Convention on the fight against corruption involving officials of the European Communities or officials of Member States of the European Union: accession of Croatia to the Convention of 26 May 1997

PURPOSE: to allow Croatia to adhere to the Convention of 26 May 1997, drawn up on the basis of Article K.3(2)(c) of the Treaty on European Union, on the fight against corruption involving officials of the European Communities or officials of Member States of the European Union.

LEGISLATIVE ACT: Council Decision (EU) 2016/63 concerning the accession of Croatia to the Convention drawn up on the basis of Article K.3(2)(c) of the Treaty on European Union on the fight against corruption involving officials of the European Communities or officials of Member States of the European Union.

BACKGROUND: the 2011 Accession Treaty of Croatia has introduced a simplified system for the accession of Croatia to the conventions (and protocols) concluded by the Member States on the basis of Art. 34 TEU. It is no longer necessary to negotiate and conclude specific accession protocols (which would have to be ratified by the 28 Member States): the Act of Accession simply state that Croatia accedes to the conventions and protocols by virtue of the Act.

To that effect, the Council shall adopt a decision in order to determine the date on which these conventions shall enter into force for Croatia and to make all the necessary adjustments to these conventions required by reason of the accession of the new Member State (which would include, in any event, the adoption of the conventions in the Croatian language, so that these versions can be "equally authentic").

The Convention drawn up on the basis of Article K.3(2)(c) of the Treaty on European Union on the fight against corruption involving officials of the European Communities or officials of Member States of the European Union was signed on 26 May 1997 and entered into force on 28 September 2005.

Article 3(4) of the Act of Accession of Croatia provides that Croatia accedes to the conventions and protocols concluded between the Member States, listed in Annex I to the Act of Accession, which comprises, inter alia, the Convention against corruption involving officials.

They are to enter into force in relation to Croatia on the date determined by the Council.

CONTENT: under this Decision, the Council decided that the Convention against corruption involving officials shall enter into force for Croatia on the first day of the first month following the date of publication of this Decision.

ENTRY INTO FORCE: 15.1.2016. The Decision shall take effect on 21.1.2016. The Convention shall enter into force on 1.2.2016 for Croatia.