EC/Morocco Euro-Mediterranean aviation agreement, protocol following the accession of Bulgaria and Romania

PURPOSE: to conclude a Protocol amending the Euro-Mediterranean Aviation Agreement between the Community and Morocco to take account of the accession of Bulgaria and Romania to the EU.

PROPOSED ACT: Council Decision.

BACKGROUND: in December 2006, the Community and Morocco signed the “Euro-Mediterranean Aviation Agreement”. In January 2007 Romania and Bulgaria acceded to the European Union. In becoming members the two latter States agreed to accede to the Agreements and Conventions concluded or singed by the Member States. In order to simplify and speed matters up Bulgaria and Romania’s accession to these Agreements and Conventions can be adopted according to a simplified procedure.

CONTENT: the purpose of this proposal, therefore, is the accession of Bulgaria and Romania to the Euro-Mediterranean Aviation Agreement by approving the conclusion of a Protocol amending that Agreement. The Protocol provides for the necessary technical and linguistic adaptations of the Agreement. In summary, the protocol ensures the necessary replacement of provisions in the Aviation Agreement and relevant provisions added to the Annexes to take account of EU enlargement. This proposal forms part of the framework established by the Commission: “Developing the agenda for the Community’s external aviation policy.” On a final point, the proposal has no implications on the Community’s budget.