EU/Korea Framework Agreement: accession of Croatia to the EU. Protocol

PURPOSE: to conclude, on behalf of the European Union and its Member States, of a Protocol to the Framework Agreement between the European Union and its Member States, on the one hand, and the Republic of Korea, on the other hand, to take account of the accession of Croatia to the European Union.

PROPOSED ACT: Council Decision.

ROLE OF THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT: Council may adopt the act only if Parliament has given its consent to the act. 

BACKGROUND: in accordance with the Act of Accession of the Republic of Croatia, Croatia will accede to the international agreements signed or concluded by the European Union and its Member States by means of a protocol to those agreements.

The Framework Agreement between the European Union and its Member States, on the one hand, and Korea, on the other hand was signed on 10 May 2010.

On 14 September 2012, the Council authorised the Commission to open negotiations with the third countries with which Protocols should be concludes following the accession of Croatia.

Following a Council Decision, the Protocol was signed with the representative of the Republic of Korea.

It is now necessary to approve the Protocol.

CONTENT: with this proposal, the Council is invited to adopt a decision aiming to approve, on behalf of the European Union and its Member States, a Protocol to the Framework Agreement between the European Union and its Member States, on the one hand, and the Republic of Korea, on the other hand, to take account of the accession of Croatia to the European Union.

The text of the Protocol is attached to the proposal.