Union, the Protocol on the implementation of the Fisheries Partnership Agreement between the European Community, of the one part, and the Republic of Kiribati, of the other part (2023-2028). ROLE OF THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT: Council may adopt the act only if Parliament has given its consent to the act. BACKGROUND: the Fisheries Partnership Agreement (FPA) between the European Community, on the one hand, and the Republic of Kiribati, on the other, was signed on 28 April 2008 and entered into force on 30 April 2008 for a period of six years. The first Protocol implementing the FPA expired on 15 September 2012. The second such Protocol expired on 15 September 2015. On 26 January 2015, the Council authorised the Commission to open negotiations for a new Protocol to the FPA between the European Union and the Republic of Kiribati. Following these negotiations, the new Protocol was initialled by the negotiators on 18 December 2022. The new protocol covers a period of five years from its date of provisional application, i.e. the date of signature by both parties. BACKGROUND: the Protocol implementing the Fisheries Partnership Agreement between the European Community, of the one part, and the Republic of Kiribati, of the other part (2023-2028) has been signed. The Protocol should now be approved. CONTENT: the draft Council Decision seeks to approve, on behalf of the Union, the Protocol on the implementation of the Fisheries Partnership Agreement between the European Community, on the one hand, and the Republic of Kiribati, on the other (2023-2028). The Protocol provides for fishing opportunities for Union vessels in the fishing areas within Kiribati waters, on the basis of the best available scientific advice and following the conservation and management measures adopted by the Western and Central Pacific Fisheries Commission. The Joint Committee may approve certain amendments to the Protocol. To facilitate the approval of such amendments, the Commission should be empowered, subject to specific substantive and procedural conditions, to approve them on behalf of the Union under a simplified procedure. The Union’s position on amendments that are proposed to the Protocol should be established by the Council. The proposed amendments should be approved unless a blocking minority objects to them. This Decision should enter into force as soon as possible in view of the economic importance of Union fishing activities in Kiribati waters and the need to reduce as much as possible the time period before such activities can resume.

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